Beetle Identification - Knowledgebase Question

Name: Sara Hrizak
Lackawanna, NY
Avatar for hrzdsjm
Question by hrzdsjm
February 28, 2000
While pulling leaf mulch off my spring bulb bed, I came across beetles about 3/4 - 1" in length, Orange & black in color. Beneficial? harmful?


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Answer from NGA
February 28, 2000
It's really hard to say for sure what it is without seeing it, but based upon the time of year (late winter, early spring), and the fact that you found it in the soil, I'm going to guess its a Soldier Beetle. If so, it's one of the good guys (or gals) in the garden. Soldier beetles feed on aphids, spider mites, small caterpillars, grasshopper eggs, cucumber and other beetles. The larvae live in the soil and adults like to hide in bark (or mulch). I'd leave them alone and let them do their work!

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