Thread-legged bug

7475.     Found late at night in the kitchen walking (slowly) on the kitchen counter. Aproximately the size of an American dime. Pelham, Alabama. United States

 

Number 7475.     This is thread-legged bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae; subfamily Emesinae). Most are general predators on other small arthropods; some specialize on spiders, and may steal the spiders’ prey as well. Very interesting insects that many people never see.

 

larva of carpet beetle

7474.    3 mm long insect found next to my grandpas day bed. Vancouver, BC. Canada

 

Number 7474.    This appears to be a partial larva of carpet beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) in the genus Anthrenus. See carpet beetle control suggestions .

 

Boxelder bug

7473.    Calgary, AB. Canada

 

Number 7473.    This appears to be a boxelder bug, Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Rhopalidae; Boisea sp., most likely a western boxelder bug, Boisea rubrolineata – see Boxelder bug clip

 

Leaf-footed bug

7472.     Saw this near our trash inside our home today. wondering if it’s a kissing bug? It’s my first time seeing this so I’m a little bit worried cause I have kids around. London, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7472.    This is a harmless leaf-footed bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Coreidae), likely a western conifer seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis). These often enter buildings in search of shelter, but do no harm there. See Leaf-footed bug detailed information .

 

Weevil

7471.    Ottawa, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7471.    This is a weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). If it is very small (less than 4 mm), it could be one of the granary weevils in the genus Sitophilus. Just to be safe, you should check all food storage areas for signs of insect infestation. See weevil detailed information 

 

Larva of carpet beetle

7470.     Hello, We got a few bites this month, like giant mosquito bites but really itchy and large (and we don’t usually react to mosquitos). Checked our room for bedbugs but found no signs at all. But in the room next to us where our laudry piles up and next to a window that has holes in the screen, we found a few of these bugs. They do not seem to jump or fly and are maybe 1-3 millimeters in size. Please let us know! ETOBICOKE, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7470.     This is a larva of carpet beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) in the genus Anthrenus. It is very unlikely to be the cause of your bite symptoms. See carpet beetle control suggestions .

 

Grain beetles

7469.    Found indoors, in a ground floor condo, smaller than a grain of rice. Toronto, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7469.    This appears to be one of the grain beetles (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) in the genus Oryzaephilus (saw-toothed and merchant grain beetles). They will infest a wide variety of dry stored food products, and nay become pantry pests – see Grain beetles detailed information .

 

Broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil

7468.    Trying to figure out what this bug is… flea? Kitchener Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7468.    This is a broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; subfamily Entiminae). These often enter buildings in search of shelter, but do no harm there.

 

Bot fly

7467.    This was crawling across my living room floor. Is it a bot fly larva? Can they just come into a home on their own? we have no pets or kids. Toronto, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7467.  It is a mature bot fly (Diptera: Oestridae; subfamily Cuterebrinae) larva that has emerged from its host (most likely a rodent or rabbit) and is seeking a safe place to undergo pupation. These are incapable of entering buildings on their own. See Bot fly detailed information

 

Orb weaver

7466.      Temple City, California 91780. United States

 

Number 7466.  This is an orb weaver (family Araneidae), it looks like a Neoscona sp., possibly N. crucifera.

 

Argiope aurantia

7465.        Hanging in window, outside. Large! Elora, ON. Canada

 

Number 7465.    This is Argiope aurantia, a very common and widespread orb weaving spider (family Araneidae). Because of its very wide geographic range, it goes by a wide variety of common names. See Argiope aurantia examples . All orb weavers are harmless to humans.

 

Female Argiope aurantia

7464.        Very large spider. Meteghan, NS. Canada

 

Number 7464.    This is a female Argiope aurantia, a very common and widespread orb weaver (family Araneidae) that goes by a wide variety of common names. Like all other orb weavers, it is harmless to humans. See Argiope aurantia more information.

