From the monthly archives: "September 2007"
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Bug of the Month: October 2007 – Locust Borer

On · Category: Longhorn Beetles Tagged With: , · 1 Comment

Mystery Caterpillar and Bee-Like Insect
Hey Bugman,
I live in Rhode Island, and I’ve run across two odd insects recently. I was wondering if you could help me identify them.
The first was a bright-green and brownish-purple caterpillar with four little spikes on it. It was about an inch long. The second is a vaguely wasp-like insect (I’m not sure if this is Batesian or Mullerian mimicry, and I didn’t stick around to find out), and it was about an inch long as well. Thanks for your help,
Guillaume Riesen

Hi Guillaume,
Your caterpillar is a Saddleback Caterpillar and we have posted numerous images of this species. Your vaguely beelike insect is a Locust Borer, a Cerambycid Borer Beetle that is very common in the autumn and is often associated with goldenrod. Many beetles in this family are considered wasp mimics. We believe we are going to make it the Bug of the Month for October and will probably be using your photo on our homepage the entire month.

Related posts:

Bug of the Month: February 2008 – Longhorned Borer Beetle: Tragidion peninsularum Locust Borer Default ThumbnailBug of the Month August 2013: Red Milkweed Beetle Bug of the Month August 2016: Ivory Marked Beetle
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Monarch Butterflies: Rough Sex

On · Category: Butterflies and Skippers Tagged With: · Add Comment

Battering Butterflies
Hello Bug Man!
We love your site in this house! While at the shore each year I enjoy photographing butterflies. I am attaching several photos of two butterflies that appeared to be wrestling on the ground. This went on for a few minutes with the two ultimately flying off in different directions. I have never seen such aggressive behavior. Is it associated with mating? Any help appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Tracey Hynes

Hi Tracey,
This is a pair of Monarch Butterflies. A mating pair will stay engaged for a lengthy period of time. Perhaps what you witnessed was a difficult “uncoupling”.

Related posts:

Julia Butterflies Mating Morpho Butterflies mating Viceroy compared to Monarch and Mating Cabbage Whites Mating Skippers
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Sexton Beetles bury Mouse

On · Category: Carrion Beetles Tagged With: · Add Comment

WTB??
My daughter nearly stepped on these while walking her dog through a recently mowed field. I have scrolled through your bug links until I am dizzy and cross-eyed. Can you tell me what they are? They seemed to be feeding on a small dead rodent, possibly killed during the mowing. (Notice the hitch-hiker flies.) Thanks.
Vicki
South-central Missouri

Hi Vicki,
These are Sexton Beetles or Burying Beetles. They will bury the mouse and lay eggs on it. It just seems odd that there are so many at work as they generally work as a couple. We believe these are Tomentose Burying Beetles, Nicrophorus tomentosus.

Related posts:

Beetle Larva (Silphid possibly) feeding on a Snail in Bulgaria … Carrion Beetle Larva eats snail in Bulgaria American Carrion Beetles mate and eat Dead Toad Tomentose Burying Beetle Melee
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Ceanothus Silkmoth

On · Category: Giant Silk Moths · Add Comment

Ceanothus Silk Moth, Hyalophora euryalus
Hello 🙂
I just recently started surfing your awesome webpage and thought I would send in a nice picture I got of a Ceanothus Silk Moth. This little guy was hanging out at a gas station in the Sacramento Valley, California in late June 2007. I had just recently left to visit the college I am currently attending when I snapped this photo. 🙂 Moths are my favorite type of insect, so needless to say, he cheered me up quite a bit and cured me of some of my nervousness about leaving home. Hope you enjoy the photo! Sorry if it’s a little large!
Jenny

Hi Jenny,
Thanks so much for sending us your wonderful photo. Good luck at your new school.

Related posts:

Tulip Tree Silkmoth Newly emerged Regal Moth Male and Female Giant Silkmoth from the Amazon Giant Silkmoth from Panama: Automeris hamata
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Spotted Oleander Caterpillar Moth

On · Category: Moths · Add Comment

Mimic Wasp???
I live in Satellite Beach Florida and saw this on my screen and was hoping you could tell me what it is. I think it’s some kind of mimic wasp but I’m not sure. Love your site.
Jeff

Hi Jeff,
You are correct. The Spotted Oleander Caterpillar Moth, Empyreuma affinis, is a wasp mimic.

Related posts:

Mating Large Tolype Polka Dot Wasp Moth Mt Washington Homeowners Alliance sponsors National Moth Week in Elyria Canyon Park Moth from Madagascar
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Megarhyssa macrurus

On · Category: Ichneumons · Add Comment

Photos of Giant Ichnerumons, Megarhyssa Macrurus
I was able to identify Giant Ichnerumons, Megarhyssa Macrurus thanks to your site – we have a dead tree that is covered with them here in Bolton, Connecticut. I am sending you the photos in case they are shots of the bug that you don’t already have. It looks like her ovipositor might be depositing her eggs??? Enjoyed your site. I’ve bookmarked it for future reference. Keep up the great work.
Betty

Hi Betty,
It has been several months since we have posted a photo of a Giant Ichneumon on our homepage. Your photo of a female Megarhyssa macrurus ovipositing is stunning.

Related posts:

Ichneumon Ichneumon Short Tailed Ichneumon Unknown Ichneumon
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination