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Western
Black Widow Family Values
(09/09/2006) A rare treat, Western black widow male, female,
and eggs in one photo!
Adult female, eggs and male - Latrodectus hesperus - Male
Female El Mirage AZ, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA September
6, 2006 An adult female with egg sacks, and a closeby male.
I could not believe she was staying put, maybe because she
was guarding her eggs, she was quite alarmed at me. This is
one of 4 adult females in my yard that I have found. Most
of the time they run and hide when I approach. This was a
treat!
Candy Cox
Hi Candy,
Thanks for sharing this wonderful domestic moment with our
readership, many of whom appreciate family values. We are
also thrilled to find there are others out there without widow
phobia.
Bug Love Poster
View
Poster
(09/12/2006) Ed. Note
Recently, Dave, who worked on the radio transmitter project
to track the migration of Anax
junius, the Green Darner Dragonfly, proposed selling his
awesome Retro posters of Bug Love on our site. A percentage
of the proceeds goes to insect conservation. What's That Bug?
fully endorses this ad and these beautiful posters and we
are not making any profit off of the sales. So, contact Dave
via his email... and tell him What's That
Bug? sent you.
Read Dave's entire letter on our Fanmail
2 page.
"Wasp
Mimic" Robber Fly
(09/08/2006) Can't identify on your site. Bugguide.com or
internet
Your site is one of my favorites!!! I scan it weekly. I send
several hours learning about the amazing creatures that share
this world with us. I do have a bug I have been unable to
identify. I have looked on your site, Bugguide and tried every
combination I could think of on the internet to identify these
little beauties. I live in Navasota, TX and this summer was
the first time I have ever seen these guys. Keep up the awesome
work!!! Is there anything (besides trying to research on our
own first), that we, the grateful readers of this amazing
site, can do to help...donations...resources...etc??
Robin
Hi Robin,
We believe these are Wasp Mimicing Robber Flies. They resemble
an insect in the genu Ceraturgus on BugGuide,
but the match is not exact. By the looks of things, you should
be seeing more next year. Thank you for your kind thoughts,
but at the moment, we are not set up for contributions. We
are still selling our calendars through the gift shop and
clicking on some of our ads does help pay the high cost of
web hosting. WE are going to try to get Eric Eaton to weigh
in on the identification. Eric quickly provided the exact
species: "Right family at least:-) These are indeed robber
flies, in the genus Laphria. The species is Laphria
saffrana, or something like that. That species is also
featured on bugguide.
Keep up the great work! Eric"
Tailed
Blues Mating
(09/08/2006) Beetles in my house! (Tenebrio) and a bug-love
photo
Hello!
I stumbled across your site while googling "beetles in
my house"...thank you in advance for your help, and for
your wonderful site! I live in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and
discovered a bunch of nasty little beetle larvae in a large
bag of dog food about ten days ago. I immediately got rid
of the dog food and thoroughly cleaned the can in which it
was stored, but I've had random beetles popping up throughout
the house since. I've checked the flour, which is fine, but
haven't gone through the whole kitchen yet. Any clue as to
where they're coming from, whether or not I should be worried,
and what to do about them? I'm attaching a photo just taken
of one of the little beasties in my bathroom. Think they might
be Tenebrio spp., but I don't know anything about them, really.
Also noticed that you have a page dedicated to bug love, and
am thus attaching some blues that I photographed over the
summer in Connecticut. Thanks again!
lisa schauer
Hi Lisa,
The beetle photo you sent us is not a Mealworm or Tenebrid
Beetle, but a Carabid or Ground Beetle. They are beneficial
hunters. Next time you suspect a Tenebrid invasion, check
to see if Junior dropped some Chips Ahoy cookies between the
cushions of the couch. Your mating Tailed Blues are gorgeous.
Mating
Pennsylvania Leather-Wings
(09/03/2006) pretty orange bug orgy
Took this picture today 9-2-06 near the confluence of the
Missouri and MIssissippi Rivers. There were hundreds of pairings
of these bugs getting busy. My 7-year-old daughter informed
me that they were mating. No more Animal Planet for her! Or
that does make a certain talk a little easier.....
Angie
Hi Angie,
Thanks for contributing this wonderful image of mating Pennsylvania
Leatherwings, Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus.
Fireflies
Mating
(09/02/2006) Bug Love
Well i was checking out your Bug Love section and thought
i may have one that you could add to the collection. Here
are a couple of Fireflys(Lightning Bugs)? that i spotted on
a tree at my camp in the mountains of West Virginia. Love
the site, just cant get enough! Thanks
Jed
Hi Jed,
We appreciate your photo contribution of mating Fireflies.
A
Mating Frenzy of Two-Lined Walkingsticks
(09/01/2006) A lek of two-lined walking sticks?
You run a great website, and I was able to use it to identify
these insects as Two-lined Walkingsticks, Anisomorpha buprestoides.
But I've never seen them in a group like this, so I thought
you might be interested in seeing them. Have you ever seen
them do this? A whole bunch of walking sticks were grouped
together on a palm frond which vines had curled over somewhat.
They were making clicking sounds and it looked like the males
were fighting with each other to mate, hitting each other
with their front legs. Here are the pictures, which
I took at Biven's Arm Nature Park in Gainesville, FL.
Gary
Hi Gary,
We are impressed with what looks to be a mating frenzy of
Muskmares. We will see if Eric Eaton has an opinion on this
strange occurrence.
Mating
Syrphid Flies
(08/30/2006) Bug Love
Hi. I sent you a photo of a spider the other day and I also
wanted to send you this photo of the hover flies (?) mating.
These little guys are very photogenic.
Heather
Hi Heather,
Thank you for sending in your photo of mating Syrphid Flies.
Mating
Annual Cicadas
(08/27/2006) Thought you might like this
Ater takig this photo i started snooping the web. Found your
site and it was very usefull Feel free to post the pic as
well as credit for the pic. I think i was very lucky getting
this
Joe Tasse
Hi Joe,
We are thrilled to post the image you provided of mating Cicadas.
In the past 24 hours, we have gotten numerous submissions
of mating activity.
Wheel Bugs Mating
(08/26/2006) Oh no, not more Wheels!
Sorry, I know you guys have tons and tons of Wheel Bug pictures,
but I thought I'd send these just in case you liked 'em. And
who can resist insect pornography, really? I took these photos
in Allentown, Pennsylvania at the Pool Wildlife Sanctuary.
The female looked like she was snacking on a Monarch Caterpillar
when we found them, but they moved away from it before I could
get it in the shot. It would make sense since they were on
a milkweed plant, but aren't those caterpillars poisonous?
Clarissa
Hi Clarissa,
We have to wonder what the Meese
Commission would have to say about your photo. We are
thrilled to post it and push the censorship envelope. Regarding
Monarch Caterpillar, Milkweed does contain toxins and there
are insects that can tolerate them, feeding on the plants.
Certain predators have also built up a tolerance to the toxins.
Also, some literature claims the milkweed merely renders the
vegetarian who feast on it "distasteful".
More
Mating Slugs and subsequent Religious and Political Controversy
(08/26/2006) Slugs Having Sex
Dear Bugman,
I photographed these two slugs in an intimate moment near
Chilliwack, BC. They didn't seem offended; I guess their attention
was otherwise occupied. Regards,
Mike
Hi Mike,
You might want to compare the technique of your couple to
the French Slugs we just posted. We also can't help but ponder
how conservatives might view the fact that slugs are Hermaphroditic,
so all couplings are basically "same sex".
Dear Bugman,
The answer is simple: "Slugs are godless heathens and live
degenerate, immoral lives. We should invade/bomb Slugistan
to spread freedom and to keep them from coming to our country."
Regards,
Mike
Religion, Politics and Slugs
(08/28/2006)
Dear Bugman,
I am writing in response to the following posting on your
website. I am a proud Conservative Christian and feel l must
say that although I enjoy your site, I do not wish to view
it anymore. The fact that you yourself would make comments
about "how conservatives might view the fact" and also take
a step further to post the reader's obvious anti-conservative
and anti-war statements makes me question your site. I am
not saying you do not have the right to post your comments
or views, it is your website, and it is your right. I'm just
exercising my right to not subject myself to rude comments
from the left. It is an everyday right we know and a right
the Iraqi people would never have known had our President
not invaded their country. Leviticus 20:13 "If a man lies
with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an
abomination; they shall be put to death; their blood is upon
them." Please do not post my full name or e-mail address.
Thank you!
Christina
Hello Christina,
We are happy that you have freedom of choice and that you
know how important it is for individuals to be able to make
decisions. Every woman has the right to choose if she wants
to view our site or not, as does every man. Should you choose
to not view our site any longer, we will understand and will
not try to force you to do so. For clarification, we never
spoke about religion or left or right. Our site is about tolerance
of bugs. Also for the record, slugs are molluscs, not insects,
and there are no hermaphroditic insects. We personally are
not terribly tolerant of slugs in our garden.
P.S. You are very lucky that your employer, Clark
Consulting in Dublin Ohio, is tolerant of web surfing
and proselytizing from the office computers.
Update (08/28/2006)
WOW! You guys actually posted my response? That took balls,
or, perhaps, the non-gender-specific term "gonads". I could
have told you you'd get someone like this writing in in response,
but I'm sure you already knew that, as you seem brighter than
the average (non-denominational, apolitical, and morally neutral)
bulb. Best wishes. Can I still submit pictures,or have I been
excommunicated? Cheers,
Mike
Update (08/28/2006)
I also like the part where Christina talks about Bush "invading"
Iraq. I didn't realize it was an invasion; I thought it was
a liberation.
Lisa
Additional Feedback in praise of wit and humor
(08/28/2006) hehe....More Mating Slugs and subsequent Religious
and Political Controversy
I'm relatively conservative and belong to a very conservative
relgious denomination. But I personally believe that Christina
takes things WAAAAY too personally. Please don't let her sensitively
reflect poorly on the rest of conservatives. I thought Mike's
note and yours were quite funny. Christina needs to get that
bug out of her ass (pun intended).
Becky
Kind Words of Support
(08/29/2006)
The person who states she will not visit your site again IS
way too sensitive and needs to chill out---and she is definitely
the one losing out on a good thing. Keep up the incredible
work---it gives those of us who are fascinated with our cameras
and taking pictures of wildlife, both large and miniature,
an outlet to show off our stuff. Thanks again
Gloria
Mating Slugs from France
(08/26/2006) mating slugs - limaces (with photo)
I took this photo about two weeks ago just down the road from
a village near the River Creuse in the Limousin region of
France. The French call these slugs "limaces." Each
one is about the size of a human finger. I found them fascinating.
I stumbled across your page and thought you might be interested,
too.
Martha Ward
Hi Martha,
If we have time, we will try to identify the species. Meanwhile,
we will post your fascinating image.
Mating Monarch Butterflies
(08/24/2006) image of mating monarch butterflies for Bug Love
page
Hi,
I came across "What's That Bug" yesterday and thought
you might be interested in the attached image of mating monarch
(?) butterflies. I photographed the pair at Grosse Point Lighthouse
in Evanston, Illinois, just north of Chicago. The butterflies
were coupled for quite some time, at rest and in flight. I
am curious if you know whether its the male or female that
does the flying, or both ... or, well, is it true love that
keeps them aloft? Thanks for a great site.
Deborah
Hi Deborah,
Thanks for sending in your beautiful image. We are going to
speculate on your flight question. The male Monarch Butterfly
has a black spot, a scent patch, that is easily visible when
the wings are opened. It is not as obvious on the underwings,
but the butterfly in your photo whose wings are outermost
appears to be the male. That butterfly would be in a better
position to control flight. Our speculation is that the male
butterfly controls flying to a greater degree when the pair
is coupled, but we might be wrong.
Mating June Beetles
(08/24/2006) Love Beetles
Love your site. I found the Velvet Ant on your site first.
Here are some Pics. Arlington, TN (Suburb of Memphis)
Pat Taylor
Hi Pat,
Thank you for sending in your graphic image of mating June
Beetles.
Mating Japanese Beetles
(08/23/2006) Mating Beetles
Hi Bugman,
Thought you might like this photo of mating beetles taken
August, 2006. These two are mating a hibiscus leaf which they
'love' feeding on and other 'things'<:)) I titled this
'Dance Of Love' in my photo gallery at BetterPhoto.com.
Sincerely,
Lorraine Cook
Philadelphia, PA.
Hi Lorraine,
The Japanese Beetles are late in Philadelphia. This pestiferous
alien introduction is continuing to expand its range. They
decimated my mother's Ohio garden in July but they have died
out for another year. They are especially problematic as they
eat such a wide variety of plants. Recently I acquired a pamphlet
from the California Department of Food and Agriculture warning
of their introduction to California.
Golden
Backed Snipe Fly
(08/21/2006) Golden Backed Snipe Flies
These were so pretty. I took their pictures in June 2005.
Their abdomens were black and white striped, with a golden
velvet on their thorax. I believe they are Golden Backed Snipe
Flies. I apologize for the poor image quality. I sent an email
to the Purdue Entomology department last summer, but no one
ever responded, so I've been wondering ever since then. My
husband found your great web site because we were trying to
identify a new bug to us... the huge robber fly. I wish I
had pictures of them. I know you say it's only 3-4 cm, but
I swear those things are bigger than that! At any rate, while
on your site, I thought what a great place to figure out my
Black and Yellow flies as I was calling them. I guess I wasn't
that far off in my made up nomenclature! Thanks for a great
site! It's awesome!
Amy Jost
Cincinnati, OH
Hi Amy,
These are Golden Backed Snipe Flies, and even though the image
is a bit blurry, we are happy to have the mating couple for
our Bug Love page.
Large Milkweed Bugs Mating
(08/19/2006) Bug Love, Milkweed Bugs
Hi-
Thought you might appreciate these two snapshots of milkweed
buglove (50 miles north of Chicago, in extreme northeastern
Illinois). I know you have already posted two affectionate
milkweed bugs but thought you'd enjoy the little "wing
thing" one of them did in the middle of it all!
Lorraine Bunn
Fox Lake, IL
Hi Lorraine,
Your photo has surely captured the heat of bug passion between
two Large Milkweed Bugs with the wing action a nice gesture
of abandon. Nice touch that they are on a milkweed pod.
Mating
Snowberry Clearwing Moths
(08/18/2006) Snowberry Clearwings Mating
Your web site has been very helpful to me in identifying insects.
In fact, I was able to identify these mating Snowberry Clearwings
from your site. You mentioned it is difficult to get sharp
photos of Clearwings, so I thought I'd send you this one which
does have one set of wings and their joined bodies quite clear.
If you think it is worth while, you may post it on your site.
The photo was made in southeastern Iowa on a butterfly bush
on August 17, 2006.
Lora P Conrad
Hi Lora,
We are trying to post some older letters this morning, and
your photo is quite lovely. We had to crop and rotate it to
take advantage of the allowable space. Thank you.
Mating
Argiopes: Bug of the Month ensures future generations!!!
(08/17/2006) a new spider
Once again from Canyon Lake, Texas. I found this SIGNIFICANTLY
smaller spider on the web of my Orb Spider. It appears to
have many of the same features. I am guessing it is the male?
Wayne
Well Wayne,
You have gotten us a great photo of our Bug of the Month,
Argiope aurantia, mating. This considerably smaller spider
is the male. He is a sly fellow, approaching from the other
side of the web where he is considerably safer.
Two from the Netherlands: Firebug Aggregation and
mating Colorado Potato Beetles
(08/16/2006) Are you identifying European insects?
I am glad I came across your excellent web site with wonderful
images of insects. I was in the Netherlands and tried to identify
the insects in the attached images but I wasn't very successful
in finding photos that match the species I photographed. The
two specimens surrounded by leaves were in a field of beans.
The common red and black insects were up and down the length
of a trunk of a tree by the side of a road which ran along
a river. It looks like I will be buying an insect identification
book in the not-too-distant future. Thank you for any help
you can provide. Best Wishes, Yours sincerely,
Richard
 |
 |
| Firebug
Aggregation |
Mating
Colorado Potato Beetles (range expansion???) |
Hi Richard,
The aggregation of red bugs are Firebugs, Pyrrhocoris apterus,
a common species in continental Europe. We recently received
a great poster from a French pharmacy calling them Gendarme.
