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Mating Blister Beetles
(10/02/2005) Steamboat Rock State Park WA red headed bugs
Hello,
Can you tell me what these bugs are that my daughter and son-in-law
saw on a shrub on top of 800' Steamboat Rock that rises above
Steamboat Rock State Park on Banks Lake in Eastern Washington
State just south of Grand Coulee Dam?
Thank you,
Genelle
Hi Genelle,
This photo of mating Blister Beetles looks like Lytta magister.
In checking BugGuide, we found that all the images of this
insect were from Arizona. We are getting a second opinion.
False
Bombadier Beetle Impailed
(10/01/2005) Beetle Ant?
Dear, Whats That Bug,
Hello, my name is Joshua and I need some help identifying
this bug. It looks like it is half beetle, half ant,
and is about an inch and a quarter long. I live in Huntsville,
Alabama attached are some pictures that i took of the bug.
Note: The large yellow spot is part of the pin I used
to hold the bug.
Hi Joshua,
We feel the pain being endured by the poor impailed False
Bombadier Beetle, genus Galerita. These are Ground Beetles
and they are predatory. They are not at all harmful to you
or your pets or your lovely beige carpet.
Wood
Boring Beetle Grub and subsequent Controversy
(09/29/2005) WTB
I have never seen anything like this befor here in Michigan.
Thanks
Evan Owens
Hi Evan,
Please give us some context. Did you find it in the bathroom?
We don't think so. Did you find it in the pantry? We don't
think so. Was it crawling across the driveway? We don't think
so. Was it eating the leaves on your rose bush? We don't think
so. We believe it was found in a wood pile. This is the Grub
of a Beetle in the Family Cerambycidae, the Long Horned Borers.
They spend their lives feeding on wood, pupate inside the
stump and emerge as winged adults.
Dear Bugman I found this bug (Wood Boring Beetle Grub)
in the yard and it's all sand I was working in Rosscommon
on a house in the woods but about 1 acre of it is all sand
where i found it .no grass and no wood pile and no wood in
the imediate area, but was close to the driveway. Thank you
again for your help.
Evan
Hi again Evan,
We have a new theory. Perhaps the grub was living in cut lumber.
There are species that can emerge as winged adults years after
construction.
We stand chastised
(09/30/2005) Hi. My friends and I read your site daily to
look at all the fastinating new bugs. We were quite dismayed
with your reply to Evans Owens who sent you a picture of the
wood boring beetle grub. Were you courteous? WE DONT THINK
SO. Were you pleasant? WE DONT THINK SO. Were you nice? WE
DONT THINK SO. Were you polite? WE DONT THINK SO. We think
that since you are in the "public eye", that you should not
chastise the people who write to you for help. What good really
would it have done if he told you where he found it? On July
17th, this year, Dave and Wendy told you they found a pseudoscorpion
in a box of cereal. Did that help you identify it? WE
DONT THINK SO !!!
Hi there, This wasn't meant as a discourtesy as much as
it was meant to comment on the lack of information in the
query. We stand chastised and will post your comment beneath
our original response. At least we didn't use email shouts
in our response which was actually meant to be funny. Occasionally
a joke will fall flat. We hope our unintentional rudeness
hasn't cost us a reader. We still love the letter with the
Pseudoscorpion in the cereal, and in actuality, we did identify
it.
Evan Responds: (10/01/2005)
Sorry everyone took it as rude, I took it as funny, As in,
where did you find it? I did not feal insulted or put down
in any way. I guss I should of put LOL after I found it by
the driveway , (LOL) But I also appreciate the concern of
your readers, And I thank them too. The home is over 10 years
old and it's a modular home, And the wood is all treated lumber
that we where using, so how it got there is beyond me, and
your guess is probably better than mine (LOL) and there is
about 100 acres of woods there . P.S. im not in to bugs much,
but i do like to know what it is im looking at when i do see
one I've never seen before and im glad I found your website,
I now have it saved in my Fav. websites. and I thank you for
your help.
Evan
Additonal Information
(09/30/2005) Evan Owens Ash Borer
Hello Bugman,
I've been appreciating your site for some time, since ID'ing
a Great Golden Digger Wasp flying around hoarding Katydids
in my wife's flowers, and regularly click on it to see what's
up on your main page. Thanks for the work you're doing. I'm
just writing to shed a little light on a picture on your main
page. I'm from northern lower Michigan and the boring worm
that Evan Owens on 9/29/05 has pictured is an import that
is giving the forest service around here fits. Since it is
a newcomer to Evan, it is likely an Emerald Ash Borer grub,
and it kills trees, specifically Ashes. Southeastern Michigan
has had its parks and woods practically culled (an estimated
8 to 10 million trees since their introduction in 2002) of
Ash trees over the past few years, and the insects are continually
spreading as people move firewood (containing the voracious
larva) to northern and western campsites in our state, Ohio,
and Indiana. If Evan, or anyone else that spots them, is outside
the known range of these pests, Michigan has a hotline for
reporting their spread and disposal sites for infected wood
(866-325-0023.) Michigan also quarantines areas and bans
the transporting of firewood but the rules are all but unforcible. The
best tool right now for stopping them is early detection and
eradication, but that will only come with education. For further
information, here are some very informative links that include
pictures of the insect, where it came from, and efforts to
contain it:
http://www.emeraldashborer.info/
http://www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125-1568_2390_18298---,00.html
I know your site isn't dedicated to removing pests, but this
is one exotic that could use the boot.
Weston Tulloch
Bay City, MI
Thank you for your insiteful letter Weston. One comment
we would like to add is that many Wood Boring Beetles have
similar appearing grubs and this might actually be a native
species. We also stand by this being a Cerambycid and not
a Buprestid which the Emerald Ash Borer is. Cerambycid grubs
have much larger heads.
Caterpillar Hunter with Prey
(09/27/2005) caterpillar hunter beetle
I thought you might enjoy this photo I took of the Caterpillar
Hunter Beetle enjoying a meal!
Deb from SE PA
Hi Deb,
Awesome image of a Calosoma scrutator earning its common name
Caterpillar Hunter.
Patent
Leather Beetle
(09/27/2005) beetle
Hello!
My son keeps finding these beetles in the woods under trees
or under hay. I'm curious to know what do they eat?
How long do they live? Do they carry germs? And
What's this beetle called? We love to look and play
with them. They even have horns and fight each other.
Sheri
Hi Sheri,
This is a Patent Leather Beetle, Odontotaenius disjunctus.
It is from the Bessbug Family Passalidae. They are related
to Stag Beetles and the most fascinating thing about them
is that they live in colonies. Adults and larvae live together
in galleries inside tree stumps and rotting logs. Adults chew
decaying wood and feed the larvae. They make a squeeking sound
when disturbed by rubbing their wings against their backs.
The larvae can also make sounds by scraping their legs against
their bodies. This beetle was formerly known as Popilius disjunctus.
They do not carry germs that can be passed to people.
Firefly Larva
(09/26/2005) beetle larva?
Hello Bugman,
These pictures were taken in Northwest Indiana on Sept. 26th.
After searching your site and others, I still haven't found
larvae with this exact coloring. Can you identify this pretty,
inch-long larva?
Thanks,
Melinda Z
 
Hi Melinda,
Nice photos of a Firefly Larva, one of the Lampyrid Beetles.
Most people in the east recognize "Lightning Bugs" but few
people recognize the larval form.
Thanks for your help identifying the firefly larva. I use
your website regularly to ID the little beasties I encounter
(most recently the masked hunter! -- finally I know what it
is!!). When I'm not identifying, I like to browse the pictures
of the colorful, beautiful, and sometimes bizarre bug friends
we share the planet with. Several of my friends and family
are big fans of your site also. Keep up the good work.
Melinda
Pleasing Fungus Beetle
(09/25/2005) Variety of burying beetle or.....?
Hi!
I think it's great that there are so many people out there
who are
interested enough in bugs to find out what they are. And
I think it's even better that there is a site where people
can go to get help from well-educated and dedicated people
such as you. Thanks! Now, on to my bug. I
found these in a rotten area of a maple tree in my yard here
in northeast Ohio. Looking through your site, I
saw many pictures of burying beetles which look quite similar. But
these little guys seem to have larger red bands and the head
and thorax do not seem so prominent. Any ideas?
-Steven
Hi Steven,
This is a new genus for our site. This is a Pleasing Fungus
Beetle in the genus Megalodacne. They are often found in colonies
in rotten wood and beneath loose bark. There are two possible
species, M. fasciata which grows 9-15 mm and M. heros which
is considerably larger, ranging 18-21 mm.
Flat
Bark Beetle: Cucujus clavipes
(09/16/2005) red bug
Hi Bugman,
I found this little red guy in some firewood, between the
wood and the bark. It's about the size and shape of a firefly
but is a deep magenta color with a little black spot at the
posterior and is flatter. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Galen
Hi Galen,
This is a Flat Bark Beetle, Cucujus clavipes. These beetles
are well adapted for living under loose but close fitting
bark. Both adults and larvae feed on insects. Cucujus clavipes
is one of the largest and most brilliantly colored species
in the family. It is especially common under the bark of freshly
felled poplar and ash trees.
Click
Beetle
(09/16/2005) How about this guy?
Hi,
I found this insect crawling in my basement. I
scanned it at 600 dpi. When time permits, could
you attempt to identify it?
Thanks,
Rob
Hi Rob,
This is a Click Beetle, one of the Elaterids. When they are
on their backs, they have the ability to snap their bodies
at the joint and flipping over, often popping over a foot
into the air to do so.
Daniel,
Thanks for the reply. It actually did pop up into the air
a couple times. I thought I was seeing things. Pretty neat,
though. After scanning, I nudged him into a film case and
put him in our flower garden. Thanks,
Rob
Kinky
Japanese Beetles
(09/15/2005) Mating bugs
I saw your page for mating bugs and thought I would give you
an even better (and funnier) Japanese Beetle picture.
I call this....Beetle Orgy!
Monica Ragsdale
Hi Monica,
Your photo speaks for itself. We especially like the voyeur.
Your photo could compromise our recent good reputation with
Elementary Schools as well as religious fanatics.
Locust
Borer
(09/15/2005) Yellow & Black
Hi...
Found this in my home in Newton, MA. After doing some internet
seaching I thought it could be Clytus ruricolo (beetle)...its
about 1 1/4" inches long.
Lynne
Hi Lynne,
This is a Locust Borer, Megacyllene robiniae. Larvae bore
in the sapwood of Black Locust trees and adults feed on nectar
and pollen, especially from Goldenrod.
Firefly
Larva
(09/14/2005) glowing thing
Hi-
I'm working as an outdoor educator in southern NH. I've found
a few of these strange insects while walking at night. They
look a little like rollie-pollies or sow-bugs, but they seem
to have a really small head, and they glow green from two
spots on their undersides. Are they female fireflies
or firefly larvae? I was hoping they were something
more exciting, but any info would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
Beth
 
Hi Beth,
This is a Firefly Larva. We requested additional information
from Eric Eaton, but he informed us it is very difficult to
identify Firefly larva species.
Stink Beetles Mating
(09/11/2005) black beetles? possible stink beetle?
anyhoo! I'd love to know whats up!
thanks
Rebecca Brown Long Beach, Ca
Hi Rebecca,
What a wonderful Bug's Eye View of these Stink Beetles mating.
You must have been crawling on your belly to get that angle.
Stink Beetles in the genus Eleodes are found throughout the
arid West. They have fused wings which makes flight impossible.
They amble along the ground in hilly areas and deserts, and
if disturbed, they stick their rear ends up and emit a foul
smelling odor.
American Burying Beetle
(09/10/2005) biggest beetle iv ever seen
this flying beetle thinggie was spotted and photographed
inside of a crushed dishwasher in the metal pile
at the dump on nantucket island in august 05..
it was at least three inches long i only got one
shot of it before it flew off.. what was it?
August
Hi August,
This is an American Burying Beetle, Nicrophorus americanus,
and our beetle guide says they grow to 35 mm, or just about
1 1/2 inches, which is still pretty large. I guess you found
it in the dump as that is probably a good place to find carrion,
the larval food source. It is often attracted to lights and
is found near dead animals.
Ed. Note: This just in from Eric Eaton. (09/12/2005)
"If that image is indeed an American burying beetle,
and it sure does look like it, then you have a "scoop."
The American burying beetle is a federally listed endangered
species. It is critical that we identify EXACTLY where this
specimen was photographed. It may represent a new record,
and/or reflect a successful reintroduction effort. The locality
information, and the image, should be forwarded to someone
at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Please keep me posted
on this most important find. Thanks. Eric"
(09/14/2005) Followup from Eric Eaton:
A quick Google search turned up that they do have a release
site on Nantucket Island for the American burying beetle. I
found a couple people to e-mail to, so maybe we'll find out
more at some point. Looks like they need to do a bit more
public awareness so folks know about the insect! Eric
Devil's Coach Horses from Germany
(09/05/2005) German Bugs?
Hello, we found these little critters in some holes we dug
for a fence. Every night we check the holes for varmints,
we find about 6 or 7 of these little guys. So, what
are they? I have never seen anything like them. We live in
Germany , on the Luxembourg border. Thanks.
Charles.
Die Deutsche Mannschaft ( The German Crew )
Hi Charles,
How nice of you to include an American quarter so we would
have a better idea of scale. These are Devil's Coach Horses,
a type of Rove Beetle originally from Europe. They have become
quite naturalized in Southern California and other areas of
the U.S. We love them in our garden since they eat slugs and
snails.
Devil's
Coach Horse
(09/05/2005) had a good look at your site...
...and searched under things mentioning scorpions but could
find nothing like the bug shown in the attached pictures.
This tiny little fellow had fallen into the pool and climbed
up onto the skimmer paddle to dry. The tail is raised like
a scorpion but that's the only similarity. The tail also sat
flat but it seemed to prefer having it raised like this most
of the time. I scooped it out and let it wander away on the
lawn.
Best wishes,
Ian
You are a kind man Ian.
You will be rewarded by having this species of Rove Beetle,
originally a European immigrant, eat the snails and slugs
in your yard. This beetle is commonly known as a Devil's Coach
Horse, Staphylinus olens, and though it appears threatening,
it is harmless.
California Glowworm
(09/05/2005) Another glowing bug (not a firefly larvae to
my knowledge)
To whom it may concern, I am enclosing two pictures of
the same larvae; one with lights on and one with lights off.
I am clueless and every search I come up with leads me to
fireflies. If the pictures do not come through for you I
will post them in cyberspace and send yo the links. Sorry,
I cropped a photo down.
Sincerely
Bob Dodd
http://www.bugpeople.org/taxa/Coleoptera/Phengodidae/FamilyPhengodidaePage.htm
It turns into a beetle and the male has huge antennae.
 
Good Going Bob. We are happy to post your image of a
California Glowworm.
Dung
Beetle
(09/01/2005) Rainbow Scarab photos
Hello, I work for the US Forest Service. This insect
blew in my car window as I was driving down the road yesterday,
right outside the Silver Mines Recreation Area in southeast
Missouri (outside Fredericktown). It took me most
of the evening to identify it, finally, from one of your web
pages. It's beautiful. Here are three
photos we took in the office. Sorry it's dead,
we were preparing to send it in to our University Extension
office before we found your site.
Happy September,
We haven't gotten a photo of this colorful Dung Beetle in
quite a while. Your male Phanaeus vindex, whose sex is identified
thanks to his long curved horn, is indeed beautiful. One would
never guess that they are one of nature's garbage collectors,
burying animal dung as a larval food source.
Mating
Western Rhinoceros Beetles
(09/29/2005) Rino
Better pics of the Rino, Hope you can use them.
Danny
Ed. Note: We have put in a request for
Danny to provide additional information on this image. Is
he raising the beetles? or were they found in the wild? Only
time will tell.
I sent you a few pics last week, they were found in Payson
Arizona. I do have 3 males and 5 females. I will try to raise any
offspring. The pics sent last week were taken on the spur.
in the current photos I was able to use a tripod. How about
that bug luv.
Danny Lee
Grant's Rhinoceros Beetle: male and female
(08/28/2005) Pics from Az
Found in Payson Arizona late August.
Thanks Danny
 
Hi Danny,
Though we have received many photos of the Eastern Hercules
Beetle, this is our first of the Western Hercules Beetle or
Grant's Rhinoceros Beetle, Dynastes grantii. The Western Hercules
Beetle has a much larger horn on the male, nicely illustrated
in your photo. We are also including the image of the female
beetle you sent later.
Glorious
Beetle
(08/28/2005) bugs
Also found in Payson Arizona in late August
Danny Lee
Hi again Danny,
We are thrilled to have your photo of a Glorious Beetle, Plusiotis
gloriosa. Many people consider it to be the most beautiful
American beetle. We are going to include the female Dynastes
grantii with the male you sent in earlier.
Devil's
Coach Horse
(08/28/2005) Help ID'ing a bug
Hi, can you help me identify the following very scary looking
bug I found in my Seattle office? It raised its hind up like
a scorpion to sting when it got scared (I’m speculating
on its emotional state), and it appears to have a stinger,
as well as some nice pincers? 6 legs and a couple antennas,
I think.
Thanks!
Jason
Hi Jason,
Though an introduced species from Europe, this Rove Beetle,
the Devil's Coach Horse, is a gardener's friend since it is
one of the few predators that will eat snails and slugs. The
defensive posture is a sham as the beetle has no stinger.
It is harmless.
Banded Netwing Beetle
(08/26/2005) Do you know what this is?
Thanks!
Isabel
Hi Isabel,
This is a Banded Netwing Beetle, Calopteron reticulatum.
Cylindrical Hardwood Borer
(08/25/2005) what the heck is this?
My parents live in New Jersey and found these in a maple tree
they cut down...any help on this?
This is a Cylindrical Hardwood Borer, Neoclytus acuminatus.
The larvae feed on many types of hardwood and are also found
in unseasoned lumber. Adults are found on flowers and move
very quickly.
Banded Net-Wing
(08/23/2004)
I can't find out what kind of bug this is. My kids and I came
across this strange bug today. I have tried to look
it up, but can't find it anywhere. Can you please help
identify it? Your help would be gratefully appreciated!
Thank you,
Leslie and kids
Hi Leslie and kids,
We really wish your photos of a Banded Net-Wing, Calopteron
reticulatum, were clearer. Though it looks like a moth, this
is actually a beetle in the family Lycidae. It is found in
moist woods and meadows where it feeds on juices from decaying
plant matter.
American Carrion Beetle
(08/21/2005) horrible tomato bugs
Hi, I love your website. Now it's my
turn to ask for help... Attached is a picture of the Horrible
Tomato Bug of 2005. I am finding three, four, or five of these
buggers having a feeding frenzy - they eat through the bottom
and hollow out the biggest, ripest tomatoes.
They don't seem to climb much, and prefer the tomatoes that
touch the ground. There aren't many of them, luckily. Not
yet anyway! They scuttle away very quickly and deftly when
disturbed. I got this picture of a small one, luckily. These
bugs are broad and sturdy, and relatively flat. If it were
possible to get one of these bugs to stand still on a coin,
it would nearly conceal a nickel. Up to 2cm in
size (.75 inch) I've seen a couple that were even bigger.
I'd love to know what these beasts are. (And how to prevent
them from settling into the garden!) I've
browsed around on the net to no avail. My parents have never
seen these things in 30 years of gardening. Thanks in advance,
and happy bughunting!
debbie
Hi Debbie,
We do not think of American Carrion Beetles, Silpha americana,
as garden pests, but as beneficial insects. They are attracted
to dead animals and lay their eggs there. They eat the rotting
meat as well as fly larvae. It is a mystery why they are being
attracted to your tomatoes. Try staking the plants to get
the fruit off the ground.
Green Fruit Beetle
(08/19/2005) Glorious Beetle?
I just opened the top of the compost bin, and two very large
(1 inch length) metallic green beetles with dark stripes flew
out. They had dark wings, and maybe a 1-1/2 to
2 inch wingspan. The compost bin had been filled
with large leaves from tropical plants (bird of paradise)
a few weeks ago. In trying to find out what the beetle might
be, your photo of the Glorious Beetle came up as the closest
specimen visually. The ones I saw (head on) were possibly
a bit more triangular or tapered at the head (wider body,
narrower head), rather than being oval like the one shown
in the photo. They seemed to have more exposed
mandibles. Are Glorious Beetles found in California and the
SF Bay Area (San Jose, Sunnyvale), and would they be likely
to turn up in a suburban compost bin? Any other thoughts on
what they might be? Here’s the beetle I mentioned. It’s very
noisy when it flies. In the photos, a portion of the wings
(black) are protruding near the rear of the body. Any idea
what it is?
Phil Alden
Hi Phil,
This is a Green Fruit Beetle or Fig Eater, Cotinus mutabilis.
The eggs are often laid in compost piles and adults eat ripe
fruit.
Hitch
Hiking Weevil? with Monochamus ride
(08/19/2005) long horned wood borer with hitchhiker
Hi There,
Love your sight! As an entomologist, can't get enough bugs
:) We took these picture during our vacation in Prince Edward
Island, Canada this summer and thought you might like
them for your site. Any idea who the hitch hiker is on the
long horn?
Debby
Hi Debby,
Based on what little we know and the difficulty of seeing
details in your image, it appears the hitch-hiker is a weevil
of some type. Just what the Weevil was doing on the Monochamus
Borer is the real question.
Ivory Marked Beetle
(08/18/2005) Beautiful Beetle
Here's a clear photo of an unidentified beetle who landed
on my laser printer. Any ideas?
-m@
Hi -m@
This is an Ivory Marked Beetle, Eburia quadrigeminata and
the larvae bore in the wood of many hardwood trees including
ash and hickory. Adults sometimes emerge years after milling.
Adults are attracted to rotting fruit.
Correction: (10/13/2005) Saperda cretata
or Eburia quadrigeminata ??
Dear Bugman, I have spent several hours cruising your website
and find it all very fascinating ! I did find one misidentification,
or perhaps I am wrong. Attached is a photo of a Cerambycid
beetle that is common here in Georgia (I am an avid collector
of beetles). I have come to know this beetle as being the
"Ivory Marked Beetle" or Eburia quadrigeminata. I have seen
this beetle posted twice on this website and it was identified
as the Spotted Apple Borer (Saperda cretata). You say these
beetles are active during the day. I know from my experience
that they are found at night actively crawling on sick/dying
hardwood trees. I have never seen nor collected one during
the day. Is it S. cretata or is it E. quadrigeminata ???
George
Thanks George. One of our reliable sources steered us
awry on this one. The correction is much appreciated.
Elephant
Stag Beetle
(08/17/2005) beetle I.D.
We love your site! My son and I just saw this handsome fellow
walking down our path (we live in Chapel Hill,
NC). He is about 1.75" long, including the
formidable pincers. We looked through your beetles but
didn't see him. Could you identify him for us?
Thanks,
Linda and Eric
Hi Linda and Eric,
We have many photos of Elephant Stag Beetles, Lucanus elephus,
on our site.
Pennsylvania
Leather-Wings Mating
(08/17/2005) lovebug
Hello! The Pennsylvania Leather-Back (identified
it with the help of your website!!) is common
at the conservation area. I thought I would send along this
photo for your lovebug page. Take Care,
Janet from Dundas, Ontario
Hi Janet,
Thanks for the image of mating Pennsylvania Leather-Wings,
Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus. These Soldier Beetles are important
biological controls against Corn Earworms in the larval form
and adults are often found on flowers, especially goldenrod
since they eat pollen and nectar.
Flat Headed Borer
(08/16/2005) Wood Borer
A whole bunch of these fellows crawled out of some firewood
logs that were drying out in our garage. Can
anyone identify them? BTW, awesome website!
John Hufnagel
SE Pennsylvania
Hi John,
The Flat Headed Borer, Buprestis rufipes, is a new species
for us. This metallic wood borer breeds in a variety of hardwood
trees in the Eastern U.S. north to Pennsylvania and west to
Texas.
Larger Elm Leaf Beetle
(08/14/2005) unknown beetle
Hello Bugman.
I have just discovered your site, and I love it! I'm a park
ranger at Shenandoah National Park. We have a beetle that
none of us have been able to identify, and I'm turning to
you for help. I am attaching a photo of this yellow beetle
that has green and yellow banded elytra. It is a fairly
docile creature, and has sat and groomed itself while sitting
on my arm (it cleans its antennae in much the same way a cat
cleans its ears....). I have seen it at the highest peaks
(just over 4000 feet elevation), and pretty much everywhere
else within the park. I have not seen it actually eating
anything, and haven't been able to associate it with any particular
plant. My wild guess is that is a Chrysomelid beetle, but
that's as far as I could get. Can you help me, please? This
beetle is so abundant all of a sudden, and we get so many
questions from visitors. My fellow rangers are always on my
case because even "Ranger Bug" can't figure this
one out...
Thanks!
Lucia Napolitano
Park Ranger, Interpretation
Shenandoah National Park
3655 US Highway 211 East
Luray, VA
Dear Ranger Bug,
Quite like you, we knew this was a Chrysomelid Beetle, but
were unsure of the species. We contacted Eric Eaton and here
is his concise reply: "I can actually help! The image is
of a Larger Elm Leaf Beetle, Monocesta coryli. Looks just
like the image we will be using in our field guide in fact:-) The
insect is not uncommon, but some years can be better than
others. The ones I have collected did not have any black
markings, so the species is apparently quite variable in its
coloration. The pear-shape is quite distinctive and consistent,
however. It is indeed a chrysomelid. Eric "
Trachyderes
mandibularis
(08/14/2005) is this Thasus neocalifornicus?
It does not quite fit...
Greg
Hi Greg,
We didn't recognize your Cerambycid or Long Horned Borer species,
so we did what we always do when in doubt. We contacted Eric
Eaton and here is his reply: "Gorgeous beetle! Wish I could
find them here in Tucson where they are supposed to be found:-) It
has no common name, but is called Trachyderes mandibularis
(old books and references refer to it as Dendrobias mandibularis). There
was a great article in Natural History Magazine a couple decades
back, by John Alcock, that documented the battles of the males,
which have long jaws. I think the story was reprinted in
Alcock's book, Sonoran Desert Summer. A good read,
by the way. Eric "
another
Banded Alder Borer
(08/12/2005) Bug I.D.
Bugman,
Greetings. Eye-balled this 1.75" long
critter on the banks of Penn Cove on Whidbey Island in the
north Puget Sound of western Washington. Been looking
all over the Internet, as probably most of your other
correspondents have, to no avail. Your wisdom on
the identity of this beautiful beetle would be graciously
accepted and most appreciated.
Cheers,
NwShetz
Hi NwShetz,
This is our second Banded Alder Borer photo today.
Banded Alder Borer
(08/12/2005) Is this a "Banded Alder Beetle"?
I took this photo while backpacking in the East Fork of the
San Gabriel river of southern california 2 weekends ago (7/30/05
to be exact). After some web searching, it appears to be the
"Banded Alder Beetle" although the marking aren't
exactly the same. Also, this particular area exhibited much
forest devastation due this past winter's record rainfall
and storm damage so i'm figuring they're feeding on the "dead
alders"... Do you agree?
Thanks
Brent Mann
Hi Brent,
There is always some degree of individual variation in the
markings within a species. This is a Banded Alder Borer, Rosalia
funebris, and the markings are very similar to the photograph
in our copy of Hogue's Insects of the Los Angeles Basin. The
larvae feed on dead wood of a variety of hardwood trees including
alder and ash as well as occasionally eucalyptus and live
oak. They are also sometimes attracted to paint fumes. Your
theory is possible.
Japanese Beetles Procreating
(08/12/2005) Love Bug
Hello Again, I hope all is well. This is a very
common insect at the conservation area. The
shell is a beautiful copper colour - the photo
does not do it justice. Today it was extremely
hot and humid and after a brief rain all the insects
- moths, butterflies, and everything else that
crawls or flies was mating!! Take Care,
Janet
Hi Janet,
Though your photograph is lovely, it will have rose growers
cringing. The Japanese Beetle, Popillia japonica, was first
discovered in New Jersey in 1916, and the introduced species
quickly spread throughout the eastern states. The grubs live
underground in lawns where they eat grass roots, and adults
emerge in mid summer to devour roses, fuschias, and other
ornamental blooms.
Soldier
Beetles Mating and Talk Radio free advertising
(08/10/2005) Bug Love
Hi… I JUST this minute heard your website on a talk
radio home improvement show…I just had to check it out.
I love bugs……. And know little about many
of them. But I had a blast the other day taking pictures
of bugs ‘doin’ it’… amazing I actually
have a place that someone will enjoy seeing them! I’m
not sure where to attach the photo’s, so I will do so
here. …. Looking forward to checking more of your site
soon! If you could name them all for me, I’d appreciate
it. I am guessing the red colored bugs are soldier beetles?
And of course, dragon flies…the single big one
is beautiful…what kind is it?
Sherrie Gerber
Hi Sherrie,
Out of curiosity, was it a local station and where? I shudder
to think what might happen to our mailbox if it was a syndicated
show. We will address your photos one at a time. Your mating
beetles are Soldier Beetles in the Family Cantharidae, but
we even checked with Eric Eaton and we can't positively identify
the species.
I can understand your shudder thought! No fear, tho.... I
live in Seattle, Washington, and this was a LOCAL home improvement
show that is on Saturday mornings from 9-10am with Tim Lawless. (I
record them to tape, to listen to while I am in the garden
during the week, therefore the JUST heard it response.) Some
lady was inquiring as to something that may be eating near
her house (I missed part of the story), and Lawless said he
was surfing the web and found 'a cool site' (yours), and he
stumbled as to whether you were a .net or .com.... Me, being
the avid plant lover and bug extraordinaire, ran indoors to
the computer to flag it before I forgot your web name... So
if it was going to bombard you, it would've on Saturday morning....
Ironically, a garden show - 3 hours long- immediately follows
that show... thought that interesting to hear a garden report
on a home show! :) That being said, I won't call in your web
site to the garden show! :) Thanks a bunch for the info....
I almost thought people would think me too weird if I had
pictures of bugs doin' it, but when my entire Euonymus shrub
was covered in mating soldier beetles, it was too much to
pass on. We got the dragon fly pictures just this past weekend
in the San Juan Islands. Thousands upon thousands of them
were hovering around one end of this beautiful lake...all
bright turquoise. It was a sight to behold!
Thanks again,
Sherrie Gerber
Margined Blister Beetle
(08/08/2005) Insect Identification
Hello,
This bug, and it's many friends and relatives, has been decimating
my tomato plants. I do not seem to be able to find any mention
of or identification for it anywhere. Can you help me? I live
in Flat Rock, Alabama, which is in the north eastern corner
of the state, at about 1300 to 1400 feet elevation, on a plateau
above the Tennessee River called Sand Mountain. Thank you
so much.
Sherry Johnson
Hi Sherry,
This is a Margined Blister Beetle, Epicauta pestifera. It
usually infests soybeans. You can find more information on
this BugGuide
page.
Blister
Beetle
(08/04/2005) Unknown bug in Southern Arizona
We found this trying to enter our home during monsoon season
but have never seen it before. Can you identify it? Picture
attached. Thanks,
Terri
Hi Terri,
We wrote to Eric Eaton who lives in Arizona to see if he knew
your beetle. Here is his response: "We have just a FEW beeles
here:-) Thank God this is one I DO know! It
is a blister beetle, Pyrota akhurstiana (better check the
spelling on the species name, tho). They are reasonably
common at lights at night. Eric" We double checked Eric's
spelling which is on the money.
Burying Beetle covered in Mites
(08/03/2005) Love your site! A new website record for you--number
of bugs per inch
Here's a picture that has got to be a record for the number
of bugs per square inch. A bug buddy of mine tells me
this is a Nicrophorus (negrita?) carrion beetle (about the
size of a large bumblebee). Hard to tell with all the pinhead-sized
phoretic mites covering it. After some "Googling",
I found that the mites actually have a mutual symbiotic
relationship with the beetles (although they really were a
hindrance to this beetle!). The mites use the beetle
for transport and then destroy blowfly eggs and
other competitors of the beetle at the carcass. This beetle
could hardly get in the air, but it managed to fly through
my back door (buzzing loudly) and crash around before I could
catch it. I'm not normally scared of bugs, but this
was a little creepy. Since they're all good guys, back
out the door they go! I'll try to get a few more pix
before I do that. The mites kept running around quite
rapidly as well, which probably didn't help.
Janet Sugino
Brinnon WA (Olympic Penninsula area)
Wow Janet,
A killer photo as well as the research that needs to accompany
it. You are awesome.
beetle/mites picture part 2
Thanks for the compliment on my research. I used to work
for the WA State library, and consider myself a wiz at internet
searching. My "bug buddy" is Rod Crawford at the Burke Museum
in Seattle (he's actually a spider expert). He told me who
I had, then I did the research. Here are another photo I
took of the beetle "admiring itself" when I let it loose in
the bright light of our bathroom, and one of my current crop
of triops (note mosquito pupae I added...the triops haven't
eaten them despite their reputation for verocity). Triops
are much more fun than "sea-monkeys" and ant farms. I live
on Washington's Olympic Pennisula, in a tiny village, 35+
miles from a supermarket/town of any size, so you have to
grow your own friends, I guess (just kidding).
Large Diving Beetle
(08/02/2005) Great site guys thanks
Thank you for being on the web. My son (9) and I have used
your site to identify two new beetles I have never seen before.
We now have a longhorn and a Large Diving Beetle. Would
you like to have a clearer digital photo of the Diving Beetle
for your site.
Peter & Jonathan Turner
Hi Jonathan and Peter,
We are thrilled to have your clearer image of a Large Diving
Beetle, Dytiscus species. Thank you so much.
Eyed
Elaters Mating
(08/01/2005) HI Bug People!
I was so thrilled when I ran into these 2 while trimming the
tree in our front yard. I live in Central Texas, and after
trimming the branch they were on, I set it on another bush
to allow them to finish thier bizness--a few days later, we
found one on the back deck. When I tried to touch it, it snapped
up, and flipped itself over in its defense--Marvalous creatures
and beautiful too! Can you tell me about them? Thanks!
Minutes later: I didnt see the Eyed Elator
on your site before I sent off my query--Im glad I got to
share the pic anyway, but dont worry about the ID--I got it!
Thanks so much for your great site!
Beth
Austin, TX
Hi Beth,
Your image is a nice addition to our Love Among the Bugs page.
Pennsylvania
Leather-Wing
(07/31/2005) Hi. I love your site. Hopefully you can help
me identify this beetle found on a flower in eastern ontario.
thanks,
Mike
Hi Mike,
Despite being called the Pennsylvania Leather-Wing, the range
of Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus extends beyond the Keystone
state. Adults eat pollen and nectar and are often found on
goldenrod and in meadows, fields and gardens. Larvae prey
on grasshoppereggs, small caterpillars and beetles. The are
great biological controls for Corn Earworms.
Japanese
Beetle
(07/31/2005) beetle that's been seen eating roses
Hello,
First I just want to say that I greatly enjoy your website,
there are some fantastic pictures on there, and
I could spend hours going through them all. Second,
I've found a beetle that I don't think I saw amongst
the many pages of beetles you had represented. These were
found on some rose plants on the campus of the University
of Michigan, in Ann Arbor. They appear to have
done quite a bit of damage to the roses, as you
can see. Thanks in advance!
Frank
Hi Frank,
The Japanese Beetle was first discovered in this country in
New Jersey in 1916 and has spread throughout most of the East
where they have become a horrible pest. They are beautiful
beetles that are hated by all rose gardeners. The grubs feed
on the roots of grasses damaging lawns. You can purchase Japanese
Beetle traps from a garden supply department.
Devil's Coach Horse
(07/31/2005) Black Bug w/attachment
Please find attached some pictures in a zip file of this black
bug I can't identify. It prefers shady areas and when threatened
it either flips on its back and feigns death or it raises
its tail up much like a scorpion. I'm not sure if its tail
is barbed though. I'm in ireland and haven't seen this type
of bug around here before. Could it posibly be a more exotic
species come in on imports of fruit or such? Thanks for your
time, much obliged.
Conor
 
Hi Conor,
I have Devil's Coach Horses, Staphylinus olens, in my Southern
California garden. It is native to Europe, but was introduced
to Southern California in 1931. They are great in the garden
because they eat snails and slugs. Though they have a frightening
defensive posture, they have no sting, but can emit a malodorous
fluid leading to its scientific name which means stinking.
A Herd of Rhinoceros Beetles!!!!
(07/30/2005) Budding entomogist with a question
Dear Bugman,
My 9 year old daughter, who happens to be a budding entomologist,
discovered these dead beetles at her grandfathers house yesterday
and she can not identify them. She searched all her bug books
and could not find anything that looked like it. She
has been collecting bugs for the past 3 years, and this is
the first time she has been stumped!! If you could lend a
hand, she would be very happy! P.S. She LOVES your website!
I can see her being on here for a few hours each night!
Chris Lepley
Hi Chris,
Letters like yours are truly the reason we began this site.
Your daughter has assembled quite a herd of Rhinoceros Beetles,
Xyloryctes species. Males have the prominent horns. Here is
a link to BugGuide,
a truly magnificent identification site which just might double
the time your daughter spends online. We also love your photo
so much we printed it twice the size we normally post. By
the way, we are probably going to produce a calendar for 2006
and would love to use your image and letter.
Procreation of Red Milkweed Beetles
(07/30/2005) bug love
I thought I would share! Take Care,
Janet
Dundas, Ontario
Hi again Janet,
Thanks for the photo of Mating Red Milkweed Beetle, Tetraopes
tetraophthalmus also called the Eastern Milkweed Longhorn.
We never dreamed our Bug Love page would be as popular as
it is.
Even
Green Fruit Beetles Do It!!
(07/30/2005) Love bugs
Thanks for indentifying my Ten-lined June Beetle. I
was in my garage today in Placentia Ca. and found what I
believe to be "Green Fruit Beetles", based
on pictures that I saw on your site. They seemed
to locked in serious mating mode and were not disturbed by
the close proximity of the macro lense. Thought
you might want to add them to your amorous bug section.
Thanks
Rus
 
Hi Rus,
If you keep this up, we will have to give you your own page.
Nice images of the mating activity of Green Fruit Beetles,
Cotinus mutabilis.
Burying Beetle from England
(07/30/2005) What type of bug is this?
Photographed in my Garden in Dorset England UK. It spent the
night in a wheel borrow full of water. We put it onto a log
to dry off. I took the photo on a stone, I was about to take
another as it opened its wings and flew away. An idea
what it could be?
Regards
Terry O'Donovan
Dorset, England
Hi Terry,
While our species are different from your species, I can assure
you that this is a Burying Beetle, from the Family Silphidae,
and probably the Genus Nicrophorus. These beetles are very
strong and will bury a small mouse or bird after laying eggs
on the future food source for the larvae.
Unlined Ten-Lined June Beetle
(07/28/2005) More unidentified critters
I photographed three of these on recent trips to Arkansas.
Hoping you could help me identify them.
Thanks
Rus
Hi again Rus,
We checked with Eric Eaton on your scarab beetle and here
is what he wrote back: "If the scarab is from North America,
it has to be a male Polyphylla sp. (ten-lined june beetles,
though some species lack the stripes)." So you have an Unlined
Ten-Line June Beetle.
Enamored of the Japanese Beetle!!!
(07/28/2005) Name of Bug
Thank you for responding so quickly to my question about the
caterpillar which turned out to be a white tussock moth caterpillar.
Well, I was quite spellbound by the caterpillar. Was
careful not to step on it, and watched out for it all day.
Then I found out it could become a pest. Now, I have
a bug I am wondering about (picture attached). Have
not killed it, but am cautious about getting so enamored with
it. Am glad to have found your site to ask questions.
I began flower gardening this year and have found myself as
taken with the animal life as the plant life growing around
my yard. Meanwhile, I hope not to become a pest myself.
Thank you
Joyce
Hi Joyce,
It would behoove you to try to erradicate the dreaded Japanese
Beetle, an introduction that is very fond of roses, rose of
sharon, and many other garden plants.
Derobrachus
(07/26/2005) what kind of beetle is this?
Hi,
found this beetle this morning in the back yard, I think it
is a longhorn beetle of somekind. Could you please tell me
what this is. Thanks
Steffanie
Hi Stephanie
This is one of the Longhorns, probably the genus Derobrachus.
Glorious
Beetle
(07/24/2005) the glorious beetle
My husband came across your website a few days ago and ever
since we've been addicted! I never knew there were so many
bugs out there....and even more so, so many interesting looking
ones! Turns out they're not all ugly! ha. Anyway, we've just
moved to Arizona and already are finding the most interesting
things! I wanted to send a picture in of our newest find,
the glorious beetle (thanks to your website we found what
it was). Please enjoy....and thanks so much for the wonderful
site!!
Sincerely,
Jessica
Hi Jessica,
You really did spend some time with our site to locate the
Glorious Beetle, Plusiotis gloriosa, which is deeply buried
in our archive. Not only that, we lifted that photo from the
web and will probably now change it, replacing the pilfered
photo with your photo. Here is what the Angelfire
site has to say: "Numerous authors have called this the
most beautiful beetle in the U.S.; metallic gold stripes and
hologram green colors support this statement. P. gloriosa
is also the most common Plusiotus sp. in the U.S. P. gloriosa
eat only juniper leaves in the wild but in captivity accept
pear slices and seem to accept not other fruits. Larvae grow
well on a diet of well-rotted hardwood. Most races can take
less than a year to raise to adults." This beetle is
very valued by collectors.
Powderpost
Beetle
(07/24/2005) little bugger
I found this little bugger in my hair this morning after getting
out of bed. It moves very slowly and cannot right itself
when upside down. It is about 1/4" long.
Any ideas? Hopefully it came in from outside and is
alone.
Thanks,
Frank
Kennesaw, GA
Hi Frank,
This sure looks like a Powderpost Beetle. Here is an Ohio
State site with much information. Here is a quote from
the site: "Powderpost beetles can be found in dead as well
as dried and cured lumber. Damage occurs to many wood products
such as rafters, joists, flooring, molding, paneling, crating,
furniture, antiques, tool handles, gun stocks, fishing poles
and baskets. Sometimes homeowners hear rasping or ticking
in the wood at night, notice a blistering appearance on the
wood, see powdery frass piled below holes in the wood, find
numerous round or oval exit holes at the wood surface, and
even collect powderpost beetles around windows or lights.
Mistakes are sometimes made determining if the infestation
is active or non-active. "
Derobrachus
Longhorn
(07/23/2005) Good Afternoon!
I just found your website and it is amazing! I
think I will be using it frequently as I have just moved to
Arizona and there seems to be quite a variety of bugs out
here that I have never seen. My sons found this guy outside
our door today. He is about 7.5cm long and has
a shiny black body. Do you know what he is? Thanks,
Leslie Howe
Hi Leslie,
This is one of the Long-Horned Beetles in the genus Derobrachus.
They are relatively common in Arizona.
Scarab:
Strategus species
(07/23/2005) Large black beetle? Can you help Identify?
Hi,
My children and I have found a large black beetle on our deck
and don't know if he fell out of the tree or flew to get there,
but found it very interesting. They are very interested in
finding out what type of bug he is, so can you help us. I
am sending some pictures of him to help you out.
This is a Scarab Beetle, probably the genus Strategus.
Carrion
Beetle
(07/22/2005) What Is this?
Hi,
My son found this bug on the laundry hanging outside yesterday.
We have searched, and been unsuccessful in identifying it.
I only came across your site a few minutes ago, and will continue
to look through it. It's awesome! I hope the picture is clear
enough. We have had it since Wed afternoon, so we gave it
a blueberry, and it was happily eating it when I got it out
to photograph it. Thanks,
Christina
Dundee, NY
Ed. Note: Before we could answer, the
following email arrived.
FOUND IT! I just emailed you a picture of a bug near a blueberry
that we were feeding it. I should have waited a bit before
I sent it in, because we found it on Beetles 2004. It's a
Carrion Beetle! Thanks anyway! Christina in Dundee, NY
Hercules
Beetle
(07/21/2005) Beetle?
Hi we found this bug just outside of are office and have no
idea what it is, maybe you can help us out thanks
Sam
Hi Sam,
This is a male Hercules Beetle, Dynastes tityus. We have gotten
many photos this season.
Brown Prionid
(07/21/2005) what is it
I was just looking thru your site to try and identify this
beetle I found tonight. It looks like the California
long horn beetle. But I am in NH on vacation.
Should I not release this insect. Is it not native to
this area. I am sending the picture I took, but
not very good since the beetle is in a vile for safe keeping
until I hear that it is safe to release it.
We must confess that we were sure you had one of the Long-Horned
Borer Beetles, but we were unsure of the genus and species.
We asked Eric Eaton to try to clarify some identification
points for us, which he did. However, in identifying your
beetle, we now have an entirely new genus to consider. Here
is Eric's response: "This appears to be a female Orthosoma
brunneum, the Brown Prionid. Just what you needed, eh, another
critter to get confused by:-) Ergates are large, western mountains
mostly, with FINE teeth on the edge thorax. Derobrachus are
HUGE, almost exclusively southwestern (though range throughout
the souther tier of states I am told). Prionus usually tend
to be very squat, males with very thick antennae (almost comb-like
or dentate in some species). An overall more robust critter
than the others. Orthosoma is the most slender of all, and
always a bright brown in color. Hope that helps, but getting
Doug Yanega's book on northeast longhorns would be your best
bet (less than $20). Eric "
Grapevine Beetle
(07/20/2005) unknown beetle
I live in southeastern Ontario and recently found a strange
beetle flying in my home. I have never seen one like
this before. Could you please help me to identify it?
Thanks,
W. Casey
Hi Casey,
This is a Grapevine Beetle, Pelidnota punctata. As its name
implies, the adult eats the leaves and fruits of both wild
and cultivated grapes while the larvae eat decaying wood in
tree stumps. The adult has a rapid curving flight pattern.
Caterpillar
Hunter
(07/18/2005) Need help with id on Beetle
Hello,
I live in Aston, PA and while leaving for work one morning
I found this beautiful irridescent green beetle in our stairwell. In
all my 51 years I've never seen one of these guys. I
am attaching two photos of the top and bottom of this beautiful
beetle.
Elwood McKay
Hi Elwood,
This is a Caterpillar Hunter, Calosoma scrutator, one of the
Ground Beetles. Both adults and larvae have ravenous appetites
for caterpillars, and they are very helpful in the control
of the pestilence known as the Gypsy Moth.
Beetle Larva
(07/18/2005) What's THIS bug?
OK, so I've just discovered your website tonight and have
spent HOURS avidly reading. I didn't mean to do
that but the photos and knowledge are fascinating! It's
bookmarked and I can't wait to share it with my children tomorrow
(which is only a few short hours away: not good!) Didn't discover
our latest (New Mexico) garden find, however. This
is my first time trying to get a close-up pic of a bug, and
I didn't do so well. Two pictures came out sort of focused
but don't show the beautiful coloring. The others are fuzzy
but give a hint of the pretty creamy-yellow and black. The
underside has the same creamy yellow with an intricate lacy/dotted
black design. The pincers at the head look sturdy
enough for me to use care when handling (i.e. chopsticks!).
Somewhere in your website someone described the behavior of
this bug well: she said that when disturbed it sort of reared
up and shuffled backwards several times. I can't
remember what bug she was talking about but it's a good description
for what I saw. I also saw it latch on to the abovementioned
chopsticks with its pincers and curl its body around, as if
to attack. Any info would be appreciated, but especially the
most critical information for a novice bug enthusiast like
me: identification, garden Friend or Foe, and pincer/stinger/venom
information! Can't wait for a response!
Betsy Joyce
Hi Betsy,
What a nice letter. We are going to give you a quick answer
and hopefully get additional information from the expert Eric
Eaton. This is a beetle larva, but we are not sure about the
species. It is a garden friend since it is predatory and will
help eliminate pests like caterpillars, snails and such. No
venom. You might get a slight nip, but it is doubtful the
skin will even get pierced. Hope that helps. We just got Eric
Eaton's response: "Its gotta be the larva of a ground beetle
(Carabidae). Might be a Calosoma species at that size."
Goldbug
(07/18/2005) What is this
What kind of bug is this I have never seen 1 like it before
it is approximately 1/4" across, hope the pictures help.
Donald S Stolarz
RP Contractor, Inc.
Muskegon, MI
Hi Donald,
Nice photo of a Tortoise Beetle, also known as a Goldbug.
This is probably Metriona bicolor. Adults and larvae are often
found on morning glories and sometimes roses.
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