Soldier-beetles
Guides
Atalantycha
Soldier beetles
Atalantycha is a genus of soldier beetles (family Cantharidae) established by Kazantsev in 2005. The genus contains at least four described species, including Atalantycha bilineata, commonly known as the two-lined cantharid. Atalantycha bilineata has been documented visiting apple flowers, contributing to nocturnal pollination services in agricultural settings.
Caccodes
Caccodes is a genus of soldier beetles (family Cantharidae) established by Sharp in 1885. The genus is poorly documented in modern literature, with limited species-level revision. Like other cantharids, members are likely soft-bodied beetles with parallel-sided elytra. The genus appears to have restricted geographic distribution, primarily known from the Australasian region based on specimen records.
Cantharinae
soldier beetles
Cantharinae is a subfamily of soldier beetles in the family Cantharidae, comprising at least 200 described species. The subfamily is divided into two extant tribes—Cantharini and Podabrini—plus the extinct tribe †Cacomorphocerini known from Baltic amber. Members are distributed globally and are among the most frequently observed beetles in temperate regions. The subfamily has been extensively documented in amber deposits, with multiple fossil genera described from Cretaceous and Eocene deposits.
Cantharini
soldier beetles
Cantharini is a tribe of soldier beetles within the family Cantharidae, established by Imhoff in 1856. The tribe encompasses more than 40 genera and over 500 described species globally. Members are commonly known as soldier beetles and are recognized for their soft, flexible elytra and often bright coloration. The tribe represents one of the major lineages within the subfamily Cantharinae.
Chauliognathinae
soldier beetles
Chauliognathinae is a subfamily of soldier beetles (family Cantharidae) containing at least four genera and approximately 20 described species. The subfamily includes the tribe Ichthyurini, whose genus Ichthyurus comprises roughly 200 species worldwide. Members exhibit notable sexual dimorphism, with males often possessing specialized structures on legs, elytra, or terminal abdominal segments. The first documented predatory behavior in the tribe was reported for Ichthyurus antheraeanus, which preys on early instar larvae of the tasar silkmoth Antheraea mylitta.
Chauliognathus
soldier beetles, leatherwings
A genus of soldier beetles (family Cantharidae) comprising over 450 described species. Adults possess characteristically soft, flexible elytra that give rise to the common name 'leatherwings.' Many species exhibit red-and-black or orange-and-black coloration reminiscent of historical military uniforms. Adults are diurnal and frequently associated with flowers, where they feed on pollen and nectar. Larvae are primarily ground-dwelling predators. The genus occurs in the Americas and Australia, with notable species including the goldenrod soldier beetle (C. pensylvanicus) and the plague soldier beetle (C. lugubris).
Cultellunguis
Cultellunguis is a genus of soldier beetles in the family Cantharidae, established by McKey-Fender in 1950. The genus contains approximately nine described species distributed in North America. These beetles are part of the diverse Cantharidae family, which is characterized by soft-bodied adults and larvae that are often predatory or feed on detritus.
Frostia
Frostia is a genus of soldier beetles in the family Cantharidae. Approximately five species have been described. These beetles belong to the order Coleoptera and are characterized by soft, flexible elytra typical of their family.
Malthinus
soldier beetles
Malthinus is a genus of soldier beetles in the family Cantharidae containing more than 140 described species. The genus has been recorded from Europe, North America, Japan, and the Canary Islands. Species occupy diverse habitats ranging from mountainous regions to lowland areas, with some showing distinct altitudinal preferences. The genus has a fossil record extending to the Eocene, with specimens preserved in Baltic amber.
Malthodes
soldier beetles
Malthodes is a genus of soldier beetles in the family Cantharidae, containing at least 120 described species. The genus has a long evolutionary history, with fossil relatives dating back to the Late Cretaceous (~99 million years ago). Extant species are distributed across the Palaearctic region, including Europe, the Caucasus, and East Asia. The genus is taxonomically active, with new species described recently from Japan and the Greater Caucasus.
Rhaxonycha
Rhaxonycha is a genus of soldier beetles in the family Cantharidae, established by Motschulsky in 1860. The genus contains at least two described species: Rhaxonycha bilobata (McKey-Fender, 1941) and Rhaxonycha carolina (Fabricius, 1801), the latter commonly known as the Carolina cantharid. Soldier beetles in this family are generally soft-bodied and often found on flowers.
Trypherus
Trypherus is a genus of soldier beetles (family Cantharidae) established by LeConte in 1851. The genus contains at least four described species, all described or reclassified by Fender in 1960 except for T. latipennis, which was originally described by Germar in 1824. Soldier beetles in this family are generally soft-bodied and often found on flowers.
Tytthonyx
Tytthonyx is a genus of soldier beetles comprising approximately 19 described species. It occupies a phylogenetically ambiguous position, currently classified as incertae sedis within Silinae in its own tribe Tytthonyxini, though phylogenetic analysis indicates it is sister to Malthininae. The genus exhibits a combination of morphological traits shared with both subfamilies. Some species possess distinctly serrate antennae.