Wings or no?
June 2, 2009
I came across this guy in my kitchen and immediately snapped a picture of it. I then got it in a jar and released it outdoors. The wing-like tentacles on its back moved around almost like an octopus. I’ve never seen an insect like this.
Curious Dude
Western NC USA
Molting Harvestman we believe
Dear Curious Dude,
Those are not wings, and this is a Harvestman in the order Opiliones, but we need to seek advice on what is actually happening in this photo. We believe you have photographed the molting process, but we need confirmation on that. Harvestmen are sometimes called Daddy Long Legs.
Update from Eric Eaton
Hi, Daniel:
The harvestman looks like it has succumbed to a fungal attack.
Eric
small black and yellow beetle
June 1, 2009
small black and yellow beetle
I took this on May 31 near Tampa FL on one of my yard patrols. I would say the body was approximately one cm in size. As southern transplants, we’re trying to figure out what all these strange, new bugs are that didn’t show their face in the midwest. I think it’s a beetle but?? it was in an oak tree that’s showing some damage and we’re trying to figure out whats killing/eating the leaves. It kept circling the leaf to avoid being photographed and the branch wouldn’t hold still so this is as clear as I could get it. Any help is appreciated. Thanks for such a great site.
Linda
Tampa, FL
Bassareus brunnipes we believe
Hi Linda,
With the speed of our new computer, we are trying to respond to some old mail that arrived when we were quite busy with the end of the semester and a pending trip to visit family. Your letter was a pleasant surprise. We have researched your Leaf Beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, and we are confident it is either Bassareus brunnipes or a very close relative. BugGuide indicates it is widely distributed in the Eastern U.S., but all the submissions are from Florida and Louisiana. This is a new species for our website.
A black and white striped insect with rust colored legs.
May 31, 2009
I found this insect crawling on me while gardening. It seems inoffensive; despite me picking it up several times, it never tried to bite. The body was about 7mm long; with legs fully extended, it was about 1cm long. It has wings, but seems reluctant to use them; it never tried to escape by flight, only by crawling. I apologize for the poor photograph; my camera needs a macro lens to take better shots this close, and I have not yet purchased on. This was in late May of 2009, 70 degree temperatures, in central Maryland.
CommanderBalok
Central Maryland (suburb of Baltimore)
False Potato Beetle
Dear Commander Balok,
This is a False Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa juncta. According to BugGuide, it can be distinguised from its close relative, the notorious plant pest the Colorado Potato Beetle, in the following manner: “Similar to Colorado Potato Beetle (1), but elytral punctures are regular instead of irregular. Also, a brown stripe at the center of each elytron (wing cover) and on the inner edge of each elytron (where they meet down the middle) distinguish this species.” BugGuide has this to say about the similar looking Colorado Potato Beetle: “Before the introduction of the potato in the US this beetle was confined to Colorado and neighboring states feeding on some native species of Solanum (night shade), now it has spread to most potato growing areas. It has been transported to Europe where it has become a serious pest.”
Of the False Potato Beetle, BugGuide indicates: “According to the University of Florida, the False Potato Beetle ‘is found primarily on the common noxious weed, horse-nettle, Solanum carolinense. It also feeds on other solanaceous plants, such as species of ground cherry or husk tomato, Physalis spp., and common nightshade, Solanum dulcamara.’”
Monday, July 13, 2009
The Carnage
Last night, before going to bed, we released the week old hatchlings into the nursery aquarium with the two week older siblings. Though there was a difference in size, we thought all would be fine. About an hour after turning on the light this morning, we realized we had made an horrific judgment error. One of the larger fish in the tank had a younger sibling in its mouth. Most of the younger fish were floating dead or dying. We don’t know if they were picked to death, or if they were partially chewed and disgorged, but we suspect since a fish will attempt to eat most anything that will not eat it, there was just too much of a size discrepancy for the two generations to coexist, at least until the youngest had gotten more experienced. Sadly, we have lost nearly the entire generation. We managed to rescue two little guys and they are once more quarantined. The largest of the second generation seems to be coexisting right now with the larger siblings
Bug Identity
May 30, 2009
Hello bugman,
We found this brown bug on our balcony in Hong Kong. We’re curious to know its origins, living habits and what it eats. Can you help?
Email Signature
Hong Kong, China
Unknown Stink Bug
Dear Email Signature,
This is some species of Stink Bug in the family Pentatomidae. We will try to get you an exact species name, or perhaps one of our readers will have the time to research this Stink Bug’s taxonomy.
What type of insect are these?
May 29, 2009
What type of insect are these?
I was trimming bushes and noticed what appeared to be a small nest (for lack of a better word) on the side of a service berry tree. A couple days later the bugs hatched and were grouped around the nest. I’ve not been able to identify these. What are they?
George in Central Ohio
Central Ohio
Wheel Bug Hatchlings
Hi George,
These are newly hatched Wheel Bugs, a species of Assassin Bug. Most Assassin Bugs, including Wheel Bugs, are beneficial predators.
What bug is this?
May 28, 2009
Had a few people look at this, yet nobody could identify it properly. The common consensus is that it looks like some kind of wasp. But I’m unable to locate anything like it with numerous google searches. I’m hoping you can enlighten me.
Thank you!
Marcus J
Northern Utah, USA
Red Headed Ash Borer
Hi Marcus,
This is a Red Headed Ash Borer, Neoclytus acuminatus. It is commonly believed that is mimics wasps for protection. Read more about the Red Headed Ash Borer on BugGuide.
Green Shell Bug
May 27, 2009,
The Green shell bug has very small brown legs and an almost nonexistent face. I found it near our front door by the dog kennel. We are in Northwestern Virginia. If the bug is on it’s back it can’t make it’s self upright again and it doesn’t appear to have wings. It measured as 1 1/2 cm long, it’s legs are sticky.
What bug is this, my girls ages 8 and 6years would love to know.
Nancy
Northwestern Virginia
Dog Tick
Dear Nancy,
First, we apologize for the six week delay. Our fast new computer is allowing us to answer so much more than before. We are going to try to select one letter a day from our oldest archived requests in an attempt to provide a service to our readership. Now the bad news. This is a Dog Tick. It looks to be engorged with blood. Ticks can carry diseases.
¶ Posted 13 July 2009 § Ticks ‡ ° 
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