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Welcome
to the Second Food Chain Page
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
Two
Florida Wasps
(06/02/2007) Wasp eating Monarch caterpillar
I finally found out what was killing my Monarch caterpillars,
can you please identify him, I think it is a type of
paper wasp. I just moved to southwest Florida and am
on my 3d generation of Monarchs in a little garden planted
just for them. This little caterpillar was getting ready
to form into a Chrysalis on the fence when the Wasp got him.
I have found the remnants of them before, but have not caught
the culprit. While I love my little caterpillar farm, I
won't get rid of the wasps because I don't think I can support
all of the caterpillars the Monarchs lay on my milkweed.
We have a population of Monarchs here year round. I
will let nature take its course in my garden. Great
site, I love it and have learned quite a bit! Also enclosed
is a Potter wasp that changed the color of his pots based
on his foundation. Great site, I love it and have learned
quite a bit!
Terry
Fort Myers Florida
 
Hi Terry,
Good call on the Paper Wasp. It looks like Polistes annularis
as pictured on BugGuide.
Regarding the Potter Wasp, we doubt that this was a designer
choice based on reading Martha Stewart. More likely the mud
that was available at the time had a different coloration.
This might be Zeta argillaceum, also pictured on BugGuide,
but your photo isn't detailed enough to be certain.
Flower Spider captures Fly
(06/02/2007) White Crab Spider
Hope you like this Crab spider, this was the closest i could
get without spooking him/her. Location - Midlands: UK
Kevin
Hi Kevin,
Stateside, Crab Spiders are sometimes called Flower Spiders
since they wait in flowers for pollinating insects to arrive
just in time for lunch.
Crab Spider ambushes Fiery Skipper
(05/17/2007) Pale green spider with red stripes
Hello! While in San Antonio, Texas this month I noticed this
spider on my parent's backyard deck. Can you identify it?
Sheila Ryan
Hi Sheila,
This is a Crab Spider. They do not build webs. They are often
found on flowers and are also called Flower Spiders. Crab
Spiders are in the family Thomisidae. This specimen has captured
a Fiery Skipper.
Yellow Lynx Spider from Australia
(04/14/2007) Food Chain Pic
Hi Bugman,
This is a Yellow Lynx spider, Oxyopes variabilis, dining on
a mosquito. These guys stalk their food and then pounce like
a cat, hence their name. Thought it might make an interesting
addition to the food chain pages. Taken April 14, in Queensland
Australia.Thanks,
Trevor Jinks
Australia
Hi again Trevor,
We have a similar Green Lynx Spider. Thanks for your great
Food Chain addition.
Robber Fly eats Mantidfly in Australia
(04/09/2007) Promachus rufipes with a Mantidfly Lunch
Hi Bugman,
Thanks for posting my pic of the Swallowtail caterpillar.
Hope you like this one of Promachus rufipes with a Mantidfly
Lunch Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. April 2007
Trevor Jinks
Hi Again Trevor,
Your photos are very nice, and additionally, they are small
files. We are still having problems getting large images.
This image of a large Robber Fly will also be a nice addition
in our Food Chain section.
Predatory Stink Bug eats Daddy Long Legs
(04/08/2007) Stink Bug
I was surprised when I saw on your site that stink bugs primarily
eat plants as this one seems to be enjoying a supplemental
diet item. I found this pair in August in Central New York
State.
Photo Lady
 
Hi again Photo Lady,
What an awesome photo of a Predatory Stink Bug enjoying a
Daddy Long Legs meal. It took us a bit of research, but we
believe this Stink Bug is in the genus Podisus based on images
found on BugGuide.
Jumping
Spider captures Fly in Mexico
(02/04/2007) an amazing little spider holding on to a HUGE
fly
Hi Bugman,
I am the person from Mexico who sent you pictures of a sulfur
butterfly and several snout butterflies last year. This time
I am simply giving these new pictures as a gift to you. I
found this in my garden yesterday and thought it was rather
amazing. This tiny spider managed to catch such a huge fly,
all on its own! I heard a buzzing sound coming from the plants
nearby, and I thought it might be a bumblebee, so I went to
see; But what I found instead, was a huge fly trying to get
away from this tiny little spider, who was trying very hard
to hold on to a leaf as this fly tried to buzz away. Eventually
it lost grip and both insects fell down, after about 30 seconds
of struggle, but they fell softly on other leaves from a different
plant, and from there I picked them up with my hand (by gripping
one of the fly's legs), and placed them on a surface for photographing.
For a while I thought this huge fly was going to fly away
even with the spider still attached! The spider was solidly
attached to this fly all of the time, without letting go at
any time. For the next 7 minutes or so, the fly stopped buzzing
and simply stood there, still standing upright, looking in
different directions occassionally, and acting in a seemingly
very unconcerned way. Then it finally succumbed to the spider
and stopped all major movements, and collapsed (although it
still continued moving very slowly). At no moment did the
spider show any fear for my presence. After the fly collapsed
I took them back to the leaves, and I let the spider grip
on to a leaf. But even though it was holding on with all/most
of its legs, it was still very slowly being pulled down by
the fly's weight! So I gave it a hand and pushed the fly from
the bottom up carefully, and this helped it place the fly
in a much better place. That was quite an experience! I never
thought such a tiny spider would be able to catch such a huge
prey, although it definitely was having MAJOR problems doing
so. Regards,
Humberto
Hi Humberto,
What a fascinating account of a Jumping Spider in the family
Salticidae, capturing a fly. Jumping Spiders do not make a
web. They have excellent eyesight and they leap onto their
prey.
Scoliid
Wasp and Scarab Grub from Australia
(02/26/2007) What's this bug???
We have been watching quite a few of these in our back yard
but they never stop long enough to photograph until today
when I watched one bury a big grub. They don't appear to be
aggressive but looks like some kind of wasp? (And no it is
not dead in the second picture, it was actually burrowing
a hole!) Would love some info. Thanks
Maria
 
Hi Maria,
Wow, what wonderful images of a Scoliid Wasp burying a Scarab
Beetle Grub. We are not sure of the species and plan to immediately
research this. We only wish you had provided us with a location.
It looks like it might be the genus Scolia, but BugGuide
does not show any solid black bodies. Scoliid Wasps are large,
hairy, robust wasps that prey on Scarab Beetle Grubs. The
female digs a burrow and buries the Grub, laying an egg. the
wasp larva is an external parasite on the beetle grub. Adult
Scoliid Wasps take nectar. Though he could not substantiate
the species identification, Eric Eaton did provide the following
natural history clarification: " Daniel: I can't tell you
anything about the identification, but the life history needs
clarification. Scoliid wasp females simply dig up a scarab
grub, sting it into submission, lay a single egg on it, and
maybe cover it up before fleeing the scene. The scarab grub
can at least partially revive and go about its business, but
is doomed....The adult female wasp does not prepare a burrow
or anything, like most sphecid wasps, spider wasps, etc. Eric
"
We live in Engadine, a southern suburb of Sydney, Australia
Spider
Wasp and Prey from Costa Rica
(02/15/2007)
I sent you a photo of a tarantula and pepsis wasp about a
month ago that you put on your site. Today I'm at the same
location, and this wasp was dragging this spider. The wasp
unlike the large black pepsis, is smaller and has a red body
with dark blue wings. The spider too is smaller and less hairy.
Is this one just a smaller version of the tarantula? Is this
another type of wasp? Thank you for this great site. It's
been very helpful to me.
Jordan
Costa Rica
Hi Jordan,
We have similarly colored Spider Wasps in the U.S. in the
genus Tachypompilus. The spider appears to be a Huntsman Spider.
Jumping
Spider eats Cockroach
(02/10/2007) Spider eating cockroach
Hi Mr. Bugman,
'Tis me again from Halls Head, Western Australia. This spider
took almost 2 hours to demolish a fair sized cockroach, he
then returned about an hour later to check for left overs.
I have looked on your site and in my books, is it a Grey Crevice
Jumping Spider please? Thank you, cheers,
Karen
P.S. I did send this back in Dec/January but I think you must
be still mega busy....
Hi Karen,
This is a Jumping Spider in the Family Salticidae, but we
do not know what species. Without going into the myriad reasons
we are unable to answer each and every question that is sent
to us, we will say that if your letter does not get answered
within three days, chances are very good that it will not
get answered since so many additional letters have arrived
and we try to devote time to the newest arrivals when we are
selecting what to answer on a given day. Additionally, a catchy
subject line generally catches our eye, and a subject line
that reads "no subject" generally gets ignored.
Spider
Wasp and Sand Wasp from Puerto Rico
(02/10/2007) Spider wasp, also from Vieques
Hi LA and D,
Here's a spider wasp (Tachypompilus ignitus) that we also
came across on Vieques last month. They are seen flying all
over the island, looking in flight like hefty, slower dragonflies.
No questions this time; just an image to share. Any luck with
that thick-waisted wasp/bee/robber fly guy below? ...we're
also including a much closer crop of the beach wasp photo
that we sent
the same day.
Thanks again!
Jim and Sandy
NYC
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Spider Wasp |
Sand Wasp |
Hi
Jim and Sandy,
Thanks for sending us your Spider Wasp image taken in Puerto
Rico. The other wasp is a Sand Wasp, also known as a Digger
Wasp, in the genus Bembix. Sand Wasps nest in shallow tubes
and the female supplies the larvae with flies and other insects.
Your photo shows her dragging a fly into the nest.
Corrections: The following corrections were provided
by Eric Eaton (02/12/2007)
"The spider wasp from Puerto Rico is almost certainly a species
of Pepsis, NOT Tachypompilus....the sand wasp is possibly
not a Bembix species, either, but I don't think you can tell
conclusively from images alone... Eric" This correction would
mean that the Spider Wasp is one of the Tarantula Hawks.
Robber Fly eats Aphid
(01/27/2007) ??
I captured this fly eating this fly. I researched your site
to see if I could come up with a name for it but found nothing.
I looked up on the web and thought maybe it was a Cheese Skipper.
Any help would be appreciated. Photo was captured in Mid-Ohio,
last summer, and it was about 1⁄2 “ long.
Thank you in advance.
Travis
Hi Travis,
We believe this is a Robber Fly, and we will check with Eric
Eaton to get his opinion. Eric provided this confirmation:
"Yes, it is definitely a robber fly. The prey looks like an
aphid, perhaps even a woolly aphid, making that a pretty small
robber fly! Eric"
Spider Wasp and Huntsman Spider from Australia: Fourth
example in a month!!!!!
(01/22/2007) HELP
Hello,
Can you please help me. I have attached a photograph taken
in my mothers backyard and was wondering if you could identify
the bug that was eating yes eating the huntsman spider. It
is an Australian animal (sydney, australia). We have children
around the house and wanted to know if it was harmfull the
the children and the name of the insect. Any help would be
fantastic. Thank you in advance.
Sonia
Hi Sonia,
This is the fourth example of a Spider Wasp, Cryptocheilus
bicolor, preying on a Huntsman Spider we have received in
the last month. The wasp does not eat the spider. She digs
a hole and buries the spider after laying an egg. The larval
wasp then has a fresh meal of paralyzed spider meat since
the spider is alive and in a coma. Spider Wasps have a painful
sting, but they are not aggressive.
Spider Wasp with Huntsman Spider in Australia
(01/16/2007) What is this???
Hi,
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this thing. It killed
a smallish huntsman it was outside my house in Melbourne,
Australia on a day when it was 39 degrees Celsius. It freaked
us out!!!!!! Please help. It has a real big nasty stinger
on its rear end as well. Thanks
Ross
 
Hi Ross,
Yours is the third photo we have gotten in the past month
of a Spider Wasp, Cryptocheilus bicolor, with a Huntsman Spider.
Crablike
Spiny Orb Weaver feasts on Skipper
(01/16/2007) some help with your rss problem.
I was checking your wonderful website for updates, which I
do every day (keep up the good work!), and I noticed a reader
had asked you about having an rss feed, and you said you would
check with your web host. There is a free rss service available
from rsspect.com that will let you easily add an rss feed
to your site for FREE. It is totally advertisement free as
well. Keep up the good work. You have one of the coolest websites
I know! Also, I thought you might like these photos of a crablike
spiny orb weaver enjoying a large meal in my backyard (Austin,
TX, last fall). I saw the little guy's massive web shaking
from far away. He was very excited.
Bobby
Hi Bobby,
Thanks for your kind letter and RSS suggestion. We will research
this possiblity. Also, thanks for sending us your photos of
the Crablike Spiny Orb Weaver female feasting on a Skipper.
Like other Orb Weavers, Gasteracantha cancriformis females
are the larger, commonly seen members of the species. Males
are considerably smaller and less visible.
Tarantula Hawk with prey in Costa Rica
(01/14/2007) spidwasp
Hi Bugman,
I hope you can help explain what's going on in this picture.
I was on top of the mountain taking sunset photos when luckily
I looked down and saw what looked like a giant wasp dragging
a trantula. The wasp was walking backward. Both insects were
very much alive. I thought I read that their is some flying
insect that captures live prey and then pulls it underground
to lay eggs on it and the young feed off the paralyzed captive.
I followed this pair until they disappeared into the long
grass. Could you please tell me if that is indeed a wasp and
what it plans for the spider? I live in Costa Rica. Thanks,
Jordan
hi Jordan,
The information you have heard is basically correct. Tarantula
Hawks are large wasps in the genus Pepsis found in the Americas.
The female wasp stings and parazyzes a Tarantula and drags
it into a burrow where she lays an egg. The young wasp larva
hatches and has a fresh food supply, eating the Tarantula
alive. Thanks for the awesome photo.
Grasshopper
Hunting Sphecid Wasp from Australia
(01/06/2007) Cricket for lunch?
Hi Mr. Bugman,
I'm at it again, I tried your link you suggested but this
wasp is bucking the Huntsman trend. Is it the Cryptocheilus
bicolour again please? For someone who has been badly bitten
by a Whitetail spider I still love my 'bugs'. My husband took
this in our spring, fairly cool day by our standards and the
wasp totally ignored us. Cheers,
Karen
Halls Head, Western Australia
Hi Karen,
This is most definitely not the Spider Wasp, Cryptocheilus
bicolor. Not only is the coloration wrong, the species, like
many wasps, is very host specific. This is one of the Sphecid
Hunting Wasps. Our sources indicate that most Sphecid Wasps
can sting painfully, but they are not aggressive. We have
located online mention of a Grasshopper Hunting Wasp in Australia
known as Podalonia tydei suspiciosa (Smith, 1856), but cannot
locate a photo. We checked the Geocities site under Sphecid
Wasps, and found images of Sphex
cognatus, a Digger Wasp that preys upon Crickets and Grasshoppers.
We are not certain that is your wasp, but it is possible.
So, we are certain this is a Sphecid Wasp, but are inconclusive
regarding species. Nonetheless, it is a very impressive photo.
Eric Eaton wrote in the this addition: "The wasp stinging
the grasshopper is indeed a sphecid, can't tell what genus
from that angle, but suspect Prionyx. Eric"
Hi Mr. Bugman,
Halls Head, Western Australia calling again.... Does this
pic help Eric id our wasp? You mentioned it could possibly
be Prionyx. This was taken from a slightly different angle
minus his/her cricket. Thanks once again. Cheers
Karen
Second
Spider Wasp and Huntsman Spider from Australia in 8 days
(12/25/2006) Wasp?
Could you please id this insect for me. We took this picture
on Christmas Day in Sydney.It was dragging away this huntsman
spider(about 10cm across) and was very aggressive ,it chased
away a bird that showed an interest in it's prey,regards
Jamie
Hi Jamie,
This brightly colored Spider Wasp is Cryptocheilus bicolor
and the Huntsman Spider is its typical prey. The adult wasp
does not eat the spider. The spider provides food for the
larvae. The spider is not dead, but paralyzed by the sting
of the female wasp. She buries the spider, lays an egg, and
the young larval wasp has a supply of fresh meat as it devours
the living, paralyzed Huntsman Spider.
Spider Wasp and Huntsman Spider from Australia
(12/17/2006) Huntsman for lunch?
Hi Mr. Bugman,
Brilliant site but can it help an Oz/Brit? This glorious sight
of (I think after 2 hours on your site) maybe a Spider wasp?
She/he took it down the house wall, down 2 steps, accross
the garage floor and was last seen carrying it over the front
lawn. My husband walked too close and the wasp went for him.
Duh...I took this photo yesterday in Halls Head, 95klicks
south of Perth, Western Australia on a very hot humid day.
We are about 100 metres from the Indian Ocean. Your spider
wasps have a banded colour on their backs but I didn't get
close enough to see a band (I'm chicken). Thank you in advance
Cheers
Karen Seviour
Hi Karen,
What a great image. In a general sense, a Spider Wasp is not
a species. It is part of the family Pompilidae. Upon doing
additional research, we found a site
that we believe conclusively identifies your wasp as Cryptocheilus
bicolor. The spider is definitely a Huntsman Spider, the typical
prey for this wasp.
Giant Robber Fly eats Yellow Jacket
(11/26/2006) VERY LARGE ROBBER FLY
I'VE ALWAYS CALLED THEM PREDATOR FLY..BUT IT SEEMS IT'S A
ROBBER FLY. THIS VERY LARGE ONE WAS ON MY DECK RAIL. IT'S
LENGTH IS AT LEAST 2", THE LARGEST I'VE EVER SEEN. THAT
YELLOW JACKET IS ABOUT 5/8" LONG TO GIVE A COMPARISON.
JUST WANTED TO SHARE.
RON.
Hi Ron,
Your Giant Robber Fly is sure impressive, and justifiably
earns the name Predator Fly. We believe this is Promachus
hinei.
Robberfly
feasting on Fly
(11/18/2006) robberfly?
I just discovered your site, When I took this picture last
month I thought it was a mother doting over a dead relative.
Now I think it's a robberfly eating it's victim? This insect
wither was there for a couple of days, and didn't mind my
getting to within 2 inches with a macro lens.
Loren Lewis
Hi Loren,
The only insects that exhibit anything remotely resembling
doting are the social insects in the order Hymenoptera, the
Ants, Bees and Wasp, and Termites in the order Isoptera. Robberflies
are dispassionate about their meals.
Hornet
captures Caterpillar
(11/09/2006) What are these 2 bugs?
BugMan,
Can you please tell the full name of the green & black
bugs? Thanks
Leon
Hi Leon,
In the most general sense, this is a Hornet capturing a Caterpillar.
Since you did not provide global coordinates, identification
to the species level is not assured. The Hornet might be Vespa
crabro, the European Hornet which was introduced to the eastern
U.S. and is common locally in some areas, including Pennsylvania.
The caterpillar is quite generic, possibly in the Pieridae.
Adult Hornets are generally nectar feeders, but they are social
creatures and will capture Caterpillars and other insects.
They will then chew them and regurgitate them for the larval
hornets in the nest. Eric Eaton corrected us by writing in:
"The hornet is indeed a Vespa species, just not V. crabro."
Hi, Thank you at first. And the pic was took in Guangzhou,
China. Guangzhou is near the Hongkong. May be it is a suprise
to you, :-) I got knowing your website from the Click(Webscrape)
progam of BBC world.
Leon
Mantis
feeding on Tree Frog
(10/28/2006) Larvae of what?
Hi Mr. Bug Man,
Best regards,
H. Markarian
PS I've also attached a beautiful photo of a mantis gorging
on a frog.
Dear H,
We wish you had included additional information on both of
your images. Also, did you shoot the Mantis photo with the
Tree Frog? Was it shot in the wild or in captivity? Where
was the photo taken if in the wild? So many unanswered questions
on a beautiful image.
Thanks for such a prompt reply to my last email. As regards
the mantis eating the tree frog, both were caught from the
wild separately and placed in the same container temporarily.
We had no idea the mantis would be able to catch, hold and
eat an animal much stronger and heavier than it was. I took
the photo while the critters were in captivity. Thanks for
your time and feedback. You have a fascinating website. Best
Regards,
H. Markarian
Wheel Bug at Boxelder Bug Buffet
(10/21/2006) Black bug hanging out with boxelder bugs
Dear Bugman,
I was taking pictures of some nice boxelder bugs when I noticed
about 6 of these bugs "hanging out" with them.What
are these? They are huge!! Thanks much,
Christine
 
Hi Christine,
We know from your subsequent email that you correctly identified
your Wheel Bug. You must be the envy of everyone with a Boxelder
Bug infestation as your ecosystem has provided a natural predator
that will no doubt control the numbers of the Boxelders and
keep the situation manageable.
Dear Bugman. Never mind! Figured it out from your web-page.
This is a wheel-bug, right? Very cool bug!!!! I presume it
is munching on the box-elder bug nymphs???
Christine
Crab Spider eats Skipper
(10/15/2006) Bugman, an addition for your Food chain page...
Hello, Bugman! Noticed this camoflauged Crab Spider munching
on a Sleeping Orange. I thought of the greatest insect website
(yours of course), and took a few pictures for your Food Chain
page. Enjoy! Big fan of yours,
Rachel Elizabeth
Dawson, GA
Hi Rachel Elizabeth,
You packed so many glowing compliments into your short note,
and a wonderful image as well. How could we possibly not post
your fabulous Crab Spider, which in this case earns its other
common name, Flower Spider.
Mating
Multicolored Asian Ladybird Beetles stalked by Ambush Bug!!
(10/07/2006) weird bug
I was taking pictures of the mating ladybugs and did not notice
the strange bug until I downloaded the pictures. What is it?
Located in Dallas, Georgia.
Lee Hooker
Hi Lee,
Nice to hear from you again. We believe your Ladybird Beetles
are Multicolored Asian Ladybird Beetles, Harmonia axyridis,
which are highly variable in coloration. They are being stalked
by an Ambush Bug. The Ambush Bug might soon have a meal. We
are cross referencing your photo on several of our pages,
including Bug Love and Food Chain.
Paper Wasp captures Spider
(09/27/2006) hey, found an interesting looking wasp
i'm a high schooler with a biology project to photograph and
identify 50 life forms total, and as i was going to get my
lunch one day, i saw this clump moving along a pole, looking
closer, i realized it was a wasp carrying away its trophy,
a spider from a web about 6 feet further up. I pulled out
my camera, amazed by the site, and took a couple photos, looking
back at the photos, i realized i didn't remember ever seeing
a wasp like this one. I live in south louisiana, it was a
hot and humid day about 2 or 3 weeks ago. i look forward to
knowing what species this is.
We are not sure of the species, but this is a Paper Wasp
in the genus Polistes. There is a degree of variability that
makes exact identification difficult from a photo. Paper Wasps
are nectar feeders, but they capture insects and spiders to
feed to the young.
Cicada Killer kills Dogday Harvestfly
(09/19/2006) Awesome shot! I got yelled at for going for it.
Hiya Bugman,
This summer I was visiting my in-laws in South Jersey and
I saw an awesome sight at the Philly Zoo. This hornet was
about three inches long and I have no idea what it's got (a
grasshopper?). my in-laws were angry when they saw this photo
as they didn't think I should have gotten this close. I figured
he (she) was busy with its prey and wouldn't care about me
anyway. Who was right? BTW that area has all kinds of interesting
bugs. I really liked to look at the caterpillar nests but
never got a pic.
Monika
Hey Monika,
You go girl!!!! You are fearless and our new hero. This is
a Cicada Killer wasp and it has paralyzed an Annual Cicada,
colorfully known as a Dogday Harvestfly. The Cicada will be
food for the young wasp. Cicada Killers are frighteningly
large and suffer because of their fiercesome appearance. We
have not gotten any reports of anyone being stung, and they
are not considered aggressive.
Orbweaver
eats Bumble Bee
(09/19/2006) About your site
Hello! I just wanted to let you know that you have the most
helpful and organized site I have ever been on. I've spent
a good 20 mins. looking at other websites attempting to find
out what kind of spider I had next to my back door. After
a few moments on your site I found her (or him), turns out
she is a Orb Weaver, she is very interesting to watch. While
on a field trip for biology I found a very unsual caterpiller
and again, only a few moments and I found he was a White Marked
Tussock Moth Caterpiller. I will be using your regularly since
I am always finding interesting bugs. I am also sending a
pic of the Orb Weaver munching on a large bumblebee. Enjoy,
Thanks again!!!
~Caitlin of NJ
Hi Caitlin,
Thanks for your thoughtful letter. We do get our share of
letters telling us how difficult our site is to navigate and
offering us suggestions on how to make it better, so it is
nice to hear you call it organized. Organization is really
not our strong feature. Your Araneus Orb Weaver is a magnificent
specimen.
Green Lynx Spider eats Skipper
(09/16/2006) A photo for your "food chain"
Bugman!!
I love catching these shots. I was trimming my butterfly bushes
today when I ran across this Green Lynx feasting on a butterfly.
Enjoy!
Sheila
Savannah, GA
Hi Sheila,
Thanks for sending in your wonderful photo of a Green Lynx
Spider feeding on a Skipper. We also just cut back a dead
tomato plant and found a fat female Green Lynx Spider that
we relocated onto a live tomato plant. We are currently preparing
for a lecture we have been asked to present next Sunday at
the Los Angeles County Fair in conjunction with the Fair Exchange
art exhibition. Our lecture will be devoted to creatures that
a fair visitor might encounter at the Pomona fairgrounds and
surrounding LA County vicinity. Your hefty digital file will
save us the time of searching through our archives for an
image to print and laminate for our lecture.
Cardinal
eats Hornworm
(09/11/2006) Cardinal eating hornworm
Bugman,
Love your website! I was searching your site to identify the
tomato hornworm eating my tomato plant. Mr. Cardinal took
care of the situation for me (note beak.)
Laura Nickles
Hi Laura,
What a wonderful addition to our food chain page.
Cannibalism: Robber Fly devours Hanging Thief
(09/01/2006) Thanks !
I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your website.
I have come to your site at various times this past summer
to find out what creature was lurking in my backyard. My first
visit was to find out what a Wheel Bug was and lastly I found
information on the Bearded Robber Fly and a Hanging Thief.
Thanks again for all the valuable information you provide.
I have included photos of my latest inquiry ! Regards,
Dawn Werner
Southwest Ohio
 
Hi Dawn,
What an amazing documentation of a Robber Fly in the genus
Promachus feeding on a related Hanging Thief. We found a website
with great photos that identifies your species as Promachus
vertebratus.
Immature Two Spotted Stink Bug feeds on Caterpillar
(09/01/2006) bug sucking juices out of larva?
Hi again! I came across this bug who had caught a caterpillar
on a tree in our yard here in the Ottawa, ON. area. He had
his mouthpiece stuck into the side of the caterpillar's head.
I searched for bugs with piercing mouthpieces and the closest
I could come to was maybe an anchor stink bug. Apparently
they hunt larva and use their mouthpiece to suck the juices
out of them. I don't know what type of caterpillar it is,
but the tree they're on has a bit of a leaf-roller problem.
I've unrolled a couple of the leaves and found a dark brown
type of larva, but this is the first time I've seen a caterpillar
like this. Couldn't help but feel sorry for the little guy...what
a way to go. Take care!
Sharon
Hammond, ON
Hi again Sharon,
This is an immature Two Spotted Stink Bug, Perillus bioculatus,
one of the predatory stink bugs that are very important for
caterpillar control.
Cicada Killer and Annual Cicada
(08/30/2006) Cicada Killer
Hello, I happened to capture a photo of a cicada killer wasp
that you may be interested in. I was sitting at an outdoor
event that I photograph when motion in my peripheral vision
attracted my attention. I looked up to see this GIANT wasp
killing a cicada. In all the time I have been outdoors I've
never seen anything like this before. Needless to say I grabbed
my gear and went to work trying to capture it. You can see
the image. Thanks,
Ron
Hi Ron,
We have been getting 100s of letters and photos of Cicada
Killers this summer. Your Food Chain photo is one of the best.
Hornworm covered in Brachonid Pupa
(08/30/2006) What is this bug?
Hi,
My wife and I grow tomatoe plants every summer. Today we were
looking for the last few remaining crop when she spotted this.
We live in the Northeastern US (New York State, 45min north
of Manhatten). Do you know what this is? It looks like a caterpillar..
Thanks,
Scott Shapiro
Hi Scott,
This is one of two species of Sphinx Moth in the genus Manduca
that feed on tomato leaves and other related plants. They
are commonly called Tomato Hornworms or Tomato Bugs. It has
been parasitized by Brachonid Wasps and is covered with wasp
pupa. We have never seen a caterpillar parasitized to this
extent. Thanks for your image.
Milkweed Assassin Bug eats Honey Bee
(08/29/2006) Zeleus Longpipes enjoys a bee snack!
Dear WTB- I was outside gardening (with my camera- ha ha)
and discovered this Milkweek Assassin Bug enjoying a late
breakfast! He must have surprised the bee by hiding underneath
the leaf of the Passion Flower Vine. Thought you might like
the picture!
Luzie Benavides
Katy, Texas
Hi Luzie,
Thanks for sending in your great Food Chain image. If we ever
tried gardening with a camera, we wouldn't get much gardening
done.
Jumping
Spider eats Robber Fly
(08/29/2006) spider eating robberfly
I was walking by one of my flower beds and happened to see
this spider grab a Robber Fly. I was wondering what kind of
spider it is. I only got the one picture before the spider
ran away dragging his meal along with him. I appreciate any
help you can give me. Thanks.....
Marsha Denney, SW. Missouri
Hi Marsha,
This is a Jumping Spider in the genus Phidippus. It might
be Phidippus
apacheanus, a female.
Green
Lynx Spider eats Green Bottle Fly
(08/28/2006) THRILLING ACTION SHOTS of PEUCETIA VIRIDANS!!!!
Hello Daniel and Lisa,
I'm a huge fan of your site so I was really excited when I
identified this female Green Lynx Spider using your pages,
which I saw that you consider your personal favorite spider.
This beautiful bright specimen was quite patient with me while
I took photos of it feasting upon this fly it had just snatched
for lunch. Looking around the web, I saw that mid-meal shots
of these guys are rather common, but I wanted to send mine
to you anyhow. Your site has really helped fuel my lifelong
loves of nature, photography and the internet. keep up the
good work,
Zach Putnam
highland park (LA), CA
Hi Neighbor Zach,
It warms our hearts to know about your developing interest
in nature, photography and the internet. Your photos are quite
nice and we haven't posted a recent Green Lynx Spider photo
in quite some time.
Wheel Bug eats Bumble Bee
(08/26/2006) A beautiful bug!
My father sent me this beautiful picture of an assassin beetle
(he identified it.) I was wondering if you could provide more
information. Thank you.
Lillian Sorkin
Bug located in : Finleyville, PA
Hi Lilian,
Assassin Bugs, like your Wheel Bug, are True Bugs, not Beetles.
The Wheel Bug is Arilus cristatus. We have numerous photos
and information on our Assassin Bug pages.
Parasitized White Lined Sphinx Caterpillar
(08/25/2006) Emailing: catty 002
Hi,
I found this caterpillar on a county road in Colorado, I looked
on the internet but have no idea of its origin, it also has
weird white things that look like eggs on its body and the
caterpillar seems irritated by them. Any help would be appreciated
thanks!
Decklyn
Hi Decklyn,
The caterpillar is a White Lined Sphinx Caterpillar, Hyles
lineata, a common species in the desert as well as the rest
of the U.S. This is a very wide ranging species. It has been
parasitized. Brachonid Wasps are common parasites on Hormworms,
the caterpillars of Sphinx Moths, but the pupa we are used
to seeing on the Tomato Hornworms are much larger than those
depicted in your image.
Wheel Bug feasting on Io Moth Caterpillar
(08/23/2006) wheelbug's big appetite
I found this guy enjoying a meal. I know you have a great
collection of pictures, but I thought you might enjoy this
one. Thank You for a helpful site,
Dustin
Hi Dustin,
What a wonderful Food Chain image of a Wheel Bug sucking the
fluids from an Io Moth Caterpillar. Thanks for sending it
our way.
Hanging Thief eats Yellow Jacket
(08/22/2006) hanging thief
Bugman
I think you had a picture of one of these in your fly section
not hanging. I wasn't sure from the picture but when you called
it a hanging thief I knew right away. Here's one hanging and
eating.
Bill
Hi Bill,
Wow!!! What an awesome photo. That Hanging Thief seems to
be enjoying the Yellow Jacket it captured. Thanks for sending
such an iconic image our way.
Spined Micrathena
(08/22/2006) spined micrathena
Howdy Bug Man,
I promised (threatened?) more photos. I didn't see any pics
of this spider on your site. Here are a couple of shots of
Spined Micrathena (Micrathena gracilis.) One is shown repairing
it's orb, you can see the silk strand coming from the spinaret,
the other is shown with a recently caught victim (either a
type of fly or small bee.) They are numerous in the mountains
of North Carolina in August. Regards,
Ed Kelley
 
Hi Ed,
Wow, thanks for a new species for our site. We have numerous
photos of the Arrow Shaped Micrathena, and your Spiny Micrathena
photos are awesome.
Dolomedes Fishing Spider catches Tree Frog
(08/17/2006) Nursery Web or Fishing Spider? (plus, they're
just cool pictures!)
I live in the lowcountry of South Carolina and found this
spider on my back patio a couple of weeks ago. The toad is
a baby one, maybe about 1" - 1 1/4" long. I took
so many pictures, this guy (gal?) must have gotten sick of
my camera's paparazzo flashblub because he took off across
the lawn, taking the toad with him. I haven't seen him since.
I understand that, assuming this is the type of spider I think
it is, that the bite is not lethal or particularly dangerous,
but what if they get into a house and bite a small pet? Or
even a baby or toddler? Thanks so much!
Samantha
Hi Samantha,
Wow! What a wonderful photo. This is a Dolomedes Fishing Spider,
and it appears to be feasting on a Tree Frog. All spiders
have venom, and it is possible that a bite could affect a
sensitive person in a negative way. It is a sure bet that
it would cause discomfort like swelling and or itching.
Cecropia
Moth Caterpillar parasitized by possibly Brachonid Wasps
(08/13/2006)
Hi-- just found your gorgeous site. You can bet I'll be a
frequent visitor! We found this fine, fat, fellow at the far
eastern point of the country this weekend, in Pembroke, Maine.
I was just admiring this photo, when I noticed the little
white blobs on the caterpillar's skin. Are these wasp larvae?
Will he die before he can turn into a moth? Also -- I guess
he's a cecropia moth.
Meg in Maine
Hi Meg,
This is a Cecropia Moth, and it does appear as though it is
parasitized, probably by a Brachonid Wasp species. If that
is the case, sadly, the caterpillar will die before reaching
adulthood. The wasp pupa are smaller than we are used to seeing
on Sphingidae Caterpillars, so it might be another species.
Damselfly Feasting
(08/13/2006) dining damselfly
In the second photo a damselfly dines on a lygus bug while
a tiny scuttle fly (at the left) competes for the meal. By
the way, I took these photos with the 6x lens of a linen tester
mounted in front of a camera not designed for close-up photography.
Ronald
Hi Ronald,
Your Damselfly foodchain image is great. Sorry we cannot identify
the species (possibly a Violet Dancer, Argia vivida). We have
real problems identifying dragonflies and damselflies. Perhaps
someone will write in and identify it.
Giant
Robber Fly with Prey
(08/10/2006) Hello Bug People!
My daughter and I were quite surprised when this large insect
buzzing around our deck returned with a yellow jacket for
lunch. I was able to capture the Kodak moment, and with your
website, identified the insect as a Robber Fly. What a brave
guy -- out catching bees (how DO they do that?!) and not a
bit fazed by a camera in its face... Blessings,
Cindy
Hi Cindy,
Judging by the prominent beard and the large size, this must
be a Giant Robber Fly in the genus Protacanthus. Thanks for
getting up close and personal.
Katydid eats and gets eaten!!!
(08/10/2006) Spearhead Gumleaf Katydid
Hi!
Living in The Great Smoky Mountains, I never know what will
happen next. I had just put out some birdseed when the Katydid
flew in over my right shoulder and started dining. Its head
bobbed up and down as it chowed down! The very next morning,
as the sun was just about to make an appearance, I saw something
stuck in the hummingbird feeder. Yes, a Katydid, and it was
so "into" the sugar water that I was able to get
as close as I pleased without even being noticed. The following
day, on my way down the front steps, I found the orb weaving
spider dining on a Katydid! Was it the same reckless one,
or three different ones? Rhetorical question... Thanx again
for listening,
R.G. Marion
 
Hi again R.G.
This looks like an Angular Winged Katydid to us.
Milkweed Assassin Bug eats Honey Bee
(08/07/2006) Bug "Eating" a Bee?
Hello! We live in Spring, TX (north of Houston) and found
this on our car this morning. It seemed that the black and
orange bug had "stuck" the bee...reminded me of
a mosquito sucking blood. When the bug noticed us, it started
dragging the bee across the car. My husband tried to blow
them off the car, and then the bug flew away dropping the
bee. Any clues? Our 7-year-old would love to know...so would
we!!! :) Didn't see it searching the site. Thanks!
~Bridget
Oh, wait!!! I searched one more time on your site before pressing
"send" and found assassin bugs and there it was!
Yikes! I'll attach the pic anyway. Thank you! :)
Hi Bridget,
We are thrilled you located the Milkweed Assassin Bug on our
site and your photo of this Assassin Bug feasting on a Honey
Bee is a nice addition to our site.
Cicada Killer with Annual Cicada
(08/06/2006) Cicada Killer Posing
Hey, just wanted to send these images along. I heard a cicada
chirp, saw something fall from a tree and there she was. I
actually watched close up as she stung the helpless dog-day
cicada to make sure it was not moving anymore. I then watched
as she dragged her prey throught the grass and proceeded 20
feet up a maple tree before I lost sight of her. She used
her wings along with her legs to make it up. It reminded me
of watching a leopard dragging an antelope up a tree. One
question though, since these wasps live under ground, what
do you think she was doing up a tree? I was thinking to get
some height to glide to her burrow or get her bearings. Not
sure. Love the site.
Alex C.
Rockville, Marlyand
Hi Alex,
You are correct. The Cicada is so heavy, the wasp would not
be able to take off. She climbs the tree and than glides/flies
toward her burrow. Thanks for the totally awesome image.
Cicada
Killer kills Dogday Harvestfly in Indiana
(08/04/2006) Cicada Killer with prey
I identified this bug (I think) by using your site. I thought
at first maybe they were flying around mating, but then it
landed on my van, and I could tell that the bottom bug was
dead and not even the same species. I noticed you said that
you'd only ever received one picture with the cicada killer
and its prey, so I'm sending you the ones I took. Sorry they
aren't too good, I was too nervous to go any closer...lol.
It was huge! When we got back to our van 30 minutes later,
it was still flying around with the dead cicada.
Tina-Northwest Indiana
 
Hi Tina,
Thank you for sending documentation of one of the most exciting
predator/prey scenarios we know about. This is a Cicada Killer
and your photos are quite wonderful.
Spider Wasp (Tachypompilus ferrugineus) with Rabid
Wolf Spider prey
(07/30/2006) a picture for you
I saw this wasp dragging the spider through my backyard. I
live in
central NJ. The spider's body was about an inch long and in
think it's called a Rabid Wolf Spider. Do you know what kind
of wasp this is? Is the wasp going to eat the spider?
Pete
Hi Pete,
This Spider Wasp is Tachypompilus ferrugineus. It is not going
to eat the Rabid Wolf Spider. The spider will be a food source
for the larval wasps.
Wheel Bug eats Japanese Beetle
(07/28/2006) Assassin bug eats japanese beetle!
Hello
Here a few pics of an sawtooth assassin bug chowing down on
a japanese beetle. I just though you might like to add them
to the archive. Have a great day,
Jared
Hi Jared,
We generally see this Assassin Bug called a Wheel Bug, but
Sawtooth Bug also seems appropriate.
Great Golden Digger Wasp and Katydid
(07/22/2006) Orange-legged burrowing monstrosity
Dear Bugman:
In the process of snapping pics of one insect I'm curious
about, I seem to have captured some sort of inter-species
showdown. Several of these large (~4 cm long) yellow-and-orange
specimens have suddenly appeared in the garden, and are industriously
burrowing sizable holes in the ground beneath a layer of wood-chip
mulch. They are capable of moving pea-sized pieces of gravel,
and in the span of a few hours have already dug a network
of finger-diameter holes over a couple of square feet (see
photo). So... (a)... what the heck are they, and (b)... what
is going on in the first two photos? I was so intent on catching
the digger-insects that I honestly did not even see the big
green interloper. Is this a battle to the death caught on
digicam here? Thanks for your site, and hope you can get to
this!
Found It I've been looking through your site
more thoroughly and have ID'd this thing - Sphex ichneumoneus,
the Great Golden Digger Wasp. In the act of burying a nice
fresh katydid for its maggots - er, babies, no less. Isn't
nature MARVELOUS!? Thank you for your site; this is the kind
of thing that would have driven me crazy with curiosity.
Derek Thaczuk
Clarington, Ontario
Hi Derek,
We are thrilled that you found your answer on our site, and
we are even more thrilled to have your excellent photo of
a Great Golden Digger Wasp dragging a Katydid to its burrow.
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.
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