Green Soldier Beetle / Leatherwing

Description:

14mm. They were thousands of these little ones mating at the same time today :)

Habitat:

Soldier beetles occur in large swarms in eucalypt plantations where they are the main predators of eucalyptus leaf beetles. Adults are usually found in swarms during the late summer season. Some swarms seem to be mating aggregations, while others seem to be mass dispersal flights. The numbers of these insects are usually very low in crops, but they prey on insect eggs, lepidopteran larvae and also slow-moving insects such as aphids. Adults respond positively to sugar solutions and honeydew of aphids. The larvae are also predaceous - www.daff.qld.gov.au