Currently viewing the tag: "Bug Humanitarian Award"
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Sawyer

On · Category: Longhorn Beetles Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: Saved from drowning in cats’ water bowl… what is it?
Location: Orange, VA near Lake Orange
May 31, 2013 6:57 am
Found this morning lying still in pet water dish, May 31, 2013. After drying out on deck rail, it came to life, crawling on my arm. Segmented, very long antennae. Front legs look webbed or clubbed on feet. Has tiny ”hairs” enabling it to stick to anything. Kind of grasshopper like or beetle. Can you tell from my photo what it might be. Location: Orange, VA, piedmont area of central VA. Love your website!
Signature: Janine E

Sawyer

Sawyer

Hi Janine,
This is one of the Sawyers in the genus Monochamus, and the especially long antennae is an indication this is a male.  Sawyers are Longhorned Borer Beetles in the family Cerambycidae.  There is not enough detail in your photo to be certain of the species, but you can browse through BugGuide to try to determine the most likely species.

Thank you, Mr. Marlos, for identifying the bug I found. I will enjoy reading up on the Sawyer or Longhorned Borer Beetles. Could be we have them on our pine trees that were damaged by storms this and last year.
Your quick and timely response is greatly appreciated.
Janine

P.S.  We also tagged you as a Bug Humanitarian.

Thank you. Believe it or not, I am kind to spiders and stink bugs too. When I find them in my house, I catch them and put them outdoors. Insects are interesting critters. My father taught me to appreciate nature, and had a book by Jean-Henri Fabre, a French entomologist and author, that I really enjoyed.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Western Parson Spider

On · Category: Ground Spiders and Ant Mimics Tagged With: · 2 Comments

Subject: Wolf Spider?
Location: Southern California
May 21, 2013 1:03 am
Hi there. I’ve been getting a few of these spiders coming inside for a visit. This most recent one had a bit of yellow to his marking. They all have the pincers that extend from the abdomen. Am guessing they’re wolf spiders, but not sure.
This particular spider was tangled in a mouse glue pad and was easy freed outside once I got his leg free. Thanks for helping identify.
Signature: Kevin

Western Parson Spider

Western Parson Spider

Hi Kevin,
This is a Parson Spider in the genus Herpyllus, and thanks to your letter, we now know that there is both an Eastern Parson Spider and a Western Parson Spider, Herpyllus propinquus.  According to BugGuide:  “H. propinquus is basically identical in appearance to H. ecclesiasticus, and examination of reproductive organs is needed for positive identification.”  What you are referring to as “pincers” are actually spinnerets.  Because of your kindness releasing this hapless Western Parson Spider, we are tagging you as a Bug Humanitarian.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Honey Bee rescued in Portugal

On · Category: Honey Bees Tagged With: · 1 Comment

Subject: A Fair Trade Bee Story — Part 1
Location: Porto, Portugal
May 11, 2013 3:06 am
Olá!
This is very fitting story (as you’ll see from the pics) since today is World Fair Trade Day:

http://www.fairtraderesource.org/wftd/

Last weekend I was woken up by a captive buzzing up against the window. Not a fly but a honey bee! Obviously the poor thing had been inside all night which is a very long time to be away from the hive.
This would not do, so I found a glass and a card to capture her to assist in locating a now open window, but when I returned I could not find her. I thought she must have flown to another window so I looked for her elsewhere, but not to be seen (I did however find a spider who I took pics of in the meantime, coming soon maybe). Upon returning to my room though I spotted her, exhausted on the sill. She had nothing left in her and I was distressed feeling it was somehow my fault for not being more proactive.
What to do, oh what to do?
To be continued…
Signature: Curious Girl

Honey Bee

Honey Bee trapped indoors

Subject: A Fair Trade Bee Story — Part 2
Location: Porto, Portugal
May 11, 2013 3:12 am
As we left the story in the last chapter, the bee was not fit for flying. How could she ever get back to her sisters?
Then I remembered I had bought some amazing local raw honey when I first arrived. I dipped my momentarily handy citrus zester in and waved it under her nose. Showing instant interest, she tucked in to it and soon had perked up quite a bit. It was really adorable to see her excitement and rejuvenation (and her cute pink tongue).
Do notice the Postcard she is resting and snacking on. :)
Within about 10 minutes, off she flew. :)
Signature: Curious Girl

Honey Bee

Honey Bee on Fair Trade Postcard

Dear Curious Girl,
Thanks so much for sending us your Fair Trade Bee Story.  You are being tagged with the Bug Humanitarian Award for your kind treatment of this Honey Bee.  That is our favorite style of zester.

