Smelly Green Fly
Hi,
I’m from Wisconsin and this fly landed on my desk out of nowhere. I squished it and it instantly released this smelly odor. I’ve never seen anything like this. It smells similar to a musty old basement (if not worse). Can you tell me what kind of bug this is? (Pictures are attached) Thanks!!
Maggie
Hi Maggie,
If you hadn’t squashed this beneficial Lacewing, your sensitive nose would not have been subjected to the offensive odor it emitted as a defense mechanism. Lacewings are important biological control agents for Aphids, which if their populations were left unchecked, just might overpopulate the planet. We are going to take the liberty and be blunt here. If someone squashed you, you probably woundn’t smell very good either.
Lacey-wing insect to be identified
I found this beauty (see pic below) clinging to my kitchen curtain, and have never seen one like this, in my 36 years of living in this location (northwest Mississippi ). It appears similar to some pictures of fishflies on your site, but not exactly. As shown by the picture, it has no mandibles so it is not a dobsonfly, either. It has been clinging there since early this morning, and it is now midnight . There was no reaction when I was taking pictures or when I moved the curtain slightly to hold a ruler within a couple of inches of its body. Perhaps it is waiting for a mate to come along? Our outside mid-day temperatures have been hovering on both sides of the 100 degree mark for the past couple of weeks. Perhaps it was attracted to the cooler air from inside the house, when we had the door open? Length of body & head is approximately one inch. Total length, antennae to tip of wings, approximately 11⁄2 inch – 1 3⁄4 inch. The thorax is very slender. Can you tell me “what’s that bug”? Thanks so much for a great website!
Pat G.
Byhalia , Mississippi
Hi Pat,
This is an Antlion, probably in the Spottedwinged Antlion, Dendroleon obsoletus.
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Posted 26 August 2007
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Can you identify this "fly" ?
Please help if you know this one. Thanks so much,
Coco McCoy
Insect may been shot in Missouri
Hi Coco,
This is Glenurus gratus, a species of Antlion.
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Posted 18 August 2007
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Please help me…
Hi, maybe somebody know what kind of insect -(.. wasp? preying mantis? has only 4 legs) – is this? Picture was taken in Wakefield area in Quebec, Canada.
Chris
Ottawa
Hi Chris,
Though your insect is called a Wasp Mantisfly, Climaciella brunnea, it is neither a wasp, a mantis, nor a fly. It is a Neuropteran and is related to Lacewings and Antlions. As a point of clarification, Mantisflies have six legs, and the front two are raptorial for catching prey.
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Posted 22 July 2007
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Okay, what’s this one?
Thank you Daniel,
I was surprised and gratified to hear from you – and of course you’re very welcome to the photo! I have a few additional shots for you – and I don’t have any idea as to what this might be. This tiny critter had evidently glued a lot of other bug parts (even a few minuscule snail shells) onto its back and was waiting to ambush something even smaller when he first caught my eye. Any ideas?
Henry
Hi again Henry,
This is a Debris Carrying Lacewing Larva. Some Green Lacewings in the family Chrysopidae have larvae that camouflage themselves with debris, including the remains of their prey.
Location Request: (07/18/2007) Debris carrying lacewing larva
Hi Daniel,
I wanted to tell a malacologist friend about the neat larva that has some snailshells cemented on him. Did Henry tell you where it was from? The small white shell seems to be a Vallonia, I think maybe Vallonia eccentrica. Thanks,
Susan
Update: (07/18/2007) Lacewing location
Daniel,
I took those shots in Titusville, Florida, about six or seven years ago. I saw several at that time, but haven’t noticed any more since then, which is too bad, since I could probably take better photos now. Again, thanks in advance, – and keep up the good work! Henry
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Posted 16 July 2007
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Found in Central Florida
Found this mantis in Central Florida. What kind is it? Thanks
Mr. Strong
Hi Mr. Strong,
What we can tell you for sure is that this is not a mantis. It is a totally unrelated insect known as a Mantidfly in the family Mantispidae. The genus and species are pure speculation. Your specimen resembles Dicromantispa sayi which is pictured on BugGuide.
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Posted 12 July 2007
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new bugs
Hello,
Enclosed are a few things I thought you might like. The first is an interesting little grasshopper I found at work with very long back legs. The second is a TINY praying mantis nymph I found right outside my door. The third is something I’ve never seen before, and I have yet to locate one on your website. I have no idea what it is, but I would chance that it is female, as it has an enlarged abdomen and a possible ovipositor. I would love to know what this is. I really like it, and it’s one of the better pictures I’ve taken. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!
Cat
So I looked around some more, and I guess that it’s a snakefly. I had never heard of them before, but I finally came across it because I realized it reminded me of a lacewing. Oh well. In any case, I hope you like the picture! Thanks!
Hi Cat,
We are very happy to hear that our site enabled you to identify your own Snakefly. We love promoting research empowerment. Your photo is also a much welcomed addition to our site.
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Posted 01 July 2007
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A wasp of sorts
I discovered this "wasp" on an apple tree in our family orchard. It resembles a cross between a Praying Mantis and a Wasp. Any help will be greatly appreciated. I am located in Flushing Twp. in Michigan.
This is a Wasp Mantidfly, Climaciella brunnea. Though the common name references three different groups of insects: Wasps, Mantids and Flies, this creature is none of the above. It is a Neuropteran, related to Antlions and Lacewings.
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Posted 16 June 2007
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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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