Is this some kind of Elephant Weevil?
Location: Robertson NSW Australia
November 23, 2010 1:07 am
Hi bugman, Recently I have gain a great interest in macro photography. I do try to identify all the bugs I photograph to gain a greater knowledge of my subjects.
I camera across this little guy, about 1.5-2cm in length. Is it some kind of Elephant Weevil?
Regards Richard
Weevil
Hi Richard,
This is definitely a Weevil, but not an Elephant Weevil. The angle is not ideal for identification, and Weevils can be difficult to identify. We believe it is one of the Broad-Nosed Weevils in the family Adelognatha, and there are several on the Brisbane Insect Website including the Peanut Weevil.
Freaky bug
Location: Sydney, Australia
November 24, 2010 2:50 am
Hi! Could you please help to identify this freaky looking bug that got stuck in my fish bowl outside? It has 4 main legs and 2 short upper legs, no wings. This one is only 4cm long but we have seen one that is about 7cm long.
Thanks!
Cheryl
Signature: CL
Mole Cricket
Hi Cheryl,
We are certainly curious about how this Mole Cricket got stuck in your fish bowl with what appears to be an artificial koi. Mole Crickets are common insects that can be found in many places around the world. It is one of our most frequent identification requests from military troops stationed in Afghanistan and other places in the Middle East. Mole Crickets live underground, but many species are capable of flying and they are sometimes attracted to lights.
Metallic Green Beetle?
Location: About 200’ elevation, 1 mile north of Oregon boarder and 40 miles from Pacific Ocean
November 23, 2010 1:59 pm
Hello,
This is a lady bug sized beetle that I found on a plant that I think is St. John’s Wort.
The grass seed was grabbed when capturing the insect. They seem to drop quickly from the plant they are on when they are being pursued.
I have not found any identification for this insect. There does not seem to be any damage to the plant from this insect. I have seen a dozen or so on a plant at one time. They seem to mostly be around the flower clusters before blooming.
You have my permission to use these images.
I would also appreciate a reply if you know what this is and if it is a beneficial or an insect that should be watched.
Thank you for your time,
Jim Koepke
Longview, WA
Signature: Jim Koepke
St. Johnswort Beetle
Dear Jim,
Your beetle is Chrysolina hyperici, commonly called the St. Johnswort Beetle. It is an introduced species, that according to BugGuide, can be found from “Nova Scotia to Ontario, plus British Columbia and adjacent parts of United States native to Europe and Asia.“ BugGuide also indicates: “Introduced to North America to control growth and spread of St. Johnswort, and to reduce the spread of native St. Johnswort disease (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) Adults are more tolerant of cooler and wetter summers than the related Chrysolina quadrigemina, whose larvae and adults are killed by May frosts, and whose adult dormancy is disrupted by summer rains.“ BugGuide describes its food and feeding habits as: “larvae feed during the night on shoot tips and basal and developing leaves of St. Johnswort (Hypericum spp.) adults feed in clusters during the day on flower buds and terminal leaves of St. Johnswort.“ The British Columbia Government Forest Practices Branch website has this information on this biological control agent : “Early spring larvae feedings on fleshy new growth cause the most damage. This timing is the controlling key. Although adult feeding can be impressive, it has less impact than larvae feeding. Heavy fall feeding may cause some impact on the plants ability to overwinter.“
St. Johnswort Beetle
Moth unknown
Location: Naples, FL
November 23, 2010
Hi Daniel,
Thank you for you reply. I have a large “Orange Jasmine” bush that flowers often and profusely. This brings in lots of flying insects and the flying insects attract tropical orb spiders.
I have attached some photos. You may use any of the photos I have sent to you, my compliments. If there are numbers in the file name they are the year, month, day.
The file named Moth_unknown: I see many similar types of moth when the jasmine blooms.
I live on eight acres, about 8 miles east of Naples, FL.
