Subject: Most Intimidating Spider I’ve Ever Seen
Location: NE PA, Walnut Creek, Millcreek, Asbury Woods
May 12, 2013 5:48 pm
I was filming on the banks of Walnut Creek in NE Pennsylvania in the Lake Erie watershed when I saw this on my walking stick. I assumed it was an arachnid of some kind since it has eight legs (two being shorter than the others). It can also make a web. I have spent a year looking myself for information on what it is but cannot find anything. Now I’m branching out to other sources.
I apologize for the quality of the following pictures. They are screen shots of the raw footage I have of it. If I remember correctly, it was maybe two inches big, including leg span.
Signature: Adam S.

Long Jawed Orbweaver

Long Jawed Orbweaver

Dear Adam,
This formidable looking spider is a Long Jawed Orvweaver in the genus Tetragnatha, but we are uncertain of the species, so we are contacting Mandy Howe for assistance.  According to BugGuide:  “These spiders spin circular (orb) webs, mostly in the horizontal plane, often just inches above the surface of water where they can intercept emerging insects like midges, mayflies, and stoneflies.”
  BugGuide also notes:  “Larger species near water, especially along the shores of rivers and streams. Smaller species in fields and meadows.”

Long Jawed Orbweaver

Long Jawed Orbweaver

Long Jawed Orbweaver

Long Jawed Orbweaver

 

What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Subject: Black bug, termite looking.
Location: SLC, Utah
May 12, 2013 9:19 am
I found some of these up againts my house when the hose water caused them to reach for higher ground. They have pincers on the front. Its spring here in SLC, Utah. Its not a termite is it? Thanks
Signature: Maren

Caterpillar Hunter Larva

Caterpillar Hunter Larva

Hi Maren,
This is the larva of a beneficial Caterpillar Hunter in the genus Calosoma.  Both larvae and adults eat Caterpillars.  Some adult
Calosoma species like this Fiery Searcher have beautiful coloration.  See BugGuide for verification.

Subject: Swarms on front porch in Florida
Location: Jacksonville, FL
May 9, 2013 8:22 pm
Hi, I have these little critters swarming my front porch and coming in my front door in the evenings. A lot of them! My son says that he was stung by one. They are about the size of a house fly. It is early May here and the nights are starting to warm up. There is a light on the front porch and it appears they are attracted to that.
thanks for your input….
Signature: Jaxgnat

Two-Lined Spittlebug

Two-Lined Spittlebug

Dear Jaxgnat,
Thank you for reporting that the Two-Lined Spittlebugs,
Prosapia bicincta, are currently common in Florida.  Like other members of their order Hemiptera, Spittlebugs have mouths designed for piercing and sucking, and we imagine that thought they feed on plants, they are likely capable of biting a human.  According to BugGuide:  “In the immature (nymph) stage (surrounded by the “spittle” foam which protects them, and which they produce from juices they suck from the plant) they feed on centipedegrass, bermudagrass and other grasses, including occasionally corn.  Adults feed on hollies – they feed on the underside of leaves, and damage shows up as pale mottling not usually visible from above.”  In the future, if you want to control their numbers, you should probably cut the grass with the “spittle” before the winged adults have a chance to mature.

What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Subject: What’s this thing?
Location: Pittston PA
May 10, 2013 5:38 am
Found in NE Pennsylvania near Pittston along the Susquehanna River playing in the mud
Signature: don’t matter

Abbott's Sphinx

Abbott’s Sphinx

Dear don’t matter,
This Sphinx Moth appears to be an Abbott’s Sphinx, however, your photo is lacking in critical detail for us to be certain.  You may read more about the Abbott’s Sphinx on the Sphingidae of the Americas website and you can find out more information on National Moth Week events in your area by visiting the National Moth Week website.

Subject: Colorful Little Guy
Location: Cambridge, MA
May 11, 2013 1:03 pm
Hi,
I found this guy sitting on the leaf of a sunflower. It’s maybe 15 mm long and i found him in October. Sorry i didn’t get more photos.
Signature: Love to know the answer

Candystriped Leafhopper

Candystriped Leafhopper

Dear LTKTA.,
This lovely insect is commonly called a Candystriped Leafhopper and its scientific name is Graphocephala coccinea.  See BugEric for more information on this colorful insect that sucks nourishment from tender plants.

Subject: North Texas Bug
Location: Denton, TX
May 11, 2013 10:15 pm
Saw this little guy today (May 12, 2013) at a nature preserve in Denton, TX. Could you help me identify him? Thank you! :)
Signature: Kayla

Wheel Bug Nymph

Wheel Bug Nymph

Hi Kayla,
We believe this immature Assassin Bug is a Wheel Bug Nymph.

Subject: Can you help me?
Location: Pennsylvania , USA
May 11, 2013 2:30 pm
I found this bug on my door outside and I never seen a gold bug before. Can you tell me what type it is?
Signature: Tom R.

Tortoise Beetle

Tortoise Beetle

Hi Tom,
This beautiful insect that looks like a drop of gold paint is a Golden Tortoise Beetle,
Charidotella sexpunctata, and it feeds on the leaves of morning glories and other plants in the family Convolvulaceae.  Golden Tortoise Beetles are capable of changing colors, and much to the dismay of insect collectors, they lose their lovely golden color after death.  See Bugguide for additional information on the Golden Tortoise Beetle.

Subject: Flying insect
Location: Hendersonville, TN
May 11, 2013 10:20 am
Hello,
I live in Hendersonville TN and recently painted the front of my home. In the past couple of days I have noticed hundreds of these bugs on the house, or flying around near the gutters. Can you please tell me what they are, and how to get rid of them. Are they termites?
Thanks
Signature: Greg Sisk

What's That Fly???

What’s That Fly???

Hi Greg,
We are uncertain how to classify this Fly.  We thought it resembled a March Fly, and that would explain the large numbers, but the antennae are wrong for typical March Flies.  Perhaps one of our readers can provide an identification.  We have also requested assistance from Eric Eaton.

Eric Eaton Responds:
Reminds me most of a dark-winged fungus gnat, family Sciaridae, but could be a gall midge, too….
Eric