Soldier Beetle

A hunter that traverses leaves and stems, the Soldier Beetle is an asset to a plant and those that tend them.

Updated: 4/13/2020; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org

Soldier Beetles eat other insects, which works out well for a plant. The beetle scours leaves and stems, looking for prey that are likely trying to tap the plant for its nutrients. Removing such plant pests makes the Soldier's work welcome. They look like lightening bugs, but do not light up. This genus has species that may be black and red, or black and orange. Let the Soldier Beetle do its thing, and the plant it hunts on will be happier for it.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Coleoptera

Family: Cantharidae

Genus: Silis

Species: spp.

Identifying Information

Scientific Name: Silis spp.

Category: Beetle

Size (Adult; Length): 10mm to 12mm (0.39in to 0.47in)

Colors: black; red; orange

Descriptors: black; red; flying; flower; small

Territorial Map

Alaska

Hawaii

Prince Edward Is.

Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic

Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic

Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic

Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic

Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico

Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic

Territorial Reach (A-to-Z)

Newfoundland and Labrador

Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.

Beetle Anatomy

Graphic showing basic anatomy of a common North American Beetle insect

Antennae: Beetles have a pair of antennae on the head used as sensors.

Head: The head is home to the insect's eyes, antennae, and mandibles (jaws).

Thorax: Holds the three pairs of legs as well as vital internal organs.

Elytron: One of two wing cases on a Beetle that protects its wings (plural: elytra).

Wings: Appendages used for flying and kept under the elytra until needed.

Abdomen: Houses organs related to circulation, reproduction, and excretion.

Legs: Beetles have three pairs of legs located at the thorax, numbering six legs in all.

Soldier Beetle (Silis spp.)

Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Soldier Beetle.

A hunter that traverses leaves and stems, the Soldier Beetle is an asset to a plant and those that tend them.