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.
1
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.
1
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
What type if catepillars
October 5, 2009
Found eating Oleander near Hilton Head South Carolina
Walt Jankowski
Hilton Head SC
Oleander Caterpillar and Milkweed Assassin Bug
Hi Walt,
The caterpillar in your photo is known as the Oleander Caterpillar, and it is the larva of the Polka Dot Wasp Moth, Syntomeida epilais. Below the caterpillar is an immature Milkweed Assassin Bug, a predator that often feeds on caterpillars. We are uncertain if it will prey upon the Oleander Caterpillar. The caterpillar stores toxins from the oleander in its body which renders it unpalatable to many predators.
Insect With Gold Wing Tips
October 4, 2009
I was hiking around Sugarloaf Mountain with some friends when we spotted this odd insect. I looked around trying to identify it, but couldn’t find anything so I thought I’d ask.
Brian B
Sugarloaf Mountain, MD
Wheel Bug
Hi Brian,
This is a Wheel Bug. Not all Wheel Bugs exhibit this coloration, and it may just be the way the light is reflecting on the wing membranes.
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