Soldier beetles are often mistaken for lightning bugs but are actually predatory insects. The spend a lot of time on flowers, and will eat pollen and nectar – and do some inadvertent pollination in the process – but their main food source is other insects, including aphids.
Soldier beetle on wild garlic (Allium canadense). Aurora, Nebraska.
Soldier beetles are a very common species in prairies and in town. Here in Aurora, we see sometimes them in large numbers when linden trees are blooming. This one was in my native prairie garden, hanging out on wild garlic (onion) flowers.
Yep, they’re all over the Linden trees in our yard here in Steinauer.
Glad to see you promoting the prairie. The great prairie at the center of the country, where you are, stretches down into south-central Texas, where I am. I regularly go to the Blackland Prairie for photographic inspiration, as in my recent pictures of Eustoma exaltatum. We also have Allium canadense this far south, but it flowered months ago in our hotter climate. Let’s hear it for our prairies!
Steve Schwartzman
http://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com
Wow! You have amazing photos! I love all of them and they capture a great look at the prairies and wildlife!!
Thanks Lauren.