is this a yellowjacket?
November 13, 2009
this fellow chomping on some tasty pears i thought was a really nice looking creature, i’m still not sure what he is, a wasp, yellow jacket, got me.
Danny Tincher
london, ky
European Hornet
Hi DAnny,
This behemoth is a European Hornet or Giant Hornet, Vespa crabro, an introduced species that potentially is cause for concern as an invasive species.
orange and black moth in maryland
November 2, 2009
I have liven in Maryland my entire life and have not seen this guy before. there were several dozen flying around the house on halloween and they were gone the next day. I never saw one land but when i forced one to the ground it did not move and i was able to pick it up and hold it without it trying to fly away. it did not try to fly when i set it on the ground or an elevated point, i had to toss it in the air and then it flew just as it had been. the abdomen has several black spots around pores but no hair, the head is black and the wings are black near the body and transparent at the tips.
Richard
Pasadena Maryland
Leaf Skeletonizer Moth
Hi Richard,
WE were very puzzled by another letter we received yesterday with images. It seems this is an introduced species of Leaf Skeletonizer Moth, Pryeria sinica. You can read about it on the Invasive Species of Concern in Maryland website. The website indicates: “In April and May of both 2001 and 2002, a homeowner in the City of Fairfax, Fairfax County, Virginia, noticed a large infestation of larvae on her ornamental Euonymus (Celastraceae); the larvae were causing significant defoliation of the plants. In May 2002, several larval specimens were sent to the Insect Identification Lab, Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, Virginia for identification. The entomologist there (Eric Day) reared the larvae to adults, which emerged in November. Additional adults were collected at the Fairfax site in December 2002 and submitted to the Insect Identification Lab. Eric forwarded the adults to John Brown at the USDA Systematic Entomological Laboratory (SEL) in March 2003. Based on the available literature, comparison with specimens in the collection of the National Museum of Natural History, and consultation with Dr. Marc Epstein, the specimens were identified as Pryeria sinica Moore (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae), which previously is unreported from the United States.”
What is this Orange, Yellow, Black bug?
October 31, 2009
Flying insect found in Anne Arundel County, MD. Size =0.75 inch. Wing span compact (delta shape) about 1.25 inches when extended. Dark wing veins. Head and feet black. Abdomen yellow/orange and appears “fuzzy”.
Currently swarming. Swarms appear to be mating and are found on top branches of euonymus bushes (our Burning Bush was decimated by caterpillars this spring, could this be the same insect?). Never seen this variety of bug in past 12 years in this area.
Peter
Anne Arundel County, MD 21146
Unknown Sawfly? or Moth???: Leaf Skeletonizer Moth
Hi Peter,
We really wish your photograph was of a higher resolution as it is impossible to make out any details on your infestation. We found information on a Euonymus Caterpillar, Yponomeuta cagnagella, but the photos of the moths on BugGuide look nothing like your insect. We also located a pdf (euonymus_A3633) on the same species. We believe your insects look like Sawflies, but again, there isn’t much detail. We have not had any success locating information on a Sawfly that uses Euonymus as a host plant. If there was a caterpillar invasion in the spring, and sawfly larvae are often confused for caterpillars, we suspect these adults might be related. We would not rule out moths, but we suspect these are Sawflies. Perhaps one of our readers will be able to assist in a proper identification.
Unknown Sawfly? or Moth???: Leaf Skeletonizer Moth
Eric Eaton Responds:
Oh, man….My first thought is “aphids,” actually, or maybe psyllids? Might try sending this to the Ent Dept. at University of Maryland in College Park. They will probably recognize it right off….
Eric
Leaf Skeletonizer Moth Perhaps
Our identification request:
Dear Drs. Mitter, Kent and/or Hawthorne,
My name is Daniel Marlos and I run the highly unscientific, pop culture, insect identification website What’s That Bug? at www.whatsthatbug.com on the web. Today I received an image from Maryland that has me perplexed. I thought perhaps a sawfly or even a moth like a Bagworm. Eric Eaton has suggested possibly an Aphid or a Psyllid. The insect is swarming on Euonymus and there were caterpillars on the same plant in the spring. Can anyone provide an identification? I realize the photo is of very low resolution.
Thanks for your time. Here is a link to the posting: http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2009/11/02/sawfly-on-euonymus-we-believe/
Daniel Marlos
Leaf Skeletonizer Moths Maybe
Daniel,
Thanks for the reply. I’ll have to work on getting a camera that can do close-ups. I looked at the sawfly photos on Google images- not even close. The bugs in my yard have dark heads (black) and fuzzy (furry) bodies. No saw extending out the back of abdomen.
The antenna are very long and branching like those of a moth.
The head and legs are black. The wings translucent with black veins and a black hue. The abdomen is bright yellow-orange and fuzzy.
I’ve tried to take some additional photos (bugs out side are rather sluggish in the cool weather), but I still lack close-up lens to really get detail. I’ll send these in separate e-mails since they are rather large.
Look forward any further thoughts you may have. They are a very unusual and quiet beautiful bug….
Peter
Leaf Skeletonizer Moth on Euonymus
Thanks Peter,
The new photos are so much better.
Identified by Edna
NAKED see this
now that i have your attention..here is a link to those things you wanted to know what are from anne arundal county,,,that eric eaton thought could be aphids
they are something new! an introduced species of leaf skeletonizer moths..
http://bugguide.net/node/view/155100#205755
also would you like some photos of the sequoie sphinx larve, or a nice shot of elegant sphinx larve , ash sphinx for your sphinx pages? if so let me know..
Edna
Not a lady bug
October 28, 2009
We have a bug SWARMING our house in Stillwater NJ. It kind of looks like a lady bug. They get through the smallest openings and there are thousands outside and hundreds getting inside. We have heard that they are everywhere in this area now (late October). Can you tell me what they are and how to keep them out of the house?
KayJayW
Northwest NJ
Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle
Dear KayJayW,
These are Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles, Harmonia axyridis, an invasive introduced species that often invades homes in multitudes to escape the cold weather. It is a beneficial species in its own environment in its native Asia, but as an introduced species, it has many problematic characteristics. If it was possible to overlook the home invasion, the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles are considered largely responsible for the decline in numbers of native species of Lady Beetles, so they invasive species has a negative impact on the environment because of the loss of native diversity. You should be able to find plenty of information on this species online now that you know its name. Try the Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet among others.
Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles
red bug taking over my yard
October 10, 2009
This bug is invading my yard. They are multipiling like crazy. So far they are just eating weeds. But what happens when they run out. I have chickens they wont eat them, and for that reason Idont want to use poisons. I believe this is a new bug to this area and I think its going to take over.
Kim
Perris,Ca
Red Bug Aggregation
Hi Kim,
Interestingly, these really are Red Bugs. The species, Scantius aegyptius, is not native, and according to BugGuide, has only been reported from California. It does not have a common name, but is in the family Pyrrhocoridae, the Red Bugs. The UC Riverside Website lists its origin as the Mediterranean. The UC Riverside Website states: “Scantius aegyptius, an old world pyrrhocorid bug, native to the eastern Mediterranean region, was documented for the first time in North America in Orange County during June of 2009. Reports of this insect from other southern California locations (i.e., Riverside County) suggest that this insect has been established for a year or more prior to these Orange County collections.“ The website also indicates: “Damage: The literature contains very little information regarding the biology of S. aegyptius and Scantius species in general are not considered to be economically important species. In California, Scantius has been observed feeding on the developing seeds and stems of Knotweed (Polygonum spp.) and Malva (Malva parviflora). It is likely that S. aegyptius will feed on the seeds of several species of annual herbaceous plants. The most noticeable impact of S. aegyptius in California will likely be the presence of large numbers of nymphs and adults migrating from drying annual weeds into adjacent developed areas. These migrations consisting of thousands of individuals can be very conspicuous and lead to large aggregations on small patches of host plants causing concern to local residents who notice these obvious aggregations.“
Red Bugs
Beautiful Blue Butterfly
October 7, 2009
Hello Bugman,
Today I was rummaging about my garden shed when this gorgeous specimen decided to join me. He landed on the window sill that is too far above my head for me to get a shot of the full spread wings. I was just wondering if you knew what sort of species this was, as I have not seen a photo on your site. It’s wingspan was approximately five or six inches. I tried to get closer, but then it flew away.
