“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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
red bug taking over my yard
October 10, 2009
This bug is invading my yard. They are multipiling like crazy. So far they are just eating weeds. But what happens when they run out. I have chickens they wont eat them, and for that reason Idont want to use poisons. I believe this is a new bug to this area and I think its going to take over.
Kim
Perris,Ca
Red Bug Aggregation
Hi Kim,
Interestingly, these really are Red Bugs. The species, Scantius aegyptius, is not native, and according to BugGuide, has only been reported from California. It does not have a common name, but is in the family Pyrrhocoridae, the Red Bugs. The UC Riverside Website lists its origin as the Mediterranean. The UC Riverside Website states: “Scantius aegyptius, an old world pyrrhocorid bug, native to the eastern Mediterranean region, was documented for the first time in North America in Orange County during June of 2009. Reports of this insect from other southern California locations (i.e., Riverside County) suggest that this insect has been established for a year or more prior to these Orange County collections.“ The website also indicates: “Damage: The literature contains very little information regarding the biology of S. aegyptius and Scantius species in general are not considered to be economically important species. In California, Scantius has been observed feeding on the developing seeds and stems of Knotweed (Polygonum spp.) and Malva (Malva parviflora). It is likely that S. aegyptius will feed on the seeds of several species of annual herbaceous plants. The most noticeable impact of S. aegyptius in California will likely be the presence of large numbers of nymphs and adults migrating from drying annual weeds into adjacent developed areas. These migrations consisting of thousands of individuals can be very conspicuous and lead to large aggregations on small patches of host plants causing concern to local residents who notice these obvious aggregations.“
Red Bugs
Orange-red bug with odd ridged tail
October 10, 2009
Dear Bugman,
I’m trying to help my son with a Science project, but can’t figure out what this bug is! We found this little critter scampering across the kitchen floor in our typical suburban neighborhood, Can you help?
Bug-ignorant Dad
Norman, Oklahoma, USA
Corsair Bug Nymph
Dear Bug-ignorant Dad,
This is some species of Assassin Bug, and it appears to be an immature specimen since the wings are not fully developed. We matched it to an unidentified Corsair Bug nymph posted to BugGuide, also from Oklahoma. The person who posted those images states: “Found under a rock. Hopefully these shots are better and maybe the ID can be gotten further. I know from past encounters with these that they are fairly quick and agile. So, when I turned the rock over it started making it’s escape. I didn’t have a container so I caught it in my hand and carried back to the house (a little over a quarter mile). I’m glad it didn’t decide to stab me with that proboscis!“ Members of this genus are reported to have a very painful bite.
Daniel,
Thanks so much for your help. It’s great to see that people with expertise in this field are willing to help those of use who are basically know – nothings.
Have a great day,
Kent
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