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Subterranean Termite Aletes

Is this an Ant or Termite?
February 25, 2010
I walked out on my screen porch the other day and found a swarm of these inside the porch. They are black with white spots and about .25 inch long with long clear wings that stick out about .25 inch past the body. probably a couple hundred of them total.
Buried in Bugs in Florida
Pensacola, Florida

Subterranean Termite Aletes

Dear Buried,
These are Aletes, the reproductive caste of Subterranean Termites in the family Rhinotermitidae, probably in the genus Reticulitermes which is pictured on BugGuide.  They drop their wings after the nuptial flight.  It is probable that there is a colony under the screened porch which prevented these Aletes from dispersing.

Posted 26 February 2010 § Termites ‡ Comments (1) ° Tagged: ,

Red Palm Weevil bites tourist in Paphos, Cyprus!!!

What is this bug?
February 25, 2010
My dad was bitten by this bug while on holiday in Paphos, any idea what kind of beetle it is?
Any
Paphos

Red Palm Weevil

Dear Any,
This is a Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus.  According to M. Ferry and S. Gómez who wrote the paper “The Red Palm Weevil in the Mediterranean Area” which is posted online on the Palm’s Journal, “The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier, has become the most important pest of the date palm in the world.”  We were not aware that Red Palm Weevils would bite humans, and we believe this was an anomoly.  We suspect David Gracer might be writing that the grubs are edible.

Posted 26 February 2010 § Weevils ‡ Comments (1) ° Tagged: ,

Venomous versus Poisonous

venomous
February 26, 2010
things that are VENOMOUS are more then once referred to on this site as poisonous there is a big difference between the two.
G. Davisson

Dear G. Davisson
Merriam-Webster.com defines Poisonous as “1 : destructive, harmful  2 : having the properties or effects of poison : venomous  3 : spiteful, malicious.” Merriam=Webster.com defines Venomous as  “1 : full of venom: as a : poisonous, envenomed b : noxious, pernicious <expose a venomous dope ring — Don Porter> c : spiteful, malevolent <venomous criticism> 2 : having a venom-producing gland and able to inflict a poisoned wound <venomous snakes>.”  Since that  bastion for defining the English language uses the two words to define one another and indicates that they are interchangeable, we don’t feel we are entirely incorrect in our usage, though there might be a subtle difference that we should consider.  The bite of a Brown Recluse Spider would be venomous, while poisoning would occur following the ingestion of a Toxic Milkweed Grasshopper. Rather than just providing a blanket statement chastising our language usage, can you please cite some concrete examples of the adjective usage that you find offensive?   That way we can consider them more closely.  Even better, can you provide the source for the definition that creates a solid distinction for the proper and incorrect usages of the two terms?

Posted 26 February 2010 § Uncategorized ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged:

Gorgeous Longicorn from the Philippines: Cereopsius praetorius possibly

Some Ladybug Impostor
February 25, 2010
Ever since I bought my camera, it had always been my wish to be able to take a photo of a nice red ladybug with those cute black spots. I never had a chance, however, as I always see those ladybugs with a dull yellow color instead. One day, during a company outing, I saw this HUGE ladybug-like insect on the lamp post and I thought my dream of a ladybug picture had finally come true (with a large one to boot!). But looking at it, it doesn’t really seem to be a ladybug at all, except for the colors. This was confirmed by everything-ladybug.com, who said that ladybugs are fairly consistent in their oval/round shape, which is not true in this insect. So, since my dreams are all crushed now, I just want to know what bug this is who tried to fool me into thinking that it’s a ladybug… Thanks in advance for your help in this!
Beverley
Laguna, Philippines

Longicorn from the Philippines

Dear Beverley,
While we think Ladybugs are lovely creatures, we feel that the subject of your photo, a Longicorn in the family Cerambycidae, is far more special.  We tried doing a web search, and found the Insect Designs website of specimens for sale.  One species from the Philippines,  Cereopsius praetorius, looks close, and there is a note that the pattern varies.  We found a second website, Saluguband Philippine Beetles, with images of dead specimens as well.  Though the markings on the dead specimens are similar to your photo, the colors are not nearly as vivid.  Often dead specimens lose their vibrant coloration.  Perhaps Karl will have better luck confirming this identification.