It is very rare that I see these brilliant blue butterflies in my area. It’s a real treat on a cloudy day.
Bella
Northwest Indiana
Morpho peleides: In Indiana???
Dear Bella,
This is a tropical butterfly from Mexico (and Costa Rica and south to the rain forests of South America) in the genus Morpho, probably Morpho peleides, a common denizen of butterfly pavilions that have become so popular in zoos, botanical gardens and museums in recent years. There is a photo of Morpho peleides posted to the Butterfly House of Missouri Botanical Gardens website. Wikipedia also has a page on the species. We can only theorize on how this tropical species came to alight in your garden shed. Perhaps it is a fugitive from a Butterfly Pavilion. Perhaps you have a secret admirer who purchased a butterfly pupa and left it in your shed so that you would be transfixed by this wondrous display of romantic interest. Perhaps you (or we) are the victim of a hoax. This butterfly looks like it might be dead. We wonder if perhaps you were mistaken when you saw it land on the window sill and then fly away.
Wow, Mexico? Perhaps I am thinking of another blue butterfly I’ve seen around my parts before.
However, I assure you he was alive. I’d like to think he escaped from butterfly jail and he is now en route to be reunited with his loved ones.
Though that romantic gesture sure would be nice.
Thanks for the info!
If you have seen other large blue butterflies, we would think the Pipevine Swallowtail, Female Diana Fritillary, and Red Spotted Purple to be the most likely candidates, though none are as iridescent as the Morpho. The Great Purple Hairstreak, though iridescent, is much smaller.
Update from Eric Eaton
Daniel:
I’m much more curious as to why Morpho butterflies are turning up in Bella’s shed in Indiana!
Eric
Large Bees- Wool Carders?
September 27, 2009
In searching through your site, I think I have identified these bees as Wool Carder Bees, but I am unsure. In looking at the link you supplied to the Wool Carder website, it said that these bees are active in June and July, and less active in August. It is late September here in Eastern Virginia, which makes me question whether I have identified these bees correctly.
I first noticed these bees because a couple were down in my driveway in the morning (around 7:30 am) before I left for work. Then, while pruning my butterfly bushes, I noticed several of them flying around. My daughter and I were shocked to see one of them take a small butterfly down to the ground, capture it, and fly to a nearby Bradford pear tree.
They do not seem particularily aggressive towards humans, and they are active at night and attracted to outdoor lights. This is a picture of two of them on my porch. The Wool Carder website said that they are solitary bees, which also makes me question my identification.
Are they dangerous? Should I search out the nest or just let them be?
Thank you!
N. Pritchard
Eastern Virginia (Richmond)
European Hornets
Dear N.,
These are European Hornets, Vespa crabro, an introduced species that has become well established in the eastern U.S. BugGuide indicates: “Adults come to lights at night, perhaps seeking prey?“ We just got a comment to one of our Cicada Killer postings and the person claims to have been stung by a Cicada Killer that was attracted to lights. We believe the culprit was the European Hornet.
Really neat looking Mosquito – White Striped!
September 26, 2009
You know you are a bug lover when you think a mosquito has beautiful stripes. I know they carry disease, but I had to take one for the team when I saw this guy biting my hand, and decided to take a picture of him.
