Subject: orange bug with black stripped legs
Location: spotsylvania virginia
December 31, 2012 10:52 am
Found on a window screen. Tried search but no luck.
Signature: barbara from virginia

Sycamore Assassin Bug

Hi Barbara,
This is a Sycamore Assassin Bug in the genus Pselliopus and since it is the second individual from the US that we received in the past two days, we suspect there are other Sycamore Assassin Bugs showing up in the area.  The Sycamore Assassin Bug from Tennessee was found in the kitchen sink.  You didn’t clarify if your individual was on the inside looking out or the outside looking in.  According to BugGuide there are three eastern species and they look quite similar.  We don’t feel too confident trying to identify your Sycamore Assassin Bug to the species level.  BugGuide states:  “Adults hibernate under rocks, bark, sometimes in groups” and there is no mention of them trying to hibernate in homes, but through the years, we have gotten enough reports of them being found indoors in the winter that we can make that assumption.  Pselliopus barberi is found in Virginia and according to BugGuide, it “overwinter as adults.”  Another eastern species is   Pselliopus barberi and according to BugGuide, it is:  “Dull orange, marked with black and white, especially legs and antennae (1). Pselliopus cinctus and Pselliopus barberi appear to be the two widespread species in the eastern United States. Dull-orange adults from this area are likely (?) cinctus, and bright orange ones are likely (?) barberi. This guide is being written somewhat provisionally at the species level.”  Based on that information, we are guessing that your individual is most likely Pselliopus barberi.  BugGuide also indicates:  “Adults likely overwinter.”  Since it is the last day of the year and the month, it is time to select a Bug of the Month for January, and since we have had two sightings in two days of Sycamore Assassin Bugs, we have decided to feature your submission as Bug of the Month for January 2013.

Thank you! He was inside. Stinky when I had to squish hIm. No others sited (yet).

Thanks for the clarification Barbara.  This particular species of Assassin Bug did not pose a threat to you or your home, however, many Assassin Bugs deliver a painful bite if carelessly handled.  We cannot recall any incidents of folks writing to us about being bitten by a Sycamore Assassin Bug.

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Ed. Note:  November 30, 2012
If you are lucky enough to live in a warmer climate in North America, you may find Monarch Butterflies or Caterpillars in December.  Monarchs are most likely flying in South America and Central America right now.  This migratory species is one of the most loved of all butterflies and we hope you enjoy these marvelous images of very young Monarch Caterpillars from Hawthorne California that our loyal reader Anna has supplied for us.  Read more about Monarchs on the Nature Works website.  You might also think about planting milkweed in your garden to help support populations of Monarch Butterflies.

Subject: Daniel – Monarch Butterfly Caterpillars
Location: Hawthorne, California
November 26, 2012 4:16 pm
Hi,
Just wanted to update you on the Monarch caterpillars in the back. They’re on to solid food now and it’s much easier to find/photograph them. Hopefully our warm weather holds, as I counted eight this morning in just a few minutes!
Signature: Thanks, Anna Carreon

Early Instar Monarch Caterpillar

Hi Anna,
What did they eat before the “solid food” which we suspect means the leaves of the Mexican milkweed you grow in your garden.  What do they eat after the egg shell.  In Elyria Canyon Park they seem to eat the flowers first and then move to the leaves of Indian Milkweed.  We love your continuing saga on Monarchs.  Have these Monarch hatchlings molted yet, meaning are they first or second instar?

Five or Six Day old Monarch Caterpillar

Updates
Hi Daniel,
They were piercing the seed pods (rather than eating them from the top down as they did last year when they were older), so I can only think that they must have been drinking liquid from the pod(?)  They did eat their egg shells.  I don’t notice them eating the flowers, though.  They went straight from the Mexican milkweed pods to the leaves themselves.  I haven’t yet noticed any molting, but will check later this morning.
Anna

November 28, 2012
Daniel,
I did notice today that they are sprouting antennae.  Hope this is helpful.
Anna

Growing Monarch Caterpillars

Thanks for all the additional information Anna.  We are continuing to update your posting.

