Soldier Beetle (Podabrus pruinosus)

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Photo by misako

Published on Project Noah

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37.8347, -122.279

Field Notes

Description:

The soldier beetles, Cantharidae, are relatively soft-bodied, straight-sided beetles, related to the Lampyridae or firefly family, but being unable to produce light. They are cosmopolitan in distribution. One common British species is bright red, reminding people of the red coats of soldiers, hence the common name. A secondary common name is leatherwing, obtained from the texture of the wing covers.
Wikipedia

Habitat:

On wall next to front door of urban house, Emeryville, CA.

Reference Links:

Soldier beetle, Blackbacked Red beetle - Podabrus pruinosus - BugGuide.Net

Species ID Suggestions

I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest this!

Brachinus favicollis

LealikiKanoa

+ vote

Comments (8)

misako

wonderful! thank you for the info oxyjack!

oxyjack

They are very common in our area in springtime. They are great beetles to have in the garden because like ladybugs, they are voracious aphid predators. Now that you've noticed them, you'll start seeing them everywhere. =)

misako

I have never seen them before oxyjack--there were two of them on the front of my house.

oxyjack

Wow, you spotted one of these already? Early in the year, yes?

misako

ID updated to Soldier Beetle, Podabrus pruinosus.

misako

Thank you Nopayahnah!

Maria dB

Nice one!

misako

Thank you for the ID suggestion LealikiKanoa--they do look similar.