The Soldier Beetle, Not Quite Like The Lightning Bug
November 17th, 2009 Posted in Beetles & Ladybugs
The soldier beetle is closely related to the lightning bug, but that doesn’t mean they are all that similar. The soldier beetle feeds on aphids like there is no tomorrow, while the lightning bug lights up the night sky.
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The Soldier Beetle
Commonly known as leatherwings, the soldier beetle has soft and fragile wings, hence their nickname. They are about 1/2 inch in length and come in a variety of colors.
One of the more noticeable species is the Pennsylvania soldier beetle, which is mostly yellow with a black spot on each of its wings. The soldier beetle closely resembles their lightning bug cousins with their thin bodies and long antenna, except they lack the light producing organs.
The soldier beetle is carnivorous, but has moments where they also eat plants. They are helpful when it comes to pest control because they enjoy feasting on aphids, caterpillars, and other small insects.
Because they feed on insects that feed on plants, they can often be seen climbing a plant in the search of food. Thus, they sometimes settle on eating pollen and nectar, even helping to cross pollinate different plants.
The female soldier beetle tends to lay her eggs in mounds of dirt and soil. Much like the adults, the larva immediately feed upon other insects they come in contact with.
The Lightning Bug
Also members of the Lamyridae family, the lightning bug has the unique ability to light up the night with their own light produced within their bodies. Unlike their close relative, they have organs on their undersides that are dedicated to helping them produce light.
Their bodies bring in oxygen and combining it with a strange substance called luciferin, which in turn produces light without the presence of heat. The firefly uses the flashes of light from their abdomen to communicate with other fireflies in hopes of finding a mate.
Their ability to produce light is also a defense mechanism against predators, sending the message that they don’t taste good. Unlike the solider beetle, they prefer to eat nectar and pollen.
However, lightning bug larva often eat small insects. The female lightning bug lays its eggs underground. This practice is very similar to that of the soldier beetle.
Pest Management
Both the solider beetle and the lightning bug don’t cause many problems. With the soldier beetle’s pest control and the lightning bug’s visual appeal at night, these bugs are often good to have around.
However, many other bugs aren’t as beneficial to have around. For all your other pest control issues, use EcoSMART’s organic pesticides today.
It will solve all your pest problems in and around your home, while keeping everyone (except the insects) safe. Made to target a particular receptor only found in insects, EcoSMART is effective against insects and safe for your family and pets.
