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.