On my pumkin plants.
July 20, 2009
Took this pic July 16th. This guy didn’t seem very active, sat in this spot for about 2hrs. Preferred the shady side of the pumpkin leaves when he did move. I also have corn, hops, and gourds growing in the same area. It’s probably as common as dirt, but I can’t find it in my guides and now my curiosity is up. Thank you for your help
Lousy amatuer.
Squash Vine Borer
Chardon, Ohio
Dear LA (we just couldn’t bring ourselves to call you by your signed name),
This is a Squash Vine Borer, Melittia cucurbitae, a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae. Moths in this family mimic wasps for protection. The Squash Vine Borer female lays her eggs on the stems of squash, pumpkin and gourds, and the larvae bore into the stems of the plant, often causing considerable damage and crop loss.
Large yellow and black beetle
July 20, 2009
I found this beetle inside our screened porch today, July 20, 2009. After photographing it inside, I took it outside to release and take a few more photos. It is about 3/4″ to 1″ long and fairly docile. I looked in the Audubon insect field guide but didn’t find it. Can you help?
Lynne in Vermont
Ludlow, Vermont
Sugar Maple Borer
Hi Lynne,
This is the second Sugar Maple Borer image, Glycobius speciosus, that we have received in a few weeks. The striking markings of this beetle are thought to mimic the coloration of a Yellow Jacket. You can see matching images on BugGuide.
Sugar Maple Borer
Thanks for the prompt reply. My first thought when I saw it on the porch was that it was a yellow jacket but when I looked closer, it was a beetle. Does it harm the sugar maples? We have a sugar bush and I’m wondering if he will do damage. In any event, it was fun to see him.
Your site is excellent and I’ll be back another time.
Thanks again.
Lynne Croswell
Hi Lynne,
According to BugGuide: “Larvae mine under bark of Sugar Maple, Acer saccharum.“
Some type of wasp
July 20, 2009
I found these wasps targeting some butterfly weed out in a 6 acre meadow that abuts a pine oak forest. They weren’t interest in any other plant on the preserve. The photos should be enough to identify this specimen. Thanks!
Derek
Long Island New York
Great Golden Digger Wasp
Hi Derek,
This is a Great Golden Digger Wasp, Sphex ichneumoneus, and we just posted photos of three specimens from our own garden in Los Angeles. The species is found from coast to coast. As you observed, the adults visit flowers for nectar, and the female Great Golden Digger Wasp preys upon Katydids, Crickets and related Long Horned Orthopterans to provision a nest for her young.
1
Looks like a Fish Fly
July 20, 2009
Hello bugman. I have briefly looked at your dobson fly and fish fly images and am leaning towards the fish fly for the specimen (of many around my home) that I have photographed. Although this one is missing one of his antennae, the remaining antennae somewhat reveals the absence of the feather like protrusions on one side which is said to be one of the defining characteristics of the Fish Fly. As well, the absence of any distinctive mandibles seems to discredit the possibility of a Dobson Fly. Sooo, did one of these critters from each family get together one night and have a party, and this is the result?
thanks for any info.
Shrew
Nova Scotia, Canada
Dark Fish Fly
Hi Shrew,
This is a Fish Fly, more specifically, a Dark Fish Fly, in the genus Nigronia which we located on BugGuide. Dobsonflies, Fishflies and Dark Fishflies are in the same family, Corydalidae, but in different genera. This is how BugGuide identifies the differences between the two species: “Wings with large white areas more or less continuous, especially across the middle; anal area of hindwing white; male antennae modified pectinate; female antennae serrate—Nigronia fasciatus Wings with white spots isolated often associated with crossveins; anal area of hindwing brown; male and female antennae serrate— Nigronia serricornis“. We would lean more towards Nigronia serricornis. This is the first Dark Fish Fly we have received and we are thrilled to add it to our archives.
What is this flying thing?
July 20, 2009
Found this in the hall of our apartment complex. Thought it was a wasp of some sort until closer inspection. Still not sure though. It’s about 3-5 inches long and flies like a mosquito with its legs down. Not graceful like a dragonfly.
Curious in Japan
Zushi, Kanagawa, Japan
- Crane Fly from Japan
Dear Curious,
This is some species of Crane Fly in the infraorder Tipulomorpha, but beyond that, we will need to seed professional assistance. The feathered antennae are unusual.
- Crane Fly from Japan
Update
Hi Daniel:
I believe the unknown Crane fly (family Tipulidae) is in the subfamily Ctenophorinae and the genus Ctenophora (=Cnemoncosis). Apparently there are nine representatives of the genus in Japan, but closest match I can find appears to be C. ishiharai. It is a very unusual looking crane fly. Regards.
Karl
Thank you for the help. The antennae looked like those of several mothes.
Thank you again. My sons are huge bug collectors with a strict rule of not killing anything, even the centipedes that get into the house once in awhile.
Stag Beetle
July 20, 2009
Hello again,
I think you already have tons of stag beetle photos, but I wanted to share this pic I made last year. I’m a big beetle fan and can’t help taking pictures when I meet one. Of course, after the ”photo shoot” my fetching model was set free 
.
Love your site by the way, it has become a daily visit.
Keep up the lovely work!
Sonia
Romania
European Stag Beetle
Thanks Sonia,
For sending us a photo of a European Stag Beetle, Lucanus cervus. Here is a link with information on this magestic beetle.
It has what I believe to be 8 legs and 2 mandibles…
July 20, 2009
It has what I believe to be 8 legs and 2 mandibles, along with 2 skinny black fangs. it has a roundish head and long torso. Topside is dark ,probably black, with a yellow underside. The body itself is probably and inch in length, but the mandibles are huge and the legs would be long unbent. This bug was very fast and even juked me out as i tried to capture it. I would see it crawl into a corner, and i think it would go under the border of the wall as it would come back out behind me.
Robert Thomas Ezekiel Pohlman
Northern California, USA
Solpugid
Hi Robert,
This is a fierce but harmless Solpugid, sometimes called a Sun Spider or Wind Scorpion. It has no venom. The recent untimely demise of one individual by Creeped Out in Colorado Springs resulted in our Sixth Nasty Reader Award.
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