Subject:  6-legged-slug-bug
Geographic location of the bug:  Davis, CA: basement office
Date: 12/04/2018
Time: 04:59 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  Hi Bugman,
I was sitting at my desk, minding my own business, when this seemingly friendly but very fast moving little guy came cruising towards my arm. He’s looking for something (dinner?) but I don’t know what and I don’t know what he is or where he came from! There are laboratories in this building, but none that do any work on this kinda critter!
How you want your letter signed:  Worried about bugs with tails

Oh! It’s a snakefly larva 🙂 No further ID necessary!

Snakefly Larva

Dear Worried about bugs with tails.
We are pleased that you were able to identify your Snakefly larva without our assistance.

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Subject:  what is it?
Geographic location of the bug:  Oakland CA, when air quality dangerous due to fire smoke
Date: 11/09/2018
Time: 02:21 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  We found this in a 2nd story laundry room which is not damp.   It was on a white quilt and appeared to be alone.  it is very very smokey outside due to distant forest fires and we wondered if that may have driven it inside?
How you want your letter signed:  pearl

Snakefly Larva

Dear Pearl,
This is a Snakefly larva, a harmless predator that is not normally found indoors, though we do not believe the fire was a factor in you finding it indoors.

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Subject:  Please identify this pretty bug
Geographic location of the bug:  Sisters, Oregon USA
Date: 07/15/2018
Time: 10:15 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  This beautiful bug caught my attention because it resembles a dinosaur and seemed to calmly interact with me while I took pictures. Pictures taken today July 15th 2018 at 7pm. Thank you for your time.
How you want your letter signed:  Starla Kay Lajko

Snakefly

Dear Starla,
This primitive looking insect is a Snakefly in the order Raphidioptera.  According to BugGuide:  “Both larvae and adults are predatory, though they are capable of catching and killing only small and weak prey. Snakefly larvae feed on eggs and larvae of various insects, as well as adults of minute arthropods (e.g. mites, springtails, barklice, and homopterans). Adults typically prefer aphids but may eat a wide variety of arthropods. Adults take efforts to clean themselves after feeding. “

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Subject:  long necked termite?
Geographic location of the bug:  Chatsworth, California
Date: 03/07/2018
Time: 04:24 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  Found this guy on our screen this morning. Looks like an alien termite to me! I’ve never seen anything like it before. Thank you for the help! 🙂
How you want your letter signed:  KC

Snakefly

Dear KC,
Though it resembles a Termite, you encountered a beneficial, predatory Snakefly in the order Raphidioptera.

Thank you so much! You’re awesome! 🙂
Kendall Clark

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Subject —
What’s that??
Geographic location of the bug:  Northern California
Date: 10/25/2017
Time: 11:31 PM EDT
Hello bug Man!  Can you help me identify what this is?  Very thin about an inch to an inch and a half at most. Was in my room…
I hope you can shed some light.
Many thanks
How you want your letter signed:  Harsha

Snakefly larva

Dear Harsha,
This is a harmless Snakefly larva.  According to BugGuide:  “Both larvae and adults are predatory, though they are capable of catching and killing only small and weak prey. Snakefly larvae feed on eggs and larvae of various insects, as well as adults of minute arthropods (e.g. mites, springtails, barklice, and homopterans).”

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Subject:  What’s this bug?
Geographic location of the bug:  Olympia Washington
Date: 09/06/2017
Time: 03:37 PM EDT
This is the oddest bug I’ve seen.
S/he is roughly an inch and a half long and maybe 4mm wide. I was told it might be a soldier beetle?
How you want your letter signed:  Tammi

Snakefly Larva

Dear Tammi,
This is a beneficial, predatory larva of a Snakefly.  According to BugGuide:  “Both larvae and adults are predatory, though they are capable of catching and killing only small and weak prey. Snakefly larvae feed on eggs and larvae of various insects, as well as adults of minute arthropods (e.g. mites, springtails, barklice, and homopterans). Adults typically prefer aphids but may eat a wide variety of arthropods. Adults take efforts to clean themselves after feeding.”

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