Leonard Weber

August 20, 2023

While insect watching in the Eliza Howell Park wildflower field recently, I have been impressed by the presence of a large number of Goldenrod Soldier Beetles.

Given the name of the beetle, it is no surprise to find them nectaring on the goldenrods that are just starting to bloom.

What the name does not suggest, however, is that the beetle is also attracted to a wide variety of other flowers.

The Goldenrod Soldier Beetle, sometimes called Pennsylvania Leatherwing, is one of the most common soldier beetles in the Midwest. “Soldier beetles” are called that because their colored wing covers suggested to someone military uniforms worn in the past.

The beetle is about 1/2 inch long, and adults are visible here from late July till September, peaking in August. Right now, they are abundant.

There is only one generation a year. It is not unusual to spot a mating pair at this time. The young will spend the winter in the larvae stage, completing development to adults by next July.

Because they are sometimes found together, I tend to associate Goldenrod Soldier Beetle with another colorful late summer insect that likes goldenrod, the Ailanthus Webworm Moth.

There are many markers of each stage of nature’s annual cycle. One that signals the coming transition from summer to fall is the abundance of Goldenrod Soldier Beetles. It is happening now.