Unknown Ant
July 11, 2009
We found this ant in West Salem Oregon. It was found along a dirt road and has lasted for about 45 days and is still alive in a jar with holes in the lid. I have looked everywhere for some clue as to what it is and can not find anything about this ant the closest that I can find is the cowkiller ant or the velvet ant. Could you help me find out what this ant is? The ant when we first got it had yellow “hair” it has now started to burrow in the dirt I have in the jar and so it has turned brown from the dirt.
Robert Henry
Salem Oregon USA
Velvet Ant
Hi Robert,
The Cowkiller is one distinctive species of Velvet Ant in the genus Dasymutilla. Your specimen is a related species in the same genus, possibly Dasymutilla aureola. We will try to get a second opinion from Eric Eaton on the species identification. Female Velvet Ants are flightless wasps with a painful sting. The winged males do not sting.
Update from Eric Eaton
Daniel:
Your species ID of the Oregon velvet ant is correct. The “blockhead” appearance is pretty diagnostic.
Eric
Can you dentify this bug?
July 10, 2009
Can you dentify this bug?
Found in Bend, Oregon near kitchen window inside:(
I first thought it was a tick, but it has pinchers, and walks backward like a crab. It is dark reddish-brown with no spots or other markings(see photo). Can you help us identify it, and should we be concerned that it was in our house? Thanks,
Marc Mauch
Bend, Oregun USA
Pseudoscorpion
Hi Mark,
The harmless predatory Pseudoscorpion is often mistaken for a tick. There are numerous species and they are found throughout the world.
Very large wasp or hornet
Jul 10, 2009
There are two of these, they have burrowed into the ground near our house. One is app. 1 inch long, the other is larger, at least 1.5 inches. Brown wings, black body, three distinct stripes on the lower portion of the body. Large reddish brown eyes, black antennae, yellow-orange legs. They attacked other bugs who tried to land on the bush they were on.
Amanda
Raleigh, NC
Cicada Killer
Dear Amanda,
We fear that by the time you have received our reply, the poor Cicada Killer in the plastic bag may no longer be excavating in your yard. Cicada Killers are harmless, and though they are large and threatening looking, we have never received a report of anyone being stung. Males which are aggressive and territorial are incapable of stinging, and larger females would rather sting and paralyze Cicadas to feed her brood.
Large winged moth like thing with big pincery bits
Jul 11, 2009
Large winged moth like thing with big pincery bits
This is Arnold, who is larger than the palm of my hand and turned up every night at about 8pm when it was dark and the light was on, and seemed to really like landing on me. The pincery bits don’t appear to be mandibles, and are quite hard to the touch. Arnold brought his wife along one night, and she lacked the pincers. I have never seen anything like this, and would love to know what you think!
Leigh McIvor
Cloud Forest, 2000m.a.s North Western Ecuador
Male Dobsonfly Fly from Ecuador
Hi Leigh,
Arnold is a male Dobsonfly. Though we are uncertain of the exact species in Ecuador, it seems that Dobsonflies from around the world are quite easily identified. Your photo showing the spread wings is quite impressive.
palmetto-like bug with fuzzy antennae
Jul 10, 2009
palmetto-like bug with fuzzy antennae
These interesting critters parked themselves on our door after a rainy day. They were bigger than the roaches we have here in the south. We haven’t seen them since that night. We were wondering what these rare insects are called.
Thanks from Clemson
South Carolina
Tile Horned Prionus
Hi Clemson
This is one of the Root Borers in the genus Prionus, the Tile Horned Prionus, Prionus imbricornis. You may read more about this species and its relatives on BugGuide.
Checkered Beetle, I think
12 July 2009, 9:03 AM
We have lived in Southern California for two years and this is the first time I have ever seen this “bug.” First discovered it in the garage a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was a roach at first, but because of the markings, I decided it wasn’t. A few days later there was one in my bedroom, high up on the wall near the ceiling. This one is on the wall in the dining room; near the back patio door, also high up near the ceiling. My 4 year old son asked, “what kind of bug is that?” I didn’t know, so here we are asking you! Thanks!
Sara and Lane
Coastal Southern California
Eucalyptus Borer
Hi Sara and Lane,
You are the first letter we are posting in over two days. We have been without a computer while Apple transferred data from the old computer to the new one. This is a Eucalyptus Borer in the genus Phoracantha. We believe it is Phoracantha recurva described on the UC Davis Statewide Integrated Pest Management Website as: “mostly cream to yellowish; dark brown areas primarily limited to rear third of elytra”
Giant Moth in Trinidad
Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 12:46 AM
Hi, I found this moth in the rainforest on the north coast in Trinidad. I have not been able to find anything that even resembles it. Can you help me?
Malin
Grande Riviere, Trinidad, W.I.
White Witch
Dear Malin,
We are quite excited to post your photograph. We have received countless identification requests over the years for a related moth known as the Black Witch. Your moth is a White Witch, Thysania agrippina, a species with the distinction of having not only the largest wingspan of any moth on the planet, but of any insect living on the planet. Specimens have been reported that reach 12 inches in wingspan. Fossil dragonflies though are larger and Atlas Moths have a greater surface wing area, but the White Witch can be called the largest living insect if wingspan is the means by which size is determined. The Texas Entomology website has great information as well as numerous links on the White Witch. The metamorphosis of the White Witch was incorrectly documented by the amazing 17th Century artist and naturalist Maria Sibylla Merian in her book “Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium” .
Green spider captured
Wed, Jul 8, 2009 at 2:16 PM
I captured this spider at my wife’s request, it was sitting inside the carport.
Haven’t seen a green one before but have seen brown ones.
Steve
Kearns, utah
probably Running Crab Spider
Hi Steve,
We believe this is a Nursery Web Spider in the family Pisauridae, which includes the Fishing Spiders. These are large spiders and your photo does not indicate scale, nor does your letter provide any indication of the size. We are uncertain of the exact identification, but we do believe the family is correct. Perhaps one of our readers will be able to provide more specific information.
Update from Eric Eaton
Daniel:
Hard to tell, especially without a size being given, but I would suspect this is actually a running crab spider in the genus Tibellus, family Philodromidae. A close-up of the eye arrangement would also be telling…..
Eric
I like This
