What is this fly?
Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 8:59 PM
I took this photograph at 4:27 pm June 03, 2009 in the Central Okanagan region of British Columbia. The area it was specifically taken in is characterized by grasses and sagebrush. The temperature was about 30 C and sunny. The fly appeared to be feeding on the flower it is currently sitting on (a popular choice as several other bugs were photographed on the same type of flower).
Scott Thomson
Westbank, British Columbia, Canada
Tachinid Fly
Dear Scott,
This is a Tachinid Fly in the genus Cylindromyia, according to images posted to BugGuide, which indicates they are a “common flower visitor in open weedy areas. “ Of Tachinid Flies in general, BugGuide indicates: “Larval stages are parasitoids of other insects. Almost every order of insects is attacked by tachinids, including a few types of non-insect arthropods. Some tachinids are very specific and others can parasitize a wide variety of hosts. The most common hosts are caterpillars” and “Most tachinids deposit their eggs directly on the body of their host, and it is not uncommon to see caterpillars with several tachinid eggs on them. Upon hatching the larva usually burrows into its host and feeds internally. When fully developed it leaves the host and pupates nearby. Some tachinids lay their eggs on foliage; the larvae are flattened and are called planidia; they remain on the foliage until they find a suitable host. “ Since we will be out of the office for a week, we are setting your letter to post live on Saturday at noon.
Polka Dot Patriotic Bug
Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Hi! I saw this patriotic looking bug on a Dessert Rose plant in my backyard in South Florida yesterday (June 2009). I was wondering if you could tell me what it is. I t was a beautiful blue hue with white polka dots and a red tip behind. He was about 2 1/2 inches long and was hanging out on the plant and flowers. Also the tips of its legs and antenee were white. We thought it might be a wasp of some sort or maybe a moth. Thanks
Heather
South Florida
Polka Dot Wasp Moth
Hi Heather,
Your patriotic bug is an aptly named Polka Dot Wasp Moth, Syntomeida epilais. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of Oleander. Since we are going away on holiday, we are taking advantage of a feature on our site allowing us to post live at a future date. We are setting your photo to post to the site at noon on Friday.
Black “Fly” ???
Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Hey Dan,
Are you familiar with these ‘flies’ ???
Sorry about the quality of the photo, the foc us is a little off.
Thanks,
Ferd
Ebony Jewelwing
Hi Ferd,
This little beauty is a species of Damselfly known as a Ebony Jewelwing, Calopteryx maculata. The white spots at the tips of the wings indicate that this is a female. You can see more photos on Bugguide.
What’s That Bug? will not be answering any questions between June 4 and June 12 while we are out of the office, visiting relatives in Ohio.
Orange and Black Beetles
Tue, Jun 2, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Found these just north of Scissors Crossing in mid-April. I haven’t been able to figure out what they are and was hoping you would have better luck.
David Ellzey
San Felipe Hills, Southern California
Master Blister Beetle
Hi David,
Had you checked out our website in April, you would have found that the Master Blister Beetle, Lytta magister, was our featured Bug of the Month for April 2009.
Pink, Cream and Yellow Colored Moth in Connecticut
Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 2:39 AM
Hello,
This beautiful moth was resting on the entrance to my SE Connecticut home in May, 2009. I’m curious what it is and also what kind of other information about it you could give me. It was about the size of a US quarter; possibly a bit larger.
Donna in Marlborough, CT
Marlborough, CT., USA
Rosy Maple Moth
Hi Donna,
This little beauty is a Rosy Maple Moth, Dryocampa rubicunda. One of our readers once described it as a sherbet moth. It is related to the Giant Silk Worm moths that do not feed as adults. The Rosy Maple Moth is found in much of eastern North America including Florida. You can find out more by looking on BugGuide and also by searching our archives for previous postings.
Exotic looking insect
Tue, Jun 2, 2009 at 11:45 AM
I saw these in my backyard and have no idea what they are. I am sending this pic because describing them would not give a clear picture as to what they are.
Eric
Pennsylvania
Wheel Bug Hatchlings
Hello Eric,
We just posted a letter and photo of a Wheel Bug nymph, and we mentioned that we often get sightings of Wheel Bug hatchlings in the spring. Hours later, your photo of Wheel Bug hatchlings arrived. Wheel Bugs are a species of Assassin Bugs and they are beneficial predators in the yard, but they can bite if provoked. Hatchling Wheel Bugs are often described as antlike or spiderlike, and they look very different from the winged adult with the coglike structure of the thorax which resembles a wheel.
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