Sunday, June 28, 2009

Soldier Beetles


Another insect the Yarrow dragged in, Soldier Beetles are a somewhat unappreciated pollinator. Some species look very similar to lightning bugs, aka fire flies while others are more colorful. They feed on small insects, as well nectar and pollen. However they seem restricted to plants that have flowers they can fit inside of.


Besides eating the pollen to the plant they also help in pollinating other flowers they may visit. Here you can see the legs to this Soldier Beetle are outlined with pollen, along with it's head and tips of the antenna.