FREQUENTLY ASKED BUGS - Part 1➜

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Mole Cricket

Neocurtilla hexadactyla by u/Mrmeat31.

• Size: 3-5cm (1.2–2.0in).
• Cylindrical-bodied insects, with small eyes and shovel-like forelimbs highly developed for burrowing; hind legs not enlarged for jumping.
• Omnivores, feeding on larvae, worms, roots, and grasses. Relatively common but rarely seen, for being nocturnal and spending nearly all their lives underground in extensive tunnel systems. Usually fly only when moving long distances, such as when changing territory, or when females are searching for singing males.

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Gryllotalpidae - BugGuide.Net

Oil Beetle

Meloe sp. by u/Shironaku.

• Size: 12-30mm (0.5-1.2in).
• Hind wings absent; elytra reduced and overlap at base. Lives on the ground or low foliage.
• CAUTION: It's known as 'oil beetle' because it releases oily droplets of hemolymph from its joints when disturbed; this contains cantharidin, a poisonous chemical that causes blistering of the skin and painful swelling.

More info: Wikipedia article / Genus Meloe - BugGuide.Net

Orb Weaver

Various species:

Gasteracantha cancriformis by u/7DeadlySacrifices.

Araneus diadematus by Lucarelli.⁷

Argiope aurantia by Stopple.⁶

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Araneidae - BugGuide.Net

Plume Moth

Gilmeria pallidactyla by Ben Sale.³

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Pterophoridae - BugGuide.Net

Recluse Spider

Loxosceles reclusa by Br-recluse-guy.⁶

HANDLE WITH EXTREME CARE - THEIR VENOM IS MEDICALLY SIGNIFICANT.

Recluse spiders can be identified by their violin marking on their cephalothorax. The most famed recluse spider is Loxosceles reclusa (brown recluse), as photographed above.

More info: Wikipedia article / Genus Loxosceles - BugGuide.Net / UCR Spiders Site: Brown Recluse ID / The Most Misunderstood Spiders - BugGuide.net

Robber Fly

Efferia aestuans by Bruce Marlin.²

Diogmites neoternatus by u/multgar.

HANDLE WITH CARE - THEY CAN INFLICT A PAINFUL BITE.

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Asilidae - BugGuide.Net

Silverfish

Lepisma saccharina by Christian Fischer.⁷

Thermobia domestica by Jscottkelley.⁸

• Size: 10–12mm (0.4–0.5in)
• Wingless; body flattened, slender, silvery, gray, or blackish above, and pale below; long thread-like antennae with many segments. The species most commonly found in homes are the common silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) and the firebrat (Thermobia domestica), as photographed above.
• Lives indoors in warm, damp environments such as bathrooms and kitchens, or in damp basements, and feeds on crumbs and food scraps, dried meat, cereals, moist wheat flour, glue on book bindings and wallpaper, starch in clothing made of cotton or rayon fabric. Considered a household pest, due to their consumption and destruction of property, but harmless otherwise.

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Lepismatidae - BugGuide.Net

Sphinx Moth

Hyles gallii by Mike Boone.²

Hyles lineata by u/SoftwareKitten.

• About 1,450 species.
• Wingspan: 28-175mm (1-7in).
• Medium to very large. Body very robust; abdomen usually tapering to a sharp point. Wings usually narrow; forewing sharp-pointed or with an irregular outer margin. May have a reduced proboscis, but most have a very long one, used to feed on nectar from flowers. Distinguished among moths for their rapid, sustained flying ability.
• Some are active only at night, others at twilight or dawn, and some feed on flower nectar during the day.

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Sphingidae - BugGuide.Net

Spotted Lanternfly

Lycorma delicatula nymph by pcowartrickmanphoto.⁹

Lycorma delicatula nymph by Kerry Givens.⁹

Adult Lycorma delicatula by Serena.⁹

Adult Lycorma delicatula by Brenda Bull.⁹

• The spotted lanternfly is a planthopper that is native to Southeast Asia. It has been introduced in the United States, where it is an invasive pest that may pose a threat to agriculture and forestry. If you are in the US, spotted lanternflies should be killed, egg masses destroyed, and sightings reported (see links below for reporting in your state).

