Xestoleptura crassicornis
(09/04/2004) some kind of beetle?
Dear Bugman,
I found this bug crawling in the hallway of our home in San Francisco, CA. Sorry about the blurry photos -- it was a fast mover and I'm not good with the digital camera. It had wings, but didn't use them much. I've never seen this bug inside or outside, so it piqued my curiosity. Thanks!
Julie



Hi Julie,
We can't seem to find an exact identification for your Long Horned Borer Beetle, Family Cerambycidae, in our old Dillon and Dillon Beetle Book, but fear not as we have several beetle experts who will probably be notifying us shortly.

Ed. Note: We just received this information.
(08/09/2005) identifications
Hello - I was recently shown your site, and it is excellent.  My specialization is longhorned beetles, and in cruising around I notice a number of incomplete or uncertain IDs for this family.  I don't know if you are interested in receiving this sort of input, but if you are, I offer the following additions to your identifications.
This is Xestoleptura crassicornis, an uncommonly collected species which typically breeds in older, dried pine logs, and is found throughout most of the forested portions of the north and central coast, and inland in southern CA.Keep up the good work.  You are a valuable resource.
Cheers
Frank Hovore

Colorado Potato Beetle
(09/02/2004) NJ Bug?
Hi,
We just moved into a 1920s cape about 4 months ago. Today I went to open the garage door and saw this bug there. I have NEVER seen this here or in NY before and was mesmerized. It just sat there. Looked like maybe it was gnawing on the wooden garage. It just sat there. I was able to snap this picture without it budging. But about an hour or so later I came back to look for it and it's gone.
Is it dangerous???
Celia, NJ



Hi Celia,
Your garage is safe, but your potato plants, tomato plants and pepper plants could get eaten by the Colorado Potato Beetle which was originally found only in the Rocky Mountain States. The nationwide commercial growing of agricultural crops is responsible for this pest's spread far and wide. Both adults and larvae devour leaves.

Beetle Larva
(08/12/2004) New pics, one unknown bug
Hey Daniel,
have one photo of an unknown bug,



and then a couple specials for you to add to your archives.  I seem to be getting better at my photos.  The unknown bug was
found in a drift fence array in West Texas, and none of the researchers could figure out what it was.  Can you?!
Wendy A.

Hi Wendy,
Your unknown beetle grub could be a larva of a Lycidae or Lampyridae beetle, probably the former. . Your photos really are great.

Stink Beetle
(08/10/2004) Three Bugs from near Sedona, AZ
I was trying to find out what type of beetle we came across on our last trip to the Oak Creek area of Sedona in June of 2003, when I found your way cool site. This photo was taken near the part of Oak Creek where so many of the pretty pictures of Cathedral Rock are taken. I think this might be a type of ground beetle. It was about two inches long -- when threatened, it put its head down while tipping its rear end up. If you can identify any of these, I'd be grateful.
Su -- Mesa, AZ




Hi Su,
Let's start with the Beetle. This is a member of the Family of Darkling Beetles, Tenebrionidae, genus Eleodes which are known as Stink Beetles. According to Hogue they are "smooth shiny black beetles. ... They are medium to large (1 to 1 1/4 in.) and their wing covers are fused along the midline making it impossible for them to fly. These conspicuous beetles are usually encountered as they amble along the ground. Individuals may also be found under stones and loose tree bark, where the long cylindrical larvae also live. ... When a Stink Beetle is disturbed or its wandering is interrupted, it stand on its head and points it rear end into the air. For thi headstanding habit, these insects are sometimes called 'Acrobat Beetles.' Adults may emit a disagreeable though weak odor when handled."

Mottled Tortoise Beetle
(08/08/2004) Hello
I was wondering if you could tell me what the attached bug is.  We are in our late 50's and have never seen this bug before.  It is on  our morning glory vines in Oklahoma.  The gold spots are very bright.
Thanks for any information.
Gary



Hi Gary,
You have a photo of a Mottled Tortoise Beetle, Deloyala guttata. The species is often found on the foilage of Morning Glories. They are also called Gold Beetles by some people.

Cotalpa species
(08/08/2004) Large yellow beetle
Bug Man,
My four year old son found this bug while camping… he quickly became attached to it and played with it for most of the morning!  (a budding entomologist??); unfortunately the close up photo did not come out very clear.  It was approx 1 inch long, bright yellow and unlike anything I’ve seen around here (central Saskatchewan , Canada ). The bottom was furry, much like the “Watermelon Bug” on your beetle page – though not striped.  It had large legs that it used to help right itself when flipped on its back.  Quite entertaining for the crowd of kids it attracted. A lady on the beach thought it was a “Japanese Dung Beetle” which she claimed to have encountered while farming cotton in the southern US – I’ve looked up pictures and this does not seem to be the case. Assistance with identification appreciated.
Thanks!
Guy



Hi Guy,
Identification is difficult because of the blurriness of the image. We sharpened it as much as possible, and believe it is a member of the genus Cotalpa. Here is a link with some good beetle photos, including Cotalpa lanigera and Cotalpa consobrina.

Puerto Rican Long Horned Beetle: two foreign mystery bugs
(08/05/2004)
What an excellent and fun website! I thought you might be able to help me with two mystery bugs that have proven baffling. The second is this strange bug my entomology class in Puerto Rico. We were stuck, and I still am – I can't place it to order even, although the mouthparts and thorax might suggest some weird orthopteran. This specimen was about 2 and a half cm from antennae-tip to the base of wings.
Thanks!
Robbie



Hi Robbie,
Thanks for the photos of the exotica. They are a mystery to us as well. Your Puerto Rican Orthopteran looks according to Eric Eaton, to be probably a longhorned beetle (Cerambycidae).
Ed. Note: We just received the following correction.
(08/09/2005) identifications Hello - I was recently shown your site, and it is excellent.  My specialization is longhorned beetles, and in cruising around I notice a number of incomplete or uncertain IDs for this family.  I don't know if you are interested in receiving this sort of input, but if you are, I offer the following additions to your identifications.
This is a species of Bebelis, probably lignosa, or perhaps schwarzi; no species is specifically recorded from Puerto Rico, but several my occur there. The larvae typically bore in small stems of semi-woody plants (sunflower, ragweed, etc.) Cheers.
Frank Hovore

Green June Beetle Infestation
(08/07/2004) big beetle bug
Hey.
We live near Raleigh, NC and are having a horrible time getting rid of some bugs that have attacked our newly planted (last fall) River Birch Tree.  They have attacked only one of the 3 trunks of the tree which is now pretty much black and looks like it has been burned up.  As you can see in the close up photo of the bottom of the tree, there are 2 types of bugs – one we know is a typical “June Bug”.  The larger one favors the June Bug, but is twice the size.  We have tried normal ways of trying to rid ourselves of them – which has worked on the June Bug, but not the larger one.  We have used Sevin Spray and the Bag – A Bug.  The Bag – A – Bug doesn’t even draw them and the spray only kills the one’s that are on the tree at the time.  The next day, more are present – many more!!!  They come by the 100’s.  They are now moving onto my tomato plants – so it is time to get serious!!!  Any idea what we are dealing with???
Going nuts!
Jim & Judy in NC



Hi Jim and Judy,
In addition to the smaller June Beetles, Phyllophaga species, you also have Green June Beetles, Cotinus nitida. These beetles are often called Figeaters, since they love to eat fruit. Adults fly in large numbers, making a loud buzzing which is somewhat similar to the buzzing of bumblebees. The beetle feeds on many plants, eating roots, stems and leaves. Larvae are common in rich soil and manure. We suspect that when you planted the tree, you amended the soil with organic material which served as a perfect habitat for the larvae. I would strongly suggest you check with a local nursery for a control method.

Flea Beetle
(08/05/2004)
The other is a beetle, I think it's either a flea beetle or a case-bearing leaf beetle. It's hind femora are enlarged, but it also has yellow patches on the elytra where most flea beetles have solid colored elytra.
Thanks again,
Dave



Hi Dave,
We agree that your beetle is a Flea Beetle, more specifically Phyllotreta bipustulata. They vary from 1.6 to 2.5 mm in length and are blackish with orange elytral spots. "The hind tibia of Phyllotreta" according to Lutz, "are not grooved on the outer edge, but slightly excavated near the tip and with a spur at the middle beneath." A close relative that is similarly colored but with different markings is Phyllotreta vittata, which is common on cabbage.

Stag Beetle and Grapevine Beetle by a Structuralist Insect Photographer
(08/05/2004) A few for your collection!
Hi there Bug People!
I like to photograph only the most taken for granted of things in the world...lowly mushrooms and fungus, insects, small rodents, amphibians, etc... I have included a few ( a very small sampling ) of my 'insect world' favorites for 2004. Hope you enjoy them! (Personally, I love the Imperial Moth that befriended my hand...the Stag is second place) All of these photos are from the location described below.
Kindest Regards,
Scott Pierson
Actual Location Data: (of all insect photos attached) Earleville, MD - in a small, private community named 'Hazelmoor'.
Latitude: 39.4401 Longitude: -76.0247
Time is always (approx) between the hours of  20:30 to 00:00 hrs, EDT

Male Stag Beetle

Grapevine Beetle

My Goodness, Scott,
I admire the structuralist tendencies you have applied to your insect photographs. We are posting your Stag Beetle, Pseudolucanus capreolus male, and your Grapevine Beetle, Pelidnota punctata, on our Beetles 2004 Page.

Beetle Larva
(08/04/2004) bug in bend oregon
Dear bugman
i found your site today after i found this weird bug in my BED. It looks to me like some kind of larva, maybe even a termite? I don't usually freak out about bugs but i do not like bugs in my bed i was hoping you could help me out it looks to me like it has the head of an ant but flatter. it has pinchers or a mouth or what ever that i can see it also has six legs and the rest of it silghtly resembles a worm or caterpilar i killed it olny because in was in my bed. i had just woken up and didn't like the fact that it was sleeping with me all night. now i have a dog but she has been with my boyfriend for a couple of days and this thing moved fairly fast so i don't know how it got in there. I deffinatly don't want any more so if it is a larva i want the rest gone too. I Live in Bend Oregon don't know if that helps. oh yeah i have had it in a sealed container and maybe its the plastic but it sort of stinks.



It looks to us like a beetle larva of some type. Larvae with forms like that are predatory, which means it was hunting prey and somehow found its way into your bed. Do not worry about an infestation. We are forwarding the photo to a beetle expert to see if he can narrow down the possibilities.

Monochamus Borer Beetle probably M. scutellatus
(08/03/2004) Large black insect in northern Quebec
Recently while on vacation in Quebec (Saguenay Fjord area), I saw this rather large insect on some wildflowers on the side of the road. Taking its long antennae into account, it was at least 3 inches or more in length. Any idea what it could be?
Josh



Hi Josh,
You have sent in a photo of one of the Long Horned Borer Beetles from the genus Monochamus. The larvae make a buzzing sound when they feed, hence they are called Sawyer Beetles. Most species of this genus attack felled or dead pines. We are checking with an expert to get an exact species name. Our beetle expert Dan wrote back: "if this dude is indeed black as it looks in the pic, then it is probably Monochamus scutellatus.
dan"

Ergates Sawyer
(07/22/2004)
Is Dan around? I have a new bug. This thing is about 1.25 to 1.5 inches long, not including antennae. Actual size, on my computer. I bought another little digital camera. It takes crappy up-close photos, apparently. :(
chris



Hi Chris,
You have one of the Borer Beetles, Family Cerambycidae. My best guess is a Western Pine Sawyer, Ergates spiculatus. Males have longer antennae. The dark head and prothorax and the lighter elytra or wing covers are a good indication of the species. Your specimen is small. Large males will reach 2 1/4 inches. They are attracted to lights. The eggs are laid in dead pine and the larvae which take two or three years to mature, are generally found in trees dead more than a year. Adults sometimes visit flowers for pollen. Dan, one of our beetle experts writes back: "daniel   yup looks like ergates to me i wouldn't refer to this as a pine sawyer though. Pine Sawyers are in the genus monochamus (much smaller)   dan"

There you go. I looked up ergates spiculatus after receiving your email and the pictures that come up look pretty much like the beetle I had. They sound relatively harmless. It might have been a "small" one, but it was big enough. It surprised me pretty good...almost as much as the first Jerusalem Cricket I found.

