Ribbon Winged Lacewing
(03/20/2007) What's That Bug?
Dear Bugman,
What a fantastic site you guys have!!! I just found out it the pic I sent is a Ribbon Winged Lacewing, a Neuropteran - could you help with the species id? Have now attached another pic, which presumably are its eggs (since they have the characteristic stalk-shape, just like other lacewings). Best,
Nick

Hey Guys, I stay in Mumbai, India and found this fly (?) in my house. At first glance, it looks like a large mosquito but has these two long appendages that stream behind it as it flies around in a seemingly "drunken" fashion, ducking and weaving crazily about. Been trying to identify it for a few days and hit upon your site. I'm afraid its not a very good photo but here goes anyway...
Nick Chatterjee,
Mumbai, India



Hi Nick,
Your three emails came in rapid succession. The egg photo was not attached, but we are thrilled to post the other two images of the Ribbon Winged Lacewing.

here is the egg photo again....

Owlfly from Australia
(02/27/2007) Owlfly pics
Hi Bugman,
I thought your patrons might enjoy this picture i took of an owlfly in the Atherton Tablelands, QLD Australia. I was referred to your website by a friend and was subsequently able to identify this cute critter as an ascalaphid. Thanks a bunch, what a great site!!!
Erin
Reedsville, PA



Hi Erin,
Your Owlfly photo is quite beautiful and we are thrilled to post it.

Debris Carrying Lacewing Larva
(02/16/2007) Have I discovered a new bug?!
The diameter of the ball on top looks like mabe 1.5 mm. When not walking it retreats to some extent under it's ball. When it walks, viewed from above it looks as though it is riding on wheels, so perfectly smooth is its motion. I found it in a canyon in Los Angeles. Thank you very much.
Terry Payne



Hi Terry,
This is a Debris Carrying Lacewing Larva. Some Lacewings carry debris, including the carcasses of prey, as protection and camouflage.

Antlion
(11/18/2006) help identify
Great site! Could you please help identify this night visitor to home in Winchester, Virginia. Thanks.
Dave



Hi Dave,
This is an Antlion. The larvae are also called Doodlebugs.

Brown Mantidfly
(11/13/2006) Not A Solpugid (sorry, I forgot the photo on the first one)
Hey Bugman,
The photo from "D" titled "Smashed Solpugid Approached Infant" is not a Solpugid but rather a "Stenopelmatus fuscus" or as we in Utah call them, "Sand Puppy". There common name is "Jerusalem cricket". They look like giant ants, up to two inches long. Just thought ya might want to know. I do have a question for ya, the attached photo is a bug I found in Brigham City, Utah. It has a body like a hornet or wasp and has the front legs like a praying mantis, and wings like a dragon fly. It was about 1 1/2 to 2 inches long. Any idea? Thanks,
Kelly



Hi Kelly,
Thanks for the misidentification correction. Can't imagine how we let that one slip by. You attached photo is of a Brown Mantidfly, Climaciella brunnea, a type of Neuropteran. Though they are not related to true mantids, they have a physical similarity as well as similar hunting habits.

Lacewing Larva
(11/08/2006) please help
I have been trying to find out what kind of bug this is and can't find a picture that matches up exactly! Please let me know what you think!
Thanks, Angel



Hi Angel,
This is a larval Lacewing. They are beneficial insects that prey on Aphids in both their larval and adult winged forms.

Antlion
(10/11/2006) who am i?
hi bugman! our kids and i love your site! we have a bug we'd love to know more about. it's 3 inches long and at the widest point of its wings it's 1 inch across. we live in central florida and have many large, interesting bugs, but this is one that is new to us. we've sent along a picture of it taken on the tire of our car. its wings appear to be gray in the picture, but they are actually almost completly see-thru. thanks for your help!!!
the taylor family
lakeland, florida



Hi Taylor Family,
We located a nearly identical photo of an Antlion in the genus Vella on BugGuide. That specimen is also on a car tire and was also photographed in Florida.

Antlion
(08/21/2006) unusual bug
Do you know what kind of bug this is? Does it have a common name?
Pixie Fontechia
Cadiz, Kentucky



Hi Pixie,
This is a species of Antlion. The larvae of many Antlions create pits in the sand to trap insects including ants, and they are also called Doodlebugs, but according to BugGuide, the larvae of this species is "reported to live in cavities such as tree holes (among sawdust) and in burrows of Gopher Tortoise". This species is Glenurus gratus, and it has no common name that we are aware of, but we propose Gorgeous Antlion.

Brown Mantisfly
(08/21/2006) waspy mantis
Here's a neat mantis seen on the middle fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. I was on a bit of a rampage against yellow jackets and almost squashed it before recognizing it as a "friendly". Is this a distinct species or a color variant?
Andrew Miner



Hi Andrew,
This is not a true mantis. It is a Brown Mantisfly, but that is neither a mantis nor a fly. Though it looks like a wasp, it is not related to wasps either. Mantisflies are Neuropterans, and are related to lacewings and antlions.

Antlion
(08/16/2006) Lovely adult antlion
Just thought you might like a gander at this lovely creature. . . clinging to a jasmine branch. . . Florida, mid August . . . very shy . . . kept creeping to the opposite side of the branch from my camera. . . love the diaphanous wings.
Diane



Hi Diane,
Thanks for the awesome Antlion photo.

Mantidfly
(08/13/2006) Praying Mantis
Hi, love your site. I grew up on a farm in Texas and have seen and played with many praying mantis but the other night my wife found this guy in our garage in Hutto, Texas and I had never seen anything like it. This guy flies VERY well and I was wondering what kind it was. I searched your site and could not find one like it. This guy is small and only about 1 1/4 inch long. Thanks.......
AJ



Hi AJ,
This is a False Mantid or Mantidfly, Mantispa species in the order Neuroptera. It resembles a mantid, but is not closely related.

Antlion
(07/27/2006) Antlion pics
Thank you for creating a wonderful site that serves so many people. Your site answered my question about the huge antlion adults I've been seeing. I was pretty sure they were antlions, but the size seemed to rule out antlions because I'd never seen a larva big enough to create such monstrous adults. These pics are of one 3.5 inches long overall - far too but to be from a larva that makes the familiar funnel-shaped pit in sand or sandy soil (the pit would be a foot across). Can you tell me where these larvae live, what they look like and what they eat? I suppose they would take forever to get this big eating the occassional ant. What could they be eating, grasshoppers? Feel free to post the pics if you want, although you already have some nice ones. Maybe this is a different species. By the way, the antlion/lacewing-looking larva from Thailand could still be an antlion, though found on a bush and not in the soil. I've seen antlion larvae crawling on trees, bushes, rocks, possibly looking for better soil. They are awkward, but they get around. Lacewing larvae are far more agile, so observing the larva in question might help identify it. Now if you can get that photo to move... Thanks again for a great site,
Martin Adams



Hi Martin,
Thank you for your wonderful letter and your gorgeous Antlion image. Adults, according to the Audubon Guide, drink nectar, eat pollen, or do not eat at all. Eric Eaton provided this information: "Ok, before I forget, the ant lion is Vella fallax, or another species in the genus Vella. Yes, they are huge! Remember, in North America, only the larvae of the genus Myrmeleon make the pits. That means the larva of THIS beast must simply wait in ambush somewhere, perhaps half-buried on the surface of the sand."

Owlfly
(07/21/2006) Butterfly-Dragonfly Hybrid? Is it possible? What is this?
Here's one for ya....This morning I went outside and found the most interesting creature. At first I thought it was a dragonfly, because of four transparent wings-shaped like a dragonfly and buzz quickly like a dragonfly. But the insect has antenae like a butterfly. The legs are short like a dragonfly. The abdomen is narrow. I have never seen any thing like it! Could this be some crazy hybrid? Who can I contact? If anyone knows, let me know!!! I picked it up and put it in a jar with a tuille on top so it can breathe. It does not have any dust stuff on it like a butterfly and it did not hurt it. I need answers quick. Let me know.... Sorry my pictures are not that good. He looks much cooler in person...
Thanks~
Sherry



Hi Sherry,
Even with your blurry photos, we can tell this is an Owlfly, one of the Neuropterans in the family Ascalaphidae.

Antlion
(07/16/2006) Any luck yet?
Have you had any luck identifying that clear spotted wing insect picture I sent you. In case the attachment didn't go through I am sending it again. I keep seeing these all over my porch and out by the pole lights. I have done numerous searches on the web including your site and bug guide and I am unable to locate this insect. It isn't in any of the guides I own either. Any help is appreciated.
Thank you
Shelly
Savannah, MO



Hi Shelly,
You can locate images and information on the Antlion on our Neuropterans page.

Another Brown Mantidfly
(06/22/2006) Is this a mantis or a bee?
Found this one in Wisconsin. Just don't know what kind of bug it is? Do you have any idea?
Thanks Art Schroeder.



Hi Art,
Wow, two photos of Brown Mantidflies in one day. Neither a mantis nor a bee, but a Neuropteran or Nerve Winged Insect.

Brown Mantidfly
(06/22/2006) Part wasp / part mantis?
Bugman,
I Came across this insect two days ago in Howell, MI and have no idea what it is. I've enclosed two pictures of it. The first is the best view of what it looks like, the second gives a better look at its wings.
Thanks,
Lee Mitnick
(And thanks for a great site.)



Hi Lee,
What a nice image of a Brown Mantidfly, Climaciella brunnea, one of the Neuropterans or Nerve Winged Insects. Adults and larvae are both predatory.

