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Caterpillar
Hunter
(05/11/2008)
While working in the yard at our Mt Washington, Los Angeles
offices, we saw not one but two of the Calosoma species, Caterpillar
Hunters. We released both into the vegetable patch hoping
they would earn their keep by devouring the Geometrid Caterpillars
that are chewing our beet greens, chard and other leafy greens. When handled, the Caterpillar Hunters released a not entirely unpleasant odor.
Mating Iron Cross Blister Beetles
(05/11/2008) iron cross blister beetles -- mating on cactus
Hi:
Thanks for helping me identify my bug -- your site is great.
I thought you might enjoy the picture of two iron-cross blister
beetles ( Tegrodera latecincta ) mating on a cactus -- it
all looks a bit precarious! The cactus is a local "hedgehog
cactus" ( Echinocereus sp. ). My yard was invaded
by these bugs over the past couple of days; I've lived here
6 years and never seen them before. Best,
Jake
NW Tucson, AZ
Mid May 2008
Hi Jake,
Your photo of Iron Cross Blister Beetles mating is quite stunning.
Cottonwood Borer
(05/09/2008) Here's a beauty for you.
Found this pretty beetle on the garden hose rack at my house.
It was so big and bold. It is also a good model.....who sat
for several pictures. Enjoy!
Pamela
League City, TX
Hi Pamela,
We have just spent the last two hours playing "catch-up" posting
images that were sent yesterday, and we really need to do
other things today. We could not resist the temptation to
post just one more though. Your photo appeals to us on so
many levels. The Cottonwood Borer, Plectrodera scalator, is
truly a regal insect that is not easily confused with any
other. We also love the fact that it was photographed on a
garden hose. Our favorite photos tend to be the kind that
would never find their way into legitimate entomological books
because they are slightly quirky. Thanks for your beautiful
submission of a beautiful beetle.
Cockchafer from UK
(05/09/2008) made me late to work today
Brown wings underneath. I'm in Eversly, UK on business I threw
it outside after taking a couple of pics. What was it?
We have to confess that posting letters to our site has
made us late for work on more than one occasion. Glad to hear
it has the same effect on our readership. This is a Cockchafer,
also known as a Billy Witch. Read more on Wikipedia.
Checkered Beetle
(05/09/2008) Insect identification
Hey, sorry to bother you, but I was trying to figure out what
type of insect this is and haven't been having a lot of luck
figuring it out. I'm doing a series of insect photos
as my blog theme this week, and wanted to use this image for
tomorrow's entry.Any help would be greatly appreciated. Best,
Mike Thompson
Mike
Thompson Photography & Design
Orinda CA
Hi Mike,
This is a Checkered Beetle in the family Cleridae, probably
the genus Trichodes as pictured on BugGuide.
We are not certain of the species, but perhaps Eric Eaton
can assist with that.
Black
Bladder-bodied Meloid
(05/07/2008) a picture for you
Hi
Do you have any idea what this pretty little devil is? I
live in Southern New Mexico, see these in the desert quite
a bit but can't seem to find them in a guide. The colors
are amazing, shift from green to blue to purple in the light.
Usually pretty good at identifying bugs, but this one
has me stumped. Thanks
Jaymie Williamson
Hi Jaymie,
The Black Bladder-bodied Meloid, Cysteodemus wislizeni, is
a Blister Beetle in the genus known as Desert Spider Beetles.
You now have the common species name, the genus name and the
family name of this fascinating beetle. It ranges from Texas
to Arizona.
Fiery Searcher
(05/06/2008) Oklahoma Beetle
Hello there,
My boyfriend caught a beetle last night and doesn't know what
it is. It was found in Norman, Oklahoma.
This is a species of Caterpillar Hunter known as the Fiery
Searcher, Calosoma scrutator.
Caterpillar
Hunter Larva
(05/06/2008) What's this bug?
Hi Bugman!!
We love your website!! Anytime we want to know what creepy
crawly is crawling around, we seem to find it on your site.
We are having a hard time finding out what this is.... I thought
it might be a Hellgrammite, but our bug doesn't have enough
legs and we don't live anywhere near water. It crawls
kind of like a catapeiler, but has pinchers. It's like a morph
of some kind of millipede or something. Anyway, we live
in the high desert in California and we have had a bit more
rain than normal this season. We have butterflies galore and
with the butterflies came these bugs. I have never seen them
before. They are only out in the day. I looked everywhere
to take a picture at 8:30 pm and was amazed to find only one
straggler in our garage. They are everywhere in the day, especially
climbing up the walls outside. I will try and send a better
picture of one from the daylight. This one seems small compared
to the others I have seen. Anyway, I'm sure you know what
this is and we are curious to know. Thanks for all your help
and for putting together a great and informative website!!!!
The Kibbe's
Dear Kibbe Family,
You might not think to try to identify this Caterpillar Hunter
on our beetle pages, but it is a beetle larva. Caterpillar
Hunters in the genus Calosoma undergo complete metamorphosis,
and the larva look nothing like the adult, but unlike many
insects that undergo complete metamorphosis, the larva and
adult both have the same diet. They eagerly consume any caterpillars
they encounter, which makes them a valuable natural control
to caterpillar overpopulation.
African
Rove Beetle: AKA Creechie or Acid Bug
(05/06/2008) What's this bug?
Good day
Do you have any further information on this bug? It is known
in Angola as an Acid Bug and apparently it does something
similar to the Bombardier Beetle and can cause some burns
if you squash one on your skin. Sorry for the poor quality
on the photo. Thanks & Regards
Bob Coughlan
Cabinda, Angola
Hi Bob,
In January 2007, we received a letter regarding this genus
of Rove Beetles from Camaroon. It is known as the Creechie
in Camaroon, but we also like Acid Bug from Angola. It is
in the genus Paederus, and we found a website
with images and information on the Contact Dermatitis it can
cause. |
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