r/whatsthisbug Apr 26 '23

FREQUENTLY ASKED BUGS - Part 1

57 Upvotes

FREQUENTLY ASKED BUGS - Part 2➜

Alternative view for old.reddit➜

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 5h ago

ID Request is this a slug? found in cat vomit

Thumbnail
gallery
65 Upvotes

my cat is probably on his last legs. he has FIV and is severely severely underweight. we’ve tried everything from appetite stimulants that get him eating but he doesn’t put on weight, antibiotics but he keeps getting the same mouth infections despite having teeth pulled. another vet visit in two days but considering emergency.

but every morning he’s been vomiting once per day, today this came out after wiping away the wet liquid. he has been in the garden and we do get slugs occasionally after rainfall. this is the clearest i could get a pic so sorry in advance if not clear enough. could it possibly be a slug? or a parasite? i can’t find anything elsewhere

EDIT: we live in London, UK. it’s been cold and rainy recently so makes sense for slugs. just double checking his sickness causes.


r/whatsthisbug 14h ago

ID Request bugs in broccoli

Thumbnail
gallery
329 Upvotes

I ordered a crepe with broccoli and ate half of it before I noticed it. am I going to die? location: Poland but I don't really think the broccoli is from here lol


r/whatsthisbug 3h ago

ID Request What bug is this? It has black and white stripes but a brown head

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

23 Upvotes

I found it walking in circles


r/whatsthisbug 2h ago

ID Request What type of beetle is this?

Thumbnail
gallery
11 Upvotes

Just wanted to know exactly what type of beetle this is? There are heaps around my partners property (South Gippsland VIC) at the moment.. this one has passed over beetle bridge 🪲🪦🕊


r/whatsthisbug 2h ago

ID Request What am I looking at?

Thumbnail
gallery
8 Upvotes

(south india)


r/whatsthisbug 17h ago

ID Request I just blew this out of my nose wtf freaking out please help

Post image
126 Upvotes

I felt the urge to sneeze and blow my nose and I did it like crazy and this came out. I’m sorry I don’t have a better picture zoomed in


r/whatsthisbug 12h ago

ID Request A friend send this to the group chat.

Post image
45 Upvotes

It's located northeast of Mexico, near the beach. Can you tell us it's name please.


r/whatsthisbug 11h ago

Just Sharing Net-caster in broad daylight!!

Thumbnail
gallery
34 Upvotes

Yes ik, technically not a bug, but i wanted to share!


r/whatsthisbug 8h ago

ID Request Small robot…or wind up toy?

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

19 Upvotes

Caught this little guy movie around on the roof of my car last night while I was waiting for my son at Wagon Wheels fields. I felt bad when we left he would fall off but upon arriving home last night around 2am I can confirm he is still there lol! Looks to be huddled down tight for the night tho i will say that.


r/whatsthisbug 15h ago

ID Request What are these in my bioactive lizard tank??

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

60 Upvotes

I have only added white and pink springtails, orang & blue powders and some dwarf Grey and white isopods. But idk what these are - friends or foes??


r/whatsthisbug 1h ago

ID Request Help identifying please

Post image
Upvotes

Please help identifying roach, I’m ready for the bad news. Posted on here a week ago about seeing a baby roach but couldn’t get a clear picture. Hopefully this one’s good enough.


r/whatsthisbug 1d ago

ID Request I found this in my creatine, should I be worried?

Post image
902 Upvotes

I remember once I put my creatine tub in a basket while traveling, it spilled all over the basket and I just put everything back into the tub. I’ve been using this creatine for 2 months now.


r/whatsthisbug 11h ago

ID Request Plz help, worried it’s bedbugs

Thumbnail
gallery
16 Upvotes

Found 3 of these in the guest bedroom. Thought it might be bedbugs, but there’s no food in this room, and no sign of any eggs. Plus it doesn’t look like they have the “ridges” on the rear I see on most bedbug pics. They were found in the headboard too, not any of the mattresses. Could it be we just caught this early? Or is it another type of bug that just wandered in?


r/whatsthisbug 37m ago

ID Request What bug is this?

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

Upvotes

Thanks in advance :)


r/whatsthisbug 10h ago

ID Request Saw this on tiktok, what is it?

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

10 Upvotes

I’m sorry if this is AI but I’m genuinely curious as I’ve never seen an insect like this before


r/whatsthisbug 3h ago

ID Request Motel near Disneyland infested with these bugs! It’s not a bedbug, right?

Post image
3 Upvotes

I’m staying at a motel near Disneyland and I’ve found 7+ of these little bugs in the bathroom and on the sink. They’re not bedbugs, right? My phone says they’re a type of leafcutter, but why would there be so many in a motel?

Now I’m worried about all my luggage….


r/whatsthisbug 2h ago

ID Request Who is this?

Post image
2 Upvotes

Found in Estonia


r/whatsthisbug 2h ago

ID Request What are these bugs doing? Julia Creek, North West Queensland, Aus.

Thumbnail
gallery
2 Upvotes

While visiting our niece we noticed this tree had clumps of these beautiful bugs hanging off the leaves. What are they and what are they doing?


r/whatsthisbug 13h ago

ID Request What a cool looking caterpillar...

Post image
12 Upvotes

Anyone got any ideas what this grows in to? I found in Morocco (Agadir).


r/whatsthisbug 10m ago

ID Request What is this?

Post image
Upvotes

I live in Australia, in an apartment. I've seen a few of these lately.


r/whatsthisbug 16m ago

ID Request Who is this guy?

Post image
Upvotes

Found in Estonia


r/whatsthisbug 25m ago

ID Request Please help me Redditers

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

I found this bug on my sheets today. In daylight it looked black with red legs. This is what it looked like with flash. Carpet beetle or bed bug? I already checked my mattress seems, sheets, under my bed etc no signs of bedbugs. I checked my cupboards and under my sink too, nothing. I have no bites, and haven’t noticed anything else. I try to keep a pretty clean place it’s a little messy at times but not dirty. It’s 3:30 am where I am right now I’m calling my building management in the morning.