The mating Leaf Beetles look suspiciously like the US native
Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata. This beetle
once had a limited range in the Colorado Rocky Mountains,
but with the spread of potato cultivation, it became a nationwide
pest. Perhaps it has invaded Europe as well. BugGuide
substantiates that this agricultural pest has gained a foothold
in Europe.
Three Lined Potato Beetles Mating
(08/14/2006) Bug Love
Here's one for your collection. I don't know what they are,
but I think I know what they are doing. Photo was taken in
Burbank, CA at a park.
Vicki Holmes
Hi Vicki
These are Three Lined Potato Beetles, or Old Fashioned Potato
Beetles, Lema trilineata. The term Old Fashioned is probably
in reference to the increased distribution of the Colorado
Potato Beetle. The Three Lined Potato Beetle feed on the leaves
of plants in the nightshade family. If your park is a natural
wild park, they will feed on datura and deadly nightshade.
If there is a cultivated garden, they will feed on peppers,
tomatoes, and eggplant as well as potatoes.
French
Red Black Shieldbugs Mating
(08/14/2006) bug love
Hi Bugman!
you might wish to put this one on your website of bug loves
& lives. I capturerd these two in France, South of the
town of Bergerac. Cheers,
Sam Bal
Hi Sam,
If we didn't have to go to work today to grade final projects,
we would love to stay online until we identified your mating
Hemipterans, but we decided to try anyways. A search of "red
black striped hemipteran europe" took us to a PDF
document on the Red-Black Shieldbug, Graphosoma lineatum.
Monarch Butterflies Mating
(08/12/2006) Monarchs Mating
The two monarchs on this photo were one pair of about six
in the area. The pairs would fly about with one butterfly
on top doing the flying and the one underneath just hanging
on, legs to legs and tail to tail. Every once in awhile they
would alight on a branch, freeing their legs up just before
landing and end up with just the tails touching. When they
resumed their flight, the bottom butterfly would reach up
to re-establish the grip on the legs. I guess having one butterfly
carry the other while flying is a good test to see if the
partner is suitable mating material considering the migration
to Mexico they have to undertake in the fall. Regards
Paul
Hi Paul,
We like your theory about flight strength and migration, but
other butterflies that stay local use the same position. Thanks
for sending us your wonderful image.
Mating Ambush Bugs
(08/11/2006) Love the lovin' Ambush Bugs
I love your website! I've recently started photographing critters
in our back yard. This is a fun one from our raspberry bushes.
Thank you for sending us your photo of mating Ambush Bugs.
Luna Moths Mating
(08/08/2006) Luna Moths (again!)
My apologies. I inserted the photo instead of attaching it.
Hope it finds you this time. Thanx again,
R.G. Marion
Ed. Note: R.G. sent us a very nice letter
and no image was attached. We requested that she resend the
letter and attach the image as we really wanted to post the
mating Luna Moth photo she described. She resent the image,
but not with the original letter which has vanished into the
black hole of our mailbox system. We are now posting her wonderful
photo and are awaiting her to resend her great letter. Sadly,
it is nearly impossible, with the the mail volume we receive,
to put things together piecemeal. In most cases, we would
give up and not make additional requests, but the nature of
this particular image warrents the time, frustration, and
multiple posting requirements that the piecemeal sending necessitates.
Sadly, it now limits the number of letters that will get a
response today.
As per your request ~ don't mean to waste your time!
Hello Bugman,
This photo is a couple of years old, but I still find it intriguing.
Not only would it make a nice addition to your "BUG LOVE"
page, but I have a nagging question about the photo itself:
It looks as if there's more than one connection between the
two moths. Could you tell me if there is actually something,
visible, passing between the them? There appears to be...
just my imagination? These beauties were suspended over the
entrance to my garage (with spider passing by) in Cosby, TN
~ The Great Smoky Mountains. With thanx for your time,
R.G. Marion
Mating Polyphemus Moths
(08/08/2006) MOTHS MATING what are they
Good morning,
My son stumbled upon these two while mating. Might I add,
they scared the living daylights out of him (he's 20 months
old) He screamed bloody murder! I went to see what in the
world would make him scream like that and found the pair on
the ground mating. Thay were the size of luna moths and look
similar but the coloration was different. Any idea what they
are? I went back out with a tape measure to measure wingspan
but they already taken flight. I would guess about 5 inches
across. Thanks,
Marla and the scared 20 month old in Georgia
Hi Marla,
Those eyespots are designed to frighten predators, and young
children are not exempt. These mating Saturnid Moths are Polyphemus
Moths, our featured insect for July. You can still see a beautiful
specimen posted on our homepage.
Giant Walkingsticks Mating
(08/07/2006) Walking sticks
I went to let the dog out and discovered these two on my door
handle...I have been around walking sticks my whole life but
have never seen any this brilliant. Is there a reason for
their brilliant color or are they a different variety than
the plain brown ones? You probably can't tell by the picture
but the female was huge. We don't see them that big here very
often. Thanks
Melody
 
Hi Melody,
You didn't tell us where "here" is, so we are guessing Texas.
We are thrilled to get your highly detailed photo of Giant
Walkingsticks, Megaphasma dentricus, mating. You can even
make out the spiny ridge along the lower surface of the femora.
This is the largest North American Walkingstick.
Mating
Pennsylvania Leatherwings share thistle with Black Swallowtail
(08/05/2006) Name that Beetle
I just discovered your wonderful website while I was trying
to identify the mating beetles sharing the thistle with a
Black Swallowtail. The picture was taken last summer just
out side Madison WI. Are these a Pennsylvania leather-wings?
Bill Ottinger
 
Hi Bill,
You are absolutely correct. The mating Pennsylvania Leatherwings
are common beetles found on roadside flowers, especially goldenrod.
Peach
Tree Borers Mating: Sexual Dimorphism
(08/02/2006) Sexual dimorphism or miscegnation?
A friend sent this salacious picture to me, but I was unable
to identify the participants. Could you help him? " Whilst
mowing the lawn this morning I observed the two bugs in the
attached photograph (actually I should say I observed the
two attached bugs in the attached photograph). "They"
were flying around in the same position as they are in the
photo. The big guy seemed to be in control. They landed on
a leaf and waited for me to go get my camera. I have no idea
what's going on here.
Chris Given"
Hi Chris,
This really is an excellent example of Sexual Dimorphism,
not miscegenation. The Moths are Peach Tree Borers, Synanthedon
exitiosa. The larger one in control is the female. This moth
is a pest on peach trees as the caterpillars burrow in the
wood causing considerable damage. Since we are able to post
so few letters, we get very excited when we open excellent
photos like your friend's. Thanks for sending it our way.
Luna
Moths Mating
(08/01/2006) moth sex?
Thought you might enjoy these pictures of a pair of luna moths
that spent Saturday afternoon snogging on our house. Weirdly,
I had just been looking at the many beautiful luna moth pictures
on your site last week, and wishing I could see one in person.
Someone must have been listening. Great site btw.
 
After all these years running this website, we are thrilled
to finally have photos of North America's lovliest insects
mating.
Great Ash Sphinxes Mating
(08/01/2006) moths
We found this moth outside our california home I can't find
it on your sight. I am so curious.
Tiffany
 
Hi Tiffany,
We believe these are Great Ash Sphinxes, Sphinx chersis. Bill
Oehlke has an excellent page devoted to this moth.
Big Legged Bug in genus Narnia
(07/28/2006) Can you tell what this bug is?
This is a Hemiptera bug in the the family 'Coreidae' I think.
I found it in Phoenix, AZ on a cactus. Do you know the species?
Thanks
We are trying to answer some old letters and were challenged
at the prospect of identifying your mating Coreids. As we
turned to BugGuide,
we noticed you had posted the image and it was identified
as being in the genus Narnia.
Red Shoulder Bug Threeway
(07/24/2006) screen door "love" bugs...
hey wtb!
i read your site at least twice a week (often enjoying the
archives when theres nothing new) but i've never had anything
to send y'all. here are a couple of pictures of bugs mating
on our screen. i have no idea what they are and i'm positive
they're already on your site as they seem pretty common. i'm
not that concerned with what they are. they don't seem to
bite and i usually just brush them away when i want to go
outside. anyway, these were some pretty clear pictures of
the bug threesome lol. hope you enjoy!
amanda
Hi Amanda,
We are trying to go through some old mail to see if there
is anything interesting to post, and lo and behold, we spotted
your photograph. This is a new species for our site, the Red
Shouldered Bug, Jadera haematoloma. It is a widespread southern
species. Sorry for the delay but we are happy to be able to
post your image.
Mating
Imperial Moths
(07/24/2006) Imperial moths
What a wonderful website! Like many others, I found you while
I was trying to find out what these beautiful moths were.
Also like others, I stubbled on them while they were mating
. . . but they didn't seem to mind. These two were in the
woods of our county park, here in Western Pennsylvania.
Becca Orend
Beaver Falls, PA
Hi Becca,
Your photograph of mating Imperial Moths is so beautiful,
it has the quality of a studio portrait.
Reddish
Brown Stag Beetles Mating
(07/24/2006) whats that bug, and bug/love
found on my front porch wall, after midnight
This is the first photo we have ever received of Stag
Beetles mating. This is the Reddish Brown Stag Beetle, Lucanus
carpreolus.
Painted
Grasshoppers Mating
(07/22/2006) Dactylotum bicolor
Bugman,
Thought you might like to see our picture of a Dactylotum
bicolor. We saw it at Horsetooth National Park in Fort Collins,
Colorado.
James & Winnie Comer
Hi James and Winnie,
Your photo of mating Painted Grasshoppers is quite stunning
and a welcome addition to our site. We hope to resolve a minor
website issue and post it very soon. This species ranges from
Northern Mexico north to Arizona, Texas, and the foothills
of the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
Murderess: Mating Mantids
(07/22/2006) Mating Mantis
Hi Bugman,
I noticed quite a few mating mantis photos on the site, but
didn't see one like this: the male has been decapitated by
the female after mating (yet still attached to the female)
- quite gruesome! The photo was taken while the pair were
on our butterfly bush in Newcastle, CA. And a follow up to
the CA Prionus beetle stridulation. They've just recently
returned and I was able to harass (gently of course) one to
induce that freaky sound! This one got pretty fired up and
was rubbing both hind legs vigorously across the sides of
its closed outer wings.
Ann
Hi Ann,
Thanks for the awesome addition to our site.
Red Milkweed Beetles Mating
(07/20/2006) Some lovers for your bug love page
These beetles, not too sure what they are, we're gettin busy
on the underside of a leaf, amazing they didn't fall off.
Enjoy!
Becky
Hi Becky,
If photos we have seen are any indication, Red Milkweed Beetles
must spend their entire adult life mating.
Cecropia Moths Mating
(07/17/2006) Moths
Hi,
Love your site! I took this picture a couple years ago. These
two mating moths are HUGE. Can you tell me what they are?
What do they feed on?
Kathy
Omaha,NE
Hi Kathy,
These are mating Cecropia Moths. They do not eat as adults.
They don't have time. They only live long enough to mate.
Caterpillars feed on a variety of leaves from deciduous trees.
Japanese
Beetles
(07/17/2006) what is this beetle?
Nice website! These guys are on a Virginia Creeper vine in
Southern Ontario, Canada. There are a whole bunch of them.
At dusk there are a lot flying around the tops of some of
the trees. I'm guessing they're responsible for all the holes
in the plant leaves. Any idea what they are? Thanks. Take
care,
Cory
Mississauga, Ontario.
Hi Cory,
Japanese Beetles were accidentally introduced to North America
in 1916. There are now a serious agricultural pest throughout
the east. They will eat many plants and are very fond of roses,
primroses, rose of sharon and grapes.
Mating
Red Grapevine Beetles???
(07/12/2006) bugs
I live in the Central Northern part of Ontario near the shore
of Georgian Bay in a small town called Waubaushene. I found
these two beetles mating on my Sage plant this morning and
cannot identify them. I have never seen anything like these
before. I have included one picture of a ruler beside them
to show you the size, but the quality is not as good---it's
just too darn hard to hold a ruler in one hand while pulling
back the leaves with the same hand and hold a camera in the
other hand steady enough to take a good picture. I was wondering/hoping
you would know what they are. Thanks
Gloria Simpson
 
Hi Gloria,
Except for the coloration, these beetles look like Grapevine
Beetles, Pelidnota punctata. Grapevine Beetles are yellow
in color. We did some research, and the Audubon Guide lists
the coloration as "dull reddish brown to brownish yellow above
with 2 black dots on the sides of pronotum and 3 black dots
on side of each elytron. Top of head, scutellum, and underside
blackish, tinged with green. We are believe these are just
a red variation of the Grapevine Beetle. When Eric Eaton returns,
we will get his opinion. Watch the website for an update.
Mating Cicada Killers
(07/11/2006) Identify hornet please.
My neighbors say it is a hornet and it looks like a big one
but I have no idea what kind. My husband says it is a japanese
hornet and can be dangerous around the kids. I plant a lot
of plants for bees and wasp and they never bother us but the
kids are now afraid to play outside because of these. If it
is dangerous do I call an exterminator? I would hate to have
to put chemicals in my yard. Thanks,
Heidi from Fort Mill, SC
Hi Heidi,
We love your photograph of Mating Cicada Killers, Sphecius
speciosus. These large wasps are not aggressive, but they
can sting. Tell your children to respect them and they will
not be stung. They attack cicadas, not people.
Royal Walnut Moths Mating
(07/11/2006) Unusual Moth... Need Help Identifying..
A friend in South Carolina sent me this pic of two moths that
he found resting on his gate... He stated that he was a matter
of inches away and they didn't even flutter... Can you help
to identify what sort of moth they are? Thanks so much..
Tresa
Hi Tresa,
We believe these Royal Walnut Moths, also known as Regal Moths,
are mating.
Mating Cecropia Moths
(07/07/2006) Butterfly or moth?
I found these 2 butterflies (or moths) on my porch. Never
seen anything like them. They appear to be breeding. I have
searched web sites and can not find anything that resembles
them. Can you tell me what they are?
These are mating Cecropia Moths.
Japanese
Beetles: Bumper Crop Year
(07/06/2006) japanese beetles
Last year I promised you a picture of a Japanese Beetle, as
they normally frequent my garden. Well, last year there were
none. This year I think I caught a Japanese Beetle family
reunion. The photos were taken in Northwest Ohio on 7/6/2006.
Enjoy
John
 
Hi John,
Thank you for sending in this wonderful photo of the scourge
of eastern gardeners. Mom currently has Japanese Beetle problems
with her roses and primroses near Youngstown Ohio.
Mating
Yellow Faced Bumble Bees
(07/02/2006)
Since our internet access here at the What's That Bug? offices
is so pokey because Earthlink has downgraded us to dialup,
we decided to catch up on some gardening. First we pulled
out the swiss chard that had gone to seed and then decided
to heat up some coffee. A large dark flying shape caught our
eye in the front yard. It landed on the zucchini. Closer inspection
revealed this pair of mating Yellow Faced Bumble Bees, Bombus
vosnesenkii. The have been going at it for about 15 minutes
and allowed us to make use of our photographic training by
capturing the action digitally.
Mating
Millipedes
(06/26/2006) Common VA millipedes mating
Hi,
Tons of these have been crawling around my house lately. They
were so small that I couldn't tell how many legs-per-segment
they had until we got this photo of a mating pair. They're
not as showy as many other bugs on the site, but they're still
pretty neat. Thanks,
Emily
Hi Emily,
Your photo has the distinction of being the only photo we
have received of mating Millipedes.
Mating
Ebony Jewelwings
Alfred Kinsey's Birthday (06/23/2006) Mating Damselflies
Dear Bugman,
I'm sending you a shot of some damselflies who decided to
mate on top of my camera the other day. I managed to get them
in my hand so I could take some shots of them. I still can't
believe how lucky I was to have them land right on my camera
while I was trying to take a picture of another damselfly.
