KINGDOM: Animalia | PHYLUM: Arthropoda | CLASS: Insecta | ORDER:Coleoptera | FAMILY:Cantharidae (soldier beetles)

Like all beetles, Soldier Beetles (family Cantharidae) have chewing mouthparts and hardened front wings (elytra) that meet in a straight line down the back of the abdomen when closed.  Like their close relatives, the Lightningbugs (Family Lampyridae),  soldier beetles are unusual among beetles because their elytra, while more hardened than the wings of most insects, are much softer than the elytra of most other beetles.  Soldier beetles have long, straight antennae. 

Although most common soldier beetles found in Kentucky are orange with black markings, a few are black with orange markings and closely resemble lightningbugs (shown below).  In fact, lightning beetles and soldier beetles are closely related.  Both are elongated in shape, have relatively soft elytra, and both are often patterned with black and orange.

Like all beetles, soldier beetles have "complete" metamorphosis with egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages.  Female soldier beetles place eggs in moist soil or in leaf litter in lawns, meadows, and forests.  Upon hatching in the summer, larvae live and feed at the soil level.  Most species pupate in the fall in small chambers in the soil and adults emerge in late spring, then mate and deposit eggs during the summer.

The larvae of many soldier beetle species are predators that feed on small insects, worms, slugs, and snails.  They hunt in leaf litter and in other locations that are damp and close to the soil.  A few species hunt under loose bark.  The larvae of other soldier beetles are herbivores that feed on potato, celery, and other garden plants.  As adults, some soldier beetle species feed on nectar and pollen, while others are predators that hunt for aphids and other soft-bodied insects.  

Soldier beetles and their larvae are a food source for other animals.  Birds, bats, and spiders feed on the adults.  Spiders, ground beetles, and other soil-dwelling predators feed on the larvae.

Soldier beetles are not considered pests.  Predatory species sometimes reduce pest populations (especially aphids) and are considered beneficial.

LEATHERWINGS
GENUS: Chauliognathus
In Kentucky, the most commonly seen soldier beetles are probably the Leatherwings.  These beetles belong to the Chauliognathus genus and are typically 1/2-3/4" long and orange with black markings.  The Goldenrod Leatherwing, Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus, (below left) is commonly seen in late summer and early fall on goldenrod flowers where it feeds on nectar, pollen, and insects.  It is also called the "Pennsylvania Leatherwing."  Below right is the Margined Leatherwing, Chauliognathus marginatus.  It is also common on flowers in summer in Kentucky. 

Podabrus spp.
GENUS: Podabrus
Soldier beetles in the genus Podabrus are also very common in Kentucky.  These soldier beetles are black with orange markings and closely resemble lightningbugs.  The species pictured below is common during early summer in meadows, fencerows, gardens, and other areas with thick, sunlit vegetation.  These soldier beetles are smaller (less than 1/2") than most other common solider beetles.  They also seem to be more active and take flight more quickly than leatherwings and other soldier beetles.

Adult soldier beetles are easy to find during the summer in Kentucky.  Look for them on flowers and weedy plants in lawns, meadows, and on the edges of woodlands.  Because they are slow-moving and tend to spend their time in sunny areas, it is usually easy to snap pictures of adult soldier beetles.  Most soldier beetles are relatively slow-moving and easy to capture.  Soldier beetle larvae are common in Kentucky but can be difficult to find because they hunt in concealed areas like thatch and leaf-litter.  Sometimes they can be seen crossing roads and sidewalks at night and after summer rains.  If collected, soldier beetle larvae (like all insect larvae) should be preserved in alcohol.  

The Chigaco Wilderness Magazine has a detailed online article about the Margined Leatherwing and its biology:
http://chicagowildernessmag.org/issues/spring2005/soldierbeetle.html

"Leatherwings" are so-named because of their soft-but-tough outer wings.

Do you know any other myths, legends, or folklore about soldier beetles?  If so, let us know!