From the monthly archives: "January 2011"
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Fan letter, no response requested
January 31, 2011 3:50 pm
I have just spent the morning re-visiting your site, one of the very best in the world in my humble opinion. To my knowledge, no one else is doing what you do. Just one reason for your work: songbirds of all kinds are in serious decline, in no small measure due to pesticide use. Private individuals are often the worst offenders in use of widely available, broad-spectrum pesticides. We all need to learn not to unthinkingly destroy invertebrates.
Unnecessary Carnage” is important as well as entertaining (if tragic), and the entire “Nasty Readership” section has made me laugh more today than anything has in weeks. You guys are incredible. I know it’s a lot to ask of volunteers with important, time-consuming day jobs, but please never stop!
Sincerely,
Signature: Lee White

Hi Lee,
Thanks so much for your kind letter.  It is really appreciated.

Update
Me again, sorry — more supportive thoughts
February 1, 2011 1:36 am
I have been sitting here for some time now, re-reading your marvelous responses to irate readers. These are people who have been trained to believe that the customer, however ignorant and infantile, deserves immediate gratification and an ego stroke in the process. “Ooh, was the bug scary? Oh you poor thing! I can’t believe you waited hours for my unpaid labor!” It thrills me beyond words that you don’t play that game.
As to the smash-first response (“But I was scared!” “I feared for the safety of the chiilldrennn…”), how hard is it to brush the critter off and count some legs? Education is everything! As a California child, I feared the dreaded potato bug, but eventually learned to appreciate it as the harmless and charming Jerusalem cricket. Of course, some people don’t care; they smash because they just don’t like bugs, or because “it’s only a bug”. As I recently told my  classmate, who smirked while I took some trapped boxelder bugs outside, “they understand suffering as well as you do”. Unnecessary carnage is not okay.
Signature: Lee White

Potato Bug from our archives

Thanks for your additional insight Lee.  We have found a nice image of a Potato Bug from our archives to illustrate your passionate and supportive letter.

What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Unknown moth?
Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
January 31, 2011 9:29 am
The two different species or male and female of the same species were taken in late January in our dry season at 800 meters. They were photographed at the same small pool on consecutive days at around 1 pm. The pool was formed by a depression in granite rock about 10 feet from a larger pool fed by a small waterfall. The area around is wooded but this spot is in a 75 foot clearing due to rock. I’ve looked everywhere on the web and nothing is even close. I’m guessing Arctiinae. Any suggestions?
Signature: Dave Hutchison

Clearwing Moth from Thailand

Dear Dave,
Though there is a group of Arctiids that mimic wasps, there is another family, Sesiidae, that are also wasp mimics, though the family is collectively known as Clearwings.  There are many species in this family that exhibit marked sexual dimorphism, so much so that males and females look like different species.  Many Sesiids have larvae that are borers in the stems and roots of woody plants.  You can see many examples of North American Sesiids on BugGuide.

Clearwing Moth from Thailand

We are going to do a quick search of the internet to see if we have any luck with this species, but we have a time constraint this morning as we will be closing the offices and not responding to any additional letters while we are at our day job.

Clearwing Moth from Thailand

What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Green Insect Found On Oahu
Location: Honolulu, HI
January 31, 2011 1:48 am
Hi, I found this insect on a hike in Manoa this weekend. Do you know what it is? It was on a tree near a river.
Signature: EMC

Unknown Green Thing

Dear EMC,
Do you have a photo with more depth of field that shows some of the physical characteristics of this creature, like its head?  It appears from your photo that the creature keeps its back two pairs of legs together, but we cannot make out what is going on with the front legs.  Perhaps one of our readers will recognize this creature, which we believe might be some Orthopteran, the order that included crickets and katydids.  Since we cannot make out any wings, we believe this may be an immature specimen.

Daniel-
Thank for your reply.  I was thinking a form of leaf insect too, but then I was thinking that it had characteristics of a net casing spider also.  This was the only photo that I was able to get of it.
Thank you for your help.
EMC

Update courtesy of Karl
Hi Daniel and EMC:
I believe you are correct Daniel in suggesting that this is a katydid (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae). I was able to find only one similar image on a site by Collin Miller (scroll down four images). Unfortunately creature is not identified beyond family but, although the photo is a little fuzzy, it does show what is going on with the front legs. It probably is a juvenile so a more precise identification will likely require some expertise or a lot of research. Regards. Karl

What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

OUCH!
Location: Hillsborough, California
January 31, 2011 12:30 am
I put on a pair of rubber gloves sitting next to the laundry room sink to wash my dog. I thought I was having a ”charlie horse” on my hand (is that even possible?) and then it felt like someone was pushing a needle in my hand. I realized I was being bitten. I threw off the gloves and shook out the contents and this is what fell out? Can you please identify this creepy looking bug ?????? Is is at all dangerous???? I guess it’s not deadly since it happened on Friday (January 28, 2011) and I am still alive on Sunday. Will you inform me if you can identify it or do I have to keep checking the website? Thank you!!!!!
Signature: M. Better

Assassin Bug

Dear M. Better,
This is an Assassin Bug, most likely in the genus Zelus.  They are beneficial predators, however, they have been known to bite humans, and as you indicate, the bite is quite painful.  Most of our reports of bites result after accidental encounters like your own, or through careless handling.  The insect bites with its piercing mouthparts that are used to suck fluids from the hapless insect and arthropod prey.  Though painful, the bite is not considered dangerous.

Bite mark of an Assassin Bug

Daniel,
Thanks for the quick response!   I looked up the Assassin Bug, genus Zelus, on your website and saw a bug that was similar but didn’t have that dreadful looking hook of a mouth.  Does that particular insect have a “hook” mouth?  Is the “hook” the part that penetrates it’s victims?  Is the insect able to point the hook straight forward to penetrate or is it always in the hook position?  Thanks!
M. Better

Hi again,
All Assassin Bugs have similar mouthparts.  There is some degree of mobility in the organ.

What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

LA Times Obituary Milton Levine, 1913-2011:  January 28, 2011
by Valerie J. Nelson
“The creation of a toy that would become an American classic was triggered in 1956 by a Fourth of July parage of ants at a Studio City picnic.”  Read More

Ant Farm

What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Small beetle
Location: Montreal, Quebec
January 29, 2011 7:06 pm
Dear Bugman!
With the bedbug craze currently going on I am very worried because I found this tiny bug on my living room sofa. Please let me know what it is!
Thanks
Signature: Itchy and Scratchy

Probably Carpet Beetle

Hi Itchy and Scratchy,
Rest assured that this is not a Bed Bug.  It appears to be one of the Carpet Beetles in the family Dermestidae.  You can view examples of Carpet Beetles on BugGuide.  Carpet Beetles are considered to be unwanted household pests and many species, because they feed on natural fibers like wool and feathers, can do considerable damage to museum collections as well as household items.

What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Big Bee / Wasp?
Location: Kalgoorlie Western Australia (Desert)
January 30, 2011 1:18 am
Hi,
can u identify this thing? It was fouund at my hsbands work yesterday (Gold mine, Kalgoorlie Western Australia) after it stung / bit him, mild irritation went away quickly. I have tried to identify it withot success.
Thanks
Signature: Sarah Ryan

Giant Robber Fly

Hi Sarah,
This is a Robber Fly in the family Asilidae.  Robber Flies are predators, and though they do not prey upon humans, they can bite if carelessly handled.  We searched the Insects of Brisbane website and we believe we have identified your specimen as a Giant Robber Fly,
Phellus olgae.

What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Ed. Note:  August 7, 2011
Please do not submit photos to our website that you do not have permission to use.  We do not tolerate copyright infringement.

Crazy Big Bug
Location: Killeen, TX
January 29, 2011 10:59 pm
Well I woke up to go to work one day aroung 5:30 am, and this bug was on the outside wall next to my door. This was back in November, it was pretty cold then so I was really surprised to see this guy just chillin on my wall.
Signature: X-Soldier

Jo Ann's photo returns to What's That Bug? Corydalus cornutus - Eastern Dobsonfly Male July 10 2008 Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania

Dear X-soldier,
That male Dobsonfly is sure a handful.  Though we are quite certain this image will give some of our website visitors nightmares, the male Dobsonfly is quite harmless as those incredible mandibles are useless for biting.  Though the female Dobsonfly is also harmless, her more utilitarian mandibles might deliver a painful pinch if she is carelessly handled.  The larvae of the Dobsonfly are known as Hellgrammites, and they are a favored bait for freshwater fishermen.

