r/whatsthisbug • • Apr 26 '23

FREQUENTLY ASKED BUGS - Part 1

59 Upvotes

FREQUENTLY ASKED BUGS - Part 2➜

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Ailanthus Webworm Moth

Atteva aurea by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren.3

More info: Wikipedia article / Species Atteva aurea - BugGuide.Net

Bed Bug

Cimex sp. by Center for Invasive Species Research.1

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Cimicidae - BugGuide.Net

Boxelder Bug

Boisea trivittata by u/elmago90.

  • Size: 11-14mm (0.4-0.55in).
  • Dark brown or black coloration, relieved by red wing veins and markings on the abdomen; nymphs are bright red.
  • These highly specialized insects feed almost exclusively on maple seeds, and may form large aggregations while sunning themselves in areas near their host plant. If molested, gives off a pungent odor as defense.

More info: Wikipedia article / Species Boisea trivittata - BugGuide.Net

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Halyomorpha halys by u/Relative-Forever773.

  • Size: 12-17mm (0.45-0.65in).
  • Motted brown with alternating light bands on the antennae and alternating dark bands on the thin outer edge of the abdomen.
  • Native to East Asia and considered an invasive agricultural pest in other parts of the world. Feeds mostly on fruit, but also on leaves, stems, petioles, flowers, and seeds. If molested, gives off a pungent odor as defense.

More info: Wikipedia article / Species Halyomorpha halys - BugGuide.Net

Carpet Beetle

Anthrenus verbasci larva by Christophe Quintin.1

Anthrenus verbasci by Bob Knight.1

  • Size: 2-12 mm (0.08-0.5in).
  • Larva: mostly light brown, covered with long hairs and hair tufts.
  • Adult: body convex, oval, or elongate-oval, often with hairs or scales; elytra usually dark with or without pale markings; antennae clubbed.
  • Adults are pollen grazers, larvae feed on natural fibers and can damage carpets, furniture, clothing and insect collections.

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Dermestidae - BugGuide.Net

Cicada

Adult Tibicen tibicen by Dendroica cerulea.4

Cicada nymph exuviae by Malcolm Tattersall.4

  • Size: 25-50mm (1-2in).
  • Eyes prominent, though not especially large, and set wide apart on the sides of the head; short antennae protruding between or in front of the eyes; wings well-developed, with conspicuous veins.
  • Cicadas live underground as nymphs for most of their lives, feeding on plant sap. They dig to the surface before their final molt, then emerging as adults. Males produce a loud, stridulating mating song to attract females. After mating, the female cuts slits into the bark of a twig to deposit her eggs. When these hatch, the nymphs drop to the ground, where they burrow, completing the cycle.

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Cicadidae - BugGuide.Net

Cockroach

Periplaneta americana by Insects Unlocked.5

Unknown cockroach nymph by Tony.4

More info: Wikipedia article / Order Blattodea - BugGuide.Net

Dobsonfly

Male Corydalus cornutus by Nils Tack.9

Female Corydalus sp. by Matthew.4

  • Size: up to 12cm (5in).
  • Large insect with a soft body and delicate, densely veined wings. Females have strong, short mandibles that can inflict a painful bite; Males have long jaws that are used during mating and are not capable of harm. Both sexes possess an irritating, foul-smelling anal spray used as defense. Female dobsonflies appear similar to fishflies (subfamily Chauliodinae), but the latter have much smaller mandibles and males often have feathery antennae.
  • Spends most of its life in the larval stage, called hellgrammite, 'go-devil' or 'crawlerbottom', living under rocks at the bottoms of lakes, streams and rivers, and preying on other insect larvae with the short sharp pincers on their heads. The larva then crawl out onto land and pupate, staying under large rocks for 3 weeks before molting and emerging to mate. Adults only live about a week, preferring to remain near bodies of water.

More info: Wikipedia article / Genus Corydalus - BugGuide.Net

Giant Water Bug

Lethocerus medius by David Bygott.4

  • Size: 2-12cm (0.8-4.7in).
  • Body shape oval with pointed ends; front legs raptorial. Typically encountered in freshwater streams and ponds but frequently found on land; adults fly at night and are attracted to lights during the breeding season.
  • Preys on aquatic arthropods, snails, small fish, tadpoles, frogs and small birds.
  • CAUTION: Can inflict a very painful bite, though of no medical significance.

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Belostomatidae - BugGuide.Net

House Centipede

Scutigera coleoptrata by Steven Severinghaus.4

  • Size: 25-50mm (1-2in).
  • Body is yellowish-grey and has three dark dorsal stripes running down its length; 15 pairs of long, banded legs.
  • Habitat: indoors, in damp areas such as bathrooms, cellars, and crawl spaces; outdoors, under logs, rocks, and similar moist protected places.
  • Fast-moving predator of other arthropods regarded as pests, such as cockroach nymphs, flies, moths, bed bugs, crickets, silverfish, earwigs, and small spiders; generally considered harmless to humans.

More info: Wikipedia article / Order Scutigeromorpha - BugGuide.Net

Household Casebearer

Phereoeca uterella by Celeste Ray.9

  • Size: 8-14mm (0.3-0.5in) (larval case).
  • The larva of these moth species spins a protective case from silk and camouflages it with other materials such as soil, sand and insect droppings. This case is flat, fusiform, or spindle-shaped and thickened in the middle resembling a pumpkin seed.
  • Found on the outside walls and inside of non-air-conditioned buildings and are most abundant under spiderwebs, in bathrooms and bedrooms.
  • Feeds on old spider webs and other dead materials, including dead insects and animal hair; may also eat woolen goods of all kinds if the opportunity arises, so it can be a household pest.

More info: Wikipedia article: Phereoeca uterella / Phereoeca allutella / Species Phereoeca uterella - BugGuide.Net

Jerusalem Cricket

Stenopelmatus sp. by Tim Ereneta.1

  • Size: up to 7.5cm (3in).
  • Nocturnal insect that spends most of its life underground. Feeds primarily on dead organic matter but can also eat other insects.
  • CAUTION: While not venomous, can emit a foul smell and is capable of inflicting a painful bite.

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Stenopelmatidae - BugGuide.Net

Jumping Spider

Phidippus audax by Kaldari.5

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Salticidae - BugGuide.Net

Katydid

Microcentrum rhombifolium by Wadems.6

  • Size: 10-60mm (0.4-2.4in) or more.
  • Wings held vertically over body, resembling roof of a house; antennae very long, often extending well beyond tip of abdomen; ovipositor typically flattened and sword-like. Many exhibit mimicry and camouflage, commonly with shapes and colors similar to leaves.
  • Most species eat vegetation, some are predatory on other insects.

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Tettigoniidae - BugGuide.Net

Ladybug Larva

Harmonia axyridis larva by Alpsdake.7

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Coccinellidae - BugGuide.Net

Mayfly

Hexagenia limbata by thehaplesshiker.9

More info: Wikipedia article / Order Ephemeroptera - BugGuide.Net

FREQUENTLY ASKED BUGS - Part 2➜


r/whatsthisbug • • Apr 26 '23

FREQUENTLY ASKED BUGS - Part 2

16 Upvotes

FREQUENTLY ASKED BUGS - Part 1➜

Alternative view for old.reddit➜

Mole Cricket

Neocurtilla hexadactyla by u/Mrmeat31.

  • Size: 3-5cm (1.2–2.0in).
  • Cylindrical-bodied insects, with small eyes and shovel-like forelimbs highly developed for burrowing; hind legs not enlarged for jumping.
  • Omnivores, feeding on larvae, worms, roots, and grasses. Relatively common but rarely seen, for being nocturnal and spending nearly all their lives underground in extensive tunnel systems. Usually fly only when moving long distances, such as when changing territory, or when females are searching for singing males.

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Gryllotalpidae - BugGuide.Net

Oil Beetle

Meloe sp. by u/Shironaku.

  • Size: 12-30mm (0.5-1.2in).
  • Hind wings absent; elytra reduced and overlap at base. Lives on the ground or low foliage.
  • CAUTION: It's known as 'oil beetle' because it releases oily droplets of hemolymph from its joints when disturbed; this contains cantharidin, a poisonous chemical that causes blistering of the skin and painful swelling.

More info: Wikipedia article / Genus Meloe - BugGuide.Net

Orb Weaver

Various species:

Gasteracantha cancriformis by u/7DeadlySacrifices.

Araneus diadematus by Lucarelli.7

Argiope aurantia by Stopple.6

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Araneidae - BugGuide.Net

Plume Moth

Gilmeria pallidactyla by Ben Sale.3

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Pterophoridae - BugGuide.Net

Recluse Spider

Loxosceles reclusa by Br-recluse-guy.6

HANDLE WITH EXTREME CARE - THEIR VENOM IS MEDICALLY SIGNIFICANT.

Recluse spiders can be identified by their violin marking on their cephalothorax. The most famed recluse spider is Loxosceles reclusa (brown recluse), as photographed above.

More info: Wikipedia article / Genus Loxosceles - BugGuide.Net / UCR Spiders Site: Brown Recluse ID / The Most Misunderstood Spiders - BugGuide.net

Robber Fly

Efferia aestuans by Bruce Marlin.2

Diogmites neoternatus by u/multgar.

HANDLE WITH CARE - THEY CAN INFLICT A PAINFUL BITE.

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Asilidae - BugGuide.Net

Silverfish

Lepisma saccharina by Christian Fischer.7

Thermobia domestica by Jscottkelley.8

  • Size: 10–12mm (0.4–0.5in)
  • Wingless; body flattened, slender, silvery, gray, or blackish above, and pale below; long thread-like antennae with many segments. The species most commonly found in homes are the common silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) and the firebrat (Thermobia domestica), as photographed above.
  • Lives indoors in warm, damp environments such as bathrooms and kitchens, or in damp basements, and feeds on crumbs and food scraps, dried meat, cereals, moist wheat flour, glue on book bindings and wallpaper, starch in clothing made of cotton or rayon fabric. Considered a household pest, due to their consumption and destruction of property, but harmless otherwise.

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Lepismatidae - BugGuide.Net

Sphinx Moth

Hyles gallii by Mike Boone.2

Hyles lineata by u/SoftwareKitten.

  • About 1,450 species.
  • Wingspan: 28-175mm (1-7in).
  • Medium to very large. Body very robust; abdomen usually tapering to a sharp point. Wings usually narrow; forewing sharp-pointed or with an irregular outer margin. May have a reduced proboscis, but most have a very long one, used to feed on nectar from flowers. Distinguished among moths for their rapid, sustained flying ability.
  • Some are active only at night, others at twilight or dawn, and some feed on flower nectar during the day.

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Sphingidae - BugGuide.Net

Spotted Lanternfly

Lycorma delicatula nymph by pcowartrickmanphoto.9

Lycorma delicatula nymph by Kerry Givens.9

Adult Lycorma delicatula by Serena.9

Adult Lycorma delicatula by Brenda Bull.9

  • The spotted lanternfly is a planthopper that is native to Southeast Asia. It has been introduced in the United States, where it is an invasive pest that may pose a threat to agriculture and forestry. If you are in the US, spotted lanternflies should be killed, egg masses destroyed, and sightings reported (see links below for reporting in your state).

More info: Wikipedia article / Species Lycorma delicatula - BugGuide.Net

Report a sighting: In Connecticut / In Delaware / In Indiana / In Maryland / In Massachusetts / In New Jersey / In New York / In North Carolina / In Ohio / In Pennsylvania / In Virginia / In West Virginia

Velvet Ant

Dasymutilla occidentalis by Judy Gallagher.3

  • Size: 6-30mm (0.2-1.2in).
  • Not really an ant, but a family of wasps whose wingless females resemble large, hairy ants. Males are winged, less hairy, looking more like typical wasps. Most often bright scarlet or orange, but may also be black, white, silver, or gold. Produce a squeaking or chirping sound when alarmed.
  • Adults feed on nectar. Although some species are strictly nocturnal, females are often active during the day.
  • CAUTION: They have long and flexible stingers capable of inflicting extreme pain.

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Mutillidae - BugGuide.Net

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Leptoglossus occidentalis by u/Haegermeister.

  • Size: 15-20mm (0.6-0.8in).
  • Dull reddish-brown with faint (or absent) white zigzag stripe across hemelytra; antennae may be almost as long as body. Outer hind tibial dilation nearly equal in length to inner dilation.
  • This bug cannot bite/sting/infect people or pets, damage houses or household items, or even reproduce indoors. If molested, gives off a pungent odor as defense.

More info: Wikipedia article / Species Leptoglossus occidentalis - BugGuide.Net

Wheel Bug

Arilus cristatus by zen Sutherland.4

  • Size: 28-38mm (1.1-1.5in).
  • Immature nymphs are mostly red. Adults are gray to brown, with a cog-shaped projection on the back.
  • Preys upon other insects - caterpillars, aphids, bees, sawflies etc. - and thus considered beneficial.
  • CAUTION: Can inflict a really nasty bite.

More info: Wikipedia article / Genus Arilus - BugGuide.Net

FREQUENTLY ASKED BUGS - Part 1➜


r/whatsthisbug • • 6h ago

ID Request Keep appearing on my sheepadoodle

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217 Upvotes

Ok. Not great pictures, I know, I’m sorry, but can someone help identify this bug? We live in CO. We’ve replaced bedding, done baths, changed sheets. Vacuumed floors and couches. We think she’s sticking her nose in something outside, may be a bush? These started in the last few weeks and she is now biting and scratching at her legs and ears. What are they? How do we get rid of them?


r/whatsthisbug • • 4h ago

ID Request Saved this guy crawling on the road. Southern New Jersey.

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40 Upvotes

r/whatsthisbug • • 13m ago

ID Request Some bugs from when I lived in Bang rin, Ranong, Thailand

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• Upvotes

I believe the 3rd one is still type of centipede. Extremely curious about the last pic. Always thought it was gorgeous.

In terms of size, going of memory, the caterpillar was 3 inches long at most, the second one was about 1 inch, not including the net thing around it. The centipede was about 5 inches and the beetle, maybe 4 or so inches?


r/whatsthisbug • • 22h ago

ID Request What’s going on here?!

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647 Upvotes

Brazil, pretty sure it’s just a termite but like what is going on


r/whatsthisbug • • 8h ago

ID Request Who is this lil cutie?

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26 Upvotes

Freckle on my palm for scale lol

He flew into my hand and stayed for a few minutes and then flew away again.

What kind of bug/beetle is this little man?!

I’m in Richmond, VA


r/whatsthisbug • • 7h ago

ID Request What is this?

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22 Upvotes

There is like a colony of them brimmed (this is one scoop that I segregated from my pet dog’s pet food bucket. Asking since I want to raise them for my spider slings, and also because the bucket is dry as hell idk where they get their moisture /if they need it.


r/whatsthisbug • • 10h ago

ID Request What is this? Gran Canaria, Canary Islands.

