mantis?
Location: Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
November 18, 2011 9:50 am
Hi. I’ve been finding these insects on the average of about one per year. When I was a kid, I found a few on one bush and put some into an aquarium and found one eating a little moth one day, but I don’t know if it scavenged a dead one. They have a piercing or sucking mouth part. In this picture, one is on my left pinky, to give you an idea of size. When not using them to help walk, it will hold its front arms or legs straight out in front. No one has ever been able to identify this insect in all these years.
Signature: WS
Thread-Legged Bug
Dear WS,
Though the raptorial front legs are reminiscent of those of a Preying Mantis, this Thread-Legged Bug is not closely related. It is in the Assassin Bug subfamily Emesinae, and we suspect it is in the genus Emesaya based on photos posted to BugGuide. Like [most] other Assassin Bugs, Thread-Legged Bugs are beneficial predators.
Emesaya it is ! Thanks for identifying the insect that I have been trying to identify for 30 years. Now, I hear Assassin Bugs have a nasty bite; should I not be handling these bugs? They seem so docile though.
WS
Some Assassin Bugs are more prone to biting humans than others. We have not heard of anyone being bitten by a Thread Legged Bug.
Art Center Design 2 (Cole Case’s class) Bug Question
On Nov 17, 2011, at 12:31 AM
Hello Mr. Marlos,
My name is Pei and I’m currently taking Cole Case’s Design 2 class. For a 3D abstraction project, I need to identify this bug and Cole said you might be able to help me.
From the research I’ve done, I am guessing it could be in the Miridae or Pentatomidae families. What do you think?
The underside is a medium value, neutral tan color and the outer shell is a sort of iridescent reddish brown. The shell is shield-shaped and has a large triangular shape on the top.
Thank you for your time and I hope to hear from you soon! 
Pei
Stink Bug
Hi Pei,
Say hi to Cole. Does he want to partner with my class? I believe this is a Stink Bug in the family Pentatomidae (see BugGuide).
The Kaiser’s Bug
Location: 38.552246,-77.926088
November 16, 2011 9:00 am
Dear Sir,
My wife and I are purchasing a new home in Brandy Station, Virginia. During the home inspection, I noticed this critter crawling up the siding, and was blown away. I’ve never seen anything like it. I thought the ridge on its back looked like an old German helmet, so I’m calling it a Kaiser Bug for now.
Signature: -Will K.
Wheel Bug
Hi Will,
While Kaiser’s Bug is a nice name, the Wheel Bug did receive its name from the coglike ridge on its back.
Big brown spooky looking bug with spiked midsection
Location: Maryland
November 15, 2011 6:35 pm
Hello. We found this 2 inch brown and black bug on our deck in Maryland. He appears to have wings, but will not fly. He has two reddish antennae, a ridge on his mid section, and what looks like a proboscis. What is it! Thank you!
Signature: The Karas family
Wheel Bug
Dear Karas Family,
Your description of a Wheel Bug is spot on.
What kind of bug is this?
Location: Yonkers, NY
November 13, 2011 10:42 pm
i have found a couple of these bugs in my house. I’m not sure where they came from. Could you please help me identify the type and maybe advise extermination?
Signature: Brian
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Hi Brian,
Now that you know that this is a Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, you should be able to find countless links online of this invasive exotic species.
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