From the monthly archives: "September 2007"

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:

Locust Borer Bug of the Month October 2008: Mating Pennsylvania Leatherwings Bug of the Month July 2011: Broad-Necked Root Borer Bug of the Month July 2019: Female Broad-Necked Root Borer

Monarch Butterflies: Rough Sex

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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:

Checkerspots, Fritillaries and Predacious Diving Beetles Mating Mating Palamedes Swallowtails Mating Great Spangled Fritillaries Mating Skippers

Sexton Beetles bury Mouse

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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

Ceanothus Silkmoth

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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:

Cecropia Moths Mating Splendor in the Grass!!!: Mating Polyphemus Moths Polyphemus Moth Giant Silkmoth from Ecuador: Caio harrietae

Spotted Oleander Caterpillar Moth

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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:

Mournful Thyris: Mating Mystery Moths Identified Painted Arachnis Mating and Resulting Hatchlings Peach Tree Borers Mating: Sexual Dimorphism Mating Monarchs and Mating Polka-Dot Wasp Moths

Megarhyssa macrurus

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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:

Giant Ichneumon Ichneumon from Hungary Stump Stabber Stump Stabber