photinus pyralis, common eastern USA firefly, lightning bugwww.frfly.com/tutorial/firefly-photography.htma digitized, artfully enhanced version of this photo graces the sides of 1900 U-Haul trucks in the USA.
A "leatherwing" soldier beetle, Chauliognathus marginatus, on Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca. This species flies in May and June, earlier than the similar Chauliognathus pensylvanicus, which is abundant on fall flowers.
Alaus oculatus, the Eyed Click Beetle. I usually find this one at lights, but occasionally just out in the woods or on flowers. This one was crawling around beside a trail at Eno River State Park. The larvae are associated with decaying wood, especially that of deciduous trees, and are said to be predatory on other larvae that feed on the wood itself.
