Subject: Soft-Winged Flower Beetle Anthocomus equestris
Location: Toledo, OH
April 5, 2014 12:21 pm
Pretty sure I’ve ID’d this guy correctly, but didn’t see him on your website so wanted to shoot him your way if you’d like an example! Found in my bathroom in all places, but it’s the start of the buggin’ season over here in Ohio so I was excited either way! Thrilled to be able to start posting on my own bug blog again, it’s been a long winter. Unfortunately, the find was at 5am while I was getting ready for work, so I didn’t have a chance for more impressive photos. Thanks!
Signature: Katy
Dear Katy,
Are agree with your identification of this Soft-Winged Flower Beetle, Anthocomus equestris, and we are thankful that you have been considerate enough to provide your image for our archives. We disagree with your assessment that this is not an impressive image, but you are a much better judge of your own photographic capabilities. The reason we really like your image is that is shows both dorsal and ventral views in the same image, and you can compare the ventral reflection to this image on BugGuide. According to BugGuide, this is a nonnative species because it is: “native to Eurasia, adventive in NA (ON + e. US south to NC).” This does not indicate if it is an invasive exotic species that is problematic in its introduced range, so we attempted additional research. According to Amazing Nature: “This one is a flower beetle that eats herbaceous plants
as larvae and probably pollinates as an adult while feeding on pollen.” Helen Fields Freelance Science Journalist also had an indoor sighting earlier this year, and we wonder if perhaps this Soft-Winged Flower Beetle hibernates indoors to escape the harsh winter temperatures. Another indoor sighting this year was documented by The Urban Pantheist who writes: “this beetle is a Eurasian import–insects from that continent had several millennia of practice living among humans and their buildings, and are often brought to our continent without the predators and parasites that keep them in check. Therefore, when a North American finds a small arthropod in their house there’s a better than even chance that it’s a species from across the pond.”
I have never before fifteen minutes ago seen a red insect other than a black widow. The lady in the next apartment has a huge flower garden and I am starting to add to hers to extend all the way across. Redstone Arsenal is across the street. There are wetlands there. Since we moved here we have seen lots of Gods creatures: humming birds, armadillos, opposum, Redtailed hawks, dragonflies, butterflies, wasp, bees and radiant rainbows some times they are double. I am truly at home here in the city of Huntsville AL. To God be the glory.
I’m pretty sure I saw one of these guys in Pittsburgh, PA. He was indoors on my desk at work and let me pick him up (very carefully because he was so tiny), and snap a couple photos of him on my finger before taking him outside. He seemed to enjoy the taste of the little bits of lotion under my nail, lol. Thanks for the id!
Living in OH, I have also seen a bunch of these beetles in my attempt to start my outdoor tomato/cucumber garden. I’m wondering what damage they are doing to my plants. Inspecting the undersides of leaves I have saw multiple blister looking spots. I’ve searched the net and haven’t come up with much info. Please leave any info about plant damage, eating habits, breeding, egg placement, or irradiation methods.
Thanks in advance!!
Have you deduced anything on this topic? Trying to figure out if they are preying on pests that I cant see or preying on my actual plants
-J
We have not. When we have an opportunity, we will attempt new research. Have you tried following our BugGuide links to read their most current updates?
Living in OH, I have also seen a bunch of these beetles in my attempt to start my outdoor tomato/cucumber garden. I’m wondering what damage they are doing to my plants. Inspecting the undersides of leaves I have saw multiple blister looking spots. I’ve searched the net and haven’t come up with much info. Please leave any info about plant damage, eating habits, breeding, egg placement, or irradiation methods.
Thanks in advance!!
Have you deduced anything on this topic? Trying to figure out if they are preying on pests that I cant see or preying on my actual plants
-J
Philadlephia, PA. I found one of these beetles in my garden on my pepper plant this morning. I let it be not knowing what role it was playing in my garden.