From the monthly archives: "May 2017"
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Unknown True Bug Nymph

On · Category: True Bugs Tagged With: · 2 Comments

Subject: Bug on my front door
Location: Thomasville, Georgia
May 30, 2017 4:27 pm
Hi! I found this bug today…May 30, 2017, in southwest Georgia. Just curious why it might be. Someone suggested an assassin bug but I can’t find a picture that looks like it. Ha just saying !
Signature: Kathryn

Unknown Nymph

Dear Kathryn,
This is not an Assassin Bug, but it is an immature True Bug in the suborder Heteroptera.  We will attempt a species identification.

Related posts:

Coreid Bug Aggregation of Unknown Red Hemipterans in Brazil Unknown Immature True Bug from South Africa Possibly Leaf Footed Bug Nymph from South Africa
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Moroccan Bush Cricket

On · Category: Katydids · Add Comment

Subject: What’s this big Moroccan bug?
Location: Morocco
May 31, 2017 3:17 pm
Hi Bugman,
Can you help identify and tell me more about this bug? It was huge and looked like a grenade with legs!
Spotted in Morocco and the locals call it a Black Bettle.
Look forward to your opinion!
Thanks,
Signature: Pilot Pete

Bush Cricket

Dear Pilot Pete,
We found this old posting from our archives that Katydid expert Piotr Naskrecki identified as being in the genus Eugaster, but that is a black individual and your individual is much lighter.  Based on images posted to Orthoptera Species File, we believe your individual is Eugaster spinulosa.  There is some amusing information on Revolvy, including:  “It is known as the whistle cricket, because herdsmen would dry it and pull off its legs, in order to use the cricket as a whistle.” 

Related posts:

Crayola Katydid from Belize Angle Winged Katydid True Katydid Crickets in Mount Washington
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Cecropia Moth

On · Category: Giant Silk Moths · Add Comment

Subject: What in the world?
Location: Williamsport, PA
May 31, 2017 7:49 am
Good morning from Williamsport, Pennsylvania! I was put planting the other day and found a red cocoon with what looked to be a stinger on the bottom of it, buried in the soil. I put it back and now this morning, this
appeared. I am not sure if it is related, however; what is this beautiful creature, bc I have NEVER seen one around this area!! Thanks for any insight
Signature: Angela

Female Cecropia Moth

Dear Angela,
This is a female Cecropia Moth.  Like other members of the Giant Silkmoth family Saturniidae, they do not feed as adults.  They only live long enough to mate and lay eggs, generally a week at most.

Related posts:

Imperial Moth Variegated Fritillary, Common Buckeye and female Io Moth Hickory Horned Devil metamorphoses into Regal Moth Rosy Maple Moth
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Crane Fly from Canada

On · Category: Crane Fly · 6 Comments

Subject: Crane Fly
Location: Langley BC Canada
May 30, 2017 12:18 pm
Hey bugman just wondering what she is. I know it’s a crane fly, I believe it is a Nephrotoma. From the images I’ve found it looks like a Crocata to me. I live in BC Canada. I’m not really knowledgeable on insects, just curious as I’ve never seen on of these in my life.
Signature: Thanks

Crane Fly

Wikipedia has an image of Nephrotoma crocata, and it does resemble your individual, but that is a European species and to the best of our knowledge, it has not been introduced to North America, but that is always a possibility.  We are more inclined to believe that you have an image of a native species in the subfamily Ctenophorinae which is pictured on BugGuide.

Related posts:

Giant Eastern Crane Fly Crane Fly from the UK Crane Fly Giant Eastern Crane Fly
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Oil Beetle

On · Category: Blister Beetles · Add Comment

Subject: FYI
Location: Huntly’s Cave, Grantown-On-Spey, Highlands, Scotland
May 30, 2017 1:58 pm
Hi,
Not sure if you’re interested in this but thought I’d show you an Oil Beetle I found today. I had no idea what it was but thanks to the wonders of Google and your site I think i’ve got the right name.
Signature: Thanks, Bill

Oil Beetle

Dear Bill,
Thanks so much for sending in your image of your Scottish Oil Beetle.  We don’t know how many species in the genus Meloe are found in the UK, but Meloe proscarabeus is mentioned on UK Safari where it states:  “When alarmed, the adult oil beetles can release a foul smelling oil – hence the name.”  There does appear to be a secretion on the palm of your hand.  According to Bug Life:  ” There are five species of oil beetles in the UK, the Black oil beetle (Meloe proscarabaeus), the Violet oil beetle (Meloe violaceus), the Short-necked oil beetle (Meloe brevicollis), the Rugged oil beetle (Meloe rugosus) and the Mediterranean oil beetle (Meloe mediterraneus).  The first three can be found in the spring and we need your help to monitor their distribution to aid our conservation work.”  We would encourage you to post your sighting there.

 

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Oil Beetle Unknown Blister Beetle Blister Beetle from Turkey Iron Cross Blister Beetles from Baja California, Mexico
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Toe-Biter

On · Category: Toe Biters and other Aquatic True Bugs Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: Crazy bug
Location: North LOUISIANA
May 30, 2017 1:52 pm
What is this?!
Signature: Amansa

Toe-Biter

Dear Amansa,
This is a Giant Water Bug, sometimes called a Toe-Biter or Electric Light Bug.  It is an aquatic predator that is capable of flying and is frequently attracted to lights.  It should be handled with caution as it is capable of giving a painful bite.

Related posts:

Ferocious Water Bug and possibly Checkered Beetle Giant Water Bug Toe-Biter Absconds with Quarter Toe-Biter
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination