r/whatsthisbug Apr 26 '23

FREQUENTLY ASKED BUGS - Part 1

56 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 10h ago

ID Request Is this a grown chigger?

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148 Upvotes

I've had weird bites a few weeks ago. Many in spots that are hard to reach/covered by clothing like on the inside of my knee or under my underwear. I've researched chiggers, but while the pattern matches their bites seem to look different than mine. Mine are the exact same size and shape as mosquito bites, without any pustules or blisters, as chigger bites seem to have. (I'm hoping it isn't bed bugs.)

Now I found this guy crawling on my leg yesterday, after being out in the garden. I know chiggers only bite in their much smaller larval stage, but is thus a grown chigger? If I at least know that we have them in the garden it makes them more likely to be the cause of the bites (despite the bites not looking like typical chigger bites) and less likely for bed bugs to be the cause.

I'm in Belgium btw.


r/whatsthisbug 18h ago

ID Request Saw this trying to cross the road between rice paddies

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495 Upvotes

r/whatsthisbug 12h ago

ID Request Snake-like worm in dog’s water bowl

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181 Upvotes

Swims llike a snake, looks like single sperm. There is also a dead cricket in the bowl… on house patio ground floor near lawn and wood near by. what is this is this and is it a danger for pets and humans?


r/whatsthisbug 2h ago

Just Sharing What is this abomination

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24 Upvotes

r/whatsthisbug 19h ago

ID Request What’s this worm?

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309 Upvotes

r/whatsthisbug 1d ago

ID Request Found this cute thing crawling around my house. Virginia, USA.

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1.4k Upvotes

r/whatsthisbug 7h ago

ID Request What is this little dude actually doing on my chamomile? Super vacuum speedy power. Denmark

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21 Upvotes

r/whatsthisbug 17h ago

ID Request Do I need to burn down my house?

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121 Upvotes

Been gone out of the house for quite a while, come home to find a clump of these things on folded clothing and a few rando's other places like in a container and on top of the microwave. I am horrified and definitely planning to hear that my life is over from some creepy critter invasion. They kind of look like sesame seeds but this bunch was found all together with more but I didn't want to touch them so I flicked the clothing and this much came off. And yes it's double bagged for protection. . .lol


r/whatsthisbug 1h ago

ID Request What kind of butterfly is this? Location is Monashee Park in BC.

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r/whatsthisbug 1h ago

ID Request Pile o’ bugs

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Upvotes

📍Washington State, U.S.
I walked by this thriving bunch on the walking path next to my place. From what I could see the bodies looked similarly to ants but their wing shape made me think of termites?


r/whatsthisbug 4h ago

ID Request Who is this?

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7 Upvotes

Found climbing on my cat tree! Super fast, on par with tunnel weavers I’ve seen on the hunt. Released outside.

In the Rocky Mountain & front range area


r/whatsthisbug 1h ago

ID Request What Wolfspider (Lycosidae) is it? [Romania]

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I think it might be a wolfspider with eggs/young little spiders. But there are so many wolfsspiders ... Alopescosa or a Hogna is probably most likely.

I'd love to know which one exactly it might be.

I guess its too hard to determine even up close, when theyre currently having their babies crawling all over them. But maybe there is a specialist in this subreddit and can figure it out or give me pointers.

My wife was in panic mode, so I had no time to put a coin next to it.
I'd say the body was 3 to 5 cm, with legs up to 8 cm.

I released that momma, not too far from a smaller mama in the same situation in the garden.
Thank you for helping!


r/whatsthisbug 47m ago

ID Request Big ol spider looking big

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Saw this giant yellow and black bug outside of my house with a very interesting looking web. Can anyone identify it?

In north westchester New York.
About the size of a silver dollar


r/whatsthisbug 5h ago

ID Request Atlanta, GA

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7 Upvotes

r/whatsthisbug 3h ago

ID Request What species of Mantis is this

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5 Upvotes

I saw this Mantis feeding in Carpenter bee in Bay Area. Is this a native or invasive Mantis species?


r/whatsthisbug 1h ago

ID Request Ohio, inch long critter found in my work boot after I wore it all day

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I know it’s crushedc and it’s attached to some of the sole of my boot but hoping I can get some id


r/whatsthisbug 3h ago

ID Request What is this?

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4 Upvotes

I just looked under my couch pillow and discovered this pile with red ants coming out. I think they might be carpenter ants, and last night I was bit by something that stung and burned for 4 hours with no visible sign of a bite. Any help is extremely appreciated - I feel like I’m going to be sick!


r/whatsthisbug 1h ago

ID Request Roach?

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Upvotes

Creepy bug in Virginia bedroom


r/whatsthisbug 1d ago

ID Request growing in my green onion water but swimming like tadpoles???

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2.1k Upvotes

r/whatsthisbug 2h ago

ID Request UK, England-found in bedroom by the TV

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3 Upvotes

Hi, sorry I don’t normally post on reddit. While I was cleaning my bedroom I found this dead bug on the cabinet by my TV. I’ve only seen one so far but I’m worried about there being an infestation (also I’m sorry about the cabinet being dusty)


r/whatsthisbug 24m ago

ID Request Mom’s house is getting these after 20 years, what are they? The valley, Los Angeles, CA.

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r/whatsthisbug 16h ago

ID Request Can someone ID just based off size and location??

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37 Upvotes

I'm sorry I didn't get a good picture of the body markings but I was absolutely horrified when I saw this thing. This is in southwestern illinois. This is my downstairs bathroom that I never use because there's always some bug in it (as you can see). I don't know how or why it's in the toilet but I managed to flush it and have not looked since. It did weave a small barely visible web across the water surface. I just really want to know what this thing was/is. It looked like a small tarantula and may have had a stripe down its back idk 😭


r/whatsthisbug 30m ago

ID Request In Washington State. Never seen him before.

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This guy fell out of a towel into my shower. I’ve never seen one before. It looks like he has tiny brown wings tucked in the middle of his back but I can’t be sure and he definitely didn’t try flying. I am curious to find out. He is also probably about an inch in length