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Monarchs hatch from Christmas Tree
Monarchs hatch from Christmas Tree
Monarchs hatch from Christmas Tree
Posted 17 days ago

Christmas tree
January 9, 2012
Location:  This is in Jacksonville, Florida, on the banks of the beautiful St Johns River.
Hi Bugman,
I don't…

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Monarchs hatch from Christmas Tree
Bug of the Month January 2012: Hemipterans Hibernating in the Home!!!
Bug of the Month January 2012: Hemipterans H…
Bug of the Month January 2012: Hemipterans H…
Posted 26 days ago

Stink Bug
Location: Elyria, Ohio
January 2, 2012 10:47 pm
Hi,
We live in northern Ohio. Every winter we get Stinkbugs in the house.…

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Bug of the Month January 2012: Hemipterans H…
The Bugman speaks at Theodore Payne Foundation
The Bugman speaks at Theodore Payne Foundatio…
The Bugman speaks at Theodore Payne Foundatio…
Posted 35 days ago

Local Lepidoptera: Butterflies and Moths of the L.A. Region with Daniel Marlos
When Sat, February 25, 2012, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Where Theodore…

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The Bugman speaks at Theodore Payne Foundatio…
What's That Bug? makes High Country News
What’s That Bug? makes High Country News
What’s That Bug? makes High Country News
Posted 78 days ago

November 12, 2011
What's That Bug? is profiled on High Country News.

Rock star status
November 14, 2011 11:22 am
Dear Daniel, Thanks for…

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What’s That Bug? makes High Country News
National Moth Week 2010: July 23-July 29
National Moth Week 2012: July 23-July 29
National Moth Week 2012: July 23-July 29
Posted 102 days ago

National Moth Week
Posted October 19, 2011

Hi Daniel...it has been a long time, so I hope all is well on your…

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National Moth Week 2012: July 23-July 29
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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Darkling Beetles: Edrotes ventricosus

Identification request
Location: Moapa, Nevada
January 28, 2012 8:43 pm
I’m after an identification confirmation or other options. Images of Paracotalpa deserta are the hardest to find of the four species. That said, this matches Field Guide to Beetles of California description for a ”Little Bear” scarab beetle with January thru March time of appearance, creosote-bursage desert habitat, and general description as ”black”. These were 9mm long.
Signature: Bruce Lund

darkling edrotes ventricosus bruce 300x239 Darkling Beetles: Edrotes ventricosus

Darkling Beetle: Edrotes ventricosus

Dear Bruce,
The antennae on these beetles are wrong for a Scarab.  We believe we have correctly identified it as a Darkling Beetle, Edrotes ventricosus, by matching to photos posted to BugGuide.  The species has been reported in California and Nevada.

darklings edrotes ventricosus bruce 300x206 Darkling Beetles: Edrotes ventricosus

Darkling Beetles: Edrotes ventricosus

THANK YOU for the identification AND especially for the antennae comment.
The latter sent me back to field guides and websites to look at what I
missed and OF COURSE the antennae are not correct for a scarab beetle and
are correct for the Tenebrionidae. I’m just starting to work in the
insects and my learing curve is nearly vertical.
Bruce

You are most welcome Bruce.  It always helps to have more than one set of eyes when doing unusual or difficult identifications.

Posted 29 January 2012 § Darkling and Ironclad Beetles ‡ Comments (0) °

Mating Ghost Moths from Australia

Canberra moth
Location: Bruce, Canberra
January 28, 2012 7:13 pm
Last night we found a massive moth on our porch, it was about 10cm in length and weighed about 45 grams. We were worried that our cats might think it would make a nice snack so decided to move it. It jumped onto my hand and was heavy and warm. We put it in a tree. We were worried it might not survive the move…..this morning we got up to check on the moth….and it had met up with another moth
Signature: Mel

ghost moth australia mel 300x288 Mating Ghost Moths from Australia

Ghost Moth from Australia

Dear Mel,
We are pretty certain that you had an encounter with a Ghost Moth in the family Cossidae, possibly Endoxyla leucomochla which is pictured on the Butterfly House website.  The caterpillar is a wood borer that is called a Witchetty Grub, though alternate spellings include:  “Witjuti, Witchedy, Wichetty, Witchety, witchjetti”.  According to Butterfly House:  “The adult is a large finely mottled grey moth, with wings suffused with rusty red towards the bases, and with a wingspan of about 16 cms. It has degenerate mouthparts, and so cannot feed. It relies for energy totally on the nourishment taken in by the Caterpillar earlier in its life.”  We would not discount that it might be some other member of the genus as they all look quite similar.  There are many possibilities pictured on Butterfly House. 

ghost moths mating australia mel 300x149 Mating Ghost Moths from Australia

Mating Ghost Moths

According to the Brisbane Insect website, Ghost Moths are also called Wood Moths and:  “Moths in the family Cossidae are from large to very large size. They have long and narrow wings like those of Hawk moths. They are mostly brown or grey in colours. Most have the inverted “U” shape on thorax. When rest, they held their wings roof-wise. The adult moths in this family do not feed so their mouth parts are largely reduced.”  While he was researching his book, The Curious World of Bugs, Daniel learned that an Australian Ghost Moth has the record number of eggs laid for a non-social insect, 29,100.

ghost moths mating australia mel 2 300x133 Mating Ghost Moths from Australia

Mating Ghost Moths

Thank you so much for your speedy reply – I got a little bit addicted to your website today.  I actually think it is a Wattle Goat Moth (Endoxyla affinis) – I have some even better photos now (they spent alot of time mating in our garden and it was easier to get good pics in the arvo) – anyway, let me know if you want me to send them through. What an amazing pair they were.

Hi again Mel,
The Wattle Goat Moth, Endoxyla affinis, did occur to us as another possibility.  We would love to post one or two better images.

1

Posted 29 January 2012 § Ghost Moths ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged:
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Unknown Things

Unknown nymphs
Location: Mundlein, IL
January 27, 2012 10:30 pm
Enthusiastic fan, first time posting. I’ve used your archives to help identify insects in the past, but always knew the day would come when I would have to post a photo and ask for help. It seems that day has now arrived.

things ap 257x300 Unknown Things

Unknown Things

While cleaning a basement in suburban Illinois, I found 8 dead nymphs in the bottom of an empty coffee mug. They appear to have gotten trapped in an early stage of their life cycle – I found two moltings in the mug with them. The nymphs are about 2 mm in length. They are reminiscent of tiny, hairy, wingless mosquitos, with big black antennae resembling spider forelegs. Their actual legs seem smaller and lighter in color than the antennae. The head and thorax are very small, bent perpendicular to the rest of the body, giving the body an ”L”-shaped profile. Half of them have a hairless, white, curling double-tail sprouting out the anus, the other half don’t (sexual dimorphism, or saprophytic fungus?).
The mugs were dry and empty when placed, so it seems unlikely a brood of mosquitos would have been hatched there, or arrived by flying there from some other location (and then unable to fly away). I suspect rather they are some flightless species that hatched in a crack somewhere and dropped down from the shelf above. However, they appear to me as such a Frankenstein collection of stitched-together parts from different creatures, I haven’t been able to classify them any narrower than Order Insecta. If these are indeed a brood of nymphs, what do you think the parents might look like? (And are they still out there, lurking in my basement?)
I tried to take photos with a macro lens and through a microscope, but the camera seems to have its own ideas about lighting no matter what I do. Through the microscope, I can clearly see the head, eyes, antennae, thorax, hair, legs, and erstwhile twin tails – if there are wings, I can’t discern them.
Please help – I’ve been showing off bug-identifying skills with which your site has empowered me, this has me stumped and a certain rep may be at stake
Thanks in advance!
Signature: A. P.

thing ap 300x135 Unknown Things

Unknown Thing

Dear A.P.,
We are so sorry we are unable to provide you with instant gratification.  We are not even sure how to classify these Things.  Hopefully we will have some luck with research, or perhaps one of our readers will be able to provide us with some assistance.

thing ap 2 300x210 Unknown Things

Unknown Thing

 

1

Posted 29 January 2012 § Uncategorized ‡ Comments (1) ° Tagged:

Fulgorid Planthopper from Costa Rica

Unknown Cost Rican Insect
Location: Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, Costa Rica
January 27, 2012 2:37 pm
Greetings
These two insects were observed on the bark of a huge tree (Terminalia) in the arboretum at LaSelva Biological station in the lowland rain forests of northeastern Costa Rica in late May 2006. They remained there most of one day but were gone (eaten, flew away?) the next morning. About 3 cm long as I recall
Signature: Chuck McClaugherty

phrictus quinquepartitus costa rica chuck 300x248 Fulgorid Planthopper from Costa Rica

Fulgorid Planthopper

Hi Chuck,
Two years ago, entomologist Piotr Naskrecki helped us identify this Fulgorid Planthopper as Phrictus quinquepartitus.  There is a lovely drawing of it on FlickR.  Costa Rican tour company Taraba Tours calls it the Dragon Headed Bug. 

