Soldier beetles have an elongated, flattened and softened body. This beetle has elytra that are dark brown in color with 2 yellow spots. This beetle is about 2/5 of an inch long. It is small as far as soldier beetles go. It is also narrow in width being about 1/10 of an inch wide.
Adults are abundant on flowers (especially catnip) and foliage where they feed on nectar, pollen, or other insects. Larvae of most species are carnivorous, a few species feed on plants. this beetle is found to be numerous at Fontenelle Forest especially on So. stream trail.
Members of the family Cantharidae are commonly known as soldier beetles or leatherwings. This beetle was formerly named T. latipennis.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Eric Scholar.