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Fiddler Beetle
(01/11/2006) Whats the Bug
today we found a little black beetle with fluro green markingd
on its underside and back they are in a pattern of lines i
was wondering if you could please tell me what sort of beetle
it is we are located on queenslands goldcoast Australia our
little dog was caught attacking the little beetle please let
us no.
This is the third Fiddler Beetle, Eupoecila australasiae,
photo we have received from Australia in the last month. It
is truly a pretty beetle.
Striped
Ladybird Beetle Aggregation and Cohabitation with Cucumber
Beetles
(01/09/2006) Can you help ID?
Looks like a leaf beetle but I can't find out what kind in
any of the books I have. This is a photo of just a few of
them. We want to do some organic farming near by but hopefully
not plant what they want to eat. What are they? What do they
eat? They are in northern California (near Petaluma) in the
many many thousands. Why are they meeting along a flooding
ditch in the winter? Thanks for your help!
Pete
 
Hi Pete,
We don't recognize your beetle, which we believe is either
a Chrysomelid, a Leaf Beetle or our suspicion, a Coccinellid,
one of the Ladybird Beetles. We are waiting for a response
from Eric Eaton.
Eric Eaton's Response: " Believe
it or not, those ARE lady beetles. More specifically, the
striped lady beetle, Ceratomegilla vittigera (this is what
I suspect to be an old name, and one would have to look for
the more current synonym). I was not aware that this was a
species that formed aggregations. We would love to add this
species, and these images, to Bugguide (hint, hint). Eric
" Certain species of Ladybird Beetles form aggregations during
the winter months in preparation for hibernation. We are requesting
your permission to post this to BugGuide if you don't mind.
Eric later added this: " Proper name for the striped lady
beetle is Paranaemia vittigera. Apparently aggegations are
not uncommon. I just didn't know that. Eric "
It is fine to use the photo's as you see fit. I have attached
a close up and another group shot to help confirm the ID.
Also one photo of the bad (from a gardener's viewpoint) company
the keep - diabrotica beetles. I sure hope they are ladybird's.
Pete
 
Hi again Pete,
Thank you for the additional photos. The cohabitation photo with the Spotted Cucumber Beetle,
though blurry, is very interesting. We will post to BugGuide
as well.
Mystery Australian Scarab and Stag Beetle
(01/05/2006) Lovely Unknown Bugs from Australia
Hi there,
Firstly I love your website and I've spent a considerable
amount of time looking for my beasties there, to no avail.
I'm not sure that you accept submissions from Australia, but
I am hoping that you will be able to help me identify these
fellas. I should say, I am in the Yarra Valley, Victoria,
Australia and these guys were found in my garden. The orange
monster was uncovered whilst digging over some soil for planting,
the green guy was just wandering across the grass. Thank you
in advance for having a look at my buddies.
Cheers
Jenna
 
Hi Jenna,
Your beetles are beautiful and the photos are great as well.
In the most general sense, the orange on is a Scarab Beetle
in the Family Scarabidae. We did a quick web search and cannot
exactly identify them but when we have more time, we will
try again.
Update from Eric Eaton:
" Well, all I can tell you is that I'm pretty certain the
green one is not a scarab, but a stag beetle (something on
the order of Neolamprima???). I"m surprised there is not a
great website on Australian beetles or something. Maybe subfamily
would help? Likely that the spotted one is a flower scarab
(Cetoninae). I'll try digging from work tomorrow. Eric "
Update: (07/18/2007) mystery stag beetle found!!!
I ran into a website selling bugs and they have what looks
like the spiecies of green stag beetle you guys at WTB have
been looking for. I've attatched a picture of the beetle and
a link
for the site I've found it on, it says the beetle is called
Neolamprina adolphinae. Sorry I can't help you with the orange
and black spotted beetle
Roger
Cerambycid
(12/31/2005) Hi there
This bug was on the side of the road on the concrete. I didn't
have a ruler but it would have been approximately 25mm long.
It has a hard exterior and quite long legs. Could you please
help me and tell me what it is? My husband and I just can't
figure it out!
Thanks
Colleen
Hi Colleen,
This is one of the Ceramabycid Long Horned Borer Beetles.
We are trying to get an actual species name for you.
Thai
Mystery Beetle: Blister Beetle Eletica rubripennis
(12/29/2005) Longhorn Beetle ?
Hi, it's dave from Northeast Thailand again. You did such
a good job identifing the Owlfly larva I thought maybe you
can tell me what this is. At first I thought it was a Longhorn
beetle but now I'm not so sure. It doesn't appear to have
any ocelli eyes, just the large compound ones. It's 4-5 inches
long. Thanks for any help you can give me.
Dave Sweetland
 
Hi Dave,
We are waiting to hear back from Eric Eaton regarding his
opinion of your freaky looking beetle.
I'm attaching a front head shot so you can see what a weird
looking head this guy has. Thanks again,
Dave Sweetland
Update:(12/30/2005)
Here is Eric Eaton's conclusion: " Ah, well, it is much better
viewing the beetle image on the website. Not that it helps
me ID the thing, mind you! Ha! My initial reaction is: blister
beetle (family Meloidae), just going by the "Gestalt" method.
The head and antennae sure suggest that, but 4-5 INCHES? I
guess it is possible....Anyway, you could start with Meloidae
and see where it takes you. If I get anywhere myself, I'll
let you know." Taking Eric's suggestion we quickly located
Eletica rubripennis on this site.
Palo Verde Root Borer and Golden Huntsman Spider
(12/20/2005) Palo Verde Borer Beetle & Golden Huntsman
Spider
Hello,
Great bugsite! The beetle submission on 7/2/2004 [Derobrachus
geminatus: Due for a new name.] caught my attention. While
outside in my yard on a hot July 8th, 2005 night at 11:22
p.m., in Paradise Valley, Arizona, I encountered a magnificent
bug, easily 4 or 5 inches in length! I believe this too is
an example of the Palo Verde Borer Beetle, currently known
as Derobrachus geminatus. I don't think my photograph is better
than the lovely one you have posted, but it does offer a different
viewing angle. These beetles lumbered around my property late
at night, for about a week. I suspect this was prime mating
time. Since the entomology course I took in college covered
only insects, I found myself at a loss for identifying the
eight-legged creature in the second attached photograph. I
found this spider on May 26th, 2005 at 2:20 p.m. on a warm,
sunny afternoon. It was motionless, on the ceiling of my porch.
When I initially checked your site I couldn't find a comparable
spider. However, it looks like someone submitted a picture
of the same spider on 7/14/05! Now I know it was the Golden
Huntsman Spider, Olios fasciculatus. Just thought I'd share
my picture with you.
Sincerely,
Krista
 
Hi Krista,
Thank you so much for your submission. We especially love
the Golden Huntsman Spider image.
Metallic
Wood Boring Beetle: Dicerca species
(12/18/2005) Bug
Any idea what kind of bug this is?
Brent
Hi Brent,
This is a Metallic Wood Boring Beetle in the Family Buprestidae.
We believe it is Dicerca divaricata, but we are not positive
as you did not include the information we request, most notably
your location on the planet. Dicerca divaricata is a North
American beetle. Adults often sun themselves on limbs of their
host trees, including apple, peach, pear, cherry, birch, ironwood,
black ash, sugar maple and others, according to Dillon and
Dillon.
Thank for your information. I live in Vermont. I found the
bug on my living room floor. With your information I have
researched it some more and believe that it is actually a
Dicera tenebrosa. It is much more copper colored that the
Dicera divaricata. I believe the bug fell out of a piece of
firewood. Thanks again Brent.
Palo
Verde Root Borer Grub
(12/15/2005) What's that bug
Hello,
I found this bug by a Palo verde (Cercidium microphyllum)
tree that had just been cut down. It is quite large, latex
white, and has 9 black spots on its sides. Each of the first
three segments has two small, thornish legs on opposite sides.
It is about four inches long, and one inch wide at the head.
Help me identify this! It's the largest bug, much less caterpillar,
I've ever seen. (Also, it's a little transparent. I can see
a long dark line running lengthwise.)
John
Phoenix, AZ
Hi John,
This is a grub from a long horned borer beetle known as the
Palo Verde Root Borer, Derobrachus geminatus. The adults are
large eye-catching beetles with strong jaws. We have some
photos of them on our numerous beetle pages.
Australian Fiddler Beetle
(12/13/2005) Fiddler Beetle
What a great site!!
\ I came across it while I was searching for a name to put
to this lovely beetle I found wandering across my living room
carpet one afternoon - the cat was eyeing it off as a snack
so I rescued it. From the beetles' odour, general and mandible
morphology I guessed that it might be a eucalypt blossom eater
(Gum tree flowers have a distinctive honey/eucalyptus smell)
and sure enough, he/she took to a sprig I picked for it like
it was candy. So I took photos and released it in native scrubland.
The last I saw, it was happily scurrying under a nice damp
rotting log. Anyhow, the Australian Museum was kind enough
to help me identify it as a Fiddler Beetle, Eupoecila australasiae,
but I could not help but share this beautiful creature with
you and your readers.
Regards
Ruth
Sydney, Australia
Hi Ruth,
Thank you so much for sending in your photo and letter. We
got another image of a Fiddler Beetle a few weeks ago, and
couldn't possitively identify it, so we just gave it the generic
name of Scarab Beetle, a reference to the Family.
Australian Soldier Beetle
(12/12/2005) Is it a beetle of some sort?
Hi,
I am an American (not that that is really pertinent!) living
in Australia (east coast, halfway between Brisbane and Sydney).
I found this bug at the park. I looked through your beetles
and couldn't find it...not really sure it is a beetle. It
moves fairly fast and flies and was difficult to photograph.
It is fairly small, maybe 1/2 inch. And, love your site! I
wanted to be an entomologist, but I can't even kill an ant,
so how was I ever going to dissect creatures I so cherish.
Thanks for your help.
Ellen
Hi Ellen,
We are touched by your compassion. This looks to be one of
the Soldier Beetles, in the family Cantharidae.
Leaf Beetle
(12/09/2005) yellow and black bug
We found this little bug while camping in the mountains of
West Virginia in August, and would like to include the pictures
in my sons' insect photo collection. However, we haven't seen
anything similar in our field guides. It is about the size
of a ladybug, but the coloring is different. The picture shows
it perched on my son's swimsuit. thanks for your help and
for your great website!
Janine
 
Hi Janine,
This is a species of Leaf Beetle in the Family Chrysomelidae.
Though we arene't sure of the species, we can direct you to
BugGuide
which has 100's of photos of Leaf Beetles.
Goldbug from the Philippines
(12/05/2005) Philippine tortoise beetle
Hello,
This bug was found in the Philippines - Mt. Isarog in the
southern part of Luzon. (A professor, a classmate, and I were
doing bat ecology research but kept picking up invertebrates
that looked cool.) We called it the 'space
bug' for a while, then found a specimen in the University
of the Philippines at Los Banos which was labeled only "Chrysomelidae".
After some searching the internet I found it in on this website:
http://www.biol.uni.wroc.pl/cassidae/katalog%20internetowy/index.htm
Based on the pictures I'm pretty sure it's in the Aspidimorpha,
but can't figure out which species as they are very similar.
The photos on that site are almost all of dead specimens,
which is a pity, as the Cassidinae website states on its Introduction
page that the Cassidinae have iridescent or metallic colours
produced by body fluids between layers of cuticle, which dry
out and become opaque after death. This one is recently dead
and looked even prettier when it was first caught - clear
as glass. You have a wonderful website - very accessible,
helpful, and with lots of lovely pictures. Thanks for keeping
it going.
Yours sincerely,
Shi-Hsia Hwa
 
Dear Shi-Hsia Hwa,
Thank you for your informative and complimentary letter. Here
in the U.S., Tortoise Beetles are also called Goldbugs because
of their irridescent coloration, and similarly, dead specimens
loose much of their visual allure.
Scarab Beetle Grub
(12/05/2005) What is this interesting thing!?!?!
Tampa, Florida
My sister was cleaning out her garage and stumbled across
this half beetle/half grub - like creature. She emailed me
the pictures ( sorry for the blurriness) because
I am a marine scientist so she assumes I know all terrestrial
creatures as well. Well I have NO IDEA -never seen one before
in my life. The head looks like a beetle, the 6-8 legs are
cockroach-like, and the body resembles that of some kind of
caterpillar larvae. When they placed the fork by its head,
they could here it trying to chomp on it with its buccal appendages.
Please let us know what this fascinating little guy is - we
are curious to know! Thanks for your help!
Jessica Dobson
Tampa, Florida
 
Hi Jessica,
This is a Scarab Beetle Grub, probably one of the June Beetles.
Beetle Grubs are considered nutritious in many parts of the
world. We are sure your sister is salivating over the giant
Root Borer we just posted from Mexico.
Oil
Beetle
(12/05/2005) oil beetle
my boss [runs a tree-trimming, spraying etc company] found
a bug ... i've attached a photo - not the best photo
= i took it. do you think it is an "oil beetle"?
we are located in stockton new jersey, but do tree work in
new jersey and pennsylvania, so is it possible that oil beetles
are in our area?
thanks for your help?
lynnie
Hi Lynnie,
Yes, this is an Oil Beetle. They are also known as Short Winged
Blister Beetles and are in the genus Meloe. They are found
in your area. According to the Audubon Guide: "If disturbed,
this beetle feigns death by falling on its side. Leg joints
exude droplets of liquid that cause blisters." We are hoping
your photo shows this feigning death behavior and is not the
result of extermination.
they did not exterminate it ... they found it, and wanted
to know what it was. they actually thought it was dead and
brought it back to the shop. next morning it was moving.
i had just put it out on the paper with the ruler to take
the picture so mr beetle could just be faking it again.
thanks for your help. i will share with my boss in the morning.
Cerambycid Grub
(12/03/2005) Mystery Grubs
Hi Daniel,
A friend sent these photos. He has been having a problem
with mature Ficus benjamina trees dying and recently found
these creatures. Any idea what they are and how to control
them? These are from Cabo Pulmo, southern Baja California,
Mexico .
Muchas gracias, Diane
Hi Diane,
That is one big Grub. We believe it is a Prionus Grub and
are awaiting a confirmation from Eric Eaton. Here is what
Eric wrote back: "Geez!! I don't know what else it COULD
be! Defilnitely Ceramybicidae. I'd say a Derobrachus larva,
but I don't think Ficus is a known host.... Eric "
Metallic
Wood Boring Beetle
(12/02/2005) Buprestidae Family??
Hi!
Your site rocks, even though I routinely lose 2-3 hours at
a time reading it. I have always found the bugs I am looking
for on your site, but not this one. It appears to be a member
of the Buprestidae family, but like I said I couldn't find
an exact match. It was found near a wood-pile here on Vashon
Island, WA, and it is sitting on a piece of styrofoam about
1-inch in diameter. Thanks for making such an awesome site.
Matt
Hi Matt,
Thank you so much for the compliment. This is a Buprestid,
the Metallic Wood Boring Beetle Family. We believe it is in
the genus Dicerca and are awaiting a confirmation from Eric
Eaton.
California Prionus Grubs
(11/28/2005) Possible Prionus californicus
Got a good one for ya...I have found many photo references
to the adult California Prionus and not many pics
of the larvae. My husband and father in law were removing
the last bits of a long since dead oak tree and found 2 gargantuan
grubs in the midst of the rubble. The larger of the
two measured 4 inches (it was not fully extended either!)
and the smaller was just over 3 1/2 inches. They have
some nasty looking choppers and a reddish pink "tongue"
looking thing that would come out and retract on the top of
it's black head. I'm certain this should be turned over to
Spielberg or Wes Craven for their next horror movie!
EW!!
Thanks for any help.
 
