Is this a hornet of some sort?
Location: on the coast of NC
July 20, 2011 8:51 pm
Hi. I was just wanting to find out what kind of bug this is and if it stings. It sure is big and looks mean so I am on the internet trying to figure it out. Can you help me? Thanks.
Signature: Kim
Red Footed Cannibalfly
Hi Kim,
You have encountered a Giant Robber Fly in the genus, Promachus, and we are nearly certain it is a Red Footed Cannibalfly or Bee Panther, Promachus rufipes based on photos posted to BugGuide. These adroit hunters prey upon large flying insects like bees and wasps.
What is this thing???
Location: Mid Missouri
July 20, 2011 8:44 pm
My cousin found this bug or whatever it is in the bed of her truck. I nor anyone that I know have never seen anything like it?
Signature: Crystal
Newly Metamorposed Polyphemus Moth
Hi Crystal,
This is a newly metamorphosed male Polyphemus Moth whose wings have not yet fully expanded and hardened.
Moth or Bee?
Location: Rochester Hills, MI
July 20, 2011 7:26 pm
Dear Bugman: I’ve been seeing this insect flying around my house for a few days. Today I found it digging several tunnels under some rocks. It’s about 2” long and looks like it has 2 sets of wings with a nipped waist and head. Although the antennae look like a moth’s, it sounds like a bee. The abdomen is smooth, so I’m not sure if it is a type of hawk moth or not.
Signature: Anne
Cicada Killer
Hi Anne,
This is neither. This is a female Cicada Killer, a species of Sand Wasp. The female digs an underground nursery and she will provision it with paralyzed Cicadas to serve as food for her brood. A female Cicada Killer will normally lay 2 to 7 eggs in her underground nest, and each is in its own chamber with an adequate food supply of Cicadas.
Thank you so much for your quick reply! Now the big question is whether I take steps to get rid of it or just leave it alone. Apparently those tunnels will produce a new generation. Thanks again!
Anne
Possible beg bug
Location: St. Paul, MN
July 20, 2011 7:17 pm
Hello,
First off, thank you so much for this site. I’m sure you hear this all of the time, but it truly is a phenomenal reference.
I found the attached little guy on the underside of my comforter. He looks like a bed bug, but I’m hoping you’ll say he’s a carpet beetle. (Fingers crossed!)
It’s July here in the Twin Cities, MN, so we get plenty of interesting beetles showing up this time of year.
I’ve searched my room and haven’t been able to locate any others. I also haven’t noticed any bite marks on myself, however I do have a cat in the house.
I’ve attached two photos with a penny as a size reference.
Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks so much!
Signature: Hopeful for carpet beetle
Bed Bug
Dear Hopeful,
Please don’t shoot the messenger. In our opinion, this is a Bed Bug, or a closely related Bat Bug, which will also bite humans. The photo does not have the best resolution, so we might be wrong, but we are relatively certain we are correct.
2
Large Bee?
Location: Lansing, Michigan
July 20, 2011 1:30 pm
Hello,
Over the past month I have noticed several (6-10) very large bees hanging around a lamppost near my work. I am Michigan and first noticed these around the beginning of July. I have been trying to get a photo of one, but they never stay still and they are very quick. If I had to guess the length I would say 1.25 – 2 inches.
Do you know what this is? I have never seen one before.
Signature: B
Mating Cicada Killers
Dear B,
These are not bees. They are Sand Wasps, more specifically, mating Cicada Killers. Because of their large size, many people find them intimidating, but they are not an aggressive species and we have not received any confirmations of individuals who have been stung by Cicada Killers, though we acknowledge that the possibility exists, and should it occur, we would imagine the sting would be painful.
Found on front porch
Location: Southern Nevada
July 21, 2011 2:28 am
As I was leaving my Mother in Law’s house, I was attacked by 2 big bugs that were attracted to the light next to the door (I wasn’t attacked as much as I was just in the way). I waited for one to land and it looked like this. My wife thinks it is a cicada, and since I’ve never seen one, I believe her. Just curious. thanks!
Signature: Jay21310
Cicada
Hi Jay,
Your wife is correct. This is indeed a Cicada. We don’t get many Cicada images from the western states, and we thought the pale coloration on this specimen might make it easy to identify to the species level. Interestingly, we found a very entertaining page called Some Cicadas from Las Vegas, NV, and there was a very similar looking photo that was identified as belonging to the genus Diceroprocta. It was the conclusion of the author that the photo on Some Cicadas from Las Vegas, NV, is a lighter form of Diceroprocta apache and this photo on BugGuide tends to support that conclusion.
¶ Posted 21 July 2011 § Cicadas ‡ ° Brown and red butterfly
Location: Colorado
July 21, 2011 3:44 am
Hey! You’re team is apparently very good at identifying insects and things, so I was wondering if you happen to know what this little creature is. My friend took the pictures at night outside is home in Colorado, but I’m pretty sure it’s a butterfly (since its wings are vertical in the second pic). Other than that, I am having no luck in identifying it. Any idea what kind of butterfly this is?
Signature: Mandooooo
Underwing
Dear Mandooooo,
This is actually a moth and not a butterfly. Underwing Moths in the genus Catocala are characterized by drab forewings that blend in with tree bark, and boldly marked and colored underwings that show in flight. If the moth is startled and flies, it displays its bright colors, but when it alights on a tree, it seems to vanish. Any predators will be hunting for a brightly colored tasty morsel, and they may easily overlook the now camouflaged Underwing Moth.
Underwing Moth
WHAT IS THIS?????????
Location: Denfield, ON Canada
July 21, 2011 6:31 am
I noticed this on the sidewalk yesterday. It was about 2 inches long. I have never seen anything this big or unique looking – any ideas what it is and where it could have come from?
sorry the picture is a little blurry!
Signature: Krissy
Eyed Elater
Hi Krissy,
Because of its large size, bold coloration, extensive range, and distinctive eyespots, the Eyed Elater is one of our most common summer identification requests.
I like This
