Subject:  Unknown Beetle
Geographic location of the bug:  San Francisco Bay Area, California
Date: 05/10/2019
Time: 05:12 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  I found these bugs in my backyard and two of them have gotten into my house, I safely relocated them back outside but I want to know if they are dangerous or can infest my house and what kind of beetle it is.
How you want your letter signed:  To whom it may concern

Cockroach

You have Cockroaches.  This appears to be an Oriental Cockroach.  You may read more about them on BugGuide where it states their habitat is “Relatively cool, damp areas – basements, crawl spaces. Not usually found on higher floors of buildings.”

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Subject:  Sidewalk in Philadelphia
Geographic location of the bug:  Philadelphia
Date: 04/27/2019
Time: 04:19 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  Hi – I saw this beetle/roach on the sidewalk near a big belly trash can. It was big enough to fit in the palm of my hand.  It has no antennas or fuzz/fur on its legs.  It was totally smooth.  I’ve never seen this before and can’t find anything online.  Maybe you can help?
How you want your letter signed:  Ryan

Fake Cockroach

Dear Ryan,
How quickly did it move?  This sure looks like a fake Cockroach to us, like something might find on Small Scale World.

It didn’t move at all.  This crossed my mind but I didn’t think much of it because I have seen other bugs not move right away either
I thought it was fake too but wasn’t about to test that theory.
Ok thanks for your input!

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Subject:  Big green bug
Geographic location of the bug:  Northern Ontario Canada
Date: 04/14/2019
Time: 09:23 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  I found this bug in my house a week ago. It was large, shaped like a big almond. It was a beautiful light green colour with delicate translucent wings. The strange part is that it’s still winter here (snow on the ground) and I have never seen a bug like this, even in the summer. What was this doing in my house? What is it? Where did it come from? I put him outside and hoped for the best.  Any ideas??
How you want your letter signed:  Confused in Canada

Green Banana Cockroach

Dear Confused in Canada,
We are also confused.  We are quite certain that this is a Green Banana Cockroach, Panchlora nivea, but according to BugGuide data, the most northern North American sighting is in Virginia.  Your sighting might be explained by this BugGuide information:  “nocturnal, comes to lights; does not breed indoors; popular as a pet.”  BugGuide make of point of stating:  “rarely found indoors and not normally considered a pest.”   Perhaps your individual arrived in the country with a banana shipment, or perhaps it escaped from a neighbor who keeps insect pets.

Green Banana Cockroach

Dear Daniel,
Thank you so very much for your reply! It was indeed the same as the Green Banana Cockroach pics you sent and that I have subsequently looked up! I feel terrible it died an unnatural death, no doubt, in the snow outside. If I had known, it would still be safe and warm, living as a pet with us! I had, indeed, just purchased several bunches of bananas earlier that day. He must have had quite the journey from the tropics to our log cabin in the woods!
If nothing else, it’s given us quite an interesting tale to tell! Without your identification, I doubt I ever would have found it on my own since I was NOT looking at tropical species here in Canada! It was lovely.
Take care,
Sandy

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Subject:  Armour-plated bug
Geographic location of the bug:  Southern Costa Rica rainforest
Date: 02/03/2019
Time: 09:47 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  Sorry this picture is fuzzy. This bug is about 2” long, sitting on the floor at the exterior door jamb of the house we’re renting. Do we have to worry about it hurting us or our dog?  Thank you.
How you want your letter signed:  Sue

Cockroach

Dear Sue,
This is a Cockroach, probably a flightless female, and we are confident it is not a species that will infest homes (most species of Cockroaches prefer to live outdoors) nor will it pose any threat to you or your dog.  It looks similar to this individual pictured on BugGuide.

Wow! Thanks so much, Daniel. Fascinating! (and I’m glad it won’t infest the house)

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