Does anyone know what this insect is? It's all over the flowering goldenrod today. They look like they are mating but only on this plant. The goldenrod next to this one is not flowering and there are none of them on it. I live in Nebraska, zone 5, photo taken today.
thanks for any help!
Diane
they look like lightning bugs-i haven't seen them since i was a kid-and i hear they are becoming rare-so please,
protect them!!! It has been so long since I've seen them though, I could be wrong.
BugGuide may be able to help
http://bugguide.net/node/view/15740
This message was edited Aug 29, 2011 10:49 PM
Very likely the Goldenrod Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus).
http://bugguide.net/node/view/438
Edit: By the way, I do see the resemblance to lightning bugs, which are grouped with soldier beetles and click beetles in the superfamily Elateroidea.
This message was edited Aug 29, 2011 10:08 PM
Yes, I think it's the soldier beetle... we have lots of lightening bugs and they look different. Thank you!!
