Flatid bug
Location: Unknown- possibly Central America
June 17, 2011 5:21 am
Hello,
I’m currently updating our small Hemiptera collection at Manchester Museum. This specimen came with no label. I’ve searched for visual information online but have found nothing save for a plate in Biologia Centrali America which shows an illustration of a similar looking species. The plate can be found here (no. 17)
http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollections/bca/navigation/bca_18_01_00/bca_18_01_00showplate.cfm?id=172
The Biologia Centrali-America lists the species as Flata conspersa (its modern name seems to be Doria conspersa), however I can find no more information on this insect, and was hoping I could get a second opinion. Is it a Doria?
Many Thanks,
Signature: Gina Allnatt, Curatorial Trainee at Manchester Museum
Flatid Planthopper
Goodness Gina,
You probably have better credentials than we have. We’re just visual artists with a little extra time on our hands and we have no formal entomological or even naturally scientific training. Based on our visual observations compared the gorgeous old illustration in the image in the link you provided, we believe you have nailed this identification as Flata conspersa, the genus which has obviously undergone more recent taxonomic revision. We would suggest that you log onto our posting and supply a comment. In the future, should an expert in Flatids write to us, that person may be able to confirm this identification and you will automatically be notified.
Caterpillar
Location: Edward’s Plateau, Ft. Hood, TX
June 4, 2011 1:34 am
Hello,
I found this caterpillar a few weeks ago on Ashe Juniper, it blended in so well with the branch it was on, it could barely be seen.
While the top was non-descript, the underneath of the caterpillar was an odd light seafoam green with darker green spots (see picture).
I’ve found some similar looking caterpillars, but nothing that fits, nor mentions a green underside.
Any help would be appreciated!
Thank you!
Signature: writerwren
possibly Underwing Caterpillar
Dear writerwren,
We believe this caterpillar resembles those of the Underwing Moths in the genus Catocala. There are many similar photos on BugGuide, including this view of a Caterpillar underside that has the coloration of your specimen. We find the fact that it was feeding on Ashe Juniper interesting because BugGuide indicates: “Larvae of most species feed on foliage of deciduous trees.” Most Underwing Moths have mottled brown upper wings that blend in with the bark of trees that they rest upon, very effectively camouflaging them from predators. The underwings are often brightly colored with red and black stripes giving the genus its popular name Underwing Moths. The underwings only show when the moth is in flight. Predators will continue to search for the bright coloration when the moth comes to rest and they may fail to notice the camouflaged moth. We tried a web search of the words “catocala, juniper, Texas” and found this technical article, and somewhere buried in it you may find a species that feeds on juniper. We will be out of the office for a week in mid June, and we are preparing your request to go live on June 13.
Probably Underwing Caterpillar
Family Mystery
Location: Sand Dunes, Southeast Idaho, Fremont County, east of Saint Anthony
June 7, 2011 11:08 pm
This photo was taken in 1984 at the Sand Dunes in Southeast Idaho, Fremont County. I watched for 15-20 minutes while this . . . thing made this pattern in the sand. It would scoop up a pile of sand, push it out in the fan/petal shape, scoop up a pile of sand, push it out . . . I have recently re-engaged in my quest to find out what I was watching.
Any ideas what it is?
Signature: Bug Lover’s Cousin
Sand Dune Mystery from Idaho
Dear Bug Lover’s Cousin,
We have no idea what this creature is and we would love to help you solve this more than 25 year old mystery. We do not believe this is an insect. You did not indicate the size of the creature. We are more inclined to believe it is reptilian than one of the arthropods, but that is pure speculation. We are boarding a plane in a few hours and we will be out of the office for a week, and during that time we will not be checking emails, so we will not be able to provide any further assistance until we return. Our regular readership will be able to post updates to this posting, however, any new readers will need to wait until next week to have their comments approved. We hope we are eventually able to provide you with an identification.
Going on my 25 year old memory of this thing I will venture – it was:
maybe 2-4 inches long (not positive I EVER saw the end of it but I think I did)
about 2-2.5 inches circumference
entirely black except for the tip (head?) which was reddish
I saw no legs or mouth
it moved like a worm or caterpillar (a larvae?)
didn’t seem to be ingesting anything, just kept making the pattern
My brother was with me at the time and agrees with this description
Enjoy your time out of the office, I look forward to any info/guesses you might have.
Thank you.
Karl provides an alternate possibility: White Lined Sphinx
October 26, 2011
Hi Daniel and Bug Lover’s Cousin:
It is a little hard to tell from the photo but based on what is visible and your description I suspect that this is a large caterpillar. There are a number of species that burrow into soft soil or sand to pupate. I suggest that a good candidate would be a White-Lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata). Caterpillars of the species show considerable color variation but are generally striped or mottled green and black, and orange or reddish caudal horns and/or head capsules are quite common (to me it looks like it may be showing a horn). You could check out this interesting video to see if the behavior looks familiar. Here is another image from the Bugguide site. Regards. Karl
Thanks Karl for your alternative possibility.
Unkown moth
Location: Sapporo, Japan
June 6, 2011 2:36 am
While with my dog outside, I found these two marvellous specimens of moth side by side on the ground. I’d like to say they’re Leopard Moths, but they lack the characteristic spots and their legs are far hairier. While handling them, one of them excreted a mildly foul orange liquid as well. Do you have any info that could help me identify these cool little beasts?
Signature: R.H.
Unknown Moths
Dear R.H.,
We believe these are some species of Royal Moth in the subfamily Ceratocampinae, but we are unable to confirm that at the moment. We are contacting Bill Oehlke to see if he is able to provide us with any information. Our readership might also write in to provide an identification.
Bill Oehlke Responds
Hi Daniel,
Image you sent is not a Saturniidae species. Don’t have time for a closer look right now.
Unknown Moth
¶ Posted 06 June 2011 § Moths ‡ ° Also tagged: fly?
Location: southwestern pennsylvania
June 2, 2011 10:34 pm
hello, I was walking around my farm with my camera and saw this stunning bug, a fly? or what else could it be.. gorgeous
Signature: robin
Hover Fly, we believe
Hi Robin,
We are relatively certain this is a Hover Fly or Flower Fly in the family Syrphidae, but we haven’t the time at the moment to browse the images on BugGuide to verify that identification and perhaps provide a species name.
What's That Syrphid Fly???
thanks so much, i browsed bug guide and didn’t find anything.. I will continue to search around thanks again!
Beetles
Location: Singapore
May 29, 2011 12:19 am
Hi,
Please help to idenditfy these 2 beetles.
Is the beetle in pic 1 a Cicindelidae
( Tiger Beetle )?
The beetle shown in pic 2 & 3 has two humps on its neck. What is it?
Thanks & regards
Signature: Lance
Tiger Beetle Perhaps
Hi Lance,
We agree that the green beetle does seem to resemble the Tiger Beetles in the subfamily Cicindelidae. Furthermore, we believe the two beetles you have submitted have many similarities and they may be closely related. Hopefully our readership may be able to contribute a more specific identification.
MIght this be a Tiger Beetle???
¶ Posted 29 May 2011 § Beetles ‡ ° Also tagged: Larvae on a Log
Location: Audubon, PA
May 26, 2011 9:16 am
Dear WTB, While I was reorganizing my woodpile, I came across this larvae nest and found it very interesting. I never saw anything like it before. After I took the picture and scraped the nest off of my log, the yellow substance was a really fine powder, kind of like pollen. Do you have any idea what these little worms will turn into?
Signature: Cheryl
- Possibly Bee Nest provisioned with Pollen
Dear Cheryl,
Please forgive us. We absolutely cannot research this tonight. It was a long day (14 hours of teaching, monitoring, attending awards and scholarship presentations, and conducting SLO assessments. The students actually accused us of being grouchy today. The end of the semester is rough. Enough of that. We believe this is a Solitary Bee Nest and we believe the yellow substance is Pollen. Time will tell.
Ed. Note: May 21, 2011
Now is one of those times that being more aware of insect anatomy and not making identifications based on superficial visual identifications would come in handy. We no longer believe this is a Leaf Cutter Bee. We don’t believe any Leaf Cutter Bees gather pollen on their legs. It looks like this native Bee is gathering pollen on its legs, or perhaps it just has long yellow hairs on its legs. We wish someone would write in and give us a clear cut explanation of what species of Bee this is. I am going to include more native Bees in my Theodore Payne Foundation talk on Saturday, 28 May, 2011 at 1:00 PM.
What's That Bee???
See the whole original posting HERE.
If you know your native Southern California Bees, please help with this identification. It would be wonderful to know what it is before Saturday.
Daniel Marlos lectures at Theodore Payne Foundation
The Curious World of Bugs with Daniel Marlos
Saturday, May 28, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
A special lecture on those wondrous creatures called bugs – including native
species that pollinate, predate and mate in the most curious ways, and
exotic species that can wreak havoc in our gardens. Daniel is an artist and
photographer and the author of The Curious World of Bugs: The Bugman’s Guide
to the Mysterious and Remarkable Lives of Things That Crawl. The program
includes an exploration of Daniel’s popular website, whatsthatbug.com, and
ends with a book-signing.
- The Curious World of Bugs
Register early as space is limited.
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