HUGE Black Beetle in New Jersey
Location: Southern New Jersey, near pine barrens
July 7, 2011 9:58 pm
Hello,
We found this beetle outside tonight and were amazed at his size! We’ve never seen a beetle that looked anything like this one and are curious to know more about it.
Thanks!
Signature: RD in NJ
Broad Necked Root Borer
Dear RD,
The quantity of requests we received in late June to identify the Broad Necked Root Borer, Prionus laticollis, prompted us to name it Bug of the Month for July. Most of our submissions this year were of females whose antennae are not as developed. It is nice to get your photo of a male Broad Necked Root Borer. Stay clear of the mandibles as they are quite powerful. Though the species is not aggressive, it may bite if it is threatened or carelessly handled.
Unintended Carnage
Carrion Beetles trapped in Cat Food Can
Unintended Carnage
Location: San Luis Obispo County, CA
July 8, 2011 1:33 am
Dear Bugman,
I have enjoyed your site and for many years. I am a wildlife biologist in San Luis Obispo County, California. For the last 2 years I have been using camera traps to take images of various carnivores that inhabit state lands. Pierced catfood cans are sometimes used to entice critters to come to the cameras. When I recently checked a camera, I found that a couple of beetles committed suicide trying to get at the rotting catfood inside. I think they are black carrion beetles (Nicrophorus nigrita). Sorry for the poor pictures. They were long dead and it was hard to get the dried catfood off of them. I guess the holes I made in the can were just slightly too small… I will make the holes bigger next time.
Signature: Craig Fiehler
Carrion Beetles trapped in Cat Food Can
Dear Craig,
At your suggestion, we will tag this as Unnecessary Carnage, though since this accident occurred in the interest of science, we consider it unfortunate, but excusable. Your photos are positively surreal. Thanks for your submission. We are intrigued with your wildlife camera set up.
Carrion Beetle Corpse
Dear Daniel,
We have been camera trapping the Chimineas Ranch in San Luis Obispo county for almost 2 years now. Much of our exploits have been described on Dr. Chris Wemmer’s blog, Camera Trap Codger.
http://cameratrapcodger.blogspot.com/
I hope you enjoy some of the wildlife shots.
I also want to say “thank you!” for your tireless efforts to educate the public about arthropods. I have been enlightened by your website and your book was a joy to read. I have been trying to educate myself about insects and arachnids that inhabit the areas where I work. Needless to say, I have much to learn. But I can honestly say, I learn something new from you site every week. Keep up the great work!
Best wishes,
Craig Fiehler
Thanks for the update Craig. We are linking to Dr. Chris Wemmer’s blog and we are thrilled you enjoyed reading The Curious World of Bugs.
Stag Beetle- Alive
Location: Sanford, NC
July 7, 2011 6:04 pm
Hi. I saw the last 2 postings for Stag Beeltes ,and sadly they were not alive. Just wanted to let you know that my teen son rescued this one from a pool skimmer. We let him dry out & rest and he is as good as new. What a neat insect. we have never seen one before, but are big nature & insect fans.
Signature: KeriAnn
Giant Stag Beetle
Hi KeriAnn,
Thanks for sending your very sweet photo of a living Giant Stag Beetle as well as your thrilling rescue story. It just might have sent our editorial staff over the edge had we received another corpse photo.
We are glad to share. We all have a love for all bugs. My 7 year old, in the photo has a special love for all things creepy & crawly. Have a good day/
2
Purple and Orange bugs
Location: Eagle Mountain, UT
July 7, 2011 5:51 pm
I’ve got purple and orange bugs all over my daisys. They almost look like caterpillars except they’ve got 6 legs. Some are longer than others. Legs are in front by the head and the ’tail’ is different lengths. They are hanging out with my ladybugs.
I’ve also got stubbier ones that are more reddish. What are they? Are they both the same thing?
Signature: Calamity Jane
Lady Beetle Larva
Dear Calamity Jane,
The reason these larvae and pupae are near your Lady Beetles is that they are the immature forms of the Lady Beetle. Their form changes considerably during metamorphosis. Your daisies must be providing plenty of Aphids to support this population.