Honey Bee

Honey Bee eats raw honey

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

One Eyed Sphinx from British Columbia, Canada

On · Category: Hummingbird Moths, Sphinx Moths or Hawk Moths Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: Another unusual moth by by back door
Location: Duncan BC
May 5, 2013 9:11 pm
In 2007 a very large moth appeared at my back door, stayed for five days and then disappeared. Two days ago, this one …. about half the size… appeared in the same place. When I look for Vancouver island moths, I see some White Underwing Moths, but this does not seem to be the same.
Signature: Sharon Jackson

One Eyed Sphinx

One Eyed Sphinx

Dear Sharon,
If you disturb this moth and it reveals its underwings with the eyespots, you will understand why it is called a One Eyed Sphinx.  You can read more about the One Eyed Sphinx on the Sphingidae of the Americas website.  Because of your thoughtful sign, we are awarding you with the Bug Humanitarian Award.

One Eyed Sphinx

One Eyed Sphinx

Thank you! Thank you! I am honoured. I thought it had gone this morning, but it is over on the side wall, further away from the door.
Sharon


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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Los Angeles Winds bring down Lady Beetle Larvae

On · Category: Lady Bug Tagged With: , · Add Comment

Subject: It’s Raining Lady Bug Larvae!
Location: Montecito Hts/Rose Hill, CA
April 8, 2013 4:57 pm
Dear Daniel,
As I am sure you are sharing in this windstorm over the hill in Mt. Washington I thought I’d share what it has shaken out of the Black Walnut trees over here on Rose Hill.
I believe them to be Seven-spotted Lady Beetle (according to Bug Guide) http://bugguide.net/node/view/640308 and they are EVERYWHERE by the hundreds.
These are the few I started picking up quickly as I thought my chickens would ravage them but I soon realized they were not interested. Maybe they already ate their fill(?) or they don’t like the taste is what I am thinking.
In any event, I thought I’d share what the wind blew down – and yes, these individuals were relocated to the chicken free zone just in case.
Kind Regards
Signature: joAnn

Lady Beetle Larvae rain down!!!

Lady Beetle Larvae rain down!!!

Hi joAnn,
Alas, we were away from our home office and working in Hollywood during the bulk of the storm where the only thing raining down seemed to be palm fronds.  These do look like Seven Spotted Lady Beetle Larvae and we are curious why there were so many in the black walnuts.  We did find some Scale Insects on one of our own black walnut trees some time back, and we wonder if they might be feeding on scale.  Thanks for submitting this fascinating account and your photos.  We are tagging you as a Bug Humanitarian as well.  We also learned that our Mount Washington Weather Station anemometer failed to report wind speeds recently and that is how we knew we had a record 101 MPH wind blast on our hill in December 2011.

Seven Spotted Lady Beetle Larvae

Seven Spotted Lady Beetle Larvae

Hi Daniel,
Thank you for the email. I hadn’t read my Twitter feed so I didn’t know there was a response.
As far as what they are feeding on – I can say with certainty that my trees are full of green aphids. I had noticed last week that every time I went under my trees a few would manage to fall on me. Then again, this year I seem to have exponential numbers of everything seeing as it’s also been raining wooly bears.
I too have scale insects on one particular succulent (cotton scale) and in hopes that these lady bug larvae would lend a hand I released the lot of them there. No luck. They moved on.
I found more this evening but not in such great numbers as yesterday.
I don’t think the winds made it anywhere near what they were in 2011 – wow, 101MPH?? Yikes!
Best,
joAnn


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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Caterpillar Swarms from Cyprus are Web Building Teddy Bears

On · Category: Woolly Bears Tagged With: · 2 Comments

Subject: Caterpillars
Location: Limassol, Cyprus
April 7, 2013 1:45 am
I live in Cyprus where every year, around March, large clumps of black, furry, caterpillars appear in the lawn. They originate in web like stuff about 6-8 inches across. They hatch and stay in a pack until they are about an inch long and then they spread out and go their own separate way.
They are always confused with processionary caterpillars but they are not them. They do not start in a tree and they do not walk in a prcession but they are a similar size and colour. i want to try to educate people that these ones are harmless and stop people from killing them on mass because they fear for their animals etc.
Signature: Helen Coombes

Caterpillars

Caterpillars:  Web-Building Teddy Bears

Dear Helen,
We will attempt to research the identity of your Caterpillars, but for now, the best we can do is this YouTube video on massing Caterpillars from Cyprus.

