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Welcome
to the Food Chain
At entomologist Julieta Brambila's request, we present our
latest page.
(01/06/2006) Question/idea
Dear Bugman Dan,
I have a suggestion: on your list of choices under BugInfo,
can you select pictures and put them in a new folder? The
folder would be for creature eating creature (or being eaten).
I looked under "prey", "predator", "death", "food" and did
not find these folders. Maybe "prey" would be good enough.
I do see you have a nice folder for mating insects. Another
one could be for eggs, or egg laying, or hatching, or molting.
I like your website a lot. Thanks for putting these photos
out to see and study.
Julieta
Water Tiger
(07/18/2006) What is this!
Hello Bugman,
I was at Lake Dorathy in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, swimming
with some friends when this bug floated by and we grabbed
it with the insect net. When I went touch it, it pinched me
with it's pincers, which are extremely sharp! It's got a stinger
like tail, and it resembles a shrimp in the body. I asked
the folks that have been there for over 20 years and they
had no idea. They think it may be some form of Larvae or nymph.
If you could let me know what this thing is that would be
wonderful. I've attached some pictures, hopefully they'll
help. Thanks!
Dan
Hi Dan,
This is a Water Tiger, the larva of the Predaceous Diving
Beetle. Looks like it caught a minnow.
Robber
Fly eats Sulphur Butterfly
(07/15/2006) Your Predator and Prey Page
Dear Bugman,
I have a couple of images that I would like to have submitted
to your "food chain" page..I am from upstate new
york, which is where these images were taken. The first is
a robber fly (with what looks to be a cabbage white butterfly).
The second image is of a green dragonfly with some sort of
small white moth in its mouth...not sure what "type"
of dragonfly it is, or what kind of moth...but thought they
were fairly interesting!
Christina
Hi Christina,
The Robber Fly is eating a Sulphur Butterfly.
Golden Silk Spider eats Hieroglyphic Cicada
(07/12/2006) Pedator/Prey photos
Thought you might enjoy some pictures taken in southeastern
Georgia of some golden silk spiders and their prey. I am particularly
interested in the cicada, any ideas what species that is?
(Skidaway Island, GA)
Thanks alot,
Anthony
Hi Anthony,
The Cicada is a Hieroglyphic
Cicada, Neocicada hieroglyphica. Thanks for the great
photo.
Tarantula
Hawk eaten by Prey
(07/12/2006) tarantula hawk
Hi there.
I found your web site while trying to identify a wasp. We
saw an amazing dance between a large black wasp with orange
wings and a tarantula. The tarantula pounced on the wasp and
tried to eat it. It does appear to be a tarantula hawk. I'm
sure that you will have trouble identifying the wasp from
this picture, but it does seem to resemble the tarantula hawk
identified on your web site. I thought you might find the
attached picture interesting. We are not sure who won this
fight. It appears that the tarantula won but it's hard to
say...both bugs were still squirming when we moved on. I wish
that I had been able to capture the dance on video, but unfortunately
it was over by the time I got a hold of the camera.
Dave
Hi Dave,
Here is proof that if you prey on a predator, you might get
eaten.
Bee
Killer Kills Japanese Beetle
(07/09/2006) Picture
Hi,
Here is a picture that I cropped of the bug I saw in my garden
yesterday. We live just north of Baltimore, MD. It was sucking
the juice out of a Japanese beetle.
Thanks,
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
My, oh, my! What a wonderful photo of a Bee Killer, a type
of Robber Fly, devouring a Japanese Beetle.
Flower
Spider devours Honey Bee
(06/11/2006) Pretty/Dangerous
Hi Bugman. I love your site, and was happy to see some pictures
from Canada. Here are a couple I got while taking pictures
of wild flowers. I know the one is a goldenrod crab, but what
is the other one?
Thanks,
Brad Buhr
 
Hi Brad,
One of the Crab Spiders, Mitsumena vatia, the Goldenrod Spider,
is also called a Flower Spider. They are able to change colors
to match surroundings. Your example shows what happens when
a hapless Honey Bee tries visiting a flower with a concealed
Flower Spider. We don't recognize your other spider.
Southern Bee Killer
(05/30/2006) Interesting bee photo!
Hi,
Last year I was mowing the yard, and I saw what appeared to
be a huge bee flying towards my face. It turned out to be
a bumble bee flying about with a honey bee in it's mouth.
It was flying around, and landed on a bush, to apparently
devour the bee. It allowed me to get close enough to snap
a couple of pics. Can you tell me if this is normal behavior?
Here it is.
Thanks!
Richard Staron
Houston, Texas
Hi Richard,
This is most certainly not normal behavior for a Bumble Bee,
but it is perfectly normal for a Southern Bee Killer, Mallophora
orcina, a species of Robber Fly.
Aphid Wolf attacks Ant Cows
(05/01/2006) Aphid Standoff
Dear Bugpeople,
I believe that the red bugs are aphids, but what is the segmented
“thing” they are facing? It’s about 3⁄4”
long. This scene was captured In a St. Louis, MO garden.
Thanks for your help.
Henry
Hi Henry,
We will be posting your spectacular photo on several of our
pages, including the Food Chain. Your photo shows the drama
when a Green Lacewing Larva, known as an Aphid Wolf, attacks
a group of Aphids, sometimes called Ant Cows. The term Ant
Cow refers to a symbiotic relationship with ants who milk
the Aphids for honeydew.
Zebra
Spiders and Fly
(04/24/2006) Who rang the dinnerbell?
Hi again Bugman,
In answer to your question to my previous email with the toe-biter,
Yes I do quilt :) After showing my five year old that our
"Mr Snickers" had made it onto your website, and
was now "Famous" he wanted to go out to look for
more bugs. I said ok figuring we wouldnt get anything any
good. Im certain the title of my email spells it out. Im sure
that these must be some kind of jumping spider...my house
and garage are usually bombarded with these all summer..they
move quite quick in jumping type movements...and are all different
colors and patterns. They are relatively small. I watched
these guys after snapping the picture, and the one with the
fly wanted to make sure the other knew that possesion is 9/10ths
of the law. It took a bit of a lunge at the lurking foodless
guy, and he turned spider tail and beat all his spider feet
out of there. figured you might like it for your foodchain
page :)
May Cross
Alanson MI
ps..are these spiders venoumous? but not worried either way
as these dont seem to bother anyone anyway
Hi again May,
We suspected you were a quilter when we saw the grid you used
for the Toe-Biter. We have become obsessed with buying fabrics
with insect prints and making quilts from them. Your spiders
are in fact Jumping Spiders in the family Salticidae. All
Spiders have venom, but Jumping Spiders are not dangerous
as their venom has at most a mild effect on humans, if they
are even capable of breaking the skin. Eric Eaton wrote in:
" The jumping spiders are the cute little Zebra Spider, Salticus
scenicus."
Biological
Warfare: Syrphid Fly Larva and Ladybird versus the Aphids!!!
(04/23/2006) Larva Verification
I returned home last weekend to find my rose bush laden with
aphids. A quick search of my garden located a lady bug which
I then "transplanted" onto a stem of the rose bush.
From the photo it can be identified as a 7 spotted lady bug.
I found a dozen more lady bugs and carried them to the bush
where each remained on top of its own rose stem. Since this
was my first attempt to fight aphids with lady bugs rather
than to zap them with an insecticide, I became more and more
enthralled with watching the daily activities on my rose bush.
Then I noticed "worms" appearing. From what I had
read about lady bugs, the larvae were described as looking
like alligators, but my larvae don't have that appearance.
Is this because they are relatively young and in beginning
stages of being "larvae" or am I looking at something
entirely different. One of the photos shows a larva on a leaf.
The other photo I took to show how the large was wrapped around
the twig. Just as I snapped the photo, an aphid crawled past
and the larva snatched it up and is shown eating it. To make
a long message short, are the two larvae in the photos actually
lady bug larvae? I love your web site!!!! Thank you for your
help
Jean
Republic, Missouri
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| Syrphid
Fly Larva |
7
Spot Ladybird |
Hi Jean,
No. Your larvae are not Ladybird Larvae. They are Syrphid
Fly Larvae, and they are a wonderful biological control agent
against Aphids, as are Ladybirds. Lacewings are also marvelous.
If the Aphids ever become too numerous for the predators,
a jet of water from the hose will knock them off the plant
and without a food source, the wingless young will perish.
Thanks for the great letter and the accompanying photos. We
have photos of Ladybird Larvae on our Ladybug page.
Dear (Bugman), Yesterday I went you photos regarding the ladybird
larvae which turned out to be syrphid fly larvae. Thank you
so much for your response and your answer. I think your site
is one of the most helpful I have ever seen.... so personal
and interactive! I am a Master Gardener and webmaster for
the University of Missouri Master Gardener's website for Southwest
Missouri http://www.extension.missouri.edu/greene/mgg/.
I would like your permission to add your site to our link
page. Please let me know if this is feasible.
Jeanne Larsen
Republic, MO
Flower Spider with Fly
(04/20/2006) Crab Spider?
I think this is a crab spider as listed on your site. Caught
this guy having lunch :) We live in Eastern Ontario, and this
is the first time I've seen one so white. He seemed to enjoy
the morning glory's as he was around for a better part of
the summer. Feel free to share the photo.
Cheers -
Dageon
Hi Dageon,
You are correct that this is a Crab Spider, but they are also
known as Flower Spiders, a very relavent name in the case
of your specimen. Great foodchain
image.
Zelus Assassin Nymphs feeding on Cricket
(04/01/2006) assassin bugs
This is a picture of what I believe to be two immature assassin
bugs, the bottom one eating a cricket. They were found in
my yard in Lynn Haven, FL. Please help me identify their species.
Thank you.
Rachel
Hi Rachel,
We don't want to even attempt a species identification on
a nymph, but we are fairly certain the genus is Zelus.
Argiope
aurantia devours Grasshoppers
(03/29/2006) Mystery spider - big!
We live in rural Maine, and this spider was on my garage last
fall. Can you help me identify it? You're more than welcome
to use the pic on your site, if you'd like. Thanks!
Christine, Maine
Hi Christine,
Your spider is Argiope aurantia, and it has numerous common
names including, but not limited to: Black and Yellow Orb
Weaver, Golden Orb Weaver, and Yellow Garden Spider. Seems
yours has a taste for Grasshoppers.
Jumping Spider and Prey from Costa Rica
(03/28/2006) beautiful spider and prey
I live in Costa Rica. The photo attached was taken one morning
when I found this lovely ruby-eyed white spider munching on
a pretty butterfly. Can you identify either or both?
Mary Thorman
Hi Mary,
Without doing perhaps hours of research, the best we can give
you is a very general identification. The spider is a Jumping
Spider in the family Salticidae. They do not build webs and
stalk prey, pouncing for the kill. The butterfly is a Brush-Footed
Butterfly in the family Nymphalidae.
Robber Fly eating Honey Bee from Australia
(03/28/2006) PLUS BONUS BUG MURDER
Hi Bugman.
Love your work, and I'm overjoyed to have discovered your
site - identifying bugs online is almost impossible as I've
not found a handy online key thingy, e.g. Does it have 6 legs?
Y/N, Does it have wings Y/N (where each Y and N is a link
to the next question page, all the way to the final answer).
The special offer today is a few somewhat unfocused shots
of a bee being impaled against a flyscreen by what looks like
a big horsefly (taken at my home in Sydney). It has a huge
proboscis that was pinning the poor honey bee down and appeared
to be sucking the life out of it. The murderer flew off leaving
the desiccated bee stuck to the screen. Many thanks in advance
for your help,
Aidan
P.S. Will I get an email if you post your identification(s)?
Hi Aidan,
Your murderer is some species of Robber Fly.
Crab
Spider devours Bee
(03/27/2006) more foodchain
Hi Bugman -
If you can stand one more photo of a crab spider and prey,
here it is. I don't know what kind of bee the spider is sucking
the life out of. (Taken at Elkhorn Slough, CA)
Your Fan,
Allison
Hi Allison,
Photos as gorgeous as yours are surely easy on the eyes. It
is rare we receive images of this quality. Thank you for the
image of a Crab Spider and its luckless Bee.
Argiope eats Grasshopper
(03/23/2006) pix of Golden Orb Weaver eating a HUGE (4")
grasshopper i "gave" her..
Dear Bugman,
i just discovered your website while looking for images of
wasps in flight (for another art project, i need pix of their
wings...) anyway, after seeing all the cool photos, i wanted
to post these images i took in my garden last summer (2005).
i have TONS of these lovely spiders in my garden, and i "feed"
them when i can. there are eggsacks all over the place, and
i don't care. ;) this 4" long grasshopper is one of the
few bugs that will eat my citrus plants. they are also unpleasant
to catch...but after a few tries, i caught one and carefully
placed it in this spider's web. she waited a few minutes,
but when it struggled to free itself, the spider pounced!!!
so i took some images, and i think they turned out great!
bear in mind the spider is about a large as the palm of my
hand. hunting must be good in my garden, there are usually
4-5 "super" larger ladies like this one hanging
around, and countless other babies. hope you enjoy! i think
i got the spider's correct name from other pix on your website...Golden
Orb Weaver (??) female. thank you!
sincerely,
karen hackney
wilmington, NC
 
Hi Karen,
Thank you for your wonderful letter and photos. Your Argiope
aurantia is a magnificent specimen. The Grasshopper is one
of the Bird Grasshoppers in the genus Schistocerca.
Australian
Spider Wasp with Huntsman Spider
(03/14/2006) Need help on unknown wasp?
Hi we just came across this "Wasp?" in our yard.
We have never seen this type before, it was approx 2"
long and was dragging a rather large huntsman spider.I was
hoping you could tell me what it is?
Many thanks
Susan...from Australia
 
Hi Susan,
First off, we want to appologize for taking a few days to
get back to you. We don't have much time to answer questions
and some days we get tons of mail. When we opened your images
today, we got very excited. We did a google search of spider
wasp Australia, and were lead quickly to this site
that identifies your Spider Wasp as Cryptocheilus bicolor,
and specifically mentions its fondness for Huntsman Spiders.
The site states: "Spider Wasps are active in gardens during
summer months. The Spider Wasp most commonly encountered is
Cryptocheilus bicolor . This is a very large (up to 35 mm
long) black wasp with orange wings and legs and a broad orange
band around its abdomen. It holds its wings up when resting
but flicks them when it hops and runs about on its long legs.
Spider wasps are often seen digging in soft sandy soil, dragging
huntsman spiders along. "
Food Chain: Tarantula Hawk and Spider
(02/20/2006) Tarantula Hawk
Hi
I recently returned to London from Mexico where I snapped
this wasp and spider at the mayan ruins in Palenque Chiapas.
The spider was not dead but appeared to be paralysed - it's
legs were slowly twitching and the wasp was running around
with an amazing intent. I thought that the spider might be
a trapdoor - as there was a hole nearby - but it had no door
- so thought it may have been the wasp's burrow. I watched
them for some time but nothing definitive happened and too
many people were gathering so I left. Since looking at your
excellent site I have identified the wasp as a female Tarantula
Hawk but am still unsure of the spider. Couldn't find any
shots of wasp and spider - so I thought you might be interested
in these. I hope you can open them I use a Mac.
Regards
Paul Wakefield
Hi Paul,
Wow, thanks for the awesome image. We are so happy you found
the identity of the Tarantula Hawk on our site. We also believe
this is a Trapdoor Spider.
Mantis Devours Ant: Food Chain
(01/26/2006) baby mantis
Hey, i just got this beauty the other day. I am so excited
i started looking all over the place for more pictures and
info on other matis! your website is incredible and the mantis
pics are awsome! my friend took this picture of my baby eating
a ant from the recycling bin. He just tore that thing in half!
I also heard that if you take them out periodiically and let
them walk on you they become more used to it as they get older,
but the other day when i tried it jumped a good six inches
to my other hand and i freaked out. Its so small, i dont want
to loose it. Will they always jump like that and how should
i keep it under control next time? Also, is there any way
to tell what kind of mantis it is, or what it might look like
when it matures?
sam
Hi Sam,
Mantises cannot be truly tamed. They will jump and when they
mature and grow wings, they will fly away. We cannot tell
exactly what species you have at this point. Thanks for the
great image.
Anglewing
and Crab Spider: Food Chain!!!
(01/23/2006) A comma makes a full stop.
Spotted this Comma butterfly on Buddleia during a summer mid
- afternoon whilst taking some garden shots. I was intrigued
to see it in the same position, some two hours later. Closer
inspection revealed it in the clasp of a pure white crab spider
obviously lying in wait for its next victim.
Paul Dobrée - Carey
Dorset, England, UK
Hi Paul,
What a lovely addition to our new Food Chain page.
Green
Lynx Spider captures bee!!!
(01/21/2006) Just wanted to share this picture
I took this photo in my backyard a few years ago with my Nikon
CoolPix 995. I believe it's a green lynx spider consuming
a male carpenter bee. I really enjoy your site. I've been
photographing insects in my backyard for a while now and they
never cease to amaze me with their beauty. Feel free to use
this photo on your site!
Gene
Hi Gene,
Thanks for the awesome image. We received a request from entomologist
Julieta Brambila to set up a page of predators and prey. Your
photo is an excellent start.
Australian Redback Spider (Australian Widow) eats
Lizard!!!
(01/10/2006) Impressive
Dear WTB,
I came upon your site today, it's an amazing archive. I thought
that these two pictures would be of interest to you. Obviously
they are not the best spider photos, but at the time I was
more impressed with the size of its meal. The lizard is approx
3" long and the spider is an Australian Red Back.
Regards
Simon
Coffs Harbour, Australia
 
Hi Simon,
Impressive sure is an apt description. The Australian Redback
Spider, Latrodectus hasselti, is in the same genus as the
American Black Widow, and the venom of the female is also
quite toxic. Here is a site
with more information.
Robber
Fly from Malaysia
(12/26/2005) I think it's a Robber Fly...
Hi Bugman!
Happy Holidays!
I think this is a Robber Fly (Family Asilidae); but, I'm not
sure what the species is - can you help? I took the photograph
this morning, here in Penang, Malaysia. The predator had its
proboscis inserted into the unlucky prey and wasn't all that
concerned about me taking its photograph, although it moved
three times during the photo session, LOLOL! Any help is appreciated.
Regards,
Nawfal
Nawfal Nur Photography
Hi Nawfal,
Yes, this is a Robber Fly, but we cannot help with an exact
species as we are not familiar with Asian species. Even North
American species are difficult to distinguish from one another
without careful anatomical examination that is just not possible
with a photograph, even a photograph as wonderful as yours.
Spider
Wasp with Garden Spider
(11/24/2005) Bugman,
Nice and fun site. Here's a spider wasp of some sort
dragging what seems to be an orb weaver to its lair.
Photgraphed in central Texas (about 70 miles east of Austin)
on 9/6/2005. Any idea of the genus and species?
Thanks for you reply. Absolutely fine if you post.
Charles Vannoy, my father-in-law, took the picture.
Glenn Davis
Hi Glenn,
We are pretty certain this is an Anoplius Spider Wasp, but
the puzzling thing is they prey on Wolf Spiders and Funnel
Web Spiders. Yours is preying on a Garden Spider in the genus
Argiope. We will get a second opinion when Eric Eaton returns.
Here is what Eric has to say: " The spider wasp with the garden
spider is indeed an Anoplius. Good grief, I didn't realize
they could take prey that big!"
Mantis
Rescue!!!
(11/23/2005) The Praying Mantis smile
On November 22, we found a very cold praying mantis outside
laying on the ground. We brought the mantis inside and placed
it on one of our houseplants to see if it would "warm
up" and come back to life. It did. And then it got lost
in the house. After we finally found it on top of a dining
room curtain, we put it back down inside the plant. Then,
I found a large bug in the back yard (I think it was a stinkbug?)
and put it in front of the praying mantis. The praying
mantis reached out, grabbed the bug, and ate it wings
and all (head first). After it (is it a she?) finished
the bug, the praying mantis turned its head, looked at me,
and "smiled". Hmmmm... Is the mantis smiling because
it is grateful, or is it thinking "come a little closer
my dear, your next on my menu....." Rather unnerving.
I have nothing else to feed it. I think I am going to have
to put it back outside! Happy Thanksgiving.
Mary Strong-Spaid
Hi Mary,
Your story is so sweet. You can always go to the pet store
to buy crickets and keep your mantis as a pet. Seems a shame
to shoo it into the cold.
(11/25/2005)
You are right. It would have been "a shame to shoo it into
the cold". With snow flurries and 30 degree weather, the mantis
wouldn't stand a chance. So, this morning we did go out and
find some live crickets at the local pet store. Now, not only
is the Praying Mantis still inside where it is warm...it is
very, very happy. It sends its thanks on to you.
Mary Strong-Spaid
Desert
Scorpion Devours Cricket!!!
(11/15/2005) Scorpion eating cricket
The "Desert Scorpion devours Roach" photo in the
scorpion section reminded me of the one I took a few weeks
ago outside my house in Tempe, AZ (see attached photo). The
pizza guy was not nearly as impressed as I was.
Thanks for a great site!
Cindy
Hi Cindy,
That pissa guy is so jaded, or perhaps they also have a problem
with scoprions getting into pizza. This also looks like a
Desert Scorpion in the genus Vaejovis.
Desert
Scorpion devours Roach
(11/10/2005) Scorpion photo
Hello, you helped us in the past identify a tailless whip
scorpion. Thought you might enjoy this photo.
What a beautiful photo of a Desert Scorpion, genus Vaejovis,
devouring an immature Cockroach.
Spider
catches Snail
(10/24/2005) our spider
Thank you for your info on the interesting spider...I'd never
seen a spider "catch" a snail...thought you might like this:
Thanks for such a wonderful website.
Jen
Hi Jen,
Not only do we love your photo, we want some of the offspring
of your Araneus Orb Weaver in our garden where the snails
are currently devouring our sprouting lettuce.
Cricket
Hunter and Prey
(10/22/2005) Masked Hunter with Prey?
Dear Bugman,
I sure am having fun identifying bugs using your site.
Thanks for all your hard work!! I took these photos
in early September here in Barrie, Ontario , and am having
some problems identifying the insect. My best
guess is a Masked Hunter, but the head seems too large compared
to what I found on your site. This particular critter
seemed to be carrying around an earwig… I couldn’t
tell for sure though. Any thoughts as to what this is?
Thanks!
Yvonne
Hi Yvonne,
Your photo shows a wasp. Eric Eaton helped us with the I.D.
According to him: "Ok, found out the cricket hunter in the
image is a Liris sp., family Sphecidae, subfamily Larrinae"
She will dig a burrow, drag the prey inside and lay an egg
on the still living but paralyzed cricket.
Green
Lynx Spider pounces on a Bee
(10/15/2005)
Daniel.
Thanks for the ID. I really appreciate it. Keep up the excellent
work
with the site. I attached a couple of photos of Lynx Spiders
for your viewing pleasure.Take care,
Adam
Hi again Adam,
The Green Lynx photo with the captured bee is a nice addition
to our site.
Spider Wasp with prey
(10/16/2005) AnotherTachypompilus species with Wolf Spider
I am assuming that I am correct on this species (Tachypompilus).
But I didn't know they were in Missouri. Great Website!, the
Missouri Conservationist hooked me up with the link, because
I sent them this picture!
Leanna
Hi Leanna,
We agree with your assessment. It is truly amazing how that
female wasp struggles with the obviously much larger, and
dangerous spider, to feed her young.
Milkweed
Assassin Bug with Honey Bee prey
(10/16/2005) Assasin Bug and Bee
As everybody mentions, I too think this is an awesome
site. We see plenty of 'bugs' in the yard and garden
and the site really helps. Saw this poor bee poking
around the center of the rose, only to come out from under
a petal and pow, looks like the assassin but gets a big lunch.
Of a couple of your pictures, I didn't see an Assassin
just like this. BTW, I'm in Houston, TX. The
photo is reduced in size, but I can send the original if you
want a closer look. Thanks,
W. Boyers
Hi W.,
Nice image of a Milkweed Assassin Bug, Zelus longipes. It
is found in the warm Southern states and has also been reported
from North Carolina and Texas.
Wheel
Bug eats Stink Bug!!!
(10/11/2005) thanks
Wow! You have turned me on to a whole new hobby...taking
pictures of bugs and in particular cog-wheel assassins.
I used to be afraid of them. They were so big, ugly,
and scary looking. Your website confirmed my concern
as I learned their bite hurt 10 times worse than a hornet.
But there is another bug that I absolutely HATE...The Stinkbug.
They rattle loudly while flying inside my home, they have
no regard for my right-of-way, they cover the screens and
block the sun from coming in the windows, and they smell awful
when I squash them. Yes, I squash them. Today,
my war against the dreaded stinkbug has gained an ally.
See attached photos.
Nancy
Hi Nancy,
We realize it isn't possible to love all insects especially
ones that enter the home. I have a personal dislike for the
Argentine Sugar Ants that invade my home every autumn. Great
photo of a Wheel Bug feasting on a Stink Bug.
Potter Wasp stinging Caterpillar
(10/11/2005) Bald Faced Hornet eating caterpillar
Hello again bugman,
Couldn't beleive it when I seen it, this hornet swooped
down on a caterpillar, picked it up, landed on a leaf nearby
and started stinging it to death! Sat and watched it
a while until he finally got piturbed at me and picked the
caterpillar back up and flew off again. Good pics though.
Thought you might find them interesting. Enjoy.
CC
Hi CC,
This is not a hornet but a Paper Wasp, genus Polistes. The
photos aren't clear enough to give an exaxt species. Hornets
do not have the narrow "wasp-waist" that is evident in your
photo. Hornets are stockier in build. The caterpillar is not
food for the wasp, but food for the young. Adult feed on nectar
and pollen.
Ed. Note Correction: (12/03/2005)
ID corrections, etc. I've just discovered your excellent site
(directed there by "This is True"), and as a hymenopterist
have a few comments: The picture of "Paper Wasp stinging Caterpillar"
(10/11/2005) looks to me rather to be a species in the subfamily
Eumeninae, probably one of the potter wasps (not a paper wasp).
I'm not that familiar with the North American species, but
it certainly isn't a Polistes. (Also see the potter wasp photo
(09/02/2005) of a very similar species.) I hope these comments
are useful. Denis
Mantis
Mating
(10/04/2005) dont know if you got this email before?
Hello Bugman,
I sent these back September 5, 05 but thought maybe you
never got them as I have not heard anything so I thought id
send them again, this time as a attachment. By the way your
site is wonderful! Also I am pretty sure the spider is a golden
Orb? We have Praying Mantis here every year and we just love
them! I hate to see winter come and take them away, oh we
are in Shinnston, WV. Anyway enjoy the pictures and if
you can used any of them enjoy. Keep up the good work.
Brian
 
Hi Brian,
We love the mating Mantis photo. Sorry about not answering
before, but it just isn't possible to even read all the mail.
Your spider that is being devoured is a Golden Orb Weaver.
Awesome pair of images.
Great
Golden Digger Wasp and Tachypompilus species with Wolf Spider
(09/18/2005) burrowing wasp
I spotted this wasp burrowing in my lawn today in Rockwall,
TX. It doesn't appear to be any of the species you've
shown on your site (that I could find anyways). About
an hour later, the burrow was completely filled in.
Can you identify it? I also took a picture of a wasp dragging
a spider about a year back, similar to the Tachypompilus post
dated today. I have attached the picture if you'd like
to use it.
Cool website.
Brian
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| Great
Golden Digger Wasp |
Tachypompilus
species |
Hi Brian,
We actually do have images of Great Golden Digger Wasps, Sphex
ichneumoneus, on our site. We are thrilled to post both of
your images.
Spined
Soldier Bug eats Monarch Caterpillar
(08/31/2005) Any idea the name of this specimen?
Can you help identify this caterpillar recently found munching
on goldenrod leaves. Thanks. You might also be interested
in the attached shot of a Monarch caterpillar recently done
in by the stink bug lurking in the shadows.
Colin Freebury
Ottawa, Ontario Canada
Hi Colin,
We don't have an ID on your caterpillar yet, but we are thrilled
to post your Spined Soldier Bug,Podisus maculiventris, one
of the Predatory Stink Bugs, with its Monarch Meal. Here is
a site
with more information on this Predatory Stink Bug.
Golden
Argiope eats Dog Day Harvestfly
(08/28/2005) Spider
I live in South Jersey and found this beauty next to my shop.
He is about 2" big and was going to eat his dinner, (
cicada) a bug as big he is. I will send a couple
of pictures. Thanks.
Frank
Hi Frank
We get so many Golden Argiope images in that we don't even
bother posting them anymore. Yours, however, is quite special.
thanks.
Ambush
Bug feasting of flower visiting fly
(08/27/2005) Southern Ontario Canada Bug
Bugman,
Photograph was taken at the end of August, 2005 in my backyard.
Bug on the right in the photograph was 'eating' the bug
on the left. What is the bug on the right?
Thanks,
David
Hi David,
This is a Jagged Ambush Bug, Phymata erosa. They are True
Bugs in the family Phymatidae. They often sit and wait on
flowers where they are camouflaged. When a bee, butterfly,
or flower visiting fly like the one in your photo, comes to
the flower to feed, the Ambush Bug earns its name, often capturing
insects far greater in size.
Mantis stalks Paper Wasps
(08/22/2005) praying mantis / wasps photograph
Hi Bugman,
Came across your site a few weeks ago while trying to identify
an American Dagger moth caterpillar that I found crawling
across my driveway - and found it to be a wonderful means
of procrastination! :) Anyway, I snapped
off this shot of a praying mantis stalking some wasps at my
uncle's house this weekend, and I thought I'd share it with
you - if it's good enough for your site, you're welcome to
post it. You could caption it: "pray before you prey",
perhaps. Or "grace before meals". :)
Just as the mantis pounced, though, my batteries ran out,
so I couldn't get any pics of the 20-second battle that ensued,
most unfortunately. (The wasps "won", but the mantis
didn't seem much worse for the wear.)
Jason
Hi Jason,
We would love to post your image of an immature Mantis stalking
a colony of Paper Wasps.
Robber
Fly with Wasp Prey
(08/14/2005) Wasp Attack
Here are two wasps that do not appear to be of the same species.
The guy underneath is slowly spitting out drops of clear liquid.
The guy on top is attached to the lower one's rear end.
Bart Hansen
central VA
Hi Bart,
Your subject heading would more correctly read Wasp Attacked.
The attacker is a Robber Fly. These swift predators swoop
down on unsuspecting wasps, bees and flies. Flies do not chew
food, but inject a fluid that predigests the internal organs
which are then sucked out, leaving an empty shell behind.
Robber Fly
(08/07/2005) WHAT IS THIS?!?
Ok Bugman, I live in North Scottsdale, AZ. I was at work the
other night and one of our regular customers came inside and
said, "excuse me, but can you tell me if this is a spider
or a bird?" Bugman, I am not squeamish around almost
any insect (well, except centipedes, but I think everyone
should be), but this thing is horrific. I've lived here all
my life and have never seen anything like it. And by the pictures,
you can tell it was devouring a bee. Later, it dropped the
bee, which was still barely alive, and mostly hollow. What
the...? Please help, I am extremely curious. Check out the
few attached photos. Hope to hear from you soon.
Creeped out,
Chelsea
PS-: It had a feather like hump, short antennae, a grasshopper/segmented
like body, spiny legs, and huge eyes. I've studied biology,
and I don't get the conglamorate parts of this creature!
Hi Chelsea,
Great photo of a Robber Fly. These are predators that will
devour many types of insects. They are also capable of biting
painfully.
Dinner can be an Aphrodesiac for Robber Flies
(08/07/2005) Please tell me what this bug is
feel free to use this one too. It appears the female doesn't
really have her heart into what else is going on while she
dines.
Ted
Hi Ted,
We can come up with several scenarios for this Robber Fly
courtship. Perhaps he brought her a tidbit to keep her still,
or maybe he moved in while she was dining. At any rate, there
are future Robber Flies on the horizon which is good since
they are lethal predators.
More Dragonfly Cannibalism
(08/03/2005) Hungry Dragonfly
Dear Bugman,
My brother noticed two large dragonflies zooming about his
yard (in Hampden, Maine) attached to one another. He thought
they were in the throes of love. When they landed in a bush
he managed a closer look and found he was mistaken - it was
a dining ritual as opposed to a courting ritual. Best Regards
and Happy Bugging
Steve Cole
Hi Steve,
This is our second Dragonfly Cannibalism in a month. Nice
green eyes there.
Gasteracantha
elipsoides: "Come Into My Parlor"
(08/01/2005) Spiny-back orb weaver
Hi – just wanted to add to your spiny-back orb weaver
collection. Wish I had known about this site last year
when I first found this guy and didn’t know what he
was! Decided to feed him anyway and got some pics.
Enjoy!
Gregory
Hi Gregory,
What a nice photo of the Crablike Spiny Orb Weaver.
Fishing
Spider eats Lizard
(08/01/2005)spider/ brown anole carnage
Dear bugman-
We saw this spider kill a brown anole in a swamp in Big Cypress
National Preserve. It was about 4- 4 1/2"
in diameter. We couldn't figure out exactly what species it
was, we were hoping you could help. These spiders are all
over this part of the preserve, would they ever bother humans? We
also just thought it was a cool picture for your website,
we hope you use it. Thanks bugman.
Lisa and Jimi
Hi Lisa and Jimi,
Awesome photo of one of the Dolomedes Fishing Spiders. They
walk on water and dive below the surface to catch fish as
well as catching lizards on trees.
Cicada Killer and Cicada
(summer/2005) what's eating this cicada? (besides the fact
that it's dead)
Hi Bugman!
Love your website, and apologies if this was already covered
in a chapter. There are just SO many photos on
your site I don't know where to begin! Anyhow,
I was outside when I heard a small battle being waged on my
lawn, looked over, and saw this ?? (hover fly? wasp???)
attacking this cicada. Next thing I knew the cicada
ceased to be (it was now an ex-cicada) and the fly/wasp had
dragged the cicada over to the nearest tree and started flying/climbing
up the trunk. Below is my Kodak moment of this
adventure. What is the fly/wasp creature, and what
on earth was it doing? Thanks for your help!
Curiously Yours, Sandy in Evanston, IL
Hi Sandy,
This wasp is a Cicada Killer, and the Cicada isn't dead, yet.
The female Cicada Killer digs a burrow that is her nest and
then hunts Cicadas. She stings them to paralyze them and then
gets them back to her burrow. Since the Cicada is so heavy,
the wasp will climb a tree to gain altitude. The paralyzed
Cicada then becomes the larval food source. She will lay a
single egg and the paralysis keeps the meat fresh until the
egg hatches. The larva then eats the Cicada alive.
Killer
photos of a Killer in action!!!
(07/30/2005) Cicada killer with prey
I thought you might like more pictures of a cicada killer
with its prey…I saw on your site that you had only one
person send you pictures of cicada killers. I have
a few. Enjoy!
Trish
 
Wow Trish,
Great photos. What a nice addition to our site.
Prepubescent
Black Widow
(07/27/2005) What spider is this?
I found this guy or gal lounging in my garage sink. I suspect
it to be a widow of some sort because of the hour glass and
the messy web. What do you think?
Rus
 
Hi Rus,
You have an immature Black Widow. Your photos show both the
immature coloration and the distinctive hourglass. Great images.
Robber Fly preys upon a Green Bottle Fly
(07/19/2005) What is this bug
I have been surfing the internet trying to find out what this
is. I have it live in a baggy with its dead fly it was eating.
It seems very aggressive towards me when I move the bag. It
was in my garden window.
Sharon
Hi Sharon,
Great photo of a Robber Fly, Family Asilidae, preying upon
a Green Bottle Fly. Robber Flies are common, swift-flying
predators. They pounce upon resting insects from above and
use the short, strong proboscis to drain their prey's body
fluids, according to the Audubon Guide. On a more personal
note, please release it. Sharon, you would act aggressively
if someone put you in a bag, wouldn't you?
Dinner
Time!!
(07/14/2005) Black Widow dining on a Jerusalem Cricket
We found these guys hanging from the garage door when we got
back to Los Alamos, NM from our vacation. The black
widow was about the size of a silver dollar with legs. They
really like our garage.I'd never seen a child of the earth
before in my life though, and I've lived in this state for
about 25 years. Well, I thought it was artsy at least. I
wouldn't have bothered snapping a photo had I never seen your
web site!
Neale
Thanks for the photo Neale,
We have an old spider book by Gertsch that has photos of a
Black Widow and a Jerusalem Cricket. It's just not a fair
match.
Jumping
Spider vs. Japanese Beetle
(07/09/2005) Spider v. Japanese Beetle
Hi Mr. Bugman,
I love your site and have learned much from it. Thank
you for all your hard work. The fuzzy legged spider
in the attached photo was sizing up a Japanese Beetle on my
rose bush located in Sinking Spring, PA. They both were
about the same size so maybe the encounter ended in a standoff.
I've scrolled through your site but didn't find anything that
looked like this spider. Can you help in its identification?
Thanks for your help.
Bob & Elena
Hi Bob and Elena,
We talked to Mom today who lives in Ohio. She said the Japanese
Beetles had appeared. I said that we have never gotten a photo
of one and lo and behold your image arrived. Your spider is
a Jumping Spider from the Family Salticidae. They do not build
webs, but prefer to stalk prey diurnally using their keen
eyesight.
Dragonfly
Cannibalism
(07/06/2005) eating
I think this is an Eastern Pondhawk female devouring a Ruby
Meadowhawk- at least all the other Meadowhawks around were
Ruby Meadowhawks. I never seem the see males with prey- are
they less voracious or just less conspicuous? thanks- i just
discovered your wonderful site.
Pam Burtt
Wow Pam,
What a great photo. We have always been under the impression
that females of the species were better hunters.
Robber Fly eating Wasp
(06/21/2005) What is it..
You wouldn’t happen to know what this is. I live in
Crosby Texas and found this bug on my patio.
Awesome photo of a Robber Fly dispatching one of the Thread
Waste Wasps.
Crab
Spider
(05/16/2005) Crab/flower spider
I was so excited today, when I went out to admire my roses,
and found a cool white spider with pink lightning bolts down
it's side! I'd seen spiders of a similar shape,
but not with this neat-o, new-wave color palate, and never
in the middle of their lunch. I grabbed my camera
snapped a couple pics, and immediately came back inside to
google white and pink spider. Your site came up,
and I started looking through it. That was 3 hours ago. What
a great site you have!! Well - now I know what
my spider is, as well as so many other critters I've seen
about my house, here in Seattle, WA. I noticed
you don't have too many entries from this part of the country,
though, and I've seen some interesting creatures that I couldn't
find on your site. Now that I know you're here,
I'll keep my camera handier, so that when I do see new fascinating
friends, I can get your help in naming them for me. Thanks
for your wonderful site!!
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
I'm so happy our site was both helpful and entertaining.
Argiope
with Prey
(04/29/2005)
No questions, just thought you might enjoy this picture
Elizabeth Norman
Thanks for the image of the feeding Argiope Elizabeth.
Cicada
Killer with prey
(01/01/2005) Cicada Killer
My wife and I enjoy your site. We live in Baton Rouge, LA
and our garden has a diverse range of hymenopterans. This
past summer we had a large emergence of cicadas and my wife
took this photo of a cicada killer on our patio door. The
size of these wasps is truly impressive. We also have velvet
ants that hang out near one of our pecan trees (photo attached).
Regards - Mark & Malinda
Hi Mark and Malinda,
We are always happy to get good quality images of interesting
subjects to add to our website. Yours is the only photo we
have ever received of the Cicada Killer with its prey. Thank
you so much.
Daniel
Green
Lynx Spider Having a Snack? You bet it is.
(09/10/2004) Hello from Houston Tx
We caught this cool pic of what I believe to be a Green Lynx
munching on a leaf footed bug (we have a bunch of leaf footed
bugs on our young pecan tree) We live in a suburb of Houston
(Katy Tx).
We moved into our home about a year ago and we have been trying
to make our large backyard into a sort of wildlife haven for
our 4 children to enjoy and learn . We planted Butterfly weed,
morning Glory Passion flower, and all sorts of other flowers
and foilage. The Butterfly , Hummingbird, and Tree frog
response has been fantastic! The unexpected insect population
has been even more fascinating! I never cared for "Bugs",
but over the summer I have developed a big interest! Seeing
creatures that I have never seen before.
A couple of weeks ago we found a Assassin bug on one of our
vines. Iwas researching on the internet trying to Identify
this creature to see if it was harmful to our vegetable garden,
when I stumbled upon your site. Since then I have been a daily
WHAT'S THAT BUG visitor, and my wife has used it for reference
in the classroom! (She is an Environmental Science Teacher
at the High School level) Needless to say , I credit your
extremely Cool site for sparking this interest in me (at the
ripe old age of 37), and my wife is thankful for anything
that keeps me off the golf course!
Thanks
Tony Fossee
Hi Tony,
We get many letters that make us feel good about our humble
site, but yours is one of the best. I am so happy to hear
we are helpful and have had a positive influence. Yes, your
spider is a Green Lynx, Puecetia viridans. It is our favorite
spider. I once saw one leap about a foot to capture a butterfly,
which it missed, but I was still impressed. If you are a recent
visitor to our site, you should know that we usually go offline
about mid month due to heavy traffic.
On a side note, we were just approached to do a limited edition
What's That Bug? calendar, and we would love to include your
letter and photo. Most of our favorite letters are so old
we cannot even contact the senders, but I wanted you to have
a heads up. Thanks again for the warm letter and have a nice
day
Daniel
Bee Hunter
(09/06/2004)
Any idea what this is, I live on Vancouver Island, Canada,
and have seen a number of these insects attacking and killing
wasps and bees. Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks
Stuart Clarke
Hi Stuart,
You have a totally awesome photograph of a Robber Fly, Family
Asilidae. There is one genus, Laphria, known as Bee Hunters.
Your fly belongs to that genus. Adults feed on Honey Bees,
though your photo shows a Yellow Jacket being devoured. A
species in California and Oregon is Sacken's Bee Hunter, Laphria
sackeni. Also, the larvae of robber flies are pretty much
now assumed to be parasitic on beetle grubs. According to
our Audubon Field Guide: "Sacken's Bee Hunter flies rapidly
and suddenly descends on an unsuspecting bee. It seizes its
victim on the thorax so the bee cannot use its stinger." You
might want to submit your photo to the new field guide we
advertise at the top of our homepage.
Possibly
Comb Footed Spider
(08/11/2004) Orb in the Basement
Since Finding your site spiders have become more intriguing
to me. This little guy seems to have a walking
person on its belly. Any ideas as to what it might
be?
Thanks
Shawn
Battle Creek, MI
Hi Shawn,
I'm very happy you find our site interesting. Sorry I can't
be more exact with your spider. It seems to be one of the
Comb-Footed Spiders, Family Theridiidae. The Black Widow is
in this family, but your critter isn't one of the few dangerous
spiders we have stateside. Your spider appears to be a very
competant hunter, considering the ground beetle and millipede
it has caught.
Spider
Wasp and Wolf Spider
(07/07/2004) One of our readers sent this photo of
a spider wasp dragging its prey, a large what appears to be
a Wolf Spider, Lycosa rabida, to its nest. Sadly, we have
lost her original letter.
Ed. Note: (09/06/2004) Eric just wrote in
and gave us an identification on both creatures. Spider wasp
is Tachypompilus ferrugineous, and Wolf Spider is Rabidocosa
rabida
Bee
Assassin
(07/02/2004)
Here is a photo of a bug that I spotted eating a honeybee
a few days ago. I have not yet found any identification for
it but I suspect it may be some sort of assassin bug. This
was spotted in the yard here is north central Arizona . Please
help me identify it.
Thank you,
Chris, Kim and Matthew Starkey
Dear Starkeys,
We knew you had a Bee Assassin from the genus Apiomerus, but
we weren't sure of the exact species. Then we found this great
Assassin
Bug page which narrowed the possibilities to Apiomerus
spissipes which ranges from Mexico into texas, New Mexico,
Colorado and Arizona, or Apiomerus flaviventris which ranges
from Mexico north to the same states and includes California.
As their common name implies, they are fond of eating Honey
Bees. They commonly wait in flowers for bees and other prey.
(06/16/2004)
The Spider and the Butterfly
While watering the garden, we couldn't help but to be amazed
by this backyard drama. A Marine Blue butterfly, Leptotes
marina, was startled into flight because of our hose. It flew
directly into the web of a baby orb weaver, probably a Jeweled
Araneas who strung a web in the lemon tree, and was quickly
ensnared and sucked dry.
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