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Mating
Australian Flies
(05/14/2006) What are these bugs?
Hi - I took these pictures a few months ago with a Canon MP-E
65mm lens and MT-24EX flash. Actual size is about 6mm long?
When in flight they appear to hover, not at all like the usual
flies around here (Melbourne, Australia)
Adam
 
Hi Adam,
Identifying Flies is not our strong point, and we don't even
want to venture a guess at an Australian species. Your photos
rock bigtime. Eric Eaton weighed in with this information:
"The mating Australian flies are likely something in the family
Platysomatidae, or the closely-related Otitidae (sometimes
referred to as Ulidiidae). I know, clear as mud! Don't blame
me, I don't make the taxonomic rules.".
Bug Love Poster
View
Poster
(09/12/2006) Ed. Note
Recently, Dave, who worked on the radio transmitter project
to track the migration of Anax
junius, the Green Darner Dragonfly, proposed selling his
awesome Retro posters of Bug Love on our site. A percentage
of the proceeds goes to insect conservation. What's That Bug?
fully endorses this ad and these beautiful posters and we
are not making any profit off of the sales. So, contact Dave
via his email... and tell him What's That
Bug? sent you.
Read Dave's entire letter on our Fanmail
2 page.
Mating Crane Flies
(05/14/2006) Another bug picture
I have been enjoying my 15 minutes of fame since sending you
the cylindrical hardwood borer picture a few weeks ago. Now,
it seems everywhere I look I see randy bugs doing it, thinking
about doing it, or basking in the afterglow of having just
done it. Here's another picture of goodness knows what doing
you know what.
Nancy
Hi Nancy,
We will extend your fame time allottment by posting your photo
of mating Crane Flies, sometimes called Mosquito Hawks.
Unknown
Mating Slugs from Parts Unknown!!!
(05/15/2006) Weird Slugs
Hi there,
These two bizarre creatures appeared outside our front door
this morning. The photo's are low-res because I took them
with my mobile phone. The patterns you can see are as I saw
them, in red and orange. There was a hole in the side of each
slug within each pattern. Could you please tell me what they
are? I have never seen coloured patterns such as these on
any living creature, so I am keen to hear what you have to
say!
Thanks,
Simon
Hi Simon,
We agree this is bizarre, but we don't even know where to
begin to reseach since you haven't provided any global coordinates.
Mating Pentatomids in Taiwan
(05/13/2006) Brochymena
Hi Bugman,
We get these Brochymena in Taiwan, and by the looks of it
there will be a few more soon! The local parks are overrun
with them. Are they a worldwide pest? It seems some recent
photos from Germany were of the same species.
Great site!
Tole
Hi Tole,
We aren't sure of your species and are reluctant to comment,
other than to say your photo of Mating Pentatomids is a wonderful
addition to our Bug Love pages.
Cotton
Stainers
(05/11/2006) Florida firebugs?
Hello,
I stumbled across your site while trying to find out what
these little critters are called. I vaguely remember being
told as a child that they are firebugs. The ones that look
alike were all over the place being naughty. The smaller ones
with less distinctive designs were just stumbling around.
These were spotted under a shady tree on the side of a salt
water canal in Miami Beach--around noon today. Thanks for
the cool site!
Margaret
 
Hi Margaret,
Thanks for contributing a new species to our site. These are
Cotton Stainers, Dysdercus andreae. They are True Bugs in
the family Pyrrhocoridae, the Red Bugs. They are found in
Florida and the West Indies. The common name comes from the
fact that they would actually stain cotton while feeding,
ruining the quality of the product.
Painted
Meadow Grasshoppers Mating
(05/04/2006) grasshopper?
Hey there!
We saw this while on a hike through The Pinnacles National
Monument (mid-California, near King City -think dry &
rocky but shrubby) - haven't been able to ID it. Can you help?
JD
Hi JD,
What a colorful addition to our site. We did some unsuccessful
searching and are ready to call in the big guns. We are writing
to Eric Eaton and hope to hear back soon. Eric Eaton had this
to say: " The grasshopper is quite perplexing! I'd say it
is probably a species of Arphia (the almost crest-like thorax
suggests that, anyway). That said, I'd be interested in a
second opinion, maybe from my friend Dave Lightfoot over at
U of New Mexico. He's very good with western orthopterans."
A Possible Identification
(05/05/2006) Mystery Grasshoppers
The Mystery Grasshopper from Pinnacles National Monument looks
a lot like Chortophaga viridifasciata (Northern Green-striped
Grasshopper). Bug
Guide has some really close pictures to the mystery hopper,
but I don't know if C. viridifasciata's range extends into
California. But the pink coloration seems dead-on to me.
Sincerely,
Chad Lensbower
Eric Eaton Responds:
" I thought of that also, but Chortophaga does not range into
California as I recall, plus I have never seen a specimen
with spotting on the wings as the Pinnacle Peak specimen has,
towards the tips. That might also rule out Arphia now that
I think of it! If I stumble upon a definitive answer, I'll
let you know." Eric wrote in a second time several days later:
" Ok, I may have an answer for the "old" mystery hopper from
Pinnacle National Monument in California, too: The painted
meadow grasshopper, Chimarocephala pacific, seems to fit the
distribution, season, and color pattern reasonably well. I
haven't look up images on the 'net yet, but the field guide
I am consulting says it is easily confused with the green-striped
grasshopper that another person offered as a potential suspect.
Eric"
Dominican
Damselflies Mating
(05/02/2006) mating damselflies
Hello Bugman!
I have a photo of what I believe are damselflies mating. The
picture was taken in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. I take
it from what I've read that the top damselfly is the male.
I also saw quite a few large, red coloured dragonflies while
vacationing in the DR, but was unable to get any photos of
them. Any chance of identifying this couple?
Thanks!
Yvonne,
Barrie, Ontario
Sorry Yvonne,
We don't believe there is a definitive field guide to the
Damselflies of the Dominican Republic, and if there was, we
would still have difficulty. Damselfly species identification
is not our strongest talent. We do love your photo, and you
are correct in the sexes. A common mating position for Damselflies
involves the male grasping the female by the neck with his
anal claspers.
Mating
Fire Bugs
(04/17/2006) whats this bug?
Hello Guys,
Great to find your site as I have a find the bug question!
We have recently been to France where our parents have bought
a house, they are keen gardeners and have found the bugs attached
all over the place! There are two pics one of the bugs in
normal state but also one of them I suspect mating! Really
the ground in certain areas appears to be moving where there
are so many! Due to the number of them I suspect they are
similar to the lady birds we have in England but would like
to know if they are helpful to the garden as well as the name
etc. Thanks for your help on this, I look forward to hearing
from you. Regards
Kate Mills
Hi Kate,
Nice photo of mating Fire Bugs, Pyrrhocoris apterus, a common
species in continental Europe.
Mating Cylindrical Hardwood Borers
(04/17/2006) Cylindrical hardwood borers mating
Dear Bugman,
Despite the crappy picture quality, my sister the biology
teacher was able to identify these bugs for me. I watched
them for much longer than I'm willing to admit. The mating
ritual was pretty funny. Two or three of these guys were running
back and forth, back and forth along an almost vertical segment
of a mostly-dead tree. Each time one got to the end of the
vertical segment, it would turn around and dart in the other
direction. About every twentieth pass, two bugs would run
into each other and mate. They'd finish (or he'd get tired
of holding her down) and take off in opposite directions.
Back and forth, back and forth...Then they'd run into each
other again and the fun would resume. This went on long enough
for me to go back to the house and fetch the camera. Unfortunately,
my camera isn't good enough to take top-notch close-up pictures.
Nancy
Hi Nancy,
What your photos lack in technical quality, you more than
make up for with your colorful account of the mating ritual
of the Cylindrical Hardwood Borer, Neoclytus acuminatus.
Mournful
Thyris: Mating Mystery Moths Identified
(04/16/2006) your ID help would be appreciated
About 1 year ago I moved from CA to TN and I'm having a great
time trying to figure out what the various critters I'm finding
here actually are. I'm sending this pic as a link because
I'm stuck with what seems to be the slowest dialup connection
in the world. Just in case I decide to share my pics with
more than one person, I upload them to my web site and then
share them by sending the link so I only have to upload them
once. I just found these 2 doing the wild thing on the underside
of a daffodil leaf. Any idea what they are? Thanks
Ken Childs
Hi Ken,
We thought identifying these distinctive moths would be easy.
We are still stumped. We will continue to check. The photo,
meanwhile, is gorgeous.
(04/17/2006)
Hi there, I just wanted to say kudos on your great site! I'm
currently trying to identify and caterpillar I found in my
bathroom, and I am growing more and more increasingly eager
to just rear it and find out what it is! I hope this is a
bit of help to you. I believe the spotted moths that are in
question from the 16th are "mournful Thyris" moths. cheers!
Kitty
Hi Kitty,
Thank you so much for your assistance. We found the Mournful
Thyris, Pseudothyris sepulchralis, on BugGuide
which puts it in the family Thyrididae, Window-Winged Moths.
Mating Clearwing Sphinxes
(04/15/2006) bug love photo
Here's another photo of hummingbird clearwing moths mating.
I guess flowers really do work. This was taken in Memphis,
TN.
Tim Doyle
Hi Tim,
Thanks for the wonderful photo of mating Clearwing Sphinxes.
We have difficulty distinguishing the species, but we believe
this is the Snowberry Clearwing, Hemaris diffinis.
Mating
Flea Beetles
(04/13/2006) busy bugs
Hi! Well, here we are again, trying to identify a critter...proably
not as unusual
as the wheel bug last time, but my kids and I were walking
today at Tyler Arboritum and I noticed these "busy"
bugs on a rhodo leaf & were curious if you would please
id for us...they were very irridescent and also VERY tiny,
smaller than 1/4 inch...Thanks so much!
Jennifer, Madi and Harrison (in Pennsylvania)
Hi Jennifer,
We originally thought this was one of the Leaf Beetles in
the Family Chrysomelidae but Eric Eaton set us straight: "
The mating metallic leaf beetles may be in the genus Altica,
certainly in the Alticinae subfamily called Flea Beetles for
their ability to jump. Very common insects." We are guessing
Rhodo leaf is Rhododendron.
Muskmare and her stallion!!! Mating Walkingsticks
(03/31/2006) Musk-mare
Here’s a photo of a musk-mare – didn’t know
what it was ‘till I found your website. Thought you’d
like a decent photo of the pair. Also, you helped me identify
a mole cricket today. Strangest thing I’ve seen in a
while. Thanks.
Gene Browning
Melbourne FL
Hi Gene,
Your photo of Mating Two-Lined Walkingsticks, or Muskmares,
is great. Stay clear of the noxious fluid they are capable
of spraying into your eyes.
Exotic Scarabs Mating
(03/20/2006) Bug Love Photo!
Hello!
I just have to say that I LOVE your site. I noticed you put
up a "bug love" section... I have a photo to contribute.
This is a photo I took of two mating beetles at the Seattle
Zoo. I actually took a photo of the entire beetle exhibit,
but didn't notice THESE two going at it until after I got
home and took a closer look at the photos. So I cropped the
large photo down to include just the two lovers for your bug
love page. However, I didn't write down the name of the beetles
from the exhibit.. and forgot what species they were.
sincerely,
brenda
Hi Brenda,
What a nice image to begin the first day of spring. We are
relatively certain one of our readers will be able to provide
a name for your amorous exotic Scarab Beetles.
Mating
Lycaen Blues and Grasshopper in China
(03/14/2006) two photos - can you help me
Hi bugman
I enclose two photos that I took on the outskirts of Beijing
in China. The two mainly white butterflies are not very large
- between 1-2 inches I should think. The second picture I
have called a chinese grasshopper for want of a better idea.
It's quite brightly coloured and from memory about 3-4 inches
long. I hope you can help me by telling me what they are.
Thanks again
John Rocha
 
Hi John,
The mating butterflies are Gossamer Winged Butterflies, Lycaen
Blues, though we do not know the species. The Grasshopper
might be one of the Toothpick Grasshoppers.
Mating Robber Flies
(03/07/2006) Robber flies
Dear Bugman:
Can you identify this pair of mating Asilids? Can you tell
which is the female? I would assume the female is the one
hanging suspended, since craneflies mate that way; also, with
dragonflies it is always the male that holds fast to a perch,
unless they're doing it in flight. I am also attaching a photo
of a single individual of the same species. The shots were
made in early fall in a field of exotic grasses and thistle
near a pond in the San Francisco Bay area. We have another
larger Asilid at that pond that preys on damselflies, but
I have not seen this species with a prey item.
Thanks very much.
Odophile
Hi Odophile,
We need to defer to Eric Eaton on anything more general than
Robber Fly on this, though we agree the female is the suspended
member of the pair.
Mating Papilio anchisiades and Atlas Moths in the
Butterfly Garden
(02/26/2006) Butterfly Porn
Hi bugfolks,
I recently visited a butterfly garden, and was shocked by
the decidedly R-rated display of wantonness. Under every leaf,
exhibitionist butterflies and moths were getting it on...
It was possibly the best date of all times. Here are a few
of my favorite voyeur shots for your Bug Love section, hope
you enjoy them as much as I enjoy your site!
Valerie
 
Hi Valerie,
Thank you for your fabulous letter and lascivious images.
We are especially intrigued with your Atlas Moth orgy.
The exhibit butterflies are all hatched in the garden. For
the Atlas moths, the cocoons are glued to ropes dangling from
the ceiling in a dark little cave near a waterfall. The moths
seem to like to cluster in that area, and many were pairing
off right on top of their former husks.
Valerie
Mating
Leichardt's Grasshopper from Australia
(02/22/2006) Mating Leichardts Grasshopper ~ Rare
I sent in a big locust pic about 7 weeks ago and thought immediately
of your site when I saw this amazing grasshopper on my trip
to the Northern Territory of Australia. My boyfriend and I
had a guide take us into the bush for the day and one of the
spots was a restricted road to an old Uranium mine. According
to her it's one of the very few places you can see this grasshopper.
Hope you like it.
Adrinna Hardy
P.S. The other pic is of a big dangerous plastic cockroach
we left as a gift for the next person to find when they opened
the box to get the parks information pamflets. hehehe
 
Hi Adrinna,
You are such a trickster. Thanks so much for the photo of
Leichardt's Grasshopper, and mating to perpetuate the species.
We will do some web research on the species and provide an
additional
link. If we can figure out how to link
to a pdf file, we will provide the only online information
we could locate on Petasida ephippigera, a Northern Australian
icon.
Mating
Hawaiian Snails
(02/21/2006) GAL Snail Love
LOVE your website! When I saw the loving Leopard Slugs I remembered
these two photos I took near Wahiawa, Ohau, Hawaii, November
2005. I believe they are Giant African Landsnails, an introduced
species. I found the second couple a few feet away from the
first and they look like they are just getting started. For
your mollusk fan - I think that is a small snail of another
type on the leaf to the left of flirting pair. Thanks for
providing all the great bug info. I've used your website several
times to identify bugs since recently moving here.
Aloha, Chrissie
 
Hi Chrissie,
Thank you for the wonderful letter and fascinating photographs.
Grasshoppers
mating in Jordan
(02/17/2006) Petra Grasshoppers
I saw a swarm of these grasshoppers over 10 years ago on an
islated mountain side at Petra in Jordan, then saw them again
this summer, they suddenly appear for only a few hours seemingly
to mate then disappear again. Only one person I know has ever
seen them, and nobody seems to know what they are, cannot
seem to find images on the net. Thanks for the help
Khairieh Amr
Hi Khairieh,
There is a noticeable dearth of information available on the
insects from your part of the world. We hope to have an expert
at least give us a genus on these critters.
Polyphemus Moths attracted to one another!!!
(02/16/2006) Please Identify
Bugman,
I found this butterfly or moth outside my house on an Azalea
bush. It looks as if it had just emerged. I looked through
your pages and countless other sources but could not identify
it. Can you please help me. Thanks.
grem
Baton Rouge, LA
Dear Grem,
Thanks you for sending in the wonderful photo of Polyphemus
Moths, Antheraea polyphemus. You are correct that they are
newly emerged as these Giant Silkworm, or Saturnid Moths only
live long enough to mate and lay eggs. The pheromones are
working strongly to have brought this pair together.
Emerald
Ash Borers Procreating!!!
(02/07/2006)
I was checking out your site and think its a great resource.
My job involves exotic pests and I am on the constant look
out for them. Attached is a picture I took of Emerald Ash
Borer in Michigan
I hope your readers are on the look out for this pest.
Keep up the great work
Brian
Sullivan
Plant Health Safeguarding Specialist
Hi Brian,
Thanks for sending in this image. We created a link from your
name back to your email address in case anyone spots the Emerald
Ash Borers.
Yellow Collared Scape Moths: Mating and Waiting!!!
(01/26/2006) Moth identification
Attached are pics of two moths. Please help me with the identification.
Cory Walters
Grissom ARB, IN
 
Hi Cory,
When we read your message, we didn't realize the moths were
attached to each other. These mating moths are Yellow Collared
Scape Moths, Cisseps fulvicollis. The moths are wasp mimics.
BugGuide
has additional information.
Mantis Threesome
(01/12/2006) Preying Mantids
I recently came across these pictures which I had taken with
my digital camera in October 2005. I live in the pinelands
in southern New Jersey and was excited to find these Preying
Mantids on my mother's front porch. They sat still for a very
long time, and didn't seem concerned at all with the ogling
and maneuvering I did in my attempt to get some decent photographs
of them. The strange thing to me is the fact that there were
three of them involved (hard to see in one of the pictures),
which I assume to be two males clutching one female. Maybe
one fellow is waiting his turn? They appear to be very patient
creatures... more patient than I since I didn't have time
to stick around and see if she left any survivors.
Shari
 
Hi Shari,
Thank you for the great photos. This is the second Mantis
Threesome we received this year, but the first submission
were Mantids in captivity.
Mating Firebugs
(01/06/2006) Bug Love
Hi Bugman!
Thanks for the link :) Here, as promised, some more pictures.
This happened in front of my front door... I tried to locate
that other bug species, but so far, I did not find the pics.
I'll let you know! Kind regards
Jens
Hi Jens,
We love your photo of mating Firebugs, Pyrrhocoris apterus,
a common species in continental Europe.
Bowl and Doily Spiders Mating
(01/05/2006) Spider couple
Dear WTB,
These upside down basket weaving spiders (my attempt at describing
their web shape) are very common in this part of the B.C.
Interior. A charming characteristic is their extended courtship
and mating which seems to last for days. Can you recommend
a spider identification web site?
Thanks!
Pat Teti
Williams Lake BC Canada
 
Hi Pat,
We double checked with Eric Eaton who writes: "those are most
definitely bowl-and-doily spiders, Frontinella pyramitela
(formerly F. communis). Great images, indeed!" We love BugGuide
for identification.
Cobweb Spiders Mating
(01/04/2006) Bug Love
Hi Bugman!
Here's a picture I shot from two Pholcus phalangioides mating.
If you use it on your Bug Love page, could you please include
a link to my page?
http://www.jr-worldwi.de/photo/
Thanks! I also have pics of [other bugs mating]. Interested?
And thanks for that entertaining page! Cheers
Jens
Hi Jens,
Thanks for sending the photo of the mating Cobweb Spiders.
We would love to get any other mating insect photos you have
in your archive when you locate them. We are happy to link
to your site.
Mantis Threesome: Raising Mantises as pets!!!
(01/01/2006) mantis news
Hello!
We just found your site and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am sending
you some pictures of our mantises from this past year. Believe
it or not, we have two that are still alive and kicking into
2006! One is about 2 inches long and the other is a giant
mantis about 4 inches long. This year our smaller mantis laid
8 egg sacs and the larger one has laid 3 giant sacs. My daughter
is a big mantis fan and has kept them for pets for the past
few years. This is the longest we have had them survive. Most
die in Nov or early December. Every year we learn new things.
This year we had two males and one female and wanted to see
what would happen with two... it was very interesting! As
you can see in the picture, both got on her back and hung
out there, waiting their turn, so to speak, and it actually
looked as if they were communicating with each other while
waiting... funny. It was hard to get a picture with the two
of them but I did my best. Thanks for your site!
Christine and Elena
 
Hi Christine and Elena,
Thank you for your wonderful New Year's message. Your photos
are a fabulous addition to our site.
Painted
Arachnis Mating and Resulting Hatchlings
(12/23/2005) tiger moth mating
Hello bugman,
A few months ago I submitted shots of tiger moths laying eggs
along with the hatched larvae. I did not originally have the
moths mating picture. I finally located it! Hope you still
need one.
Nancy (havard) Rendel
San Luis Obipso, CA
 
Hi Nancy,
We received and posted the egg laying image of the Painted
Arachnis, but did not receive the hatchling photo. We are
happy to post it along side the long dead parents.
Scarlet
and Green Leafhoppers Mating
(12/20/2005) Red and Teal
Hi,
I've seen this red and blue colored moth-like insect onmy
morning glory leaves in summer. It's head seems to be underneath
the tribal mask looking wings. I live in Massachusetts. I've
attached a picture of this interesting specimine. I would
just like to know what it is. It took me 21 years of living
in the same place to come upon it.
Thank you
Tom
Hi Tom,
What a beautiful image of Scarlet and Green Leafhoppers, Graphocephala
coccinea, mating. They feed on the juices of weeds and cultivated
plants. When they feed, they inject saliva into the plant
which inhibits the sap from running, eventually resulting
in wilting and leaf drop.
Korean Golden Orb Web Spider: mating and solo
(12/13/2005) Spider
I too like many others "fell upon" your site, and
after enjoying the photos and interesting info remembered
that I have a spider without an ID. I took this in the fall
of 03 while I was attending a retreat on the east side of
the country South Korea. During my 2 months there I got a
chance to observe these spiders. They didn't seem too active,
but one of them went through about 4 mates before she got
"hitched". No one there new what kind they were
but there were 8 of them around the front yard. The webs were
around 3-4 feet in diameter and spread from tree to tree.
I have never been interested in spiders but these ones caught
me in their web. Please help me put a name to my new friends.
Thanks Mari Baerman
Bucheon, South Korea
 
Hi Mari,
What wonderful photos of Nephila clavata, the Golden Orb Web
Spider. We have one spider in this genus in the U.S. called
the Golden Silk Spider, Nephila clavipes. We are wondering
if the common name for the Korean spider also refers to the
color of the silk. Our species also has the drastic size difference
between the diminutive male and the female who can be as much
as 100 times his weight.
Dogday
Harvestflies Mating
(12/04/2005) Cicada love
Hi there, I stumbled across your site using StumbleUpon for
Firefox, and was hooked. I thought I might contribute
something - I found these guys on the sidewalk last summer
in Ottawa, Canada. They appear to be enjoying themselves. I
assume they're cicadas, couldn't speculate on what kind. Hope
you enjoy them!
Marcus Watson
Hi Marcus,
jThanks for the wonderful contribution. These Annual Cicadas
are sometimes called Dogday Harvestflies.
Black
Widows Mating
(11/21/2005) Black widows mating
You recently helped me identify this young male Black Widow.
I caught him messin around with an older woman and thought
you might like to add one of these to your Bug Love section.
Thanks for your help.
Rus
 
Wow Rus,
Your photos just made our day. Thanks for sending these awesome
images to us.
Green Darners Mating
(11/19/2005) Green Darner Pair
Another photo for the "Love Bugs" page. It
took me almost an hour to capture these two green darners
coupled together and laying eggs on camera. They
flit around quite a bit.
Nadjia
Hi Nadjia
Not all Dragonflies remain coupled while laying eggs. We are
happy to have your image that nicely illustrates this mating
technique. In this way, the male is ensured that the female
doesn't successfully mate with another male and the first
male's genes get passed on to the next generation.
Damselflies Mating
(11/19/2005) Ebony Jewelwing Love
One for the dragonfly page or the "Love Bug" page. I
believe the one with the white spot on the wings is the female>
Nadjia
Hi Nadjia,
Since you have sent us over a dozen images, we are trying
to choose the most interesting ones or the images representing
species lacking on our site. We love this Damselfly image
of Mating Ebony Jewelwings. You are correct, the female is
in the rear, her head secured by the males anal claspers..
Gulf Fritillaries: Voyeurs of the insect world
(11/18/2005) Mating butterflies - Tampa
First, I'd like to say I'm SO jealous of the people who can
get pictures of the mating Cecropia Moth! I believe this is
a Monarch, but I really couldn't tell you for sure. I just
got some rather keen pictures and thought I'd share them!
I live in Tampa, FL. First set from a few months ago: Mating
butterflies, one more comes over to check it out...
Then a couple MORE come over! The next set is clearer, and
was taken today: Thanks for the website! Very interesting!
Jen in Tampa
 
Hi Jen,
These are not Monarchs. They are Gulf Fritillaries. We just
love the curiosity.
Thanks so much! It's the passion flower plant I have that
makes them crazy, isn't it? :o I have one grown wild out back
and ever since I planted it I've seen them around. I'm catching
catterpillars(sp) out there too.
Jen
Hi again Jen,
Passion Flower is the food plant, so those are Gulf Fritillary
Caterpillars you are collecting.
Mating
Mantids and resulting Egg Case
(11/18/2005) Is this a good bug or bad bug?
Dear Bugman,
We have Praying Mantis' in our yard here in Rocklin (Sacramento)
CA. Shortly after seeing they are getting ready for the winter
we see this Cocoon or Crysalis (which is it?). Are these the
eggs for the good bug, Praying Mantis, or do I need to get
rid of these if they're a bad bug? Or, thirdly, are these
good eggs for some other bug? Thanks for the insight and help
as we decide to keep or eliminate this addition to the house
this winter!
Larry in Rocklin CA.
 
Hi Larry,
We love your mating Mantis photo. The result of the coupling
is the subject of your second photo, a Preying Mantis Egg
Case. The female spews out a frothy substance with her eggs
that hardens to protect them from inclement weather. Come
spring, you will have 100's of baby Mantids emerging to rid
your garden of unwanted, and occasionally beneficial, insects.
Water Scorpions Mating
(11/08/2005) Toe Biters??
Hi there,
I live in Sydney Australia and found your website when trying
to identify these bugs, found in our backyard swimming pool.
I think they might be what you call Toe-biters or Giant Water
Bugs, but these ones have longer front appendages and long
spikes at the back, at least the length of their abdomen.
There is one smaller one on the back of the larger
one and does not get off. Are they mating or is the little
one eating the big one? Please help, my girls are too scared
to go back in the pool!!!!
Janine in Oz
Hi Janine,
My Oh My we are thrilled to have received your excellent photo.
We haven't posted anything on our Bug Love page in weeks.
These are actually Water Scorpions, relatives of Toe Biters
that can also deliver a painful bite. They are mating. Tell
your girls not to fear the water. The Water Scorpions are
probably not established in your pool unless the water is
stagnant. The appendages are actually breathing aparati, similar
to snorkles.
Craneflies:
Mating and Solo
(10/27/2005) 2 Cranefly Pics
Love your site. Thought I'd send you these two pictures
I took of craneflies in my backyard. One on its own
and the other of a mating pair. I wouldn't have known
they were craneflies until identifying them on your site.
Cindy
Ajax, ON CANADA (just east of Toronto)
 
Hi Cindy,
Sorry for the long delay. We are posting both of your images
on our Cranefly page and our second Bug Love page. The images
are both stunning.
Oakworms Mating
(10/21/2005) more bug love
Thought I would send this pic of spiny oakworm moth love!
Your website is great, and I just wanted to contribue.
Michelle in Florida
Hi Michelle,
This is definitely an Oakworm in the genus Anisota, but we
can't conclusively identify the species. Thanks for the image.
Floridian Weevils Mating: Myllocerus undatus Marshall,
a weevil new to the Western Hemisphere
(10/18/2005) White and Black Beetles
Hi Bugfolks,
Awesome site! Thanks!
I've browsed your beetles, but didn't see this one. They're
all over my yard, on cassia, grapefruit, pine, and worse yet
my butterfly host plants! Are they just contributing
to the swiss cheese look on the leaves, or are they going
after my butterfly eggs or caterpillars like this wasp looking
creature that I've seen killing the caterpillars? Both the
beetle and the wasp are in Palm Beach and Broward counties
in south east Florida. The beetles are about the size of a
large pea (slightly stepped on - they're longer than round)
and hide under the leaf when I get near with a camera
then drop off (hopefully to the ground and not my shoe...
they make ya hop!) the leaf when I flip it over to get
a picture (which is good when I go beetle removing in the
evening with a ziplock and flashlight - just hold the
bag under the leaf and tap... in they go). I'd love
to know the proper name for them.
Thanks Very Much,
Stephanie Sanchez
Hi Stephanie,
Your wasp photo did not attach. The Beetles are some type
of Weevil, the largest family of insects, Curculionidae. Here
is Eric Eaton's assessment: "Ok, the beetles are definitely
weevils of some sort, and strictly vegetarian:-) I'd see
if they aren't among the "featured
creatures" that the Florida Ag department (IFAS) has made
web page fact sheets for. They certainly are distinctive.
Eric " We checked all the weevils on the site and couldn't
find a match.
Update: (12/02/2006)
Floridian weevils mating
Re: your photo of "Floridian Weevils Mating" 10/18/2005, I
found this alert on the U FL website which looks like the
same weevil to me:
http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp/ento/weevil-pest-alert.html
There's a native floridian version and a new invasive asian
version, which looks more like these photos to me. We seem
to have them too, though they haven't yet been reported on
the west coast of Florida, according to the article.
-Miriam Wallace
Sarasota, FL
Thanks Miriam,
You appear to be correct.
Wait 17 Years to see their Progeny: Periodical Cicadas
Mating
(10/17/2005) Something else...
To add to your mating bugs photos. I took a trip down to the
Dayton, Ohio area last summer during the emerging of Brood
X Cicadas. They only come out every seventeen years, so I
couldn't pass up the opportunity to witness it. It was truly
an awesome experience.
Elizabeth A. Fisher
Hi Elizabeth,
We are truly honored to post your mating Brood X Cicadas.
The one time I saw them was 34 years ago in Ohio and it was
spectacular. Thank you again.
Mantis Foreplay?
(10/12/2005) mating praying mantis
Hi there!
I appreciate your website! It's been entertaining
and informative! I'm enclosing two photos (taken
in mid September in Southeastern PA) of praying mantis mating
or about to... they maintained this pose for at least 45 minutes. I
wanted to see if the female does indeed terminate the relationship
by eating her mate but I had to go take care of the family
(dinner time.) And so it goes... Any information
you could add would be helpful.
Thanks very much - Kristin
Hi Kristin,
Much of what we are about to say is speculation on your photograph.
First, the female mantis does not always eat her mate, but
it often happens. A wily male will escape. You photo does
show a pair with the male on top and this must have something
to do with mating. We suspect he has captured her, but is
not in the proper position to do the deed. He needs to turn
himself around without losing either his mate or his life.
Guess we will never know if he succeeded.
Mating Flies
(10/08/2005) Buzz Buzz
Hello Again!
Love the site! Took this picture of a mantis that's
been around for a while and was wondering if you guys could
tell me what's happening. Is she about to lay some eggs? Is
she dying? Also, inspired by all the 'intimate'
moments I see posted, I have sent a picture I just took of
two flies in the throes...
Enjoy!
Thanks,
Dina
Hi Dina,
Your mantis photo is too blurry to post, but she does look
like she is going to lay eggs. Hopefully she isn't egg bound.
Love the mating fly photo.
Oil Beetles Mating
(10/06/2005) Pictures of devils coach horses that are vegetarian?
From wisconsin and question.
I would like to share these pictures with you. I think
they are of devils coach horses, but I am not positive. I
would like to know if I am mistaken on the identity. There
seems to be a little discrepancy in the descriptions
I have found online as to behavior and appearance. I
am wondering if its a closely related, perhaps vegetarian
species? The females are 1 1/4 inch long and thick bodied.
Males are 3/4 inch and also thick bodied. They don't seem
to be able to move their tail ends upward since they are plump.
There mandibles are small for the head size as the pictures
show. They are also black with a blue green iridescence. They
are calm and peaceful. And they are active in bright light.
First of all, I found hundreds of these fascinating insects
in a mowed field that was located in a wooded clearing
out in farm country. It was mid afternoon when I found them
on a warm, 80 degree, sunny, October day. I am in Wisconsin!
I have lived out here, in the country, for 15 years and
never before seen these creatures in our area. I brought about
a dozen home to identify and observe them. They mate freely
with each other, the males just go from female to female.
They have been eating grass in large amounts and enjoy rye
bread and adore fresh soft fruits. They ignore hard dry grains.
They have a preference for the softest of plant foods.They
ignore slugs. Moths that my son caught, a few squished, (he
is 5 yrs old) didn't arouse the insects interest. They have
showed no desire to borrow in anything be it soil or leaf
litter. They remain on top of their substrate and are most
active at mid day. They don't show any defense posture what
so ever. In fact they seem quite content to munch and walk
around no matter what activity is around them. In the wild,
they didn't show any defense posture when I collected them
either. I would like to ask you if you could share information
about these wonderfully beautiful creatures. I cant find info
on their life cycle. They are mating, and I don't know
what they lay their eggs in nor the time line for hatch and
etc.... I home school my daughter and this adventure with
these creatures has lead us on lessons in insect discovery.
The pictures show detail of the sexual difference in the antenna.
I was surprised to note the difference. There is a nice view
of the females back that showed the detail of texture. Also,
the size difference between male and female is obvious. I
liked the way the grass eating picture turned out. That (eating)
seems to be their main activity, next to making droppings.
Please feel free to use any pictures on your site if you choose.
My partner, Kevin Stone took the pictures of my wonderful,
insect find. What is puzzling me at this point, is when and
in what will they lay eggs? I also have not figured out if
they are meant to live through the coming winter or will die
after egg laying, and if being in a aquarium, indoors, will
change their life cycle. Any info you can share would be very
welcomed.
Thank you for your time,
Jackie Thedford
Hi Jackie,
Why are you home schooling. You should be teaching 30 children.
Your letter is absolutely awesome. These are not Devil's Coach
Horses, but Oil Beetles, a type of Blister Beetle, Meloe angusticollis.
The adults eat grasses as you know and are fond of the foliage
from potatoes. Larvae are parasitic on wild bees, and unless
there is a wild bee nest in your aquarium, you may not get
eggs. Be careful in handling the beetles which can exude droplets
from their leg joints that might cause blisters.
Differential
Grasshoppers Mating
(10/05/2005) Bug Love - Grasshoppers
I know they're "just" grasshoppers, but this image
is so clear I wanted to share it with you. Note
the voyeur.
from Lynne in York, PA
Hi Lynne,
We are somewhat behind in our mail, but we wanted you to know
we love your photo of mating Differential Grasshoppers and
a spectator. We have archived it on the Bug Love 2 page.
Leaf
Footed Bugs Mating: Leptoglossus zonatus
(10/05/2005) Leptoglossus zonatus
I found these all over our only orange tree and the bean
pods of a hyacinth bean vine. We live just north of
Houston, TX. Found an article
that says they are new to FL. Can you help ID the one on the
green leaf?
Thanx
Dan
 
Hi Dan,
We actually believe your species is another Leaf Footed Bug,
Leptoglossus phyllopus. The adults are mating and the insect
on the leaf is an immature nymph of the same species.
Update (01/06/2006)
Yes, Leptoglossus zonatus
Dear Bugman Dan,
Yes, the person that submitted this message was right. It
is L. zonatus. Nice photos he submitted! I like reading what
is posted in your website. I learn a lot especially from the
home owners' point of view.
Julieta
USDA, taxonomy of Heteroptera
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.
Grasshoppers Mating
(10/03/2005) great web site & bug love pix
We are building a house in the woods and I have found so many
strange bugs. So far, I have been able to find them on your
delightful web site. Attached is a pair of grasshoppers for
consideration for your bug love page - I don't think you have
any of those.
Thanks!
Suzin
Hi Suzin,
Thanks for the mating Grasshopper photo. They are in the genus
Melanoplus.
Mating Blister Beetles
(10/02/2005) Steamboat Rock State Park WA red headed bugs
Hello,
Can you tell me what these bugs are that my daughter and son-in-law
saw on a shrub on top of 800' Steamboat Rock that rises above
Steamboat Rock State Park on Banks Lake in Eastern Washington
State just south of Grand Coulee Dam?
Thank you,
Genelle
Hi Genelle,
This photo of mating Blister Beetles looks like Lytta magister.
In checking BugGuide, we found that all the images of this
insect were from Arizona. We are getting a second opinion.
Bees
do it!!!
(10/02/2005) WHAT'S THE BUZZ??PAIR OF BUMBLE BEES MATING??
Hey Bugman!!
I came across this pair of bumblebees in my driveway..they
definitely appeared to be making LITTLE BABY BUMBLEBEES. They
were there for 3 hours..when I checked on them a few minutes
ago..they..were GONE....apparently they flew off into the
wild blue yonder. Happy Buggin'..or should I say..BUZZIN'!!
Dee Rocanello
East Islip, Long Island, NY
Hi Dee,
Thanks for the contribution.
Dragonflies Do It in the Netherlands
(09/28/2005) Hello..
Here are two photo's from Venray the Netherlands.. Was enjoying
my little homegrown wheed when suddenly these two came flying
by.. Just had to take their picture, as they were making love
right under my nose, little perverts. Perhaps something for
the buglove page, but what i'd like to ask is why the male
(bottom) is sticking it's face up the girl's butt? Is there
some kind of smelly spot there he likes? I see this behaviour
one multiple of your hosted photo's and was just wondering
if the little creeps have the same behaviour as humans..
Best regards
Fred
Hi Fred,
Though quite logical, there are a few errors in your observations.
First, and most importantly, you have mixed up the sexes.
The female does not really have her head in the males butt,
but he has grasped her head with his anal claspers. Here is
a great explanation of the dragonfly mating activity from
a wonderful site.
"It takes newly emerged adult dragonflies a number of days
to become reproductively mature. Since males generally mature
faster than females they usually arrive at the breeding grounds
first. In the period of time before females arrive the males
stake out territories that they defend from males of their
own and other species. The size of a dragonfly territory depends
on the species and on the density of males in the breeding
ground. Generally speaking, the larger the species the larger
the territories and the more densely populated the area the
smaller the territory. Dragonfly mating behaviour is quite
elaborate and can take place either in flight or on a perch.
Just prior to mating males must transfer sperm from their
reproductive tract to special accessory genitalia. Once this
is done males then chase flying females and grab them by the
thorax with their legs. After a male has caught a female he
then curves his abdomen towards her and latches onto her head
with a set of special posterior abdomial appendages, called
anal claspers. These claspers maintain a firm hold on the
female and they can even at times dent her eyes. The male
then releases his legs so that the pair remains attached in
a head to tail position, often referred to as the tandem position.
The female then bends her abdomen towards the male until her
primary genitalia come into contact with the male's accessory
genitalia. This position is often referred to as the wheel.
Dragonflies often assume this wheel position while still in
flight which is quite an acrobatic accomplishment. While in
this position sperm is transferred to the females' reproductive
tract via the male's penis. In some species the males have
a specialized penis that is designed to scrape out any sperm
that already exist in the female's reproductive tract from
previous matings before sperm from the current mating are
transferred (Thompson & Dunbar 1988). This adaptation helps
to ensure that the last male to mate with a female is the
one who's sperm fertilizes most of her eggs. It is, therefore,
important for males to make sure that no other male mates
with the female before she lays her eggs. As a result many
male dragonflies guard their mates until they have laid their
eggs (McMillan 1991 and Thompson & Dunbar 1988). In some species
the male even maintains his grasp on the female until she
has finished laying her eggs, while in other species the male
simply guards his egg laying mate by hovering over her. Once
the female has laid her eggs the pair go off in their separate
directions. All unreferenced information was gathered from
Askew 1988, Corbet et al. 1960, and Walker 1958. "
Mating Northern Walkingsticks
(09/25/2005) Walking Sticks
I found these while hiking. I thought it interesting
that the male and female looked so different! I was on a hike
in the Hoosier National Forest, near Paoli, IN.
Chad
Hi Chad,
We believe these are mating Northern Walkingsticks, Diapheromera
femorata. We are waiting for a confirmation on that identification
from Eric Eaton.
Mating Wheel Bugs
(09/25/2005) wheel bug love
John
Hi John,
You didn't really write a letter, but we want you to know
this is our favorite photo all week. Thanks for the contribution.
Lovebugs
(09/22/2005) Love Bug Threesome
I see hundreds of Florida Love Bugs every day this time of
year (mainly on my windshield) but I have never seen them
having a threesome. Do they compete for mates when they are
already attached?
Mark
Hi Mark,
There is always competition for mates in the animal kingdom.
We imagine the spurned suitor is hoping for some opportunity.
Small
Milkweed Bugs Mating
(09/18/2005) Photo of mating Boxelder bugs
I LOVE your site!!! (You just helped us ID our
first Robber Fly!) I thought you may be interested
in this photo of a mating pair of Boxelder bugs. We
took the photo on 09/05/05 at Table Rock Mountain in Western
North Carolina.
Lori Martin
Maiden, NC
Hi Lori,
Sorry for the long delay but we had lots of Boxelder Bug photos
when your letter arrived. We are catching up on old mail and
we were pleasantly surprised to see you had misidentified
your bugs. These are actually Small Milkweed Bugs, Lygaeus
kalmii.
Southeastern Lubber Grasshoppers Mating
(09/18/2005) Florida Cricketlike
I saw these around campus here in Miami the other day... im
guessing they were copulating. I liked the colors so
i snapped away, have any idea what they are?
Osvaldo
Hi Osvaldo,
Your mating insects are Southeastern Lubber Grasshoppers.
Kinky
Japanese Beetles
(09/15/2005) Mating bugs
I saw your page for mating bugs and thought I would give you
an even better (and funnier) Japanese Beetle picture.
I call this....Beetle Orgy!
Monica Ragsdale
Hi Monica,
Your photo speaks for itself. We especially like the voyeur.
Your photo could compromise our recent good reputation with
Elementary Schools as well as religious fanatics.
Mating
Argiopes
(09/15/2005) mating Golden Garden Spiders
Here is one of a series of stills I made from video of Golden
Garden Spiders mating in my back yard in North Central Texas:
There were two males, but only the one who arrived first got
the glory. The other only watched from the other (safe)
side of the web. After each mating, the female appeared
to become temporarily incapacitated, allowing the tiny mating
male a few moments when he could move around her freely. At
all other times he was very cautious, approaching from the
female’s abdomen area, and between mating events he
stayed on the other side of the web with the other male. I
also have quite a bit of video of this. The mating
continued for a week or two, many times each day. (I
don’t know if it went on during the night.)
Bill Jones
 
Hi Bill,
Thanks for the great photos and interesting account of the
mating activity of these beautiful Argiopes.
Stink Beetles Mating
(09/11/2005) black beetles? possible stink beetle?
anyhoo! I'd love to know whats up!
thanks
Rebecca Brown Long Beach, Ca
Hi Rebecca,
What a wonderful Bug's Eye View of these Stink Beetles mating.
You must have been crawling on your belly to get that angle.
Stink Beetles in the genus Eleodes are found throughout the
arid West. They have fused wings which makes flight impossible.
They amble along the ground in hilly areas and deserts, and
if disturbed, they stick their rear ends up and emit a foul
smelling odor.
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