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See also:  Spider categorized species photos
More spider photo identifications
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 ( Out of focus, poorly lit and subjects too small to identify will not be published.)
Spider photos:  Only very high quality unusual spider photos will be published

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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.

 

Ants

I’m noticing a small dirt pile against my foundation and under the side of the house that was recently repaired for rot. It looks like ants are making their way in between the shell thing patch price under the siding. Is the debris in the dirt pile from the sheathing or dirt under the pavement? Is there a caulking, spray foam, stuffing and or spray I should use here. It only is happening in one spot around my foundation. Thank you kindly. Eastern Passage.

Expanding foam (see https://tinyurl.com/2p8x4th9 for an example) can be used as a barrier to ant entry, but be sure to clear away any loose material (soil, etc.) from around the opening to be sealed before applying the foam. There are foams available that also incorporate an insecticide – see https://tinyurl.com/3wpatpnc for an example.

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 .

 

cockroach

7441.        I have a problem with my apartments not sealing my baseboards and open areas we have bombed sprayed and fogged and they keep getting in Spiders, and roaches. There are 100s outside and I work hard to keep them out my apt but they don’t have proper sealing. Any way is this a roach or a spider. Yuba City, CA. United States

 

Number 7441.    This definitely is a cockroach; possibly an oriental cockroach Blattaorientalis (Blattodea: Blattidae). See cockroach detailed information .

 

carpet beetle

7440.       We recently moved to a brand new house and are finding a few of these. They are very tiny, smooth, black/dark grey and only about 1-2 mm long. Ottawa, ON. Canada

 

Number 7440.      This looks like a carpet beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) in the genus Attagenus (black carpet beetle and allies). See carpet beetle control recommendations .

 

Annual/dog-day cicada

7439.      Found in my garden on my Holy basil plant. Milton, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7439.      This is an annual/dog-day cicada (Hemiptera/Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadidae) in the genus Neotibicen. See Annual/dog-day cicada image .

 

Sphinx moth

7438.       Too afraid to get any closer. It hasn’t moved all day! Belliveau Cove, Clare Nova Scotia. Canada

 

Number 7438.       This is a harmless sphinx moth (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) in the genus Paonias; possibly Paoniasexcaecata, known as the blinded sphinx moth. See Sphinx moth Image .

 

Eastern boxelder bug

7437.      Can’t figure out what this insect is, but would like to know. We have many of them in our back yard, usually found on patio stones. Ottawa, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7437.     This a nymph of a true bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera) in the family Rhopalidae; most likely an eastern boxelder bug, Boisea trivittata. See Eastern boxelder bug detailed information .

 

Short-snouted/broad-nosed weevil

7436.      Looks like a beetle only in bathroom. Foothills, Alberta. Canada

 

Number 7436.     This appears to be a short-snouted/broad-nosed weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; subfamily Entiminae). They often enter buildings in search of shelter, but do no harm there. See Short-snouted/broad-nosed weevil detailed information .

 

Clearwing hummingbird moth

7435.      Lester Beach, Manitoba June 12, 2023. Scary but cool! Winnipeg, Manitoba. Canada

 

Number 7435.    This is a clearwing hummingbird moth (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) in the genus Hemaris, most likely Hemaris thysbe. See Clearwing hummingbird moth detailed information .

 

Larva of a lacewing

7434.       It was biting my leg and I keep waking up with bite marks every other night , I’m pregnant and I don’t know what kind of bug this is I’ve never seen it before someone let me know please. Winnipeg, Manitoba. Canada

 

Number 7434.     This appears to be a larva of a lacewing (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). These are general predators on other small invertebrates, mostly other insects. For reasons unknown, they occasionally will ‘sample’ human skin, but their bite is harmless to humans. See lacewing detailed information .

 

Twice-stabbed stink bug

7433.    Black beetle with red markings. Many on peonies, but none seen on other plants. Edmonton, Alberta. Canada

 

Number 7433.    This is not a beetle, but a twice-stabbed stink bug, Cosmopepla lintneriana (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). See Twice-stabbed stink bug detailed information .

