Other Common Names
Soldier Beetle, Leatherwing Beetle (names apply to the whole family, Cantharidae)
Explanation of Names
Chauliognathus is apparently a compound of Greek, chaulio, impressive/outstanding, plus Greek, gnathus, jaw. These beetles must have impressive jaws. This derivation is based on Internet searches and
The Century Dictionary (1) entry for
Chauliodus, a genus of fish.
Numbers
www.nearctica.com lists 19 North American species in this genus.
Identification
The common North American members of this genus are mostly yellow and active on flowers during the day. The most commonly encountered genus of soldier beetles in eastern North America.
Range
Genus widespread in North America. C. pennsylvanicus and C. marginatus are widespread in east. C. basalis occurs in the western Great Plains: Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado.
Members of genus also occur in South America, Australia, New Guinea (See Internet refernces.)
Habitat
Meadows, etc. Common on flowers in summer, fall.
Season
Summer into fall in temperate areas.
Food
Adults take pollen and nectar. Adults also perhaps predatory. Larvae prey on other insect larvae, especially coleoptera, lepidoptera. Sometimes members of this genus are suggested for biological control of pest species.
Print References
Arnett, American Insects
(2)
Papp, Intro. to North American Beetles
(3)
Dillon, Manual of Common Beetles of Eastern North America
(4)
Salsbury, p. 196--photo C. basalis
(5)Internet References
North Carolina State University entomology collection--lists C. pensylvanicus and C. marginatus for that state.
This
reference on the distribution of Cantharidae gives the distribution of the tribe
Chauliognathini as "throughout the New World from southern Canada to Chile, and in Australia and New Guinea."
Chauliognathus lugubris, the "plague soldier beetle", is found in Australia.
Harvard's MCZ has images of several type specimens--search on "Chauliognathus", and click on links for each species
