November 16, 2009
The butterflies inhabit a pond shared with 10 crocodiles in a village called Banani.
Puddling Caper Whites in Mali
This village is one of 10 Dogon villages located beneath the Bandiagara Escarpment which contains ancient Tellem cave dwellings in Mali, West Africa.
AJ
Puddling Caper Whites in Mali
Dear AJ,
Your photos are stunningly beautiful. These butterflies are a species in the group known as Whites in the family Pieridae. The butterflies are puddling, drinking water with dissolved chemical salts. This unusual practice is characteristic of many butterflies the world over. We will try to identify the exact species when we have time. We found one photo online on a Harvard website labeled Brown Veined White Butterfly that looks very close to your specimens. Continued searching found another visual match on the Birdman in Tanzania website, and the Brown Veined White is identified as Belenois aurota. The species often has spectacular migrations with thousands of individuals. The Marketgid Website also calls the species the Caper White. Maybe Karl can take a stab at this ID.
Puddling Caper Whites in Mali
Mystery bug on red cedar
November 16, 2009
These pictures were in Eastern Long Island in August. They were on eastern red cedar in a “grove”. Trees had cedar quince rust, even on trunks. I think they may be involved in disease spread. Move very fast in “herd” like fashion. Third image is azalea lacebug, thought you might be interested..it shows the helmet and cowl fairly clearly!
Dr. Andy
Bridgehampton, NY (Long Island)
Tree Cattle
Dear Dr. Andy,
The Barklice you wanted identified are perfectly harmless. They are sometimes called Tree Cattle. The pictured individuals are immature and the adults will have wings. Thanks for also including the photo of the Azalea Lace Bug.
Azalea Lace Bug
IT HAS TOES FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!
November 17, 2009
Dear King of Bug-kind,
Yes, we are girls, but we are usually fairly cool-headed. This thing has the body of an ant, the legs of a spider, the stripes of a honey comb, and seems as if one can plug it in and make it a light! It is the lenth of my index finger (adult medium). It is the width of my thumb. It has six legs with five toes, AND the middle toe is veeerry long on the back two legs. It has feelers and is trying to feel its way into our apartment. I want answers and I want help.
Sally Case & Nikki Cramer
Hermosa Beach, CA
Potato Bug
Dear Sally and Nikki,
Potato Bugs or Jerusalem Crickets are quite common in Southern California. They are quite harmless, though they do have strong jaws and will not hesitate to bite if provoked. Their somewhat human appearance has led to the common name Children of the Earth. Potato Bugs are one of our most common identification requests, and we only post a fraction of the letters regarding them that we receive. Your letter really amuses us, so we are posting it.
Dear Prof.
November 17, 2009
I found A praying Mantis on Santa Monica Boulevard! just wanted to show you it.
SALVADOR CHAVEZ
Santa Monica Boulevard near entrance to 101 freeway
Preying Mantis
Hi Sal,
Thanks for sending this photo of a Preying Mantis. Also, congratulations on you winning the top prize from a field of 64 photographers in the photography competition at the College Media Advisers’ 2009 convention in Austin, Texas. Though I was unable to attend, I am very proud of you and the other LACC Collegian students who collectively picked up four awards. I am proud to have had you as a beginning photo student.
what kind of bug is this?
November 16, 2009
Aloha
i found this bug and several more on my dog and on my sofa. Is this a tick? please view photo and let me know if this is in fact a tick or if not what kind of bug is it?
thank you
gmr
Oahu Hawaii
Tick
Dear gmr,
This is indeed a Tick.
¶ Posted 17 November 2009 § Ticks ‡ ° long black body with a yellow stripe down the middle, spindly legs.
November 16, 2009
Seen on my drive way. Did not move when it was approached. Haven’t seen it move or fly, but have seen it in a couple of different places.
Curious
Gainesville, Florida
Muskmare
Dear Curious,
This is a Muskmare or Two Striped Walkingstick.
i am wondering what this bug is i have never seen it before
November 16, 2009
I’ve seen grasshoppers this big, but this seemingly isn’t one of those (no wings). They were mating when photographed; I assume that the male is the smaller of the pair. I couldn’t get the female to pose on the ruler, as I desired, but I estimate she’s about 3.5 inches long. November 15, 2009. Homosassa, Florida Insects are mating: the larger (female?) is about 3.5″
Julie
Homosassa, Florida
Mating Muskmares
Hi Julie,
These are Two Striped Walkingsticks, also called Muskmares. The female is larger.
Bug carcass
November 15, 2009
This bug carcass was found yesterday as is, head and thorax missing. It was in the mulch of a large planter containing a small tree. I have never seen a bug as big as this in my area, living or dead before. I wish I could have seen a live one. Date found 11.14.09.
Fiona
Fairfax, Virginia (Washington DC suburbs)
Decapitated Eastern Hercules Beetle
Hi Fiona,
This is a decapitated Eastern Hercules Beetle, Dynastes tityus. Usually, if a predator like a bird happens to capture a beetle like this, it will eat the body where all the fatty nourishment is, and leave the head. This is a mysterious death. We posted a photo of a decapitated head of an Eastern Hercules Beetle several years ago.
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