1

Posted 27 January 2012 § Aphids, Scale Insects, Leafhoppers, and Tree Hoppers ‡ Comments (0) °

Unknown Stink Bug from Belize

Green Jungle Beettle?
This message may not have been sent by: ldfieldjournal@gmail.com  Learn more  Report phishing
Subject: Green Jungle Beettle?
Location: Jungles of Western Belize
January 27, 2012 11:21 am
On our jungle hike yesterday, we noticed this beetle hanging out with leaf cutter ants on some freshly cut plants. It appears to have very distinct colors, and we hope it will be easy to identify. Thanks for your help!
Signature: Lower Dover Field Journal

stink bug belize 300x262 Unknown Stink Bug from Belize

Stink Bug

Dear Lower Dover Field Journal,
You are mistaken.  This is not a Beetle.  It is a Stink Bug in the family Pentatomidae, but we have not had any luck determining the species.  We will try some additional research.

stink bug belize 2 300x244 Unknown Stink Bug from Belize

Stink Bug

Thanks! If it’s any help it had violet under-wings.

1

Posted 27 January 2012 § Stink Bugs and Shield Bugs ‡ Comments (0) °

Predaceous Diving Beetle

Wondering what this is?
Location: Bemidji, MN (Northern MN)
January 27, 2012 6:34 am
Hello,
My little 4 year old and I were trying to Google and identify this tonight. We were unsuccessfull so I’m writing to you for help. We took these pictures on 4/25/2011 at 10pm. It was outside our side door of the garage. We lived in the woods, thick with almost 40 year old red pines (planted as a tree farm, and then a couple homes were built within). Within a quarter mile is a small stream and wet land area. Hope this helps.
Signature: Thank you! Krissy H.

predaceous diving beetle krissy1 300x214 Predaceous Diving Beetle

Predaceous Diving Beetle

Dear Krissy,
This is a Predaceous Diving Beetle, and as its name indicates, it is an aquatic insect, however, it is also capable of flight if its pond dries out, runs out of food, or it seeks a mate.  It is in the family Dytiscidae (See BugGuide) and we cannot provide you with an exact species name, but perhaps Markikavana will write in with an identification.  The predatory larvae of Predaceous Diving Beetles are sometimes called Water Tigers.

Posted 27 January 2012 § Water Beetles ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged:

Tropical Swallowtail Moth from Malaysia

Malaysian Butterfly
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
January 26, 2012 8:22 pm
This butterfly (?moth) flew in the open window last night and landed on my shoulder while watching TV! Can you help me identify it?
Signature: Jason

uranidae lyssa zampa malaysia jason 300x272 Tropical Swallowtail Moth from Malaysia

Tropical Swallowtail Moth

Dear Jason,
We rather quickly identified your moth as Lyssa zampa on the Habitat News website from Singapore, though it helped greatly that we recognized the family as Uranidae.  The Habitat News website states:  “The species is found across the Indo-Australian region and is usually enountered in forested areas and nearby urban areas, as it is attracted to the lights there. Altitudinally, they can be found as high as 2,600 metres on Gunung Kinabalu, Sabah! The food plants of the caterpillars are reportedly species of Endospermum (Family Euphorbiaceae); see Barlow’s Moths of Borneo.  While they flutter around readily at night, they are usually immobile in the day (unless disturbed and need to relocate to a suitable perch), allowing a good view of their beautiful wings. I remember the spectacular (and at the time, slightly intimidating) sight of numerous individuals perched on ceilings and walls on damp nights when I was a child. I am of the impression they were more numerous three decades ago.”  In a more recent posting to the Habitat New website, the moth is called the Tropical Swallowtail Moth.

uranidae lyssa zampa malaysia jason 2 300x206 Tropical Swallowtail Moth from Malaysia

Tropical Swallowtail Moth

Thanks Daniel, we really appreciate the feedback!
Regards,
Jason.

1

Posted 27 January 2012 § Urania Moths ‡ Comments (0) °

Hornworm from Australia

Funky Orange Caterpillar
Location: Sydney, Australia
January 26, 2012 6:19 am
Hi bugman,
We found this little guy roving around our back deck, celebrating Australia day in style. It was a slightly brighter orange colour than the photo shows. Just wondering what it might be? Obviously some kind of hornworm but I couldn’t see any entries already on your site depicting something that looked the same.
Signature: Many thanks, Bridget.

hornworm theretra latreillii australia bridget 300x233 Hornworm from Australia

Hornworm: Theretra latreillii

Hi Bridget,
We quickly identified your caterpillar as a Hornworm in the family Sphingidae, but we had to expend some effort to properly identify it.  There are many possibilities of Sphingidae on the Butterfly House website, and the thumbnails are often so small that we need to visit the individual pages.  At first we thought we had identified your caterpillar as Hippontion celerio, but the Butterfly House images show a much more delicate caudal horn.  A much better match is  Theretra latreillii on Butterfly House, which states:  “Normally the eyespot is hidden by a fold in the skin of the first abdominal segment, and the spot is only displayed when the animal is disturbed. Indeed when the skin is folded, the head and prothorax look like the upper jaw, and the first set of legs like the lower jaw, of some much larger beast, which may deter predators.”  The Brisbane Insect website identifies the adult as the Pale Brown Hawk Moth.

1

Posted 26 January 2012 § Hornworms ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged:

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