Caterpillar Mass

Caterpillar Mass

Perhaps one of our readers will be able to assist with this identification.  We are also tagging your submission with the Bug Humanitarian Award for your efforts in education your neighbors.

Caterpillar Swarm

Caterpillar Swarm

Update:
Thanks to Ben from Israel who identified these Web Building Teddy Bears as Ocnogyna loewii.  The moth is pictured on the Greek Butterflies and Moths Team website.


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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Scorpion kept in Captivity

On · Category: Scorpions, Whipscorpions and Vinegaroons Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: Larry
Location: San Diego, CA
March 20, 2013 11:57 am
Around 2am, our roommate woke my boyfriend up quite frenzied about a certain scorpion traveling across the living room floor. He didn’t understand what the big deal was and covered it with a plastic bowl and went back to sleep. The next morning we created a small habitat from my old betta tank and there he(?) is to this day, larger and seemingly quite happy, as you can see by the cricket he munching on. Can you enlighten us as to what type of scorpion it is? He has grown significantly since we first met and gave him a home :)
Signature: Adoptive Parents

Scorpion

Scorpion

Dear Adoptive Parents,
We believe your Scorpion is in the genus Vaejovis, and you can read more about them on BugGuide.  We are tagging your posting with the Bug Humanitarian Award for your kindness to the lower beasts.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Soldier Beetle Larva rescued from Chickens

On · Category: Soldier Beetles Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: Velvety Caterpillar With a Heart
Location: Rose Hill/Montecito Hts, CA
March 8, 2013 11:51 am
Hi Daniel,
While I have quite a few images I want to send you of many insects I can’t identify I am especially excited to send you this one.
I found him (her?) this morning as I moved my chicken’s snack dish on the ground. I am proud to say that I managed to save this startled soul and fend off four very hungry girls while I whisked him to the safety of my kitchen floor for a photo shoot.
Now this is a fast little bugger – and probably for good reason. I usually find his kind in and around the chicken coop under hay , boards & dishes. More often than not a watchful eye & hungry beak snap them up before I can intervene… they are approximately an inch in length and their heads about the size of a millet seed.
As I type this I am hit with a thought: Soldier Beetle? Yes! I do believe this is a soldier beetle larvae with a lovely heart on it’s back. Can you confirm?
If it’s a soldier beetle it certainly explains their lessening numbers in my back yard since I got the chickens!
Thank you in advance.
PS after the photo shoot I released him into a flower pot on my front porch in a chicken-free zone.
Signature: joAnn

Soldier Beetle Larva

Soldier Beetle Larva

Hi joAnn,
When we first looked at the thumbnail of this creature rolled in a ball, we thought it looked like a Cutworm, which often roll into a ball like this image from BugGuide, and we thought we were going to have to write back to you that you should not have saved if from the chickens if you value your tender garden plants, however, upon seeing the higher resolution images, we agree that this looks like a Soldier Beetle larva based on photos posted in our archive as well as to BugGuide and to pBase.  Considering your location near our own offices, this Soldier Beetle Larva is most likely that of the Brown Leatherwing, Pacificanthia consors, a species common in our own yard in the spring.  We are tagging this posting with the Bug Humanitarian Award because of your kindness to the lower beasts.

Soldier Beetle Larva

Soldier Beetle Larva

Subject: Velvet Caterpillar Pt 2
Location: Rose Hill/Montecito Hts, CA
March 8, 2013 11:57 am
Hi Daniel,
I realize that I sent you the wrong image – well, they are all images of what I believe is the soldier beetle larvae, but this on in particular has the heart visible.
Best,
Signature: joAnn

Soldier Beetle Larva

Soldier Beetle Larva

Thanks joAnn,
We had already lightened your previous photos and the marking you mentioned is visible, but we will include this image as well.

Hi Daniel,
This is a long overdue email. Life & work got in the way keeping me from a timely response.
Thank you for taking the time to help identify my “velvet caterpillar” I haven’t seen many more of them but I am hopeful that I will still have plenty of beetles later on in the season.
My yard has now moved on to host the latest caterpillar du jour, wooly bears! I will enjoy them while they last :)
I love your site and go through it every chance I get.
Kind regards,
joAnn


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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination