Another Beetle that looks a bit like a Lightning Bug. Scientific name, Podabrus tomentosus. A species of the Soldier Beetle family, Cantharidae. There are approximately 3,500 species in this family. The Podabrus tomentosus is a species of Soldier Beetle that the Internet has neglected. It has no common name and in my search I found no more information about it, other than the scientific name and its family. But for the sake of helping this little fellow, whose length is .5 inch, feel included, I’m going to tell you a bit about it’s family which should give it some pride.

Soldier Beetles are indeed generally about .5 inch long, feed on pollen and nectar and also eat aphids and caterpillars. A great insect to have around to help out with those soft-bodied insects in the garden. They will wait on brightly colored flowers, such as Goldenrod, Zinnias, or Marigold, for their prey to come by but do no damage to those flowers.

An excellent pollinator to have in your garden, and that predatory work is appreciated as well.