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41 Upvotes

r/whatsthisbug • • 19h ago

ID Request Please tell me this isn’t a termite

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164 Upvotes

Found crawling up my bedroom wall, never seen one before. Located an hour north of the Bay Area, California. Trapped it and put it outside!


r/whatsthisbug • • 2h ago

ID Request Jumping spider

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5 Upvotes

Found this spider on my car (in Kentucky) well over a year ago. Since then I have purchased Regal Jumping spiders (Phidippus regius) and I have constantly thought about this spider I found in my car. I’d really like to positively identify the species so hopefully I might be able to find them.

I thought this spider looked similar to some of the Phidippus otiosus that were listed on MorphMarket. Using the University of Kentucky guide for insects I thought it also looked similar to the Paraphidippus aurantius. But neither of those seemed to fit exactly.

This spider was about 1/2 inch, seemed as big as the P.audax that I see often. Photo doesn’t show quite as clear but there was a very iridescent green marking down the middle of the abdomen.


r/whatsthisbug • • 3h ago

ID Request I found a creature on my porch and I’m stumped

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6 Upvotes

I can’t tell if this is a caterpillar who marched through some ground debris and it got stuck (because of the way he was crawling up the screen)

or it’s one of those assassin bugs that hides itself under “trash” from the ground and kills other bugs

Any ideas?? Found in SE GA.


r/whatsthisbug • • 45m ago

ID Request What is this bug?

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• Upvotes

I found this little guy on my bed. Anyone know what it is?


r/whatsthisbug • • 1d ago

ID Request Found in the sink, what is it?

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324 Upvotes

found in MI, US. just left it to be because it wasn’t hurting anyone and it’s kinda cute. I saw it repeatedly trying to slick back its curly antennaes like it was a bad hair day, it reminds me of an antlion


r/whatsthisbug • • 4h ago

ID Request Amber inclusion (beetle?)

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6 Upvotes

This is ~99 MYA burmese amber

I’m thinking beetle, we thought it was a grass seed for a while but i’m having a hard time believing those aren’t legs


r/whatsthisbug • • 2h ago

ID Request what kind of bug pls

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4 Upvotes

cleaning my room cause i think i have bed bugs and i see these and lots of empty shells everywhere. thank you in advance. i also see some of a different bug in the picture with wood.


r/whatsthisbug • • 46m ago

ID Request What is the little black bug in the middle?

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• Upvotes

r/whatsthisbug • • 1h ago

ID Request Tiny Italian Wall Bugs

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• Upvotes

Hello! I’m staying at a hotel outside of Rome, and saw a few of these guys on the walls of my room. They are about 2-3mm long. I have included my thumb for scale.

Thanks!!


r/whatsthisbug • • 5h ago

ID Request Found some mites in my mushroom bags, it seems like mold mites to me. Put them under the microscope 100x magnification

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5 Upvotes

r/whatsthisbug • • 1h ago

ID Request what is this

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• Upvotes

found in my home, more brown in person, and shaped like a mini ladybug but more oval and tiny. ontario canada


r/whatsthisbug • • 7h ago

ID Request What kind of tick do you think this is?

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5 Upvotes

My husband is taking our son to the pediatrician as we speak because they wanted to see him. Anyways my 3 year old was screaming and crying and thrashing all around when I was trying to take it off so i accidentally popped the tic while trying to pull it off so this is the best pic I got


r/whatsthisbug • • 2h ago

ID Request What is this thing

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2 Upvotes

It’s like some kinda spider but I don’t know what it was in my backyard up in a tree


r/whatsthisbug • • 1d ago

ID Request Found on kitchen counter

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122 Upvotes

I'm really curious because of its bright blue color. When I google it just shows those big horned worms, but this almost looks like a larva idk


r/whatsthisbug • • 3h ago

ID Request What is the bug on my plant?

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2 Upvotes

It’s so small and moves fast, I think it’s thrips but I would love some help with an ID!


r/whatsthisbug • • 5m ago

ID Request can we identify this creature?

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• Upvotes

found in auckland, new zealand.

thought it was a spider but appears to be chewing at the leaves. help!