Soldier Beetle and Little Green Bug

So, I finally found out what the larger insects depicted here are: soldier beetles! Also known as leatherwings, they are highly desirable by gardeners because they eat grasshopper eggs, aphids, caterpillars and other soft bodied insects, most of which are pests. They're related to fireflies but don't produce any light themselves. They take their name from a common British species that is bright red, reminding people of the red coats of soldiers. It took a call to the NIU Biology Department's resident entomologist and giving her the address of my gallery to figure this one out.

Taken August 27th, 2013.