Once Bitten Twice Shy
Austin, Texas
Asian Tiger Mosquito
Dear Once Bitten Twice Shy,
Thanks so much for sending us an image of an Asian Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus, an invasive species that was introduced to North America in the 1980s from Asia. According to BugGuide: “The Asian tiger mosquito is an invasive and aggressive species that was introduced to the United States during the mid-1980s. It was first collected in Texas in 1985, apparently having traveled from Asia in a shipment of used tires. These mosquitoes are vicious biters and have been known to transmit disease.“
flying beetle
September 20, 2009
what is this bug
wm in arizona
mesa, az
Surinam Cockroach
Hi wm in arizona,
This is a Cockroach, and we believe it is the Surinam Cockroach, Pycnoscelus surinamensis, even though BugGuide does not report the species from Arizona. It is reported in Texas and Florida as well as other southern states. According to BugGuide, the Surinam Cockroach: “Reproduces through parthenogenesis in the US, where no males are found. It has two sexes in some parts of the world (Europe and Indo-Malaysia), though. Unlike many roaches, the egg capsule is retained inside the female’s abdomen until young are ready to emerge. Usually described as giving birth to live young, however Modern Pest Services site below seems to show that the egg capsule is ejected from the female.“
Surinam Cockroach
Assassin bug dining on Japanese beetle
September 20, 2009
While out scouting for butterflies, I came upon this slightly grizzly scene of a wonderful assassin bug dining on a Japanese beetle. Glad it wasn’t me!
This was taken on June 30, 2009 in Orange County, VIRGINIA — the original OC 
Lynne from Virginia
Orange County, Virginia
Wheel Bug eats Japanese Beetle
Hi Lynne,
Thanks for sending your wonderful Food Chain documentation. More specifically, the Assassin Bug is a Wheel Bug. We are sure your photo will bring great joy to many gardeners who are plagued each year by the appearance of the scourge, the Japanese Beetle. The invasive exotic Japanese Beetle appears in great numbers each year and feeds on many ornamental and food plants, including roses. We have heard that this year in Ohio, the Japanese Beetles can still be found despite the late date.
Bug identification and eradication question (addendum)
September 10, 2009
What is this bug, what destruction does it cause, and how do I eradicate it from my garden in a way that doesn’t negatively affect my vegetable/flower garden? Thanks! Forget to tell you that I took this picture a few days ago (9/6/09).
Jane
Loma Linda, CA
African Painted Bugs
Hi Jane,
We encountered this very same invasive exotic insect on our own Collard Greens and Kale this summer in our Mount Washington, Los Angeles garden. At that time, we identified it as the Painted Bug, Bagrada hilaris, an African Stink Bug that has been reported in California since 2008. Then we explained that we had no ethical problem killing invasive exotic insects that devour our food. We had squashed the few specimens we found, but as we got busy, the population got out of control. We eventually found hundreds on our plants and we had to rip out the kale and Collard Greens. The next time we plant vegetables from the cabbage family, we are going to be extremely vigilant to keep the population down to a minimum. We don’t like to spray our food with pesticide, so we prefer to hand pick offensive species. Since African Painted Bugs are Stink Bugs that suck juices from plants, when they are quite plentiful, they might kill the plant. If there are no known predators, the African Painted Bugs might become a very serious agricultural pest in California.
Large redand yellow bee/wasp?
September 2, 2009
Would like to know the name of this bee-like bug that I found eating a dragonfly
Wondering999
Odenton, Maryland
European Hornet eats Dragonfly
Dear Wondering999,
The predator in your photo is a European Hornet, Vespa crabo, an introduced species, so we are tagging it as an Invasive Exotic. You can read about the species on BugGuide. The prey seems to resemble one of the Pilot Darners in the genus Coryphaeschna, but we are uncertain if the range is a far north as Maryland. We would love assistance with the Dragonfly ID. We didn’t have much luck on this Dragonfly of Maryland page.