 

Moth

7432.     This thing was attached to our sliding screen door. I couldn’t get a better picture because I was afraid to go out to the balcony. Toronto, On Canada

 

Number 7432.      This is a harmless moth in the family Saturniidae (giant silk moths). From its feathery antennae, it appears to be a male, hoping to find a mate before its life runs out in a week or less. These moths do not feed, but live off the fat reserves built up during its larval stage.

 

Tortoise beetle

7431.     Hi, We found this bug in our pool and on our patio window. Not sure what it is but it is very small. As you can see in the pics, the bug is on an pool surface skimmer ring. Wendover, Eastern Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7431.      This is tortoise beetle, a leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the subfamily Cassidinae; it looks like a clavate tortoise beetle, Plagiometriona clavata. See tortoise beetle detailed information .

 

Mystery bites

A few weeks ago I was bitten three times in a row. I put out bed bug traps and have been checking my bed daily. I have no more bites. Two weeks ago my grandson slept over and had two sets of bites on his arm in a line of three bites. I still have bedbug traps down and I have washed all bedding and clothing and sprayed pesticide everywhere a week ago. Today I swept it all up and washed my floors. I found five different larder beetles. I still have no seen any signs of bedbugs. It is possible it is larder beetles and we are having allergic reactions to them. GimliN

“Mystery bites” are among the most difficult cases to resolve satisfactorally, as several causes other than actual bites may be responsible. The only absolutely certain solution is to actually observe the culprit(s) in the act of biting. I am unaware of any instances of allergic reactions to larder beetles, but cases of dermatitis caused by a reaction to the hairs of carpet beetles in the genus Anthrenus are well documented – see https://tinyurl.com/3jxn827s for an example.

Indian meal moths

Hello, I have a case of Indian meal moths for the past several months and I can’t seem to get rid of them and I need help. Woodbridge ON

As I would not recommend application of any pesticide in food storage areas, the best cure is prevention. The first step is sanitization – empty out all pantries, etc. where dry food products are stored, and give them a thorough cleaning. Then, place all infestible items in sealable metal or plastic (such as Tupperware) containers, or in a refrigerator/freezer. You may consider periodically setting out pheromone-baited traps for these moths to detect any future infestation before it becomes a problem (these traps are not an effective control measure).

Click beetle

7430.    Mississauga, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7430.       This is a click beetle (Coleoptera: Elateridae); a harmless accidental visitor. The larvae of some species (wireworms) can be agricultural pests. Click beetle detailed information .

 

Elm seed bug

7429.     Found about 6 of these on my living room carpet this morning, not moving much, some may even be dead; didn’t see evidence of them flying. May 2023 in Vancouver during a very warm spell (27-30C indoors). Largest was about 7mm long. Black/dark brown. Also saw a few similar ones around a window frame of an open upstairs window. Vancouver, British Columbia. Canada

 

Number 7429.      This appears to be an elm seed bug, Arocatus melanocephalus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Lygaeidae); a European species that has become a common nuisance pest in the Pacific Northwest. See elm seed bug detailed information .

 

leaf beetle

7428.    This bug was roughly half a centimeter long. We’ve seen about 5 of them in the last week either on a wall or on the hardwood floor. All of them have that very distinct brown mark on their back in the same spot. Is this a pest I should be worried about? Coquitlam, BC. Canada

 

Number 7428.     This appears to be a leaf beetle (Coleoptera; Chrysomelidae); likely accidental intruders that will not damage anything indoors. leaf beetle more information.

 

ants

I’m a first year university student and I have a burning question about ants I was hoping you could help me with. I like ants a lot. I also don’t understand how they exist at all. From what I know, ants have one, or sometimes a few queens, and the rest of the female ants are infertile because of hormones the queen secretes. I’ve also heard that less male offspring reach maturity because the worker ants taking care of the young prioritize resources to the female offspring. This is where my confusion starts. Shouldn’t so few mating individuals leave the population with very low genetic diversity, making them vulnerable to disease and predation and other bad stuff? But it seems to me like the ants are thriving! Since I started thinking about this, about a week ago, I haven’t been able to think about anything else. I tried googling it but I couldn’t find anything (at least not anything I could understand). So now I’m reaching out to you! Thanks in ant-vance! Evelyn 🙂

I don’t think you need to worry overmuch about ants, as they have been incredibly successful (an estimated 20 × 1015 (20 quadrillion) ants on Earth, with a total biomass of 12 megatons of dry carbon. This exceeds the combined biomass of wild birds and mammals – https://tinyurl.com/bdcrcc5c ).

That aside, a queen ant may mate with two or more males, and thus her stored sperm will have a fair amount of genetic diversity. ( https://tinyurl.com/47zest27 ) . Also, outbreeding is fairly common – see https://tinyurl.com/26nxwdt7 for an example.

Finally, for something really different, “Yellow crazy ants (Anoplolepisgracilipes) are the first known species that requires chimerism to create fertile males (Every male ant contains separate populations of cells from two distinct genetic lineages).” See https://tinyurl.com/mtawemk2 for details.

Woodlouse spider

7427.      2 inch long. Dangerous? Why so large? Mississauga, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7427.    This appears to be a woodlouse spider, Dysdera crocata (family Dysderidae). They are capable of inflicting a painful (but not dangerous) bite; see Woodlouse spider detailed information .

 

Larva of a carpet beetle

7426.       Found this bug on a shirt. It was almost invisible, very fast, way more reddish than it looks in this pic. I thought was a carpet beetle larvae but it does not seem to be oval shaped. Found in South Quebec. Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Quebec. Canada

 

Number 7426.  This is a larva of a carpet beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) in the genus Anthrenus (varied carpet beetle and allies). See Varied carpet beetle detailed information .

 

Duff millipedes

7425.      These very small bugs appeared above our lights near the ceiling. The close up image is of one that is ~2 – 3mm in size and is one of the larger ones, they go down to less than a mm. There are several hundred and they are crawling around on the walls and ceiling. It is March on the south coast of BC. Sooke, BC. Canada

 

Number 7425.    These appear to be duff millipedes (Diplopoda: Polyxenidae; Polyxenus sp.), sometimes also called dwarf or bristly millipedes. Normally found outdoors where they feed primarily on lichens and algae, they cause no harm and do not need control. See Duff millipedes detailed information .

 

Larva of a Carpet Beetle

7424.       I keep finding these dead and alive in my house every couple months. I got the carpet cleaned but still find these popping up on my furniture and carpet. Edmonton, AB. Canada

 

Number 7424. This image appears to be a larva of a carpet beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) in the genus Dermestes (larder beetles and allies). See Carpet Beetle control recommendations.

German cockroaches

7423.    Hello I’m just wondering what blind of bugs these are bin my apartment they look like cockroaches but are all different sizes some r different colours.. I used two spray bottles on my place a month ago they where the cheapest kinds I guess my landlord bought when they came down from Toronto where they live.. today I just got two cans of raid spray… Been spraying outlet.. cracks.. microwave stove… Back of fridge… I’m the first person living in this place before it was va fish restaurant then this spicy pearl place… I moved in May ish in Oct at the end when it started to cold it’s been bad since mid Dec to now. I’ve been trying to keep cleaning up as much as I can…. Cornwall

 

Number 7423. These are German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (Blattodea: Ectobiidae), a peridomestic species difficult to bring under complete control. See German cockroaches control recommendations .

An assassin bug

7422.  Markham, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7422. This is Reduvius personatus, an assassin bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae) known as the masked hunter. This is a peridomestic species that feeds on many other arthropods found in buildings; it’s bite is reported to be very painful, but not dangerous to humans. See An assassin bug detailed information .

western conifer seed bug

7421.    What is this? Mississauga, Ontario. Canada

 

Number 7421.  This is a western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Coreidae). This is an introduced species that has become widely established in North America. They are harmless, but may become nuisances when they enter buildings in search of shelter. See western conifer seed bug detailed information .

Other photo id pages. (click number above)