HUGE FANGS!!
Hi Daniel,
This little guy was only 3mm or 4mm long and his fangs are huge for his size. And I think he may have bit me. What is this thing? Thanks for your help. Im really worried because I have bite marks all over my legs and they itch!
Danny
Hi Danny,
This is a Lacewing Larva or Aphidlion. They are sometimes called an Aphid Wolves, a common name also shared with Ladybird Beetle Larvae. Though we do not want to claim you cannot get bitten by a Lacewing Larva, there would be no ill effect. They are beneficial insects, both as larvae and adults, and they consume vast quantities of aphids and other insects injurious to plants.
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Posted 09 June 2007
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Long hindwings!
Hello,
This is an amazing insect with very long hindwings (not used in flight). At fist I thought they might be long halters, making it a fly or a mosquito. Then I noticed the net-forewings, and the resemblance to insects in the Neuroptera order. Any idea what it is? This photo was taken in Jordan.
Thank you.
Jarir
Hi Jarir,
Ribbon Winged Lacewings, also known as Thread Winged Lacewings, Spoon Winged Lacewings, or Thread Winged Antlions, are in the order Neuroptera. They are old world insects in the family Nemopteridae. Here is a nice link to some images of Lacewings on Stamps.
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Posted 01 June 2007
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Live in Redding, CA found this unusual looking bug floating in the pool. What in the wide world of bugs is it! Looks like a wasp/praying mantis? Thanks for all the help
Suzanne
Hi Suzanne,
This is a Wasp Mantidfly, Climaciella brunnea. It is a Neuropteran, and though it resembles both, it is not closely related to either a mantis or a wasp.
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Posted 29 May 2007
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a picture for you
This is one exotic that I have never seen, to my recollection. This digitql shot wqs tqken in the evening in Castaic, CA, illluminated by a fluorescent bulb. Can you help in it’s ID
Walt
Hi Walt,
This is an Antlion. Antlions are in the family Myrmeleontidae.
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Posted 17 May 2007
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UK fly
Hi,
Would you be kind enough to identify this UK fly? I find it common on freshwater lakes here in the UK whilst fishing. They are very tame and slow moving.
Lee.
Hi Lee,
We thought this was a Stonefly, but Eric Eaton set us straight. He wrote: “The stonefly is actually an alderfly, family Sialidae, order Megaloptera (or Neuroptera, depending on which authority you consult). ” Alderfliesflies have aquatic larvae.
(05/15/2007) UK stonefly ID question
I was looking at you page this morning and had a question about the picture of the possible UK stonefly. It looks alot like an alderfly to me. Just thought I would let you know what I thought it was.
Chad
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Posted 14 May 2007
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Butterfly?
Hi,
I spotted this butterfly (?) in the south of France by a swimmingpool. Any idee? Many regards,
Wouter Schutters
Hi Wouter,
It is quite understandable that you would mistake this Owlfly for a butterfly. Owlflies are members of the order Neuroptera, the Nerve-Winged Insects.
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Posted 03 May 2007
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Praying mantis and damselfly
Here is a couple of photos that you may like. The damsel fly was found indoors and is around 1 inch long and the mantis was found on my car and is about 3/4" long. This mantis is unlike any I have seen and when I first saw it I thought it was a wasp. cheers
Nick Bedelis
Sydney, Australia
Hi Nick,
This is not a Preying Mantis. It is an unrelated insect known as a Mantidfly, one of the Neuropterans. Your Damselfly image is terribly amusing. Guess the critter was thirsty.
What’s That Bug?
Dear Bugman,
What a fantastic site you guys have!!! I just found out it the pic I sent is a Ribbon Winged Lacewing, a Neuropteran – could you help with the species id? Have now attached another pic, which presumably are its eggs (since they have the characteristic stalk-shape, just like other lacewings). Best,
Nick
Hey Guys, I stay in Mumbai, India and found this fly (?) in my house. At first glance, it looks like a large mosquito but has these two long appendages that stream behind it as it flies around in a seemingly “drunken” fashion, ducking and weaving crazily about. Been trying to identify it for a few days and hit upon your site. I’m afraid its not a very good photo but here goes anyway…
Nick Chatterjee,
Mumbai, India
Hi Nick,
Your three emails came in rapid succession. The egg photo was not attached, but we are thrilled to post the other two images of the Ribbon Winged Lacewing.
here is the egg photo again….
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Posted 20 March 2007
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Owlfly pics
Hi Bugman,
I thought your patrons might enjoy this picture i took of an owlfly in the Atherton Tablelands, QLD Australia. I was referred to your website by a friend and was subsequently able to identify this cute critter as an ascalaphid. Thanks a bunch, what a great site!!!
Erin
Reedsville, PA
Hi Erin,
Your Owlfly photo is quite beautiful and we are thrilled to post it.
Have I discovered a new bug?!
The diameter of the ball on top looks like mabe 1.5 mm. When not walking it retreats to some extent under it’s ball. When it walks, viewed from above it looks as though it is riding on wheels, so perfectly smooth is its motion. I found it in a canyon in Los Angeles. Thank you very much.
Terry Payne
Hi Terry,
This is a Debris Carrying Lacewing Larva. Some Lacewings carry debris, including the carcasses of prey, as protection and camouflage.
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Posted 16 February 2007
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help identify
Great site! Could you please help identify this night visitor to home in Winchester, Virginia. Thanks.
Dave
Hi Dave,
This is an Antlion. The larvae are also called Doodlebugs.
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Posted 18 November 2006
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Not A Solpugid (sorry, I forgot the photo on the first one)
Hey Bugman,
The photo from "D" titled "Smashed Solpugid Approached Infant" is not a Solpugid but rather a "Stenopelmatus fuscus" or as we in Utah call them, "Sand Puppy". There common name is "Jerusalem cricket". They look like giant ants, up to two inches long. Just thought ya might want to know. I do have a question for ya, the attached photo is a bug I found in Brigham City, Utah. It has a body like a hornet or wasp and has the front legs like a praying mantis, and wings like a dragon fly. It was about 1 1/2 to 2 inches long. Any idea? Thanks,
Kelly
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for the misidentification correction. Can’t imagine how we let that one slip by. You attached photo is of a Brown Mantidfly, Climaciella brunnea, a type of Neuropteran. Though they are not related to true mantids, they have a physical similarity as well as similar hunting habits.
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Posted 13 November 2006
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