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Antlion
Larva or Owlfly Larva
(05/12/2008) Not your average South Carolina Doodle Bug!!!!
Hi Guys!
My 6 year old Daughter Laura has found what appears to be
a gigantic ant lion larva! I didn't have a
scale to put next to it (I must get one for this purpose)
but it was a little more than 3/4" long and looked
just like a typical "doodle bug" yet huge
and with some additional frilliness around the edges .
She found it out in the open on the stone border of our backyard
flower bed. We are located along the southern coast
of South Carolina and have an unusually large assortment of
backyard wildlife for our little bug lover to observe.
In the photo its on its back with its head bent toward its
belly in an attempt to turn over... the legs did not extend
outside the outline of the body and weren't much good for
turning over but they could grip very well even on smooth
paper. We photographed this critter and Laura carefully
returned it to the spot where she found it. In 42 years
of digging in the dirt I've never seen an ant lion larva so
large. After looking all thru your site, we saw the
more typical ant lion larva and the
super sized adult ant lions, but nothing in the larva department
which seemed this large. Also, thank you for your diligent
detective work several years back when you identified my very
scary looking, yet ultimately harmless, male Southern
Crevice spider. Your site has provided many educational
opportunities for Laura and she was thrilled (with a little
help from Daddy) to identify an assassin bug she found a few
weeks ago! Since the Crevice spider ID, just about all
spiders and other critters have been carefully escorted out
of the house under Laura's careful supervision. No unnecessary
carnage here! best regards,
Kert , Liz and Laura Huggins
Dear Kert, Liz and Laura,
We suspect that you have been finding younger Doodlebugs in
the garden and this specimen may be getting ready to pupate.
We found a photo on BugGuide
with a ruler that approximates the size of your Antlion Larva.
Possible Correction: (05/14/2008) WTB correction
Daniel:
I have a minor potential correction, sorry: The "doodlebug"
may be something even more exciting. While it could be the
larva of one of the giant antlions like Glenurus gratus, it
is more likely the larva of a related insect, an owlfly (family
Ascalaphidae). Instead of making pits like some antlion larvae,
the larvae of owlflies lie in ambush just under the surface
of the soil, or even out in the open on foliage. Neat find!
Eric
Snakefly and Tips on Getting our Attention!!!
(03/25/2008) Strange dinosaur bug in Carmichael CA -----What
could it be?????????????
Hi
I found this winged bug sitting on my car's window this afternoon.
It immediately caught my attention because -seriously- it
looked reptilian. It's colors were dark green, yellow
and it had orange legs. It really looked like it had
scales. It's neck and antenna are long and it has
a long tail too that I thought at first was a stinger.
But the longer we looked at each other the more I started
to doubt that that's what it was. Anyway, as soon
as I saw this little guy, I thought of you and ran back upstairs
to get my camera. I'm sending you several images of
it. Sadly, the image from the side is blurry -my camera
just couldn't focus. But I'm sending it anyway because
you can still see the arch of it's long tail. I know
you guys can't answer every email but please answer mine?
This bug is just so pretty! And I really want to know
what it is. The way it moved was just so graceful!
It's long neck seemed so flexible when it would bend
and it's little head was just so...let's just say that it
was checking me out as much as I was checking it out!
It was so cool. Please help me identify it? Thanks so
much! I love your site!!!!!!!
Jen in Carmichael CA
Hi Jen,
It is true that we cannot answer every email. We are not proud
to admit it, but when we get swarms of emails, and our real
lives cannot allow us the luxury to post to the internet,
we delete many emails without even opening them. No subject
in the subject line will most certainly wind up in the trash.
You, on the otherhand, know how to catch our attention. How
could we even try to ignore a letter that starts with "Strange
dinosaur bug in Carmichael CA -----What could it be?????????????"?
The answer is we just can't. Another big pet peeve of ours
is not including a location, and your letter even included
that in the subject line. Catching our attention when we are
scanning letters can be likened to a one sentence pitch for
a movie script. You need to grab our attention and intrigue
us. You Jen, did just that. Before we even opened the email
and read it, we started to wonder just what bug you thought
looked like a dinosaur. Well, this is a female Snake Fly.
The tail is her ovipositor. Snakeflies are Neuropterans, and
there are some other monstrous members in the order. Just
take a look at our Dobsonfly page. Snakeflies are in the suborder
Raphidiodea.
Thanks for a descriptive letter that is fun to read, a catchy
subject line, and a nice photo to complete the package. This
is our favorite type of letter to post.
Blue
Eyes Lacewing from Australia
(01/28/2008) Identification of ?Robber Fly and Scorpion Fly
Dear Bugman,
Happened upon your site tonight and am most excited!
Have bought several books and trying to identify local species
in our Southern Tablelands area of NSW, Australia. Hubby
and I spend a good deal of time at Bungonia State Recreation
Area doing the lazy man tours of the gorgeous bush to see
what interesting things we c an find…..we are never
disappointed! What first started out as just native
flowers and now turned into fauna and in particular, BUGS!
I’ve attached two photographs taken this month and am
hoping you can identify them. They’re beauties!
Cheers!
Katherine & Ricky Lee
Hi Katherine and Ricky Lee,
What a positively gorgeous Blue Eyes Lacewing, Nymphes myrmeleonides,
which we identified on the Geocities
website. According to Wikidpedia,
it is one of the largest Lacewings in the world. It belongs
to the family Nymphidae and the order Neuroptera which contains
other insects like owlflies and mantispids.
Dear Daniel,
What a beautiful photo Katherine and Ricky Lee have taken
of the Blue Eyes Lacewing! Congratulations to you both. These
insects are around our place a lot lately. You can recognise
them before they land by their distinctive manner of flying
- as though their wings are a bit disjointed. They like to
sit underneath leaves and look up and out at the world. I
recall that my first email to you was about the eggs of the
Nymphes myrmeleonides, which you posted on the Eggs page,
so perhaps Katherine and Ricky would like to do a bit of cross
checking and watch out for the eggs. Regards
Grev
Antlion
(01/18/2008) Identification?
I was wondering if you could identify this bug? I am guessing
it is some type of wasp. I found it in the Summer while I
was at a research center in the Mojave Desert. Also, the picture
was also taken at night. Thanks for any help that you
can give. Thank You,
Richard Coleman
Hi Richard,
This is an Antlion. They are often attracted to light. The
larvae are known as Doodlebugs.
Owlfly from France
(01/07/2008) help
I don't know how you are on French moths/burnets but we are
struggling to identify the enclosed found in the Lot Valley,
South-west France. Can you help or suggest somewhere
that we might look?
Hilary Jones
Hi Hilary,
Back in June 2005, we received another image of this Owlfly,
a Neuropteran in the family Ascalaphidae. It might be Ascalaphus
libelluloides.
Mantisfly
from Australia
(12/08/2007) What's this bug?
Would love to know what this bug is? Spotted on the coast
in Sawtell, NSW. Looks like it's mouth part is a giant sucker?
Big thanks
Hazel Wallace
Uralla, NSW
Hi Hazel,
This is a Mantispid or Mantisfly, sometimes called a Mantid
Lacewing. There is only one species pictured on the Geocities
site, Ditaxis biseriata, and it looks very similar to
the individual in your photo.
Debris Carrying Lacewing Larva
(11/07/2007) Need bug identification please
Hi, my husband and I discovered the weirdest, oddest bug we
have ever seen in our lives tonight. See attached pics.
At first we thought it was some sort of spider with a whole
bunch of dead ants on it's back, but then discovered that
it has jaw-type pinchers. It's like a moving junk bug
with a mess of "stuff" on it's back. I actually
saw it take a part from a dead ant that fell off of it's
back and put it in it's pinchers and reattached it to
it's back. It's like it was camouflaging itself (?).
The bottom of it looks grey and from what we can tell, there's
no tail - just "junk" and ant parts on it's back.
It seems to be able to crawl & attach to anything and
crawl around. It's pretty small, about the size of an
eraser on the top of a pencil. Thanks in advance - we're real
curious to know what this is!
Angela
Dallas, Tx
Hi Angela,
This is a Debris Carrying Lacewing Larva. Not all Lacewing
Larvae exhibit this characteristic. Some Green Lacewings in
the Family Chrysopidae exhibit this behavior, and BugGuide
has numerous images.
Lacewing
Carnage
(09/07/2007) Smelly Green Fly
Hi,
I'm from Wisconsin and this fly landed on my desk out of nowhere.
I squished it and it instantly released this smelly odor.
I've never seen anything like this. It smells similar
to a musty old basement (if not worse). Can you tell
me what kind of bug this is? (Pictures are attached) Thanks!!
Maggie
Hi Maggie,
If you hadn't squashed this beneficial Lacewing, your sensitive
nose would not have been subjected to the offensive odor it
emitted as a defense mechanism. Lacewings are important biological
control agents for Aphids, which if their populations were
left unchecked, just might overpopulate the planet. We are
going to take the liberty and be blunt here. If someone squashed
you, you probably woundn't smell very good either.
