What type of spiders, with bumps on their backs?
Hello there,
When my mom first started putting some plants in her greenhouse earlier this year, We found a couple of small spiders, which appeared to have 2 horns / bumps on their backs… After the plants were done in the greenhouse, and we moved them out out, we thought the spiders left, but it seemed one moved around to the other side of the house, and a couple others appeared…
They’ve grown quite a bit, and were curious to what type of spiders they are? They are about 15 – 20 mm big…
Today I caught 2 flies for each of them, They were really quite fast at grabbing them and spinning them into a ball.
I tried to attach a couple of different angles of pictures I took, so you could see the bumps on its the back.
We live in Hanna, Alberta 
Thanks, Zac
Hi Zac,
Sorry I don’t recognize your species, but I can tell you it is from the group known as Orb-Weavers. These spiders build a classicly shaped web and wait for prey. Keep feeding them flies and they will grow to maturity.
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Posted 04 August 2004
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I found this moth this afternoon on the house near the azalea bushes. I’m afraid I wasn’t able to hold the camera absolutely steady, but I think you can still see most of the detail. We live outside of Savannah, GA in Pooler. The body measures 3 inches as do the wings across the widest point – at the bottom. It looks similar to the unidentified hawkmoth on your page. I have also had what I think are some tomato hornworms on my tomato plants. Thank you for any information you may be able to provide. Your website is fascinating. We have a lot of interesting bugs around here, so when I see others that look unusual, I will send you more photos.
Celeste
Hi Celeste,
You have sent in a photo of a Lesser Vine Sphinx, Eumorpha fasciatus. Jim Tuttle has just brought this correction to our attention. The moth is common in the Gulf States and southward, but is sometimes reported from as far north as Massachusetts.
Please help me identify this bug.
I live in Salisbury, Maryland and found this bug in my house. I assume it’s a beetle, but am concerned it could be a roach. Just wanted to ease my mind. Thanks for your help.
Deb
Hi Deb,
Many of the Ground Beetles, Carabidae, are black with red legs. I can’t identify your exact species, but I can tell you that they are predaceous, and will kill other unwanted pests around the home and garden.
Well I got a picture this time spotted the bug on a Cheatam Wood tree here in Italy, Tx , will send one file due to size.
(Ed. Note: Here is Richard’s original letter)
My unknown bug was long 3-4″ with a long thin iridescent green body, and with what looked to be a pair of long curved horns, it was on a tree and flew off when approached, it looked like some kind of a devil mantis. Location central Texas
I wish you had a photo.
Hi Richard,
Your bug is still unknown to me. All I can say is WOW, a large metallic green Cerambycidae Beetle. These are long horned wood boring beetles. I have recent contact with a beetle expert named Dan and will try to get you additional information soon. Your photo blew me out of the water.
Ed. Note: This beetle has been unidentified until Eric Eaton wrote in with an ID from a photo sent in on 10 July 2005. We now know this is Plinthocoelium suaveeolens.
What the hell is this Bug?
It is some type of dead and sqashed Orthopteran, probably a grasshopper. Though the body is very short, the long straight wings and long jumping legs indicate some type of grasshopper. Your coin is unfamiliar, and you gave no location, so any attempt at an exact species is impossible.
Update: (05/30/2006) Recently, upon receiving additional images of this Crested Katydid, we properly identified it on our Katydid page. This letter just arrived though.
I can ID both the coin and the ‘hopper on your 02/19/2004 entry It’s the crested Grasshopper (Alectoria superba family Tettigonidae) and is a native of central Australia as is the Australian 10 cent coin shown with it! Actually – no need as I see several other people have already done so ahead of me. I liked the site tho’
Sincerely
Martyn Robinson
Hi Martyn,
Thanks to your letter, we realized we still had an unidentified image of the Crested Katydid remaining on the grasshopper page. We have posted your letter and cleaned up our classification.
