The texture on the orange and black elytra (wing coverings) of the Pennsylvania Leatherwing is smooth and shiny, giving it the appearance of leather. It looks a lot like a close relative, the Margined Leatherwing Beetle. As a defensive maneuver, the Pennsylvania Leatherwing is capable of secreting a foul chemical from glands near the tip of its abdomen.
This beetle has a fantastic appetite for aphids which are small plant-sucking insects - the bane of every gardener. The presence of the Pennsylvania Leatherwing Beetle means free, organic pest control. As a bonus, the beetle spends so much time wandering around flowers looking for aphids, it becomes a terrific pollinator as well. They are fast and agile and usually travel in packs, amplifying the benefits they bring to a garden.
General Characteristics Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers
* MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Pennsylvania Leatherwing Beetle may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Pennsylvania Leatherwing Beetle. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits.
Colors: orange; black; yellow; brown 