Spottedwinged Antlion
(08/26/2007) Lacey-wing insect to be identified
I found this beauty (see pic below) clinging to my kitchen
curtain, and have never seen one like this, in my 36 years
of living in this location (northwest Mississippi ).
It appears similar to some pictures of fishflies on your site,
but not exactly. As shown by the picture, it has no
mandibles so it is not a dobsonfly, either. It has been clinging
there since early this morning, and it is now midnight .
There was no reaction when I was taking pictures or when I
moved the curtain slightly to hold a ruler within a couple
of inches of its body. Perhaps it is waiting for a mate
to come along? Our outside mid-day temperatures have been
hovering on both sides of the 100 degree mark for the past
couple of weeks. Perhaps it was attracted to the cooler
air from inside the house, when we had the door open? Length
of body & head is approximately one inch. Total
length, antennae to tip of wings, approximately 11⁄2
inch – 1 3⁄4 inch. The thorax is very slender.
Can you tell me “what’s that bug”?
Thanks so much for a great website!
Pat G.
Byhalia , Mississippi
Hi Pat,
This is an Antlion, probably in the Spottedwinged
Antlion, Dendroleon obsoletus.
Antlion
(08/18/2007) Can you identify this "fly" ?
Please help if you know this one. Thanks so much,
Coco McCoy
Insect may been shot in Missouri
Hi Coco,
This is Glenurus gratus, a species of Antlion.
Wasp Mantisfly
(07/22/2007) Please help me...
Hi, maybe somebody know what kind of insect -(..
wasp? preying mantis? has only 4 legs) - is this?
Picture was taken in Wakefield area in Quebec, Canada.
Chris
Ottawa
Hi Chris,
Though your insect is called a Wasp Mantisfly, Climaciella
brunnea, it is neither a wasp, a mantis, nor a fly. It is
a Neuropteran and is related to Lacewings and Antlions. As
a point of clarification, Mantisflies have six legs, and the
front two are raptorial for catching prey.
Debris Carrying Lacewing Larva
(07/16/2007) Okay, what's this one?
Thank you Daniel,
I was surprised and gratified to hear from you - and of course
you're very welcome to the photo! I have a few additional
shots for you - and I don't have any idea as to what this
might be. This tiny critter had evidently glued a lot
of other bug parts (even a few minuscule snail shells) onto
its back and was waiting to ambush something even smaller
when he first caught my eye. Any ideas?
Henry
 
Hi again Henry,
This is a Debris Carrying Lacewing Larva. Some Green Lacewings
in the family Chrysopidae have larvae that camouflage themselves
with debris, including the remains of their prey.
Location Request: (07/18/2007) Debris carrying
lacewing larva
Hi Daniel,
I wanted to tell a malacologist friend about the neat larva
that has some snailshells cemented on him. Did Henry tell
you where it was from? The small white shell seems to be a
Vallonia, I think maybe Vallonia eccentrica. Thanks,
Susan
Update: (07/18/2007) Lacewing location
Daniel,
I took those shots in Titusville, Florida, about six or seven
years ago. I saw several at that time, but haven't noticed
any more since then, which is too bad, since I could probably
take better photos now. Again, thanks in advance, - and keep
up the good work! Henry
Mantidfly
(07/12/2007) Found in Central Florida
Found this mantis in Central Florida. What kind is it? Thanks
Mr. Strong
Hi Mr. Strong,
What we can tell you for sure is that this is not a mantis.
It is a totally unrelated insect known as a Mantidfly in the
family Mantispidae. The genus and species are pure speculation.
Your specimen resembles Dicromantispa sayi which is pictured
on BugGuide.
Snakefly
(07/01/2007) new bugs
Hello,
Enclosed are a few things I thought you might like.
The first is an interesting little grasshopper I found at
work with very long back legs. The second is a TINY
praying mantis nymph I found right outside my door.
The third is something I've never seen before, and I have
yet to locate one on your website. I have no idea what
it is, but I would chance that it is female, as it has an
enlarged abdomen and a possible ovipositor. I would
love to know what this is. I really like it, and it's
one of the better pictures I've taken. Any help would
be appreciated. Thank you!
Cat
So I looked around some more, and I guess that it's a snakefly.
I had never heard of them before, but I finally came across
it because I realized it reminded me of a lacewing. Oh well.