Lady Beetle Pupae
Bug on Michigan watermelon
Location: Mid Michigan
July 7, 2011 12:30 pm
Dear Sirs;
Found this beautiful creature eating my watermelon plants.
Would like to identify, so I might find a way to ask it to leave.
Also, Bug pics are very hard to take! Links to Insect pic taking advice also solicited.
Signature: Prime
Japanese Beetle
Dear Prime,
The invasive exotic Japanese Beetle was introduced to North America in the early 20th Century and it is well established in Eastern States where it appears in droves each year. It is doubtful it will ever be eradicated. Japanese Beetles feed on a multitude of cultivated plants and they are probably one of the most despised insects among home gardeners since they feed so indiscriminately. This is the first image we have posted of a Japanese Beetle this year.
Thank you sir.
Currently researching options. Have you recommendations?
Normally, we do not give extermination advice, but in the case of the invasive Japanese Beetle, we will make an exception. You can try hand picking them (careful, they drop to the ground when disturbed) and dropping them into a jar of soapy water. Adding a touch of oil or kerosene will also help. They quickly drown.
Jerusalem Beetle
Location: Lyndhurst, NJ
July 6, 2011 8:47 pm
I was visiting a friend a friend one night, and I almost made unnecessary carnage out of this little creature.
We promptly moved it out of harms way, and had a little photo shoot with it. I think I identified it correctly as a Jerusalem beetle or patent-leateher beetle.
I didn’t see to many photos of this beetle around the site so I wanted your input.
Thanks
Signature: Christina McGrath
Bess Beetle
Hi Christina,
You have correctly identified this as a Patent Leather Beetle, but we were not familiar with the name Jerusalem Beetle and we are curious where you found that name. Beetles in the family Passalidae have many other common names including Bess Beetle, Betsy Beetle, Peg Beetle, Horn Beetle and Bess Bug. These are fascinating creatures and they have the distinction of being one of the few beetles that actually care for their young. Other beetles that are known to care for their young are Dung Beetles and Burying Beetles, though Bess Beetles have a more pronounced family bond and they actually appear to communicate audibly with one another.
When I was searching to identify it on the web, it brought me to this wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent-leather_beetle I was not sure if it was accurate (as wikipedia is not a reliable source) that is why I submitted this to your site, which I adore by the way! Not a fan of touching bugs, but I love to look at them!
Thank You for your help!!!
1
Bug identity
Location: Southern Ontario/Niagara region Canada
July 6, 2011 10:45 pm
Hi guys, found your website while trying to identify this bug/beetle. Flew into my woodworking shop at 10 pm. Trapped it in a mason jar. Almost seems like a milkweed borer( I grow it for the monarch’s) but not cylindrical like the descriptions that I found. I burn fire wood from local sources for heat in winter. I also do wood working with an extensive and expensive supply in my shop. My questions to you are; What is it? what is it’s habitat? is it a beneficial insect? a ladybug on steroids? We live in a fruit and grape growing area under quarantine for several diseases and insects, ash borer being the big one right now. I don’t want to release this without more info in case it is invasive.All info is appreciated and I thank you for. I live in southern Ontario/Niagara region and it visited me early July.
Signature: Dan Gilliam
Grapevine Beetle
Dear Dan,
This is a Grapevine Beetle, Pelidnota punctata, and it is a local species for you. They feed on the leaves of grape, but they are not considered a threat to the vineyards.
Thanks for the info and time to reply. I’ll let him go immediately. Dan
sickly bug appears out of nowhere
Location: inland San Diego county, California
July 7, 2011 12:58 am
Two nights in a row i run across the same type of bug, which i have never seen before. Both bugs seem sick and dying and appear out of nowhere. About an inch long and seemingly wingless with long sturdy segmented antennae. Makes a quiet buzzing sound when provoked. No hairs on the legs that i can see. Underside of abdomen is banded. We’ve had hot humid weather both days they appeared. But I’ve never come across one before.
Signature: sara
Longhorned Borer Beetle
Hi sara,
This is a Longhorned Borer Beetle in the family Cerambycidae, though we cannot provide you with a species name at this time.
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