From the monthly archives: "August 2021"

Funnel Weaver Spider from Machu Picchu: Linothele uniformis

On · Category: Tarantulas and Trapdoor Spiders · 2 Comments

Subject:  What kind of spider is this?
Geographic location of the bug:  Peru-Machu Picchu
Date: 08/29/2021
Time: 05:48 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  Hi! I saw the spider pictured in my photo on a rock at Machu Picchu in late August.
How you want your letter signed:  Melinda

Trapdoor Spider we believe

Dear Melinda,
This is a primitive spider in the Infraorder Mygalomorphae, a group that includes Tarantulas and Trapdoor Spiders.  Your individual does not look hairy enough to be a Tarantula, so we suspect it is a Trapdoor Spider.  We did try to locate matching images online with no luck, though we searched for both Tarantulas and Trapdoor Spiders in Peru.

Update:  Linothele uniformis
A special thanks to Cesar Crash of Insetologia who wrote in identifying this Mygalomorph as a Funnel Web Spider, Linothele uniformis, and providing this link to Science Press.

 

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Mango Stem Borer from Israel

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

Subject:  Bug from Israel
Geographic location of the bug:  Kfar Saba, IL
Date: 08/29/2021
Time: 03:04 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  What is it?
How you want your letter signed:  Thanks in advance

Mango Stem Borer

The Mango Stem Borer was likely to have been introduced to Israel from Sri Lanka in the 1950’s.  It uses figs, mangos and Papayas as host trees.

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Sowbugs

On · Category: Sow Bugs, Pill Bugs, Isopods, Lawn Shrimp and Amphipods · Add Comment

Subject:  Mystery Bug
Geographic location of the bug:  Mid Michigan
Date: 08/23/2021
Time: 01:55 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  These bugs were found on tree limbs that had been cut. I can’t find anything that says what they are.
How you want your letter signed:  unsure what this means

Sowbugs

Dear Unsure,
These are Sowbugs, Terrestrial Crustaceans that help break down decaying vegetable matter in the woods and garden.

 

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Unknown Spider from Austria

On · Category: Jumping Spiders · Add Comment

Subject:  Spider
Geographic location of the bug:  Austria (in house next to a forest)
Date: 08/26/2021
Time: 01:21 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  I see them often at night, someone takes them outside for me when I see one but they keep reappearing…1. What are they? 2. Are they babies? 3. Do I have to be scared of a full nest? If not, why do they keep reappearing? What can I do to make them go away? (I am very sorry that I ask so many questions but I am really scared if them and just want them to go away)
How you want your letter signed:  I don’t know what that means but I really don’t care

Spider

Dear I don’t know …,
There is not enough detail in your image to be certain, but upon enlarging the tiny spider in the purple circle, we believe this might be a harmless Jumping Spider in the family Salticidae.

Possibly Jumping Spider

Possibly Jumping Spider

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Mediterranean Banded Centipede from Corfu

On · Category: Centipedes · Add Comment

Subject:  Centiped
Geographic location of the bug:  Corfu
Date: 08/24/2021
Time: 06:06 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  What sort of bug is this and can i keep it as a pet ?
How you want your letter signed:  Mr.markus

Mediterranean Banded Centipede

Dear Mr. Markus,
We believe this is a Mediterranean Banded Centipede, Scolopendra cingulata, a species that is known for much individual variation, but we have located two online images that show individuals with blue legs and an orange head.  One is on Encyclopedia of Life and the other on Shutterstock. 

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Arizona Owlet Moth Caterpillar: Basilodes chrysopis

On · Category: Cutworms and Owlet Caterpillars · 2 Comments

Subject:  Unidentified caterpillar
Geographic location of the bug:  Sahuarita AZ
Date: 08/25/2021
Time: 05:29 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  After searching I cannot identify this caterpillar. Would you be able to tell me what it is?
How you want your letter signed :  Luanne

Owlet Moth Caterpillar:  Basilodes chrysopis

Dear Luanne,
Daniel has a vague memory of seeing this caterpillar before, but maybe that is because it resembles the Hooded Owlet Caterpillars in the genus Cuculia, which are pictured on BugGuide.  It also resembles but is not a Zebra Caterpillar.  We will continue to attempt an identification and perhaps one of our readers will recognize this distinctive looking Caterpillar.  Are you able to provide us with the name of the plant upon which it was found?

Hello Daniel, Thank you for your email! I’m not able to figure out what the plant is but I’ll attach a photo of it. Thanks again! Luanne

Plant

Update:  September 1, 2021
Thanks to Ben who wrote a comment identifying Basilodes chrysopis. and providing a link to the Moth Photographers Group.  According to BugGuide the moth is called the Guilded Seedcopper.

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