March 29, 2010
We have just finished tagging all the artwork for the book, and the only remaining task is to write an introduction and provide a reference section. We are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
March 16, 2010
Yesterday, we received the proofed manuscript of our book, The Curious World of Bugs, from the copy editor with all the spelling and grammar errors corrected. We have two weeks to provide an introduction, a reference page, and a list of illustrations and their placement within the manuscript. This has to be a priority for us, so between now and the beginning of April, we may not be able to answer and post as many letters, but we vow to post at least one new letter per day.
Orange furry bug
March 16, 2010
Hello, I saw someone posted a similar insect as this, and I was wondering if you found anything more out about it? I found it under a bunch of old wet leaves tucked inside an old candle holder. (i was cleaning out the candle holder and that’s how i stumbled upon it).
Thanks! Kimberly
Brisbane, Australia
Giant Scale Insect
Hi Kimberly,
This appears to be a Giant Scale Insect, and we did not have much luck identifying the species that was sent last month. Eric Eaton made the tentative identification, but we would like to match both your images and the previous image to a species. The do not appear to be the same species.
Giant Scale Insect
2
White spider with hour-glass dots on back
March 15, 2010
Found on a dead rabbit, amid the fluff of it’s shed fur. The rabbit had been under an old tin bucket and when I lifted it up, this spider was on the fur.
Colleen
Albuquerque, NM
Immature Black Widow Spider
Hi Colleen,
This is an immature Black Widow, probably a Western Black Widow, Latrodectus hesperus. The immature spiders often have patterns on the back which become a solid glossy black as the spider matures.
2
what that bug?
March 15, 2010
my friend found this under her window
none
skopje, macedonia
Giant Shield Bug
Dear none,
This is a Giant Shield Bug nymph from the family Tessaratomidae. We located a similar image on TrekNature, possibly from Thailand, that was only identified to the family level. We could not locate an exact match on the Illustrated Catalog of Tessaratomidae website. Most species from this family are found in Southeast Asia and China, so we thought this would not be a difficult species identification, but we are having difficulty. Perhaps one of our readers will have better luck.
Midwest beetle??
March 14, 2010
Can you identify this? I live near Chicago. I’m noticing these in the winter season, near one of our windows, but inside. There must be 50 of them lying on the window paine or carpet. They seem to dead, some w/ their “wings” sprouted and others as you see in the pic. I’d like to know how I can prevent these from being in my house.
Thanks in advance
Vik
Midwest – Chicago suburbs
Multicolored Asian Ladybird Beetles
Hi Vik,
Now that you know that these are Multicolored Asian Ladybird Beetles, and introduced species that often seeks shelter indoors to hibernate, you should be able to locate copious information online.
Multicolored Asian Ladybird Beetle
National Insect Week
I would like to get a insect week started in the US, (see the link to the UK national insect week: http://www.nationalinsectweek.co.uk/ ) Since you guys have a great web presence I wanted to be the first official person to sign the “petition” to start a US based- National Insect Week (preferably during the school year so students can participate) Entomologists Unite!!
Michelle Gunter
Bug from Lignumvitae Key, Florida
March 15, 2010
I took this picture on a wall at Lignumvitae Key near Islamorada in the Florida Keys on March 12, 2010. The unidentified bug was pulling the dead spider behind it.
Steve Dunn
Lignumvitae Key, Florida
Spider Wasp with Prey
Hi Steve,
You lovely wasp is a Spider Wasp in the family Pompilidae. The spider is not dead, but rather paralyzed. The spider will be place in the nest and an egg is laid on it the wasp larva consumes the spider while it is still alive. We aren’t sure of the genus or species, but your wasp may be in the genus Priocnessus which is pictured on Bugguide which indicates the prey are Agelenid Spiders that weave funnel webs. The spider in your photo appears as though it may be a Funnel Web Spider.
Spider Wasp with Prey
Correction courtesy of Eric Eaton
March 17, 2010
Hi, Daniel:
Hey, I actually went over to the site without prompting the other day:-) I only have a couple corrections, too. Given how overextended you must be right now, I think that only two (minor) errors is amazing. (insert applause here).
The “Spider Wasp With Prey,” dated March 15 is Tachypompilus ferrugineus, and the prey is a wolf spider in the family Lycosidae.
Otherwise, terrific work!
Eric
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