I'm not sure what kind they are. maybe black winged damselflies,
or ebony jewelwings? We were down by a lake which had a small
stream that drained into it. I noticed these critters all
through the woods on our way to the lake (mostly by the stream).
Have a great day,
Yvonne
Barrie, Ontario
Hi Yvonne,
We can't think of a better photo to post on our site today
in honor of the birth of Alfred Kinsey, the entomologist who
studied Gall Wasps and Human Sexuality, than your lovely photo
of mating Broad Winged Damselflies. We believe they are Ebony
Jewelwings.
Mating
Potter Wasps
(06/22/2006) potter wasps mating
I believe these are potter wasps I saw mating tonight. They
love our fennel plants (possibly because of the caterpillars
on them, although I've never seen a wasp bother the caterpillars).
The yellow spots on their body don't show up in this photo
unfortunately. It's the first time I've ever seen this.
Tim
www.WildlifeTheater.com
Hi Tim,
Your mating Potter Wasp, Eumenes fraternus, is great. The
photo of the baby barn swallows on your website
is also wonderful.
Milkweed
Assassin Bugs Mating
(06/20/2006) Bug love: Zelus longpipes Assassin Bugs Hi Bugman..
Found these two in my maple tree, feeling frisky. Thought
you might like the picture for the bug love pages. We have
lots of them around here (Katy, Texas) and identified them
thanks to your great site! Ya'll are great! Thanks so much!
Luzie Benavides
Just west of Houston, Texas
Hi Luzie,
Thank you for sending in your excellent photo of the Milkweed
Assassin Bugs, Zelus longipes, mating.
Mating
Swamp Milkweed Leaf Beetle
(06/15/2006) swamp milkweed leaf beetle
This large ladybug looking beetle is feeding on my butterfly
plant (Asciepias) here in south central Wisconsin (Dodge County).
I included a ruler (using metric) for reference in size in
the picture. Actually got 2--mating I imagine. From your page
and other websites it would certainly appear to be Labidomera
clivicollis or swamp milkweed leaf beetle. Feel free to use
the image if it is useful to you.
Anne Oelke
Sew Happy in Wisconsin
Hi Anne,
Your identification is correct, and we are thrilled to post
your photo of a Swamp Milkweed Leaf Beetle.
Iron
Cross Blister Beetles Mating Frenzy
(08/09/2006) Please Identify
I live in Central Arizona. I traveled to Lake Roosevelt to
put my boat in the lake and I found hundreds, if not thousands
of these crawling, climbing and flying around the storage
yard. It was horribly hot that day, roughly 105. these bugs
seemed to stay in the sun. some of the bugs were eating leaves
and the rest seemed interested in procreation only. The elevation
was roughly 1300' above sea level. The time of year was early
May. The terrain was desert. Surrounding vegetation is short
bushes and some mesquite trees, with little ground cover.
Thanks,
Jim Scott
Hi Jim,
Your Iron Cross Blister Beetle mating frenzy is a nice addition
to our Bug Love pages. These Blister Beetles are one of two
possible species in the genus Tegrodera. It is most likely
Tegrodera latecincta.
Cecropia
Moths Mating
(05/26/2006) cecropia moth mating
This cecropia was found as a worm last fall in Ankeny , Iowa.
She spent all winter in this jar as a cocoon and just emerged
a couple of days ago. She was released and a mate found her
soon after.
Craig
Hi Craig,
What a testament to pheromones at work.
Ceanothus
Silk Moths Mating
(05/25/2006) giant moths 5/25/06
I discovered these moths mating this morning on my deck. I
live in north eastern Washington (Deer Park). They are very
large as that is a 4X4 post they are on. I would say at least
5 1/2 to 6 inch wing span. They were very beautiful, and strikingly
large!! Like WOW!! So, What are they? Here's some pixs. The
antennae were beautifully delicate. Notice how the tip of
the right wing looks like the eye and nose of a snake or lizard!!
These moths were in great shape and gone when I came home
from work. I guess it was just a one night stand. Thanks for
looking.
Rob.
Hi Rob,
Your moths are Ceanothus Silkmoths, Hyalophora euryalus, and
they could well have had a one night stand. They can be distinguished
from the Columbia Silk Moths, according to Bugguide, because
the "discal spot on hindwing shaped like an elongated comma
pointing toward outer margin ...". Adults do not eat, they
live to mate. The female will lay eggs and die and her mate
will probably die sooner.
Mating
Mantids and Mating Robber Flies
(05/24/2006) Bug Love submissions
I ran across your site as I was attempting to identify a fierce
looking flying insect that I hadn't seen before. Thanks to
your site, I've identified him, and his 10,000 friends as
"Robber Flies". As I was taking a picture to submit,
a couple of the rascals saw the camera and thought they would
try out for "Bug Love". I thought it was a little
unusual, because all the other pictures I've seen of them
mating was tail-to-tail, unlike these two exhibitionists.
I've also included a shot I took last year of a couple of
Mantids. I had about 3 of them which I kept as "free
range" pets. I guess they liked it here, because they
stayed all season. Enjoy!
Jeff King
Krum, TX
 
Hi Jeff,
What wonderful images you have provided for our readers.
Blinded
Sphinxes Mating
(05/17/2006) What's this moth?
Hi! I'm trying to ID a pair of mating moths my son and I found
today. Michael of wormspit.com directed me to your page of
a Cerisy's Sphynx but the underwing looks more like a Blinded
Sphynx. (definite "eye" spot and a salmon/pink color)
Here's the picture we took today. They are on a gooseberry
bush. Can you tell what it is?
Thank you,
Lady Eleyn Scrivener
Dear Lady Eleyn Scrivener.
A location would be helpful as there are many similar looking
insects in far reaching parts of the world. If you are in
the continental U.S., we believe you are correct that this
is a pair of Blinded Sphinxes, Paonias excaecata. Your photo
is a lovely addition to our site.
Mating Unknown Slugs from Parts Unknown!!!
Identified as Red Triangle Slugs from Australia
(05/15/2006) Weird Slugs
Hi there,
These two bizarre creatures appeared outside our front door
this morning. The photo's are low-res because I took them
with my mobile phone. The patterns you can see are as I saw
them, in red and orange. There was a hole in the side of each
slug within each pattern. Could you please tell me what they
are? I have never seen coloured patterns such as these on
any living creature, so I am keen to hear what you have to
say!
Thanks,
Simon
Hi Simon,
We agree this is bizarre, but we don't even know where to
begin to reseach since you haven't provided any global coordinates.
Hi, thanks for the reply. I'm in Sydney, Australia. Thanks,
Simon Edwards
Red triangle slugs
(05/17/2006) Hi Bugman, The two slugs in your recent photo
(two days or so ago) look to me like Red Triangle Slugs from
Australia.
http://www.amonline.net.au/sand/news/slugs.htm
Alli
Hi Alli,
Thank you so much for sending us the link to the Australian
Museum Online which has this to say about the Red Triangle
Slug: "Red Triangle Slug from Wallahra, Central Coast, New
South Wales. Photo: © Vicki Elliott Red Triangle Slug from
near Brisbane. Photo: © Brent Herrick Red Triangle Slugs are
Australia's largest native land slugs. They are found along
the east coast of Australia from Sydney in New South Wales
to Thornton Peak in northern Queensland. They are characterised
by a distinctive red triangle on the upper region of their
bodies. This red triangle contains the breathing pore or pneumostome.
Red Triangle Slugs are currently classified as Triboniophorus
graeffei . However, this species displays significant variation
in colour pattern and texture. This could be related to their
locality or, as has been recently suggested, the current designation
contains multiple species. Research into this continues and
will hopefully determine exactly how many species or sub-species
actually exist. If they do all belong to a single species,
then it is one that is geographically widespread and physically
variable. The most common Red Triangle Slug in Sydney tends
to be rough-skinned and dark grey in colour, providing good
camouflage against the sandstone. Another colour variation
found in Sydney is cream or pinkish grey. This colour makes
it difficult to see the slugs against the blue gum trunks
that they commonly inhabit. Slugs in regions north of Sydney
tend to be more highly coloured, including red, yellow and
olive green variations. Red Triangle Slugs feed at night on
microscopic algae and fungi that grow on tree trunks and rocks.
On rainy mornings they can sometimes be seen climbing back
down tree trunks. They are also known to enter houses. "
Update (05/17/2006)
Red triangle slugs identified
Hi nice bug people, I noticed the very cool slug picture from
5/15/2006 on your home page and knew I had seen this species
somewhere, and so I Googled slug with red triangle, and got,
guess what... the Red Triangle Slug! I think the letter you
got must be from the east coast of Australia. I think the
species is Triboniophorus graeffei. Here's a quote from http://faunanet.gov.au/wos/factfile.cfm?Fact_ID=44
"This native slug is probably the best known and one of the
most spectacular slugs in Sydney gardens. It is Australia's
largest native land slug and grows to a size of up to 14 cm.
The distinctive red triangle on its back contains the breathing
pore. Distribution: East coast of Australia: Queensland, New
South Wales. Habitat: Urban areas, forests and woodlands,
heath. Status: Common Size: 14 cm."
Best to you,
Susan
Bedstraw
Hawk Moth
(05/14/2006) moth love!
I wonder if you might tell me about this amorous pair. I photographed
them in July in Cooperstown New York. Love the website!
Thanks
Lisa Lazar
Hi Lisa,
This is the first photo we have received of the adult Bedstraw
Hawk Moth, Hyles gallii. We have received images of the caterpillar
in the past. Bill Oehlke has information on this moth on his
wonderful Sphingidae
site.
Wow! My photos made the front page of WHAT'S THAT BUG! There's
a wildflower called "Our Lady's Bedstraw" which when I looked
it up, also had the word "galium" in the Latin name, just
like the moth does. Matresses must have been filled with this
material, which was clearly particularly attractive to this
moth... I found these two articles:
http://www.answers.com/topic/hummingbird-hawk-moth
http://www.judywoods.dial.pipex.com/plants/associations.html#anchor17891
Thanks for your speedy reply. I find your website completely
engrossing!
Lisa Lazar
Mating
Australian Flies
(05/14/2006) What are these bugs?
Hi - I took these pictures a few months ago with a Canon MP-E
65mm lens and MT-24EX flash. Actual size is about 6mm long?
When in flight they appear to hover, not at all like the usual
flies around here (Melbourne, Australia)
Adam
 
Hi Adam,
Identifying Flies is not our strong point, and we don't even
want to venture a guess at an Australian species. Your photos
rock bigtime. Eric Eaton weighed in with this information:
"The mating Australian flies are likely something in the family
Platysomatidae, or the closely-related Otitidae (sometimes
referred to as Ulidiidae). I know, clear as mud! Don't blame
me, I don't make the taxonomic rules.".
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