In any case, I hope you like the picture! Thanks!
Hi Cat,
We are very happy to hear that our site enabled you to identify
your own Snakefly. We love promoting research empowerment.
Your photo is also a much welcomed addition to our site.
Wasp Mantidfly
(Summer Solstice/2007) A wasp of sorts
I discovered this "wasp" on an apple tree
in our family orchard. It resembles a cross between a Praying
Mantis and a Wasp. Any help will be greatly appreciated. I
am located in Flushing Twp. in Michigan.
This is a Wasp Mantidfly, Climaciella brunnea. Though
the common name references three different groups of insects:
Wasps, Mantids and Flies, this creature is none of the above.
It is a Neuropteran, related to Antlions and Lacewings.
Lacewing Larva: AphidLion
(06/09/2007) HUGE FANGS!!
Hi Daniel,
This little guy was only 3mm or 4mm long and his fangs are
huge for his size. And I think he may have bit me. What is
this thing? Thanks for your help. Im really worried because
I have bite marks all over my legs and they itch!
Danny
Hi Danny,
This is a Lacewing Larva or Aphidlion. They are sometimes
called an Aphid Wolves, a common name also shared with Ladybird
Beetle Larvae. Though we do not want to claim you cannot get
bitten by a Lacewing Larva, there would be no ill effect.
They are beneficial insects, both as larvae and adults, and
they consume vast quantities of aphids and other insects injurious
to plants.
Ribbon Winged Lacewing
(06/01/2007) Long hindwings!
Hello,
This is an amazing insect with very long hindwings (not used
in flight). At fist I thought they might be long halters,
making it a fly or a mosquito. Then I noticed the net-forewings,
and the resemblance to insects in the Neuroptera order. Any
idea what it is? This photo was taken in Jordan.
Thank you.
Jarir
Hi Jarir,
Ribbon Winged Lacewings, also known as Thread Winged Lacewings,
Spoon Winged Lacewings, or Thread Winged Antlions, are in
the order Neuroptera. They are old world insects in the family
Nemopteridae. Here is a nice link to some images of Lacewings
on Stamps.
Wasp
Mantidfly
(05/29/2007)
Live in Redding, CA found this unusual looking bug floating
in the pool. What in the wide world of bugs is it! Looks like
a wasp/praying mantis? Thanks for all the help
Suzanne
Hi Suzanne,
This is a Wasp Mantidfly, Climaciella brunnea. It is a Neuropteran,
and though it resembles both, it is not closely related to
either a mantis or a wasp.
Antlion
(05/17/2007) a picture for you
This is one exotic that I have never seen, to my recollection.
This digitql shot wqs tqken in the evening in Castaic, CA,
illluminated by a fluorescent bulb. Can you help in it's ID
Walt
Hi Walt,
This is an Antlion. Antlions are in the family Myrmeleontidae.
Alderfly
not Stonefly
(05/14/2007) UK fly
Hi,
Would you be kind enough to identify this UK fly? I find it
common on freshwater lakes here in the UK whilst fishing.
They are very tame and slow moving.
Lee.
Hi Lee,
We thought this was a Stonefly, but Eric Eaton set us straight.
He wrote: "The stonefly is actually an alderfly, family Sialidae,
order Megaloptera (or Neuroptera, depending on which authority
you consult). " Alderfliesflies have aquatic larvae.
(05/15/2007) UK stonefly ID question
I was looking at you page this morning and had a question
about the picture of the possible UK stonefly. It looks alot
like an alderfly to me. Just thought I would let you know
what I thought it was.
Chad
Owlfly
(05/03/2007) Butterfly?
Hi,
I spotted this butterfly (?) in the south of France by a swimmingpool.
Any idee? Many regards,
Wouter Schutters
Hi Wouter,
It is quite understandable that you would mistake this Owlfly
for a butterfly. Owlflies are members of the order Neuroptera,
the Nerve-Winged Insects.
Mantidfly and Damselfly from Australia
(04/06/2007) Praying mantis and damselfly
Here is a couple of photos that you may like. The damsel fly
was found indoors and is around 1 inch long and the mantis
was found on my car and is about 3/4" long. This mantis
is unlike any I have seen and when I first saw it I thought
it was a wasp. cheers
Nick Bedelis
Sydney, Australia
 
Hi Nick,
This is not a Preying Mantis. It is an unrelated insect known
as a Mantidfly, one of the Neuropterans. Your Damselfly image
is terribly amusing. Guess the critter was thirsty.
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.
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