(07/17/2004)
thanks for helping me to identify the other residents of my home. fotograf this arthropods has become a hobby to me (there is always somthing new) . theone named "bico4" here is called "gorgojo" and this was about an inch long.
Daniel Vazques Abarca



Hi Daniel,
The "gorgojo" is a type of Weevil. These are beetles from the family Curculionidae. They are frequently plant pests. I am also going to forward your letter to our beetle expert Dan, who may have additional information for you. We did a google search for Gorgojo and found numerous sites in Spanish. The weevil was identified as Insectos plagas: GORGOJO - Otiorrynchus sulcatus. This site states: "Los adultos, que aparecen a finales de primavera, comen en los bordes de las hojas pero no tiene importancia en cuanto a daños; las larvas son las realmente peligrosas como plagas.   Adulto alimentándos de noche   • Plantas atacadas: Muchos arbustos (Rododendro, Azalea, Hortensia, Evónimo, Camelia, Glicinia,...), plantas perennes, anuales, bulbosas y plantas de interior (Fucsia, Begonia, Ciclamen, Impatiens, Primulas, Sedum,...). También Viñas, Fresas, Tejo y otras muchas plantas de jardín y bonsáis que pueden morir en un corto intervalo de tiempo. "

Grapevine Beetles
(07/08/2004) Need help identifying these beetles
Dear Bugman,
I have been searching the internet to see if I could identify these beetles.  I found them in my fuchsia hanging basket on the front porch.  So far this week I have caught 6 of them (always in pairs).  Should I try to get rid of them or leave them alone?  We live in Northwestern Ohio . Thank you,
Azah
p/s:Love your website and have included it in my fav



Dear Azah, Once again we turned to Dan who quickly replied that these are Grapevine Beetles, Pelidnota punctata. "The adults occur particularly on grape, both wild and cultivated; the larvae live on decaying roots and stumps of various trees" according to Dillon and Dillon.

Stag Beetle
(07/08/2004) toe-biter or stag beetle... I'm guessing
This stag beetle or toe biter (or whatever it is) was found in our dog's water dish on our back porch.  I "scooped" it out with the glass jar that you see.  (I didn't want it to die, but I also didn't want to let it go until I could find out what it is.)  The photos of the beetles were taken today (July 8, 2004) near Chattanooga, Tennessee.  (I sent two photos hoping that my hand holding the jar would provide some perspective.  I thought the photo without my hand perhaps had a better angle.) Hope these photos are helpful to someone seeking more information. Thanks for your help... despite the barrage of inquiries you receive.  I'm glad to know there's a place that can help "name" the many insect-type "critters" out there!
Sincerely,
Anita



Hi Anita,
Your beetle, which you undoubtedly saved from sure drowning, is a Stag Beetle, probably a Pseudolucanus species.

Tortoise Beetle Larva
(07/08/2004) What's this bug?
Dear Bugman,
I found this bug on some tomato and eggplants that were growing on my porch.  I’m really wondering what they are. We live in central Pennsylvania .   Your website is great and I’ve been telling people about it :~) Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge,
Leslie Howard



Dear Leslie,
At first we thought this was a Slug Caterpillar, but the curious thing about your image is the debris on the back. We enlisted Eric Eaton's assistance to identify a Tortoise Beetle Pupa, and then Nathan wrote back correcting this misidentification.

Update (04/17/2006)
I believe, now that you were able to identify the tortoise beetle larvae photo I sent you can also put the following entry to rest as well. I found it under the first Caterpillar listing. It looks very similar to an already identified toroise beetle larvae photo found on one of your beetle pages - it too was green like this one. Again, great site!
Regards,
Nathan Cook

Eyed Elator
(07/07/2004) click beetle
Attached, photo of an "eyed" black and white beetle on the bark of an Arizona Ash tree, spotted (as it were) in Austin, TX on June 12, 2004. Perhaps an Eastern Eyed click beetle, Alaus oculatus?
Thanks for the great site, and service.
Jim



The Eyed Elator is surely a handsome Click Beetle. The scientific name is Alaus zuniatus (we aren't positive on the spelling of the species name), found in the southwest. Thanks so much for the photo Jim. Keep sending us beauties.

Orthosoma brunneum????
(07/07/2004) Unknown Bug
Found this on my door and was curious if you could identify it for me. We live in North Central WV, and never saw one before. Thanks.
Chad Fletcher



Hi Chad,
One of our contributing entomologists, beetle expert Dan, believes it to be Orthosoma brunneum, but it is impossible to be certain with your photo. The species, according to Dillon and Dillon "breeds in crossties, poles, and all structural timbers in contact with the ground or in moist, exposed situations. Adults are also attracted to lights." That would explain the appearance on your door.

Blister Beetle
(07/07/2004) and something else I dont know what it is...
AWESOME site!
The other I have no clue what it is. It was taken on the shore of Lake Michigan at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore...there were hundreds of these hanging around. Any idea?
Josh in Detroit



Hi Josh,
One of our beetle experts Dan, says this looks to be one of the Meloid Blister Beetles. The genus is Epicauta, the species indeterminate. The family includes the European Beetle that is used to make the aphrodesiac Spanish Fly.

Dynastes tityus female
(07/07/2004) Not a Rhinocerous Beetle?!
Hi there -- I'm in south central Texas, and had the privilege of meeting this giant beetle!  She looks like a June Bug, but way too big.  As you can see, she doesn't have the horned head, just a little round one, so I'm stumped!  Any ideas?
Oh, and just for fun, here's a shot of a red wasp trying its best to get this GIGANTIC dead spider into an eave of the house.  I watched this wasp for at least an hour, during which time she dropped the spider at least twice and drug it back up the wall about 15 feet, all the way from the ground!  Not a great shot, but I filmed a bit of this also, if you're interested I can send the AVI file.  I love bugs!  Thanks for your great website.
Debbie



Hi Debbie,
The females of the horned scarabs, are with the horns lacking, as in your specimen of a Dynastes tityus, sometimes called the Eastern Hercules Beetle, and sometimes called a Unicorn Beetle. Nice use of scale.

Stag Beetle
(07/06/2004) what is this beetle?
here's a beetle i found. about 2 inches in length. can you help me?
thanks!
Alan



Hi Alan,
A Stag Beetle, probably a male Pseudolucanus capreolus. He is very pretty. Glad to see you are not afraid.

wow! thanks for the quick response. i usually don't get freak by insects - i love them, but i was a little nervous with this guy in my hand!

(01/23/2005) new pics
you identified this beetle for me last year and posted pics i'd sent you (beetles 2004). thought i'd send these close ups of the same beetle.
enjoy!
Alan



Thanks Alan,
Have you kept this beautiful Stag Beetle as a pet for the past six months, or are the photos from last year?

Ground Beetle unidentified species
(07/05/2004) Please help me identify this bug.
I live in Salisbury, Maryland and found this bug in my house.  I assume it's a beetle, but am concerned it could be a roach.  Just wanted to ease my mind.  Thanks for your help.
Deb



Hi Deb,
Many of the Ground Beetles, Carabidae, are black with red legs. I can't identify your exact species, but I can tell you that they are predaceous, and will kill other unwanted pests around the home and garden.

