Species Rhaxonycha carolinus

Cantharis carolinus, species name sometimes listed as carolina.

9-11 mm

Medium-sized cantharid with all-dark elytra. Resembles some fireflies, Lampyridae, but abdomen/elytra are more rounded, more punctate. Lampyridae are much flatter (depressed) in profile. Also, Cantharids are much more active than Lampyridae (pers. observation, P. Coin, Durham, North Carolina). Pronotum yellow, with orangish edges. Similar to Ancistronycha (Cantharis) dentiger, but the latter is smaller and has a yellow edge to elytra. See Dillon and Dillon. (1)

Podabrus modestus looks rather similar, see Insects of Cedar Creek. Genus Podabrus has a distinct "neck", whereas Cantharis and related genera (?) have head largely covered by pronotum. There is a good illustration of this in White, p. 185, fig. 75. (2)

Eastern North America: Quebec west to Minnesota, south to Texas, Florida.

Found on shrubs such as Hawthorn.

Spring-early summer. April-June (North Carolina). May-June (Minnesota).

There are several Cantharidae that have this basic pattern--dark elytra, yellow/orange pronotum with a central dark spot or spots. Many Lampyridae (fireflies) must be part of the same (Mullerian?) mimicry complex as well. Lampyridae are very toxic and serve as models in the complex (pers. comm., Josh Rose, Durham, North Carolina). Cantharidae are also known for toxicity to vertebrates.

Podabrus modestus

Dillon, p. 262, plate XXVII--Cantharis carolinus (1)

White, p. 185, fig. 75, has an illustration of what appears to be this species, listed as Cantharis. (2)

Brimley, p. 155--Cantharis carolinus (3)

Insects of Cedar Creek has a photo of a specimen, listed as Cantharis carolinus.

NCSU Entomology Collection has 10 pinned, including specimens from that state.

Beetles of Oklahoma

Beetles of Florida--gives range