Nymph of the masked hunter

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6292 I found this little guy at the corner of our shower/tub against the wall. It was approximately 4mm long. It’s humid in the summer, we use central air, but not often (usually nighttime). Thanks for any insight! From Hanover Ontario

Number 6292 This is a nymph of the masked hunter, Reduvius personatus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae), a peridomestic species often found in homes. The nymphs have sticky hairs on their bodies that hold dust and bits of debris that disguise the general outline of these bugs. See Click here for more information on this fascinating insect.

Nymph of a brown marmorated stink bug

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6291 This bug is all over the trees in the neighbourhood. August 1, 24 degrees C. Surrey BC. From Surrey, British Columbia

Number 6291 This is a nymph of a brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). See Click here for detailed information including control recommendations.

Nymphs of a boxelder bug

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6290 I have never seen these bugs before and today ther are 30 of them outside my door. From Hamilton, Ontario

Number 6290 These are nymphs of a boxelder bug, likely the eastern boxelder bug, Boisea trivittata (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Rhopalidae). These are nuisance pests that seldom cause any real damage. Click here for more detailed information, including control recommendations

Larva of a snakefly

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6289 Approximately 12 mm long, moves in a snake like fashion. From Victoria, British Columbia

Number 6289 This is a larva of a snakefly (Raphidioptera: Raphidiidae), likely in the genus Agulla. These are general predators on other small arthropods, mainly other insects.

Pea or bean weevil

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6288 Approximately 20 show up daily on the sunniest window every morning. Started July 30th. I live in Ottawa. They can fly but easy to catch. From Orleans, Ontario 

Number 6288 This is a special kind of leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the subfamily Bruchinae known as a pea or bean weevil . Their larvae develop in large seeds of legumes such as peas or beans and can be serious pests. Check all areas where you store dried seeds (including bird seed) for signs of infestation – Click here   for an image.

Male fishfly

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6287. From Lion’s Head, Ontario 

Number 6287 This is a male fishfly (Megaloptera: Corydalidae; subfamily Chauliodinae); it might be a summer fishfly, Chauliodes pectinicornis Click here for an image.

Larva of a larder beetle

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6286 Have no clue what these things are, its like the larva shed their skins and turn into these black nightmarish things. I hope they aren’t bad for my health or my dogs’ health, I’ll do anything to get rid of them. The larva has spikey looking hair on them and these pronged horns on the back and when they grow up their bigger and their tails are longer, they do look like they bite but I’m not sure yet. They have six legs though all together. From Calgary Alberta

Number 6286 This appears to be a larva of a larder beetle, Dermestes lardarius (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), a cosmopolitan pest that will feed on a wide variety of organic materials, especially those of animal origin. Click here for more detailed information including some control suggestions.

Female giant ichneumon wasp

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6284  What is this? From George’s New Foundland

Number 6284 This is a female giant ichneumon wasp (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) in the genus Megarhyssa, likely M. macrurus, see Click here for an image and more detailed information, Your specimen was in the act of drilling into the wood to deposit her egg in the tunnel of a wood wasp in the family Siricidae.

Common red soldier beetle

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6285  These flying bugs are about 1 cm long and don’t seem to do much damage. We haven’t seen them before, but they are reproducing somewhat quickly in our vegetable/herb garden. Any information would be appreciated. From

Number 6285 This is a common red soldier beetle, Rhagonycha fulva (Coleoptera: Cantharidae), they feed primarily on the smaller insects that they find on flowers. See Click here  for an image and more detailed information.

late stage nymph of a hairy chinch bug

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6283  Hunderds just showed up on our pressure treated wood surrounding a flower garden in Center of city.
Also see them lots in my grass, which is very patchy and brown

Number 6283 This appears to be a late stage nymph of a hairy chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus hirtus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Blissidae), a common turf pest in Ontario; see Click here for more detailed information.

Bed bug

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6282 What is this? From Nanaimo, Bc

Number 6282 This is either a bed bug (Cimex lectularius; Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Cimicidae) or the closely related bat bug (Cimex pilosellus). Click here for an image. Also Click here for an excellent publication on bed bugs.

Giant lichen orbweaver

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6281 This creature met me in my garden this morning. Have asked hubby and son neither answer appears to be correct. From Thunder Bay, Ontario

Number 6281 This is a giant lichen orbweaver, Araneus bicentenarius, Click here for an image. All orb weavers are harmless to humans.

Larva of a beetle

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6280 First found this bug behind my kitchen sink, then on the floor in my bathroom. Found this one in my shower with me this morning. Roughly over a centimetre long. Just need help identifying so I can get rid of them properly. From Dowling, Ontario

Number 6280 This is a larva of a beetle in the family Dermestidae (carpet/skin/hide/larder beetles and allies). These can feed on a wide variety of organic materials (primarily those of animal origin), including accumulations of dead insects. You might check any clothing/fabrics, especially those in long-term storage, that incorporate wool or silk for signs of insect damage.

Wharf borer, Nacerdes melanura

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6279 Hello, I’ve recently found 2 or 3 of these insects in (and around) my bathroom every day for the past week. Every time, I remove them but the day after (sometimes even less) another is there. Sometimes 2 or 3 even. I have absolutely no idea what this could be, I’ve never seen these in my life and I haven’t been living in Quebec (or Canada) since long so maybe it’s something local to Quebec? I’m clueless about this and I’m afraid it might be something serious. I hope you can help identify this. Thank you in advance. From Quebec

Number 6279 This is a wharf borer, Nacerdes melanura (Coleoptera: Oedemeridae). Their larvae bore in wet, rotting wood and seldom if ever cause any real structural damage. Click here  for more detailed information.

Elm seed bug

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6278 Trying to discover if my pets, family or home are in danger from these little guys. they appear to be about 3/8″ long and look to be infesting any wood on wood surfaces outside (where our wooden patio furniture is resting against the wooden fence, dozens of them will be hiding) they appear to be growing in numbers and we have started to see them inside the house. Began seeing them early spring, currently midsummer. From Vancouver, BC

Number 6278 This looks like an elm seed bug, Arocatus melanocephalus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Lygaeidae). This is an introduced European species; see Click here for more detailed information. These are nuisance pests that cause no real harm but they stink when crushed and their fecal droppings on structures are an eyesore.

Giant water bug

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6277 Found in our backyard pool

Number 6277 This is a giant water bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Belostomatidae). Also known as toe-biters or electric light bugs, they are voracious predators on other aquatic life forms, including other insects, tadpoles, and minnows. They are very strong fliers and have been found far from any natural water source. Click here for more detailed information on these fascinating creatures.

Shed ‘skin’ (exuvium) of a Mayfly subimago

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6276 From Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Number 6276 This is a shed ‘skin’ (exuvium) of a mayfly subimago (an intermediate stage between the aquatic nymph and the fully mature adult). Mayflies are the only insect that molts after it has developed wings.

Red-shouldered pine borer, Stictoleptura canadensis

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6275 Hello, this beetle was outside on my deck around noon today (July 16/18); the weather was very hot and humid. I think it’s a long-horned beetle of some sort, but I can’t find it in my field guide and I didn’t see it in your photo archive. The second photo is included just for scale (that’s a Canadian dime). I’d love to know what kind of beetle this is. Thanks. From Peterborough, Ontario

Number 6275 This is a red-shouldered pine borer, Stictoleptura canadensis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae; subfamily Lepturinae) – Click here for an image.

‘Skin’ (exuvium) of a nymph of a cicada

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6274 What kind of bug is this? It’s cracked open and there’s nothing in it, what kind of bug is empty?

Number 6274 This is the shed ‘skin’ (exuvium) of a nymph of a cicada (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Cicadidae), likely one of the so-called dog-day or annual cicadas such as those in the genus Neotibicen -see Click here for an image.

Broad-nosed/Short-snouted weevil

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6273 Tiny tiny beetle! Half the size in width of a pinky nail. Lime green. Was at falcon lake sunny summer day. He could fly but really didn’t seem to care to. What is he?

Number 6273 This is a broad-nosed/short-snouted weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; subfamily Entiminae); it looks like Polydrusus formosus, known as the green immigrant leaf weevil – see Click here for images and more information.   

Sculptured Resin Bee

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6272 Trying to determine if this is a wasp or hornet species. i found it hanging around my solitary bee house. From Ontario

Number 6272 This is a sculptured resin bee, Megachile sculpturalis (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), an introduced species. Click here for images and more detailed information.   

