rss Bug Identifcation
Location: West Virginia
July 10, 2011 12:23 pm
My son found this beetle. We searched on this site and could not find one listed. Here is a photo.
Signature: Ryland
Larger Elm Leaf Beetle
Dear Ryland,
We quickly identified your beetle as a Larger Elm Leaf Beetle, Monocesta coryli, by matching it to a posting on BugGuide, also from West Virginia. There is a note that this is a variable species, and it might have dark spots, light spots, or like your individual, no spots.
what a strange bug!
Location: Brunswick, NY
June 27, 2011 5:47 pm
I was walking up the driveway at my fiance’s house in Brunswick, NY and I saw this strange bug walking up the pavement. I went to take a picture of the bug as he was walking away from me and he actually stopped, turned around and posed! I’ve never seen anything like it before…can you identify it?!?!
Signature: intrigued in brunswick
False Potato Beetle
Dear intrigued in brunswick,
This False Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa juncta, is easily confused with the closely related Colorado Potato Beetle. According to BugGuide: “Similar to Colorado Potato Beetle (1), but elytral punctures are regular instead of irregular. Also, a brown stripe at the center of each elytron (wing cover) and on the inner edge of each elytron (where they meet down the middle) distinguish this species.”
What is this bug?
Location: Sydney, Australia
June 22, 2011 12:11 am
Hi there,
I got this bug off a leaf in a garden in winter in Sydney Australia. I was wondering if you knew what it was?
Signature: MargotG
Small Blue Leaf Beetle
Dear MargotG,
This is a Leaf Beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, and it can be further classified as a Flea Beetle in the tribe Alticini. We believe we have correctly identified it as a Small Blue Leaf Beetle, Nisotra breweri, on the Insects of Brisbane Website. You did not indicate which plant you found the Small Blue Leaf Beetle upon, and the Insects of Brisbane website indicates it is found on Wild Tobacco. Interestingly, the hairy leaf that you photographed your individual upon looks very much like the leaves represented in the photos on the website we cited.
Thankyou so much for identifying the flea beetle! The leaf was from a chinese lantern bush! Interesting!!!
Many Thanks
Margot
Red beetles
Location: Torrington, CT
June 20, 2011 9:37 am
These little red guys are all over my hostas. Can you tell me what they are? LOVE your site, but what happened to your Facebook page? I loved having neat bugs sent to me every day! Happy bugging!!
Signature: Jennifer
Lily Leaf Beetle
Hi Jennifer,
This is a Lily Leaf Beetle, Lilioceris lilii, a species recently accidentally introduced from Europe. It is firmly established in Canada and New England. Until your letter, we did not realize that Hosta is a member of the Lily family. We will check with our web host regarding your Facebook question, since that is not a matter that our editorial staff controls.
RED BUG
Location: Peabbody, Massachusetts.
June 15, 2011 8:00 am
This critter appears overnight and usually with allthe kin to start a hostile takeover.
The bug is normally solitary but will share an occassional leaf with another.
These bugs apparently hate direct light because I always find the bug under the leaf.
These bugs can destroy an entire Tiger Lilly in an hour. Then move onto the next plant.
What is it’s name; how do I control this plague?
Signature: Rod
Lily Leaf Beetle
Hi Rod,
The Lily Leaf Beetle, Lilioceris lilii, has been introduced from Europe and it has gained a major foothold in Canada and New England. As your letter indicates, it feeds on the leaves of domesticated lily plants. The best way to control them is to get the larvae. Once they are adults, they are reproducing and they can fly, making them more mobile. According to BugGuide: “The larvae are found beneath mounds of dark brown “crud” along the edges of leaves they are eating, literally a protective barrier of their own feces.” We would recommend that you target the larval stage in your attempts to eradicate the Lily Leaf Beetle from your garden.
Beautiful tortoise beetles you might want to add.
Location: Malaysia
June 12, 2011 5:18 am
Found these in my backyard in Malaysia. You have a beautiful collection of tortoise beetles on your site and I thought perhaps you might like to add these.
Signature: AJ
Tortoise Beetle
Dear AJ,
Thanks for sending in photos of these two pretty Tortoise Beetles. We will try to get species identifications when we have a free moment.
Tortoise Beetle
What kind of beetle is this?
Location: Marion county, Missouri. USA
June 5, 2011 4:56 pm
This bug was found in Marion county, Missouri. We are not sure what kind of beetle it is.
Signature: Brian
Swamp Milkweed Beetle
Hi Brian,
The beetle in question is a Swamp Milkweed Beetle, Labidomera clivicollis, and there is considerable variation between individuals in both the coloration and the extent of the black markings.
What beetle is this?
Location: CT Shoreline
June 2, 2011 4:42 pm
Hi, I recently found this beetle eating my eggplant leaves. Not sure what it is or how to naturally get rid of it.
Signature: James C.
Three Lined Potato Beetle
Hi James,
This Three Lined Potato Beetle, Lema daturaphila, feeds on the leaves of potatoes and other related plants in the family Solanaceae. Eggplant is a member of that family. You may reference BugGuide for additional photos and information.
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