Currently viewing the tag: "buggy accessories"
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Burying Beetle

On · Category: Carrion Beetles Tagged With: · 2 Comments

Subject: Big huge bug!!
Location: Outside @ Walgreens
May 17, 2013 4:01 pm
I saw this big ol’ bug outside of Walgreens in Minnesota. I’ve never seen one before! It was huge! Probably a little more than an inch long, and moving pretty slowly. I took a picture with my foot for size comparison but I didn’t want to get too close in case it decided to crawl on me…
Signature: Leslie

Sexton Beetle

Sexton Beetle

Hi Leslie,
This is a Burying Beetle or Sexton Beetle in the genus Nicrophorus, but we cannot say for certain which species it is.  Perhaps one of our readers can provide some suggestions.  Sexton Beetles often work in pairs to bury small, dead animals.  Eggs are laid on the putrifying flesh and the adults help to guard the growing brood.  More information on Sexton Beetles as well as photos of many North American species are posted on BugGuide.  We actually think this Sexton Beetle would look lovely crawling on your stylish footwear.  Because we occasionally get images of insects that contribute to fashion statements, we created a Buggy Accessories tag that we hope our readers find amusing.  Though we would have to imagine this Sexton Beetle accessorizing your fashionable running shoes, it isn’t too difficult as our staff has such vivid imaginations, so we are taking the liberty of tagging your post as a Buggy Accessory.

Sexton Beetle

Sexton Beetle

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Bug On Thumb: A reader begins her own Bug Blog

On · Category: Stink Bugs and Shield Bugs Tagged With: · 1 Comment

Hello Friends and Insect Enthusiasts,
After much hemming and hawing and per the requests of many of you, I’ve finally put together the beginnings of an insect blog. Wooohoo! It’s not much yet, but I hope to grow it over the years.
It’s called BugonthumB and can be found here: bugonthumb.tumblr.com
The name: I was going through my insect photos one day and realized that a lot of them are of insects perched on my thumb, the nail of which is often painted a bright shade of pink or blue or yellow. Nothing, I think, accessories like a frog-legged beetle.
Anyway, I’m poking you guys first because I know you have an interest in science and nature, are as obsessed with spiders and their kin as I am, OR are terrified of spiders and their kin (you know who you are)–in which case, I want this blog to help change your mind.
I’m also kicking the blog off with a “Big Bug Week” in Taiwan, during which time I will travel around Taiwan trying to find and photograph as many insects as I can in seven days. There is more information about this trip, including a list of rules, on the blog. Please check it out as I leave for Formosa tomorrow and will start posting tomorrow night!
When it comes to personal blogging, I am a beginner, and so I would love your feedback and advice.
And please continue to send me interesting arthropod-related stories, links, photos, etc. so I can post them.
I hope everyone is well and is starting to see the beginnings of spring, which of course means bugs.
Your humble bug wrangler,
Marian Lyman Kirst

Bug on Marian's Thumb

Bug on Marian’s Thumb

How exciting Marian.  What’s That Bug? is happy to promote your new blog.  We are accompanying this posting with a photo of a Shield Bug on your Thumb that you submitted to us last year.  We still get comments and positive feedback on the article you wrote about Daniel in High Country News.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Shield Bug from China

On · Category: Stink Bugs and Shield Bugs Tagged With: · Add Comment

Back to the future bug
Location:  Yunnan, China
December 4, 2012
Hello Bugman!
I encountered this fabulous neon hemipteran while doing a Habitat build in Yunnan, China near Pu’er. My guess was it’s some kind of shield bug but wanted your expert opinion and maybe a species name. I feel like it should be something like Cyndii lauperesqueae.
Cheers!
Marian Lyman Kirst

Shield Bug is a nice Insect Accessory

Dear Marian,
We agree that this is a Shield Bug, but our initial internet search did not turn up any matches.  Perhaps one of our readers will be able to assist in a species identification.  We are obsessed with the complimentary color scheme of your nail polish and the Shield Bug, so we have tagged this posting as a Buggy Accessory.  In the future, please use our standard submission form as it makes our posting life so much easier.

Possible Identification Courtesy of Karl
December 14, 2012
Hi Daniel and Marian:
This one may be a toss-up. I thought I had it when I came across several photos of Poecilocoris sp. and Poecilocoris rufigenis that appeared to be a close match. Further digging, however, turned up numerous images of the Giant Jewel Bug (Eucorysses grandis) that looked just as good. The latter species is wide spread in Asia, occurring in at least Japan, China, Taiwan, Thailand, India and Java. I believe Eucorysses grandis is the currently accepted name but it also shows up under the synonyms Cimex grandis and Chrysocoris grandis. If I had to choose I would probably go with Eucorysses grandis as the correct identification, but I can’t be certain. Regards.  Karl

Thanks for the research Karl.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Best Insect Accessory: Tiger Moth

On · Category: Tiger Moths and Arctiids Tagged With: · 5 Comments

Subject: weird moth
Location: Athol, Massachusetts
July 11, 2012 7:34 pm
found this moth today in my yard. I’ve lived here for 30+ yrs and never saw one this color before. I found one on the web that identifid it as a Mexican Tiger Moth and they’re from the west but Im in Massachusetts so now Im confused. Mabey you can help.
Signature: Thank You, Danielle

Tiger Moth

Dear Danielle,
Your photo is the third to get posted in the past two days that has a gorgeous moth on a beautiful hand.  It has prompted us to create a new category:  Buggy Accessories.  So readers, vote which is the most beautiful photograph of an insect accessory.  Which would you most like to sport in public?  Post a comment.  Is it this Imperial Moth?  Is it this newly metamorphosed Sphinx Moth?  Is it this Virgin Tiger Moth on Danielle’s hand?