Owlfly
(06/10/2006) Snakefly, lacewing or...?
Hi, Bugman,
Your site is really helping me get over my bug-fears. Also, thanks for responding to our question about what turned out to be a Vine Sphinx moth about a month ago! This morning, at my home outside of Austin TX, I found this guy hanging out on a bit of chicken wire fencing. Two things struck me as unusual enough to take a photo: the length of the antennae and the way the back end was held up almost perpendicular to the head sections. Since the fencing has appx 1" holes you can see that the body and antennae are almost the same length, about just under one inch each. The body color was shades of brown and gray and the wings were clear.
No rush on the reply, we know how life tends to interfere with the things we'd rather be doing!! Thanks in advance for your help!
Karen & TJ Lamphier



Hi Karen and TJ,
Though this isn't a snakefly or a lacewing, you did have the correct order: Neuroptera, the Nerve Winged Insects. Owlflies are in the family Ascalaphidae, and your species is most likely in the genus Ululodes.

Snakefly
(06/08/2006) Snakefly
You mentioned that you didn't have a lot of photos of Snakeflies. Here's a great shot that my son took with a digital camera of a Snakefly on an 3/16 inch diameter irrigation drip tube. We didn't know what it was when he took the picture and he named it the "Dragon Bug".
Bill



Hi Bill,
Thanks for sending in a wonderful photograph.

Snakefly
(05/06/2006) Snakefly
Howdy there!
Just discovered your excellent site and really enjoyed all the hard work you have done putting the wonderful site together. I wish there was an identical site for flowers and plants. There are a few close ones but nothing as easy and extensive as yours. I have always enjoyed learning about insects and the rest of the critters around us every since I was able to talk I think. Should have done it for a living but here I am doing what I can to share the knowledge of such things. It is with great appreciation to have a site like yours to search and share alike. Thank YOU! As a graphic designer and web designer I am with an understanding of what it takes to pull off the task you guys are managing. I also have a freelance blog with the local paper here in Redding, California which today I included a link to your wonderful site. http://blogs.redding.com/redding/dlangshaw/
Thanks again and feel free to use the attached images if you like.
Best regards,
Duane Langshaw



Hi Duane,
Thank you for your glowing compliments and also your wonderful photo of a Snakefly.

Aphid Wolf attacks Ant Cows
(05/01/2006) Aphid Standoff
Dear Bugpeople,
I believe that the red bugs are aphids, but what is the segmented “thing” they are facing? It’s about 3⁄4” long. This scene was captured In a St. Louis, MO garden.
Thanks for your help.
Henry



Hi Henry,
We will be posting your spectacular photo on several of our pages, including the Food Chain. Your photo shows the drama when a Green Lacewing Larva, known as an Aphid Wolf, attacks a group of Aphids, sometimes called Ant Cows. The term Ant Cow refers to a symbiotic relationship with ants who milk the Aphids for honeydew.

Mantidfly
(04/14/2006) Bug Help...
Hi Bugman,
I live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and I have come across this beetle a bunch of times this past week. I recently bought a house and I have been seeing them around inside the house. I was hoping to identify him so I could find out if I should be concerned... beyond the fact that they scare my girlfriend. I included a close up and one with my thumbnail to get a size perspective. I also wanted to add that I have really enjoyed browsing your site and look forward to checking it out in the future. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any info on the bug in question. I would never have imagined there were so many interesting bugs I also included a personal favorite picture I took of a Praying Mantis if your interested in posting it. I brought my bamboo in from the balcony last year as the weather was turning and found this little guy a couple days later. I let him roam free in the apartment since I didn't know what else to do and the weather was getting rather cold. Poor guy met his fate in a spider web though. The one picture is to give an idea as to the size of the mantis, the bamboo is perhaps a foot tall. Thanks in advance,
Jeff



Hi Jeff,
Your beetle is not a beetle, but a True Bug, a Western Conifer Seed Bug. We get hundreds of photos of them and will not be posting yours. The "Mantis" is another story. This is not a mantis, but a Mantidfly or Mantispid, a Neuropteran. We are very excited by your photo as it is a new genus for us. It is Zeugomantispa minuta and we found it on BugGuide.

Snakefly
(04/07/2006) snakefly
I took pictures of this bug and then was able to identify it using your website. When I saw the word 'Snakefly' I knew I had my bug. For once, something was aptly named. I observed this bug for awhile before I let it go. It was fascinating. It hop-flies. I used my crummy little digital to get a picture of it. I improved upon the macro by taking the picture through a jeweler's loupe. It worked great! He started posing for me, I swear. Here's the pic. Thanks for your website. You're a gem!
Kay Herndon
Spicewood, Texas



Hi Kay,
We are very impressed that you properly identified your Snakefly through our site. Thank you for the sweet letter and also your great photo. We haven't many Snakefly images and your is a welcome addition.

Mantispid
(03/29/2006) Three species in one???
Howdy kind bug people!
(Cleveland, Ohio, USA) I found this guy while repainting my garage last summer (2005) and have off and on tried to identify it and talk with people about it. Just found your site this morning and spent a few hours looking at photos trying to find something closely resembling my specimen. Nothing looked similar so I hope dearly that this post is not wasting your time and gives a proper challenge to experts in the field. The pictures are poor because i was on a ladder and had bad sun issue and an older digital camera that is not well suited to detailed closeup shots. Anyway, the body of this guy looked to be wasp-like, but the head and front two legs were almost definately mantis-like. The closest thing I could conclude about the wings is that they look similar to a cicada. Needless to say, i'm stumped. I respect all forms of life, though a few bugs can send my body into the flight or fight response. I kept my calm and so did this guy as he did not seem to mind my presence and only moved slightly when I got very close with the camera. Image breakdown: 0851.jpg and 0852.jpg are about the best shots I have for the overall picture of the insect. the forearms are fairly visible under the head tucked up in the "praying" pose. four legs visible under thorax and wing definition is clear. 0859.jpg is blurry but I included it because it shows the profile of the forearms as the insect moved and stretched them out. Very "paddle like" that may have some leaf-camoflauge purpose. 0863.jpg and 0864.jpg also show profile but in good focus that reveals antennae. Also of note (i think), the thorax in profile shows a good bit wider than the abdomen. Not sure what this could be, but doesn't quite look right in my mind's eye. Ok, that's my crude analysis. If you need more information about what I saw, please feel free to write me back. I know you are swamped with reader mail, but I do hope you can help me out with Identifying this perpelexing creature!
thanks,
Dan

Of course right after i send the email do i stumble upon the Lacewing section (thought it would be more moth/butterfly like so never checked it) and found the picture of the Mantispid from Detroit. Very similar to the specimen I found. Sorry to bother you, but thanks for the site, now I can rest easy(ier). cheers,
Dan



Hi Dan,
Thank you for using our site to identify your Mantispid. Your specimen is, we believe, in the genus Mantispa.

Antlion
(03/21/2006) Having problems IDing some bugs
I have several pictures. I have been on your website for the past 3 1/2 hours and have been unable to locate all of our bug picture collection. I have sent you a few of them. I would appreciate your help. My 7 year old son and I have been collecting bug pictures for quite some time and have looked in several books and several web sites. Your's by far is the best. Thanks. p.s. we live in central Oklahoma, that might prove helpful in the identification. Thanks again.
Mitzi



Hi Mitzi,
In order to streamline our posting, we will try to identify your creatures one at a time. Our favorite is the Antlion photo.

Lacewing
(02/25/2006) Uknown Bug
Hello again! Well I was in the middle of a rousing game of Settlers with my family when this little guy flew down, or droped down more like it, right infront of me. I thought it was sorta pretty with its lime green body and rainbow-seethrew wings. Can you identify it?
Thanks a ton!
Kyle C



Hi Kyle,
This past Saturday night we were at a dinner party, and we told the host (who said he had ladybugs in his garden) that we prefer Lacewings as they eat more Aphids. This is a Lacewing, a Neuropteran sometimes commonly called a Golden Eye. They have ravenous appetites for aphids, both as larvae and adults, and they are a gardener's friend. Lacewings are attracted to lights, hence your visit.

Nymphes myrmeleonides
(02/15/2006) Neuroptera eggs
Dear WTB,
Further to the photo of the eggs posted on 19th January this year. Some similar eggs have just hatched on the underside of my verandah roof. The larvae have been milling about for a couple of days, but presumably will soon disperse. Those pincers look rather fearsome!



I have discovered they belong to a member of the family Nymphidae, probably Nymphes myrmeleonides, an insect I had seen previously around the garden. So, here are the larvae and the adult: Kind regards and thanks for your fascinating website,
Grev



Hi Again Grev,
Thank you so much for the fascinating follow-up and the wonderful photos.

Antlion	Ribbon Winged Lacewing

Antlion: Family Myrmeleontidae
(01/03/2006) Antlion?
I found this 2" long bug on a cool August morning in Sonora, Texas. I am thinking it is an adult antlion but have not found its scientific name. Thanks,
Jo



Hi Jo,
For some reason, an in depth Antlion taxonomy with images is not available. Perhaps because it is so difficult to distinguish individual species they are generally grouped into the family Myrmeleontidae. We researched Antlion Taxonomy and found this information. The site The Antlion Pit has some fascinating anecdotal information.

(12/25/2005) Antlion?
My four year old son found this critter this morning. At first I thought it was an Antlion, but it doesn't act like one. It was crawling around the leaves of a Croton bush and doesn't back up like Antlions usually do. Any help identifying it would be appreciated.
David



Hi David,
Please write back with your global coordinates? Please tell us in what part of the world was this found?

Sorry, I live in the Northeast of Thailand. What size do you want pictures submitted in? Can't find any info on the site. Thanks again, I'd really like to know what this critter is.

Thanks for the followup information. It is helpful that we are not trying to identify a North American species. We are not 100% sure yet and we are waiting for a second opinion from Eric Eaton. We think it looks like an Antlion larva, but the fact that it was on a leaf instead of in the earth indicates it might be a Lacewing Larva, also known as an Aphid Wolf.

Eric Eaton's conclusion: (12/26/2005)
" Oh, my! Neither one. I'd be willing to bet it is the larva of an owlfly (Ascalaphidae). Overall appearance, and behavior, are right for that family. Hesitate to be conclusive because there are other families of Neuroptera in that part of the world that are not represented in North America. Still, I"m reasonably confident that is what it is. Cool! Eric"

Antlion
(11/26/2005) Is this a dobsonfly?
My son, Andrew, snapped this in southeastern Utah. Nice camophlage.   Is it a dobsonfly?
Ruth in New Mexico



Hi Ruth,
We love Dobsonflies, but your photo has us much more excited. This is only the second photo we have received of an adult Antlion in the family Myrmeleontidae. The larvae are also called Doodlebugs.

Brown Mantisfly
(10/04/2005) What is this bug?
Dear What's That Bug,
I live in Northern Utah (Brigham City).  This bug was discovered climbing on the building where I work a few days ago.  Everyone that sees it is mystified.  It looks a lot like a wasp, but has front legs and head like a preying mantis.  It seems to like sugar water, but it also ate a small spider as you will see from
one of the photos.  Do you have any idea what it is?
Thanks,
Michael Olson



Hi Michael,
Despite its appearance, the Brown Mantisfly isn't related to either Preying Mantids or Wasps. It is a Neuropteran or Nerve Winged Insect. Great photo.

Brown Lacewing Larva
(10/04/2005) Unknown Bug
Attached please find several pictures of a bug that is very strange.  It looks like an ant lion with carnage on its back.  It has a very powerful bite with front jaws, but is only the size of an ant.  It is camouflaged by pieces of other insects and debris that it sticks on its back.  Found under an oak tree. Sorry about the pics, but they were taken with a digital camera looking through a magnifying glass. What is it?
Thanks,
Dave & Vickie



The Brown Lacewing Larva camoflauges itself with the remains of its meals.

Brown Mantidfly
(09/19/2005) wasp? or mantis? New Pics
We saved this bug from drowning in the Snake River near Clarkston, Washington and wondered if wasps and Praying Mantis are cross breeding. I can't seem to find any info on it... please help!  Size is approx. 1 inch. By the way, what a great site you have, we've been looking at bug photos for 45 minutes! Thanks for your help.
Jen Doherty



Hi Jen,
The Brown Mantidfly, Climaciella brunnea, is not closely related to either wasps or mantids, but to the Neuropterans like Lacewings and Antlions.

Giant Lacewing
(09/08/2005) whats this bug ?
This bug has been hanging out on our living room ceiling for 3 days, in the same spot !? It's just over an inch in length.  We live in Kamloops B.C. Canada,  and were wondering if you know what it is? We think it's some kind of moth but we are curious to know more about it,considering its decided to move in with us : ) We attached a better, bigger  picture.... hope it helps.
Heidi and Keiffer



Hello there Heidi and Keiffer,
This is a Giant Lacewing, Polystoechotes species. These are the largest North American Neuropterans. At night they are sometimes attracted to lights which probably explains its presence in your home. According to the Audubon Guide, little is known of the life cycle.

Brown Mantidfly
(08/24/2005) praying mantis
Hi,
My name is Mary I live in lexington Ky. I recently found what i think is a new species of pray mantis. He is disguised as a wasp. He has the upper torso of a normal mantid, but he has the lower abdomen of a wasp, wings identical to a wasp and four wasp legs. He can fly but only short distances. I e-mailed you once before but had no response so i thought i would try again. Please help me out. Has this ever been reported or seen before.
thank you
Mary
ps: Here is a picture of who we call "Wobby"



Hi Mary,
Wobby is a Brown Mantidfly, Climaciella brunnea. Mantidflies, also known as Mantispids, resemble true mantises but are actually Neuropterans. Evolution has led them on a similar path, and they hunt in a similar manner, using their formidable front legs to grasp onto prey. They are relatively common in the South.

Lacewing Eggs
(08/12/2005) Result of bug love?Hi, Bugman,
For your ID’ing pleasure, here’s a photo of a what we suppose are (were?)  bug eggs on the outside of a window in our house in the woods in southern West Virginia. Each stalk is about 3/16 inch, including the little blob at the end. The blobs were originally rather transparent, with a tan dot in the center. The next day Julian noticed that they were white; they’ve been white ever since (several weeks). For what it’s worth, the spider that lives at the edge of this window apparently doesn’t consider the blobs and stalks to be food. Can you please tell us what they are and what you think accounted for the change in appearance (and anything pertinent that we haven’t thought to ask)?
Many thanks!
Ellen and Julian
Victor , West Virginia
PS: For about 9 months last year we watched a similar group (with white blobs) on the outside of another window and didn’t see any change in them. We were hoping that they would hatch into something!



Hi Ellen and Julian,
Mother Nature has developed this ingenious method to perpetuate the Lacewing. Immature lacewings are fierce hunters, and if eggs hatched, the young would quickly devour one another. The female Lacewing deposits each egg at the end of a stalk, so by the time a newly hatched Aphid Wolf or Aphid Lion climbs down, its brothers and sisters have already wandered away.

Snakefly
(08/11/2005) "Giraffe" bug?
Hi there,
I encountered this interesting bug on a recent hike, and would LOVE to know what the heck it is. Thanks for your time and your excellent service.
Cheers,
Numlok



Hi Numlok,
We were a little too busy to answer mail yesterday, and we are thrilled that you used the site to identify your Snakefly without any further assistance from us.

Antlion
(07/28/2005) neuropteran?
Insect below observed July 27, 2005 in Jackson County, Alabama. On siding of house next to light left on all night. Size about 5+ cm .  What's that bug?  Clear wings with lots of veins and the terminal ends of the forewing look liked they were dipped in wax.
Some sort of neuropteran?
Paul



Hi Paul,
We searched on BugGuide for a species name for your Antlion, which is in fact a Neuropteran. We believe it to be in the genus Glenurus, maybe G. gratus. Would you mind if we also posted your image on BugGuide?

Brown Lacewing Larva
(07/22/2005) Aphid Wolf?
I stumbled across your website while trying to identify a bug I've sporadically seen since I was a kid. I never knew what they were, and after finally getting a good photograph of one I thought I'd try to identify it. Judging by one of the blurry photos on your site, I'd guess this is an Aphid Wolf, or as you say the larva of a Brown Lacewing. If I'm right, feel free to add this photo to your website. If I'm wrong, please enlighten me.
Thanks,
Walker



Hi Walker,
I guess even a blurry photo is better than no photo, but thanks to you, we now have a good photo of a Brown Lacewing Larva, or Aphid Wolf. They belong to the Family Hemerobiidae and the larvae sometimes carry debris around on their backs.

Aphid Lion
(07/20/2005) what is this?
Hello - could you tell us what this is? it bit my friend while sitting on a dock along a creek in NIagara Falls, Ontario Canada. Just curious, thanks



This is an Aphid Lion, the larva of a Green Lacewing.

Brown Mantidfly
(07/02/2005) hybrid praying mantis\wasp



Though your non-query is disturbingly bereft of information, we like your photo so much we have decided to give the answer some attention. This is a Brown Mantidfly, Climaciella brunnea, in the Family Mantispidae, Order Neuroptera. The Brown Mantidfly can be all brown, black, or banded with yellow like your specimen. Adults prey on small insects.

Aphid Lion
(06/27/2005) what is this bug?? T_T
I was typing by my computer & this bug was just started walking across my paper.  As you can see, it is pretty small.  The #2 in the picture is Verdana size 8 font. I was hoping you can tell me what it is.  Please let me know as soon as possible.  Thanks!
Winnie



Hi Winnie,
Nice photo of a Green Lacewing Larva, also known as an Aphid Lion. They are highly beneficial because of the large numbers of destructive aphids they consume.

Snakefly
(06/22/2005) What's this bug? lol
I got the link to this site from the GardenMessenger Group on Yahoo and have just become so fascinated with your site.  Lots of great info.  Well, I came looking because I found a bug I've not seen before and it seems to frequent my passion flower vine and fuchsias.  The passion vine seems to be getting nibbled more so. From looking at your site, I'm guessing it is some kind of Ichneumon Wasp.  The photo I managed to get is of one with a slightly thicker body.  I've seen others that are completely twig thin.  The necks are also elongated with the head at the end.  Anyway, picture is enclosed, and am wondering if this is the leaf-eating culprit or if it's good at eating the leaf-eaters.  Oh, and I'm in Spokane, Washington if that helps too.
Best Wishes and Thank You-
Andrew



Hi Andrew,
Your insect is a Snakefly from the family Raphidiidae, within the Nerve Winged Insect Order Neuroptera. Adults are predators, not plant eaters. They are probably helping to control the aphids and scale insects on your plants.

Owlfly
(06/15/2005) Is it butterfly, earwig, moth or dragonfly?
Photographed last week in Southern Italy. We're all stumped. Can you help please?
Andrew



Hi Andrew,
As always, when we are puzzled, we turn to the guy who knows, Eric Eaton. Here is his identification: "Gorgeous photo of an owlfly in the family Ascalaphidae, order Neuroptera.  I don't have a field guide to European insects, but there are lots of images of this species available in books and online. Owlflies are predatory both as fast-flying adults, and as truly ugly larvae (which resemble flattened versions of antlion larvae).  Neat insects. Eric"

Thanks. That's a relief as aeveryone thought I'd created it in Adobe!

Doodlebug
(06/14/2005) Help Identify This Bug For Us
Hello,
Please help.  We have about 20 of these bugs digging in the dirt right outside our front door.  They are digging these funnel shaped holes in the dirt.  I have enclosed a picture.  Please let me know if these bugs are dangerous to plants etc.  Also, please note these bugs play dead when you capture them.  If they are harmless that would be fine.  We just want to make sure they are not a nuisance.
Thank you again,
Mark and Erika Blume



Hi Mark and Erika,
Nice photo of a Doodlebug, the immature Ant Lion. They are actually helpful if you have ant problems. The larva dig pits and wait at the bottom for ants to stumble into their waiting jaws.

Doodle Bug
(05/12/2005) "Dirt hole" bug
I found this bug in a dirt "hole" that the bug apparently created himself. I noticed him in the bottom of it because of a small termite that was trapped by the soft-dirt sides, and could not crawl out of the hole. The bug was completely covered in the bottom of the hole, and only its pinchers would come out to try and grab the termite when it slid back down to the bottom. Just wondering what kind of bug it is.
I live in north Alabama, if that helps.
Thanks,
Trevor



Hi Trevor,
What a great photo of a Doodle Bug, the immature Ant Lion. As you observed, the larvae live at the bottom of a pit with only their formidable jaws exposed. There they wait patiently for ants or other insects to slip into their waiting mouths.

Doodlebugs
(05/04/2005) pic of bug
THis is the bug that I dug up from the dirt volcano reversed I wrote you about 2 days ago.  It isn't the best of pictures, but it looks like a weevile or beetle of some sort.  Instead of antena's it has pinchers.  When you shake them around they play dead, but with their pinchers open ready to bite.  They are the size of a raisen.  Any info would be helpful.  Are they bad for my house?



You have Doodlebugs, the immature larva of the Ant Lion. The Doodlebug waits at the bottom of its burrow for ants to tumble in and then eats them. They will not harm you nor your home.

Thank you so much.  I love your web site.  What a great idea!!!   I just found it a few days ago and I have been looking at it for days, and all the ugly bugs that people find.  You've been very helpful and so quickly too.  Yesterday I did set the doodlebugs free and alive.  I had hoped they were harmless.  If not they would have met with Mr. Raid very quickly. 
Cheers,
Brandi

Mantidfly
(03/05/2005) Mantid ID needed
Sent some pictures of this mantis before, but they were of poor quaility.  This one's much better.  Mantis was found indoors in VA in early Dec 04, but we had recently returned from FL so it may have hitched a ride.  Very small, just under an inch in length.  Any ideas?  Is it indigenous to VA?  To North America?
JMG



Hi JMG,
Your lovely photograph is not of a Preying Mantis, but an unrelated species of Mantidfly. Mantidflies or Mantispids, belong to the Order Neuroptera which includes Dobsonflies and Lacewings. They are in the Family Mantispidae. We are only familiar with brown species so we checked with Eric Eaton who wrote back: "Yes, this is a mantispid, but I'm not sure of the genus and species.  Mantispa was split recently, and so this particular species may fall under another genus now." They are common in the South. Hope that helps.

Brown Lacewings
(01/07/2005) What's this bug
Hi,
I recently found many of these bugs in my apartment.  It has been raining a lot recently and I'm not sure if that has anything to do with them being inside.  I have included pictures of them but they are actually an amber color and transparent.  They fly and seem to be attracted to the light.  Please help me identify them so I can get rid of them!
Julie



Hi Julie,
Eric Eaton wrote to us identifying these images as "brown lacewings (family Hemerobiidae, order Neuroptera).  Larval brown lacewings prey on aphids, so they are nice insects to have around."

Aphid Wolf
(08/12/2004) What is this spongy-fungusy-like bug?
Hello,
We are on Cape Cod in Massachusetts and have many of these strange bugs that carry things that look like sponges or fungus.  They crawl on the picnic table under the oaks and pines.  They look like moving bread crumbs with white legs.  We are attaching a photo of one of the bugs. It's at the upper left of the photo.  Any ideas?  Thanks.
You have a great website!
Margaret, Pamela and Meredith



Hi Girls,
I looks to me like you might have a photograph of a Brown Lacewing Larva, Family Hemerobiidae, known as Aphid Lions or Aphid Wolves. The larvae often cover themselves with debris including the empty skins of their victims.

Lacewing
(08/10/2004)
I took this picture before I realized you already covered this bug ( Chrysoperla plorabunda?) on your site. I’m sending it anyway since you didn’t have a good clear shot of this bug. Keep up the good work.
John Waters



Thanks so much John,
We really appreciate your excellent photo which reveals why these lovely creatures are sometimes called Golden Eyes. We also just posted a photo of an Aphid Lion, the nymph stage of the Lacewing.

Aphid Lion
(08/08/2004) What is it
Sorry about not sending this last with this last email.  Do you know what this is?  It was on my car under a bunch of Chinese elm trees.
Suzanne Koglin



Hi Suzanne,
This is a photo of the larva of a green lacewing (family Chrysopidae, order Neuroptera).  Also called "aphid lions." They eat large quantities of aphids. Adults are sometimes called "Golden Eyes."

(07/21/2004) Hi,
I hope all is well with you. Last night I saw this big guy hovering around the flood light on the back of my house. I tried to get better pictures, but he moved around pretty fast.
Best Regards,
Ed Cogan



Hi Ed,
Thank you for the photo of a Fishfly, Chauliodes species. These are relatives of Dobsonflies, both belonging to the family Corydalidae. They can be recognized because of their comblike antennae. Larvae are aquatic predators, and it is likely that adults do not feed.

Mantispid
(07/07/2004) Mantidfly and something else I dont know what it is...
AWESOME site!
Here are two pics, one of a mantidfly that found its way inside one of the windows of my house in suburban Detroit.



Your Mantispid or Mantidfly is great. They are predators in the Order Neuroptera, the most primitive insects with complete metamorphosis. They are relatively rare.

Doodlebug
(07/06/2004)
I know this is probably a common bug that everyone on this planet apart from my partner and myself have seen but curious got the better of us and we can't find it in the encyclopaedia (mainly because we don't know where to start looking). At first we thought maybe Ant lion, then cockroach, then alien larva from mars, then back to mutant crossbreeding of cockroach/ant lion. So I guess any help would be good
Thanks
Jason C



Hi Jason,
Thank you for sending in the photo of a Doodlebug. We have gotten several letters, but have not received a photo until yours. This is the larva of the Antlion, Family Myrmeleontidae.

Snakefly
(06/27/2004) Weird bug looks like a dobsonfly and yellow jacket mixed
Hi,
My wife and I found this bug in our house on the curtains.  I have never seen one before so there's no worries or anything, I was just curious and wanted to find out what it was.  I looked all over the internet and can't find it, but after coming across your site, I figured maybe you could help? We live in the Willamette Valley in Oregon.  I saw pictures of dobsonfly's and it looks similar to that but it has a longer neck and a body like a yellow jacket with a long tail (maybe a stinger???).  I look forward to hearing from you!
P.S.  Thanks for the great website, I find it very fascinating!  :-)
Andy



Dear Andy,
You have taken a photograph of a Common Snakefly, Agulla species. They can be recognized by their elongated prothorax and projecting head. Adults feed on small soft-bodies insects including young scale insects, aphids and mites, and are beneficial to farmers and gardeners. They are members of the order of Nerve-Winged Insects, Neuroptera that also include Dobsonflies.

Hello,
I got busy and never had a chance to reply and thank you.  Thank you for identifying the insect and replying so quickly!  I love your site and hope you continue to run it for years to come.  You provide a very unique and excellent service.  Thanks again.
Andy

(03/11/2004) Lacewings
Dear Mr. Bugman,
I live in Stuttgart, Germany and have seen many of these flying insects in our house.  I have never seen this bug before.  It is a new house and mostly we are seeing them on the top floor, however, some have started to come downstairs.  It has a very light green color, long wings that are somewhat transparent, is half an inch long and, of course, flies.  We have lived in Germany over 2 years and really don't see many bugs inside the house.  Can you help me?
Thanks so much,
Claire Wright
Stuttgart, Germany

Dear Clair,
Your description is too vague to be sure, but you might have lacewings which are attracted to lights.

I think I forgot to attach the photo...so sorry...it is attached this time.  Thanks so much for your help!

Dear Clair,
Yes, that is a Lacewing, Family Chrysopidae. Our common green Lacewing is Chrysoperla plorabunda, but you probably have a different species in Germany. Here is what Hogue writes: "During the warmer times of the year adults rest near porch lights to which they have been attracted during their nocturnal wanderings. The light may cause the lacewing's eyes to reflect llike brilliant golden beads, and the name 'Golden Eyes' is sometimes given to these fragile green-tinted insects. Courting pairs exhibit abdominal jerking, which sets up auditory signals important to mating.
The larvae are called 'aphid lions' because they have powerful appetites for aphids and similar injurious plant pests, which they catch with their sickle-shaped jaws. The young larvae are so voracious that the eggs, which are laid in a cluster on the surface of a leaf, would not survive if it were not for the fact that each is placed on a long slender silken stalk, out of the reach of precocious newly hatched individuals. The adults, which average 1/2 inch in length, have been seen ffeeding on aphids and on honeydew."

The doodlebug is the larval form of the Antlion.  The doodlebug digs a pit in the sand and waits for ants and other insects to fall into its waiting jaws.  The adults are winged.  The scientific name of the Family is Myrmeliontidae.  There are over 89 North American species, and a common one is Dendroleon obsoletum.

(8/13/2003)Hi Bugman.  
I found this insect at a wildlife refuge in northwest Colorado.  At first I thought it was a damsel fly, but when I got a better look it doesn't appear to be that at all.   It's overall length was a little less than 2 inches, and there were several of them flying about and hiding in tall grass not far from a pond.  An ID on this guy would really help me out.  Thanks, Tom W.

Hi Stacey,
Your Doodle Bugs are the larvae of Ant Lions, Family Myrmeleontidae, winged insects that resemble Lacewings.

Hi, y'all....I just got back from a trip to Big Bend National Park in Texas, where I saw a fox, deer, javalinas, hawks and other assorted wildlife.....including this bug in a rest stop bathroom somewhere near Ozona TX. What's that bug, Daniel?
I also visited the Chinati Foundation...home of Donald Judd sculptures and other delights. I took a very short boat ride over to Mexico for some beer and tacos, and went to a "star party" at the McDonald Observatory too.
Now I'm back, but I'm still wondering....what's that bug?
Peace, Jonathan

Hi Jonathan,
This appears to be an adult Antlion