Hey Daniel, I really appreciate you getting back to me with this bug. When I told people about it no one believed me. Thanks again for the help!

Update:  August 7, 2011
We just learned today that the image that was submitted with this letter was not taken by X-soldier.  This image was taken by Jo Ann Poe-McGavin in 2008 and it was posted on the Pennsylvania Wild website.  At Jo Ann’s request, we have removed the image to avoid copyright infringement.  See the attached comments for additional information.

Copyright violation & log in
Website: www.pawild.net
August 7, 2011 9:15 am
The Dobson Fly male photo on:

http://www.whatsthatbug.com/category/dobsonflies-and-fishflies/page/4/

Posted by x-soldier was actually taken by me in 2008 and the copyright notice on the photo was removed-I have the original on file with the original EXIF data
I would like the senders information to inform them of copyright violation
also your website does not allow log in
The information was give to you was false as well. This photo was taken in 2008 in Pennsylvania.
Signature: Jo Ann Poe-McGavin

Dear Jo Ann,
We apologize for this copyright infringement.  We were not aware that the image was not taken by x-soldier.  For the record, we did not remove the copyright.  We are attaching the original file that we downloaded before we cropped and resized it.
The image will be immediately removed from What’s That Bug?  Should you decide to allow us to continue to keep the photo posted on our site, we will provide an editor’s comment explaining the situation and we will give you full credit as well as linking to your site.
We want to reiterate that we did not pilfer this image from your site and then remove the copyright information.  We do not know how x-soldier obtained the image.
Please advise.
Daniel Marlos, AKA the Bugman
P.S.  We will try to locate the contact information for X-soldier and forward it to you, but we often delete emails.

Dear Daniel
I’m not sure how this image was pilfered or when-except that it might have downloaded from it’s post on my Deviant Art account or PAWild (my website) and someone-not you-removed the copyright info-I’ve been finding this photo on many sites in this condition posted by numerous people and they provide false information. Each gives a different name and date when it was taken and where. Sigh…..
I don’t mind your site using it if the proper info is given. Credit, date, etc.  Corydalus cornutus – Eastern Dobsonfly Male July 10 2008 Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania
I am attaching the photo as it appears on my website and how it should be.
If you can’t find the info on the sender-that’s okay-more than likely they will deny everything-as usual.
Thanks for your time on this
Jo
www.pawild.net

Thanks Jo Ann,
We have returned the photo to the posting along with much of our dialog.

Dear Daniel
That’s just fine-and way more than I expected.
I apologize for not writing back sooner but due to someone calling with a Rattlesnake in their yard and a minor health problem-I wasn’t able to answer until now.
Thank-you for fixing it up.  :3
Jo
www.pawild.net

Hi Daniel,
I think you’re website is awesome-I have looked at it many times-especially while looking for the caterpillar that stung me-Saddlebacks and the like. I am also fascinated by the related species posted from other countries.
Just curious did the other one listed below come from the same IP? I’m not sure why someone would go through such trouble to post someone else’s photo and ask for information when most people can take their own photo. I get sent some pretty bad photos of snakes (and drawings-classic-I love them) but I can still ID them. Nothing people try to ID is worthless if they found it.
BTW-more than likely you’ll never hear from the poster again. If you do-I’d love to see what they post.
Again thanks!
Jo
www.pawild.net

Hi again Jo Ann,
Since our staff is divided between editorial and technical, and since we get such a large number of requests, the person who responds to the emails doesn’t really monitor the IP addresses.  We do have some frequent contributors though, but they submit their own photographs.  The monitoring of internet piracy can really become a fulltime job that our small staff does not have the luxury of employing.  We actually get our share of drawings and we try to post the most amusing ones.  That reminds us that we just received a drawing that we believe is a Robber Fly, and though we responded, we did not have the time to post it.  We may try to hunt that one down and do it now.  Had the internet been around before Daniel fled Youngstown, Ohio on the Pennsylvania border in the late 1970s, he probably would have been a frequent user of your site.

 

 

What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination