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Bug of the Month November 2009: Halloween Bug or Florida Predatory Stink Bug

We received the following letter in such a timely manner that we thought we would choose it for the Bug of the Month for November.  Sadly, Halloween will have already passed, but adult Florida Predatory Stink Bugs will continue to appear.  We are combining that letter with a previous letter that shows the radically different immature insects that are known to feed in packs.  Curious readers can also turn to BugGuide for more information on the Florida Predatory Stink Bug or Halloween Bug.

Black/orange “jack o’lantern” beetle
October 26, 2009
We spotted this beetle on our trash toter lid on October 23. He was apparently out for a stroll – did not fly while we watched. His markings are striking – a built-in Halloween costume!
Patrice and Allen Sigmon
High Point, NC

Halloween Bug
Halloween Bug

Dear Patrice and Allen,
Though you did not realize it, you actually correctly identified your insect.  The Florida Predatory Stink Bug, Euthyrhunchus floridanus, is frequently called the Halloween Bug because of its coloration and markings as well as its timely appearance.  It is also the time of the month for us to select a Bug of the Month for November 2009, and we plan to use your letter and photo as a point of departure, and include an image of the startlingly different immature insects as well.

Immature Florida Predatory Stink Bugs communally feeding on a Carpenter Bee

Red and black what I think is a beetle eating a bumble bee
Sat, Jun 20, 2009 at 1:42 PM
I was outside working in my yard when I looked up on my awning and saw what I thought was a bumble bee holding a flower, but then I saw some liquid drop and I decided to look closer. When I did, I saw that it was a bunch of small red and black beetles eating the bumble bee. I was kind of shocked. I just moved to northern North Carolina and have seen some strange bugs, but these ones eating the bumble bee is the strangest. If you could, please tell me what this is.
Angelica
Reidsville, NC

Florida Predatory Stink Bugs eat Bumble Bee
Florida Predatory Stink Bugs eat Bumble Bee

Hi Angelica,
These are immature Florida Predatory Sting Bugs, Euthyrhynchus floridanus, sometimes called Halloween Bugs because of the black and orange coloration of the adults, which are winged. According to BugGuide, they are: “Predatory on other insects, including caterpillars, beetle. Nymphs, and to some extent, adults, are gregarious, and may attack large prey in groups.” Your photo nicely illustrates this. Despite what your photo illustrates, the Florida Predatory Stink Bug is a beneficial insect because of the caterpillars and beetles it consumes. We are guessing Bees, since they can easily fly away, are not commonly eaten.

Update: From Eric Eaton
Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:12:31 -0700 (PDT)
The predatory stink bugs appear to be scavenging the remains of a dead carpenter bee (it is missing both hind legs, so who can say for certain…). Many hemipterans, even plant-feeders, will scavenge dead insects on occasion.
Eric

Aggregation of Immature Florida Predatory Stink Bugs

Aggregation of Immature Florida Predatory Stink Bugs

Posted Site News § Stink Bugs and Shield Bugs ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged:

Update: We’re Writing a Book!!!

In January, we first posted the announcement that we are writing a book.  We have completed negotiations with our agent and editor at Penguin and finalized the deal, and we have purchased a new computer.  Now we need to actually write our book.  This will not be an identification guide and it will not be a scientific text.  To quote from our proposal “Rather than using the Q&A format, the book will be a compendium of accumulated information, and instead of concentrating of species identification in the way a field guide does, the What’s That Bug? book will be more of a general overview of groups of bugs.”  Hopefully, our book of curious facts, myths and insect lore will be completed by October, but that won’t happen if we spend hours each day responding to questions.  Though we have threatened in the past to limit the number of postings, the truth of the matter is that we love receiving letters and posting responses, and we have recently spent hours each day on the website.  Please be patient as we try to shift some of our attention to meeting our commitment to our agent and editor and making good on our promise.  Chances are quite good that if you have a question, using our in site search engine should lead you to an answer.  If your direct question does not receive an answer, please do not take it personally.  It is because of our own time constraints.

Posted § Administrative ‡ Comments (0) °

Wheel Bug

long-legged bug with shield-like armor on its back
November 6, 2009
I saw this bug in November of 2009. It was on my front porch. The closest description I can give is that it looked like a grasshopper only with flat wings instead of vertical wings. The shield-like “armor” on its back raised up about 1/4 inch from the body and appeared to have “fake” eyes on the lower front. Its head extended forward in an elongated fashion from the main body with long antennae. Pictures are included from the top, bottom and side.
R Morana
Northwest TN. near Kentucky Lake

Wheel Bug

Wheel Bug

Dear R,
This is North America’s largest predatory Assassin Bug, the Wheel Bug.

Posted 07 November 2009 § Assassin Bugs ‡ Comments (0) °

Cockroach with Oothica

Is this bug a cochroach?
November 6, 2009
Hi. I live in Westfield, NJ and over the passed month we’ve been finding these little bugs that move pretty fast around the house. Usually in the living room or kitchen. We’re not sure if they are cochroaches or not but we’ve laid a couple of bait traps around the house. So far we’ve spoted/killed around 8 this month.
What do you think? Thanks!
Michael
Union County, NJ

Cockroach with Oothica

Cockroach with Oothica

Hi Michael,
Your photo shows a female Cockroach with her oothica or egg case.  She is lacking the two parallel longitudinal dark streaks on the pronotum that identify a German Cockroach, so we are uncertain what species of Cockroach you have.  Your letter indicates that you have a species that infests homes, and the German Cockroach would be a likely candidate except for the markings.  Perhaps one of our readers will be able to identify the species of Cockroach for you.

Posted 07 November 2009 § Cockroaches § Eggs ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged:

Cicada Head showing Ocelli

cicada has a headlight?
November 6, 2009
In my closeup photo of a cicada’s (”a”) head, I noticed a bright red spot between his eyes, above his ‘nose’, which sure looked like a ruby-colored glass lens! I found the same thing on a second cicada (”b”), so it is not some weird anomaly. Also, it looks like there may be a cluster of the spots across his ‘forehead’, sorta like on a spider, but the other spots are aimed ‘up’, so I didn’t notice them at first. Maybe they’re additional eyes, maybe some other sort of sensors, but for sure, they do look strange!
seekertom
West Palm Beach, Fl

cicada with embedded camerain head???
How can I upload a pic of this guy to you? I have a decent frontal headshot which shows what looks like a red camera lens embedded into his skull. Couldn’t be a secret govt robot spy? could it?

Cicada Head

Cicada Head

Dear seekertom,
We loved your first impression, and we have taken the liberty of posting both of your letters to us.  Cicadas like most insects have three primitive eyes or ocelli as well as the two large compound eyes.  The ocelli are sensitive to light and in conjunction with the compound eyes, they provide the insect with two distinct types of vision.

Posted 07 November 2009 § Cicadas ‡ Comments (0) °

Potato Bug

Giant Termite?
November 5, 2009
Dear Experts,
we found this creature in a sink in our house in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles. It is much bigger than any giant termite described on your website or in wikipedia, but looks similar in shape.
You can see on the picture that its head is only a little smaller than the dime.
When we tried to catch it, it disappeared into the drain, and lived in the water for several days, but kept coming up (for air?).
We tried to tease it out with a pipe cleaner to catch it, but it attacked the pipe cleaner, biting it, and pulling it from our hands.
This is a very strong and energetic bug.
It is sensitive to light and sound. When we caught it, it was a pale beige in color, probably from being under water. But within 30 minutes or so, it regained its black-and-brown-stripe pattern.
We would love to know what this is. And also, what it eats, as my kids would like to keep for a few days.
Curious Angeleno
Los Angeles, CA

Potato Bug

Potato Bug

Dear Curious Angeleno,
We have received so many identification requests for Potato Bugs or Jerusalem Crickets in the past few day that we decided to post the one with the best letter and photo, and that is your query.  Originally we just wrote back to you that this was a Potato Bug and didn’t provide more.  This typically subterranean insect is found in the Western United States, typically in arid regions.  There is much information available online and it is one of our Top 10 identification requests.  Good luck with keeping it as a pet for a few days, and we hope you will release it afterward.  Try feeding it root vegetables like carrots and potatoes.  Despite its common name, it is not really a pest that consumes potatoes.  Though they are harmless, Potato Bugs do have strong jaws and will bite if provoked.  Again, other than a nip, the Potato Bug is harmless.

Posted 07 November 2009 § Potato Bugs ‡ Comments (0) °

House Centipede

Striped, Gangly, 30-legged bug!
November 6, 2009
My friend Brandon sent me the photo along with this message: “I was pouring myself a soda next to the kitchen sink, when I turned around and spotted this on the wall. Not what you want to see behind you after you turn the lights on.”
Its body is about 3cm long, and including the legs it’s about 10cm long. I became very curious after seeing the photo, I just had to submit it!
Laura L. W., Roseville, CA
Lake of the Pines, Auburn, CA

House Centipede

House Centipede

Hi Laura,
What Brandon has labeled the Bug of Doom is a harmless, beneficial House Centipede.  This nocturnal predator is not known to bite people, will run away when the lights are snapped on, and will eat cockroaches and other undesirable household intruders if left alone to forage.

