Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Chauliognathus marginatus (
Fabricius, 1775)
Identification
Very similar to C. pennsylvanicus, but pronotum has wide dark band, instead of an irregular dark spot. Elytra of C. marginatus often more extensively dark than pennsylvanicus. C. marginatus is also somewhat smaller and is active earlier in summer than C. pennsylvanicus.
Range
Eastern to central United States.
Beetles of Florida says range also includes Bahamas, Mexico.
Habitat
Old field habitats with flowers.
Season
Spring and early summer. May-July (North Carolina). Seen in Durham, North Carolina, as early as May 4 (2004).
Food
Adult feeds on pollen and nectar. Found on early summer flowers such as New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) and wild Hydrangea. Adult also predatory, possibly taking eggs? Larva is predatory, known to attack corn earworm and corn borer.
Life Cycle
Presumably like others of the Cantharidae: eggs laid in masses under soil or litter. Larvae prey on other larval insects, esp. coleoptera and lepidoptera. Larvae overwinter, pupation is in the soil.
Remarks
The common name "Margined Leatherwing" is a new suggested name. The similar C. pennsylvanicus is called the "Pennsylvania Leatherwing" or "Goldenrod Soldier Beetle". "Goldenrod" is not appropriate, for C. marginatus, since it is active before most goldenrods (Solidago) bloom.
Print References
Papp, p. 90--description only
(1)
Dillon, p. 257, plate XXVII #7
(2)
Arnett, p. 209--description only
(3)
Deyrup, p. 99--illustration of C. marginatus, but no species label
(4)
Rea, p. 47--misidentified as C. pennsylvanicus
(5)
Contributed by
Cotinis on 11 March, 2004 - 10:43am
Last updated 4 July, 2009 - 11:04am
