Soldier Beetle

What bug is this?
Location: California, United States of America
April 20, 2011 1:54 am
Hello, I really hope this is not a termite! We have a bunch of them outside our home by the light at night. We live in California and it is currently spring time here.
Signature: Jared Peters

Soldier Beetle

Hi Jared,
This is some species of Soldier Beetle in the family Cantharidae.  According to BugGuide:  “Adults eat nectar, pollen, other insects; larvae are fluid-feeding predators, feed on insect eggs and larvae.”  Many species of Soldier Beetles look quite similar.

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