Red and Black bug – Israel
December 22, 2009
I remember I used to see this bug all the time usually in large groups. I saw one while eating lunch, just one alone and took this picture.
I took this in downtown Jerusalem. I know I have seen it in other parts of the county, but mainly in the Jerusalem area and in pine forests. I would say that it is about 1.5-2 cm long
Seraphya Berrin – Israel
Jerusalem, Israel
Unknown True Bug
Dear Seraphya,
The best we can provide at the moment is that this is a True Bug in the order Hemiptera. We believe it may be a Seed Bug in the family Lygaeidae. It closely resembles Lygaeus equestris, a European species. It is pictured on the Fauna of Israel website. Unless there is variability in the coloration of individuals, your specimen differs from the images online in that it has fewer black spots on the wings and lacks the red mark on the head. Hopefully, we will get some family or species identification assistance from our readership.
What is this?
December 25, 2009
We have never seen a bug like thin in NZ before. Any idea what it might be? It looks like a cross between a blow fly and a wasp. Any light you could share on it would be great. Thanks heaps
Paulo the wonderer
Auckland New Zealand
Hover Fly
Dear Paulo,
The ventral view of your photograph is not ideal for identification purposes, and a dorsal view is much preferred. We believe this is some species of Hover Fly in the family Syrphidae. You might try comparing the images on the Insects of Brisbane Syrphidae page to see if any look close to your specimen.
help with identification
December 26, 2009
Dr. Mr. Bugman,
Like a lot of very silly people, I called this a bee. Then, I started looking for what kind of “bee” this is and realized that it’s probably not a bee at all. Smooth, bright yellow and black markings…I’m guessing a very poor pollinator….short antennae… and spotted in southeaster Alabama in late October on my cold frame plastic.
Would love to know what this little flyer is…since I did a graphic design of it…and want to call it something more than BeeArt…since it’s not a bee at all. Of this, I’m pretty certain. Thanks to your wonderful web site!
Kimberly, a master gardener, lover of bugs, but still learning about the birds & the bees
Ozark, Alabama (southeastern Alabama)
Yellow Jacket Hover Fly
Dear Kimberly,
This is a Yellow Jacket Hover Fly, Milesia virginiensis. It is one of the Syrphid Flies in the family Syrphidae, commonly called Flower Flies or Hover Flies. Many species in the family mimic bees and wasps, hence your original confusion. The adult Yellow Jacket Hover Fly feeds on nectar and pollen from plants like Queen Anne’s Lace, and it will also be attracted to the blooms of related plants in your garden like parsley, dill and carrots. BugGuide has a wealth of information on the Yellow Jacket Hover Fly, including this tidbit gleaned from AllExperts.com: “Flies aggressively and buzzes like a hornet. In the southern United States, sometimes called the news bee or good news bee for its habit of hovering in front of a person and “giving them the news”. It is also said to be good luck if one can get the insect to perch on a finger, no doubt because this is difficult to do.“
Dear Mr. Marlos,
You have made my day….and I so appreciate your prompt response to my question re: identifying this colorful creature. I adore the BUGS website and am grateful to folks, like you, who give this your time. Such a worthy endeavor. Thanks to you I am now a more informed individual and will be addressing this bee/yellow jacket mix up on my blog. After I do, I’ll share the link with you…..so you can see the YJHF Art I created.
Thank you,
Kimberly
‘large brown moth
December 25, 2009
We found a live moth in our house that we have not seen before. It has a wing span of about 12cm the length of a pen and has cicles on the lower wings. see photo.
Missie Macdonald
Leithfield, North Canterbury
Emperor Gum Moth
Hi Missie,
We needed to check an Atlas to determine that North Caterbury was not in England, but rather on the South Island of New Zealand. We are quite certain that this is an Emperor Gum Moth, Opodiphthera eucalypti, and the species has been introduced to both the North and South islands of New Zealand. This is our second report of an Emperor Gum Moth from New Zealand in a few weeks.
Fly with black and white abdomen…
December 23, 2009
I saw this Fly on the base of my porch light… most of the body of this fly is black or is of a dark color except the abdoman which has white stripes.
The temp. was around 25 degrees outside… the season is winter…
LoLo Monae
Roanoke Virginia
Tachinid Fly or Fungus Infection
Dear LoLo,
Though we cannot find a match on BugGuide, we believe this is some species of Tachinid Fly. Tachinid Flies parasitize other insects including caterpillars, and they are important biological controls for pest species.
Karl believes this is a Fungus Infection
I don’t know what kind of fly this is, is but think its flashy appearance could be due to a fungal infection, perhaps by Entomophthora muscae. There are numerous photos on the internet that look very similar to this this. The white banding occurs as the fungus bursts out between the abdominal segments (presumably just before the victim expires). For more information you could check out: http://www.hort.wisc.edu/mastergardener/features/insects/entomophthora/entomophora.htm or check out the photos at: http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2006/09/07/mystery-fly-and-crumby-internet-connections/
Karl
what kind of bug is this?
December 23, 2009
I would like to find out what kind of bug we found in our back porch. It was found In oregon during September, by itself outside on a warm cloudy day. Specifically we are in the mid willamette Valey about 1 mile from Willamette River. We are in a rural area
Josh Hoffert
Independence, OR. Mid willamette Valley. 1 mile from the river.
Western Boxelder Bug
Hi Josh,
This is a Western Boxelder Bug, Boisea rubrolineata, a benign creature that often forms large aggregations and enters homes to hibernate as cooler weather approaches. It can become a nuisance if it gets too plentiful.
??? fly, wasp, aphid, red firefly; It has a red thorax. Redish orang legs. 2 black lacelike wings, and a black body with irradescent blue markings.
December 24, 2009
I would like to know what this beautiful bug I saw hovering around my Buddleia is. We live in an area with a wide assortment of bugs, many of which I can easily identify, but this one had me stumped. I took this picture the first week of November. Sometimes hurricanes blow in strange things, so I wasn’t sure if this one just drifted in from a storm. I first noticed it hovering around my window, going up and down like a wasp or carpenter bee might. When I went outside I saw it had discovered my butterfly bush and it crawled and poked at every single blossom. I wasn’t sure if it was after other bugs or just enjoying the nectar. It’s bright and vivid colors were quite astounding.
Leslie
Saint Francisville, Louisiana
Scarlet Bodied Wasp Moth
Hi Leslie,
Your confusion is understandable. This is a Scarlet Bodied Wasp Moth which derives protection from predators by mimicking a stinging wasp, though the moth is perfectly harmless.
Slow moving, tick-like bug
December 23, 2009
Hi bug people!
I have continuously seen these bugs in my bathroom, usually on the floor. I have never seen them anywhere else in my apartment. At first I thought they were ticks, but they crush very easily, and are round but don’t appear to be filled with blood. They move very slowly and the one I took a picture of was also moving very cautiously, exploring everything with its antennae. Not sure if this is normal, but when I used a flash, the bug appeared reddish (3rd photo). Otherwise, it appears black. It is also very very small, maybe about 1/2 cm. I’d really like to ID this bug to make sure it’s not posing any kind of risk to me by being there! Thanks in advance!
EG
Queens, NY
Spider Beetle
Dear EG,
This is a Spider Beetle, Gibbium aequinoctiale, a common pest of stored foods. The origin of the beetle is unknown as it now has a cosmopolitan distribution. Though you are finding them in the bathroom, unless you also store food there, you should look for the infestation in the kitchen.
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