crazy looking bug
Location: atlanta georgia
August 24, 2011 10:57 am
On a rainy summer day in Georgia, I find two of these fast flying bugs in my car. The other was larger than this, but I managed to get it to fly out a window.
Signature: dj
Robber Fly
Hi dj,
Crazy Bug? What about the crazy photo. It is truly an awesome photo of a Robber Fly.
Black and Yellow Bug
Location: Millbrae, CA
August 23, 2011 5:45 pm
Hello,
I found this guy hanging out under the sunny part of my bathroom closet door. It was yesterday, at Millbrae, CA (94030). I can’t figure out what this is. It moved really really super fast like a silver fish does. Its underside was white with a lot of tiny parallel segments. It’s very mysterious, I’ve never seen it before. I thought it was going to move like a lady bug but it did not. It also has long skinny black legs and antenna. What is this? And did he travel here from a flower? Or is from this area? Never seen it in my life.
Thank you! -Crystal
Signature: Crystal
Cockroach
Hi Crystal,
We will identify this Cockroach in the morning. We really love your photo which would be an excellent image if we ever do another calendar.
PS. I think that two long antennas were actually coming from his butt side. As you can see, he has a small head and smaller antenna on the other side. When I caught him with my insect looker, he moved forward from the side that is opposite of those 2 really long antennas you see up top.
Crystal
Hi Crystal,
Your Cockroach is Phyllodromica trivittata, and BugGuide provides some interesting information, beginning with: “Recently introduced into California, apparently now in Marin, Petaluma and Cotati” and “Reports of high abundance both indoors and outdoors make it likely that reproduction is occurring outdoors with subsequent invasion of nearby structures. As this species adapts to this new environment, studies will need to be conducted to confirm this.” Here is a final remark regarding its origins: “Known from dry habitats around the Mediterranean. It has been recorded from Morocco; Algeria; Spain; Italy (Sardinia Island); Italy (Sicily); Libya; and Israel. Given that it has not been recorded as being a pest in buildings in those countries (as far as I’m aware) it is unlikely to invade buildings in the USA. Comment by George Beccaloni (The Natural History Museum, London, UK).” The head is actually on the side with the long antennae. The shorter appendages are known as cerci and BugGuide has a nice definition of them.
Thank you for identifying this mysterious creature… but cockroach does make sense, especially its swiftness, its one piece body – which eliminated the cucumber beetle idea, its cerci, and its non-beetle looking underside… it’s a pretty cockroach. But the idea that it’s a cockroach is kind of creepy, especially because its American cousin is a pest. 
Thanks again!
-Crystal
July 18, 2011
WE just realized Outpost for the Arts is still selling What’s That Bug? calendars for 2006. There are only 7 possible date configurations of calendars in regular years, and 7 more for leap years, and the 2006 calendar will be fully functional again in 2017, just six short years away. Buy this limited edition calendar before it is sold out.
CLICK TO ENLARGE What's That Bug? 2006/2017/2023 Calendar
Can you please identify this?
Location: Toronto Ontario Canada
July 7, 2011 8:27 pm
Hi Bugman. I have seen three of these in the past three years in Toronto Ontario Canada in the summer months. Do you know what it is? It looks like a spider but has 6 legs… it also looks like a piece of fluff but has antenna and a jerky walking style. I found one in my house in the basement, one outside on the back deck, and one in someone else’s house across town. It is about 1/4” long. I am really curious!
Signature: Ian
Masked Hunter and Shadow
Hi Ian,
We have always believed that if there is going to be text in a photo, it should count. Your use of the word “Umbra” is poetic. This is a Masked Hunter, a species of Assassin Bug with a sticky body. Dust and debris clings to the immature Masked Hunter and very effectively camouflages it in its environment. Masked Hunters are frequently associated with human dwellings and they are rumored to relish Bed Bugs, hence a common name Masked Bed Bug Hunter. If we ever did another calendar, your photo would be a strong contender both because it is an awesome photo, but also because we receive so many identification requests for Masked Hunters.
Cool alien looking bug
Location: Lewes, DE
June 23, 2011 11:35 am
I found this bug on a mailbox (exactly where the picture shows it) and when I slammed the lid open and shut again it hadn’t moved a bit, so I know it has a good grip, but I was scared of being stung or bitten. Are these bugs dangerous?
Signature: Sherry
Immature Wheel Bug
Dear Sherry,
This predatory immature Wheel Bug has piercing and sucking mouthparts. It is capable of biting if it is carelessly handled, though we rarely get reports of people being bitten by Wheel Bugs. The bite is reported to be painful, but not dangerous.
1
What is this bug?
Location: Brookings, SD
June 22, 2011 9:20 pm
I have only found a couple of these bugs in my house but there may be a lot more that I am not noticing due to their tiny size. What is it? Is it harmful to my house or anything? Thank you.
Signature: Chris Williams
Pseudoscorpion
Dear Chris,
We absolutely love your photo of a Pseudoscorpion. It is a beneficial predator that will not harm you or your home. It has no venom.
this bug is the first like it i have ever seen.
Location: texas
June 21, 2011 12:13 am
I found this bug in my kitchen sink. It makes a loud chirp/ squeal. I live on a lake in south Texas. It has visible eyes and its front legs look like it uses them to eat.
Signature: Jeanette Stockman
Toe-Biter
Hi Jeanette,
We love your photo. This is a Giant Water Bug and it is also commonly called a Toe-Biter. Though it is an aquatic insect, we doubt that it was attracted to your sink as a water source, and it is also not interested in food scraps as it is a very proficient predator. Another common name for the Giant Water Bug is Electric Light Bug, and we believe it was probably attracted to a light over the sink.
I like This
