Currently viewing the tag: "calendar 2011"
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Green Lacewing

On · Category: Neuropterans: Lacewings, Antlions, and Owlflies Tagged With: · Add Comment

Green Little Bug
June 7, 2010
Its Green, Wings Twice Its Size And Looks Like A Fly Or Something.
Ositsraniellen
Chattanooga, TN

Green Lacewing

Dear Ositsraniellen,
The Green Lacewing in your photo is an important predator that consumes vast quantities of Aphids and other pests on cultivated plants.  Lacewings are often attracted to lights at night.  Green Lacewings are delicate looking creatures that are sometimes called Goldeneyes because of their metallic colored eyes.

Green Lacewing

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Flower Longhorn: Stenelytrana emarginata

On · Category: Longhorn Beetles Tagged With: · 1 Comment

Beautiful bug on the window
June 7, 2010
I work at my computer where I can watch my tiny yard which backs onto a creek in DFW area of north Texas. I watch the birds/hawks during the day, raccoons, possums, and occasional fox at night. Yesterday, I looked up to see this lovely specimen. However, I cannot identify him. Please help..I had a cog beetle one day, but this? Hmm.
All Critter Lover

Dallas-Fort Worth North Texas

Flower Longhorn

Dear All Critter Lover,
This Flower Longhorn is Stenelytrana emarginata and it does not have a common name.  BugGuide indicates it is attracted to fermenting bait.  Were you by chance drinking a banana daquiri at the time of the sighting?  Your photo is quite painterly.

Flower Longhorn

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Hellgrammite

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Ant Lion?
June 4, 2010
Hi! We found this monster crawling from the edge of the Muskegon River in Michigan toward the wood line. I thought it was an ant lion, but I haven’t seen any pictures of ant lions that look like this thing. I have video, also, if you’d like to see the creepy way the thing ambulated… What the heck is it? It was HUGE!
Eric Kincaid
Newaygo, MI

Hellgrammite

Hi Eric,
In the past week, we have been getting numerous photos of Hellgrammites like the one in your photo.  We are also beginning to get images of adult Dobsonflies, the winged form of this aquatic larva.  The male Dobsonfly possesses enormous saber-like mandibles, and if you think this Hellgrammite is frightening, wait until you see its daddy.  Hellgrammites and Dobsonflies are both harmless, though the mandibles of the larva and those of the female can deliver a painful pinch, and possibly even draw blood.  The foot is a nice use of scale.

Hellgrammite

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Eyed Elater

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Florida Beetle
June 3, 2010
My neighbor’s cat keeps finding these beetles and bringing them in. I love the eye markings, but I’m not sure what to call it. Is it an ironclad beetle?
Marc
Sarasota, FL

Eyed Elater

Hi Marc,
This Eyed Elater is a species of Click Beetle.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Giant Ichneumon

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giant ichneumon survived windshield
June 2, 2010
This hit my windshield very lightly, and stayed for the rest of my ride home. Sorry the pictures are through my windshield, but there was NO WAY I was getting out of my car with that bad boy (or girl, actually) creeping around! You had other pics but this seemed more close up & I thought you might like them. Found in the Raleigh, NC area, end of April. Enjoy your site!
Creeped out but still fasinated
Raleigh NC

Giant Ichneumon

Dear Creeped out,
This is one interesting image of a Giant Ichneumon in the genus Megarhyssa.  We believe it is Megarhyssa macrurus, which is profiled on BugGuide.

I had my husband come out & flick it off my car before I’d get out, and I’m still thanking him for that! Glad you liked the pic well enough to post on your site (I’m somebody now lol), take care & keep up the good work.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Wheel Bug Nymph

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Mystery Bug!
May 28, 2010
Spotted on May 28, 2010! This little mystery bug was spotted on my cat’s water bowl outside! I love bugs, but i’ve never seen this insect before. His abdomen is upturned in a strange fashion and is bright red. Tried to google its description for identification but failed. Thanks for your help!!!
Becca Hatfield
Beaufort, Missouri

Wheel Bug Nymph

Hi Becca,
This is an immature Wheel Bug, Arilus cristatus, the largest species of Assassin Bug in North America.  The hatchlings are found in close proximity to the cluster of barrel shaped eggs that are laid in regular rows in a hexagon shaped cluster, but after they molt, they become solitary hunters.  Adult Wheel Bugs have a crest on the back that looks like a wheel cog, hence the common name.  Readers often claim that the Wheel Bug looks prehistoric, and it has been compared to a stegosaurus.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination