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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Bug of the Month November 2009: Halloween Bug or Florida Predatory Stink Bug

We received the following letter in such a timely manner that we thought we would choose it for the Bug of the Month for November.  Sadly, Halloween will have already passed, but adult Florida Predatory Stink Bugs will continue to appear.  We are combining that letter with a previous letter that shows the radically different immature insects that are known to feed in packs.  Curious readers can also turn to BugGuide for more information on the Florida Predatory Stink Bug or Halloween Bug.

Black/orange “jack o’lantern” beetle
October 26, 2009
We spotted this beetle on our trash toter lid on October 23. He was apparently out for a stroll – did not fly while we watched. His markings are striking – a built-in Halloween costume!
Patrice and Allen Sigmon
High Point, NC

Halloween Bug
Halloween Bug

Dear Patrice and Allen,
Though you did not realize it, you actually correctly identified your insect.  The Florida Predatory Stink Bug, Euthyrhunchus floridanus, is frequently called the Halloween Bug because of its coloration and markings as well as its timely appearance.  It is also the time of the month for us to select a Bug of the Month for November 2009, and we plan to use your letter and photo as a point of departure, and include an image of the startlingly different immature insects as well.

Immature Florida Predatory Stink Bugs communally feeding on a Carpenter Bee

Red and black what I think is a beetle eating a bumble bee
Sat, Jun 20, 2009 at 1:42 PM
I was outside working in my yard when I looked up on my awning and saw what I thought was a bumble bee holding a flower, but then I saw some liquid drop and I decided to look closer. When I did, I saw that it was a bunch of small red and black beetles eating the bumble bee. I was kind of shocked. I just moved to northern North Carolina and have seen some strange bugs, but these ones eating the bumble bee is the strangest. If you could, please tell me what this is.
Angelica
Reidsville, NC

Florida Predatory Stink Bugs eat Bumble Bee
Florida Predatory Stink Bugs eat Bumble Bee

Hi Angelica,
These are immature Florida Predatory Sting Bugs, Euthyrhynchus floridanus, sometimes called Halloween Bugs because of the black and orange coloration of the adults, which are winged. According to BugGuide, they are: “Predatory on other insects, including caterpillars, beetle. Nymphs, and to some extent, adults, are gregarious, and may attack large prey in groups.” Your photo nicely illustrates this. Despite what your photo illustrates, the Florida Predatory Stink Bug is a beneficial insect because of the caterpillars and beetles it consumes. We are guessing Bees, since they can easily fly away, are not commonly eaten.

Update: From Eric Eaton
Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:12:31 -0700 (PDT)
The predatory stink bugs appear to be scavenging the remains of a dead carpenter bee (it is missing both hind legs, so who can say for certain…). Many hemipterans, even plant-feeders, will scavenge dead insects on occasion.
Eric

Aggregation of Immature Florida Predatory Stink Bugs

Aggregation of Immature Florida Predatory Stink Bugs

Posted Site News § Stink Bugs and Shield Bugs ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged:

Wheel Bug

long-legged bug with shield-like armor on its back
November 6, 2009
I saw this bug in November of 2009. It was on my front porch. The closest description I can give is that it looked like a grasshopper only with flat wings instead of vertical wings. The shield-like “armor” on its back raised up about 1/4 inch from the body and appeared to have “fake” eyes on the lower front. Its head extended forward in an elongated fashion from the main body with long antennae. Pictures are included from the top, bottom and side.
R Morana
Northwest TN. near Kentucky Lake

Wheel Bug

Wheel Bug

Dear R,
This is North America’s largest predatory Assassin Bug, the Wheel Bug.

Posted 07 November 2009 § Assassin Bugs ‡ Comments (0) °

Milkweed Assassin Bug: Adult and Nymph

Predatory Orange Bug
November 1, 2009
These bugs are everywhere in my butterfly garden! They rapidly consume the caterpillars, and the favorite food seems to be the Cloudless Sulphur cats. Getting these photos was difficult as they kept flying away, but I finally got a few….
Any ideas on what these might be?
Thanks so much!
Houston, TX

Milkweed Assassin Bug

Milkweed Assassin Bug

Because of its resemblance to the Milkweed Bug, your insect, Zelus longipes, is known as a Milkweed Assassin Bug, though it is not typically associated with Milkweed.  Both wingless nymphs and winged adults feed on soft bodied insects like caterpillars, and they are generally thought of as beneficial in the garden where they feed on armyworms and cucumber beetle larvae.  If carelessly handled, Milkweed Assassin Bugs might bite and the bite is reported to be painful.

Milkweed Assassin Bug Nymph

Milkweed Assassin Bug Nymph

Thanks so much! I really appreciate yall’s site. The Unnecessary
Carnage page was definitely my favorite – please ignore the Nasty
Readers :)

Posted 02 November 2009 § Assassin Bugs ‡ Comments (0) °
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Wheel Bug

“Wheelbarrow Bug”
November 2, 2009
This is a bug I see about once a year, although it’s probably common. My parents’ generation calls it a “wheelbarrow” bug because of the wheel-like appendage on it’s back. But, I’d like to know what it’s real name is. My aunt said it was odd to see one this late in the year, but we haven’t had a freeze yet. This bug was crawling on the swing, and it would watch me as I tried to get in close to photograph it, and turn to face me. It was not a fast-moving creature (as bugs go). It’s most unusual feature is the thin gear- or wheel-like appendage on the creature’s back that is visible when viewed from the side. It is grey and black in color, and about 3.5 cm in length.
Michael Wilson
Carter County, Oklahoma, USA

Wheel Bug

Wheel Bug

Hi Michael,
Though we have not heard the common name Wheelbarrow Bug, we like it.  The common name for this large Assassin Bug, Arulus cristatus, is Wheel Bug.  Since it only has one “wheel” like a wheelbarrow, we find your name to be most appropriate. Like other Assassin Bugs, Wheel Bugs might bite if carelessly handled.

Posted 02 November 2009 § Assassin Bugs ‡ Comments (0) °

Thread Legged Bug

Mini Praying Mantis
October 30, 2009
Hi,
My cat first found one of these interesting creatures inside our house (7/6/09), and I made a short video of it before letting it go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoISwh7K8BE
Last night (10/29/09), in my cat’s water dish, I rescued another one (or the same one) from the water. It seems similar to the grass mantis (four spider-like legs), but both the head and body shape are clearly different. What do you think?
Best wishes,
Rich
Rich Smith / RichSmith.com / Los Angeles
West Los Angeles 90066

Thread Legged Bug

Thread Legged Bug

Hi Rich,
This is an Assassin Bug in the subfamily Emesinae, known as the Thread Legged Bugs.  Our best guess is that it is in the genus Empicoris, characterized by “femora, tibiae, and antennae banded black and white; forefemora thickened, elongate; wings slender, extending slightly beyond tip of abdomen” according to BugGuide.  The front legs that are modified for grasping insects do resemble the front legs of mantids.

Posted 31 October 2009 § Assassin Bugs ‡ Comments (0) °

Halloween Bug or Florida Predatory Stink Bug

Black/orange “jack o’lantern” beetle
October 26, 2009
We spotted this beetle on our trash toter lid on October 23. He was apparently out for a stroll – did not fly while we watched. His markings are striking – a built-in Halloween costume!
Patrice and Allen Sigmon
High Point, NC

Halloween Bug

Halloween Bug

Dear Patrice and Allen,
Though you did not realize it, you actually correctly identified your insect.  The Florida Predatory Stink Bug, Euthyrhunchus floridanus, is frequently called the Halloween Bug because of its coloration and markings as well as its timely appearance.  It is also the time of the month for us to select a Bug of the Month for November 2009, and we plan to use your letter and photo as a point of departure, and include an image of the startlingly different immature insects as well.

Posted 27 October 2009 § Stink Bugs and Shield Bugs ‡ Comments (0) °

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Large, brown bug infestation terrifying college students!
October 25, 2009
Hello! We’ve been finding these large, dark brown bugs (roughing a few inches in length) all over our apartment, especially on windows and in lamps. They can crawl rather quickly, but do not fly. We’d love to get rid of them, but have no idea what they are or how to go about eliminating them! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
College Students from Massachusetts
Windows, walls and lamps

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Dear Terrified College Students,
The Western Conifer Seed Bugs that have been invading are perfectly harmless.  They are merely seeking shelter from the upcoming cold weather.  The Western Conifer Seed Bug is native to the Pacific Northwest, not Massachusetts.  Beginning the in 1970s, it greatly expanded its range across North America in the northern latitudes.

Posted 26 October 2009 § Leaf Footed Bugs ‡ Comments (1) °

Bed Bugs infest Child’s Stroller

Found in kids stroller
October 25, 2009
Hi! Today I observed several insects in the stroller where my 7 months son was sleeping. After excamining the stroller I found lots of them in different folds of the fabric aswell. I find this quite shocking and like to know what kind of insect this is. We have been experiencing lous earlier, but they’re longer and thinner than these buggers.
Trond
Norway

Bed Bug

Bed Bug

Dear Trond,
Throw the stroller away immediately and have your home or apartment checked out professionally.  This is an immature Bed Bug.  It is probably sucking your child’s blood.  There was just an article in the Los Angeles Times about using dogs to sniff out Bed Bug infestations in homes.  It is very difficult to eradicate Bed Bugs once they are established, and professional are required.

