Long tailed bug
May 27, 2010
Yellow head and antenae, very long tail. WIngs (two) and rather clumsy. Exploring pansies in planter and will fall off.
M. Temple
New England – Medfield MA
Giant Ichneumon
Dear M. Temple,
Many people are shocked or frightened when they encounter a Giant Ichneumon, Megarhyssa atrata, for the first time. The Giant Ichneumon is a parasitoid insect that preys upon the wood boring larvae of another non-stinging wasp relative, the Pigeon Horntail. A female Giant Ichneumon, like the one in your photo, locates a wood boring Horntail larva and then drills into the stump or trunk with her five inch ovipositor. Male Giant Ichneumons do not have an ovipositor.
1
What is this big intensely colored moth?
May 27, 2010
My father-in-law sent me this picture today with the following note: “On the lower garage door trim this morning was this large moth. The trim is 4 5/8″ wide so you can see how large it is. Quite a sight. Jean tried to find it in her insect book but no luck.”
Any thoughts? It is a beauty.
John Argentiero
Duluth, MN
Luna Moth
Hi John,
This is a Luna Moth, arguably the loveliest North American moth. Each year, we like to chart the progress of the Luna Moth emergances from the northern climes. Usually our first sightings are from Florida in February, and by late March, we get reports from Maine. We believe this is the first report we have ever received from Minnesota.
would like to know what bug this is
May 26, 2010
I live in Adrian Michigan and found this bug on a flower in my garden on May 25, 2010 at around 4-pm. Temperature was 80F and sunny
Steven R. Ross
Adrian Michigan USA
Assassin Bug
Hi Steven,
This is a predatory insect known as an Assassin Bug. The species, Zelus luridus, which ranges in the Eastern portion of North America, does not have a common name other than the general family name of Assassin Bug. You can compare your photos to images posted to BugGuide.
Beautiful Green Bug
May 27, 2010
Took two pictures of this very handsome green bug during late evening. Just finished watering my small garden and this guy was sitting on my fence. He appeared to be washing his face and I did not want to disturb him. Think he might be a katydid of the genus Microcentrum. Please help me out. Thanks.
Curt
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Angle-Winged Katydid
Hi Curt,
This is a beautiful portrait of an Angle-Winged Katydid in the genus Microcentrum. Nice job of identification.
Very interesting bug I found
May 27, 2010
Hi there. I am writing from Oswego, NY which is straight north of Syracuse, NY on Lake Ontario. I am often outside taking pictures of various bugs, plants, flowers and anything cool I can find in the swamps and woods. Most of what I find is rather common….Until I found this little guy. It was about a cm wide. It has clear panels all around its shell. It has a hard shell and which is split down the middle and opens up like a beetle and has wings underneath. It also has small little antennas. So I definitely think it’s a type of beetle but no one I know has any idea what it is or has seen anything like it.
My mom often writes into your site and mentioned that I should show you the pictures. She is in the woods all the time as she does wild edible and Mycology walks and this one was new to her also. Curious to know if anyone has an idea what this cool little guy is. My mom mentioned it could be perhaps a young beetle of some type, not fully grown yet, as they can often look so different between growing stages.
Thanks so much for any information.
TJ
Oswego, New York
Clavate Tortoise Beetle
Dear TJ,
It truly warms our heart to hear that What’s That Bug? is bringing family generations together through an understanding of the natural sciences. This is a Clavate Tortoise Beetle, Plagiometriona clavata, a species that is found over much of North America. Both adults and the green spiny larvae feed on solanaceous plants in the tomato family, including jimsonweed and nightshade.Daniel thanks so much for the quick response. I have been a reader of the site for awhile and was well aware of how busy you are. My mom is a huge inspiration for me. I am 32 and am a single mom of 2 children. She taught me growing up the beauty that is nature and I grew up in the woods. I recently bought a great camera and have been having a blast capturing all I can of it. I have taken tons of pictures of bugs so far (I just learned how to use my macro lenses before I took the pic of my little Tortoise Beetle). This was the only one that stumped me. If I come across anything else I will be sure to send it your way. I even found a Caddisfly larvae and my mom IDed it from your site. I was going to send that in. He made coolest construction of twigs. I even took video of it I was so intregued LOL.
Well again thank you for answering my question. I registered for the site as TJOswego and you can bet I will be back and sending others your way. Oh yeah my Moms name is Nancy Kaiser. She said she has written in. She actually lives in Mexico, NY. We are huge fans of your very cool page 
Have a great weekend!!!
1
Can you help me identify this beetle?
May 26, 2010
Dear Bugman,
My son is working on a Boy Scout merit badge and he needs to identify insects. He is having trouble figuring out what kind of beetle this is. Can you help him?
Debbie B.
Cleveland OH
European Ground Beetle
Hi Debbie,
Based on the images posted to BugGuide, we are quite certain your species of Caterpillar Hunter is the Fiery Hunter, Calosoma calidum, based on the dimples in the elytra.
Hi Daniel!
Thanks so much for the identification. My son will be thrilled.
I don’t think he even noticed the “dimples” on the one he saw
since they aren’t as prominate as the ones on the website.
Thanks again.
Debbie
Correction
This is actually Carabus nemoralis.
Mardikavana
Thanks for the correction Markikavana. At least we had the tribe correct. BugGuide also has nice images of the European Ground Beetle, Carabus nemoralis.
Found a odd looking critter
May 26, 2010
Just curious what type of insect this is. It looks like some sort of beetle but have never seen one before.
Glad it’s Summer!
Birmingham, AL
Giant Stag Beetle
Dear Glad,
The Giant Stag Beetle or American Stag Beetle, Lucanus elaphus, is quite a distinctive insect, especially the male with his impressive mandibles. Your specimen is a male. the females have significantly smaller mandibles.
2
Orange beetle
May 26, 2010
Dr Bugman,
Found this beetle on the flowering part of my italian parsley. Can you identify it?
Thanks,
Jen from texas
Jennifer Fosbinder
Lubbock, Texas
Netwing Beetle
Dear Jen,
You are quite astute to recognize this Net-winged Beetle as a beetle, as many people believe it looks more like a moth. We believe it might be a member of the genus Lycus which BugGuide reports from Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
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