Wasp Nest.
Location: Nsw, Australia, Near the coast.
December 2, 2011 3:02 am
Hi. I thought you might like some pictures of what we’ve always called a paper wasp nest, although I don’t know if thats what they actually are. I was very frightened that they would fly at me and start stinging me every time the flash whent off. I hope you like the pictures.
Thanks.
Signature: Emma
Paper Wasps and Nest
Hi Emma,
Thank you for braving danger to take photographs of these Paper Wasps in the genus Polistes working on constructing their nest. Paper Wasps are not normally aggressive, however, they will defend the nest. We believe, based on photos posted to the Brisbane Insect website, that your wasps might be the Common Paper Wasp or Australian Paper Wasp, Polistes humilis. There is a page dedicated to the species on the Brisbane Insect website.
Paper Wasps and Nest
Hi! I think the reason they didn’t attack me is because it was a rainy day. They seemed to be sleeping, they weren’t moving much. Thanks for letting me know what they are! I’ve found three nests around the farm already, without even looking very hard.
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Moth???
Location: Dominical, Costa Rica
December 1, 2011 10:20 pm
This moth was found (already dead) in Dominical, Costa Rica. Which is on the central pacific coast of Costa Rica.
Is that large head a part of the moth? Something its emerging from? It is smaller than the body though.
Anyway, have been curious what this was.
Thank your for any help and your time.
Signature: Lenee
Peanut Headed Bug
Dear Lenee,
This interesting creature is a Peanut Headed Bug, Fulgora laternaria, and it is not a moth, but rather one of the Planthoppers. It is also known as a Lanternfly, a name that originated because it was believed erroneously that this species could glow in the dark. You may read about this species on the MSU website.
BioQuip Holiday Open House
Website: www.bioquip.com
December 2, 2011 1:52 pm
Hi Daniel,
We would love for you to come to the BioQuip Holiday Party. Here is a link with details. http://www.bioquip.com/2011OpenHouse/Default.htm
We would also love to link you page to our FaceBook or at least have you be one of our FB friends.
Cheers,
Celia Whitman MS
Operations Manager
BioQuip Products, Inc.
2321 E. Gladwick St.
Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220-6209
ph: 310-667-8800 x262
fax: 310-667-8808
www.bioquip.com
Hi Celia,
I am not certain that I will be able to attend, however, I will post your holiday party notice for our readership.
Daniel
Thanks Daniel!
I will be sure to post about your site on our FaceBook & Twitter? BQ is just getting started with social networking and we like to share cool bug sites with our followers. Please feel free to send any of your readers to us for collecting gear or books.
If you can’t make the party but you do get a chance to stop by some other time please be sure to have them call upstairs and get me so I can meet you in person.
Thanks for writing back so promptly.
Cheers,
Celia
Insect from Kilcowera Station
Location: Kilcowera Station, Outback Queensland, Australia
December 2, 2011 6:45 pm
Hi bugman! Love your website, so handy!It’s early summer here in Oz and these insects are all over the place in their little homes growing big, ready to fly.
They live in bricks,small diameter steel pipes and in suitable bits of steel and other things that have a nice cosy hole that they can cover at one end.
Do they bite? They look quite terrifying and I hate the look of them. They start off only a couple of centimetres long and can get to about 8 cm.
Signature: Toni Sherwin
Striped Raspy Cricket
Hi Toni,
We identified your insect as a Striped Raspy Cricket, Paragryllacris combusta, on the Brisbane Insect website which states: “Striped Raspy Crickets are also known as Tree Crickets. Adults are dark brown to pale brown in colour with fully developed wings. They have very long antenna, all legs are spiny. They hide in nest on tree during the day. Their nest is usually two board leaves hold together by silky material. They are well known for their ability to find the way home after foraging distance away.” You indicate that they live in bricks and pipes, and provided a photo of the covering they create at one end. We did additional research and learned on Bush Craft Oz that they are: “Large cricket (body up to 45 mm), nocturnal feeder, spends day in tree holes, or, more usually, two leaves stuck together with silk like material. Can navigate home each night. Has been observed nectar feeding. Fully developed wings. Patterns on face.” Since they spend the diurnal hours in tree holes, they are probably using your bricks as a substitute lair. We are intrigued with their ability to spin silk. The sword-like ovipositor on your individual indicates she is a female.
Silken Lair of the Striped Raspy Cricket
Well thank you very much for your speedy response. I have never seen their nest in trees! I have observed however that it seems it’s the smaller ones hide behind the white silk like stuff and don’t come out for a fee weeks, then one day the white stuff will have been broken or eaten away and the insect is gone. And they get much bigger than 45ml!!! Do they bite????? Regards Toni
Many large Orthopterans can bite, but we have no knowledge of the Striped Raspy Cricket being a biter, though we would surmise that they would only bite if carelessly handled.
1
Double antennae’d Diprionid!
Location: Central Illinois
December 3, 2011 8:04 pm
Hey there! I thought I’d send in some pics of a very interesting sawfly I found a couple months back, but only got to keying a couple weeks ago. Seems this little Diprionid has forked antennae! Really it only has two antennae, with only two scapes and pedicels, but four flegelli. Do you think this is normal for the species, or did I stumble upon a mutant? It’s got my entomology professor (and me!) baffled.
As always, loving the site! It really helped me stay motivated in my Entomology class. Thanks for all your work maintaining it!
Signature: Entomologist in Training
Fork-Horned Sawfly
Dear Entomologist in Training,
By far you have better qualifications to answer that question than our entire staff combined. We will post your intriguing images and letter and we hope our readership can provide any information.
Fork-Horned Sawfly
How can something be so pretty and so creepy at the same time?
Location: NSW, Australia
December 2, 2011 2:08 am
Hi! I live in NSW, Australia, neer the coast. I found this multi coloured, spikey looking spider. You can’t see too well in the photos, but it was also red underneath. I live in the bush and I’ve seen lots of spiders, but never one so pretty! Can you tell me what kind it is?
Thank you.
Signature: Emma
Two Spined Spider
Dear Emma,
We had a power outage at our offices that lasted 36 hours. This is a Two Spined Spider, Poecilopachys australasia, and you can read some good information on Spiders on the Insects of Brisbane website.
I’ve always wanted to send something in to Whats That Bug! I waited untill I found something interesting that I’d never seen before. Can’t wait to find out more on the Insects of Brisbane website. Thank you so much!!! 
1
Cicada
Location: Salmon River Idaho, near Riggins appx 2000ft
December 2, 2011 12:17 am
On the sandy beach of the Salmon River in Idaho on July 9, 2011 I encountered this cicada, all alone. There were others in trees. Thanks
Signature: Antone G. Holmquist
Cicada: Neoplatypedia constricta perhaps
Dear Antone,
We believe we have correctly identified your Cicada as Neoplatypedia constricta, or another member of the genus, based on this photo posted to BugGuide.
1
¶ Posted 03 December 2011 § Cicadas ‡ ° A hard looking moth
Location: Kabul, Afghanistan
December 1, 2011 12:24 am
Hi,
I spotted this outside my room in Kabul.
It’s starting to freeze now which is why I guess he’s static.
He lloks like he could tackle the Taliban
Signature: Umph
Oleander Hawkmoth
Dear Umph,
In the past, sometimes our readers have described Hawkmoths as looking like stealth bombers. Your Hawkmoth is an Oleander Hawkmoth.
1
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