Regards,
Robert Lenahan
Streaked Sphinx: Protambulyx strigilis
Hi again Rober,
This gorgeously aerodynamic Sphinx Moth is Protambulyx strigilis. According to the Sphingidae of the Americas website it is commonly called the Streaked Sphinx
Ed. Note: December 1, 2010
Since summer is approaching in the Southern Hemisphere, we are beginning to get more identification requests from Australia. There are many different species of Cicadas in Australia and they are given very unusual common names. We hope that we receive numerous photographs of Australian Cicadas this year and hopefully, making this Green Grocer that was sent in about a week ago the Bug of the Moth will encourage other submissions of Cicadas.
Large Green Flying Insect
Location: Ascot Vale, Melbourne
November 22, 2010 11:49 pm
Hello
Can you please help me identify this fly found in my sister’s garden? It was bigger than my thumb and quite fat.
Signature: LC
Green Grocer Cicada
Dear LC,
You have netted a Green Grocer Cicada, Cyclochila australasiae, one of many species of Cicada found in Australia that have fascinating and colorful common names. According to Oz Animals: “The Green Grocer Cicada is a common cicada along eastern Australia. It has a loud high pitched call and is one of the loudest insects in the world. The most common form is green, and another fairly common form is the yellow form (the Yellow Monday). Less common colour variations are dark tan (Chocolate Soldier) and turquoise blue (Blue Moon). Most forms have red eyes, although the Blue Form has purple blue eyes. The Masked Devil is an orange brown form with a black mask across the eyes that is more common at higher altitudes.“ Now that winter is fast approaching in North America, our northern hemisphere identification requests are tapering off, but each year at this time, we get numerous requests from Australia and other southern hemisphere locations. Your letter is the first Cicada image from Australia this season.
Erinnyis ello dark form ?
Location: Naples, FL
November 22, 2010 11:54 pm
I knew something was eating the leaves on the papaya but I could not see anything during the day. I found this specimen munching on my papaya at 10 PM on 11/22/10. Temperature was 70 F. I think it is a Erinnyis ello dark form but could it be a Erinnyis alope dark form?
Thank you.
Signature: Robert
Probably Alope Sphinx Caterpillar
Hi Robert,
Your Sphinx does look very much like the dark Ello Sphinx Caterpillar on the Sphingidae of the Americas website as well as resembling an image posted to BugGuide. It feeding on papaya is further evidence that the identification is correct. According to the Sphingidae of the Americas website, the caterpillar of Erynnyis alope looks quite similar and also feeds on Papaya, but it is not as common in Florida. We will check with Bill Oehlke to see if he can provide a conclusive identification.
Hi Daniel,
Thank you for you reply. I have a large “Orange Jasmine” bush that flowers often and profusely. This brings in lots of flying insects and the flying insects attract tropical orb spiders.
I have attached some photos. You may use any of the photos I have sent to you, my compliments. If there are numbers in the file name they are the year, month, day.
I live on eight acres, about 8 miles east of Naples, FL.
Regards,
Robert Lenahan
Hi Robert,
We just heard back from Bill Oehlke and he believes your caterpillar is probably Erinnyis alope. We will probably be posting your image of the unidentified Sphinx Moth as soon as we identify it.
Bill Oehlke Responds
Daniel,
Most likely alope if found on papaya.
Although I also list papaya as a host for ello, Tuttle indicates ello is most often found on poinsettia while alope is most often found on papaya.
Bill Oehlke
spiders
Location: Bukidnon, Philippines
November 22, 2010 7:45 pm
helo Mr. Bugman,
I had this cute creature inside the caves during our summer trip.
Can you name this one?
Tnx
Signature: mae
Tailless Whipscorpion
Dear Mae,
We don’t often get requests to identify Tailless Whipscorpions that include the word “cute” in the description. Your request is quite refreshing. Tailless Whipscorpions are found in many parts of the world that have warm climates. They are harmless as they have no venom. They are predatory, nocturnal hunters.
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