Subject: mystery insect in VA
Location: Southwest VA
April 18, 2013 8:07 am
Hello!
My dad found this fellow in Virginia. He was unable to identify it and I’m stumped as well. We thought you all might have better luck.
Signature: Kelsey

Giant Stonefly

Dear Kelsey,
This beauty is a Giant Stonefly in the genus Pteronarcys.  You can see BugGuide for additional information.

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Subject: what is it?
Location: northampton ma
February 11, 2013 9:15 am
Several of these were walking on top of a snowdrift in central-western Massachusetts after the blizzard 02/10/2013. They were about an eighth of an inch long at most. I didn’t realize that bugs could live outside in the winter. Maybe their nest was disturbed by the snow breaking off dead tree limbs or something like that.
Thank you!
PS: They look a lot like the bug drawing on your website here!
Signature: kandy

Small Winter Stoneflies

Hi Kandy,
Not many insects are found in the snow, but these Small Winter Stoneflies which are also known as Snowflies are frequently found on the surface of the snow.  The drawing you refer to is actually an Earwig.

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Subject: what is it??
Location: central Pennsylvania
February 10, 2013 4:52 pm
Hey bugman today my husband nd i decided to take our four year old or a walk around the reservoir. Its early February in were in central Pennsylvania. We came across this bug just walking around in the snow. We would love to know what it is! Can you help?
Signature: S*C*A*M*

Small Winter Stonefly

Dear S*C*A*M*,
There are a few insects found in the winter on the snow that are commonly called Snowflies, and this is one of them.  This is a Small Winter Stonefly in the family Capniidae.  Their presence near your reservoir is an indication that the water quality is quite pure as they cannot survive in polluted waters.

Thank you so much! We’re happy to have these little guys around if it means we have clean water! Its interesting how they survive in such cold conditions!

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Subject: The bug in your drawing
Location: Bank of Clearwater River Kamiah ID
October 27, 2012 12:48 am
I took photos of several of these exoskeletons (at least I am assuming that is what they are) on rocks by the Clearwater River near Kamiah Idaho last week (mid-Oct.). When I opened up your website I was so excited, because there was a drawing of this creature. But it doesn’t tell me what it is. I’ve searched your lists (not all, but many) and can’t find it either. Can you help me scratch the buggy itch in my brain? Thanks!
Signature: Salli

Stonefly Exuvia

Hi Salli,
The bug in the drawing is an Earwig, but this is the exuvia of a Stonefly naiad.

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Subject: Summer bug
Location: Labrador Canada
June 25, 2012 11:22 pm
hi there. I live in Labrador Canada and every summer we get this bug and no one knows what they are. I was hoping you could help identify it.
Thanks
Signature: n/a

Giant Stonefly

Dear n/a,
This is a Giant Stonefly in the genus Pteronarcys and you can compare your individual to this photo from BugGuide.  Stoneflies have aquatic nymphs or naiads, so they are generally found near a source of water.  Having a healthy Stonefly population is an indication that the nearby water is relative pure and pollution free as they cannot tolerate contaminated water.

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Subject: Not a termite I hope, but what is it?
Location: Central Maryland, USA
June 20, 2012 10:48 pm
This crawled/flew in my daughter’s drink cup in our kitchen. We’ve not seen anything like it before. It doesn’t look like any termite photos we’ve found, but we’d like to be sure and know what it really is. It’s dying in these photos so the legs are bending. It was about 5/8” long.
Signature: Rik

Common Stonefly

Hi Rik,
While we are not certain of the species, this Common Stonefly looks very much like the photo of Perlesta nelsoni that is posted on BugGuide.  According to BugGuide, they are also called Golden Stoneflies.  Stoneflies are benign creatures and you have nothing to fear from them.

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