This is a Tiger Moth in the genus, Grammia, and the Virgin Tiger Moth, Grammia virgo, looks close, lives in your area and has a great common name.  See BugGuide for some images and information.  This is such a fun photo to promote National Moth Week.

 

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Imperial Moth

On · Category: Giant Silk Moths Tagged With: , · Add Comment

Subject: Daniel…1 more for a cold beer! hehe
Location: N. Mississippi outside of Memphis, TN.
July 11, 2012 10:09 am
Hey again!
I looked on the site for this last ID. She/he was HUGE! Some kids were going to kill it on the gas pump. I threatened them within an inch of their life and gently allowed ”her” to crawl up on my hand. I got back to the car, and she rode on my thigh (had shorts on) all the way home. I then took her to a woody area behind the house and hid her in the bushes till she decided to fly away on her own. She was absolutely MAGNIFICIENT!
Thanks for the help!
Signature: Stephanie Berry

Imperial Moth

Hi again Stephanie,
This is the second photo we have posted in the past 24 hours of a lovely insect accessory.  The first was of a Sphinx Moth.  This is an Imperial Moth and we believe she is a female.  According to BugGuide:  “Adult: wings yellow, variably spotted and shaded with pinkish, orangish, or purplish-brown; male more heavily marked than female, especially in the south.”  Your individual is intermediate in coloration, so it could be a dark female or a light male.  Too bad the antennae are not visible as that helps to determine sex.  We also want to commend you on the dramatic rescue of this harmless Imperial Moth from a gang of ruffians at the gas station.  For that you are getting tagged with the Bug Humanitarian Award for folks who go out of their way to assist insects and other arthropods that are in imminent peril or who contribute in a positive way to habitat for the lower beasts.

You made my bug day!!!!  They call me Ellie Mae Clampett because I rescue everything whether its wants to be rescued or not!  LoL.
I’ll have the Corona with lime waiting on you!  Hehe
Steph

 

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Newly Emerged Sphinx Moth NOT Laurel Sphinx

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

Subject: Do you know what this is?
Location: Brant Lake, NY 12815
July 8, 2012 10:51 pm
Bugman,
We found this bug and Don’t know what it is.
It was found on the Beach in Brant Lake, NY 12815
Thanks
Signature: Eric

Newly Emerged Sphinx Moth

Hi Eric,
This newly metamorphosed Sphinx Moth or Hawkmoth might be an even more decorative accessory than the rock on the young lady’s finger.  We believe this might be a Laurel Sphinx based on photos on the Sphingidae of the Americas website, however, since the wings are not fully expanded, we cannot be certain.  We will try to check with Bill Oehlke to see if he can confirm that identification.

Dan,
Thanks for the Info
I think she likes the ring better…lol
Eric

Bill Oehlke Cannot Confirm nor Refute
August 20, 2012
Daniel,
Sorry for delay.
I am getting caught up now with correspondence.
I do not think it is a Laurel Sphinx, but there are several other
possibilities so I cannot make a determination.
Wing colouration is wrong for kalmiae.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Unidentified Caterpillar

On · Category: Cutworms and Owlet Caterpillars Tagged With: , · Add Comment

Interesting caterpillar
Location: Orange, California
February 7, 2011 3:15 am
I was outside today gardening and hanging out with my cats when I saw this caterpillar in the garden. At first I thought nothing of it because I rarely see caterpillars in my garden on grass growing between bricks and I didn’t think it was one because of the shape and where it was. (I’m not sure where it came from because we had been cutting, trimming and removing plants from our garden.) But I went back and to my surprise it had a fat head/neck. And on further inspection It was black with yellow stripes. And small little yellow spots. It kind of reminded me of an army worm but I don’t think it is because of the body/head shape and plus it was so small. I took it to my butterfly bush and hope to see if I can find it tomorrow.
Signature: Samantha

Unknown Caterpillar

Hi Samantha,
We tried browsing through the Cutworms in the very large subfamily Noctuinae on BugGuide to no avail.  We are so amused by your photos that we are posting them in the hope that one of our readers may eventually supply us with a species identification.  Your Caterpillar makes an interesting fashion accessory.

Followup Query
June 5, 2011 2:08 am
Hi, I sent these pics to you in feburary and was wondering if you got any information on them? I’m still interested in knowing what kind of caterpillar this is. Thank you..
Samantha

Hi Samantha,
We did not have any luck in our initial attempt to identify this caterpillar, and unfortunately, none of our readers ever supplied us with an identification.  Sorry to disappoint you.  Sometimes identifications eventually happen months or years after the initial posting.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Polyphemus Moth

On · Category: Giant Silk Moths Tagged With: · Add Comment

Polyphemus Moth
Hello,
We love your site! Last year we discovered you when looking for a bug that bit my daughter down in Florida – it was a giant water bug. This time (in April) my daughter found a moth – I think it’s Polyphemus Moth. It is huge, at least 5″ or 5.5″ wingspan. The “eyes” on the wings are not holes, but clear circles (they reflect light). I think I have some better pictures, and I’d love to share them with you. You can use them. In one of them it sits on my daughter’s wrist, in the other, in a big coffee tin. I forgot to say: we are in Maryland, withing the Washington, D.C.Beltway.
Thanks!
Marina and daughter Lena (8)

Hi Marina,
Thank you for the photo and wonderful letter.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination