Goldenrod soldier beetle

Goldenrod soldier beetle
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Family:	Cantharidae
Genus:	Chauliognathus
Species:	C. pensylvanicus
Binomial name
	Chauliognathus pensylvanicus; (DeGeer, 1774)
Synonyms
	Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus;

The goldenrod soldier beetle^[1] or Pennsylvania leatherwing^[2] (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus) is a species of soldier beetle (Cantharidae).

Nomenclature

The specific epithet pensylvanicus is Latin for "of Pennsylvania". The spelling with one n was in common use at the time (de Geer says in the description that the specimen was sent to him from 'Pensylvanie'), so the species name based on it cannot be corrected under the rules governing scientific names.^[1]

Distribution

The species is native to North America, and is one of the most common species of soldier beetle in the Midwest.^[3]

Ecology

C. pensylvanicus has been identified as an important pollinator of the prairie onion.^[4] Adults of the species are active in late summer and early fall. The beetle prefers yellow flowers. ^[5]

Parasites

Adult C. pensylvanicus may be infected by the fungus Eryniopsis lampyridarum. After the fungus infects the host, it takes about two weeks for it to eventually kill its host. Before the host dies, the fungus orders the beetle to climb a plant and then attach itself to a flower by biting down with its mandibles into flower heads.^[6] About 15–22 hours later, the fungus causes the dead beetles to raise their elytra and expand their metathoracic wings in order to maximise infection of other beetles.^[7] With their wings raised, the dead beetles may still attract mates as live males were observed mating with the deceased, infected females, this then transmits spores from one insect-host to another.^[8]