Metallic Green Cerambycid Beetle, Plinthocoelium suaveeolens
(07/05/2004)
Well I got a picture this time spotted the bug on a Cheatam Wood  tree here in Italy, Tx , will send one file due to size.



(Ed. Note: Here is Richard's original letter)
My unknown bug was long 3-4" with a long thin iridescent green body, and with what looked to be a pair of long curved horns,  it was on a tree and flew off when approached, it looked like some kind of a devil mantis. Location central Texas

I wish you had a photo.

Hi Richard,
Your bug is still unknown to me. All I can say is WOW, a large metallic green Cerambycidae Beetle. These are long horned wood boring beetles. I have recent contact with a beetle expert named Dan and will try to get you additional information soon. Your photo blew me out of the water.

Ed. Note: This beetle has been unidentified until Eric Eaton wrote in with an ID from a photo sent in on 10 July 2005. We now know this is Plinthocoelium suaveeolens.

june beetle infestation
(07/03/2004)
Hello,
Here's a picture of one of our trees in central NM that is covered with these beetles.  I think they are June bugs comparing them to a picture ;on your site.  For 3 nights we have been swatting the bugs inside and just noticed tonight that all our pine trees are completely covered with these guys chewing the needles. Do you have any suggestions on how to get rid of them?  We had lots of birds here but none now that the bugs are here. Much appreciate your speedy reply.
Sally Beers



Hi Sally,
It is dificult to tell exactly, but your photo does seem to indicate a June Beetle infestation..  As you must realize, they are very fond of eating pine needles.  Sorry, we have no erradication advice.  You could try trapping them at night when they are attracted to lights.

Daniel,
Thanks for getting back so quick.  If you are interested, here's what we did:
At night while all the beetles were munching away we shook the tree and gathered them in a tarp.  When the sun came up they dropped from the trees and began crawling to our house. Sprayed a bit on the edges of the entry way and swept a lot up.  Guess they are eating by night and sleeping in our walls by day. Today will go for bug zappers to try and get some more. Thanks so much for your help.
Sally

Palo Verde Root Borer, Derobrachus geminatus: Due for a new name.
(07/02/2004) Big and Beautiful.
Hiya bugman!
I found this beetle in my garage this evening.  We live in Mesa, Arizona. The pic of it with the ruler came out fuzzy, but it's a little under 3 inches long. That's about as close as we were willing to get as it has pretty large mandibles.  I scooched it along a little to see how it moves, and I think it was asleep because it jolted like I had startled it.  It moves slowly and seems feisty, but then it's easy to get grumpy in this 105 degree heat when all you want is to take a little siesta.  I've been to about 10 different beetle websites and can't find it.  Can you help?  I love your website!!
Sherri



We stand corrected.
Correction
I was just going through the identifications and noticed that someone made an error on an identification: Sheri (Mesa, Arizona) sent in an image of a large long-horn beetle.  It was identified as a California Prionus.  It is not a California Prionus, but a different long-horn beetle.  It is of the genus Derobrachus, and is probably the species geminatus.
Bob Jensen
Entomologist
website: 

UPDATE: This just arrived on (08/08/2005)
identifications Hello - I was recently shown your site, and it is excellent.  My specialization is longhorned beetles, and in cruising around I notice a number of incomplete or uncertain IDs for this family.  I don't know if you are interested in receiving this sort of input, but if you are, I offer the following additions to your identifications.
The species pictured is what presently is called Derobrachus geminatus, as you speculated-- however, for the record, that name has been misapplied, and in fact, the species shown in the photo soon will be given another name.Cheers
Frank Hovore (Prionus) species.

Update: Palo Verde Root Borer
(08/18/2007)
Hello,
I just wanted to let you know that the beetle on your page 2, Some one gave the correct on the family name, but didn't give a name on what they are called. I live in Tucson Az. & to my knowledge are mainly known here in the SW They are called  "Palo Verde" beetles, because the  female will lay their eggs in soil surrounding the Palo Verde trees, which will hatch & live underground for 3 years, feeding on the roots of the trees. They are usually seen in the summer & fly in the early evenings, they are attracted to light, which is why we always find them by our front porch where the light had been on! I couldn't find anything on your page under that name, so I hope you find this helpful. They are the biggest bug I'll ever want to see with pinchers! I've enclosed a couple pictures.Thanks,
Wendy Warunkiewicz

California Prionus
(07/02/2004) Hello,
Thanks to your well-designed site, I was able to identify the large beetle in my driveway as a Prionus californicus. This was in Orange, California on July 2nd, 2004. Thought I'd share my photo with you, in return for the quick and detailed information.
Thanks again!
Marc McNaughton



Thank you for your kind words Marc, and also for the high quality photo.

Cottonwood Borers
(07/02/2004)
This bug was found in Oklahoma.....can you tell me what it is?
Thanks,
Judy Campbell



Hi Judy,
You have Cottonwood Borers, Plectrodera scalator. They are beetles from the long-horned beetle family Cerambycidae. These are very large black and white beetles. We have several photos on our beetle page from last year. Adults are common around cottonwood and poplar trees and the grubs bore into the wood of those trees.

Carrion Beetles
(07/02/2004) I Have No Clue! but we do!
If you can see from the picture-  I took some Coquina Shells home from the beach-  laid them out to dry and..... I saw about a dozen of these black bugs coming out of the shells the next day-  and have no clue if there were brought home from the ocean, or were from my back yard.  I'm without an identification book here, and found your site-- can you help identify these awful looking things?? All I can say is thank goodness they are outside!!



The real reason you should be happy the shells are outside should be the stench. Obviously the shells stank badly enough to attract flies as well as Carrion Beetles, Silpha americana. These beetles are attracted to putrification in many forms, including dead animals and fungus. They perform a necessary scavanging activity as well as being valuable to forensic science by helping to determine the time of death when bodies are discovered.
P.S. Your photo is awesome.

Thanks for your quick reply!! Yes, I know the smell is unbelievable-  I knew that would happen, but the beetles!!!!  No Way! I've just never seen them before, and my first reaction was,  well,   a typical "girl" response--- Unfortunately, I have noone around with the stamina to dispose of these .... things.....- I assume they will wander away on their own??? Thanks again,   just another typical,  "you'll never guess what happened to me" story!
Jill Guenther

White-spotted Sawyer
(07/01/2004)
Noticed here in southern New Hampshire (Merrimack) and I have never seen anything like it....  Any ideas?



Totally awesome photograph of a White-spotted Sawyer, Monochamus scutellatus. These large Long-horned Borer Beetles, Family Cerambycidae, are black with a bronze sheen and white markings. The males have extremely long antennae, like your specimen. They attack felled or dead pine trees. Because the larvae make a buzzing sound, they are called "Sawyers". Though they usually feed on freshly cut logs, they may attack living trees.

Firefly larva
(07/01/2004) Hi,
Firstly let me congratulate you on a wonderful website. Within minutes of arriving I was able to identify that one the two strange bugs I found was a 'House Centipede'. The other I'm having more problems with. I found the insect in the shower on a recent holiday to Greece. I think it may be some sort of beetle larva but would love to know which one. It reminds me of the ladybird larva but was considerably bigger at 1.5 to 2 inches in length. Any help would be much appreciated.
Regards,
James Stratton.



Hi James,
It is definitely a beetle larva. It looks like one of the Lampyridae or Firefly larvae. They are predatory.

June Beetle
(06/30/2004) Hello,
Any idea what bug this is? I found it flying outside near the top of my birch tree.
Thank you
Hal



Hi Hal,
You have a species of June Beetle. Your photo isn't the best quality and it is difficult to tell if the color is really golden or if it is a reflection from your flash.

Stag Beetle: Psuedolucanus capreolus
(06/29/2004) Bugman,
Any idea what type of beetle this is. I found it crawling across my kitchen floor. It's a dark brown color with orange/tan legs underneath the body.  A nickle is a shown on the attached photo for size comparison.  I live in Madison, Wisconsin (south central Wisconsin).
Where do they nest?
Are they poisonous?
Do they come in numbers?
Do I need and exterminator?



The Stag Beetle photos are beginning to arrive. You have a species from the genus Pseudolucanus, probably P. capreolus, a male that can be identified by his large jaws. The grubs can be found in decaying logs and wood. The adults fly and are attracted to lights, which explains the presence in the kitchen. They do not swarm, but are seasonal, so you may encounter additional specimens. They are not poisonous, and the jaws can pinch, but will rarely break the skin. You do not need an exterminator.

Stag Beetle: Lucanus elaphus
(o6/28/2004) not sure what this is..
Hello...
I don't know anything about bugs, but this huge thing greeted me on my deck railing last week, near Richmond, VA.  It was close to 2 inches long and didn't move when I approached to take the pictures.  Unfortunately, the pictures are a little fuzzy, as I was handholding the camera.
Any ideas?  I've never seen anything like this before.
Guy



Hello Guy,
What an impressive Male Stag Beetle, Lucanus elaphus, you have. We have gotten photos of Stag Beetles in the past, but always from the genus Pseudolucanus. Your specimen has impressive mandibles. These beetles occur in the South. They are usually found around the stumps of oak trees, but they do fly and are attracted to lights. Females which have smaller jaws, are reported to be very rare.

Tortoise Beetle
(06/28/2004) Gold Bug
Dear Bugman
Hope you can help ID this bug. Found amongst grass/meadow flowers in China, Guangxi. Thought it was a small button at first being about 10mm across, shiny, golden/bronze with a domed transluscent 'plastic' disc for protection. Small feelers scanned ahead and when disturbed the four suction cupped feet clamped the body down. May have been able to fly.
Sorry for the poor image.
Bruce



Hi Bruce,
I cannot tell you an exact species name since I don't have a guide to Chineese Beetles, but it is a Tortoise Beetle, Family Cassidinae. They get their name from their form. Many of them are beautifully colored in life, but the golden hues rapidly fade after death. Many feed on sweet potatoes and other Convulvulaceae, like morning glories.

Cottonwood Leaf Beetle
(06/27/2004) Hello Bugman,
I have to tell you just how interesting I have found your website.  It has become quite habit forming. I am attaching 3 photos of a bug in various stages.  These army of creapers have taken over my Weeping Willow Tree and are eating it up.  Can you please tell me what they are and the best way to get rid of them.  I live in NorthEast Arkansas.   
Thanks so much for your time and knowledge.
Cathy Smith



Hi Cathy,
Despite being called the Cottonwood Leaf Beetle, Chrysomela scripta Fabricius, this pest can also be found on willow trees, as you know. I would check with local agricultural experts regarding control, now that you know what you have. Both the adult on the left, and the larva on the right will eat leaves from the host trees. We found some information on this site.

Cottonwood Borers
(06/26/2004)
Hi I found your site after looking through about 50 websites trying to identify two bugs that I found in my backyard. I'm from Amarillo, Texas if that helps. I have attached pictures of these bugs. I have never in my life seen anything that resembled these two bugs! They are about 3-4 inches long with large antennae. They have pincher like mouths and are hard bodied. They can also fly but I don't think they can go far because they are so large and heavy. Please help me figure this out because I have a young son and I'm afraid to send him out in the backyard thinking he might get bit by one of these. Thank you so very much for you help in my search!
Lisa



Dear Lisa,
You have Cottonwood Borers. They are beetles from the long-horned beetle family Cerambycidae. These are very large black and white beetles. We have several photos on our beetle page from last year. Adults are common around cottonwood and poplar trees and the grubs bore into the wood of those trees. They will not harm your children, but a huge infestation may harm your trees.

The Larger Flat-headed Pine Borer
(06/23/2004) Extremely Large Beetle!!!!
Hello,
Although your site was informative and quite fascinating I was unable to identify a very large beetle. This beetle was actually found on my sisters shirt right at the base of her neck. I however spotted it before she could freak out too much... it was really quite hilarious to see her dancing around trying to reach it. I did of course pluck it off her and rescue the poor thing. I live in British Columbia, Canada and have not seen a bug like this before, and doubt that I ever will again. It was very sleek in body style and looked like it had a velvet shell and was soft to the touch. It was none aggresive and quite content to just sit on my arm. However if you touched it or prodded it would scurry with surprising speed on its padded feet. I believe it was about two inches long if not more... and was neat to watch. I got about 10 photos of it so hopefully you can help my curiosity by telling me what it is.
P.S. : I hope you like the photo, which I shall send in the email follwing!
Tracy Sherwood



Dear Tracy,
I can't believe you didn't think I would love your photo of a Larger Flat-headed Pine Borer, Chalcophora virginiensis [*Correction: Chalcophora angulicollis]. It is a species common in pine areas. They are members of the Metallic Wood-boring Beetle Family Buprestidae. The larvae bore under bark or in wood, attacking either living trees or newly cut or dying logs and branches. Adults run and fly rapidly. I found a website which states: "Individuals may be seen resting on sidewalks, on walls, and may actually land on people, especially if they walk around in bright clothing. This may be quite disconcerting to those that are intimidated by large insects."

