From the monthly archives: "October 2015"

Gulf Fritillary

On · Category: Brush Footed Butterflies · Add Comment

Subject: Butterfly found in school garden
Location: Sierra Madre / CA
October 26, 2015 5:22 pm
Is this a painted lady? Thanks!!!!
Signature: Lisa

Gulf Fritillary

Gulf Fritillary

Dear Lisa,
This is a Gulf Fritillary, not a Painted Lady, though the two species are in the same family and both are mostly orange.  The Gulf Fritillary is rarely found far from passionflower vines as the leaves are the Gulf Fritillary Caterpillar‘s food.

Great thanks! I figured this out too. Glad for the verification! Are you in Altadena? Are you friends by chance with Gail Swanlund?

Hi again Lisa,
Our offices are in Mount Washington.  I do know Gail Swanlund.  She was a very early fan of What’s That Bug? when we were still in print and not yet online.  She is mentioned in this old Silverfish posting.

Related posts:

Longtailed Skipper and Buckeye Large-spotted Acraea Caterpillar and Chrysalis from the Congo Monarchs hatch from Christmas Tree Red Admiral

Bark Gnawing Beetle

On · Category: Bark Beetles and Bark Gnawing Beetles · Add Comment

Subject: Bark-Gnawing Beetle?
Location: Delmar, MD
October 26, 2015 3:45 am
Could this be a Bark-Gnawing Beetle? Thanks…
Signature: G Robinson

Bark Gnawing Beetle

Bark Gnawing Beetle

Dear G,
You are absolutely correct that this is a Bark Gnawing Beetle in the genus Temnoscheila as the images on BugGuide will verify.  BugGuide also notes:  “can inflict a painful bite if handled carelessly.” 

 

Related posts:

Flat Bark Beetle: Cucujus clavipes Bark Gnawing Beetle is Beneficial Predator!!! Red Flat Bark Beetle Bark Gnawing Beetle from Australia

Longicorn from South Africa

On · Category: Longhorn Beetles Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: Insect on Apple Blossom
Location: Western Cape, South Africa
October 26, 2015 6:17 am
This insect has been spotted in Apple orchards during blossom period. Seems to spend quite a bit of time at the open flowers
Signature: Keith

Unknown Longicorn

Unknown Longicorn

Dear Keith,
This is a Longicorn in the family Cerambycidae.  We will attempt to determine the species for you when we have a moment.

Related posts:

Default ThumbnailLonghorned Borer Beetle from Domican Republic Unknown Longicorn from Australia Longicorn from Nigeria Longicorn from Belize

Torpedo Bug

On · Category: Aphids, Scale Insects, Leafhoppers, and Tree Hoppers Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: Identify
Location: 95076 LaSelva Beach, CA
October 23, 2015 9:25 am
Found quite a few of these on a tree in the front yard. I tbink they are hurting the tree. How to get rjd of them and what kind of bug is it?
Signature: Bev

Torpedo Bug

Torpedo Bug

Dear Bev,
This is an introduced Torpedo Bug, Siphanta acuta, a species native to Australia.  According to BugGuide:  “not considered a pest in CA; considered a pest of banana, citrus, coffee, guava, macadamia, and many ornamentals in HI.”

Related posts:

White Cicada Nymphs from Korea: Lycorma delicatula Glassy Winged Sharpshooter Torpedo Bug Spotted Lanternfly

Smoky Brown Cockroach Nymphs

On · Category: Cockroaches · Add Comment

Subject: Bug
Location: North Texas
October 23, 2015 1:33 pm
I found these bugs on the ceiling, close to the back door. They are tiny almost the size of an ant only with s little bit bigger body.
Signature: Sheila Quick

Smoky Brown Cockroach Nymphs

Smoky Brown Cockroach Nymphs

Dear Sheila,
These are Smoky Brown Cockroach nymphs, Periplaneta fuliginosa, and we suspect they have just hatched.  They are not really considered a pest species that infests homes, but we get numerous reports that they are found in homes.

Related posts:

Sand Cockroach Central American Cockroach Cockroach Nymph Australian Cockroach

Gray Bird Grasshopper

On · Category: Grasshoppers · Add Comment

Subject: Bug
Location: Orange California
October 23, 2015 1:58 pm
What is this?
Signature: Tami

Gray Bird Grasshopper

Gray Bird Grasshopper

Dear Tami,
As you can see by comparing your image to this image on BugGuide, you have a Gray Bird Grasshopper, Schistocerca nitens.  Female Gray Bird Grasshoppers can get quite large.  According to BugGuide:  “A strong flier, can fly great distances, but tends to fly lower and look more clumsy in flight than most other Schistocerca species (a deceiving impression, as it is far from clumsy in reality).  Will often come to lights at night, sometimes in great numbers.” 

Related posts:

Giant Grasshopper from Columbia: Tropidacris dux Toothpick Grasshopper Bird Grasshopper Differential Grasshoppers Mating and Laying Eggs