Hi Daniel,
Wow, I’m really impressed how fast you guys can identify bugs.  Anyway, I’m also grateful for your reply.  Now I can appreciate this ladybug impostor more knowing that it is far more special than the ladybug it is trying to look like :)
Beverley

Karl Agrees
I think you got it, Daniel. It must be a Cereopsius and although there are at least 10 species in the Philippines, none look nearly as close as C. praetorius (I was able to find images of all but one). K

Posted 25 February 2010 § Longhorn Beetles ‡ Comments (3) °

Male Giant Water Bug Tends to eggs as female eats

February 24, 2010
Giant Water Bugs
Hi, WTB,
I’ve been going through photos from last summer and I thought that you might be interested in some Giant Water Bug images that have a little more detail (including particulate gunk in the water — sorry for that) than is sometimes seen in field photographs.
The first image gives an idea of the male behavior of, what seems to be, aerating/hydrating (and, perhaps, cleansing?) the eggs by rapidly moving his back in and out of the water.

Male Giant Water Bug with Eggs

The second shot shows a submerged male with all of the eggs, and only the eggs, above the surface.

Male Giant Water Bug with Eggs

The third photo is of a completely submerged male and eggs.  You just can see the very tip of his backside breaking the surface.

Male Giant Water Bug with Eggs

The final shot is of a, presumably, female — totally submerged — who is feeding “up” on the food chain.
Early July, foothills of the Santa Rita Mountains, southern Arizona, about 4,400 ft.
Denny Schreffler

Giant Water bug with Prey

Dear Denny,
You are continuing a pattern of excellence with both your photos and your verbal descriptions.  These documentations of a Male Giant Water Bug in the genus Abedus, probably Abedus herberti which BugGuide reports is found in Arizona, are positively spectacular.  The focus and detail are superb, and the observational information on the aeration/hydrating/cleaning behavior of the male with the eggs is a wonderful addition.  The Giant Water Bugs in the genera Abedus and Belestoma are interesting in that the female cements the eggs to the back of the male after mating, and the male has the responsibility of protecting the eggs, though once the eggs hatch, he is freed of his duties.  Thanks so much for including the information that the photos were taken in July, because so often our readers submit images that are many years old and they fail to include such relevant information.  Though your photos are quite detailed, you neglected to indicate what prey was captured in the Food Chain image, other than that it is up the food chain.  Is it possible to provide that information?

I don’t know what fleshy little vertebrate morsel she is eating — I came upon her after she already had been through the carry out line — but it probably tastes like chicken.
Thanks for the nice comments.
Denny Schreffler

Eric Eaton Agrees with identification
Hi, Daniel:
The giant water bugs from Denny here in Arizona are the species Abedus herberti.
Eric

Posted 25 February 2010 § Eggs § Toe Biters ‡ Comments (2) ° Tagged: ,

Winter Cutworm from Canada

Winter Caterpillar
February 24, 2010
Hello Bugman,
I am a follower of your website for several years now. I moved to Canada recently, and have been exploring around Thames River. I came across this caterpillar in the snow in London Ontario.
It was little more than an inch in length. At first I thought it was dead, so I photographed it as it was (first picture). Later when I came back to explore, it had moved almost 3 feet from its location (picture 2) in about 45 minutes, and was on the snow (picture 3)!
This surprised me. I am aware of hibernating caterpillars, but the fact that this fellow was out in the open caught my attention.
Can you help me identify it? Is it a Noctuid caterpillar?
Sincerely,
Ani
London ON, Canada

Winter Cutworm

Hi Ani,
Last month we received a similar letter from New England, and our faithful reader Karl helped us identify it as a Winter Cutworm, Noctua pronuba, an invasive species that was introduced from Europe.

Winter Cutworm

Hi Daniel,
Thank you so very much for the response! I have been coming across heaps of invasive species in the wild, compared to native species over here, which is very sad!
Thank you again for the information, I really appreciate it!
Keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
Ani

Hi again Ani,
We believe you will find that the spread and proliferation of exotic imported opportunistic species is not limited to Canada, but is a phenomenon that we are seeing worldwide due to human migration.  There probably is not a scientist on the planet that will be able to accurately predict the extent of the dire consequences this will have on species diversity, and many endemic species are becoming endangered or extinct at an alarming rate.

Posted 25 February 2010 § Owlet Caterpillars ‡ Comments (2) ° Tagged: ,

Wasp Moth from India: Euchromia elegantissima

Moth/fly
February 24, 2010
Was seen in Goa India in January this year
GMT58
Central Goa, India

Wasp Moth: Euchromia elegantissima

Dear GMT58,
This is surely a gorgeous Wasp Moth, one of the Arctiid Moths in, we suspect, the Tribe Euchromiini.  We quickly found a matching photograph on the India Nature Watch website, and they are identified as Day Flying Moths, Euchromia elegantissima, with a link to the Moths of Borneo website.  The Cambodian Bugs website also has some photos of this elegant beauty.

Hi Daniel,
Thanks ever so much for your help,
regards,
Tony

Posted 24 February 2010 § Tiger Moths and Arctiids ‡ Comments (0) °

Pigeon Tick from Slovenia

unknown creature concave bug- very ugly
February 24, 2010
i found them in my place so i would like to know what are they.
cannot find any ID so please help.
quite big creatures usually transparent up to 7-8 mm big.
thanks
Lazar from Slovenia
Ljubljana

Pigeon Tick

Hi Lazar,
This is a Tick, and its concave shape indicates it is hungry for blood.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
BUT HOW CAN THIS TICK BE SO BIG?? AND WHY THEY LIVE IN MY FLAT?? AND THEY ARE FAST WHILE TICKS ARE SLOW.
I KNOW WHAT ARE TICKS. I AM FROM VILLAGE AND I KNOW THIS RACES..USUALLY HUMAN AND DOG TICKS..ALL HAVE SOME KIND OF A BAG FOR A BLOOD
THIS ONE HAS NO SUCH THING AND ALSO THERE IS NO MOUTH! IF YOU TURN IT JUST PLAIN SHAPE WITHOUT STING MOUTH.
ALSO THIS ARE CREATURES TO 1 CM AND THAT IS FAAAR FAAAR TOO BIG. HUMAN TICKS I KNOW THEY ARE FROM 0,05 CM TO 0,1 CM AND I GET PLENTY OF THEM BECAUSE I GO REGULAR IN SEARCH OF MUSHROOMS AND METAL DETECTING. DOG  TICKS ARE QUITE BIGGER AND IN NORMAL SIZE THEY ARE ABOUT 0,2 CM TO 0,4 CM. WHEN THEY ARE FULL OF BLOOD I KNOW THEY ARE MASSIVE- UP TO 2 CM!! NOT GOOD IN US GRADE SO I TELL IN EUROPEAN METRIC.
I CAUGHT THIS DOG TICKS IN BOSNIA ONLY. BUT I SEE THEM INSTANTLY AND HAD NO BITES TILL NOW! BUT I PULL THEM OFTEN FROM A DOG.
SO THIS MY CREATURE IS ALREADY IN NORMAL SIZE 1 CM!!! THAT IS A SIZE OF A HALF FULL DOG TICK. AND IF THEY HAD OPPORTUNITY TO SUCK BLOOD THEY WOULD BE AT LEAST 5 CM BIG!! THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE!??
IT IS A SHAME I DIDN’T TURN IT AROUND SO I CAN SHOW YOU THAT IT IS A PLAIN SHAPE WITHOUT SEPARATION AND PLACE FOR A BLOOD BAG.
PLEASE IF YOU CAN TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON I WOULD BE VERY HAPPY! THEY LIVE IN MY APARTMENT AND I AM NOT HAPPY!
AND I LIVE IN 4th FLOOR!!!
PLEASE TELL ME SOME GOOD NEWS BECAUSE MY ROOMMATE IS FREAKING OUT- SHE GONNA KILL ME :-S
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HELPING ME
HOPE IT IS NOT A NEW KIND BECAUSE IT IS TOO UGLY TO HAVE MY NAME!
LAZAR

