From the yearly archives: "2015"

Western Conifer Seed Bug

On · Category: Leaf Footed Bugs · 1 Comment

Subject: What in the world is this?
Location: Ohio
December 12, 2015 9:47 am
Found this bug on my screen door- live in a rural area of Ohio. Has been in the 40’s for a few days but has recently warmed to the 60’s today. Along with all the flies coming out, I saw this. It is overcast and slightly rainy today. We near open farm fields, have a small pond, creek and small woods.
Signature: Jen

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Dear Jen,
As winter sets in, our identification requests for Western Conifer Seed Bugs increase as they seek shelter from the cold weather by coming indoors.  This year much media coverage on Kissing Bugs has caused many folks to write us to clarify the identity of Western Conifer Seed Bugs that superficially resemble Kissing Bugs.

 

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Oil Beetle

On · Category: Blister Beetles · Add Comment

Subject: Looks like ants
Location: Huntsville, AL
December 12, 2015 8:43 am
We found this large ant-like bug inside the house near the back door. I thought it might be a queen due to its huge size (approx 25 mm). A few days later, however, we found another smaller one on the bathroom floor. I figured the odds of finding two queens was pretty slim, so now I’m stumped. I’m hoping they’re not carpenter ants, because they don’t seem to match any of the descriptions I’ve seen online.
Signature: Keith

Oil Beetle

Oil Beetle

Dear Keith,
This is not a queen Ant, though many of our readers mistake Oil Beetles for queen Ants.  Oil Beetles are Blister Beetles in the genus Meloe, and they should not be handled as they secrete a compound cantharidin that may cause blistering in human skin.

Daniel,
Thanks for the info.  I was about to pick it up and toss it outside, because I thought it was just a ground beetle at first.  Once I got close to it and saw it wasn’t, I thought twice about picking it up.  I’m glad I didn’t!
Keith

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Bot Fly Pupa

On · Category: Bot Flies, Maggots and Puparia · Add Comment

Subject: Bug
Location: Florence, Mississippi
December 12, 2015 8:29 am
I found this bug in my house along with my dogs. I am concerned that it is some sort of parasite, but was not able to identify it yet. If you know what this is it would surely ease my mind and worrying.
Signature: In waiting Jamie Hancock

Rodent Bot Fly Pupa

Rodent Bot Fly Pupa

Dear Keith,
We believe this is a Rodent Bot Fly Pupa, an internal parasite that is usually very host specific.  Since you found it in the home, we are surmising the host may have been a mouse or rat.

Rodent Bot Fly Pupa

Rodent Bot Fly Pupa

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Singapore Thing

On · Category: Uncategorized Tagged With: · 5 Comments

Subject: 9 legged bug
Location: Northen part of Singapore
December 10, 2015 11:35 pm
Hi, below are some important info:-
Date : 11 Dec 2015
Place : Singapore (Yishun estate)
Season: rainy
Bug found : on a wall in my house
Notes: presses it with my finger several times and it still alive and crawling.
My questions:
1. Is this a poisonous bug?
2. What precaution I should take?
3. Will it lay eggs?
4. What it feeds on?
Thank you.
Signature: Ken

Singapore Thing

Singapore Thing

Dear Ken,
Though you have attached three images, there is not enough detail in any of them to make an identification, so we are unable to answer your many questions.

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Dragonfly Exuviae

On · Category: Dragonflies and Damselflies · Add Comment

Subject: weird spider-looking thing
Location: Florida
December 11, 2015 8:08 pm
Mom found this bug on her motorcycle cover. It looks like a spider but has six legs (or eight if the front two are tucked under). We live in central Florida and right now the weather is in the high seventies to low eighties. I’ve perused the internet for hours and have come up fruitless. Even my father-in-law who makes his living in pest control doesn’t even know what it is. Thank you in advance for your help ?
Signature: KayleighH

Dragonfly Exuviae

Dragonfly Exuviae

Dear Kayleigh,
These are exuviae or shed exoskeletons of insects that have undergone metamorphosis, transforming from nymphs to winged adults.  We believe they look like Dragonfly exuviae, leading us to believe there is a pond near where the motorcycle was stored.  We are postdating your submission to go live during our holiday vacation.

Thank you so much! This was driving me crazy. You are definitely correct about the pond! There is one right in their back yard. Happiest of holidays to you!

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Bed Bug

On · Category: Bedbugs Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: What type of bug is this
Location: Pennsylvania
December 17, 2015 12:00 pm
I found this bug crawling on me today and i squished it and red blood came out. I’m not sure what type of bug this is i think it’s a bed bug and i need to know asap. Can u please help me identify it
Signature: Thank you rose

Bed Bug

Bed Bug

Dear Rose,
We are sorry to have to inform you that this is a Bed Bug.  This posting will go live while we are away from the office for the holidays.

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