rss unrecognized beetle
Thu, Nov 6, 2008 at 1:06 AM
Hello! I came across this beetle a few years ago in Machu Picchu, Peru on the way up to Huayna Picchu (a summit next to Machu Picchu) at an altitude of about 2500 m. Can you please tell me what it is? Thank you!
Etai
Peru
Leaf Footed Bug
Hi Etai,
This is a Coreid Bug or Leaf Footed Bug or Big Legged Bug. It reminds us of the Giant Mesquite Bug, Thasus acutangulus, and we suspect it may be closely related.
beetle
Thu, Oct 23, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Hi Bugman! My 7 year old daughter saw this beetle(?) crawling on our wooden garage door, and we put it in a container to get a closer look. We’ve been hearing about invasive beetles, mainly japanese long-horned beetles, that have been doing extensive damage in Massachusetts. We looked up as much as we could online, and feel pretty confident that this is not a long-horn, but are curious if you can identify it. It’s quite beautiful! My daughter would like to bring it in to school to share, and as much info as you can provide would be greatly appreciated!
Marcy Lee
Lexington, Massachusetts
Western Conifer Seed Bug
Hi Marcy Lee,
This is not a beetle. It is a True Bug in the order Hemiptera. It is in the family Coreidae, the Leaf Footed Bugs. It is a Western Conifer Seed Bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis, a species native to the Pacific Northwest that has greatly expanded its geographic range in recent years. They are frequently noticed at this time of year when they try to enter homes to hibernate over the winter.
Ever see a bug covered in spikes?
Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 8:05 PM
Sam and I were so excited about getting your reply regarding our sand wasp burying a stinkbug that we need to ask you about this one: This amazing bug is about 3/4 of an inch long and covered with spikes! We found it in August in a prairie/marsh area walking on this plant. My son, 10, luckily got these two shots off just as his camera batteries died. This is one of our favorite bugs ever but we’ve never been able to identify it. Any ideas? You’re the best, Bugman!
Jimmy and Sam Schwartz
Prairie/wetlands, 35 miles west of Chicago
Helmeted Squash Bug Nymph
Hi again Jimmy and Sam,
We tried to post your answer yesterday, but we lost our internet connectivity. We have has the recurring intermittent problem with Time Warner since late July and the cable company can’t seem to correct our problem. We recognized this nymph as a Coreid or Leaf Footed Bug, but we needed to research the species. We located the Helmeted Squash Bug, Euthochtha galeator, on BugGuide, and we are satisfied that the identification of your specimen is correct.
Helmeted Squash Bug Nymph
Beetle-like bug
Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 2:11 PM
Hi Bugman!
I live in Northeast Illinois near the Wisconsin border, and I’ve noticed a “new” bug hanging aroung on my house, my deck, and some plants. I’ve never seen a bug like this, and I’m hoping you can tell me what it is. It has hair on it’s legs and around it’s head, and I’m pretty sure this bug can fly.
Thanks!
Tracy Spidyweber
Midwest
Western Conifer Seed Bug
Hi Tracy Spidyweber,
This is a Western Conifer Seed Bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis. Perhaps the reason it is a new species for you is that in the past decade, its range has greatly expanded from the Pacific Northwest. This range expansion may be partially explained by climate changes, but human mobility and the ease of accidentally transporting unknown passengers is doubtless a contributing factor.
This flying insect was found in my house, any help appreciated.
Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 4:10 AM
This little guy decided to try to bathe with my 2 year old and I havent been able to figure out what it is. Any help would be appreciated . It has white and black stripped antenna as well as a red abdomen on top lined with black and white stripes. The underside of the abdomen is simple black and white stripes. A friend refered me to your site as the “go to place”.
Jackie
Sicily, Italy
Leaf Footed Bug from Sicily
Hi Jackie,
This is some species of Leaf Footed Bug or Big Legged Bug in the family Coreidae. We are not certain of the exact species. Perhaps a reader will provide the answer, or perhaps we will have more luck in the future.
Western Conifer Seed Bug I think
Hi Dan and Lisa,
Joanne from near Chicago, again. Could you confirm this is a Western Conifer Seed Bug? I didn’t get too close ‘cuz honestly, it was looking at me and freaking me out. I saw it near Oswego, Illinois. Thanks, and I’ve linked you an my Facebook page, too!
Joanne
Near Oswego, Illinois
Western Conifer Seed Bug
Hi Joanne,
Your identification of the Western Conifer Seed Bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis, is correct. According to BugGuide’s data, the species has spread from the Pacific Northwest to fully half of the continental U.S. Also known as the Pine Seed Bug, the Western Conifer Seed Bug is in the family Coreidae, the Big Legged Bugs or Leaf Footed Bugs, so named because of their unusually shaped hind legs.
INVASION!
Hey Bugman!
So, we recently discovered these bugs invading a prickly pear cactus near our front door. They sort of resemble an assassin bug, or agave bug. Could they be nymphs? Thanks for the help!
Paul
Rimrock, AZ
Hi Paul,
These are immature Cactus Coreid Bugs, Chelinidea vittiger. BugGuide has information and images of the adults.
Giant Mesquite Bug in Southern Arizona
Hey Bugman!
I found these beautiful bugs at the campground of Sabino Canyon. They were the decorational highlight of a Mesquite tree. What kind of Giant Mesquite Bug might that be? Thanks for any information!
Daniel
Hi Daniel,
These really are called Giant Mesquite Bugs. The species is Thasus acutangulus. The winged specimen in the single photo is an adult, and the nymphs are the brightly colored non-winged individuals.
Hi Daniel,
The large bug Thasus is highly-thought-of in Mexico. I’ve read a good deal about how it’s used there, or at least once was. It’s called “Chamoes” as reported here [under the archaic genus-name Pachilis] and the details include both direct human consumption and as an element of egg-yolk coloration when fed to laying hens. Also mentioned is a crude protein content of 65.4% and fat content of 19.4% Of all the edible insects found in the US this is one of the most sought after — by me! If anyone would like to play the supplier role let’s talk. Thanks,
Dave
www.slshrimp.com
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