From the yearly archives: "2019"
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Female Io Moth

On · Category: Giant Silk Moths · Add Comment

Subject:  Pink Moth with Fuzzy Red Head
Geographic location of the bug:  Florida
Date: 09/15/2019
Time: 04:15 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  We found a moth with beautiful pink wings. It’s fuzzy head was a dark red with the color transitioning into the wings. Fuzzy thick arms and on its underside it was brown. It’s currently September in Central Florida. It was sitting on a window at a pharmacy.
How you want your letter signed:  🙂

Female Io Moth

Dear :),
This is a female Io Moth, but her most distinguishing physical feature is not apparent in your image.  Both female and male Io Moth have striking eyespot markings on the underwings that are hidden when the moth is at rest.  Once startled, the moth reveals the underwings, potentially frightening a predator into perceiving that it has wakened a sleeping giant that could turn around and eat the predator.  This illusion is protective mimicry.  We suspect this individual was attracted by the pharmacy lights and then decided to stay and rest during the day until the following night.

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Gum Moth from Australia, but what species??? Opodiphtera astrophela Male Io Moth Polyphemus Moth Attacus phillipina from The Philippines
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Unknown Hornworm from Mexico: Isognathus rimosus inclitus

On · Category: Hornworms · Add Comment

Subject:  What caterpillar and moth or butterfly will this be
Geographic location of the bug:  Chapala, mexico
Date: 09/15/2019
Time: 03:40 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  My friend sent me a pic of this caterpillar from Chapala Mexico. After looking online I found hornworm caterpillars. Which one is this and what moth or butterfly does it turn into. Also what is the purpose of the horn?
How you want your letter signed:  Sarah

Unknown Hornworm

Dear Sarah,
We are very confident that this is a Hornworm in the family Sphingidae, and that it will eventually transform into a Sphinx Moth or Hawkmoth, but alas, we have not been successful identifying its species despite the excellent database on Sphingidae of the Americas.  We will write to Bill Oehlke to see if he can provide a species identification.

Bill Oehlke Responds.
Hi Daniel, I think I have seen that one before, but a quick check did not let me come up with an id. Later this afternoon I will send it to Jean Haxaire to see if he knows what it is.
Bill

Daniel,
Jean Haxaire has indicated Isognathus rimosus inclitus.
I wish permission to post it to website. Please check with photographer and forward his or her name.
Bill

Ed. Note:  The subspecies Isognathus rimosus inclitus is pictured on Sphingidae of the Americas, but there is no larval image.  We are writing back to Sarah with the identification and a request from Bill Oehlke to include the image on his comprehensive site.

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Tetrio Sphinx Caterpillar Tobacco Hornworm on Nightshade Ficus Sphinx Caterpillar Achemon Sphinx Caterpillar
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Male California Mantis on a Woody Plant

On · Category: Preying Mantis Tagged With: , · Add Comment

Subject:  Looking for love in Los Angeles
Geographic location of the bug:  Mount Washington
Date: 09/15/2019
Time: 02:02 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  Dear Bugman,
I was visiting a dear friend in Mount Washington and spotted this male praying mantis perched on a woody plant.
It appears he is searching for a female.
How you want your letter signed:  Melanie on the Irish Chain

Male California Mantis

Dear Melanie on the Irish Chain,
We agree that this is a male Mantis and that he is likely patrolling for a mate.  This is a California Mantis, a native species in the genus Stagmomantis. Last year Daniel documented the mating of a pair of California Mantids that ended with him becoming a sacrificial meal to help nourish the female who promptly bit off the head of her paramour.

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Female California Mantis eats immature Gray Bird Grasshopper on Woody Plant Immature California Mantis on Woody Plant Kleptoparasitism: Freeloader Flies plague California Mantis devouring Prey on a Woody Plant California Mantis and Green Lynx Spider: Two Predators on a Woody Plant
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

March Flies on Goldenrod

On · Category: March Flies and Lovebugs Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject:  Many found on goldenrod
Geographic location of the bug:  Greenport, LI, NY  eastern end of Long Island ny
Date: 09/14/2019
Time: 07:59 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  Photographed these today and cannot identify
How you want your letter signed:  Amy

March Flies

Dear Amy,
Based on this BugGuide image, these appear to be March Flies in the genus Dilophus.  There are numerous images of Dilophus spinipes on goldenrod on BugGuide.

Thank you so much!   I truly appreciate your help!
Amy

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Dark Winged Fungus Gnat

On · Category: Gnats · Add Comment

Subject:  Black wings with yellow wody
Geographic location of the bug:  Middle Tennessee
Date: 09/08/2019
Time: 07:21 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  These are all over my porch , theye are bigger than a knat but smaller that a fly
How you want your letter signed:  Peggy plant

Dark Winged Fungus Gnat

Dear Peggy,
We are so sorry because this has been on the back burner for nearly a week because we thought this was a March Fly but we were never able to find a match in that family.  This is a Dark Winged Fungus Gnat in the family Sciaridae based on this BugGuide image.  According to BugGuide:  “Often found in flowerpots. In moist and shadowy areas up to 70% of all Diptera species can be Sciaridae.”

Dark Winged Fungus Gnat

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Dark Winged Fungus Gnat Fungus Gnat Larvae Fungus Gnat Larvae No-See-Ums
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Hairy Flower Wasp from Australia

On · Category: Scoliid Wasps Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject:  Looks like large bee or wasp
Geographic location of the bug:  Windsor. Nsw. Australia
Date: 09/13/2019
Time: 03:30 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  Hi. Just saw this huge bee or wasp. Never seen this bug before. Should i report it?
How you want your letter signed:  Thanks Kim

Hairy Flower Wasp

Dear Kim,
We recognized your Wasp as a member of the family Scoliidae, and we quickly identified it as a Hairy Flower Wasp thanks to images on Backyard Buddies where it states:  “Hairy Flower Wasps are great for your garden. After mating, the female digs into the soil and finds a grub or beetle. She paralyses it temporarily and lays her egg in it. As the larva grows, it uses the host as food. Because of this, Hairy Flower Wasps and their larvae will help your garden by keeping your grub and beetle numbers down.”  According to Esperance Fauna:  “They are solitary insects without a nest, as the female lays a single egg on a paralysed and insensitised (stung) scarab beetle larvae, leaving it to hatch and consume the host. Because these wasps have no nest to protect and fortunately for people are not aggressive and will only sting if physically interfered with.” 

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Blue Flower Wasp Black Flower Wasp from Australia Blue Flower Wasp from Australia Black Flower Wasp
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination