Apr 27, 2009
Got aphids?
The important work that soldier beetles (family Cantharidae) do is never more exemplified than in the "before" and "after" photos.
When the aphids landed on our rose bushes, a few ladybugs came to dine, but the insects that really stopped the aphid onslaught were the soldier beetles.
Veni, Vidi, Vici! They came, they saw, they conquered.
And now, since their food source is gone, the soldier beetles have flown off to find another tasty smorgasbord.
Yesterday we spotted only one soldier beetle (genus Podabrus) on a rose bush. If you look closely, you'll see why there's only one.
Look ma, no aphids!
Topics:
Attached Images:
![BEFORE the soldier beetles came to visit, aphids clustered on the rose bushes to suck out plant juices. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) BEFORE the soldier beetles came to visit, aphids clustered on the rose bushes to suck out plant juices. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/bugsquad/blogfiles/1645.jpg)
Before
![AFTER the soldier beetles came to visit, they cleaned off the aphids (with the help of a few ladybugs). AFTER the soldier beetles came to visit, they cleaned off the aphids (with the help of a few ladybugs).](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/bugsquad/blogfiles/1646.jpg)
After
![SOLITARY soldier beetle scours for aphids on a rose leaf. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) SOLITARY soldier beetle scours for aphids on a rose leaf. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/bugsquad/blogfiles/1648.jpg)
Lone soldier beetle