Autumn is about here, and so are many yellow beetles on the flowers! I often get asked "What are those orange beetles all over my flowers?" Of course, most gardeners want to see butterflies and bees pollinating their flowers, not beetles and other insects. But the goldenrod soldier beetle is one of the most numerous pollinators in the fall, especially on aster, goldenrod, and sunflower.
And it is our pollinator of the month for September 2026. The goldenrod soldier beetles is a member of the beetle family Cantharidae also known as Soldier Beetles. Soldier beetles are so-called because many have bright orange, red, and/or black markings which resemble a soldier in uniform. Not because they are eaters of other insects.
About the Goldenrod Soldier Beetle
These are one of roughly 500 species of soldier beetle native to North America. It is most active during the months of July, August, September, and October. The goldenrod soldier beetle adults feed on pollen, nectar, aphids, insect eggs, and small caterpillars. And they do quite a bit of pollinating, flying from flower to flower. (Perhaps this is why asters and goldenrods produce so much seed.)
Female adult goldenrod soldier beetles lay eggs in cluster in the soil. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae (which look like bristly worms) feed primarily on grasshopper eggs, small caterpillars, and soft-bodied insects.
The adults look similar to fireflies, though they do not have the ability to emit light, and they do not sting or bite.
Look-alikes of goldenrod soldier beetles include the Margined Soldier beetle (active in May and June), other soldier beetles, fireflies, and blister beetles.
What They Pollinate On
If you went to iNaturalist and went through all the photos of goldenrod soldier beetles, you would see a wide array of flowers in the photos. And while they may be more common on certain flowers, there are few flowers they would not visit. In my own experiences, I have seen them on the following flowers.
- Curlycup gumweed
- Goldenrods
- Asters
- Sunflowers
- Helenium
- Tall thistle
- Sedum
- Euphorbias
- Rudbeckia
- False Sunflower
- Wingstem
- Cup Plant
- Verbena
- False boneset
- Tall boneset
- Milkweeds
Conclusion
Though not as showy or popular as monarch butterflies or bumblebees, the goldenrod soldier beetle is a common pollinator through the month of September. Seen on a wide assortment of flowers and flower types, it not only pollinates, but also helps by eating pesky insects!
Happy planting!
