Comments for What's That Bug?

Comment on Request from the USDA by Lime Hawk Moth in Pennsylvania: Exotic Introduction or Hoax??? | What's That Bug?

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:53:22 +0000

[...] friends at the USDA are checking their email during the holiday weekend since we just received a request to notify them of any suspected introductions. If you see a Lime Hawk Moth in the eastern portion of North America, please contact us immediately [...]

Comment on Cottonwood Borer by kanthony

kanthony — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:37:20 +0000

I found one of these beetles this morning at a gas station in Austin, right next to the gas pump. I was fascinated by its markings and, luckily had an empty jar in my car because I had just taken in some water to be tested at the pool supply store. So I scooped up the critter and came home and found this website, and there was my bug … the cottonwood borer. We don’t have cottonwoods in my neighborhood, only live oaks, so I hope he’s OK. I put him out on my woodpile.

Comment on Unknown Unusual Spider or Fungus Infection by patc6661

patc6661 — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:49:21 +0000

I was working at this old house that we’re rebuilding, and I saw these spiders on the ceiling of the basement, me and my brother have arachnophobia so it didn’t go over too well, but when I was looking at it it occured to me that these could be daddy long legs that have evolved too dark, damp places.

p.s: the two we saw we’re alive and moving.

Comment on Tiger Beetle Larva by TanukiBlue

TanukiBlue — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:52:42 +0000

One of my childhood pastimes was trying to coax these critters out of their holes with grass stems. I got very good at catching them — and yes, at returning them to their homes, as the catching was the fun bit (at least for me; I suspect they didn’t much like being dragged out of their burrows). I didn’t learn until much later that they grow up to become one of my favorite beetles!

The spiny hump near the tail apparently is very, VERY sensitive. They don’t like being touched there when out of the burrow; any contact with the hump prompts the larva to lash backwards, trying to bite whatever did the touching.

Comment on Bug of the Month November 2008 – Wheel Bug by TanukiBlue

TanukiBlue — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:33:47 +0000

I can personally vouch for this critter’s natural armament, having been shanked by them not once, but twice. DO NOT pick one up with an unprotected hand unless you enjoy the sensation of having a miniscule, live fire-coal buried in your skin for 30 seconds, and of the embers smoldering there for an hour or so afterwards.

The worst of the pain may not last long, but it was more than enough to make me forget everything else around me for that first 30 seconds.

If you’re wondering why I picked up a Wheel Bug twice, well, I didn’t. The first time was childish (and ignorant) curiosity; the second was poor lighting and poor choice of hand placement in propping myself against a brick wall…

Comment on Jagged Ambush Bug by fortyarcminutes

fortyarcminutes — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:39:33 +0000

It’s cute and flowery-looking! Assassin bugs tend to be good at camouflage… when I lived in a basement apartment I had those little bitty ones that wear coats of dust and grit that they pick up off the floor.

Comment on Wrap Around Spider from Australia by rudolphna

rudolphna — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:29:42 +0000

My god! I live in upstate new york and I just saw a VERY simialar spider yesterday on the porch. I took pictures of it, It looks like a Dolophones Conifera. But I didn’t think they lived outside Australia! What the heck?

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii279/rudolphna/DSC03488.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii279/rudolphna/DSC03494.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii279/rudolphna/DSC03502.jpg

Comment on Sugar Maple Borer Smashed by Sugar Maple Borer | What's That Bug?

Sugar Maple Borer | What's That Bug? — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:13:45 +0000

[...] we have been taking identification requests online. That image, submitted in July 2005 was of a smashed specimen. BugGuide has very little specific information other than: “Range Northeastern North [...]

Comment on Veined Ctunecha 1000 miles off course, and Tachinid Fly by mariospants

mariospants — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:46:06 +0000

Having visited Florida uncountable times in my life, having seen this variety of insect in Florida many times and being a resident of Ontario myself, I can totally corroborate having seen this exact insect in Ottawa, Ontario on at least one occasion. I’d guess it was a transient hitching a ride on a vehicle and not likely born locally.

Comment on Cicada by Adam

Adam — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:12:46 +0000

I’m guessing that they recently moved into an area populated by these guys, or the cicadas are spreading, because it’s kinda hard to coexist with these guys and not know about them…