Plague Soldier Beetle

Harmless plague soldier beetles can recolour your garden!

Plague soldier beetles are flying beetles native to Australia, particularly the south eastern and south western parts of the country.
Plague soldier beetles have a mostly orange yellow body, that is covered with metallic forewings of a dark olive green colour, that almost look black, and the rest of the beetle is mostly black.
Plague soldier beetles have the scientific name ‘Chauliognathus lugubris, although they are sometimes known as ‘Chauliognathus pulchellus’.
Plague soldier beetles are named after their characteristic of plaguing during mating season, that occurs generally in summer.
‘Plague soldier beetles’ are also known as ‘green soldier beetles’ and they are from the family Cantharidae, the family of soldier beetles.

Plague soldier beetle larvae live underground, eating insects, and transform into adults during spring.
Plague soldier beetles have colours that warn other creatures that they are poisonous, in that they excrete toxins, which is also used to prevent their eggs being contaminated.
At mating time, plague soldier beetles can be found swarming in their thousands, often totally covering plants and other areas, although they are said to leave little damage to the plants.
Plague soldier beetle adults are believed to have a diet of mainly nectar and pollen, although they also eat small insects and their eggs, and sometimes other parts of plants.
Plague soldier beetles live in habitats with significant numbers of trees like forests, and are often found in urban environments especially during the mating season.

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