Looks like a lightning bug/firefly to me.

Early for those in Chicago, tho.

Do they eat veggies.

I can't think of anything that looks like a lightning bug....except a lightning bug.

If it is not doing any damage, just let it live.:D

I think I've heard that they aren't 100% sure what adult fireflies eat, but suspect it to be nectar/pollen.

Their young are predatory though, feeding on snail and slug larva... good to have around.

Lightning Bug - a beneficial for the garden.
Whether you know them as Lightning Bugs or Fireflies, these are beneficial insects. They don't bite, they have no pincers, they don't attack, they don't carry disease, they are not poisonous, they don't even fly very fast. The larvae of most species are specialized predators and feed on other insect larvae, snails and slugs. (They are also reported to feed on earthworms.) Adults of some species are also predatory. Adults of some species are reported as not feeding.

Here is a link that might be useful: Firefly/Lightning Bug

Hmm , I have 2 protect my Red Wriggler's ( earthworms). I have alot of Lightening bugs on Squash leaves. A friend said Lemon joy & Water to rid them ..... I often do that n e way.

I wish we had lightning bugs down here. We used to have a few in Vero Beach, but nothing like up north. I never heard of them eating earthworms.

Soldier beetle.

lefeavers posted ..."Hmm , I have 2 protect my Red Wriggler's ( earthworms). I have alot of Lightening bugs on Squash leaves. A friend said Lemon joy & Water to rid them ..... I often do that n e way."

That's is simply backwards thinking, imho. First, red wigglers are composting worms, so unless you see them around your vermicomposting bin, why worry? 2nd, if lightning bugs are known to kill earthworms, I'm sure they don't get many of them... worms are deep in the soil. 3rd, one should never deliberately kill beneficials.

Why use soap? Why not just whip out the Sevin and kill everything?!!?

Kevin

The soldier beetle I saw a picture of had a yellow collar-like thing on the back of it's neck. I don't see that here. I guess if they light up at night you will know the difference. Wikipedia says the lightning bugs eat slugs and snails.

I saw one like this in my garden and was going to try to identify it. We definitely do not have fireflies here in Colorado. The image does not look like firefly images I have found.

Though soldier beetles are related to and look like lightning bugs, I think that the original image is that of a lightning bug.

Milehigh, there are fireflies in Colorado.....just not as commonly as more humid climates.

The best way to ID it is to take to your local Agricultural center. I know master gardeners get a bad rap on here alot, but most of them know their stuff or can ask someone on the staff what your bug is.

I have lightning bugs that spend the daytime on about any kind of plant. Just look closely next time and check out its abdomen (although that does look like one kind of ours just from the top). The abdomen will look like an unlit lightning bug part. Most bugs don't have that ;)

Mine don't ever hurt anything, although they do seem to like being near the pollen. I'd guess they eat it, probably. Or maybe they eat the tiny bugs that eat the pollen? Anyway, they don't seem to do much but sit around waiting for night :)