Marin Rose Society

FAST FACTS - SOLDIER BEETLES
by Nanette Londeree, Master Rosarian

SIGNS

Adult insects that are slender, relatively flat, about 1/2 inch in length with a red, orange or yellow head and abdomen and black, gray or brown soft wing covers

Larvae that are flat and dark-colored and covered with hairs that give them a “velvety” appearance

Soldier Beetles SYMPTOMS

Adults observed feeding on aphids, mealybugs or other soft-bodied insects or on pollen or nectar on flowering shrubs and trees

Larvae feeding under bark or in soil or litter, primarily on eggs and larvae of small insects, worms, slugs and snails, butterflies and moths

CAUSE

One of the many species of soldier beetles (over 100 in California), Family Cantharidae

OPTIMAL CONDITIONS / HABITS

Larvae - leaf litter and other damp locations that are close to the soil

Adults - spring through summer, flowers with pollen or nectar, particularly yellow flowers late in the season

Increase populations by planting good nectar or pollen producing plants such as Asclepias or Solidago

TREATMENT

Prevention:

None - these insects should be encouraged with diverse plantings of nectar and pollen producing plants

Elimination:

None - you don’t want to eliminate these from the garden

If found in the house, either capture and relocate them outside, or vacuum them up

GOOD GUY / BAD GUY?

Definitely a good guy

Nicknamed “leatherwings” because their soft, cloth-like, brightly colored wing covers are reminiscent of uniforms, these are insects you’d like to see in the garden

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FAST FACTS - SOLDIER BEETLES by Nanette Londeree, Master Rosarian

FAST FACTS - SOLDIER BEETLES
by Nanette Londeree, Master Rosarian