Trichiotinus assimilis

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6271 This insect was found on the flowers of a False Spirea on July 7/18. Please advise what it is. 

Number 6271 This appears to be Trichiotinus assimilis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), a species commonly found on flowers. Sometimes called a bee-mimic beetle, it does not appear to be a pest species. Click here for an image and more information. 

Nymph of a leafhopper

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6270 Sitting in the Finger Lakes region of New York on a weed… Not sure what kind of Nymph this is… looking for ID. From Concord, NH 03301 United States

Number 6270 This appears to be a nymph of a leafhopper (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Cicadellidae); Click here for another example.

Laurel Sphinx Moth

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6269 Mid day this was hanging out on the deck, it looks like fur on its face and I think it’s a moth. Was very large and looked like a piece of wood. Took a few pics and left it alone we t back to check and it was gone. From Newfoundland

Number 6269 This appears to be a laurel sphinx moth, Sphinx kalmiae (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae); Click here for images and more detailed information.

Snipe Fly

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6268 . Seemed to like being around the vegetable garden in 20+ degree weather. July. From Langley, BC

Number 6268 is a snipe fly (Diptera: Rhagionidae); it looks like Rhagio tringarius , known as the marsh snipe fly, Click here for an image. Their larvae are predators on insects and earthworms they find in or on the soil.

Flower longhorn beetle

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6267 Found on my kitchen floor. July, 28 degrees C. From Langley, BC

Number 6267 This is a flower longhorn beetle (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae; subfamily Lepturinae); it looks like Xestoleptura crassipes, Click here for an image. They cause no damage .

Nymph of a long-horned grasshopper

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6266 Found this nestled in the leaves of a milkweed plant. From Beausejour Mb

Number 6266 This is a nymph of a long-horned grasshopper (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), likely either a bush cricket or false katydid.

Squash borer moth

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6264 A. I have never seen this Critter before but it was fluttering around my vegetable garden like really weird all over the place like it could not decide what it wanted. From Dunnville Ontario
6264 B. I have never seen one and was wondering what it was? There is only 1 flying around my garden. Almost flies like a humming bird. From Trenton Ontario

Number 6264 This a squash borer moth, Melittia cucurbitae (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae). These can be very destructive garden pests; see Click here for some control/prevention advice.

European Firebug

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6263 My entire yard is full of them. I need advice on what they are and how to get rid of them. Thousands of them crawling in my grass. From Toronto, Ontario

Number 6263 This is a European firebug, Pyrrhocoris apterus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae), an introduced species currently sporadically distributed in North America, Click here  for an image and distribution map. These primarily are nuisance pests that will not harm your lawn; they reportedly feed mainly on the seeds of plants in the mallow family. Click here for some control recommendations.

Engorged female hard tick

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6262 We found this on our dog. From Osoyoos B.C

Number 6262 This is an engorged female hard tick (family Ixodidae); likely in the genus Dermacentor. You may want to have your dog checked by a veterinarian if it shows any sign of illness during the next couple of weeks.

Rove beetle

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6261 Found this little guy in basement. Curious as to what he is. From Fort St. John, BC

6261 This is a rove beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). These are general predators on other small arthropods, mainly on the insects.

Nymph of a short-horned grasshopper

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6260 As you can see by the photo, a clover flower, this is a tiny green grasshopper. more or less 1 centimeter, almost missed it if not for the color contrast. I haven’t been able to identify, is it because it is a immature? or is this an mature grasshopper? Photographed on June 10, below the Eastern Parkway, along the cycling path on the Ottawa river (within a kilometer of Green Creek), sunny condition, early summer. From Ottawa

Number 6260 – This is a nymph of a short-horned grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) – Click here for an example. At this stage, it is not possible to assign a specific i.d. to it; it might be one of the species that stays green all its life, but it also could be one of those that change their appearance as they grow.

Eastern parson spider

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6259 The spider was found indoors. The size is about a dime size. Early summer, June/23/2018. It was on and off storms and humid in this region of southern Ontario on the 23rd. If you need more pictures i’ll send you more of the little guy.

Number 6259 – This is an eastern parson spider, Herpyllus ecclesiasticus (family Gnaphosidae); harmless to humans. Click here for images and more detailed information.