Hi again Lazar,
This comment just arrived.
Daniel

Faithful Reader Karl identifies another one
I think this could be a Pigeon Tick (Argas reflexus), a common tick of central and southern Europe. They usually feed on pigeons, but if none are available they may also feed on other birds or, rarely, humans. Do you perhaps have pigeons nesting in your eaves or attic? Like most ticks, they can transmit some diseases, and apparently can cause problems for people who have an allergy to their bights. By its size I would say this one is a female.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Argas_reflexus.jpg
http://www.ambitec.de/schaedlinge/insekten/taubenzecke/index.html

THANK YOU THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
NOW I KNOW WHY I HAVE SO MUCH PROBLEMS WITH ALLERGIES!
WISH YOU ALL GOOD AND BEST REGARDS
LAZAR

Posted 24 February 2010 § Ticks ‡ Comments (2) °

Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula

Tarantula
February 23, 2010
Wondering what species this is – common and latin name
David
Chira Island, Costa Rica

Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula

Dear David,
We quickly found a matching photo identified as a Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula, Aphonopelma seemanni, on the Tarantula Photo Gallery website.  The Tarantula’s Burrow website has a care sheet on the species.  Arachnopets indicates an alternate name is the Stripe Knee Tarantula.

Posted 24 February 2010 § Tarantulas and Trapdoor Spiders ‡ Comments (0) °

Flattie or Wall Crab Spider from China: Family Selenopidae

Spider from Guizhou, China
February 24, 2010
Hi there,
This is a spider that lives on my wifes farm in Guizhou, China (northern, near Chongqing). They are everywhere. They are quite thin (flat) and manage to squeeze behind almost anything that does not move often.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Kerry
Anchang, Guizhou, China

Flattie from China

Hi Kerry,
This is a member of the family Selenopidae, which BugGuide refers to as the Flatties, a name that is quite appropriate considering your confirming description.  According to the Biodiversity Explorer website, they are also called Wall Crab Spiders, and they are harmless.  We don’t think we will be able to provide you with a species identification.

Posted 24 February 2010 § Crab Spiders ‡ Comments (0) °

Katydid from Costa Rica: Ancistrocercus circumdatus

Cricket?
February 23, 2010
Wondering what this is – common and latin name
david
chira Island, Costa Rica

Katydid: Ancistrocercus circumdatus

Dear david,
Our readership enjoys hearing details about the sightings that are submitted to our website.  For identification purposes, additional information is often quite helpful.  The spare wording of your letter (and that of your numerous other submissions) fails to engage our readership and doesn’t provide us with anything helpful except a location.  We will contact an expert in the Orthopterans, Piotr Naskrecki, to see if he can provide a response.

Hi Daniel,
This is a pair of Ancistrocercus circumdatus (Pseudophyllinae), a species
common in Guanacaste.
Piotr

Ed. Note:
Technically, these Katydids are not mating, but since Piotr Naskrecki indicated that they are a pair, we are taking creative license and tagging them as Bug Love.

Hi Daniel,
Ok thank you for the feedback.  I didn’t want to be long winded as I don’t have too much to offer and I thought people wanted brief  listings, but I can add a few things I guess as to the area I found it in.  Can I update it online?
Thanks,
David

Yes you may.

Posted 24 February 2010 § Katydids ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged:

Unknown Mating Weevils from Viet Nam

Good Old Fashioned Weevil Lovin’
February 23, 2010
I found these guys on a day hike at Cuc Phuong National Park in Vietnam. It was around May 13th and the rainy season had not quite started yet.
Danielle
Vietnam, Cuc Phuong National Park

Mating Weevils from Viet Nam

Hi Danielle,
We will attempt to identify these Weevils.  Can you tell us how large they were?

Posted 24 February 2010 § Weevils ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged: ,

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