Bugfest
Location: Dowelton, Middle TN
September 18, 2010 12:10 am
Hello! I was hiking around in the middle Tennessee area, scoping out the scenery when I happened to see a true love fest atop some white boneset flowers I came across. Literally each of these batches of flowers featured a little buggy action, all the same bugs. This photo was taken Sept 15th on a beautiful day. After seeing this website (fantastic!) I leapt at the chance to get a bug identification.
Signature: Bugged in College
Dear Bugged,
It sounds like you witnessed quite a mating frenzy of Pennsylvania Leatherwings, Chauliognathus pensylvanicus, also known as Goldenrod Soldier Beetles. The adults feed on pollen and they are frequently found on goldenrod.
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination