Wildlife: Critters Big and Small Vol. 12, 2 by nutsaboutnature

nutsaboutnature wrote:
I'm just thrilled! I've been seeing quite a few insects on my Gaillardia (and also a few on my Black-eyed Susans) that I don't remember seeing before. Naturally I figured they were an invader of some kind, but left them alone till I knew for sure.

I posted a question in DG "Insect and Spider Identification" earlier today and got an answer very quickly from "Flapdoodle"

It turns out it's a beneficial pollenator and predator called a Soldier Beetle 'Chauliognathus'. Many of you may already be familiar with them. I guess they're pretty common so I'm not sure why I don't recall them.

I took a few pics this morning so I could get it identified. I think it's kind of a neat-looking bug. I hope all of you are lucky enough to have some of these guys.