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Burying Beetle
(11/16/2006) Corpse Bug in New Mexico?
Hello WTB,
This guy was crawling over the boulders (gravel) in my garden
yesterday. He went on his way after I took a couple of pictures.
I only wish I'd had better depth of field. He was (and still
is, somewhere) about an inch long. I think he is of the Silphidae?
What do you say? (I just couldn't resist adding the greeting
on the last pic!) best to you,
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
This is indeed a Silphid or Burying Beetle. They are also
known as Sexton Beetles. We aren't sure what your exact species
is.
Checkered Beetle
(11/08/2006) Checkered or Blister Beetle?
I looked through your section on beetles and couldn't find
this species. From what I looked at on your site and in books
I'm assuming it is some type of checkered beetle or possibly
a blister beetle. It was found outside of our nature center
in Rockledge, FL. Could you identify it for us? Thank you.
Brandon Smith, Environmental Program Coordinator
Riverwalk Nature Center, Rockledge, FL
Hi Brandon,
This is certainly a Checkered Beetle. It looks like Enoclerus
muttkowskii according to the images on BugGuide.
Eric Eaton is of the opinion that: "The checkered beetle is
probably Enoclerus ichneumoneus."
Rove Beetle
(11/06/2006) what's this bug ????
This bug was crawling around our back deck on October 3rd.
We live in Southeastern PA. We thought it was a wasp or something,
but the wings looked way too short for flying. It crawled
around for a while and then flew away when we got too close.
I've never seen anything like it. Any ideas?
We are relatively certain this is a Rove Beetle, but the
angle of the photo makes it difficult to identify the species.
We will see if Eric Eaton knows. Here is what Eric has to
say: "Daniel: Yes, you are correct! It is probably a specimen
of Platydracus
maculosus, our largest native staphylinid. They fly very
well, resembling wasps while airborne! Eric"
Sculptured
Pine Borer
(Halloween 2006) BEETLE IDENTIFICATION PLEASE
Hi, I'm in Tampa, Florida. I encountered this beetle yesterday
while inspecting dead pine trees. He was a friendly bug, about
1.5 inches long and 1⁄2 inch wide. He allowed me to
stroke his back and take his picture (he was probably scared
to death I would eat him) LOL. Could you identify him for
me so I can research him a bit more. I've tried searching
on the internet for gray and black beetles of Florida, but
was unsuccessful.
Lori Moreda, Natural Resources Code Investigator
Tampa, FL
Hi Lori,
What a well camouflaged Buprestid or Metallic Wood Borer Beetle
you have there and a wonderful image for Halloween. It is
in the genus Chalcophora and is most likely the Sculptured
Pine Borer, Chalcophora virginiensis, which can be found on
BugGuide.
Borer
Beetle: genus Tragidion
(10/30/2006) Can you tell me what this one is?
I enjoy taking nature pictures and while I was in my winter
oat field this weekend I saw this very golden beetle fly into
the oats.
Lindsey
Hi Lindsey,
This is a Cerambycide Borer Beetle we did not recognize. We
searched BugGuide
and found a match with the genus Tragidion, possibly Tragidion
armatum brevipenne. Other than an image match, we can't
find much information on the species. The coloration is perfect
for Halloween.
Leaf
Beetle Larvae and Mantis feeding on Tree Frog
(10/28/2006) Larvae of what?
Hi Mr. Bug Man, I came across these critters eating away at
this tree by the hundreds of thousands. The Angeles Crest
forest floor was strewn with thousands of leaves with the
same lace-like damage done to them. This photo is of a leaf
still on the tree with some of the culprits on board. Any
idea which species this larvae belong to? Best regards,
H. Markarian
PS I've also attached a beautiful photo of a mantis gorging
on a frog.
Dear H,
We wish you had included additional information on both of
your images. The larvae look like Leaf Beetle Larvae in the
family Chrysomelidae. We did a google search for California
and came up with the Willow Leaf Beetle, Chrysomela aeneicollis.
That is a guess. You did not provide size information which
would have been helpful. We will see if Eric Eaton can correctly
identify these larvae. Here is Eric's input: "I am pretty
certain you are correct, at least to family level. Without
knowing the host tree, genus and species identification probably
can't be accomplished. Eric". Also, did you shoot the Mantis
photo with the Tree Frog? Was it shot in the wild or in captivity?
Where was the photo taken if in the wild? So many unanswered
questions on a beautiful image.
Thanks for such a prompt reply to my last email. Regarding
the larvae, they were about as long as a fingernail. It wasn't
a willow tree they were munching on, but i looked up willow
leaf beetle online and the larvae definitely resembled the
ones I saw in the wild. I came across the larvae on a trail
in the Angeles National Forest in Southern California. As
regards the mantis eating the tree frog, both were caught
from the wild separately and placed in the same container
temporarily. We had no idea the mantis would be able to catch,
hold and eat an animal much stronger and heavier than it was.
I took the photo while the critters were in captivity. Thanks
for your time and feedback. You have a fascinating website.
Best Regards,
H. Markarian
Oil Beetles
(10/21/2006) Blue Bugs
Hello!
Found these beautiful blue bugs in between some wild clematis
and swamp milkweed. I have never seen them before. They were
about an inch long, maybe an inch and a half. They were found
mid-day in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Thank you so much!
Jamie Goldenberg
Housatonic, Massachusetts
Hi Jamie,
These are Short Winged Blister Beetles, commonly called Oil
Beetles.
Locust
Borer
(10/16/2006) Bug ID
Hi,
My uncle, who takes awesome pictures of bugs took this. I
am stumped. It looks true buggish. What do you think?
This is a Locust Borer, a Cerambycid Beetle. The adults
are pollen feeders and are attracted to goldenrod.
Burying Beetle
(10/09/2006) BeetleBug?!
Hi I saw this beetle while taking a walk and thought id photograph
it. It appears to have children on its back that it is guarding.
I was just wonder what type of beetle it is and what its habits
are?
Stefan
Hi Stefan,
This is a Burying Beetle in the genus Nicrophorus. The creatures
you perceived as children are mites. The mites are not parasitic
on the beetle, but use it for transportation, a phenomenon
known as phoresy. The mites climb on the beetle to be carried
to the next dead creature the beetle encounters. The Burying
Beetles often work in pairs burying animals after finding
small dead rodents or birds, or even reptiles. Once the beetles
have successfully buried the animal, eggs are laid and the
carcass will provide food for the newly hatched larvae.
Figeater
(10/09/2006) green beetle
Could you help me with this one?
Imma
Imma,
We believe this is a Green Fruit Beetle, also known as a Figeater,
but we cannot be certain that your photo was taken in the
American Southwest. If it was taken in Bali, it is some other
green scarab.
Nicaraguan Leaf Beetle
(10/03/2006) Bug ID
I took picture of this in Nicaragua while on vacation, but
cannot ID it. I'm an amateur photographer and science educator,
and would like to be able to identify this before putting
it up on my website. Any clue? Thanks,
Carlos
Tallahassee, FL
Hi Carlos,
All we can say with any certainty is that this is a Leaf Beetle
in the family Chrysomelidae, and possibly a Flea Beetle in
the tribe Alticini.
Slovakian Blister Beetle
(09/30/2006)
I live in Slovakia and i have never seen something like this
bug.. it was about 5 centimeters long. What do you think about
it?
Roman
Hi Roman,
Your Blister Beetle looks nearly identical to new world species
in the genus Meloe, commonly called Oil Beetles.
Short Winged Blister Beetle
(09/27/2006) Blister beetle/don't touch!
Hi. My three year old took these pictures of this beetle today;
a blister beetle? I was trying to teach him not to touch/pick
up anything we find in the yard. Didn't know if you would
like to use the photos as they turned out very well for him!
We love checking out the bugs on your site. Thanks,
Sharon and Caleb Katz
Hi Sharon and Caleb,
It seems Caleb might have a future as a camera person. The
Short Winged Blister Beetle is also known as an Oil Beetle.
Oil Beetle
(09/25/2006) metallic blue wingless insect
Dear bugman,
Our family enjoys finding critters in our backyard and identifying
them on your wonderful site. But this time we are stumped.
My son and I found this insect burrowing very slowly under
a tree near our house in southeastern PA. By the next day,
all that was left was a small pile of grit, similar to what
you see next to an anthill. The insect seems to have succeeded
in burying itself. Do you know what it is? It looks just like
a carpenter ant except for that amazing faceted abdomen. Thanks
in advance for your help.
Regards,
Mark Vitale
Hi Mark,
You probably never thought to search our beetle pages since
the Short Winged Blister Beetle or Oil Beetle is an atypical
looking beetle.
Devil's Coach Horse
(09/22/2006) Devils Coach Horse
Hi BugMan,
Fairly certain this is a Devil's Coach Horse, although happy
to be corrected. Spotted it scurrying along the side of the
pavement outside our office near Glasgow, Scotland. It was
definitely fierce and kept doing its scorpion pose and waving
its jaws. I really struggled to get a photo from anywhere
but the back because as I maneuvered round to get a photo
from the front it kept turning to face its tail towards me!
I read on the 'net that they grow up to 28mm - however I am
convinced this one was more (I am ashamed to admit I have
come to this conclusion from using the pattern of stones in
the photo to identify where it was taken and then measuring
various distances) any info on maximum length? Great site!
Cheers,
Robbie Gorman
Hi Robbie,
This is indeed a Devil's Coach Horse, a type of Rove Beetle.
This European native was introduced to Southern California
in the 1930s and it has adapted quite nicely. We frequently
find them in our garden where they eat snails. Hogue lists
body length at 33mm.
Giant Glowworm
(09/17/2006) red spotted 3 inch long black beetle larvae
Dear Bug people,
I loved looking through your site...but I couldn't find my
beetle larvae...seems bug net doesn't have the category either.
I looked through all of your beetle pages. We found this guy
on top of the pine straw in a natural area in our yard in
North Carolina (september). It was 2.5 to 3 inches long. Please
help us identify it. Last week we discovered the arrow headed
flatworm in our yard and used your site to identify it. Thanks
so much,
Peri Buus
Hi Peri,
We suspect if you viewed your Giant Glowworm in the dark,
you would be treated to some bioluminescence. We did locate
a near identical larva on BugGuide
where it is listed as either genus Zarhipis or Phengodes.
Blister Beetle: Megetra
(09/17/2006) Is This a Blister Beetle????
Hi,
We live in Deming, New Mexico (located in the southwestern
corner of New Mexico) and keep seeing this Beetle (?) and
have checked your website. It is similar to the Blister Beetle
pictured on your website, except that our beetle seems to
be longer than the one pictured and is triangular in shape.
Are we correct in assuming it is another variety of Blister
Beetle??? Thanks so much.
You are correct. This is a Blister Beetle in the genus
Megetra.
Exotic Unknown Stag Beetle
(09/17/2006) lucanidae
HI
what kind of cyclommatus is this
Sorry, we aren't really that profient with identifying
exotic
Asian Stag Beetles, especially when no information is
provided.
Carrion
Beetle and Banded Netwing Beetle
(09/16/2006) Thank you so much-This is my Carrion Beetle
I found one with out a doubt. My Carrion Beetle was eating
on a dead snake. There is a bug under the Carrion bug in the
image to the far right. I don't know what that little thing
is. You can also see an ant on the brown leaf. Thanks a bunch.
JoLynn Self
Choctaw County, Oklahoma
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Carrion Beetle |
Banded Netwing Beetle |
Hi again Jolynn
Since you didn't provide us any information on the Banded
Netwing Beetle, and since both submissions were going on the
beetle page, we combined the submissions to cut down on some
of our work. Here at What's That Bug?, we believe if you want
a job done, you should go to a busy person, but if you want
a job done quickly, you should go to a lazy person because
a lazy person will think up the path of least resistance to
expedite the situation. We confess we have the lazy gene.
Banded Alder Borer
(09/09/2006) ( SECOND E-MAIL) to share our magnificant hand
painted bug! : ) Thanks!!
Hello Bugman,
We found this amazing bug on the wood pile the other day.
It is quite large the body is apx. 2- inches long with as
you can see, very long antenna! It looked like it was hand
painted, quite beautiful!! We live in Western Washington close
to Seattle and in all our years working in the woods we have
never seen anything like this. We ran across your wonderful
website and we were hoping you could help us identify what
kind of critter we have here! We were also wondering if it
is from this area or somewhere else? Thank-you so much for
taking the time to help us out during such a busy time for
you, we really appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Debbie Helland
Hi Debbie,
We hope our readership does not take it personally that we
are unable to answer every letter. We cannot even open every
letter. Thanks for your patience and persistance. This is
a Banded Alder Borer, and it is native.
Dogbane Leaf Beetle
(09/08/2006) green beetle on wheat
I was out photographing mature wheat fields near Jamestown,
North Dakota, when, as I stopped along a gravel road, saw
several of these green metalic beetles. I would guess they
were about 10-15mm in length. They didn't appear to be feeding
on the wheat, at least not at that time. Not sure what I else
I can tell you to help with the identification. Date of photo
was 7.26.06. Interested,
John
 
Hi John,
This is a Dogbane Leaf Beetle, Chrysochus auratus. It does
not feed on wheat. The photo where the beetle is about to
take flight is awesome.
Ground
Beetle mistaken for Cockroach: Successfully Exterminated!!!!!
(09/07/2006) corn beetles
Hi,
I work for Northern Illinois University Residential Facilities
and we have had serveral of students in the Residence Halls
complaining of cockroaches. We found the bug which is not
a cockroach but a corn beetle, according to our exterminator.
What could you tell us about this bug? I know you are a busy
bug group, but a quick response would be much appreciated.
We are having a panic here, with many residents fearing cockroaches.
Tracey Ward
Northern Illinois University
Housing and Dining
DeKalb, IL
Hi Tracey,
Congratulations. You have successfully exterminated a harmless
Ground Beetle in the Family Carabidae. These predators hunt
many serious pests and reducing their numbers will help the
other harmful creatures proliferate. Additionally, your extermination
attempts have now exposed the students to some potentially
harmful chemicals which will enable them to sign up for cancer
and disease studies in the future.
Ivory
Marked Beetle
(09/07/2006) Browsed your site..
I didn't see this one. I live in Memphis, TN and found this
crawling up the wall in the bathroom (Yeecch!). I think it
flies, I'm not sure. It made a strange noise when I was putting
the top of a "side salad" plastic lid over it to
capture it without crushing it. Perhaps it was trying to tell
me it didn't like what was going on. Intrigued by the markings
on the posterior, but have no clue at all what it is. Can
you help ?
Stephen
Hi Stephen,
This is the Ivory Marked Beetle, Eburia quadrigeminata. Larvae
bore in the heartwood of ash, hickory and other hardwoods,
and adults can emerge years after milling.
Ground Beetle Larva
(09/06/2006) whats this bug....
This is second email I sent. The first one the picture did
not attach to... Am trying again. I found this bug crawling
accross my patio. He was moving pretty fast and when I put
his in the jar to take his picture he would not hold still.
I believe he was on a mission. I have never seen another one
like him. And would appreciate it if you could identify him.
I am in Northern California. Thanks in advance,
Adrienne
Hi Adrienne,
We believe that mission was to devour potentially injurious
insect pests in your yard. This is a Ground Beetle Larva in
the family Carabidae. They are fierce predators and a gardener's
friend.
Death Feigning Beetle
(09/05/2006) Mojave Desert Beetle
Hi there. I just wanted to say that I love your site, its
provided many hours of fun browsing and reading. :-) I thought
I'd contribute some pictures I took while on a motorcycle
trip through the Mojave last weekend. While walking off the
beaten trail (my bike having gotten stuck in some sand), I
saw this guy scurry across the path I was walking on. He was
kind of a pain to get a picture of, but was kind enough to
let me pick him up and set him down a few times so I could
get a good picture. I found the texture on his abdomen to
be quite facinating. I've never seen a beetle quite like it.
An hour or so of searching online helped me ID the beetle
as *Cryptoglossa verrucosa, *commonly called either the Grey
Death Feigner, Mojave Desert Beetle, or (confusingly) the
Ironclad Beetle. I've ID'd him succesfully, but still thought
you might appreciate some pictures, as I didnt see any *Cryptoglossa
verrucosa* in your beetle pages. I found it interesting that
he didn't display his death feigning behaviour when I handled
him. He was quite active, running around in circles while
I tried to get a decent photograph. Thanks for maintaining
your site, I look forward to learning more from it. Sincerely,
Patrick Moore
Hi Patrick,
Earlier this year we did post another photo of a Death Feigning
Beetle, but we are also thrilled to post your colorful letter
and wonderful photo.
Ten Lined June Beetle
(09/02/2006) whats this beetle
Mydaughter brought this one to me..what is it?
Roger
Hi Roger,
This is a Ten Lined June Beetle.
Fireflies Mating
(09/02/2006) Bug Love
Well i was checking out your Bug Love section and thought
i may have one that you could add to the collection. Here
are a couple of Fireflys(Lightning Bugs)? that i spotted on
a tree at my camp in the mountains of West Virginia. Love
the site, just cant get enough! Thanks
Jed
Hi Jed,
We appreciate your photo contribution of mating Fireflies.
Phoresy:
Mites ride on Burying Beetle
(09/01/2006) whats this?
Bugman,
Thanks for the hard work you put in to your wonderful site!
My sweetie and I have been exploring a meadow in central mass
-part of an audubon refuge- and have become quite fascinated
with the monarch butterflies and their exploding population.
Over the past few months we've spent a lot of time there and
we've been working on witnessing every stage of their amazing
transformation. I have a terrible attention span, however,
and at one point I wandered away from the shiny chrysalis
I'd been staring at and got surprised by this bug buzzing
around in the tall grass. I managed to snap a few pictures
of it before it flew away, but I think this was one of the
creepier bug-spectacles I've seen yet. Please tell us whether
it's a mom offering her offspring a ride or a swarm of parasitical
mites!
Andrew, Arlington Mass.
Hi Andrew,
This is neither. It is a beetle giving a ride to some Mites,
a phenomenom known as Phoresy. We often get photos of Mites
using Burying Beetles for transportation to a fresh carcass.
This looks more like a Flower Scarab Beetle, but we will see
if Eric Eaton can provide further insight. Eric quickly wrote
back: "Had me fooled for a moment, too, but it IS a burying
beetle, specifically Nicrophorus tomentosus, named for the
yellow tomentum (fuzz) on its thorax. Eric"
Locust Borer
(08/31/2006) NW Indiana Sugar Maple Borer?
From NW Indiana again, and saw this guy doing a backstroke
in the pool. As I usually try to give everyone a fair shake,
I rescued him and got a few quick pics before he headed off.
Now I review the site and it looks like this guy may be a
Sugar Maple Borer; if so was I too quick in releasing him?
By your description this may be one of the more harmful beetles
in an area and its discovery may be of some concern...
M
Hi M,
Right family, wrong species. This is a Locust Borer. Grubs
bore in the wood of black locust trees and pollen and nectar
feeding adults are often found on goldenrod. Adults emerge
in the fall.
American Carrion Beetle
(08/29/2006) Oh Bugman, ever since I found you, you're the
first one I think of when I discover somethin new !
Hello.
Gosh, ever since I moved to a more "private" place
(Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania; about 20 miles outside of Philadelphia),
I'm realizing that it's not so "private". Well,
with all the visitors and all. I've attached two pictures
of an insect I've never seen. It moved rapidly and jerky when
approached and avoided me at all costs. In my attempt to make
him/her (let's just say "it" to expedite things)
"famous" by photographing it, it's leg was snagged
by a web thereby alerting the spider (which I've never witnessed).
In my haste and attempt to deter a homicide, I spooked the
spider away. Okay ... so it was so I could have my "professional"
photo displayed on your site. In any event, after apparently
being extremely annoyed with me, it just flew away. Why did
it wait so long before saying, "enough is enough"?
Most importantly, what the heck is it?
Dear Anonymous,
Your photo of an American Carrion Beetle is blurry, but we
don't care because we love your letter. Carrion Beetles eat
rotting flesh, so perhaps there was a dead thing nearby.
Burying Beetles Bury a Snake
(08/27/2006) Burying beetles score a snake!
Thanks, again, you guys. I was stalking a zebra longwing when
something big and slightly clumsy flew by and landed in the
grass a few feet away. Since it was maybe 2" long and
went busily to work on the ground, I went over to see what
the commotion was all about. These two burying beetles were
busy pulling the tail end of this snake into a hole they were
digging in the ground. Big chunks of the snake had been chewed
away. (I don't know what kind of snake this is; at less than
12" long, it's probably a youngster.) After ID-ing the
beetle on your site, I thought you might like to see these.
Diane in Florida
 
Hi Diane,
Thanks for the wonderful images. We believe that this is Nicrophorus
carolinus, based on a BugGuide
posting.
Southwestern
Hercules Beetle
(08/27/2006) dynastes granti
Found this guy near Morenci, AZ He measured in at 75mm. He
likes apples and bananas.
We are thrilled to see and post your photo of the Southwestern
Hercules Beetle. We get numerous images of his cousin, Dynastes
tityus, but submissions of granti are rare.
Mating June Beetles
(08/24/2006) Love Beetles
Love your site. I found the Velvet Ant on your site first.
Here are some Pics. Arlington, TN (Suburb of Memphis)
Pat Taylor
Hi Pat,
Thank you for sending in your graphic image of mating June
Beetles.
Mating Japanese Beetles
(08/23/2006) Mating Beetles
Hi Bugman,
Thought you might like this photo of mating beetles taken
August, 2006. These two are mating a hibiscus leaf which they
'love' feeding on and other 'things'<:)) I titled this
'Dance Of Love' in my photo gallery at BetterPhoto.com.