Update:  November 29, 2012
Hi Daniel,
It’s a bit wet out this morning, so I did not get a chance to spend as much time out back as in previous days.  Today’s count is four, yesterday’s was 12.  I’ve been watching some videos of Monarch caterpillars molting at You Tube and also some time reading a bit about the different instars.  I think the caterpillars in the photo attached are second instar.  I’m no expert, and it is wet out there, but I think the one on the left may have just molted.  Their antennae are definitely longer today than yesterday when they were just little horns.  Waste not, want not, I’ve read that they eat their old skin.  I’ll check a little later on to see if that bit of junk just below the caterpillar on the left is gone.
Anna

Second Instar Monarch Caterpillars

Thanks Anna,
It is time to make this posting a feature.

Update:  November 30, 2012
Hi Daniel,
Here are today’s photos.  It is wonderful that we finally have some measurable rain, but, as a result, the little guys are hiding out further into the milkweed where I can’t find them.  Only counted five this morning.  Thanks very much for the honoring them with your “Bug of the Month” designation for December 2012!
I haven’t found any concrete evidence of their molting, but will keep looking!
Anna

Monarch Caterpillar

Read More

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Subject: New Bug in town!
Location: Cottonwood, AZ 86326
October 31, 2012 4:36 pm
This is a large (1.5”) shield shaped black body, long red and black legs and antennae, sawtooth long black legs (like a grasshopper). He moves slowly but can walk on glass. Very small head and mouthparts. There are a few other smaller ones around as well.
Signature: Carol Mosier

Giant Agave Bug

Hi Carol,
Since it is the first of the month, it is time for us to select a new Bug of the Month, and your wonderful photo of a Giant Agave Bug, Acanthocephala thomasi, one of the Leaf Footed Bugs or Big Legged Bugs in the family Coreidae, arrived on cue, we are selecting your inquiry as that featured insect.  Many people mistake Leaf Footed Bugs for Stink Bugs, and though they are related, they are in distinct families.  The most commonly requested identification from this family is the Western Conifer Seed Bug, and it was selected as the Bug of the Month in the past.  Many members of this family reach adult size in the autumn months and consequently attract more attention.  In colder climates, many species enter homes to hibernate, but they are not destructive, just cold.  Xenogere has a nice first person encounter documentation of the Giant Agave Bug.

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Subject: is this some kind of tiger moth?
Location: Francestown, NH
September 27, 2012 5:02 pm
Hi, discovered this moth September 8th while pruning some shrubs/trees in a woodland garden. Seems like this character had just ”hatched” and was drying its wings. Amazing that when I put the branch down on the moss, it instinctively worked it’s way to the end of the branch so it could hang in the breeze to dry, it was gone a few minutes later. I searched hundreds of photos with no luck, although shape and some features were close.
Signature: alf

Buck Moth

Hi alf,
Your photo arrived at a very timely moment.  It is the end of the month, and it is time for us to select a new Bug of the Month for October, and your Buck Moth, Hemileuca maia, gets that honor.  Your sighting is also right on time for the Buck Moth’s seasonal appearance.  According to BugGuide they fly “October-November, only to September in north, to December in Florida.”  That coincides with buck hunting season in many parts of the country, hence the common name.  We imagine that Buck Moth are seen flying in the woods when hunters are out trying to bag that trophy.  We frequently post photos of Buck Moth Caterpillars in the summer, but folks should be warned that they have stinging spines.  The Buck Moth Caterpillars feed on the leaves of oak trees.  The Buck Moth genus contains other species, including some that are found in the west, like the Elegant Sheep Moth, but your species has only been reported as far west as Texas, and from Canada in the north to Florida in the south.  Like other members of the Giant Silkmothfamily Saturniidae, Buck Moths have a very short lifespan and they do not feed as adults.  Your photos are positively gorgeous, and they are a marvelous addition to our archive.  As an aside, we have noticed a significant uptick in the number of postings we are making from New Hampshire.  It makes us wonder if there is some reason folks in the Granite State are sending in so many identification requests.

Buck Moth

Hi Daniel, thanks for the emails!  Guess I was looking at the wrong spot in the database.   Wow, bug of the month, if nothing else that will make me post more interesting sightings J
I don’t know if any specific reason for the uptick, but I’m sure more people with digital cameras, and the push for more protected land in the rural areas.  We are lucky in that we are surrounded by 600 acres or so of protected land.
Thanks again
alf

Thanks alf,
The uptick is specifically submissions from New Hampshire which have been arriving in a disproportionate number.  How lucky to have 600 nearby acres of open space.  In our Los Angeles neighborhood, we just got an additional 2 acres of black walnut woodland added to our existing 34 acre park, and that is huge in a city where land with a view commands a premium price.

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