Posted 07 November 2009 § Centipedes ‡ Comments (0) °

Harlequin Beetle from Brazil

Unknown insect
November 6, 2009
Insect found in the RPPN Rio das Lontras – In Brazil, the Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN) is a private conservation area that is registered in perpetuity and protected by a federal law, with the aim of conserving biological diversity. The creation of a RPPN is a voluntary act by the owner, who decides to designate his property, or part there of, as an RPPN, without losing the right to tenure.
Fernando José Pimentel Teixeira
(UTM): 709.016,89 Norte e 6.942.224,05 Leste

Harlequin Beetle

Harlequin Beetle

Dear Fernando,
First we are very happy that you have provided us information on the RPPN which sounds like an excellent way to preserve open spaces that are protected against logging and other activities.  We are very active in Land Use issues here in the Mount Washington neighborhood of Los Angeles, California where unchecked development is responsible for the loss of the endangered Black Walnut woodland community.  Though our own tiny pockets of open space cannot compare with the grandeur of the Brazilian rain forests, we know how difficult it can be to try to preserve land.  Your magnificent beetle is known as a Harlequin Beetle, Acrocinus longimanus.  The males have forelegs that are nearly twice the length of the body.  The Harlequin Beetle belongs to the Family Cerambycidae, the Longhorned Borer Beetles.

Posted 07 November 2009 § Longhorn Beetles ‡ Comments (0) °

Tetrio Sphinx

black caterpillar with yellow stripes and red ends (Brazil)
November 6, 2009
Hello!
I spotted this huge caterpillar here in Rio de Janeiro and now I wonder what it is, and if it will turn into some beautiful butterfly one day! Can you help me? Thank you!
Anne
Brazil, Rio de Janeiro

Tetrio Sphinx Caterpillar

Tetrio Sphinx Caterpillar

Hi Anne,
This gorgeous caterpillar is a Tetrio Sphinx, Pseudosphinx tetrio.  It feeds on Plumeria.  It is primarily a Caribbean and South American species, but it is also found in Florida and  other southern states.  You may read more about the Tetrio Sphinx on Bill Oehlke’s excellent website.

Posted 06 November 2009 § Hornworms ‡ Comments (0) °

White Banded Crab Spider

What arachnid is yellow & black in CALIF but not a garden spider?
November 4, 2009
What arachnid is yellow & black in CALIF but not a garden spider?
• Your letter to the bugman    I found this arachnid on the head of an acquaintance last week so I flicked it out of his hair with my finger. I looked all over to see where it landed but couldn’t find it. This morning I went out to my truck and it was on my front seat! I’m in Santa Cruz, California.
Please help me identify it.
Thank you, James
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

White Banded Crab Spider

White Banded Crab Spider

Hi James,
Your spider is a highly variable White Banded Crab Spider, Misumenoides formosipes, and it is harmless.  There are several matching images on BugGuide.

Posted 05 November 2009 § Crab Spiders ‡ Comments (0) °

Fanmail

Inspiring Site – just another fanmail
November 5, 2009
I’m still currently trudging my way through your gigantic archive and loving it. I was always a bug lover, but I’ve learned so much and been able to happily identify bugs in my area I’ve seen around (Including the sudden swam of Polkadot Wasp Moths and Oleander Caterpillars). I’ve also pleased to learn that many bugs I was afraid of are perfectly harmless (Mostly various wasp species.). Also while going through your site, I had a nerdy artist sort of epiphany: Insects are like living art. So many have such wonderful color schemes and designs. Even bugs with neutral colors can be incredibly striking. Ever since I’ve been making a collection of photos off your site for color scheme references in my own art. It’s wonderful that there are some very good professional and amateur photographe rs contributing with their photos. Anyway, thanks so much for providing this service and your own educating comments. I look forward to finishing your archives.
Regards,
Casey

Thanks for the sweet email Casey.

Posted 05 November 2009 § Uncategorized ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged:

Mountain Katydid from Australia

Black Katydid Bogong High Plains
November 5, 2009
What type of bug is this? We saw it on the 20th of January 2008. Near Falls Creek ski resort in the Victorian Alps. Bogong High Plains, Victoria Australia.
Matt Gawler
-36° 53′ 32.36″, +147° 17′ 26.20″

Unknown Black Katydid

Mountain Katydid

Hi Matt,
We had no luck identifying your black Katydid on the Brisbane Insects website. Perhaps one of our readers will have better luck searching the internet than we have had.

Hi Daniel:
I haven’t checked out all the possibilities but this looks very much like a male Mountain Katydid (Acripeza reticulata). Females of the species are flightless. Check out this link to “Dave’s Garden” for more photos and lots of information. Regards.
Karl

Posted 05 November 2009 § Katydids ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged:

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