Favorite Bugs!
March 14, 2010
Hi WTB!
My name is Shanny. I’m the co-host of a monthly literary arts show in Chicago called The Encyclopedia Show. Each month, we choose a topic from an encycloedia and invite 10-12 writers/artists to perform. We assign them subtopics of the month’s theme and give them a month to make something up. It’s great!
Our April show is Insects. Do you have favorite insects? Any that are fascinating? Will you accidentally be in Chicago on Wednesday, April 21 and want to be in the show? ;c)
Fondly,
Shanny
Dear Shanny,
Thanks so much for the intriguing offer, but alas, we are unable to get away from our teaching job to come to Chicago. We would probably choose the Cicada Killer as the insect we would have profiled had we been able to participate.
Galls on Artemesia tridentata
March 13, 2010
Here is a photo of some different galls then I sent before. These are more common and are less rounded and in multiples joined together. I’m not sure if its a fly, beetle or mite. One guy said those other galls might be cecidomyiid fly. Both are on Artemesia tridentata.
Ernie
Okanogan, Wash.
Galls on Artemesia
Hi again Ernie,
Thanks for sending in more photos of Galls. Perhaps an expert in Galls will be able to do a conclusive identification.
Galls on Artemesia
1
¶ Posted 13 March 2010 § Galls ‡ ° Plant-eating beetle found on citrus
March 13, 2010
Hello,
I found this bug and 20 of his friends on some new stems from a citrus tree I have in my backyard.
It appears to be eating the new shoots and flowers.
All have the same speckled carapace, and measure about 1.5cm long.
They looks almost like an African Black Beetle in form, but a bit bulkier.
Hope you can help me!
Christian
Sydney, Australia
Mango Flower Beetle
Hi Christian,
Your beetle is a Scarab known as the Mango Flower Beetle or Mottled Flower Scarab, Protaetia fusca. We quickly located it on the Brisbane Insect Website. We located a pdf with much information on this species.
Dulce de Leche Spider
March 13, 2010
Dear WTB,
Longtime reader, first-time inquiring. Cleaning out the woodpile is always a critter goldmine, so I made sure to have the camera handy. Sure enough, this fellow crawled out. He was VERY adverse to sunlight – scrambled immediately for shade/cover – but I did snap a few off before he vanished into the tall grass. I’ve lived here (SoCal) my whole life and have never seen his equal. He had a quarter-sized circumference (sorry I couldn’t get a coin down for reference) and his back half looked like an acrylic nail painted with dulce de leche. I would love an ID and my wife would like to know if he can bite/is poisonous (she doesn’t want it dead, but just wants to know how afraid she should be). Thank you!
greg
Venice, CA
Sowbug Killer
Hi Greg,
Thanks for the nice letter. Your spider is a Sowbug Killer or Woodlouse Hunter, Dysdera corcata. The species is not native and was introduced from the Mediterranean region. As with many other spiders, the bite is not dangerous, but it might be painful and cause local tenderness. The Sowbug Killer is not aggressive, but it might bite if it is carelessly handled.
Thank you Daniel! Your site rules. I cannot wait for the book.
Because of WTB, I have totally started calling Potato Bugs “Jerusalem Crickets” which puzzles my friends but seems to comfort the wife…who is Israeli (and is anti-bug, particularly the abundance of silverfish living in her psych.books).
pls identify this ootheca(?)
March 13, 2010
I’ve been assuming/hoping this is a mantid ootheca, but it doesn’t look like any ootheca I’ve seen on the web. Is it a mantid ootheca or some less desirable creature? Found on a Japanese Maple tree in zip 43206. I want to hatch the mantids indoors to release in my garden…
Thanks! Tony
43206, Central Ohio, Urban micro climate
Bagworm
Hi Tony,
Theoretically, this is the cocoon of a Bagworm, a moth in the family Psychidae. You may see additional examples and some species identifications on BugGuide. We wrote theoretically earlier because the female Bagworm is wingless, and she only crawls out of her cocoon to mate. After mating, she returns to the cocoon and lays her eggs, so the cocoon may become an oothica of sorts.
Thanks Daniel! I guess I knew it wasn’t what I wanted or I wouldn’t have asked!? At least now I know that I really do need to order a mantid oothica. You guys offer a great service to us laymen! Thanks again.
2mm looks like a walking shrimp
March 10, 2010
Hi, this was on my computer monitor, it didnt’ jump or fly, just walked. looks kinda like a shrimp, with a brushy tale. also looks like the monster from The Host (Korean film).
To Daniel, from the bug experts.
Melbourne, Australia
Planthopper Nymph
Dear Daniel,
This is some species of Planthopper nymph and we cannot even be certain of the family. The Brisbane Insect website has a photo listed as unidentified that is very close to your specimen.
Bristle-tailed fly
March 11, 2010
I’ve been hiking in the foothills of Glendora Ca. for many years. Lately, I’ve been taking photos as I walk and today I snapped a picture that made me want to learn more about the insect. It is 3-10-10 and it was viewed at apprx. noon in L.A. county.
Jason
North America; Glendora California
Issid Planthopper Nymph
Hi Jason,
You have encountered an immature Issid Planthopper, most likely Dictyobia permutata which feeds on California Buckwheat, a native plant found in the foothills. You can see additional images on BugGuide.
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