|
| |
Pest Identification Photos
(Most recent submissions) :
What is this pest?
|
|
Need professional help?
Let your mouse do the
walking through our
Directory of Pest
Professionals
|
The pest
management industry offers
rewarding careers.
See the opportunities available
on our
classified ads page. |
Pest page index
Ants,
Ant nest photos
Ask the experts,
Bats,
Bedbugs
Bees,
Birds,
Box Elder Bugs
Carpenter Ants,
Canadian Pest Management Association,
Carpenter ant photos,
Choosing
a profesional.
Cockroaches,
Controlling
pests,
Finding a
Pro,
Fleas,
Flies
Getting rid of Carpenter
ants
Hantavirus,
Home page,
Insects,
I.P.M. ,
Mice,
Moles,
Moths, ,
Other
pests,
Powder post
beetles,
Raccoons,
Rats,
Real Estate & Pests,
Rodents,
Snakes,
Spiders,
Spider Identification
photos
SPMA of
BC,
Sow
Bugs,
Supplies for
pest control,
Termites,
Wasps,
Wildlife pests
|
Serving Greater Toronto Area
& Neighbouring Region
At QPM, we have highest success rate of
complete elimination of bed bugs with one treatment alone. The treatment
includes a thorough inspection of the property before a comprehensive
application process. We are one of the few service providers who are
confident to provide a warranty that these pests would be gone for good.
For a no-obligation quote call us anytime.
24 Hrs./Day
416-321-5060
http://www.qpm.ca/ |
|
“NOT
IN MY BACK YARD”
Wildlife & Pest management |
|
Nimby
Wildlife and
Pest Management
Commercial—Industrial—Residential
Professional pest control
MISSISSAUGA—BRAMPTON—OAKVILLE—MILTON
HAMILTON - BURLINGTON & ALL SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
Contact us now
Phone: 905-799-0075,
Toll Free:
1-888-681-6266
info@nimby.ca
– MOE -LICENSED —
BONDED –INSURED
http://www.nimby.ca/.htm |
Smart advertisers put
their money where
their mouse is.
Need professional help?
Let your mouse do the
walking through our
Directory of Pest
Professionals
Need professional help?
Let your mouse do the
walking through our
Directory of Pest
Professionals
Need professional help?
Let your mouse do the
walking through our
Directory of Pest
Professionals
|
|
This space reserved for
your pest photo |
What is this pest?
Submit photos of any pest you would
like identified. Hopefully one of our visitors
will be able to identify them.
How to send your photos.
The pictures below have been
submitted by visitors. If you can identify them you are invited to
send us your answers. Your description is also welcome.
Please Include the picture number
in your answers.
See Disclaimer Notice |
|
|
Click on the
photos to enlarge. They are usually much clearer. |
|
Thank you for helping
us reach this milestone: 2000 pest photo identifications. |
2000 This bug was found
on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. It was August 2, 2008, on a backyard wooden deck
that is about 1-2 ft off the ground. Everyone that was around at the time could
not figure out if the "stuff" on the top of it was actually part of the bug
itself, or if it was something it was carrying...! The "stuff" looks very
similar to a tiny piece of "real live sponge". My brother-in-law had it
crawling on his hand, and it actually ended up "stinging or biting" him....the
result of it looked very similar to a mosquito bite, but the swollen lump looked
more enhanced than a mosquito bite. He felt it when it happened and immediately
put it on top of the table umbrella. I looked through some of the postings and
found a picture that looks similar (the main body) and the answer given said it
was a "Lawn Shrimp". At the time, we all thought it looked like a shrimp! Is
there a connection to the "Lawn Shrimp" and if not, does anyone know what in the
world this is?? Sandy in Maryland
This is a larva of a green lacewing
(Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Some will attach bits of debris (including the
remains of previous meals) to their body as a disguise; they then are referred
to as ‘trash bugs’ - see
http://w3.impa.br/~luis/fotos/0706_macros/trashbug-JB-070609-P+R2_8815a.jpg
for an image.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
1999 Can anyone identify this interesting large insect? It was found by
our house behind concrete blocks, in Kamloops, BC. It measures about 2-3
inches. When we went to move it, it flipped over and played dead. One picture
of the top and one of the bottom, when it flipped over. Thanks! Athena
Watters
This bears some resemblance to a
hump-winged cricket (Orthoptera: Prophalangopsidae) such as one known as the
great grig (Cyphoderris monstrosa). This species flips over as a
defensive move - see
http://buzz.ifas.ufl.edu/339pm3.htm
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1998
I live in Australia and I found this guy in my sons room.
Centipede / millipede harmless? Thanks
This is a harmless millipede,
possibly in the order Polydesmida - see
http://www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/zoology/multipedes/tasmilli/milpod/milpdpar/milpdnot.html
for an example. The vast majority of Australian species reportedly remain
undescribed. Ed Saugstad, retired
entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is a millipede which is
harmless. You can tell it is a millipede by the fact that there are 2 pair
of appendages per body segment. Not sure of the classification . Gordon
Crockford, Saskatoon, SK
|
 1997
These guys have really been
enjoying my willow trees and I would like to know what they are before I kill
them. I haven’t seen them before and there not on this site. I’ve looked all
over the internet for these guys but have had no luck in identifying them. I’ve
only noticed them starting in July. I live in southwestern Ontario Canada and
they are two and a half to three inches in length right now. I hope I can get
some info back on what these guys become as adults. Thank you very much for your
help this site rocks! Chad
This appears to be the caterpillar of a
Mourning Cloak butterfly ( Family Nymphalide ) that are quite common. The
caterpillar, called the Spiny Elm Caterpillar munches the leaves of poplars,
willows, birches and city elm trees. Not considered harmful. Gordon Crockford ,
Saskatoon , SK
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is a caterpillar of a
mourning cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa; Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) -
see
http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/lepidopt/nymph/mcloak
for images of all life stages of
this insect. Ed Saugstad, retired
entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
 1996
The attached picture of a spider taken was on August 9, 2008. We expect this is
poisonous but can't identify which species. The general feedback and research on
the web would lead us to believe it is a member of the Black Widow family. It
was released unharmed, and if we see any more we're not likely to have it
resting on bare skin! Any information that can be provided is appreciated.
Thanks, Dave Maloney
This is a widow spider (Latrodectus
spp.), possibly a southern black widow, Latrodectus mactans - see
http://www.cirrusimage.com/Arachnid/black_widow_McCormick.jpg
for an image. Ed Saugstad, retired
entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I believe that this is Latodectrus hasselti or another member of the
Theridiidae family of spiders which does include the black widow spider.
They are called Redback spiders in Australia. They are poisonous and
should be handled with care. Gordon Crockford , Saskatoon , SK
|
 1995
Can you identify this bug? My daughter has found three of them around her
bedroom window. She says they are slightly bigger than a thumbnail.
This is a stink bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera:
Pentatomidae). Some species in this family will enter dwellings in search of
shelter, particularly in the autumn; they will do no damage indoors. Because of
the banded antennae, this one bears resemblance to an introduced species, the
brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) - see
http://www.insectidentification.org/imgs/insects/brown-marmorated-stink-bug.jpg.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1994
Spider - friend or foe?
This is a male orb-weaving spider
(family Araneidae) - see
http://www.cirrusimage.com/Arachnid/marbled_orbweaver_male_2.jpg
for an image of a male marbled orb weaver, Araneus marmoreus. Your
specimen likely was wandering about in search of a female. Orb weavers comprise
a very large family, all of which are harmless to humans.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1993
Hello, This is a creature found on my driveway in Langley, B.C. It is much
larger than a caterpillar. Any ideas? thanks, Cynthia
This is a sphinx moth (Lepidoptera:
Sphingidae) caterpillar, but it does not appear to match any of the common
species reported from British Columbia - see
http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/BCsphlar.htm.
It does have some superficial resemblance to the larva of the Tersa sphinx moth
(Xylophanes tersa) - see
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/33/64920158_03ca395a87_o.jpg.
This is a southern species that has been reported as an occasional stray in
Canada. Ed Saugstad,
retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1992
I believe this is a ground beetle, but the pinchers on the front make me
concerned that it could be a pest. I live in Flint Michigan, and I found this
(and several others, dead and alive) in my basement. They get pretty agitated
when flipped up-side-down. It does not have a visible cleft in it's back
abdomen. I just want to know for sure. Rob.
This is indeed a ground beetle
(Coleoptera: Carabidae), a beneficial predator. Many ground beetles have
mandibles even larger in proportion to their body size than this specimen - see
http://www.cirrusimage.com/Beetles/ground-beetle-scarites-1.jpg
and
http://www.biology.duke.edu/dnhs/pics/Pasipunct.jpg
for examples. Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1991
Is this bug related to the black and red bug from picture 1889 sent in earlier
this summer? What is this – another leaf eater I guess?? It was found on
a willow in Barrie, ON. There is not much left of this poor tree. Thanks again
Rosanne
This is not a leaf feeder, but is a
nymph of a stink bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), possibly in the
genus Podisus - see
http://bugguide.net/node/view/161172/bgimage
for an image. Most stink bugs are sap feeders, but some, including those in the
genus Podisus, are predaceous on other small arthropods - see
http://www.pbase.com/bowdood/image/86285339
for an adult in action.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1990
Caterpillar found in Alberta,
Canada in September. Joanna
|
 1989
I found this insect in Paris, Texas, after it had bit me on the toe several
times. It looks like it belongs to the leaf footed family, but I could not
find a picture on the web that had resembling features. I was observing him
after I caught him and noticed that he had what appeared to be a long 'stinger'
tucked underneath his abdomen. He started to rub his antennas with his front
legs while his 'stinger' came untucked and hung down. I then noticed that the
'stinger' was secreting a clear fluid. He then began to spread this clear fluid
onto his antennas with his front legs, he eventually rubbed it on all of his
legs. I hope you or someone could share some insight on what type of insect
this is, and if it is poisonous. Angela.
This is a nymph of a leaf-footed bug
(Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Coreidae). They are not poisonous; most species are
plant feeders with a few being predaceous - a ‘bite’ from one of these could be
quite painful because of the proteolytic enzymes in its saliva. The behavior you
noted likely was a grooming procedure; the ‘stinger’ actually is its feeding
apparatus (often called a beak or rostrum).
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1988
I finally got a great photo of this elusive specimen. I've seen
these for years here in SW Louisiana, US, (not Canadian but Acadian) but haven't
found a name for it. They tend to like barn/ warehouse environment. I've been
feeding this beauty for a few years and recently found another large one and
lots of little ones cohabitating. They spin a cobweb and a tunnel web where they
hide till a live fly or roach etc. shows up as lunch. This one is enjoying a
large roach enough to venture out for a photo session. I do have larger, more
detailed photos but this should have enough information. Let me know how
careful I should be with it. Gary.
|
 1987
On August 18 a swarm of these were on my house near Sherwood Park Alberta. Is
it a wasp, bee or fly? Ron
This is a bee, perhaps a honey bee (Apis
mellifera) - see
http://www.insectsofalberta.com/honeybee.htm.
This is the only species of bee in Alberta likely to occur as a swarm; the other
species are solitary in nature. Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1986
I found this spider in my dogs water pail outside my barn this morning... it was
fully submerged and I don't know how long it could have been in there... but it
was still (just barely) ALIVE!! What is it? It LOOKS like a friggen
Tarantula!!!!! eeeek! I live in Metchosin BC on Vancouver island :) thanks
for any info! Jessy
|
  1985
Magnolia, NJ. These two spiders were working together to make this large web
which covers my entire porch. The little one was doing the work, going back and
forth, seemingly passing the latest string to the big one to attach to the web.
Very amazing to watch as I've never seen two spiders working together like this.
Is this common behavior?? From other pictures I'm guessing that they are orb
spiders?? Thanks for any info. -Charles
This is another orb-weaving spider
(family Araneidae) - see no. 1983. The smaller individual is a male; his
behavior probably was designed to inform the female that he was a potential mate
rather than a meal. Ed Saugstad, retired
entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1984
Hi I found this insect in my pool
in Southern Ontario (St. Catharines). Is this some kind of a cricket? It’s about
1 inch long and it flies. Sincerely, Rafal
This a rove beetle (Coleoptera:
Staphylinidae) , they are general predators on other small arthropods. They have
very powerful jaws for their size; a specimen as large as yours would be capable
of a delivering a painful bite if mishandled.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1983
I found the following spider on 9/8/08 in by backyard in Wheatfiled, New York. I
believe it is an orb weaving spider but I am not sure. Can you confirm this? The
white bulbous part of the body is Slightly smaller than a dime. Feel free to use
it on your website. Thanks! Joseph.
This is indeed an orb-weaving spider
(family Araneidae); likely in the genus Araneus - see
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/34080637
for an example. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks
Grove, WV. |
  1982
I live in northern California where I have a decent vegetable garden. This
summer for the first time, I have seen MASSES of these larvae boil up to consume
new material in the compost bin. Someone said they were a type of fly larvae. I
am curious what type of fly ? If it is beneficial or a pest in a garden ? And if
there is a risk of them going straight to the good stuff to eat instead of
waiting for the compost. Thanks for your information. -mc-
These are larvae of soldier flies (Diptera:
Stratiomyidae) - see
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/soldier_flies
for images of several species as larvae and adults. The larvae are scavengers on
decomposing organic matter, and will not bother anything in your garden; the
adults do not bite and are not pests. Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1981
First of all I think your web-site is really cool.
My sister found it, and I never thought I would have to use it. We live in
Marshall, North Carolina. Just moved here about 2 years ago. We have what looks
like a wasp on steroids. You see them during the day once in awhile but then
they seem to come out more at night when you go out on the porch and turn on the
lights. They go towards the light, and they sound even bigger when they hit the
house. The ones I'm sending the picture of are about 1" (2 3/4 cm), there is
three sections to them. They have 6 legs, 2 are short and they all look like
they have small spikes on them. Their heads have yellow on them and it almost
looks like they have pincher's for their nose. They are yellow and black, like a
yellow jacket. They seem to be more nasty, and someone here told me I don't
wanna get stung by one of them. If someone could identify them for me that would
be great. thank you for your time. Lisa
These could be European
hornets (Vespa crabro; Hymenoptera: Vespidae), the only true hornet in
North America - see
http://entomology.uark.edu/museum/crabro.html.
I have found these to be far less aggressive than yellowjackets or bald-faced
‘hornets’; nevertheless, I wouldn’t go out of my way to get stung by one!
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1980
We can not figure out what type of
bee this is…the large one of course. This picture is taken beside a quarter and
a common wasp to show the size of this thing. Located in Kittanning,
Pennsylvania USA. Any help is appreciated. Thank You. Jamee
The larger insect is a wasp called a
cicada killer, Sphecius speciosus (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) - see no. 1973
for another example. The smaller one could be a vespid wasp in the genus
Polistes. They generally are not aggressive (unless you disturb their nest),
and are general predators on many species of caterpillars.
|
  1979
These I suspect are made by ants of
some description. The “nest” is located in the basement cross beams of a half
basement under an addition to the regular home. What do I need to do to get rid
of it and keep it gone and whom do I contact to do that ? Home is in Head of St.
Margaret’s Bay Nova Scotia. Thanks…Terry
Ants usually no not
make nests like this indoors, and ants that are structural pests (carpenter
ants) have their colonies entirely within the wood that they tunnel - the wood
particles that they expel from their tunnels looks more like sawdust - see
http://www.novaguard.com/carpenterants.html.
You may wish to have a professional pest management company inspect your
premises to see if you have anything of concern, see
http://www.pestcontrolcanada.com/nova_scotia pest
control.htm
for a starting point. |
 1978
Hi: I have found this insect? larvae? in two of our beds in Calgary, Alberta
Canada. We have only found two. It is approximately 1/4 of an inch long, or
approximately 6 mm. I would appreciate any information on this. Does anyone know
what this is? Thanks! Greg
This appears to be a larva of one of
the hide/skin beetles (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) in the genus Dermestes -
see no. 1915 for another example. Larvae of this genus are distinguished by the
pair of horn-like structures (urogomphi) at the end of their abdomen. They will
feed on a wide variety of organic materials, mostly of animal origin, including
hides, fur, feathers, leather, cured meats, dead insects, etc. Control may be
complicated by the difficulty in determining exactly where they are feeding -
see
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-Fact/2000/2104.html
for a fact sheet. |
 1977
Can you please tell me what this
bug is? Is was found on our bathroom counter. We live in Southern California.
Thank You, Cindi
This appears to be a
larva of a carpet/furniture beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), such as those in
the genus Anthrenus - see
http://somethingscrawlinginmyhair.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/dermestidlarvadorsal.jpg
for an image and
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7436.html
for control measures. |
 1976
We found this bug while on a
camping trip in the Castle Special Management area, which is about 45min
southwest of Pincher Creek, Alberta. The date was August 30th, 2008, and the
time of day was about 4pm. It was crawling around in a plastic bag we had filled
with firewood. It appeared to be some sort of very large grasshopper, but I've
never seen a grasshopper come anywhere close to getting this big. It was
probably close to 3 inches long and as big around as a man's thumb. Shortly
after the pictures were taken the insect jumped (albeit not very high) from the
log and burrowed deep in the grass, making it virtually impossible to see. Any
information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, - Julian.
|
 1975
We have been finding these sitting motionless on the floor and carpet at night.
What are they? Ryan
|
 1974
I found two of these bugs within a week in my house on the floor; doors have
been open but screened. I live in a western NY rural area. The bug's body (not
including antennae and legs) is about 7mm long. Any help is appreciated. Thank
you. KJ.
This is a short-snouted/broad
nosed weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; subfamily Entiminae - see no. 1942 and
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/61615597);
adults are leaf feeders and their larvae are root feeders. Some species in this
family will enter buildings in search of shelter, but seldom do any damage.
|
 1973
I found this in a school in Dallas, GA. It is not a Japanese Hornet but looks
like one except for the back, it is black with yellow stripes.
This appears to be an eastern cicada
killer wasp, Sphecius speciosus (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) - see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicada_killer_wasp.
They often attract attention by their large size and burrowing activity in lawns
and the like; fortunately, they are non-aggressive towards humans.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1972
Hi i was hoping you could help me. I found this spider on the foot board of my
bed in Sherwood park, Alberta. It was Approximately 5mm in length. I took a
photo of it before i let it outside and once i zoomed it looked quite scary. I
was wondering what type of spider this was. Is it a baby of any other lager
spider i'm yet to find? Any information would be greatly received.
Thanks. Sarah
This could be an immature
long-legged sac spider (family Miturgidae - see
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/79023363)
- these spiders frequently are found indoors - or possibly that of a ground
spider (family Gnaphosidae - see
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/58819200).
Some sac spiders can give a painful bite if mishandled/pressed against, and have
been implicated in some cases of slow-healing lesions.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
  1971
Hello there! I've recently come across 2 interesting looking spiders... photo 1-
is this a black widow? photo 2 - is this a flower spider?
I have to admit I killed the one I thought was a black widow and let the neon
yellow one go.... hope that yellow one wasn't something dangerous too!
Thanks for your help, Lori - Winfield, BC
The black spider likely is a western
black widow spider (Latrodectus hesperus) and the yellow spider is a crab
spider (family Thomisidae), possibly the flower crab spider (Misumena vatia),
which can change its colour to blend in with their background - see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misumena_vatia.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The bright yellow spider is a harmless male crab spider.
The female can be distinguished by crimson stripe on either side of the
abdomen. These spiders lie in wait on the coloured portion of a flower with
their legs stretched out ready to grab an unsuspecting bug looking for nectar.
They adapt their colour to the flower they are sitting on usually white or
yellow. Claude |
 1970
Hello. I live in a small town
outside of Calgary Alberta Canada. We found a very large wasp that looks similar
to a cicada killer but has a very large stinger and a false stinger below about
3/4 of an inch long. I am wondering what this is and how common it is for these
parts, as I have never seen anything like this before. Scot.
Mike Wasmund, Training Director,
Surety Pest Control.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is a wood wasp (aka horntail;
Hymenoptera: Siricidae); likely the banded horntail (Urocerus
gigas) - see no. 1948 for another example and
http://www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/natural/insects/bugsfaq/horntail.htm
for more information.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1969
Could not locate info on this
caterpillar for my classroom. It is a dark gray/green with a symmetrical red
pattern on its back. Large eyes with two dark knobs above. Tail has what looks
like two short spinnerets sticking out. Found on our playground in Dover, NH,
USA.
|
 1968
Great site, I found this huge insect on my patio, in a bucket filled with rain
water. I believe it flies. I live in Dallas, TX. It measures at least 1 inch
long and it's very thick, but I know it's not a cicada...thanks for your help!!
Oliver
This beetle is in the family
Scarabaeidae, genus Cotinus, such
as the western green June beetle, Cotinus
mutabilus – see
http://www.texasento.net/Cotinis.htm.
Adults are fruit/foliage feeders,
whereas their larvae are soil dwellers, feeding on humus, decaying plants,
roots, and manure. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1967
Hi, My brother and his girlfriend found this interesting bug sitting in front of
them on a bus in Saskatoon, SK. Anyone know what it is? Cam
This
is a mayfly (order Ephemeroptera), possibly in the family Ephemeridae – see
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/101830504
for an image. The adults of these
insects are very short-lived, often less than a couple of days. The larvae are
aquatic. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is a may fly dun, the adult stage of a mayfly before its wings harden and
clarify. Once that happens it is called a mayfly spinner.
Claude |
  1966
We live in a log home in mid-western Ontario. Our home is 22 yrs
old. We have found small insects, app. a quarter inch long in the past couple
years that are making small holes in the logs. I have attached a few pictures,
hopefully you can tell me what they are and how to rid them. Thanks ~ Norma
You don’t want to get rid of
these, as they are not responsible for the holes in the wood. They appear to be
wasps parasitic on the wood-boring beetles that did do the damage. Ichneumonid
wasps in the subfamily Cryptinae (see
|
 1965
Hi, My mother in law found this beetle in her jar of instant coffee
purchased in the UK, Please can you identify it? thanks Lisa UK
The image will not enlarge so I
cannot be certain, but this appears more like a desiccated nymph of a stink bug
(Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) or shield bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera:
Scutelleridae) than a beetle. Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
  1964
This wasp and several friends have been making holes near a rock wall in my
Barrie, ON backyard. They are shiny blue and quite large and very fast. I have
been trying to find out what they are and think they may be “blue mud dauber
wasps”. The info on these wasps say they are parasitic to black widow spiders (I
hope I won’t see any of those around my yard). Do these wasps use other spiders
for their young? Should I be concerned for my children and pets with the large
nest that they are making even though I read that they are usually not
aggressive? Thank you for your time. Rosanne
Wasps in this family (Sphecidae) are
as a rule not aggressive; you really have to try hard in order to be stung by
one. This one appears to be the great black wasp, aka katydid hunter - Sphex
pensylvanicus - see
http://magickcanoe.com/insects/great-black-wasp-small.jpg
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1963
Hi. Do you know what these are? They are all over my willow tree. I'd say
they are about 1/16" to 1/8" in length. Weevil? Thanks. Gerry
These appear to be black willow
aphids (Pterocomma smithiae). The following information is from the
University of Minnesota Extension Service: "Despite their abundance, they do
little if any lasting harm to established, vigorously growing trees. Their
presence is just a nuisance. Tolerate these aphids as much as possible. If you
wish to reduce their numbers, try washing them off as many branches as you can
reach with a hard spray of water. A less toxic insecticide option would be treat
them with insecticidal soap. If nothing is done, their numbers will diminish on
their own by the end of the month." Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1962
Does anyone out there know what this is? I suspect excrement from
Sphinx Moth Caterpillars as the only place I find them is under a Green Ash and
I know the Caterpillars are up there, I see them coming down in the Fall. It
would be nice to know for sure. Willy, Alberta, Canada.
These are indeed fecal pellets from
a large caterpillar. Unfortunately, I do not know of any identification guide
that could pinpoint which species dropped them.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last year I have raised a couple of Bombyx Mori
(silkworm) caterpillars. I have noticed that the feces pellets in the picture
have a spiky shape and size identical to the silkworm feces pellets.
Thanks, David Yu
|
  1961
Found dockside at Go Home lake, Township of Georgian Bay, District of Muskoka,
Ontario, Canada. It is covered in fluff and little
bits of debris that seem to stuck on it intentionally. The bug itself is a pale,
almost pink colour and fairly slow moving. After it crawled around on me for a
while some sort of a little probiscous started to reach down and probe my hand
so away it went.
We saw a couple of them once we started looking for them.
Does anybody know what they are? Jack.
This appears to be a larva of
a green lacewing (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Some of these will cover themselves
with bits of debris (including the empty husks of their victims) , possibly in
order to better sneak up on their prey (other small arthropods) and/or escape
the eye of their own potential predators. When they do this, they often are
referred to as "trash bugs" - see
http://w3.impa.br/~luis/fotos/0706_macros/trashbug-JB-070609-P+R2_8815a.jpg.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1960
Hi: my dad found this large worm stuck to the wall of a
church in Brandon Manitoba on august 20th 2008. We have no clue what it is and
have never seen anything like it before around here. Could you please tell us
what the heck it is! p.s it has already started spinning a cocoon...Perry
This is a larva of a cecropia moth (Hyalophora
cecropia: Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) getting ready to spin its cocoon and
pupate. See
http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/5479/
for details on its life cycle. Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
  1959
Hi, I found this insect on my bed in the
evening when I turned on the lights. It is a 1/4 of an inch long and I am 99%
sure it is a bedbug. Please could you confirm this? Thanks, Paul,
London, England
These are indeed bed bugs (Cimex
spp.; Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Cimicidae), and the fact that you found a
blood-engorged specimen in your bed points to it being a human bed bug (Cimex
lectularius). However, there are closely related species that it can be
confused with, and you need to know exactly which species you have in order to
be sure the correct control measures are carried out. See
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/PUBS/INSECT/05574.html
for a pub that includes a key to identification, and
http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef636.asp
for one of the best all-around articles on bed bugs that I have found online.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1958
This is a bug we found while seeding the front lawn. There is a
lot of them!! Anybody know what this is? We think it might be a ground hornet?
Thanks, Matt and Fiona. Orono,
ON
A lovely photo of a great
golden digger wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus; Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)! They
provision their burrow with large prey (such as katydids) upon which their
developing larvae feed. See
http://www.cirrusimage.com/hymenoptera_Great_Golden_Digger_Wasp.htm
for more detailed information. Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1957
Last night I saw this huge bug on the ceiling of my balcony in Toronto. It was
about 2 inches long. Any idea what kind of bug it was? Thanks, Tony.
This one of the so-called ‘dog day
cicadas’ (Hemiptera/Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadidae) that occur in Ontario - see
http://www.uoguelph.ca/pdc/Factsheets/Insect/Cicadas.htm.
Unlike their better known periodical cousins, they only spend a few years below
ground feeding on tree roots before emerging to sing, mate, and reproduce.
Ed Saugstad, retired
entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1956
Hi, I found this big spider in my kitty's litterbox, and wonder if he is
harmful to me or kitty. I live in a rural area of southern Illinois, and
carried the box WAY into the backyard and let this guy (girl?) out, so he could
live in the barn. I looked all over your site and could not find similar -
although some of the ones you ID'd as wolf spiders or fishing spiders may be
close... Thanks! Cara
This is a wolf spider (family
Lycosidae), likely a so-called ‘rabid wolf spider,’ see
http://homepage.mac.com/eceisner/Spiders/rabidwolfm.jpg
They are harmless to humans, but large specimens can give a painful nip if
mishandled. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1955
I found this insect in my basement today (mid August) near Chicago, IL. It looks
similar to a ground beetle, but it doesn't have large mandibles. Is it some sort
of wood borer? It looks similar to pest 1933, identified as a darkling beetle by
Ed Saugstad but that picture is too blurry for me to tell! K.H.
This a ground beetle (Coleoptera:
Carabidae) and not a wood-boring pest of any kind. Not all ground beetles have
prominent mandibles - see
http://fieldandswamp.com/images/mystery ground beetle
durham 40908.JPG
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1954
Hi, I live in Southern Ontario, city called Guelph. We have a 100
year old brick house with a limestone basement. We stared noticing these tiny
bizarre looking creatures lately in our tiled floored bathrooms. They are
smaller than a match head and look very much like a bit of lint until they start
crawling when prodded. They are mostly shades of grey, ranging from light
grey to almost black, although we have seen the odd orange one. They creep along
almost crab-like and are extremely soft to the touch, they literally
disintegrate when smudged. We are not overrun by these guys but I can usually
find one when I look hard enough. We would really like to know what they are.
Thanks in advance. John
This appears to be a nymph of an
assassin bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae) called the masked hunter (Reduvius
personatus - see
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8133060@N06/2684548057/).
See
http://www.ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/maskedHunter.htm
for a fact sheet; these bugs can deliver a very painful bite if mishandled.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1953
My father caught this little guy at his home in Hemmingford, Quebec. I'm told
that it flies as well. Nick
This is a tortoise beetle
(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae); likely the clavate tortoise beetle, Deloyala
clavata - see
http://www.cirrusimage.com/beetles_tortoise.htm
They feed primarily on members of the morning glory family (such as sweet potato
vines), but sometimes will feed on other plants as well.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1952
FOUND IN CENTRAL INDIANA AUGUST 13th, 2008 ON BACK PORCH UNDER
CARRIAGE OF PATIO BY OUR BACK DOOR, SPINNING A WEB.
It was a little bigger than a silver dollar. Keri
|
 1951
I found this bug on a flowering dogwood
blossom and have been unable to identify it. Can anyone help me? Date
Taken: 24/06/08. Location: Edwards Gardens, Toronto. Len
|
 1950
Clusters of several dozen of these tiny bugs were found on a
pruned cedar branch near Sauble Beach, Ontario. They seemed to prefer the shady
side of the branch because when it was turned over, the clusters dispersed,
gathered again on the underside out of the sunlight. An ID and any info as to
whether they are destructive would be appreciated. Thank you. John
These insects are in the order
Psocoptera, often called barklice or tree cattle. They are harmless to the
trees, feeding primarily on molds and bits of debris caught in the cracks of
tree bark. We often see clusters of them on the trees in our back yard. Yours
appear to be nymphs; the adults of many species have wings folded roof-like over
their back - see
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/32591243.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1949
Found on my deck. I live in Westchester, N.Y. It's about 1/2 inch
long. Gabe.
This is a horse fly (Diptera:
Tabanidae), appearing similar to some species in the genus Tabanus - see
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/57691749.
They are voracious blood feeders, and many species will feed on humans, given
the opportunity. Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1948
This was found on my Barbecue cover on our deck It was there for
2 days during a huge rain fall...Is that a huge stinger on the back end? It
looks to be some kind of wasp? We live in fort McMurray Alberta. Kerri
This is a wood wasp (aka
horntail; Hymenoptera: Siricidae); possibly the banded horntail (Urocerus
gigas) - see
http://www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/natural/insects/bugsfaq/horntail.htm
. Their larvae bore in trees, and some species can be timber pests.
The ‘stinger’ is its ovipositor that it uses to place its eggs in the
woody tissue where the larvae will develop, it is harmless to humans.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi there love the
site, 1948 is a sawfly and 1949 is a deer fly. Claude H.
|
 1947
Can anyone identify this spider? It was found in the eves of the house in
Vermont. Snapped this photo, went inside for a brief moment and it was gone. I
have never ran into such a spider before and it really concerns me that
something that large (would cover your face) would live around here. Bob
This appears to be a
fishing/dock/nursery web spider (family Pisauridae), likely in the genus
Dolomedes - see
http://www.canadianarachnology.org/data/spiders/19664.
They are close relatives to wolf spiders, from which they differ by having their
eyes all pretty much the same size, whereas wolf spiders have enlarged anterior
median eyes. Specimens as large as this can inflict a painful bite if
mishandled; they otherwise are harmless to humans.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This appears to be some type
of fishing spider maybe a dock spider. Claude H. |
 1946
These kind of bugs attack our tomatoes and fruit tree. Please help us to
identify them. Slava.
These likely are flea beetles
(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae; subfamily Galerucinae). The ‘shothole’ damage is
characteristic of adult beetle feeding - see
http://www.entm.purdue.edu/entomology/vegisite/insect_ID_pics/CH5_Potatoes/flea_beet
les.jpg
(their larvae are root feeders);
they can do severe damage on many garden plants, especially those belonging to
the tomato and mustard families. Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1945
Good Day, My girlfriend found these guys on the ceiling of our kitchen, they
seem to have appeared almost instantly, there was a tiny hole I seen near them
once I got close. We have a popcorn ceiling so you can imagine how small these
guys are. The hole was a few cm's away from them. We live in central New
Brunswick. Wil.
These look suspiciously like newly
hatched larvae of a tussock moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) - see
http://www.wallwork.me.uk/garden/vapourer_moth_hatchlings_large.jpg
. A female moth may have entered the house and deposited an egg mass. The
hole in the ceiling likely is coincidental.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1944
Hello, This was taken in my backyard in Ottawa on Aug 5th, 2008. There are
two of these bugs sitting within a foot of each other. They've been essentially
stationary for three days. Maybe they're dead? Maybe they're waiting to strike?!
This looks like something from the jungles of Brazil if not a horror movie. It's
roughly an inch and a half in length. Any idea what this is? Thanks. Larry
This is a shed ‘skin’ (exuvium) of a
cicada nymph (Hemiptera/Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadidae). Depending on the particular
species, these insects spend anywhere from 1 to 17 years underground feeding on
tree roots before tunneling up to the surface to complete their metamorphosis to
the adult stage. See
http://emlado.com/cicada.htm
for a series of photographs on this process.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1943
Hi, I live in Grand Forks BC. We found this bug on our kitchen wall last
evening. Can you identify it please. Thank you. Bill
This is a long-horned grasshopper (Orthoptera:
Tettigoniidae); possibly one of the bush katydids in the genus Scudderia
- see
http://www.cirrusimage.com/orthoptera_katydid.htm
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
  1942
Hi, We live in Grafton, Ontario and recently had these bugs show up in our
basement. Any ideas? Thanks, Kim
These are short-snouted/broad nosed
weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; subfamily Entiminae - see
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/61615597);
adults are leaf feeders and their larvae are root feeders. Some species in this
family will enter buildings in search of shelter, but seldom do any damage
(except, perhaps, to some potted plants). Ed Saugstad,
retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1941
My friend in Ct, USA is
trying to identify this flying insect (we think it is a wasp). It is a dead
one, and he posed it on the cactus to get a clear shot of the entire subject. Do
you know what kind of a wasp it is ? He found it on the ground of his property.
Thank you for your help. Tessa~
This appears to be a bald-faced
hornet (Dolichovespula maculata; Hymenoptera: Vespidae), an insect with a
remarkably short fuse when their nest is disturbed. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bald-faced_hornet
for much more information. Ed Saugstad,
retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV
|
  1940
Hi. This is a brilliant and brilliantly useful site. Thank you very much for
running it. I have found this bug on a willow tree in my garden, in Northwestern
Portugal, when clearing out some excess branches.
I figure they are under 0.5mm and seem to sometimes just hang there from their
sting (?) without even using their legs, sucking out the tree. Some branches
which looked dry and almost dead seemed to be absolutely crawling with these
bugs. I'm pretty sure they bit me too while I was working there. When they get
squashed they leave a large blood-red stain that dries black. I also saw some on
a neighbouring willow, and since I have just planted an assortment of very young
fruit trees (apple, plum, quince, pear, fig, loquat, pine, peach, olive,
cherry), I'm afraid they'll be able to make the jump and kill some of them. Any
help would be very welcome. (by the way, there are a few ants around them
at times, and I think a couple ended up on the group shot) Thanks, Serge,
These appear to be aphids (aka plant
lice; Hemiptera/Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae). They all are sap feeders (they do
not ‘bite’ humans), and some species are quite attractive to ants that feed on
the excess fluid (honeydew) secreted by the aphids as they feed. Some species
are very host plant specific whereas some others will feed on many different
plants. They usually can be controlled simply by directing a strong stream of
water on the infested plant(s), or by use of an insecticidal soap.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1939
I keep finding this type of bug in my kitchen droors. They get into my baby's
rice cereal, in pancake mix. Are they termites? I thought termites liked wood.
Please help me identify this bug someone please. Betsy
This beetle is one of the dry food
pests in the genus Oryzaephilus (saw-toothed and merchant grain beetles).
They and their larvae will feed on a wide variety of cereal-derived food
products, including flour and mixes. Control measures include a thorough
cleaning of all food storage areas (paying particular attention to cracks and
crevices) and disposal of items found to be infested, followed by keeping all
infestable food items in sealable plastic, glass, or metal containers or under
refrigeration. (After an unfortunate pantry incident involving Indian meal
moths, we have kept everything in Tupperware™, and have had no further
problems.) Ed Saugstad,
retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1938
Hi, I found your website very interesting but can't find the ants that
have invaded my kitchen in Northern Vermont. Can you help? They are small and
probably between 1-2mm in length. Thank you. Joyce
These may be Pharaoh ants (Monomorium
pharaonis) - see
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/TOOLS/ANTKEY/pharaoh.html
- thief ants (Solenopsis molesta) are quite similar in appearance, but
much smaller; less than 1mm long. Locating and sealing up entry ways and use of
appropriate baits appears to be the best control strategy for Pharaoh ants.
However, ant baits available to the general public reportedly may not be
effective against Pharaoh ants, and you may have to use a professional pest
management service. Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1937
I live in Thunder Bay, Ontario and have recently found these bugs on the
mattress in my bedroom. Sometimes they are on a pillow or on top of the sheets
but mostly they are on the corners of the mattress underneath the sheets. When
I first discovered them, I found four together about one to two inches from each
other. Now, I find one to three every two days. They are small, approximately
3mm to 5mm in length and they also have a very hard shell. I was worried they
were bedbugs but since searching your site I have happily learned that they are
not bedbugs! I'm not sure where they are coming from or how to get rid of
them...Thank You, Kristy.
This is a weevil
(Coleoptera: Curculionidae), appearing very much like those in the genus
Sitophilus - see
http://www.fsoe.se/bilder/sitophilus_granarius2.jpg
for an example. These weevils can be pantry pests, feeding mainly on whole
grains/seeds (including bird seed). You probably should check your food storage
areas for signs of insect infestation.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1936
This flew into my kitchen after heavy rains in the evening
in Barrie Ont. Body length is about 2" but head to the end of the tail(?) is
about 5". The wings are about 1". What the heck is it? Gord
This is a parasitic wasp in
the family Ichneumonidae, genus Megarhyssa; likely Megarhyssa macrurus
- see
http://www.cirrusimage.com/hymenoptera_ichneumon_megarhyssa.htm.
They use their long ovipositor to bore through wood to reach the larvae of
wood-boring wasps in the family Siricidae on which their own larvae feed.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1935
Hi, walking around my backyard and came across a spider that has
thousands of babies at our dock on Gull River, Coboconk, Ontario. I have never
seen one here before and wondered if someone could help me out as to whether or
not I should be concerned with children and pets. Thanks
|
 1934
Hello! What's this chubby grub? We're in Southern York County,
Pennsylvania (USA) in a valley near a creek & corn field. We've had this big
green grub or caterpillar visiting for the past week or so, munching on the
leaves of a "Virginia Creeper" vine growing up a tree stump by our front porch.
It's about three inches long, fat from head to tail & smooth with no noticeable
hairs, spines, or stripes, just a row of five eye or hole like markings plus two
black dots in the same line down each side, random speckles in it's leafy green,
& a ringed dot or barb on it's tail. (I couldn't quite see.) At first it ate the
leaves then the leaf stems right down to vine & stopped & moved on but, later it
was only interested in the leaves. It's a tough little guy maintaining a death
grip on the vine & getting aggressive when disturbed, rearing, smacking, &
spitting on intruding probes then returning to it's task of methodically shaving
each leaf down to nothing. We're curious who/what it is & will be. Thanks for
your time & sharing your knowledge. This is a great site. Sincerely, ~ N.
P. ~
This is a larva of a pandorus sphinx
moth (Eumorpha pandorus; Lepidoptera Sphingidae), and Virginia creeper is
one of its favorite food plants. See
http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/epandoru.htm
for more details, including images of the adult moth.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1933
Hi there, I found this beetle in my apartment suite, and have
been finding increasing amounts of them lately. I live in Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan, and they are about the same length as the diameter of a penny. I
think it may be a wood-boring bettle but am not sure. Please help me out!
Thanks. Grant
This is a darkling beetle
(Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in the genus Tenebrio, such the yellow
mealworm, Tenebrio molitor. Their larvae may infest cereal grain
products, especially those that are damp or in poor condition and that are
stored in undisturbed out-of-the-way places such as basements. Also, they often
are raised en masse for the pet food trade. See
http://insects.tamu.edu/images/insects/common/images/b-txt/bimg164.html
for an image of a larva, pupa, and adult beetle.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1932
Hi, I have included two photos of a bug that has infested our cottage, 15
km north of Goderich ON. The cottage is in the woods surrounded by trees.
We have been killing 20-30 a day for the last 10 days. We mostly see them during
the day, especially in the warmer afternoon hours where the sun is shining in.
We have never had them before in the seven years we have owned the cottage. The
cottage is not heated in the winter and only used from May to October. The
bug looks just like the carpenter ant photo on your website (included). We only
see bugs with wings and there are all about 1 inch long. Your website states
that the highest traffic of bugs should be at night, yet we rarely see one in
the cottage at night. I checked the crawl space and there is no sign of them,
but I checked during the day. Tonight I will attempt to find them in the crawl
and outside the cottage. I am aware of the serious damage carpenter ants can do
(if that's what they are) and I would appreciate your opinion on whether to call
a pest control professional to investigate this problem. Thank you very much!
John
This does look like a reproductive female carpenter
ant but a side view of the thorax would be helpful. The size (1 inch) is a
pretty good indication is is a carpenter ant. Reproductive females usually
emerge from the nest in the early spring rather than at this time of year
(late July). I suggest you put a few in a pill bottle ant have a local pest
professional identify them. As stated on our
carpenter
ants web page, finding all the satellite nests is difficult.
Killing ants outside the nest will have little effect on the colony and will
make more difficult to find the nests. You
should ask a professional for an estimate.
See the
directory of pest professionals in Ontario.
|
 1931
Hello, I found this huge caterpillar in my truck, under some cement blocks in
Edmonton, AB. Canada (end of July). Notice the yellowish spike extending out
from his backside (tail????) He didn't seem to really have eyes but his head was
black and small. I couldn't kill him, so I let him loose in my backyard. Please
tell me I haven't unleashed a monster! Meagan
This is a larva of a large sphinx
moth (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae). A few species, such as the tomato and tobacco
hornworms, can be serious garden pests. See
http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/SphAlbertalarvae.htm
for images of species reported from Alberta.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pretty sure this is a sphinx moth larva, AKA tomato
hornworm. Not sure how it got into your truck, unless you were parked under
tomato plants?! I don’t think it will bother anything in your yard, unless
you’re growing tomatoes.
http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/youth/bug/bug091.html
Pat in NJ
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
1930 Hi. This is a very interesting site, I am totally
fascinated with insects. Any way, this is my query. For about 2 weeks now, I
have been finding these little guys in my house, but mostly in my bathroom. I
am thinking they are seeking a water source. At first I thought they were a
kissing bug, which worried me (because of Chagras disease), but now I believe
they are weevils. I have come to this decision upon reading through your site
for the last 4 hours+. It's hard to tear myself away. LOL. Any how, they are
tiny little black guys about 2.5 mm long. I have no idea how they have managed
to get inside, but I have instructed my children to either catch them live or
tell me where they found one, so I can release them back outside. I'm a sucker
for living things. I just would like to be sure that I am right about them
being weevils. BTW, I'm in Edmonton, Alberta. Thank you in advance for
your answers, Kathy S.
This is indeed a weevil, and
because of its small size, it is possible that it is one of the species that can
be pests of dry stored food products, especially whole grains. See
http://entweb.clemson.edu/cuentres/cesheets/grain/ce94.jpg
for an image and
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG120
for a fact sheet that includes control recommendations.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1929
Hi. This insect landed in our tent whilst camping in Staffordshire, England. We
wondered if the 'tail' was a sting and kept our distance, just in case. The area
was quite open, but near a woodland, and not near water. Any ideas? Linda
This is a parasitic wasp in the
family Ichneumonidae; the ‘stinger’ is its ovipositor, used to place its egg on
or near its intended victim. It is harmless to humans.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1928
This wasn't a pest, I'm just curious what this very unique moth is. It was found
at Letchworth State Park in upstate New York (near Rochester.) Thanks. Paul
This moth is in the family Arctiidae
(tiger moths), and appears to be the clymene moth (Haploa clymene) - see
http://pick5.pick.uga.edu/mp/20q?search=Haploa+clymene
for images and detailed information. Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1927
I found this spider in my kitchen in Central Alberta. It had 2 fang like things
sticking out of the head but you cannot see them in the picture. I have a 2
year old and am a little concerned about this rather fast moving creature.
Rochelle
This appears to be a crab spider
(family Thomisidae), possibly in the genus Xysticus - see
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/30834955;
they are harmless to humans. Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1926
Please help identify this bug! They've been making their way into our cob house
(a mud-straw-clay home) during the night and early morning.. making a very loud
flying noise from their wings. We're on Salt Spring Island, BC which is a
tropical forest - like zone if that helps. They range in size from about an
inch to two inches long.. some look a bit longer due to their stinger and an
antennae like thing that goes out to make the stinger look longer. The one in
the picture was one that I didn't stomp on and it is one of the smaller
specimens. Thanks so much for your help! -Sarah
|
 1925
Hi, I live in Echo OR. Eastern Oregon. I saw a beautiful kind
of little butterfly and took a picture. Her wings were glowing in its fly. Does
somebody knows her name? I really liked it. Thanks... Maria Brown
This is a Green Lacewing and they are
harmless but their larva are predaceous and beneficial. Gordon Crockford,
Saskatoon , SK
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is not a butterfly, but a green
lacewing (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Both adults and larvae are voracious
predators on aphids and other small, soft-bodied
insects.
See
http://www.cirrusimage.com/neuroptera_green_lacewing.htm
for images and more information. Ed Saugstad,
retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1924
This guy makes a loud buzzing sound. I thought he might be some sort of
horsefly, but he was pretty big, over an inch wide. I live in Indiana. What is
he. Thanks. Carol.
This is a bee fly (Diptera:
Bombyliidae), looking very much like a tiger bee fly, Xenox tigrinus -
see
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/33229682
for an image. Bee flies primarily are parasitic on solitary ground-nesting bees;
this species has been associated with carpenter bees.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A kind of Hover Fly and is harmless.
Gordon Crockford, Saskatoon , SK
|
 1923
I live in Florida and this was on our Papaya Tree the other night. I have lived
here my whole life and I don't recognize it at all. Can you help us?
Thanks, Valerie
This appears to be a papaya fruit
fly, Toxotrypana curvicauda (Diptera: Tephritidae) - see
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN148
for detailed information on this fruit pest.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1922
Hi, I live in New York but your site looks like the best
to answer the question. I found this guy boring holes in the dirt in my
backyard. He is black and yellow and works all night to clear the holes I plug
up. He is about an inch and a half to two inches long. I have never seen
anything like this around here. Thanks for your assistance. Kevin
This appears to be a sphecid wasp
known as a cicada killer (Sphecius speciosus). In spite of their size and
appearance, they are not aggressive, and you would really have to try hard to
get stung by one. They are fascinating insects to watch, and you can find out
much more about them at
http://ww2.lafayette.edu/~hollidac/cicadakillerhome.html
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1921
I live in Brandon, Manitoba and found this insect on my back
patio. Is anyone able to identify it? Thanks, Jo Ann
This is a blister beetle
(Coleoptera: Meloidae) in the genus Lytta; - see
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/63694817
for an example. I often collected these beetles on our farm in north central
North Dakota. Ed Saugstad, retired
entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Nuttalls Blister Beetle, they can be a
pest of crops. Gordon Crockford, Saskatoon , SK
|
 1920
I would like to know what spider this is and if it is dangerous. I have found
several in different locations around my house- some in the basement, the dining
room, the kitchen sink, and the front entrance way. Most are the size of a
quarter but I have found one the size of a loonie. I have noticed white markings
on the top of the back- end of the others but not on this one, otherwise it is
the same. What is it???? Bridget
This specimen appears to
be in some sort of liquid that obscures its markings. It is a male (note the
enlarged pedipalps), and I suspect that it could be one of the funnel web
spiders in the family Agelenidae. Some species in this family often come
indoors and set up housekeeping. In spite of their name, they (especially
males) often may be found wandering about far from any web. They may be told
apart from wolf spiders (another common home invader) by their prominent
spinnerets (seen in this image) and their eye pattern (cannot be seen). They
basically are harmless to humans, but larger specimens are capable of
inflicting a painful bite if mishandled. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1919
Hi, we recently moved to a house in Calgary, AB and I have found several of
these bugs in the basement crawling along the floorboards and walls. Can you
please tell me what it is and how I can get rid of it? Thanks, Leah
This is a broad-nosed/short-snouted
weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; subfamily Entiminae), such as the strawberry
root weevil (Otiorhynchus ovatus) - see
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1021/754401183_874a00ab66.jpg?v=0
for an image. Ed Saugstad,
retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1918
I live in Las Vegas and found this bug in a cardboard box. It could have been
there for awhile as I moved here a year ago from Los Angeles, CA and just
finished unpacking the box. Can anyone help me identify it and let me know if
it's harmful to myself or my Yorkie dog. Thank you! Adrienne
This is a field cricket (Orthoptera:
Gryllidae); likely in the genus Gryllus - see
http://myweb.dal.ca/sadamo/IMG_0020.JPG for
an example. They are herbivors/scavengers, and harmless to humans or dogs.Ed
Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1917
I live in The Pas, MB. I found this bug stuck to tape that I had
placed around my bed. I was concerned that I may have been bit by bed bugs when
I spent the night at someone else's home. Is this a bed bug, it doesn't really
look like the pictures I have come across. This is the first bug that I have
found on my bed. Thank you for your help. Nicholette
This is not a bed
bug (what it was doing there, I haven’t the foggiest), but a crustacean in
the order Isopoda commonly known as a sowbug or wood louse. They are
harmless scavengers, but may be considered nuisance pests when they occur
indoors; they require abundant moisture to persist in an environment, as
they breath through gills that must be kept moist. BTW, I have long wanted
to visit The Pas; I remember my father telling me stories during the 1950s
about the fantastic waterfowl populations there. Is that still true?
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1916
Hi.. I'm in Regina SK. I killed this orange and black thing on
my wall a couple of years ago and nobody yet knows what it is. It was huge.
The photo is of a paper towel so the bug is about an inch long I'm guessing.
I've never seen one before or since. Thanks. Jack
This is a leaf-footed bug
(Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Coreidae), such as the western conifer seed bug (Leptoglossus
occidentalis), a forest pest that often comes indoors for shelter - see
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/438120539_60803f5922.jpg
for an image.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1915
Hi, I have noticed this bug in one of my rooms! Between the mattress and
crawling along the wall.. Should I worry? Also noticed some old skin with black
lines like a zebra color but not white but off white... Looks like something
came out of it... Thanks David
This appears to be a larva
of one of the hide/skin beetles (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) in the genus
Dermestes. Larvae of this genus are distinguished by the pair of horn-like
structures (urogomphi) at the end of their abdomen. These larvae will feed
on a wide variety of organic materials, mostly of animal origin, including
hides, fur, feathers, leather, cured meats, dead insects, etc. It thus may
be difficult to determine exactly where they are feeding. The ‘skin’ you saw
likely was a shed exoskeleton (exuvium) from one of these larvae molting -
see
http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/images/Dermestid/dermestidskins.jpg
for an image. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1914
Can someone please tell me the relationship between ants and what I think are
ladybug nymphs? The ants crawl up to the nymphs and seem to brush their rear
ends with their antennae - is this an okay relationship? Thank you!
Grace
Unfortunately, the insects in
this image are too fuzzy to see what they are, but it would be extremely
doubtful that they would be ladybird beetle larvae (see
http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/beneficial/lady_beetles15.htm
for an image). Some species of ants do tend ‘herds’ of aphids, apparently
attracted by the sweet liquid (honeydew) secreted by the aphids - see
http://i.pbase.com/g6/82/721382/2/78451259.JJP3Icic.jpg
for an image. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1913
I found this in my basement in Southern Ontario. I went down to clean up a bit
of water as it was raining pretty heavy outside and it was on the floor. Doesn't
move too fast or try to fly. A lot bigger than a June bug, any idea what it is?
A HUGE Oak tree came down across the street from me last week. Did these do the
damage to that trunk?
This a scarab beetle
(Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in the genus Osmoderma, possibly Osmoderma
eremicola - see
http://www.cedarcreek.umn.edu/insects/album/024030116ap.html.
Their larvae inhabit the decaying wood of numerous species of hardwood trees,
but do no damage to the trees themselves. I remember collecting specimens of
Osmoderma from a hollow boxelder tree at our North Dakota farm some 50 years
ago. Some members of this genus are reputed to smell like wet leather, thus
earning the name ‘odor-of-leather beetles.’
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist;
Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1912
Dear Sir/Maam, I'm trying to identify this pest in my tomato balcony
garden. I'm not sure if it is a beneficial or harmful insect for my garden.
Your help would be appreciated. Sumith
This appears to be a nymph of
a tree cricket (Orthoptera: Gryllidae; subfamily Oecanthinae). As their name
implies, they primarily feed on woody plants, and are not considered garden
pests. The ‘song’ of at least one species, the snowy tree cricket, varies so
regularly with temperature that it can be used as a thermometer! See
http://buzz.ifas.ufl.edu/585a.htm
for detailed information. |
 1911
We have plenty of these spiders (or looking like spiders) in our garage. Just
moved in an old house. Never saw anything like this before. They like to stay on
the wooden beams, but also crawl on the floor and jump very fast and quite high.
We live in Weschester county in New York State. Any chance to know what
creatures are these? Thanks. - PI
These are camel/cave crickets
(Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae - sometimes placed in the subfamily
Rhaphidophorinae in Tettigoniidae). They tend to be found in damp, dark
locations, where they shelter when not out foraging at night. They basically are
scavengers that are considered nuisance pests when they occur indoors. In rare
circumstances, they reportedly have damaged clothing held in basement/garage
storage for extended periods of time. See
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/camelcrickets.htm
for a fact sheet that includes control recommendations. Ed Saugstad, retired
entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1910
We live 25 minutes south of
Winnipeg, Manitoba. We found this insect on top of our bedspread, near where my
husband unpacked his luggage. We sometimes get ants in the house but flying
ones, have never seen one. What inspired me to send this picture is the fact
that my husband just flew home from Dubai. Any chance this insect hitched a
ride??? The insect is not alive in the pictures therefore could not get a good
shot of it standing. It has, double wings on each side with a black strip on
the out edge. It also had two pinch claws, one of which broke off while I was
trying to get it in a better position for the picture, it also has two prominent
round eyes… or what appears to be eyes… I am trying to get the best photo to
send you. Signed “Just curious” T
|
 1909
Hi I have found another strange beetle in my Barrie, ON garden. They are very
fast beetles that are bright green with five black stripes and a black head with
green legs. They have been found on lavender and chrysanthemum plants. They
are completely destroying these plants and must go!!! I would like to know their
names to warn other gardeners in the garden. Thx again Rosanne
|
 1908
Hello, Found this little critter in my Lab (Electronics lab), I haven’t seen one
before (have seen types similar to it) but not with the coloring this one has.
It is black with 3 copper colored stripes on its back side (which do not wrap
under the abdomen). We get shipments from around the world, so it’s not
abnormal to see rare bugs here. But, I like to know what they are, and what
they do, so I can better understand how to treat/handle them. Like the Orb
spider, since learning about them, I love ‘em, great spider, like having them
around my yard, and are a real party treat (especially when they’re BIG).
Location = Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. . James
This is a crane fly (Diptera:
Tipulidae). The adults are harmless, but a few species have larvae
(‘leatherjackets’) that may be turf pests. This is an veru=y large family with
thousands of species; see
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/craneflies_tipulidae
for some examples. Ed Saugstad, retired
entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1907
Hello, My husband and I live in Ajax, Ontario, and have a young cherry tree and
young plum tree. Last summer, our cherry tree was attacked by swarms of black
flying insects. We have attached a picture to help with identification. The
insects layed eggs on the cherry tree, which hatched into black larva, and
killed the leaves. Thankfully the cherry tree survived, but this year, the same
type of insects are back, and ignoring our cherry tree but attacking our plum
tree. There are many more bugs than last year, and it is not unusual to see at
least 30 swarming around the tree. This year it is the plum leaves that are
curling up and dying. We don't know what kind of bug it is, but it seems to
prefer fruit trees, as I also saw a swarm of them around an apple tree about 1
km from our house. The trees do not have any flowers on them now, so that is
not what is attracting the bugs. The bugs are at least one inch in length, with
thin bodies, long abdomens and thin transparent wings. We have tried spraying
the tree with insecticidal soap that is rated as safe to the environment, but it
was also completely safe for the insects, and did not deter them at all. Could
you please help us identify the insects, and also suggest how we can safely get
rid of them. Please hurry. Our tree is dying. Thank you. Joan
Munro
This insect is not responsible for
the damage you note, as it is a predatory wasp in the family Sphecidae (see
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/31318779
for an example). It is prowling the tree in search of prey that it will use to
provision its nest. You need to examine your tree more closely to determine the
true cause of its decline. Ed Saugstad,
retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1906
I AM A PHOTO HOBBYIST AND PHOTOGRAPHED THIS INSECT THIS WEEK IN THE EAST END OF
ST. JOHN'S NEWFOUNDLAND...ANY IDEA WHAT IT IS,, MAKES A FINE FOTO.... THANKS IN
ADVANCE... SUMMER 2008, IT WAS SUNNY 26 DEGREES AND 67% RH...THE INSECT
MADE NO ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE..... HOPE THIS HELPS. Cyril.
This long-horned wood-boring beetle
(Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is an elderberry borer (Desmocerus palliatus)
- see
http://flickr.com/photos/dryoptera/2621185993/
for more information. Ed Saugstad,
retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1905
This little fellow showed up in southern Delaware. Never saw one before, and I
find a picture in your listing which suggests this bug has connections in
Caracas, Vs.. Please, help! Richard
This is yet another long-horned
wood-boring beetle (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae); specifically, it is Eburia
quadrigeminata, known as the ivory-marked beetle (see
http://www.pittpaths.com/st/0058.htm).
Their larvae will bore into the heartwood of many deciduous trees,
particularly ash and hickory. They are long-lived; adults may emerge from
finished lumber years after milling. It is widely distributed in North
America, and appears to have been introduced into some Caribbean and South
American countries as well.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1904
Hello. I was given this fly specimen by a colleague here in Norman Wells, NWT
this afternoon. We would much appreciate an identification on it. The fly was
by itself on the window of a residence in town - the surrounding habitat is
mostly deciduous birch/poplar/willow. We're located just above the 65th
parallel on the banks of the Mackenzie River and the 'mega habitat' here in the
Norman Wells is boreal forest. The fly was in a patch of deciduous growth
that's surrounded by residences which in turn are surrounded by mostly spruce
trees. Many thanks! Alasdair Veitch ,
Supervisor, Wildlife Management - Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources,
Government of Northwest Territories
This is a bee fly (Diptera: Bombyliidae). They are nectar feeders, usually
hovering at flowers while ‘drinking’ through their long proboscis. Their larvae
are predaceous/parasitic on other arthropods, especially ground-nesting bees.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1903
This is a beetle found in
Costa Rica in July, in the mountains near
Guapiles. It is about 3 cm long, and as you can see, it has glow-in-the-dark
eyes (eyespots?). It will ‘click’ when disturbed, springing into the air... a
‘click beetle’ of some kind? Certainly not a pest, but who is he?
Lauri - Houston, TX
This click beetle (Coleoptera:
Elateridae) appears to be a species known as a ‘fire beetle’(Pyrophorus
noctilucus) because of the bright luminescent spots on its pronotum. See
http://fireflyforest.net/firefly/2006/06/06/fire-beetle/
for more detailed information.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
|
 1902
I live in Astoria, NY. I found this bug in my kitchen today (July 14, 2008)
In fact, I started to see this kind of a bug very frequently since April,2008.
Also, I guess I got bitten by them several times. However, I'm not sure what
kind of a bug it is.
Please let me know. Thanks a lot. Ray
This insect most likely would not be
responsible for any bites, as it appears to be a bean weevil (aka seed weevil);
Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, subfamily Bruchinae. They are not true weevils, but
are grouped under leaf beetles; they can become pantry/granary pests, feeding on
a wide variety of whole grains and seeds. See
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2085.html
for a fact sheet that includes control measures.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV. |
 1901
Hello, My girlfriend spotted
this delightful little guy wondering around our deck in mid June. We live in
Airdrie Alberta about ten minutes north of Calgary. We have only seen the one
and would really appreciate some information as to what exactly it is.
Clay
|
|
Looking for pest control supplies?
Buy from a reliable Canadian source listed on this web page:
Supplies for Pest Control |
|
