Banded Netwing Beetles
Now I’m pretty sure I have identified these correct as Banded Netwing Beetles, but what I’m wondering is what’s up with the ménage à trois? At least that’s what I thought at first, but upon closer inspection, it seems as if the third one (on the right) is dead? (maybe?) The location is Lakeview, MI. It’s just north of Greenville. \Thanks again! I have a few more I will be sending, ones I need help identifying 
Erica Carranco
Hi Erica,
We don’t believe the “third wheel” Banded Netwing Beetle is dead, just waiting on the sidelines. Competition for a desireable mate is as fierce in the insect world as it is among humans.
¶ Posted 02 September 2008 § Beetles ‡ ° Also tagged: (08/29/2008) Golden-Silk Spider Eating Large Dragonfly – Palm Beach County – Florida
Hello Purveyors of Bug Identifications,
First – thanks for providing such an educational website. I use it quite a bit while working for the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management. We oversee the protection of thousands of acres of wildlands and one of my numerous jobs is to create trail guides/publications for these properties. This means I need to know what sorts of creatures roam the woodlands – and since I work in the warm, wet climate of South Florida, that means lots of bugs! I am sending you a picture of a female golden-silk spider enjoying a light repast of dragonfly. This photos was taken at the Delray Oaks Natural Area in Delray Beach, Florida. Note, I believe the small spider in the upper right corner is a male. He seems to be waiting his turn at the dinner table – probably smart considering the huge size discrepancy between the two. If he is not careful, he may be dessert! Keep up the great work!
Ann Mathews
Senior Environmental Analyst
Palm Beach County
Hi Ann,
Your letter came at the perfect time to be selected as the Bug of the Month for September as well as being cross referenced in the Food Chain and Bug Love. Golden Silk Spiders, Nephila clavipes, have pronounced sexual dimorphism, with the female sometime being 100 times the mass of the diminutive male. Golden Silk Spiders have extremely strong silk, and attempts have been made to use it for fabric, but this is far too expensive to be practical. Golden Silk Spiders are also called Banana Spiders and can be found in the southeastern US and south all the way to Argentina.
Anxious Comment
OK, this is just sad
I’m anxiously awaiting the September Bug of the Month…does that mean I’m addicted?
Misty Doy
Hi Misty,
We usually post the new Bug of the Month on the last day of the month even if we have selected it a few days earlier. It will be live shortly.
pic of some Emesinae assassin bugs mating
Not sure of what the exact species is, but its in Emesinae I’m sure. Found it while out camping Red River Gorge in Kentucky. I run an indoor butterfly garden in NY state, so if you ever would like help IDing some of the random tropical butterflies, let me know, I’d be glad to help you. Thanks,
Tad Yankoski
Entomologist
Strong National Museum of Play
www.museumofplay.org
tyankoski@museumofplay.org
Hi Tad,
If you are unsure what species these mating Thread-Legged Assassin Bugs are, we aren’t even going to venture a guess. The photo sure is a jumble of thread legs. Perhaps we will take you up on your tropical butterfly identification offer next time we are in a bind.
Moth Mates
Hello,
I saw a bunch of these bright moths swarming the garage at work. This picture was taken in July. These guys were hanging from a roof. I imagine the little one is the male? Thanks,
Katie
Benton Harbor, MI
Hi Katie,
These are mating Oakworm Moths in the genus Anisota. The World’s Largest Saturniidae Site lists three members of the genus in Michigan and they can be difficult to tell apart. We believe these are either Anisota senatoria, the Orange-Tipped Oakworm Moth or Anisota virginiensis, the Pink-Striped Oakworm Moth. More information on this genus can be located on BugGuide. Yes, the smaller darker moth is the male.
Mating Colias Butterflies and a not-so-Common Wood Nymph
Hi Bugman,
Thanks for your great site! You’ve helped me identify lots of critters through your pictures and links from my yard here in Western PA, east of Pittsburgh. I sent you two pictures of mating Colias Butterflies and one picture of a very elusive guest that had me stumped both by its appearance and behavior. The Common Wood Nymph would not let me get near enough to take a good picture. As I approached it would flit away and hide on the underside of a downspout out of range. As I moved away, it would return to the flowers. It did this five or six times, finally flitting to a large white pine and hiding itself thoroughly on the underside of a branch. I could see the eye spots, but there was no way that I had the equipment to take the photo. If I left and took my eyes off the thing, I’d never find it again. I have lived in this area most of my life and have never seen this distinctive butterfly. How common are they really? Or are they just “common” elsewhere than here? Thanks for all your help!
MPK
Hi MPK,
We believe your mating Sulphur Butterflies are Clouded Sulphurs, Colias philodice, but it is possible they are another species in the genus. Wood Nymphs, like many butterflies, may be very numerous in one area, and a mile away they may never be seen. Insects often have very localized populations.
What is this?
Hope you can help…I have a number of these bugs crawling all over my shagbark hickory. Are they dangerous to the hickory? We are in south eastern Michigan. I would swear that they have five pairs of legs….or are they very thin wings? I didn’t see any flying around, but I didn’t watch for long. Hopefully you can help me identify them. Thanks,
Paul
hi Paul,
Your beetle also has two heads, because it is a mating pair. These are Long Horned Borer Beetles and we believe they are in the genus Neoclytus, probably Neoclytus mucronatus or Neoclytus scutellaris. According to BugGuide, Neoclytus mucronatus will feed on dead or dying hickory, but BugGuide also lists hickory as a food for Neoclytus scutellaris. We will contact Eric Eaton to see if he can be more conclusive.
Warf Borer Love!
Ha! I think I got one that you don’t have…maybe… Well, at least not on your buglove pages 
And just for kicks, a seven spotted lady beetle. All taken in Cayuga Ontario.
Cheryl-Anne Miller
Hi Cheryl-Anne,
We do have a single image of a Warf Borer sent in 2005 and posted on Beetles 3, so the species is under-represented on our site. Your photo of a mating pair is a welcome addition. The Warf Borer, Nacerdes melanura, according to BugGuide, was: “Introduced from Europe. They have been found in wharf timbers between flooding and the high water level, especially which were in badly decayed, well-riddled wood. A severe infestation occurred in greenhouse benches in Ohio. Annual swarming of adult beetles, especially into new structures, can disrupt business operations and annoy homeowners and apartment tenants.” BugGuide also indicates: “Beetles mate in rotten wood kept moist and deposit eggs, which hatch into larvae. Pupation and adulthood follow. The life cycle from egg to adult is usually completed in one year, but in cooler climates, several years may be required to reach adulthood.” We have noticed that you have sent us multiple emails with numerous images. More than one species per letter makes archiving letters much more difficult. Once we attend to the countless other emails we have received, we will return to your communiques to see if any other images will be posted. Thanks for your contribution.
Ailanthus Webworms Mating Photo
Hi there, I just recently found your site and have found it quite helpful! I was going to submit the attached picture for identification, but, I found the bug on the site. However, I wanted to send the photo anyway because it’s a great picture of 2 Ailanthus Webworms mating and thought you may like to add it to your photos. If not, that’s cool, but I thought I’d send it just in case. I’m in Missouri and these bugs are all over the place. I assume it must have something to do with the insane amount of *annoying* Ailanthus trees we have surrounding our house? Hope you find the pic useful! Sincerely,
Sara B.
Hi Sara,
Your photo of mating Ailanthus Webworms is beautiful. We get so many requests for the identification of this species and we have numerous photos in our archives, but your photo is the only mating image we have received. Despite the frequency of sightings of Ailanthus Webworms, their presence seems to be doing nothing to control the scourge of the incredibly invasive Ailanthus tree which has been infiltrating natural forests from coast to coast. We expect that one day it may be the only tree known to mankind.
¶ Posted 13 August 2008 § Moths ‡ ° Also tagged: 
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