Thank You ever so much for replying so quickly! And you are right it is definetly a large pine borer. And I am also happy you liked my pic! Just graduating from high school ( Grade 12) and am planning on following my dream of becoming a professional photographer, I am tickled pink to hear that you liked it! Once again thanks ever so much for helping me out! And thanks for the awesome and informative website!

*CORRECTION
Re: help identifying beetles   when i looked at the beetle pix previously the only missID i saw was chalcophora virginiensis since the bug was from BC it should be c.angulicollis. no big deal u did a good job on the others  but i would be very careful putting species names on any beetle because there r usually many closely related sp. in any given genus     feel free to send me some puzzlers if u get any   thx dan

(06/10/2004) Prionus Beetle
This is an email forwarded to me by my aunt who found this interesting species of wasp in her backyard...Any ideas???
Rachel
"Hey,
I know you will think I'm being weirder than usual, but I happen to find all animals (even insects) very fascinating even the freaky ones!!
I was outside this am playing and cleaning up my Danes, then started cleaning the pool. I found this bug dead in one of the baskets. Talk about freaky!!!!!!!!!! Has anyone ever seen this or know what family of insects it is from? Its back-end is striped like a yellow jacket, but its huge!! It measures 3.5 cm from the tip of its tail to its mouth, and it has 2 different sets of wings, the back wings are clear with dark brown veins and are 2.5 cm long, and its front wings are dark brown/red and are 2 cm long but are shaped differently than its back. its long feelers/antennas are almost 3 cm long. and it has HUGE jaws (I think they are called mandibles) but science was a LONG time ago for me. It also appears to have a stinger out its back-end! WOE
~~~~ Debbie"



Hi Rachel and Debbie,
You found a Prionus which is a member of the Long Horned Borer Beetle family. These are among the largest beetles in California as well as other parts of the U.S. The grubs bore into the roots of Oaks, Madrone, Cottonwoods and some Fruit Trees. They will also feed on Eucalyptus. Adults emerge in summer and are often attracted to lights, which might explain its drowned presence in the pool.

Ed. Note: We just recieved this information.
(08/09/2005) identificationsHello - I was recently shown your site, and it is excellent.  My specialization is longhorned beetles, and in cruising around I notice a number of incomplete or uncertain IDs for this family.  I don't know if you are interested in receiving this sort of input, but if you are, I offer the following additions to your identifications.
The beetle pictured is Prionus (Neopolyarthron) imbricornis (or much less likely, P. (N.) debilis; that level of detail is lacking in the photo), but with that many antennal segments, cannot be either of the two Californian Prionus (Prionus) species. Cheers.
Frank Hovore

Cotalpa consobrina
(06/09/2004)Golden Beetle
I just found a beetle that looks very similar to a June beetle but is more pale golden in color and does not have long antennae. It's topside looks somewhat like the Hercules or Unicorn beetle without the spots. It also has somewhat of a tiny triangular shape at the top intersection of its wings and its head somewhat like the Eastern Hercules Beetle has. It is kind of shiny as though the body is armored. I have drawn a picture of it but the picture does not really do it justice as the green you see on its wings and behind the head is more of a dotted green hue instead of stark lines. In fact I just looked at it again and the color behind the head where you see the two brown blobs is morelike two B's, very lightly brownish hued, facing each other The white dots you see represent the shine on it. When flipped over, it is ribbed and looks more the color of a brown colored honey or horehound and its legs have somewhat fuzzy hairs on the outside edges while the chest section is fuzzy (somewhat like a bee is fuzzy). It also seems to be somewhat fuzzy under the lower portion of the wings. The hind legs get lighter at the upper portion of the leg. The undertail section is more closely ribbed than the upper section. Centered between its second set of legs and back legs is somewhat of a diamond shape with a line going through the center of the diamond (Head   Tail). Your help in identifying this beetle would be tremendously appreciated!
Sincerely, Diana Isham, Grantsburg Wisconsin



Hi Diana.
We got another letter from New Hampshire reporting a similar beetle. We have decided it is probably Cotalpa lanigera which is approximately an inch long and entirely yellow with a metallic luster. It occurs near catalpa trees. It could be your beetle.

Thank you my friend! I looked up Cotalpa lanigera and thought momentarily that it might be it because it looks very much like it but its wings also looked too white. I then did a bit of research, found it on the following website and was delighted to find a lovely photo of my beetle just below Catalpa lanigera. It is called Cotalpa consobrina and is a native Arizonan like myself! I am so amazed! I lived in Arizona for the first 15 years of my life and never saw one of these! And now I’m wondering if it’s a native only in Arizona, and if so, how did it end up here in Wisconsin?



Hi Diana,
We haven't been able to locate any information on the extent of the range of Cotalpa consobrina.

Ironclad Beetle
(06/07/2004) Still ALIVE and Unidentified!
Dear Bugman,
My son and I was clearing up some brush on our property and came across this bug.  We have a cottonwood beetle we collected 4years ago and figure it was along the same family but we have been unable to correctly identify this one. It has similar identifications. Would you have any knowledge of this such bug? What it feeds on? etc.  It doesn't seem to be in any hurry since the second we spotted it sitting on the same piece of wood.
Also, do you have any knowledge of how ot properly preserve insects. After 2-3 days they all seem to end up smelling like bad eggs. we have placed the cottonwood beetle in an airtight cube for viewing (NEVER TO BE OPEN AGAIN). We have visitied our library for reference but have had no luck. We have read that a museum in London has a 30,000 collection. 
Attached is also a picture of one of many walkingsticks roaming around.
Thank you for your help,
Darin, Melissa and Spencer



Ed. Note: Before we even had a chance to begin to research this unknown beauty, the family from  Bulverde, North of San Antonio, Texas emailed us a link that identified the Ironclad Beetle, Zopherus nodulosus haldemani. According to the site, little is known about the biology of the species. The information continues "Larval and pupal stage of this insect have been collected from the dead wood of pecan, which apparently serves as the developmental site for this species. Adult beetles have been collected from trunks of oak trees in the College Station, Texas area. Adult beetles are thought to feed on lichens growing on trunks of these trees. This beetle can be found clinging onto the trunks of trees or outer walls of homes in wooded areas." In the Los Angeles area, we have a totally different beetle known as the Ironclad Beetle which goes by the scientific name Phloeodes pustulosus, but also belongs to the Family Zopheridae.

(06/06/2004) Hercules Beetle or Unicorn Beetle
It has stickery feet that tickled on your hand. He isn't afraid of anything. I found him walking on the parking lot at Wal-Mart down here in Lumberton, Texas. Sorry about the clarity of one photograph he kept moving and I am just leaning how to use this camera.
DeeDee Revia



Hi DeeDee,
Thank you for the photo of an Eastern Hercules Beetle, Dynastes tityus, also known as a Unicorn Beetle. Unicorn is something of a misnomer, since your side view reveals additional horns. These are among the largest American Beetles.

Cotalpa lanigera: Goldsmith Beetle
Re: NH beetle identification??
(06/06/2004) Editor's Note: We lost the original letter with the description that lead us to guess the Rose Chafer was the unidentified beetle. Here is the exchange that followed. We eventually got this photo and information on the Goldsmith Beetle from a wonderful site.
The Goldsmith beetle is one of the larger Ruteline scarabs and can be found throughout the Eastern US. The pronotum, head, and legs of the Goldsmith are a metallic shagreened gold which unfortunately doesn't photograph well. Larvae feed inside of rotten logs. Adults feed on the foliage of some trees including Poplar.



(06/07/2004)
Hi, Thanks Not a rose chafer. Actually looks quite a bit, but not identical to Plusiotis argenteola Bates from Equador Do we have anything like that in NH??? I'll try toget my friend to come take a picture. The dead one I have has darkened up and is not as bright a yellow as it was alive. I've been looking for another but since we got cold rain over the weekend they seem to be hiding again
Thanks again Diane

(06/08/2004)
Thank you for your reply! After  nearly a week of looking I was finally able to ID my beetle, it is a Goldsmith beetle (cotalpa lanigera) I've lived here in Nh 39 years and never have I seen this beetle. I must have seen these right after hatch as there were over 50 of them on the front of the building that first night. Have only seen 1 in the last 4 days though Are these common? Thanks again.
Diane Richardson Warner, NH

Hi Diane,
The only information I could find in my sources is that Cotalpa lanigera is about an inch long, yellow with a metallic luster and that it occurs on or near catalpa trees.  Congratulations on your successful sleuthing.  I did just get another report of a similar beetle from Wisconsin. Daniel

(06/11/2004)
Amazing! We have a HUGE Catalpa here. I've lived in this location 8 years and never seen this beetle before. Maybe this is a good year for them. This is the first place I've lived in Nh with a Catalpa, they are VERY uncommon in this state. THAT would explain why I've never seen one in years past I met a person who ses tons of these beetles in CT. Ct has lots of Catalpa trees Thanks again for your help, your clues helped me a great deal,
Diane

(06/03/2004) Male Dung Beetle
We found this cool Beetle dead in our pool. He looks like some kind of a Scarab Beetle. He has a horn that is not very visible in the picture. We live in Loganville, Ga (outside of Atlanta). Unfortunately for the insect population in our yard, the new pool has become a research lab for my children. We discover new creatures every day.
Beth Tyson



Hi Beth,
Thank you for the beautiful photo of a male Phanaeus vindex, a type of scarab from the Dung Beetle group. They are a beautiful metallic color.

(05/31/2004) Prionus imbricornus
I found this beetle(?) on my back patio by my sliding glass door. I am extremely scared of bugs, any type, but I have never seen anything like this before. I live in South Florida (Port Saint Lucie) my backyard has a canal with a lot of trees and bushes.  It looks to be around 25 mm in length, it is redish brown with long antennae that curl around and touch the ground. Sorry about my description, I try to stay away and know as little about bugs as possible.  The picture may not be great but I was scared to get too close. I have attached it. Let me know if you need a better one and I will try my best.
Thank you, Kim



Hi Kim,
What a beautiful Long Horned Borer you have. The species is Prionus imbricornis. These are large reddish beetles. Your species is a male, identified by his longer, thicker antennae. Larger specimens can reach nearly two inches in body length. The larvae bore in oak, chestnut and other hardwood trees. They also live in roots of herbaceous plants.

(05/06/2004) Caterpillar Hunter
Hi, Bugman. I love your site, although I'm glad I don't have any of those bugs at my place!  The one I found is bad enough.  I found it in my front yard in suburban Chicago.  Can you ID it?
Jerry Palm



Dear Jerry,
You have photographed a dead Caterpillar Hunter, Calosoma scrutator, one of the Ground Beetles from the family Carabidae. They are predaceous, feeding on insects and other small animals. They are especially fond of caterpillars. They help to control Gypsy Moths and Tent Caterpillars. Adults will climb trees and they can also fly, often being attracted to lights in the spring. They are beneficial and should not be killed.

(04/30/2004) Look What I Found!
I found this while visiting Vegas a couple of weeks ago. I don't recall seeing this in ny.



It appears to be a species of Tiger Beetle, Family Cicindelidae. They are often metallic in color and are fierce hunters. They run rapidly, often in sandy areas, and they are also quick fliers. Weiping at the Natural History Museum says "This photo is not clear enough. It is hard to say it is a tiger beetle or ground beetle. For me, the body shape is closer to Calosoma sp. (Carabidae)."

(04/11/2004) Tiger Beetle: Cicindela campestris
I’m in England and my fiancé and I have found a bug that we do not know much about, here is a picture of it, what do you think it is?
Truly Bugged in England,
Virginia and Dave



Dear Virginia and Dave,
You have a Tiger Beetle, Family Cicindelidae. These are fast, predatory hunters, often irridescent in color. They are also strong fliers, are often found in sandy locations, and they capture and kill their prey with powerful sickle-shaped mandibles.

Update (08/22/2006)
Hello Lisa Anne and Daniel,
I recently came across your website and I was pleased to see such a vibrant (and well-done) site. I'm an entomologist and evolutionary biologist (specializing on the systematics, taxonomy and evolution of tiger beetles and their close relatives) and I have to say that I'm impressed with your accuracy rate! It's much, much better than other comparable sites I've come across over the years. The two of you must really love insects. In any case, I noticed that you are open to information from specialists, so I thought I'd give you a few ID's of species that I came across on your pages. I was having trouble sleeping, so I went through all of the tiger beetles, scaratines, etc and checked them out. Here you go: "(04/11/2004) Tiger Beetle" This is Cicindela campestris, which is a common and widespread European tiger beetle. They are beautiful, aren't they? I'll bookmark your site and check it out when I'm having trouble sleeping again!
Daniel P. Duran
Dept. of Biological Sciences
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Pasimachus species
(02/29/2004) Need help with a beetle ID
I came across this beetle today at Cockroach Bay preserve which is part of Tampa Bay.  The reserve is near Ruskin, Florida and the beetle was in a very sandy area with some scrub grassland with intermintent wildflowers and weeds.  I know much more about birds and butterflies...but from what I could gather this may be some sort of stag beetle?  It was good sized...maybe 1.5 inches in length or so. Any input on this beetle would be great!
Thanks,
Colin Gjervold
Sarasota, FL



Dear Colin,
I must confess I am intrigued by a place called Cockroach Bay and I'm not entirely sure I want to visit it. Your photo, on the other hand, is a new one for us. We checked with our expert at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles, Weiping, who writes: "Sorry to answer you so late. I took yesterday off for vacation. This image is not a Dorcus parallelus. You can see five tarsi on the hind leg. I am sure it is belonging to Carabus sp. (Coleoptera: Carabidae), probably from Asia.."
(09/06/2004) Ed. Note:
Eric, another of our beetle experts, just wrote in saying: "The Carabus sp. from Cockroach Bay, FL is actually a species of Pasimachus. Neat!"
Since we always defer to more knowledgeable experts, we will include both possibilities.

Update: (08/22/2006)
Hello Lisa Anne and Daniel, I recently came across your website and I was pleased to see such a vibrant (and well-done) site. I'm an entomologist and evolutionary biologist (specializing on the systematics, taxonomy and evolution of tiger beetles and their close relatives) and I have to say that I'm impressed with your accuracy rate! It's much, much better than other comparable sites I've come across over the years. The two of you must really love insects. In any case, I noticed that you are open to information from specialists, so I thought I'd give you a few ID's of species that I came across on your pages. I was having trouble sleeping, so I went through all of the tiger beetles, scaratines, etc and checked them out. Here you go: I'll bookmark your site and check it out when I'm having trouble sleeping again!
"Pasimachus possibly, or Carabus species (02/29/2004) Need help with a beetle ID" This is most definitely a Pasimachus! (you can omit the exclamation point and the following if you want to print this, but that beetle is unequivocally a Pasimachus, not a Carabus. Those two genera are very easy to separate from even a photograph on the basic of many characters such as antennal length and form, head width and shape, mandible length/shape, pronotal shape, etc.) It is Pasimachus marginatus at that, a lovely species found in Florida and other parts of the Southeast.
Daniel P. Duran
Dept. of Biological Sciences
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Rainbow Scarab
(02/14/2004) Mystery Beetle with Cute Antennae
Could you identify this beetle that I found in our backyard this morning?  I am attaching a picture - the antennae are so unusual - and I have to say it - cute.  We live in Pembroke Pines, FL - south Florida just south of Ft. Lauderdale.



Dear Suze,
I must say I admire that you polish your nails before digging in the dirt. You have a magnificent photograph of a female Rainbow Scarab, Phanaues vindex, which is relatively common in Florida. These are scarab beetles further classified as Dung Beetles or Tumblebugs. The male Rainbow Scarab has a single long curved horn which arises from his head. These insects are unusual in that they work in pairs, rolling a ball of animal dung which is buried with a single egg. The dung is the food source for the developing grub. They are important in that they help clear away and break down the animal excrement, making for a more beautiful environment as well as more fertile soil. This type of beetle is the scarab of Egyptian heiroglyphics and jewelry. The ancient Egyptians were fascinated by the appearance of the beetles rolling a ball of dung in the sand and likened the ball to the orb of the sun.

(02/14/2004) my pond
Pleeeease help me....I live in Southern Georgia and I have a pond in my backyard. Since fall, these strange looking millipedes(they do have 2 pairs of legs per segment) have been appearing in my pond. I've never seen any smaller form of them(they're about finger-length). At first, I figured they were some hapless terrestrial creature that fell into the pond, but, upon closer observation, they move about underwater, and appear to eat dead vegitation....they just move very slowly. I've googled the subject to death..... can you possibly help me? If you could solve this mystery for me, I will have many more peaceful nights....I tend to obsess on stuff like this. Thank you so much in advance.....
Adam Smith
Adel, GA
P.S.- I'm preparing to take some pics of these little buggers, if they will help, I'd be happy to forward some on to you.
Sorry for the delay....weather hasn't been very conducive to photography....here's a couple pics....sorry about the blurriness.



Dear Adam,
Your image had us confused, so we contacted Weiping at the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History. He would like to see a clearer image, but writes: " picture of millipedes you sent to me is looked like a larva of aquatic beetle. Unfortunately, the images are too small and not in focus. Would you think we have a chance to ask that guy to send me a better image?" There are some large aquatic beetles that could have laid eggs in your pond. If you could, please send a clearer photo.
Thanks,
Daniel

(02/07/2004) We just found this beautiful Devil's Coach Horse while weeding in our garden. After taking the photo, we released it to hunt more slugs.

(02/04/2004) What this bug?
Dear Bugman,
First, congrats on a great site!
Attached are two closeups of a bug, possibly a bed bug, found when stripping the sheets from our mattress. (We do this every week, but this is the only 'visitor' we've ever seen). Bug was not dead, but just lying there waving its little legs slowly. Could be because we had had a flea infestation (we>lying there waving its little legs slowly. Could be because we had had a flea infestation (we>sprayed the house and mattress with flea spray last year. Any way here it is...



Dear Richard,
I really wasn't positive, so I sought out a true expert, Weiping at the Museum of Natural History in Los Angeles.  Here is his answer:
"Thank you very much for your image. This is a Thylodrias larva (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Thylodrias). It is very common in Los Angeles area. I collected it many times in our museum. Hopefully, the information will help you. Sincerely, Weiping"
I can add the Dermestidae is a family of beetles known as Carpet Beetles or Buffalo Bugs.  They are fond of eating skins, furs, woolen materials and dried animal matter, and as a family, are the bane of the entomologist since they can quickly devour a prized insect collection.

Many thanks for the reply - I'm greatly relieved that its only a carpet beetle, and not something worse! Attached the second picture, which was of the head/jaws of the grub.
Best Regards, Richard

Thanks again Daniel - two further questions,
1. do you have a picture of an adult?
2. Will my bug make it onto your website?

Hi Richard,
I have your letter ready for posting, but the site is currently down due to heavy traffic.  I was expecting it to be up today, but still no luck.  I know the site is up on the east coast, since I began getting additional letters.  Check in a day or two.  I have a photo of an adult and will attach it.  It was previously identified only generally, but now there is an exact species name.  Thank you for your interest.
Daniel

(01/16/2004) Thylodrias contractus
We live in Columbia,  SC.  The first pi