Sincerely,
Lorraine Cook
Philadelphia, PA.
Hi Lorraine,
The Japanese Beetles are late in Philadelphia. This pestiferous
alien introduction is continuing to expand its range. They
decimated my mother's Ohio garden in July but they have died
out for another year. They are especially problematic as they
eat such a wide variety of plants. Recently I acquired a pamphlet
from the California Department of Food and Agriculture warning
of their introduction to California.
Golden Buprestid or Jewel Beetle
(08/20/2006) Beautiful Iridescent Green Beetle - British Columbia
I posted this last week, then realized that I should have
given it a better
title to attract your attention, as you are probably swamped.
The picture alone might be worth posting. This was photographed
on Denman Island, BC. Can you identify this beautiful iridescent
green beetle? It was a deep chrome reddish colour on its underside,
like the colour on the edges of its wing covers. The beetle
in the photo was about 3/4" long and pretty docile. Regards,
Mike
Hi Mike,
A catchy subject line always catches our eye. This gorgeous
beetle is a Golden Burprestid, Cypriacis aurulenta. According
to BugGuide,
they are relatively common in the Pacific Northwest. They
are also known as Jewel Beetles, a name that needs no explanation.
Your photograph is gorgeous.
Iron Cross Blister Beetle
(08/19/2006) different variety of Tegrodera
Found in my yard in the Owens Valley (Lone Pine), elev. 4600',
striding about quite purposefully and fearlessly. According
to http://entmuseum.ucr.edu/bug_spotlight/posted%20Images-pages/27.htm,
this is the true Tegrodera latecincta: "The third and
northernmost species is T. latecincta Horn, known from the
Antelope and Owens valleys. " Whereas the photos you
have already posted are of Tegrodera aloga, according to the
above reference. About 1.5" long. Be all that as it may,
thanks for a great site!
JDB
Hi JDB,
Thanks for the photo, information, link and correction. This
is an excellent example of when location is critical for exact
species identification. :
Longhorned Borer
(08/18/2006) Some sort of borer beetle?
Entomology is not my subject in the least, but from what I
can find, I am guessing this is a borer beetle of sorts? Any
clues?
Sean
Hi Sean,
Yes, this is a Borer Beetle in the genus Enaphalodes,
but we are not sure of the species. This is a new genus for
our website.
Larger Elm Leaf Beetle
(08/18/2006) black and gold beetle in SC
Can you tell what this black and gold beetle is? Found in
central SC. Looks similar to Cucumber beetles I see on your
site but not quite.
Regards,
Robert Shannon
Hi Robert,
We believe this is a Larger Elm Leaf Beetle, Monocesta coryli,
one of the Skeletonizing Leaf Beetles. We found it on BugGuide.
Flower Longhorn
(08/16/2006) red and black bug
Hello - love your site. When I was little, we had these bugs
on some weeds in the back of the playground in St. Louis,
MO. I did a google search to try and find what they were,
and I'm almost certain this is a pic of one. We called them
"Pinchers", I assume because they pinch. Any info.
you have would be great!
Amy
Hi Amy,
This is some species of Flower Longhorn in the subfamily Lepturniae.
We could not find an exact match on BugGuide.
We will see if Eric Eaton recognizes the species. Here is
what Eric has to say: "Gee, I can't find an exact match in
Yanega's guide, either, but it looks like it might be a species
in the genus Trigonarthris. Lepturines are notorious for extreme
individual variation, so that doesn't help. There is a great
site, though, someting like cerambycidae.com or cerambycid.com,
that has some great images. You might try that, too. Sorry
I can't be more definitive. Eric"
Two from the Netherlands: Firebug Aggregation and
mating Colorado Potato Beetles
(08/16/2006) Are you identifying European insects?
I am glad I came across your excellent web site with wonderful
images of insects. I was in the Netherlands and tried to identify
the insects in the attached images but I wasn't very successful
in finding photos that match the species I photographed. The
two specimens surrounded by leaves were in a field of beans.
The common red and black insects were up and down the length
of a trunk of a tree by the side of a road which ran along
a river. It looks like I will be buying an insect identification
book in the not-too-distant future. Thank you for any help
you can provide. Best Wishes, Yours sincerely,
Richard
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| Firebug
Aggregation |
Mating
Colorado Potato Beetles (range expansion???) |
Hi Richard,
The aggregation of red bugs are Firebugs, Pyrrhocoris apterus,
a common species in continental Europe. We recently received
a great poster from a French pharmacy calling them Gendarme.
The mating Leaf Beetles look suspiciously like the US native
Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata. This beetle
once had a limited range in the Colorado Rocky Mountains,
but with the spread of potato cultivation, it became a nationwide
pest. Perhaps it has invaded Europe as well. BugGuide
substantiates that this agricultural pest has gained a foothold
in Europe.
Buprestid
Beetle
(08/15/2006) Thanks so much for identifying my beetles. How
about 1 more. See attached.
Vicki in CA
Hi Vicki,
We wish you provided a few more details. We wonder how large
this beauty is. This is some species of Buprestid, the Metallic
Wood Boring Beetles. We are also wondering if it was also
found in Burbank. We hope Eric Eaton can provide us with information.
Eric quickly wrote back: "It is something in the genus Buprestis
or Cypriacis (which was once lumped in Buprestis). My friend
Rick Westcott, retired from the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture,
could tell you more. Individual specimens can be extremely
variable in color, so that complicates matters. Eric"
Hi,
More info on the Buprestid Beetle. He/She was about 1" long,
and was found, as in picture, dead, on kitchen floor in Acton,
CA which is rural area north of Burbank. Thanks for your help.
Vicki Holmes
Update: (12/29/2006)
Buprestid answer
The buprestid from Acton, California
is Buprestis viridisuturalis Nicolay & Weiss. It is found in dead Fremont
Cottonwoods.
Thanks,
Ken Weiner
Natural Resource Specialist/ Park Ranger
Englebright & Martis Creek Lakes
Three Lined Potato Beetles Mating
(08/14/2006) Bug Love
Here's one for your collection. I don't know what they are,
but I think I know what they are doing. Photo was taken in
Burbank, CA at a park.
Vicki Holmes
Hi Vicki
These are Three Lined Potato Beetles, or Old Fashioned Potato
Beetles, Lema trilineata. The term Old Fashioned is probably
in reference to the increased distribution of the Colorado
Potato Beetle. The Three Lined Potato Beetle feed on the leaves
of plants in the nightshade family. If your park is a natural
wild park, they will feed on datura and deadly nightshade.
If there is a cultivated garden, they will feed on peppers,
tomatoes, and eggplant as well as potatoes.
Black Hercules Beetle
(08/12/2006) Name this beetle
We found a remarkable beetle in our back yard and was hoping
that you could help us identify exactly what type it is. We
believe it to be some type of Rhinoceros Beetle. It is 2.5
inches in length and over an inch wide. We have taken several
pictures and have attached two to this email. We found the
beetle in our Maryland yard already dead. He had some tent
worm silk covering his head, which may have contributed to
his demise.
Bugguide
states: "Some females are nearly black", but it says nothing
about dark coloration in the male Hercules Beetle, Dynastes
tityus. We have gotten written reports of these beetles changing
colors (see below).
Amazing Technicolored Dynastes tityus
(08/11/2006)
I know, I know, you are swarmed with questions. But I just
can't find any answers or others who want to answer! I found
a Dynastes titus. I identified it with the help of your site,
thank you! I then read on other www's how they are easy to
keep as pets. I followed some pet advice, and he has an aquarium
set up that I think most Rhino bugs would give their bottom
horn for. However, today, he was not looking his usual coloring,
which is a creamy olive with black spots. He was COMPLETLY
black. Still very lively, and eating a piece of fresh pineapple
soaked in maple syrup. I took him outside and put him on the
ground, and he changed back to creamy olive with black spots
right in front of my eyes! I had no idea that insects were
capable of this sort of transformation. I made a makeshift
box for him, and placed it outside for a little while. When
I checked on him again, he was half under a bit of bark, and
he was 1/2 black, under the bark, and 1/2 olive-y in the sun.
My question is, Does he need to be the olive color? Is it
a sign of some kind of deficiency? I've had him for three
weeks, and he's not done this before now. I am unable to find
anything on the Internet about this, even on the web pages
describing how to keep him as a pet.
Elizabeth Hager
Fayetteville, Arkansas
P.S. No pictures, because my camera is in the shop. If you
are not too swarmed, I will send you some as soon as I get
it back. He (no name yet) is beautiful.
Hi Elizabeth,
We know that these beetles are sometimes a mahogony color,
but we are not sure what causes the changes. Our best advice
is to inquire from sites that advocate raising these beetles.
We don't think the color change is indicative of poor health.
(08/12/2006)
Thank you. The beetle died this morning. He still changes
color even though he is no more. I think it is a temp thing.
Update from Eric Eaton: "The key here is
that it was dead. Large beetles are well known for turning
black after death due to becoming saturated with grease as
their fatty bodies decompose. Not a pretty answer, I know,
but the correct explanation:-) I have some specimens of my
own to which this has happened, sometimes on only the half
of the insect through which the pin passes. I can't comment
on the color-changing phenomenon the one person documents.
You should contact Brett Ratcliffe at Scarab Central, the
entomology department at the U. of Nebraska, Lincoln. Eric"
Update (08/23/2006) Technicolored Dynastes
tityus
I just read the "Amazing Technicolored Dynastes tityus" and
had something to add. Both D. tityus and D. granti, and apparently
the other species in the genus, will change color due to moisture
fluctuations. Whenever I remove an adult from it's substrate
it will appear very dark but will return to it's normal coloration
after a minute or so. I imagine this would be a nice camouflaging
technique because a bright green beetle walking through moist
leaf litter would stand out. This change is normal and is
not due to temperature or any nutritional deficiencies. I
have seen preserved specimens retain this darker coloration
regardless of the humidity levels but Elizabeth's beetle was
changing back, which makes me think it was humidity. I found
two links that mention this subject: http://bugguide.net/node/view/11562
and
http://www.unl.edu/museum/research/entomology/Guide/Scarabaeoidea/Scarabaeidae/Dynastinae/Dynastinae-Tribes/Dynastini/Dynastes/D-hercules/Dhercules.html
Best Regards,
Steven
Figeater Aggregation
(08/10/2006)
I used your web site to find out the name of the bugs that
recently arrived in our backyard. The Green Fruit Beetles
don't seem to mind sharing this peach . We live in Brea Ca.
and this is the first time in ten years we have seen these
beetles in our yard and on our peach tree. Thanks for the
info .
Kind Regards
Dudley Michael
Hi Dudley,
Peach? What Peach? This photo is pretty awesome. We have started
seeing the Green Fruit Beetle or Figeater recently this summer.
They make their appearance in August and September and they
fly noisily and lazily about. The grubs can often be found
in compost piles.