 

Smokybrown cockroach

7463.        It only come out in the light, very fast, around the sink. I’m in GA. I noticed it has a line but some don’t have a line. I tried putting peppermint oil around the counter but it does not fade this bug. Decatur, GA. United States

 

Number 7463.      This is a nymph of a smokybrown cockroach, Periplaneta fuliginosa (Blattodea: Blattidae) . See Smokybrown cockroach information and Smokybrown cockroach more information .

 

Grain beetles

7462.         We live in Montreal and these are in our pantry and randomly throughout our apartment. Montreal, QC. Canada

 

Number 7462.     The image is too small for me to be certain, but it might be one of the grain beetles (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) in the genus Oryzaephilus; these are quite common pantry pests. See Grain beetles more information .

 

Winged ant

7461.        There is a swarm of these bugs dropping onto my back deck, car, roof just everywhere they land. The swarm is flying above some trees in my backyard. I am unable to identify them myself, hoping you guys can! Thanks 🙂 Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia. Canada

 

Number 7461.    This a winged ant, but I cannot tell which species it might be. Swarming of winged ants is just a part of their mating ritual – see Winged ant details .

 

Broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil

7460.         Hi, What is this bug? We found this at my son’s cloth. So scared. Vancouver, BC. Canada

 

Number 7460.      This is a broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; subfamily Entiminae). These weevils often enter buildings in search of shelter, but do no harm there.

 

Rove beetle

7459.        We are on Vancouver Island in a rural area. We suddenly have an influx of small insects in the house. They are quite slow moving, don’t fly, are about 5-6mm long, and seem to be all over the floors. I have never seen them before although we have lived here for 12 years. It has rained recently for the first time in quite a while, but that is the only change in weather. Any thoughts as to what these might be would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Ladysmith, B.C. Canada

 

Number 7459.        This is a rove beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). The vast majority of these beetles are general predators on other small invertebrates, mostly other insects. Rove beetle detailed information .

 

Broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil

7457.         Multiple inside the house. West St Paul, Manitoba. Canada

 

Number 7457.       This is a broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; subfamily Entiminae). They often enter buildings in search of shelter, but do no harm there. broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil image .

 

Cobweb/comb-footed spider

7456.        Found in small tangled web behind door, near floor. Ottawa, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7456.     This is Steatoda triangulosa, a cobweb/comb-footed spider (family Theridiidae) known as the triangulate cobweb spider. Although belonging to the same family as the widow spiders, it is harmless to humans. See Cobweb/comb-footed spider detailed information .

 

Firebrat

7455.           We found them in the kitchen floor. They are active only at night and are very fast! LaSalle, QC. Canada

 

Number 7455.    This is a firebrat, Thermobia domestica (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae). They and their close cousins, silverfish (Lepisma saccharina), are scavengers that will feed on just about any organic material, Usually considered nuisance pests, large populations, if left undisturbed, can damage items such as fabrics, wallpaper, books, and other paper. See Firebrat detailed information , including control suggestions.

 

Cicada nymph

7454.          What kind of insect is this and does it bite? Scarborough, ON. Canada

 

Number 7454.      This appears to be the empty ‘shell’ (exoskeleton) of a cicada nymph (Hemiptera/Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadidae). When cicada nymphs have completed their development under ground, they tunnel up to the surface and seek out some vertical surface to climb up on, where they will then shed their exoskeleton and rest a while before taking wing as adults. They do not bite.

 

Ground spider

7453.            Found on deck at back of house. Ottawa, ON. Canada

 

Number 7453.       This is a ground spider (family Gnaphosidae) in the genus Sergiolus, most likely S. montanus – see Ground spider image . They are not dangerous to humans.

 

Great golden digger wasp

7452.         I have more pictures but they won’t upload. Please email if more are required. I have never seen this bug before. Inkerman, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7452.     This appears to be a great golden digger wasp, Sphex ichneumoneus (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae). The female wasp digs burrows in the soil that she then provisions with insects (most often relatives of grasshoppers) that she has paralyzed with her sting. These serve as food for her developing larvae. See Great golden digger wasp detailed information .

