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Mating
Gulf Fritillaries
(09/11/2007) bug love
Greetings Bugman.
I took the attached picture at the Northrop pine rockland
preserve located on the southwest of Miami-Dade County. I
had shared the picture with a colleague who pointed me to
your website. What a cool site! I would like to share my bug
love picture with you guys since it is not often that you
get to come across such love for nature and bugs. Thanks colleague!
Joaquin
Hi Joaquin,
Thank you for your kind words and for contributing your lovely
image of Gulf Fritillaries mating to our site.
Pair of Green Lynx Spiders
(09/08/2007) cool spiders
I found the spider in lunch.jpg in my back yard a few weeks
ago then about a week ago I spotted the green spider shown
in gspider1.jpg a few leaves over eating a honeybee. My
lunch.jpg spider disappeared then I saw his legs hanging out
of the mouth of gspider1.jpg. I didn't have my camera,
or it would have been a cool picture. Now there's two
of the green spiders which seem to hunt without a web as seen
in gspider3.jpg. Can you identify these spiders for
me? Thanks,
Robert in San Diego, CA
Hi Robert,
The pair of green spiders are Green Lynx Spiders. The male
is the smaller of the two. You are correct in believing that
they hunt without a web. The other spider is one of the orb
weaving spiders.
Mantis threeway
(09/04/2007) Preying Mantis Threesome
Hi Bugman!
I just stumbled across your fantastic website while searching for
pictures of a Mantis Threesome. No, I'm not a pervert!
I just found these guys "doing it" at my kitchen
window and since I've never seen Mantis Lovin' before, I wanted
to see how common it was for two males to be attempting to
mate with one female. At one point while taking pictures,
I'm quite sure she said, "Will you please get this knuckleheads
off me???". Blessings,
Amy Jordan
Andrews, Texas
Hi Amy,
If you have looked at our site closely, you know that we have
received another documentation of Preying Mantis group sex.
Thanks for sending us your excellent candid documentation
of this not quite rare occurrance.
A
Muskmare and her Stallion
(09/04/2007) What is this bug?
Found this one in Ocala, Florida. Learned real fast
not to touch this one for it let out one heck of a stink!
Curtis
Hi Curtis,
These are mating Muskmares, or more correctly, a Muskmare
and her stallion. They are Anisomorpha buprestoides, Two-striped
Walkingsticks. The smell you mentioned was the least of your
worries. These Walkingsticks can shoot a noxious substance
from glands in the "neck" region with amazing accuracy. They
have hit more than one of our readers in the eye and the irritation
and blurry vision may last for hours.
Mating
Giant Leopard Moths
(09/03/2007) Hi
i just found your great and informative site! i am really
enjoying it! it reminded me of a photo that i took earlier
this summer/spring. i've attached 2 photos, Giant Leopard
Moths (i think), that are mating. i'm assuming they all have
different markings, and what intrigued me so, was the 'face'
on the back of the head of the one moth.
i thought you might like the photos for your collection.
Donna,
Augusta, Michigan
Hi Donna,
Your mating Giant Leopard Moths are a wonderful addition to
our Bug Love pages. Giant Leopard Moths are also called Eyed
Tiger Moths.
Australian
Dragonflies Mating
(09/01/2007) Aussie Giants Laying Eggs
Hi Guys,
Well its spring in Australia from today and snapped these
Australian Giant Dragonflys depositing eggs. Hope you like
it. Taken on my property on the Gold Coast, Queensland. 1st
September 2007. regards,
Trevor Jinks
Australia
Hi again Trevor,
Thanks for sending your photo of mating Dragonflies our way.
We expect the amount of email we receive from Australia should
be increasing now that spring is near.
Damselfly
Mating ends in Tragedy: Spousal Abuse or Involuntary Insecticide????
(08/29/2007 posted (09/01/2007) Male damselfly drowning female
I came across your website tonight, and thought you'd be interested
in the attached sequence of photos I took this afternoon:
A male holding a female underwater until it drowned. Interesting
alternative to dragonfly cannibalism.
Ken Carlson
Sanborn, Iowa
 
Hi Ken,
Your photo sequence is quite dramatic. In the insect and spider
world, there is a documented phenomenon where the mating activity
ends with the death of one of the participants. That phenomenon
often ends with a cannibalized male, as in Black Widow Spiders
and Preying Mantids. The unfortunate incident in your documentation
is, we hope, accidental insecticide due to poor technique.
Thanks for sending these images our way.
Southeastern Lubber Grasshoppers Mating
(08/21/2007) Southeastern Lubber Grasshopper
My friend and I were hanging out today when our kids came
running to show us these cool bugs. We shot these photos thinking
we had found something really special. Well, turns out
you have lots of Lubber Love photos. Just thought you
might want a couple more. Is the male usually
smaller than the female?
AC in Ruston, LA
Hi AC,
The smaller size of the male Southeastern Lubber Grasshoppers
is not unique. In most Grasshoppers, the female of the species
is considerably larger.
Mating Gulf Fritillaries
(08/18/2007) Some Bug Love
Well Hello!
I found these two lovers hanging out by my front door... thought
you might enjoy. ... Thanks and Enjoy!
Dacia
Tampa, FL
Hi Dacia,
Your mating Gulf Fritillary image is wonderful. The moth identification
will take us some research.
One Eyed Sphinxes Mating
(08/12/2007) A bug love submission
I found these Cerisy's Sphinxes(?) mating outside my door
one day. They are absolutely beautiful.
Angel Dey of Genoa, NV
Hi Angel,
Cerisy's Sphinxes, Smerinthus cerisyi, are also commonly called
One Eyed Sphinxes.
Mating Yellow Bellied Bee Assassin Bugs
(08/06/2007) photograph of assassin bugs mating; showing male's
sexual organ (?)
Hi.
I am new to your really fun and interesting-while-informative
site. I enjoy photography and was outside three days ago
taking pictures of the sunflowers in my front yard here in
Phoenix, Arizona. There were two bugs mating (assassin
bugs per a 6/16/2006 post on your site that I just noticed
last night). It seems as though you can actually see the male's
sexual organ, as the pair were in an almost belly-to-belly
position, with one of them actually hanging off the flower (would
this be the male?) while the other bug is perched on top.
I appreciate the time and effort you spend on your site.
I know I have a greater respect and enjoyment of bugs
because of it. Thank you.
Jo Ann
P.S. I was just wondering if you would be interested in seeing
the picture. I didn't want to just send in a picture that
may be too graphic for your site, so I am first writing to
ask if it is okay.
Hi Jo Ann,
My, what an impressive image of mating Yellow Bellied Bee
Assassins, Apiomerus flaviventris. All of the submissions
on BugGuide
are also from Arizona. We believe the lower insect in your
photo is the male. For the record, we are of the opinion that
acts of nature are not too graphic for our website. We do
not care, however, to exactly define what an act of nature
is. We are also mindful of the parameters of our website's
content, and despite the iguana and lizard page, we confine
ourselves to invertebrates, with the exception of collateral
inclusion of various quadripeds and bipeds, birds and fish
that are seen in relationship to our typical subject matter.
Thanks again for an awesome addition to our site, and a new
species as well.
Viceroy compared to Monarch and Mating Cabbage Whites
(08/05/2007) Viceroy vs Monarch & buglove with two cabbage
butterflies
I always enjoy checking your site for the newest listings.
Attached are two photos that you might want in the files.
The first is a stitched pair - on the left is a Viceroy and
on the right is a Monarch. Having them side by side
makes comparing the two much easier. The second photo
is of a pair of cabbage butterflies mating. Perhaps it could
be added to the bug love page. Enjoy,
Tetrazole
Hi Tetrazole,
The Viceroy and Monarch comparison is a much welcomed addition
to our site as is the image of the mating Cabbage White Butterflies.
Readers should take note of the black postmedian band on the
lower wing of the Viceroy which is the most obvious distinguising
feature for ensuring proper identification of the species.
Mating Pennsylvania Leatherwings
(08/03/2007) bugs in love
I know what they're doing but I have no idea what kind of
bug they are. I bet you do, though!
Linda King
Hi Linda,
These mating beetles are known as Pennsylvania Leatherwings,
Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus. Because it is often found feeding
on the pollen from goldenrod, it is also called the Goldenrod
Soldier Beetle.
Mating
Green Darner Dragonflies
(08/03/2007) Help identify
Can you tell me what this bug is, befor we start seing the
bug we saw a big type caterpiller( 3.5" lime green) aroung
in the garden and grass, now these appear. Do you know what
they are? Thanks
Dave Stevens
Dickson City, Pa.
Hi Dave,
These are mating Green Darners, a species of dragonfly. They
have nothing to do with the caterpillar.
Mating Monarch Butterflies
(08/02/2007) mating monarchs
I am SOOO happy to have found your site...I have seen craneflies
my whole (long) life and didn't know what they were....until
today, thanks to your site...I recieved my first digital camera
abt. a year ago, and haven't put it down since...what fun!!
The mating monarchs were quite high in the tree and these
were the best photos I could get...she would keep her wings
folded up like the males and then would open them out flat
occasionally...what a beautiful site they made...thought I
would share this with everyone on your "Bug Love"
page...I noticed you haven't had any recent posts tho', so
maybe you aren't posting there anymore...anyway, here they
are...hope you can use them....thanks for such a wonderful
and informative website!
Pat, Hawk Point, MO
Hi Pat,
We have five bug love pages, and we have posted very recently
to the fifth page. You must have looked on an older page.
You will find your image of mating Monarch Butterflies on
our most recent bug love page as well as our most recent butterfly
page.
Mating
Netwing Beetles and Unknown Weevil (possibly Agave Billbug)
from New Mexico
(08/02/2007) "Bug" ID
Hello,
My name is Ernest Mendez, and I vacation in the Southwest,
digital camera ever at the ready. On my last trip to New Mexico,
I visited my usual haunts---Rockhound and Spring Canyon State
Parks---and came across these two hitherto unknown (to me)
species of bugs.... Can you tell me what they are...and whatever
else you can tell me about them? I've been trying to find
info about them on the web, but it's not easy. The closest
I've been able to get has been the Bangolore beetle (for the
"long-nosed" black one). Help,
Ernesto L. Mendez
 
Hi Ernesto,
The orange and black couple are mating Netwing Beetles, Lycus
arizonensis. Adults feed on nectar and honeydew. Your long-nosed
black beetle is a Weevil. Weevils are the largest family of
beetles in the world. We believe it is the Agave Billbug,
Scyphophorus acupunctatus.
Sweetbay
Silk Moths Mating
(07/31/2007) Moth Love
Found this pair of silk moths on my front porch today. They
stayed there a couple of hours. Not quite sure what the actual
name is, but pretty sure they are silk moths. Any help? PS
- love how much your site is growing!
Kaye F.
Perry GA
Hi Kaye,
What wonderful images of mating Sweetbay Silk Moths, Callosamia
securifera, you have sent our way. The caterpillars feed on
Sweetbay Magnolia. This is a new species for our site.
Mating Banded Netwing Beetles
(07/28/2007) Not a Large Milkweed Bug - what is it
Bugman:
Hi ... I think I may have found something new for you.
Found this pair of bugs mating on a rock. Looked through
your website and it comes closest to the Large Milkweed Bug
(LMB). However, look carefully at the segmented antennae.
After the base, there are 9 segments on these bugs, whereas
the LMB has only 3. Also, the face is black, whereas
the LMB's face is orange. And the backs are somewhat
like 'corduroy', whereas the LMB has an 'X' in the center.
Lastly, the size is different. I believe LMB's are about
1/2" long, whereas the body of the larger one I captured
was about 1" long. What's that bug?
Mark
Woburn, MA
Hi Mark,
These are mating Banded Netwing Beetles, Calopteron reticulatum.
They are often mistaken for moths.
Mating Green Darners
(07/25/2007)
Hi! A friend of mine posted a link to this site in his blog
and I fell in love with it instantly. I have some pictures
of dragonflies I thought you might like, but I don't know
what kind they are. The one on my hand I found outside my
front door, dead. =C The ones in the water I patiently followed
around in the John Martin Reservoir until I could get close
enough to capture their mating, and the one in the grass was
one of hundreds that were flying around the city park. All
the pics were taken in South Eastern Colorado. Thanks for
your awsome site!
Dear Mysterious Photographer of Dragonflies
We really love your image of Mating Green Darners, Anax junius.
We have written several times about this mating postion and
the males anal claspers. What is really great is that you
have captured the female depositing eggs.
Ichneumon Couple
(07/19/2007) Male and Female Megarhyssa macrurus
Hi!
We were at our cottage in Holland, MI and were lucky enough
to witness 2 female Ichneumon Megarhyssa macrurus depositing
their eggs, while a couple of males observed. I noticed that
have quite a few pictures of the females on your site - and
thought you might like a couple photos of the males! Thanks
for your amazing site that helped me to identify this fascinating
creature :) We had a great science lesson for all the
kids (and adults too) to learn as much as we could after we
figured out what we saw! Everyone was relieved to find
out they are not stinging insects and were safe to be around
:) Sincerely,
Kristen Miles
Grand Rapids, MI
 
Hi Kristen,
Your amazing photos are a wonderful addition to our site.
Now our readers will know what the male Megarhyssa macrurus
looks like.
Mating Flower Longhorns
(07/19/2007) Unidentified borers mating: Hot hot clear tube
phallus action!
Hello! Your site is a magnificent, entertaining resource.
I spent hours poring through it's offerings. Try as I might,
though, I could not locate a matching picture of my beetles.
The female is about an inch and a quarter long, or 3 1/2 cm.
They generally resemble the borers and longhorns, but I can't
find a lookalike for the markings either on your site or the
internet at large. These were collected in Barton Flats, near
Big Bear Lake in California. They were clinging to a kitchen
windowscreen at night. The altitude was about 7000 feet, and
the cabin was set amongst Ponderosa Pines and Cedar.
I nabbed the suspects in a jar and brought them home.
The next day, I was amused to see that they were gettin' busy.
Life goes on. Note the long, squiggly, clear tube extending
from the male's butt to the female's. They mated for about
half an hour from when I first noticed, and then the male
withdrew, and they had some cuddling and pillow talk for another
half an hour. When my cat accidentally brushed the borers'
container off my desk, the annoyed borers filled the jar with
an undescribably unpleasant odor. Ugh! I had to smell it twice,
because I couldn't believe it was so repugnant. I never smelled
anything quite like it. Consider yourself fortunate that
one cannot yet attach a smell to emails. ... Happy Entymologing!
Amy in Camarillo, CA
Hi Amy,
At the moment, we cannot positively identify your mating beetles,
but we can narrow down the possibilities. These are Mating
Flower Longhorns in the subfamily Lepturinae. BugGuide
has many pages of individual specimens to sort through.
Update: From Eric Eaton
Hi, Daniel:
Spot on with all the latest identifications! Great job! I
am pretty sure that the mating flower longhorns are Ortholeptura
valida, which has no common name.... I have dropped the ball
on the fulgorid, but will pick it up again. Eric
Mr. Eaton, you beat me to the ID. Following your hint, I looked
again at BugGuide, focusing this time on the Flower Longhorns,
and found this
picture of Ortholeptura valida. I spotted it earlier today,
but hadn't gotten around to replying til now. I'm not perfectly
satisfied with the match on the markings, but there's no other
bug closer. Are they rare? I feel bad taking them away from
their home now. I felt ok with it when I thought they were
harmful borers. By the way, I'm sorry that you felt the
second picture was too explicit for some of your more, ahem,
sensitive readers. ; )
Amy
Cicada Killer Orgy
(07/17/2007) mating Cicada Killers
here is a pic for your bug love page... several male cicada
killers trying to get lucky.
Vince
Hi Vince,
Goodness, gracious, however does she manage to choose. Looks
like Cicada Killers have rought and tumble sex.
Giant Ichneumon: Mating Activity
(07/16/2007) Mystery Bug
I have taken pictures of this bug now for the last two years
but it has been coming to a tree in my yard for the last four
years and around the same time each year. The pictures I have
are from 2006 and 2007 in early to late June. The first three
years there was only one of these bugs. In 2007 there was
family. I hope you can let me know what kind of insect this
is. Thanks,
Bryan Soukup
 
Hi Bryan,
The group photo you have submitted shows a group of Giant
Ichneumons, Megarhyssa atrata, in the process of laying eggs
and probably mating. The female has the long stinger-like
ovipositor that she uses to lay eggs in the wood. The food
for the larvae are wood boring grubs. The males are smaller
and do not possess the ovipositor. The single image is of
a female. The Giant Ichneumons will not sting you as they
are incabable. We wish your group photo had been closer. Perhaps
this year you can get us a nice close-up of the males and
females together.
Mating Peach Tree Borers
(07/15/2007) What's that Bug(s)
Bugman, I live in Rochester, NY and was walking through my
front yard when this bug(s) flew at me at roughly eye level
and then landed on my gutter. Any ideas what I am looking
at here? A wasp maybe? Thanks,
Chris
Hi Chris,
What an awesome image you have of mating Peach Tree Borers,
Synanthedon exitiosa. These are wasp mimic moths whose caterpillars
bore into the wood of peach trees, causing considerable damage.
This species exhibits marked sexual dimorphism. The female
is the larger of the pair with the bright red stripe on her
abdomen.
Mating
Japanese Beetles
(07/15/2007) Name these Bugs Please. Ahhh, Bonking and Eating
I was day tripping just north of Lake Erie in Southern Ontario
and found these great bugs while picking wild berries. I
found your site while trying to identify them. What a great
service you are offering. Pat on the back :-) I like to
imagine what it would be like if bugs were six feet tall!
Ahhhh, bonking and eating. Two of life's finest treasures...so
why not do them at the same time. I sent you this photo for
identification but thought I'd resubmit it for the Bug Love
section of your site which I just found. Location:Southern
Ontario just north of Lake Erie in a lovely Conservation Area
where I spent the afternoon picking berries. Luckily,
the berries were bugless!
Linda
Hi Linda,
Thanks for sending us your photo of mating Japanese Beetles.
We have had numerous requests for their identification recently.
Mating Eyed Elaters
(07/14/2007) More buggery
Also, just having ran across the adult side of your web site,
here's some more filthy porn for you.
Darren
Hi Darren,
We have a problem with calling your image "filthy porn" since
procreation is generally viewed as a redeeming and necessary
state of life. You on the other hand might be guilty of voyeurism.
At any rate, your image is stunning. We don't really think
of our Bug Love pages as containing adult content, though
in the insect and arthropod world, participants are all adults.
Please provide us with a location to assist in the identification
of your Hemipterans from a previous email.
Leopard
Slug Sex
(07/14/2007) More buggery
Also, just having ran across the adult side of your web site,
here's some more filthy porn for you
Darren
Hi again Darren,
We do find there to be something a bit lewd about this image
of mating Leopard Slugs. Interestingly, as these Leopard Slugs
are hermaphrodites, they are theoretically indulging in "Same
Sex" Coupling.
Pair of Golden Orb Weavers
(07/10/2007) Golden Orb Spiders
Your website has been invaluable to me this past year as my
6-year-old daughter and I have been learning to identify the
bugs we've come across. We saw this beautiful pair of spiders
last week and I thought the photo came out great. When you
enlarge it, the detail (hairy legs, etc) is wonderful. I believe
it is a pair of Golden Orb Spiders. Thank you for the wonderful
work you do!
Dana
Hi Dana,
Your amazing image shows the marked sexual dimorphism exhibited
by Argiope aurantia, the Golden Orb Weaver. The much larger
female dwarfs her mate who shares her web as he avoids being
eaten until the opportunity arrises to consumate the mating
act.
Mating Cicada Killers
(07/08/2007) CK Bug Love
WTB:
Here's a compromising shot of two Cicada Killers from July
2005 that you might enjoy for your Bug Love page (which I
think is great - I had no idea there were so many bug paparazzi.
Andrew from Mercer County, NJ.
Hi Andrew,
We received another image of mating Cicada Killers today,
but that couple was shy, hiding behind
Mating Brown Prionids
(07/07/2007) a photo for bug love?
Bug man,
You have helped me on many a quandry as to what I have discovered
on porch screens late at night at my home. Recently
I believe I've found a bug that does not regularly end up
in Northeast Missouri. They looked like mating Palo
Verde Root Borers and were they ever big! I think the
only reason I was able to find them was that they had stopped
to get friendly in a lighted window. Sincerely,
Jessica Martin
Hi Jessica,
These look to us like mating Brown Prionids, Orthosoma brunneum.
There are photos on BugGuide
to match, and they are found in Missouri.
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.
Bathroom Flies Mating
(07/05/2007) Can you identify that bug?
Hi,
In my house, we have a bug problem! We can find lots of the
bugs I'm sending you, we had found two sources but they disapeared
just a few days! They come from very black thin worms and
larvae open to make them live. The source need water! Please
help me! Amicalement,
Cindi
 
Hi Cinci,
These are Bathroom Flies, Clogmia albipunctata, and one image
shows a mating pair. They are often found indoors in bathrooms
and the larva live in sludge in the pipes and drains.
Mating Flag Footed Bugs: Anisocelis flavolineata
(07/03/2007) Bug passion in Costa Rica
Hi Bugman,
I saw this pair while traveling in Costa Rica, and thought
it very fitting that they were doing their thing on a passion-flower.
Should make a nice addition to your bug-love page, and I'd
also love to know what kind of bugs these are. Thanks!
Peter
Hi Peter,
What a gorgeous image of mating Flag Footed Bugs, Anisocelis
favolineata or another closely related species in the genus.
Blinded Sphinx Moths Mating
(07/01/2007) Moths
I found these moths on my house. It scare the hell out
of me at first because from a distance it looked like a leaf,
but when I got close I saw what it was. Can you tell
me what kind they are? We live in Norwalk, Ohio, about
20 minutes from Lake Erie.
Jonathan
Hi Jonathan,
Your moths are mating Blinded Sphinxes, Paonias excaecata.
Zebra Longwing Metamorphosis and Mating, and possibly
early instar Caterpillar
(06/29/2007) Follow-up on Zebra Longwing caterpillar
I just love your site! :) Thanks again for letting me
know that I had Zebra Longwing caterpillars on a passion vine.
I had followed them through the stages and have attached additional
pictures of the cacoon and adults on a cacoon.
 
Lastly. I have now found a SECOND different caterpillar on
the same passion vine. It has the same spikes as the Zebra
Longwing but it is differently colored. Do you know what this
caterpillar is? Thanks.
Bill
Miami, FL
Wow Bill,
That is one impressive looking Chrysalis. We have never seen
the Chrysalis or Pupa of a Zebra Longwing. It is very ornate.
It appears that the Zebra Longwing adults are mating, and
we suspect the caterpillar might be the coloration of an earlier
instar. Caterpillars molt four times, once after each of the
five instars or growth phase. On many species, each instar
is a different color with different markings. After the fifth
molt is the Chrysalis stage. Your metamorphosis series is
a fabulous addition to our site.
Cabbage
White Butterflies Mating
(06/25/2007) bug love...
Hello!
just wanted to send you guys some pics for your site. thanks
again.. and keep up the good work.
Adam
Hi Adam,
Thanks so much for sending us your mating insect images. We
have choses to post a lovely image of mating Cabbage White
Butterflies, Pieris rapae. This species was accidentally introduced
from Europe to the Montreal area in the 1860s and it has spread
throughout North America.
Lily Leaf Beetles Mating
(06/24/2007)
Hi Bugman,
Any idea what's these bugs are please? I felt like a
gooseberry interrupting for the photo! Cheers
Steve
Hi Steve,
These are mating Lily Leaf Beetles, Lilioceris lilii. You
probably don't want them to have too many progeny since they
can be very destructive by eating the leaves of plants in
the lily family. This is an immigrant species, not native
to North America.
Mating
Borer Beetles
(06/22/2007)
We just moved into a new house. We live in Los Angeles,
CA. We have been here for 6 weeks and for the last week
these bugs have been showing up. They fly. They
only hang in one area of the house. The two front windows.
the windows are always shut so I have no idea how they
get in. The windows are near a fire place. maybe
there is a crack that we can't see?? But we never see them
come in the other doors and there aren't any near any other
windows or doors in the house. We found these two tonight
and it looks like there may be some mating thing involved...
Do you know what they are? How can we get them
to stop coming in the house? Do they live in the house?
Oh no!
Holland and Yvonne
Hi Holland and Yvonne,
These appear to be some species of wood boring beetle, but
we would like to get Eric Eaton's opinion before you panic.
Update (06/25/2007)
Here is Eric Eaton's response: "Daniel: This is a pair of
longhorn beetles (family Cerambycidae), possibly the "old
house borer," Xylotruped bajalus, or the "rutic borer," Xylotrechus
colonus. Both are known for emerging from structural timber
indoors, and also from firewood (in the case of Xylotrechus
anyway). They aren't likely to re-infest the home, so I wouldn't
panic. Might take a couple specimens to a local entomologist
for verification of my ID, though, as it is hard to tell from
the shadowy image exactly what they are beyond family level.
Eric"
Mating Bumblebee Moths
(06/19/2007) Clearwing Moth?
Can you help me identify this beautiful mating pair? I
photographed them at my Dad's lake place in northern MN last
weekend. I am assuming some type of Clearwing Moth.
But can't identify the exact type. Can you?
David
Hi David,
We have problems identifying the individual species in the
genus Hemaris as there is so much variation. We believe these
to be Hemaris
diffinis, the Snowberry Clearwings, AKA Bumblebee Moths.
Thanks for sending in an excellent quality image.
Mating Polyphemus Moths
(06/18/2007) a friend said to send thiese to you
when i came home from work..this was on my door...
and then the next morning..they were like this.. have fun
Rebecca
Hi Rebecca,
These are some of the most gorgeous mating Polyphemus Moth
photos we have ever seen. Thanks so much for sending them
our way.
Mating
Eyed Elaters
(06/18/2007) beetle/moth?
I found the bug on the right floating in my pool, thought
it was dead, put it on the deck to look at later. The second
bug came hovering around, obviously looking for the first.
We thought it was a hummingbird at first, it flies with the
body down, wings flapping and antennae out straight, just
like a hummingbird. It found the first, positioned and proceeded
to take care of business, the first one apparently very much
alive. I didn't time the interlude, but it was more than fifteen
minutes, when I returned they were both gone. They are
about 2 inches long( not including antennae) and 1/2
inch wide, soft, mothlike wings, but the 'head' area looked
hard like a beetle --I didn't actually touch it. Any thoughts?
Thanks
Lori
Granby Mass
Hi Lori,
You were correct about these lovlies being beetles. They are
Eyed Elaters, a type of Click Beetle. The eyes are markings
that act as a type of startle
mimicry, with the beetles deceiving potential predators
into thinking that they are a larger, fiercer creature than
they are in reality.
Periodical Cicadas Mating, Emerging and Laying Eggs
(06/15/2007) Cicada Photos
Dear Sir,
Feel free to post any of these images taken in Lyons,IL May-June
2007. Mating Cicadas Emerging adult Female beginning to deposit
eggs Female ready to deposit eggs Thank you,your site is awesome!
Joe Balynas
Lyons,IL U.S.A.
Hi Joe,
Our site would be nothing without awesome photo documentation
like yours.
 
Mating Cecropia Moths
(06/13/2007) Cecropia Moths Mating
Thought u would find this interesting for your site. We do
have the right species dont we? Any info u can provide would
be appreciated. We live about 20 miles North of Pittsburgh,
PA.
John and Steph
Hi John and Steph,
You are correct. These are mating Cecropia Moths. We have
gotten more photos of Cecropia Moths this past month than
in the past six years. After mating, the female will lay eggs
and both adult moths will die without ever eating. The caterpillars
feed on a variety of deciduous tree leaves, including, according
to BugGuide:
"alder, apple, ash, beech, birch, box-elder, cherry, dogwood,
elm, gooseberry, maple, plum, poplar, white oak, willow."
Mating Snowberry Clearwing Moths
(06/13/2007) what are these?
captured at my cottage in dorset ontario, canada
Paul
Hi Paul,
We don't always take identifications of the genus Hemaris
to the species level, but based on the black legs, we believe
these to be mating Snowberry Clearwing Moths, Hemaris
diffinis.
Mating Polyphemus Moths
(06/12/2007) Spider ID
Hi,
I took this picture of a very interesting spider near my home
in southern New York. It was quite aggressive, staring me
down and flicking it's fangs at me each time I moved. Can
you tell me what it is? Also, I photographed this pair of
Polyphemus moths mating last year and thouht you might like
the picture. I have the originals if you'd like them (I reduced
these for my weblog). Thanks!
Kat
Hi Kat,
Your spider is one of the jumping Spiders. It is your mating
Polyphemus Moth photo thought that we are really interested
in posting.
Mating
Monarch Butterflies
(06/12/2007) Monarchs (?) mating
Another one for the bug love pages! I took a series of photos
of this mating pair last night in my backyard, just outside
of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They seemed to be enjoying
the scotch pine! I am not sure if these are Monarchs,
although they don't seem like any of the other similar species
I've looked at (Viceroys, Queens). The one with opened
wings (the male, I assume) does not have as much black veining
as other Monarchs I've seen, and the one with closed wings
did not have the orange/red colouration on the underside like
others I've seen. Can you confirm if these are Monarchs,
or something else? There are so many in my yard this
year.
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth,
These are most definitely mating Monarch Butterflies.
Mating Mason Wasps
(06/11/2007) hornets mating
Hello,
Saw these two mating, the one lying on its back was on top
but by the time I got my camera it was in its death throes.
Are these Bald Faced Hornets?
Nancy
Richlandtown , PA
Springfield Township (Upper Bucks County)
Hi Nancy,
Your mating wasps are Mason Wasps, Monobia quadridens. They
are nonaggressive solitary wasps. According to BugGuide:
"Usually nests in wood borings, but sometimes burrows in dirt
banks. Sometimes takes over abandoned nests of carpenter bees
or ground bees, also Sceliphron (mud dauber) cells. Nest is
provisioned with caterpillars, and cells of nest are separated
by mud partitions. "
Silver
Argiopes: Bug Love and Food Chain
(06/10/2007) Mr. and Mrs. Argiope argentata, and her lunch
Dear Daniel and Lisa,
Here is one image showing the underside of a female Argiope
argentata preparing (or maybe eating) a silken-wrapped treat,
while her tiny husband looks on from the other side of the
web. I wonder when and how he gets to eat? I can also send
you the other image, which is from the topside so you can
tell what species this is, but unfortunately in that one the
focus is on the food, not on the spider! The images were taken
on Nevis, West Indies in very early May, 2007 on waste ground
near the sea. The orb web was suspended on a large 'Horse
Nettle' plant, which gave me a few stings while I was getting
the pictures. The red marks on my arm still have not completely
gone away after more than 4 weeks! Are these spiders dangerous?
No, but the plant they are on is!
Best,
Susan
Hi Susan,
Talk about sending us an image that needs to be cross referenced.
Not only does it go on Spiders 9, but also Bug Love 5 and
Food Chain 3. Thanks for this wonderful documentation of Silver
Argiopes.
More Mating Cecropia Moths
(06/08/2007) What is this???
Found these in my backyard here in Ontario Canada, tried to
identify them and the closest I came was the Atlas Moth, but
the markings and shape of the wings differ in the pictures
I've seen, there was 2 of them apparently mating, and they
were huge, I have never seen them before, if you can help
me identify them please E.mail me. Thanks in advance
Lin
Hi Lin,
We had a pair of mating Cecropia Moths on our homepage and
can't understand how you missed it. Your moths are also mating
Cecropia Moths.
Cecropia
Moths Mating
(06/08/2007) Cercopia Moths Mating
Hello! My name is Maureen and I live in King City, Ontario
and look what I found mating on my wind chime!
Hi Maureen,
Thanks for sending us such wonderful documentation of mating
Cecropia Moths.
Mating
Golden Backed Snipe Flies
(06/07/2007) Bug Love Photos
Why Don’t We Do It In The Road? I saw these
cute little buggers by our office around 7 a.m. one morning,
(Pearl River, NY, right on the NY-NY line about 6 miles west
of the Hudson River). I thought they were some kind
of fly until l saw the photos of the clearwing moths. However
these guys are smaller – maybe 5/8” wingspan.
I read on one of the linked bug sites there is a smaller species
of clearwings that resemble bumblebees (but no photo). Maybe
that’s these guys. Their head and body structure
still looks awfully fly-like to me though. Love your site!
Nice to know there are other bug-lovers out. What beautiful
photos. What beautiful lil’ critters. Best Regards,
Jeanne Guderian
Hi Jeanne,
You are right about them being flies. These are mating Golden
Backed Snipe Flies. Your wonderful photo shows the wing veination
quite nicely.
Small Milkweed Bugs Mating
(06/07/2007) looking to identify cool insects
love your site! i live about 40 mi. due west of the Superstition
Mountains in Gilbert AZ (SE of Phoenix by about 25 miles)
I found these on an oleander. they stayed rear-to-rear
for quite awhile, when one crawled, the other moved backwards;
their coloring is wrong for the pic i found of Lovebugs, Plecia
nearctica (but the Florida site said they are invaders from
the West), but can you tell if they’re related, or what
they are? thanks!
Elizabeth Boepple
p.s. Florida says they get swarms, but in 1o years here, i’ve
only seen these two, in April 2007
Hi Elizabeth,
Florida Lovebugs are actually flies. Your mating Small Milkweed
Bugs are True Bugs. Western specimens of the Small Milkweed
Bug, Lygaeus kalmii, show white spots on the membranous wings
as pictured in your photograph.
Mating
Lime Hawkmoths from Switzerland
(06/02/2007) Moth ID
Hi guys, My daughter Rosie and son Sam saw these moths on
our door today...initially we thought they were leaves. We
have tried to find a similar image on your site, and although
it looks a little like a Pandora Sphinx moth we are not sure.
This photo is from Duillier in Switzerland. We hope you
can help with the ID. Thanks
Duncan, Switzerland
Hi Duncan,
The Pandora Sphinx does not range into Europe. These mating
Sphinxes are Mimas tiliae commonly called Lime Hawk-moths.
More information and images can be found on Moths
and Butterflies of Europe and North Africa and the UK
Moths page. Lime refers to a favored larval food plant,
the Linden Tree which is commonly called a Lime Tree.
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