Goldbug Changes Colors
(08/09/2006) Bicolor Tortoise Beetle (caught in the act!)
Hi bugman!
I really enjoy your web site and thought I'd share my latest
bug experience with you! I found this goldbug crawling on
my screen door in SW Ohio the other day. I had heard that
some tortoise beetles can change colors, so I was excited
to determine weather or not this one could change his color
too. At the time, he didn't seem very colorful at all but
I decided to pop him in a jar with a morning glory leaf anyway
and see if his color changed at all. Well I must say, the
color change was quite dramatic to say the least! This little
bug can change from a brilliant gold color (while happily
munching on his favorite food) to a ladybug color (when annoyed)
in an instant! You'll be happy to know that after his "photo
shoot", Mr. Goldbug was allowed to return to his real
home out in the yard. Enjoy the attached photos!
sherry
Hi Sherry,
Thank you so much for sending in this dramatic documentation
of a Golden Tortoise Beetle, Charidotella sexpunctata according
to BugGuide,
changing colors. This is the widely spread subspecies Charidotella
sexpunctata bicolor and it does feed on morning glories. It
is also commonly called the Goldbug.
Margined Blister Beetle
(08/09/2006) Help with bug / beetle ID?
I've never noticed any bug like this before but this one was
on the cement block of my home just behind the rose bushes
on July 30th of this year. I live in north central Ohio. Any
ideas of what it may be? Sorry the pictures aren't so clear,
I'm having difficulty with that lately. Thanks for any info.
Jill Johns
Ashland, OH
Hi Jill,
This is a Margined Blister Beetle.
Reddish Brown Stag Beetle and airplane ad
(08/09/2006) thought that you might know what this bug is
Gentlemen:
I saw your ad in an airplane and took this picture to see
if you might know what it is. This showed up on the back screen
door during a rainstorm in the evening a few weeks ago in
Ohio. Great website. Thanks,
Bill.
Hi Bill,
This is a male Reddish Brown Stag Beetle, Lucanus capreolus.
He is harmless. What, pray tell, do you mean by "saw your
ad in an airplane"? We are not advertising, and we are more
than curious about the ad appearing in an airplane. Please
clarify.
Northern Corn Rootworm
(08/08/2006) HELP! What is this bug!?
What is this little green pest? They come here in the mid-west
every year around August. There are hundreds of them and they
are eating all of my flowers and destroying my garden- especially
my petunias and begonias! Help, what are they? Some sort of
Aphid? How do I get rid of them? Thanks!
This is one of the Skeletonizing Leaf Beetles. Our suspicion
is that it is the Northern Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica barberi,
or a very closely related species. The larvae feed on the
roots of corn, and the adults skeletonize leaves and blossoms.
Eyed Elater
(08/08/2006) moth or not?
Hi,
The black & white moth like thing was near my house in
Houston TX and the other on the upper side of the picutre
was about 11⁄2 in. long if not longer and came out of
the sand pile at the bottom of the picutre. Any help would
be greatly appreciated as I have 3 kids going in and out of
the house and in the back yard. Thanks,
So
Hi There So,
This image is not a moth, but an Eyed Elater, a species of
Click Beetle, so named beause of the ability to flip themselves
onto their feet if caught on their backs which produces a
clicking noise. The flying insect is a Cicada Killer, the
subject of countless recent letters, many from Texas, as also
the subject of its own information page on our site.
Red Grapevine Beetle???
(08/05/2006) Grapevine Beetle?
Hi it's August here Ottawa, ON. This guy flew to my porch
light late one night. I was wondering if its a Grapevine Beetle?
Thanks
Scott
Hi Scott,
Yours is the second image we have received of what looks like
a Grapevine Beetle, but instead of the usual cream/yellow
coloration, the beetles were a rich cordovan red. The other
beetles were also from Ontario. The Audubon Guide states that
the coloration of Pelidnota punctata ranges from "dull reddish
brown to brownish yellow". We suspect there is a local color
variation in your area of Canada.
Mating
Pennsylvania Leatherwings share thistle with Black Swallowtail
(08/05/2006) Name that Beetle
I just discovered your wonderful website while I was trying
to identify the mating beetles sharing the thistle with a
Black Swallowtail. The picture was taken last summer just
out side Madison WI. Are these a Pennsylvania leather-wings?
Bill Ottinger
 
Hi Bill,
You are absolutely correct. The mating Pennsylvania Leatherwings
are common beetles found on roadside flowers, especially goldenrod.
Clavate Tortoise Beetle
(08/03/2006) Tortoise Beetle?
Your website was very helpful, since I had despaired of identifying
a little beetle we found in Londonderry, Vt. (in late July)
sitting on the edge of a bowl of watermelon. Is it a Tortoise
Beetle? If the photo looks good on your site it may be better
than the one you have. I enlarged the top view, but I left
the upside-down view alone, as it shows the insect's size.
After the photo shoot it finally flew away!
 
Yes, this is a Clavate Tortoise Beetle, Deloyala clavata,
or according to BugGuide,
Plagiometriona clavata.
Sudanese Prionid Borer
(08/02/2006) Serious mandibles
hello bugman.
I sent you some photos the other day but you must be busy
cause I havent seen them. They were mostly just pretty pics.
I have a question about this critter. He is about 3-4 inches
long and has these great big jaws. Quite placid when he is
still but if you touch his back, he spins around ready to
attack. Is like a off brown with light brown mottled color
markings. Quite agressive. We are in the desert in Sudan and
have plenty blister beetles, and awesome moths, one I ID from
your site being the white lined sphinx. Thank you! Thanks
for a very interesting site!
Marc B. Potgieter
Khor Abeche
Southern Darfur
Sudan
Hi Marc,
Our mail volume is so heavy right now, we could not answer
every letter if we spent 24 hours a day on the site. We choose
letters at random. This is some species of Prionid Borer.
It resembles the North American Derobrachus species. The heavy
mandibles are necessary as the large grubs are wood borers,
often in roots. The adult needs to chew its way to the surface
through the wood after it emerges from the pupa.
Margined Blister Beetles
(08/01/2006) bug with a big appetite
This beetle can eat a lot of plant quickly. What is it? Thanks,
Steve
Hi Steve,
These are Margined Blister Beetles.
Ivory Marked Beetle
(07/30/2006) Ivory-marked beetle?
Hello - My wife found what I think is an Ivory-marked beetle
on our rosemary plant. Thought you might like to add the photo
to your collection. If you get a chance, please let me know
if I got the ID correct. Thanks.
Dave
Hi Dave,
You are correct. This is an Ivory Marked Beetle, Eburia quadrigeminata.
Margined
Blister Beetle
(07/30/2006) What is this bug.
Found him on a butterfly bush in my Mother's garden. Thought
he was a type of Tiger Beetle, but I haven't found any with
this markings in any of the galleries I've looked through.
Kammie
Hi Kammie,
This is a Margined Blister Beetle, Epicauta pestifera, not
a Tiger Beetle.
Reddish Brown Stag Beetle
(07/30/2006) stag beetle?
I've been told this is a Stag Beetle. He (she?) flew onto
the screen on our porch and then started harassing my wife!
Then he beat up the dime (not really). Western PA.
Matty Mo'
p.s. - I have "bug love" for What's That Bug?
Hi Matty Mo',
You are correct. This is a Reddish Brown Stag Beetle.
Scarites Ground Beetle
(07/29/2006) Big, scary bug...
Dear Bug Man:
Could you please tell me what kind of beetle or bug this is?
I live in Lancaster County, PA. Oh, and I named him "Harry",
hehe. 'Harry' is an active bugger. When I found him he was
marching across my kitchen floor on a serious mission. Ever
since I put him in this plastic container, he's been trying
to find a way out. He doesn't seem aggressive though. The
big pincher things look intimidating, but when I put a pencil
in front of him, he just stayed still for a while and didn't
move. Also, my kittie, Cleo, wants to play with him so badly
that she keeps batting at the container. Of course I'm still
not sure what Harry could do with those pinchers. She probably
wouldn't want to play with him after finding out.
Thanx,
Amanda
Hi Amanda,
This is a Ground Beetle in the genus Scarites.
Desert
Spider Beetle
(07/28/2006) Can you tell what this bug is?
I found this colorful beetle in Phoenix, AZ outskirts in the
desert. Do you know the species? Thanks.
This is definitely a Blister Beetle, and we are also certain
it is the genus, Cysteodemus, the Desert Spider Beetles. One
species is black and the other is white. The white species
is the White Bladder-bodied Meloid, Cysteodemus
armatus. We are perplexed by the yellow coloration and
wonder if it is a variation, a chemical tinting, a pollen
dusting, or a different species. We will inquire if Eric Eaton
has an opinion.
Click Beetle
(07/27/2006) Beetle? help
Playing possum but he's some type of snap beetle..I think.
Can you help? Located in Prescott Arizona.
Justine
Hi Justine,
We located this beautiful Click Beetle on BugGuide.
It is in the genus Chalcolepidius.
White Spotted Pine Sawyer and web design suggestion
(07/27/2006) Identity of a Longhorn Beetle
Please take a look at the attached photo and tell me if it
is a good enough photo to identify the beetle. We discovered
it on our camping tent at 8:00AM on July 22, 2006, at the
top of Table Mountain, at 6400 feet elevation, in central
Washington State. Shortly after this photo was taken, the
beetle flew away across an alpine meadow. There were conifer
trees at the edge of the meadow. It was 2 to 3 inches long
from the head to the rear end. I don't know whether to call
it a Whitespotted Pine Sawyer (Monochamus Scutellatus) or
a Giant Root Borer (Prionus spp.) but I would prefer to know
your opinion.
Your web site is awesome, by the way. It would be nice if
the bugs were ordered in some way, and with fewer photos on
each page (or something) so the page would load quicker.
Jim Zimmerman
Hi Jim,
Your beautiful beetle is a male White Spotted Pine Sawyer,
Monochamus scutellatus. The Prionids are much stockier beetles.
We are somewhat amused at your suggestion that we reorganize
our site. First, our photos are "ordered in some way". They
are chronological. If you look at our 9 beetle pages, Beetles
1 is the oldest and Beetles 9 the most recent. We have individual
pages devoted to specific groups of insects. The homepage
has recent and timely postings. For example, we always have
a House Centipede, a Potato Bug, a Toe Biter and a Pseudoscorpion
on the homepage as we get so many requests to identify them.
Suggesting that we restructure our page is comparable to walking
into someones 50 acre, overgrown English country style garden
and complimenting it, but suggesting it would be much nicer
if it was redone as a formal, symetrical space. At this point,
due to the size of our database, any restructuring will be
the job of our archivists.
Banded
Alder Borer
(07/25/2006) Can you identify this zebra bug for us?
Having trouble finding out what this but is from a internet
search. didn't know if you might have time to tell me what
it is. thanks in advance
Karen Hiller
Hi Karen,
The Banded Alder Borer is also called the Laurel Borer in
Southern California.
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