 

Lace bug

7451.        Hi, we cannot find this tiny bug ID anywhere. For a size comparison the stitching seen on the photo is the stitching on an IPAD cover. We have lived in Medicine Hat for 50 years and never seen this one before. I hope the picture is clear enough as we had to zoom in and save it as the bug was so tiny. Thanks. Medicine Hat, AB. Canada

 

Number 7451.    This is a lace bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Tingidae). These are sap feeders, usually found on the underside of leaves. See Lace bug image .

 

Predaceous diving beetle

7450.         Fredericton, Nb. Canada

 

Number 7450.     This is a mature larva of a predaceous diving beetle (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae); it has completed the aquatic phase of its life cycle, and has emerged from the water in search of a safe place to undergo pupation.

 

Caterpillar of a sphinx moth

7449.        What kind of worm is this. White City, Sk. Canada

 

Number 7449.    This is a caterpillar of a sphinx moth (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae); most likely that of an Achemon sphinx, Eumorpha achemon. They feed primarily on the leaves of wild grape, Virginia creeper, and related vines. See Sphinx moth information .

 

scarab beetle

7448.         Winnipeg, Manitoba. Canada

 

Number 7448.  This is a scarab beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in the genus Osmoderma, most likely O. eremicola. Commonly known as the hermit flower beetle, hermit beetle, “odor-of-leather beetle” (for strong odor of “Russian Leather”), their larvae develop in rotten, punky wood. See scarab beetle details on their biology .

 

Birch catkin bug

7447.      Keep finding these in our motorhome after our trip to the Okanagan, camped under trees. They like the sun and smell a bit when squished. Very small and can fly a bit, hard shell. Surrey, BC. Canada

 

Number 7447.    The most likely suspect is the birch catkin bug, Kleidocerys resedae (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Lygaeidae) – see Birch catkin bug detailed information

 

Adult cicada

7446.       At least 3 cm long. Montréal, QC. Canada

 

Number 7446.      This is an adult cicada (Hemiptera/Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadidae) emerging from its nymphal ‘shell’; it will gradually change colour and harden its skin over the next few hours, and then fly off in search of a mate. Cicadas of this type often are referred to as ‘annual’ or ‘dog-day’ cicadas, as some emerge every year (usually after midsummer) after spending several years as nymphs feeding on tree roots underground.

 

Assassin bug

7445.    Found inside, pretty slow. Only identification I could have found was assassin bug. WATERVILLE, QC. Canada

 

Number 7445.       It is indeed an assassin bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae); likely in the genus Zelus. See Assassin bug detailed information .

 

White-margined burrowing bug

7444.      Located on East-South facing outside wall but migrating to all sides of the house. We had consecutive days of rain. Current temperature 21*C, Daytime high of 27*C. Mass of them on concrete foundation. They were not there yesterday. Impressive amount of them. Mont-Tremblant, Quebec. Canada

 

Number 7444.    These look like nymphs of the white-margined burrowing bug, Sehirus cinctus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Cydnidae). They feed primarily on the seeds of plant in the mint and nettle families.

 

Broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil

7443.       Started seeing these a couple weeks ago, mostly in tiled bathrooms and front entrance. No sign of any in bedding , nor no insect bites. They’re very dark coloured—like black. They move slowly. Do not fly. Ottawa, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7443.      This is a broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; subfamily Entiminae). They often enter buildings in search of shelter, but do no harm there. See Broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil example .

 

Assassin bug

7442.      I’ve seen a few of these guys in the summer months. They seem to get in through the window air conditioner. What is it, and is it dangerous to me or my cat? (On that note — please excuse all the cat hair visible in the photo.) Thank you. Toronto, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7442.     This is an assassin bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae) known as the masked hunter (Reduvius personatus). They are general predators on other small invertebrates, mainly other insects, and they reportedly can deliver a very painful (but not dangerous) bite if mishandled. See Assassin bug detailed information .