Hi Sara,
We are in agreement with your identification, and we are happy
to post your photos and letter.
African
Dung Beetle possibly
(11/27/2005) icky beetle!
Hello,
I came across your website and see that you are good at identifying
bugs! Attached are some beetle pictures that my boyfriend
found inside a box at his retail store. The bug
itself is gone and all he found was the intact shell.
We live in Southern California (Temecula) but the box came
from somewhere else... from where we don’t know.
I am sure this creature is some sort of rhino beetle...but
we were hoping you knew the exact name and just where this
fellow came from!! Thanks for your time and enjoy the
pictures!!
Lisa and Adam
Hi Lisa and Adam,
We were uncertain as to the identity of your beetle, so we
checked with Eric Eaton. Here is his response: "I doubt it
is a Strategus. Reminds me more of some of the dung beetles
from Africa, actually. I'd have the person take it to an
entomologist at a museum or university (or agriculture department)
for proper ID in case it IS something exotic. Actually, I
KNOW it is not Strategus. Males of that genus have all horns
sprouting from the thorax. This one has at least one horn
(looks like a pair) coming out of its head. Eric "
Long
Horned Borer
(11/26/2005) Any Idea what species this is?
See photo. It was found high in a maple tree in British Columbia
six years ago. Thanks.
Sandy McLachlan
Hi Sandy,
We wanted to check with Eric Eaton on a species identification
of your Long Horned Borer Beetle. Here are his conclusions:
"Two possibilities: the spotted tree borer, Synaphaeta guexi,
12-20 mm, known to bore in maple; Neocanthocinus obliquus,
9-14 mm, which bores in pine. I am using a very old reference,
so these insects may have different scientific names by now,
I don't know. There is no up-to-date reference for northwest
beetles. Eric "
South
American Rhinoceros Beetle
(11/25/2005)South American cousins
Hi guys - Great site !!
Recently returned from a trip to SA and thought some of your
readers might like to see what one of the SA cousins of
the Rhino beetle looks like. This one was found
wandering at the top of a mountain near Cali Colombia at the
Cristo Rey site. Sorry I didn't include a reference for measurement
- about 3 inches in length. My thanks in advance,
Burton
Hi Burton,
Thanks for the fascinating photo.
Flea
Beetle: Blepharia rhois
(11/25/2005) What Bug is this?
What am I? Lakeview AR May 16. Thanks. Love
your site.
Rose Maschek
Hi Again Rose,
We found your beetle on BugGuide,
but it is just listed as a generic Leaf Beetle, Family Chrysomelidae.
We checked with Eric Eaton and he was unable to provide an
exact species based on the photo.
Update (08/22/2006)
Hello Lisa Anne and Daniel,
I recently came across your website and I was pleased to see such a
vibrant (and well-done) site. I'm an entomologist and evolutionary
biologist (specializing on the systematics, taxonomy and evolution of
tiger beetles and their close relatives) and I have to say that I'm
impressed with your accuracy rate! It's much, much better than other
comparable sites I've come across over the years. The two of you must
really love insects.
I'll bookmark your site and check it out when I'm having trouble sleeping
again!
That is Blepharia rhois, one of the larger species of flea beetles
(subfamily or tribe within the leaf beetles). This species feeds on
winged sumac and although they are flea beetles, they are unusual because
they aren't very strong jumpers!
Daniel P. Duran
Dept. of Biological Sciences
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Passionflower
Flea Beetle
(11/25/2005) Please identify
Can you help me identify this small insect seen on a Passion
Flower in Lakeview, AR June 24?
Thanks
Rose Maschek
Hi Rose,
This is Disonycha discoidea, the Passionflower Flea Beetle,
one of the Leaf Eating Beetles in the Family Chrysomelidae.
Ironclad Beetle
(Thanksgiving 2005) beetle ID
Please let me know the species of this beetle. I think it
is a wood boring species. Thanks,
Mel Boreham, Cottonwood, AZ
 
Hi Mel,
We needed to check with Eric Eaton and here is his response:
"The images are of an ironclad beetle in the family Zopheridae
(once part of the Tenebrionidae). Genus is most
likely Phloeodes or Zopherus. Can't seem to keep 'em straight.
Eric" Ironclad Beetles do not bore into wood. According to
our sources, they eat fungus. They get their common name because
of their tough exoskeleton.
Expert Update:(11/29/2005)
The imaged Zopherid from thanksgiving in AZ belongs to the
genus Zopherus. It is probably Zopherus uteanus (Casey).
Larvae of the Zopherini do bore into wood where they eat sheet
fungi between the wood layers. As adults they probably feed
on fungi, and are often collected under bark and rocks.
Ian Foley
Australian Tortoise Beetle: New California Agricultural
Pest
(11/23/2005) Dear Bugman,
Your site is awesome--and so helpful! Glad I found it via
a Google search...
My kids and I have had trouble id'ing the following insect
that we found on my wife's van last night. It looks like--and
is exactly the same size as--a typical ladybug. We live in
southern California.
Many thanks,
Russ
Hi Russ,
We didn't recognize your Tortoise Beetle species, so we did
some web searching. We located this site through the County
of Los Angeles Agricultural Commissioner that states:
"New Agricultural Pest for Southern California Australian
Tortoise Beetle, Trachymela sloanei Introduction: In early
February, 1998, Australian Tortoise Beetle (ATB), Trachymela
sloanei , was detected for the first time in western Riverside
County at a private residence containing acreage of Red gum
eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis ). A specimen of the
new beetle was noticed by the owner and taken to the Department
of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, for identification.
The find represents a new record not only for California but
also for the New World. " As the insect feeds on the leaves
from a plant native to its own country and not southern California,
it was inevitable that it would one day enter our closely
guarded borders, following the Eucalyptus Tree Borer and other
Australian insects that like the California climate where
their host plants thrive without natural pests. It is said
that eucalyptus trees are the commonest trees in southern
California, but their numbers are dwindling due to the introduction
of insect pests. Thank you for contributing this new species
to our archive.
Flea Beetle
(11/20/2005) What are these bugs
Beetle looking bug that jumps when approached on porch of
farmhouse 11-12. How do I know if you have ID'd this photos
when I go to your website? Thanks.
Mary Jo White
Hi Mary Jo,
In the Leaf Beetle Family, there is a Sub-Family of Flea Beetles,
Alticinae. These are small beetles that hop. We write back
directly as well as posting answers, but remember, we cannot
write back to everyone.
Swamp
Milkweed Leaf Beetle
(11/19/2005) Unidentified Leaf Beetle
I'm pretty sure this is some sort of leaf beetle, although
I can't seem to find which one. Maybe a swamp milkweed
leaf beetle? It was photographed along the margins
of a small lake (I would call it a pond with water running
in and out) not far from the eastern shores of southern Lake
Huron. Sure would like to know what it is.
Nadjia
Hi again Nadjia,
This is a Swamp Milkweed Leaf Beetle, Labidomera clivicollis.
As its name implies, it lives near swamps, meadows, roadsides
with milkweed, especially wetlands with Swamp Milkeed, Asclepias
incarnata. The markings are highly variable from individual
to individual. We located some information on BugGuide.
Spotted
Asparagus Beetle
(11/19/2005) Asparagus Beetles
Not the greatest picture of asparagus beetles, but they kept
dropping off the plants (or moving around to the other side
of the plant) whenever the camera got too close for their
comfort. I will try again next spring as they're
a persistent pest in my asparagus patch and the opportunities
for pictures are many. The spotted asparagus beetles are a
bit lazier and easier to photograph.
Nadjia
Hi Nadjia,
The Spotted Asparagus Beetle, Crioceris duidecimpunctata,
feeds on the green parts of asparagus. It was accidentally
introduced from Europe to Maryland in 1881, and has spread
to most of North America. They can completely defoliate asparagus
plants.
Eyed
Elater
(11/17/2005) What is this?
Hi,
I found this in a maple log I was splitting for firewood.
The tree center was wet, had ants, beetles and this creature
in it. I am not sure if it was eating the ants, beetles or
the wood. The insect was set on a light colored piece of wood,
so as to make a nice background for a picture. It had its
legs and antennea tucked underneath its shell. The critter
must have felt not hidden enough on that light colored wood,
it somehow snapped its legs against the wood and somersaulted
about 2 1/2 feet away. I put it on this piece of bark which
seemed to comfort it enough to unfold its legs and antennea
so I could snap a good picture of it. I put it in the wood
scrap pile after the pictures were taken. I cut this tree
in the far east side of St. Clair county which is in southeast
lower Michigan.
Thanks,
Mike First
Hi Mike,
Thank you for your eyewitness account of the behavior which
puts the Eyed Elater in the Click Beetle Family. The beetles
are capable of snapping their bodies and flipping in the air.
They never get caught on their backs. The Eyed Elater is the
largest North American Click Beetle, and its scientific name
is Alaus oculatus. It is often found in rotting timber.
Bumble
Flower Beetle
(11/14/2005) another beetle
Found about 50 of these Junebug type beetles hatching in my
large tub of compost dirt this fall. They are about the size
of a Junebug but a bit more flat. Anything for our garden
to worry about here? We are in SE Texas. Just love your site
but can not even fathom the amount of work it takes to maintain
it so well. You are doing a great job!
Thanks for the compliment. This is a Bumble Flower Beetle,
Euphoria inda. The larvae are often associated with rotting
wood, decaying vegetation, and dung, so the compost pile is
the perfect breeding gound. You probably witnessed a mass
metamorphosis. Adults visit flowers for pollen and nectar,
and occasionally do damage to the blossoms.
Australian
Scarab Beetle: Fiddler Beetle
(11/12/2005) Could you please identerfy this bug for me it
was found in one of my pots underneath the root ball of the
plant in Sydney Australia.
Regards
Sherrie Hocking
Hi Sherrie,
This is one of the Scarab Beetles, but we cannot locate an
exact species name for you.
Ed. Note: (12/13/2005)
Thanks to Ruth, we now know this is a Fiddler Beetle, Eupoecila
australasiae.
Spanish Blister Beetle
(11/12/2005) Spanish Bug
Hello;
My girlfriend and I were on vacation in Spain. While on a
hike through some Olive and Almond orchards, we
came across this interesting fellow. It was about
1.75 inches long. The area we were in is the mountains
just north of Valencia.
Thanks!
Jeff Pitts
Austin, TX
Hi Jeff,
This is a Blister Beetle in the Family Meloidae. Side note:
one beetle in this family is ground up into the aphrodesiac
"Spanish Fly".
Metallic
Wood Boring Beetle from Panama
(11/08/2005) Accurate ID on the following Buprestid beetle
Would appreciate an accurate scientific ID on this buprestid.
Thanks
Dick Beckett
Balboa Ancon Panama
Hi Dick,
We have problems with exact species identification from the
tropics. Your photo shows a beautiful Metallic Wood Boring
Beetle. According to Eric Eaton: "The giant metallic woodborer
from Panama should turn out to be Euchroma gigantea. "
Calligrapha Leaf Beetle
(11/07/2005) Mysterious Ladybug
Hello:
Could you help me?
I found this beautiful ladybug (I think) and I can't
identify it.
John Mangold
Canada
Hi John,
Your beetle isn't one of the Ladybirds, but rather one of
the Leaf Beetles in the genus Calligrapha. We will try to
get an exact species name for you.
Red Flat Bark Beetle
(11/06/2005) Flat Bark Beetle?
I found this guy crawling around my bedroom carpet today,
and scolded him because he is most certainly not a carpet
beetle! Is he a flat bark beetle? Don't worry, after I took
a picture of him in the jar, I let him go on a tree.
Thanks!
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth,
Nice job identifying your Red Flat Bark Beetle, Cucujus clavipes.
They are often found beneath the bark of felled ash and poplar
trees where they hunt for small arthropods.
Rain Beetles
(11/05/2005) Are these rain beetles
I was cleaning my pool this morning just before preparing
to close it for the winter and out of nowhere, I found a bunch
of these guys floating around. AT first I thought that they
were bark beetles as the pool was directly under a large Ponderosa
Pine but upon a bit of internet sleuthing, and since it rained
for the first time yesterday, I think perhaps these are rain
beetles. Is that correct? If so,are they a benign insect or
do these do damage to the tree roots? Should I be concerned
about them. Please advise..........
Stuart
 
Hi Stuart,
What a nice collection of Rain Beetles, Pleocoma species,
you have amassed. Though they feed on tree roots, they are
never plentiful enough to do any damage.
Australian
Scarab
(11/04/2005) whats my bug!
this bug flew in my window and sat on my computer desk i thought
it was super pretty so managed to take some snaps of it but
as yet my bug has no name! can you tell me what it is? your
site is awesome =)
-Abby (Melbourne, AUS)
Hi Abby,
We are sorry we don't know your species, but this is a Scarab.
We have heard of Christmas
Beetles, most in the genus Anoplognathus, and we suspect
this might be one of the unpictured species. We also wrote
to Eric Eaton who responded: "I would tentatively agree with
your ID of the Australian scarab. Certainly something in
the same subfamily (Rutelinae)."
Lily
Leaf Beetle
(10/31/2005) Flat Bark Beetle?
Hi Daniel,
My sons and I have found a few of these critters while finishing
up the last minute gardening. I’ve looked for
a match in the beetles section, as well as the true bugs section
without much progress. It kind of looks like a flat
bark beetle, but my specimen has more of a rounded body.
Can you tell us what this bug is?
Thanks a lot!
Yvonne, Derek and Jason
Barrie ,
Ontario
Hi again Yvonne, Derek and Jason,
This is one of the Leaf Beetles in the Family Chrysomelidae.
Sorry we don't know the species. We checked with Eric Eaton
as well and he agrees with us and has seen this specimen pictured
on BugGuide, but can't recall the species. We did a cursory
search of BugGuide and could not immediately locate it.
Ed. Note: (11/07/2005) This just in.
red leaf beetle
Hi
I love your site and visit it on a regular basis looking for
the ID of different bugs I find and photograph. I noticed
that you had a photo of a red leaf beetle sent in on 10/31/2005
from Yvonne, Derek and Jason from Barrie, Ontario. I am pretty
sure it is the lily leaf beetle, Lilioceris lilii. This beetle
was first found in Montreal, Canada in the mid 1900's but
has since spread and is known to be in Ontario. Thanks for
all the work you must do to make What's That Bug such a great
and useful site. Beth Hoar
Prince Edward Island, Canada
Ed. Note:(11/07/2005) And Yvonne wrote back.
Lily Leaf Beetle
Hi again Daniel, I just looked up the Leaf Beetle you named
for me from my recent picture. Would I be right in saying
that it’s a Lily Leaf Beetle? I found a website with some
pictures and information. http://www.uoguelph.ca/pdc/Factsheets/Insect/LilyLeafBeetle.htm
Let me know what you think. Yvonne
Dung Beetle
(10/29/2005) Rhino Beetle
Found this guy in swimming around in my pond. Took him out
and saved him in a jar with some wood and leaves. I assume
it is some kind of Rhino Beetle but I cannort find any pictures
of any one as colorful or that looks like this one Can you
tell me what it is??
Thanks,
Chris
Hi Chris,
What a gorgeous male Dung Beetle, Phanaeus vindex. He is also
known as a Rainbow Scarab.
Scarab
Beetle Grub: Ox Beetle
(10/29/2005) what beetles will they be?
HI,
I want to thank you in advance in helping so many people identify
all kinds of bugs. I am living in Houston, TX. I found some
huge grubs under a fallen oak tree trunk. Here are some of
the pics. Could you polease kindly help me what species are
they? Have a great day!
Cheers,
Yen
Hi Yen,
We are way behind in our mail and when we went to BugGuide
to research your Scarab Grub, we saw that you had the image
posted and Eric Eaton responded that this is "one of the scarabs,
stag beetles, or bess beetles. "
(12/17/2005) HI
I found out that it is ox beetle instead. Regards,
Yen
Female
Eastern Hercules Beetle
(10/28/2005) We’ve been trying to figure out what this
bug is can you help us??
This is a Female Eastern Hercules Beetle, Dynastes tityus.
Males have impressive horns.
Red Legged Ham Beetle
(10/25/2005) Carrion beetle?
Hi Bugman -
Here are four pictures I took under my microscope. This beetle
was found in a dermestid beetle culture by a taxidermist friend
who does skull cleaning like myself. At first I thought it
was a small carrion beetle Leptodiridae but it doesn't have
the small 8th antenna segment, Distinguishing features seem
to be the clubbed antenna, protruding abdominal segments,
hairy surface, metallic green (blusish) with reddish legs,
tarsal code is 3-3-3 I think. Can you help with this. It's
quite beautiful. The beetle pictures I sent - the specimen
was 5.5 mm long. Thanks.
Dr Whitey
Science Teacher; Clinton Tennessee
Hi Dr, Whitey,
We are very happy to get your photo of a Red Legged Ham Beetle,
Necrobius rufipes. Here is a quote from the BugPeople
Site: "This beetle was more important before refrigeration,
when dried or smoked meats were more common. Larvae bore into
meats, particularly the fat parts, do most of the damage;
the adults are surface feeders. The redlegged ham beetle has
also been recorded attacking cheese, bones, hides, drying
carrion, copra, salt fish, herring, dried egg yolks, dried
figs, "guano", bone meal, palm-nut kernels, and Egyptian mummies.
Substances infested but not fed upon have been silk, baled
cotton, and woolen goods. "
Twelve Spot Cucumber Beetle
(10/20/2005) What are these?
There are two pictures attached. Each picture has a different
creature. Please identify them for me.
This is a Twelve Spot Cucumber Beetle, Diabrotica undecimpunctata.
It is a serious plant pest on cucumbers and squash.
Rain
Beetle
(10/19/2005) rain beetle
Th anks so your great site that my husband found-we ID'd the
rain beetle! My husband was sitting on the couch reading
on an early dark morning ( I had just gone outside and left
the door open) and INCOMING INCOMING a giant slow-moving buzzy creature
came motoring toward my husbands head! He ducked and ran in
the corner waiting for it to land so I could catch it and and
put it outside it as I do spiders and bugs. We thought it
was an amazing bug with cool appendages. My question-are
the larvae harmful to tree roots-or is it a symbiotic relationship?
Also, is the guy still studying them (from your website 2004)?
We heard they are common here in Paradise, CA. Here are my
photos.
Dawn
 
Hi Dawn,
We are so excited to get your photos of this fascinating beetle.
To the best of our knowledge, there is no current study. We
checked with Eric Eaton and here is what he has to add: "In
answer to Dawn's question: These beetles are almost
never numerous enough to do damage to trees, though it is
not a symbiotic relationship (the larvae EAT the roots!). She
should count herself lucky to see one. The different species
seem to have very localized distributions. We had
them in Oregon, but not in my local neighborhood. I
also do not get up nearly early enough to see them:-) Ha! Morning
people.... Just to add to the rain beetle thing. The ones
you see are all males. Females are flightless and call the
males to their burrow entrances with a pheromone. Females
are substantially bulkier than males, too. Eric"
Buprestid
Grub
(10/19/2005) hi there
i am in the middle of my bathroom reno and i ran into this
creature......i hate bugs and ended up tearing all the drywall
down to make sure there was no more hiding. i only found the
one , looked as if it was trying to chew into the floor?
it is tapered and has little jaws on the front. pics arent
that great cause it is dark.
This is a beetle grub from the Family Buprestidae. They
are Wood Boring Beetles and sometimes the grubs can live in
milled lumber for many many years, emerging as adults long
after something has been built. Eric Eaton adds: "That flattened
first thoracic segment is your clue. Cerambycids are known
as roundheaded borers because in the larvae the first segment
is not nearly as flattened. Your comment about them living
in milled lumber applies to both beetle families"
Burying Beetle
(10/18/2005) another bug
Hi guys…
I discovered this guy hiding under groundcover…. Perfect
timing---he looks like the Halloween bug…. Some borer
or beetle I guess…if you know the name, I’d appreciate
it! Thanks,
Sherrie Gerber
Hi Sherrie,
This is one of the Burying Beetles, so named because they
bury small dead animals that act as a larval food source.
Skeletonizing Leaf Beetle
(10/15/2005) Bug ID
Hello, can you help ID this bug? I have looked
through many sites and have not found a photo that matches.
Thanks
Pam
Hi Pam,
This beetle is a new one for us. It is in the Family Chrysomelidae
- Leaf Beetles and the Subfamily Galerucinae - Skeletonizing
Leaf Beetles. We actually located the species on BugGuide.
It is Omophoita cyanipennis.
Burdock Beetle
(10/14/2005) This summer's curiosity
I assume, after viewing your sight, that this is a Colorado
Potato Beetle, but seek confirmation. This guy
found his way to my arm and stopped to pose for photographs. I
am a beetle lover and slowly becoming an entomological hobbyist
(photographs in the wild, I don't collect.) Fantastic
site!
Geoffrey Bosmann
 
Hi Geoffrey,
You are correct. This is a Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa
decimlineata. It was originally native to mountain meadows
in the Rocky Mountains, but widespread cultivation of potatoes
has greatly increased its range as well as its status as a
bonafide agricultural pest.
Correction from Eric Eaton: (10/18/2005)
Hey, the Colorado potato beetle is actually a related species,
Leptinotarsa juncta (burdock beetle if I recall).
Big
Fungus Beetle
(10/12/2005) New Mexico beetle
Hey Bugman,
My friend took a picture of this beetle in the Jemez Mountains
of New Mexico last spring. It's a cute little fella. Any
ideas on the species?
Craig Fiehler
Hi Craig,
We needed to go to Eric Eaton for help and he quickly responded:
"Yeah, its that Big Fungus Beetle....Cypherotylus californicus.
Actually, I think the genus name has changed (using an old,
handy guide). Pretty cool. Family is Erotylidae. Eric "
Ivory
Marked Beetle
(10/12/2005) can you identify the beetle in attached photo
I found two of these beetles on the farm where I live in eastern
Iowa. Its body is about an inch long and its antenna are slightly
longer. The body is tan with white (maybe light tan) spots
as illustrated. The farm has a windbreak with white pines,
spruce, mulberry, silver leaf maple, hackberry, and red oak.
Also blackberries and raspberries.
Eugene Clark
Hi Eugene,
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.
Locust Borer
(10/11/2005) What is this Bug
I found this bug on the locust tree in my back yard.
There is quite a few of them on the tree. Have you any
idea what it is?
R. B. Rogers
Hi R.B.,
The Locust Borer, Megacyllene robiniae, is a beetle. The larvae
bore in the wood of black locust trees and adults are often
found on goldenrod in the fall.
Bess Bug
(10/10/2005) Could you tell us what this thing is?
It was almost 2” long – quite large – and
making a sort of hissing noise. We found a tiny tick looking
beetle crawling on it and did pry that off and kill it, whereupon
the beetle settled down a bit, but still was making this noise.
Husband found it on the ground behind a wooden berm. It was
black with some fuzzy yellow-orange hairs on various legs
and edging the shell toward the bottom. The head was somewhat
scoop shaped, with little bumps all over it.
Thanks!
Teresa
Middleburg , FL
 
Hi Teresa,
Nice photos of a Bess Bug, the Horned Passalid Beetle, Odontotaenius
disjunctus. These beetles live in communities in rotting wood.
They do stridulate or make noise. The bumps on the head are
actually a mite infestation, but a minor one.
Southern
Pine Sawyer
(10/10/2005) What is this bug?
We found this in our yard. We are in Northwest Florida,
Santa Rosa County
Thanks
Michele Gibbs
 
Hi Michele,
This is a Southern Pine Sawyer, Monochamus species.
Oil Beetles Mating
(10/06/2005) Pictures of devils coach horses that are vegetarian?
From wisconsin and question.
I would like to share these pictures with you. I think
they are of devils coach horses, but I am not positive. I
would like to know if I am mistaken on the identity. There
seems to be a little discrepancy in the descriptions
I have found online as to behavior and appearance. I
am wondering if its a closely related, perhaps vegetarian
species? The females are 1 1/4 inch long and thick bodied.
Males are 3/4 inch and also thick bodied. They don't seem
to be able to move their tail ends upward since they are plump.
There mandibles are small for the head size as the pictures
show. They are also black with a blue green iridescence. They
are calm and peaceful. And they are active in bright light.
First of all, I found hundreds of these fascinating insects
in a mowed field that was located in a wooded clearing
out in farm country. It was mid afternoon when I found them
on a warm, 80 degree, sunny, October day. I am in Wisconsin!
I have lived out here, in the country, for 15 years and
never before seen these creatures in our area. I brought about
a dozen home to identify and observe them. They mate freely
with each other, the males just go from female to female.
They have been eating grass in large amounts and enjoy rye
bread and adore fresh soft fruits. They ignore hard dry grains.
They have a preference for the softest of plant foods.They
ignore slugs. Moths that my son caught, a few squished, (he
is 5 yrs old) didn't arouse the insects interest. They have
showed no desire to borrow in anything be it soil or leaf
litter. They remain on top of their substrate and are most
active at mid day. They don't show any defense posture what
so ever. In fact they seem quite content to munch and walk
around no matter what activity is around them. In the wild,
they didn't show any defense posture when I collected them
either. I would like to ask you if you could share information
about these wonderfully beautiful creatures. I cant find info
on their life cycle. They are mating, and I don't know
what they lay their eggs in nor the time line for hatch and
etc.... I home school my daughter and this adventure with
these creatures has lead us on lessons in insect discovery.
The pictures show detail of the sexual difference in the antenna.
I was surprised to note the difference. There is a nice view
of the females back that showed the detail of texture. Also,
the size difference between male and female is obvious. I
liked the way the grass eating picture turned out. That (eating)
seems to be their main activity, next to making droppings.
Please feel free to use any pictures on your site if you choose.
My partner, Kevin Stone took the pictures of my wonderful,
insect find. What is puzzling me at this point, is when and
in what will they lay eggs? I also have not figured out if
they are meant to live through the coming winter or will die
after egg laying, and if being in a aquarium, indoors, will
change their life cycle. Any info you can share would be very
welcomed.
Thank you for your time,
Jackie Thedford
Hi Jackie,
Why are you home schooling. You should be teaching 30 children.
Your letter is absolutely awesome. These are not Devil's Coach
Horses, but Oil Beetles, a type of Blister Beetle, Meloe angusticollis.
The adults eat grasses as you know and are fond of the foliage
from potatoes. Larvae are parasitic on wild bees, and unless
there is a wild bee nest in your aquarium, you may not get
eggs. Be careful in handling the beetles which can exude droplets
from their leg joints that might cause blisters.
Blister Beetle
(10/05/2005) beautiful beetle
Hello - please apply your expertise to identify this gorgeous
beetle I saw on the ground in New Mexico (Chaco Culture N.P.
to be exact) in September. I have searched on the web with
no success, but your excellent website has given me hope.
He was quite large...an inch? I''m trying not to exaggerate
and turn my beetle into a shaggy dog! I know you only select
at random, but I'm crossing my fingers that you will help.
Thanks in any case for a great site.
Barbara in Ontario.
Hi Barbara,
This is a Blister Beetle in the genus Megetra, possibly Megetra
vittata. They are sometimes known as Oil Beetles. Here is
a page on BugGuide
with some interesting information.
Locust
Borer, but in Oregon?
(10/03/2005) Black and Yellow Beetle
Hi-
Just found your site. Hope you can identify this beetle for
me. We have a nursery and don't like to kill "good bugs"
so we kind of like to know which category they fall into.
I couldn't find this one listed anywhere and thought you might
be able to help.
Thanks,
Roger Pearce
Canyon Gardens
Maupin, OR
Hi Roger,
This looks to be a Locust Borer, Megacyllene robiniae. This
is a common beetle in the East and South, but we are totally
unaware of it being in Oregon. The larvae bore into the wood
of black locust trees and adults feed on pollen, especially
goldenrod.
Well that explains it. The Maupin City Park replaced about
30 Black Locust trees this year that had died. I don't have
Black Locust on this property but do have lots of Honey Locust.
I'm about three miles from the city park. So I guess we know
they're in Oregon now. Thanks for identifying it.
Roger Pearce
(10/04/2005) This just in from Eric Eaton: "Apparently
the locust borer is now found throughout most of the U.S.,
as its host is used as an ornamental far outside its native
range. "
Tortoise Beetle Larva: A correction
(10/02/2005) Correction on Crowned Slug Caterpillar ID
Dear Bugman,
In regards to " Crowned Slug Caterpillar (07/14/2005)
Strange bug", I do believe the key word in the
sender's question is "vine" as this is not a caterpillar,
but the very minute larva of the Golden Tortoise Beetle, Metriona
bicolor. I've had oodles of them myself on my decorative
sweet potato vines and they will "shotgun" pattern
the leaves to the point of decimating the plant (one characteristic
hole is partially visible to the left of the larva).
They use their fecal pellets as a dorsal shield which they
elevate when alarmed, hence the "dark thing" falling
off (probably physically knocked off when poked.) I've
been keeping a culture of them for a couple years now
and hope to be publishing some research on them in the not-too-distant
future. I haven't taken any macro shots of the larvae myself,
but check out the link below and I think you'll see that the
clarity/quality of the photo on your site makes it appear
to be much larger than it is in reality. [see
this site]
The adults are fascinating in that they can change color,
from a dun/CLEAR tannish color when disturbed (below) to a
shining gold when feeding and at rest. Truly gorgeous; like
drops of molten gold! Keep up the good work,
Bradley Goettle
Clemson University
Dept of Entomology, Soils, and Plant Sciences
Graduate Research Assistant
Hi Bradley,
Thanks for the correction and the fascinating letter. The
original letter is reproduced below.
Not
a Crowned Slug Caterpillar, but Tortoise Beetle Larva
(07/14/2005) Strange bug
I found this bug on the leaf of a vine growing around
one of my hedges. I poked it with a stick and it moved.
So I poked it again and the dark thing on the end of it fell
off. It seemed to be anchored to the leaf though. There
were more on other leaves too. I can't figure out what it
is. Can you help?
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.
(10/04/2005) This just in from Eric Eaton: "Ah, with that
location, it is probably Lytta vulnerata cooperi. Don't think
L. magister makes it out of the southwest. Would love to
come across specimens of each some day.... Eric "
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