Thanks for your quick reply, although I cannot say I’m pleased. Have been running around the house whole night looking for signs of other infestations, but so far I’ve found nothing. My wife said that she’s been seeing the typical black dots in his strollers madras before, and they went off in the wash. She said she wondered why they came back, but we sure know nowL I don’t know why we’re not finding any other places they are hiding, since it has to have been there for some time. Dismounted our bed this morning, not a single sign there, nor in cracks, below or beneath it. But I sure left my wife in a state of terror knowing the bugs must be somewhere.
Regards
Trond

Comment from Eric Eaton
Daniel:
The bed bugs in the baby stroller may actually be confined to the stroller.  Maybe the stroller was parked overnight at someone else’s house?  In a motel?  Hostel?  If baby is in the stroller with any regularity, then the bed bugs would have no reason to leave the stroller to look for another “host.”  The parents need to consider where else the stroller has been, and notify the other family or lodging establishment.  Bed bugs have been found on planes, trains (and automobiles?), so it is not out of the question to consider a stroller as another kind of vehicle.
Eric

Posted 25 October 2009 § Bedbugs ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged:

Western Conifer Seed Bug appreciates fine art rugs

Please help ID this insect
October 20, 2009
Monday morning in our Fine Art Gallery I opened up at 8:30 Am and found this brown and tan friend walking across the oriental rug in gallery 3. I moved him outside and he flew away. Tuesday morning comes around and there it is again walking across the same rug.
JB
Connecticut

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Hi JB,
At this time of year we receive scores of reports of Western Conifer Seed Bugs entering homes to escape the cold.  We are amused that your individual is an art appreciator.  Western Conifer Seed Bugs are harmless.

Posted 22 October 2009 § Leaf Footed Bugs ‡ Comments (2) °

Wheel Bug

six leg, flying, single fang insect
October 21, 2009
Hi guys, This insect has been hanging around my house for a few days now 10/21/2009. I live in a suburb of Pittsburgh PA. Current temp is 60 ish. The insect was found clinging to a window screen, it also like painted block walls. The body from tail to the tip of the head is 1.5″ long. It seems to have a single “fang” and it does fly (not very gracefully). Can you tell me what it is?
Jim Holman
Munhall PA

Wheel Bug

Wheel Bug

Nevermind
Jim Holman to bugman
October 21, 2009
Sorry I was so quick on the trigger. I just submitted a request to id an insect or BUG in this case. I did find the insect on your site. I wasn’t sure how to search for it but using the word armored did the trick. I’m refering to the wheel bug. You may keep/use the images I sent if you like them.
Jim Holman
Pittsburgh PA

Wheel Bug

Wheel Bug

Hi Jim,
We are happy to see that you identified your Wheel Bug and sent us a cancellation of the identification request within eleven minutes.  We are posting your letter for two reasons.  First it demonstrates the efficiency of our search engine even without having any knowledge of insects, and we hope our readership makes use of it.  Secondly, your photos are quite good and very illustrative of this large species of Assassin Bug.  This is the only image we have ever received of a Wheel Bug with its wings expanded for flight.  Though Wheel Bugs are not prone to biting humans, they can produce a painful bite with that piercing mouth.

Posted 22 October 2009 § Assassin Bugs ‡ Comments (0) °

Western Conifer Seed Bug

what IS that?
October 20, 2009
this rather large fellow was on the screen door this morning. Never saw the like before.
Bill & Family
Massachusettes

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Dear Bill & Family,
Every year at this time, we get reports of Western Conifer Seed Bugs, Leptoglossus occidentalis.  They are noticed as they enter homes to hibernate as winter approaches.  This species is native to the Pacific Northwest, but has spread across the continent since the 1970s.  They are harmless.

Posted 22 October 2009 § Leaf Footed Bugs ‡ Comments (2) °

Toe-Biter

Scarabs invading our work.
October 20, 2009
These have been invading our work as of late, seemed to show up a couple days ago. Everyones intrest is peaked because they look so scary. We’ve got grown men screaming like little girls!
Springs going Boing
Southeast Michigan

Toe-Biter

Toe-Biter

Dear Springs going Boing,
Try turning off the lights at night as they may be attracted to the lights.  This is a Giant Water Bug, also known as a Toe-Biter or Electric Light Bug and it is one of our top 10 most frequently requested identifications.

Posted 21 October 2009 § Toe Biters ‡ Comments (0) °

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