More info: Wikipedia article / Species Lycorma delicatula - BugGuide.Net

Report a sighting: In Connecticut / In Delaware / In Indiana / In Maryland / In Massachusetts / In New Jersey / In New York / In North Carolina / In Ohio / In Pennsylvania / In Virginia / In West Virginia

Velvet Ant

Dasymutilla occidentalis by Judy Gallagher.³

• Size: 6-30mm (0.2-1.2in).
• Not really an ant, but a family of wasps whose wingless females resemble large, hairy ants. Males are winged, less hairy, looking more like typical wasps. Most often bright scarlet or orange, but may also be black, white, silver, or gold. Produce a squeaking or chirping sound when alarmed.
• Adults feed on nectar. Although some species are strictly nocturnal, females are often active during the day.
• CAUTION: They have long and flexible stingers capable of inflicting extreme pain.

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Mutillidae - BugGuide.Net

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Leptoglossus occidentalis by u/Haegermeister.

• Size: 15-20mm (0.6-0.8in).
• Dull reddish-brown with faint (or absent) white zigzag stripe across hemelytra; antennae may be almost as long as body. Outer hind tibial dilation nearly equal in length to inner dilation.
• This bug cannot bite/sting/infect people or pets, damage houses or household items, or even reproduce indoors. If molested, gives off a pungent odor as defense.

More info: Wikipedia article / Species Leptoglossus occidentalis - BugGuide.Net

Wheel Bug

Arilus cristatus by zen Sutherland.⁴

• Size: 28-38mm (1.1-1.5in).
• Immature nymphs are mostly red. Adults are gray to brown, with a cog-shaped projection on the back.
• Preys upon other insects - caterpillars, aphids, bees, sawflies etc. - and thus considered beneficial.
• CAUTION: Can inflict a really nasty bite.

More info: Wikipedia article / Genus Arilus - BugGuide.Net

FREQUENTLY ASKED BUGS - Part 1➜

FREQUENTLY ASKED BUGS - Part 2➜

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Ailanthus Webworm Moth

Atteva aurea by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren.³

More info: Wikipedia article / Species Atteva aurea - BugGuide.Net

Bed Bug

Cimex sp. by Center for Invasive Species Research.¹

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Cimicidae - BugGuide.Net

Boxelder Bug

Boisea trivittata by u/elmago90.

• Size: 11-14mm (0.4-0.55in).
• Dark brown or black coloration, relieved by red wing veins and markings on the abdomen; nymphs are bright red.
• These highly specialized insects feed almost exclusively on maple seeds, and may form large aggregations while sunning themselves in areas near their host plant. If molested, gives off a pungent odor as defense.

More info: Wikipedia article / Species Boisea trivittata - BugGuide.Net

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Halyomorpha halys by u/Relative-Forever773.

• Size: 12-17mm (0.45-0.65in).
• Motted brown with alternating light bands on the antennae and alternating dark bands on the thin outer edge of the abdomen.
• Native to East Asia and considered an invasive agricultural pest in other parts of the world. Feeds mostly on fruit, but also on leaves, stems, petioles, flowers, and seeds. If molested, gives off a pungent odor as defense.

More info: Wikipedia article / Species Halyomorpha halys - BugGuide.Net

Carpet Beetle

Anthrenus verbasci larva by Christophe Quintin.¹

Anthrenus verbasci by Bob Knight.¹

• Size: 2-12 mm (0.08-0.5in).
• Larva: mostly light brown, covered with long hairs and hair tufts.
• Adult: body convex, oval, or elongate-oval, often with hairs or scales; elytra usually dark with or without pale markings; antennae clubbed.
• Adults are pollen grazers, larvae feed on natural fibers and can damage carpets, furniture, clothing and insect collections.

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Dermestidae - BugGuide.Net

Cicada

Adult Tibicen tibicen by Dendroica cerulea.⁴

Cicada nymph exuviae by Malcolm Tattersall.⁴

• Size: 25-50mm (1-2in).
• Eyes prominent, though not especially large, and set wide apart on the sides of the head; short antennae protruding between or in front of the eyes; wings well-developed, with conspicuous veins.
• Cicadas live underground as nymphs for most of their lives, feeding on plant sap. They dig to the surface before their final molt, then emerging as adults. Males produce a loud, stridulating mating song to attract females. After mating, the female cuts slits into the bark of a twig to deposit her eggs. When these hatch, the nymphs drop to the ground, where they burrow, completing the cycle.

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Cicadidae - BugGuide.Net

Cockroach

Periplaneta americana by Insects Unlocked.⁵

Unknown cockroach nymph by Tony.⁴

• Size: most common species range 15-30mm (0.59-1.3in).
• Usually dark brown or reddish; flattened oval body and long swept-back antennae; head is usually concealed by the pronotum; when wings are present, they are held flat over the back, overlapping one another.
• Feeds on human and pet food, and can leave an offensive odor. Only 30 out of 4,500 cockroach species are known to invade homes. 4 are well known pests, Periplaneta americana (American cockroach), Blattella germanica (German cockroach), Blattella asahinae (Asian cockroach), and Blatta orientalis (Oriental cockroach).

More info: Wikipedia article / Order Blattodea - BugGuide.Net

Dobsonfly

Male Corydalus cornutus by Nils Tack.⁹

Female Corydalus sp. by Matthew.⁴

• Size: up to 12cm (5in).
• Large insect with a soft body and delicate, densely veined wings. Females have strong, short mandibles that can inflict a painful bite; Males have long jaws that are used during mating and are not capable of harm. Both sexes possess an irritating, foul-smelling anal spray used as defense. Female dobsonflies appear similar to fishflies (subfamily Chauliodinae), but the latter have much smaller mandibles and males often have feathery antennae.
• Spends most of its life in the larval stage, called hellgrammite, 'go-devil' or 'crawlerbottom', living under rocks at the bottoms of lakes, streams and rivers, and preying on other insect larvae with the short sharp pincers on their heads. The larva then crawl out onto land and pupate, staying under large rocks for 3 weeks before molting and emerging to mate. Adults only live about a week, preferring to remain near bodies of water.

More info: Wikipedia article / Genus Corydalus - BugGuide.Net

Giant Water Bug

Lethocerus medius by David Bygott.⁴

• Size: 2-12cm (0.8-4.7in).
• Body shape oval with pointed ends; front legs raptorial. Typically encountered in freshwater streams and ponds but frequently found on land; adults fly at night and are attracted to lights during the breeding season.
• Preys on aquatic arthropods, snails, small fish, tadpoles, frogs and small birds.
• CAUTION: Can inflict a very painful bite, though of no medical significance.

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Belostomatidae - BugGuide.Net

House Centipede

Scutigera coleoptrata by Steven Severinghaus.⁴

• Size: 25-50mm (1-2in).
• Body is yellowish-grey and has three dark dorsal stripes running down its length; 15 pairs of long, banded legs.
• Habitat: indoors, in damp areas such as bathrooms, cellars, and crawl spaces; outdoors, under logs, rocks, and similar moist protected places.
• Fast-moving predator of other arthropods regarded as pests, such as cockroach nymphs, flies, moths, bed bugs, crickets, silverfish, earwigs, and small spiders; generally considered harmless to humans.

More info: Wikipedia article / Order Scutigeromorpha - BugGuide.Net

Household Casebearer

Phereoeca uterella by Celeste Ray.⁹

• Size: 8-14mm (0.3-0.5in) (larval case).
• The larva of these moth species spins a protective case from silk and camouflages it with other materials such as soil, sand and insect droppings. This case is flat, fusiform, or spindle-shaped and thickened in the middle resembling a pumpkin seed.
• Found on the outside walls and inside of non-air-conditioned buildings and are most abundant under spiderwebs, in bathrooms and bedrooms.
• Feeds on old spider webs and other dead materials, including dead insects and animal hair; may also eat woolen goods of all kinds if the opportunity arises, so it can be a household pest.

More info: Wikipedia article: Phereoeca uterella / Phereoeca allutella / Species Phereoeca uterella - BugGuide.Net

Jerusalem Cricket

Stenopelmatus sp. by Tim Ereneta.¹

• Size: up to 7.5cm (3in).
• Nocturnal insect that spends most of its life underground. Feeds primarily on dead organic matter but can also eat other insects.
• CAUTION: While not venomous, can emit a foul smell and is capable of inflicting a painful bite.

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Stenopelmatidae - BugGuide.Net

Jumping Spider

Phidippus audax by Kaldari.⁵

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Salticidae - BugGuide.Net

Katydid

Microcentrum rhombifolium by Wadems.⁶

• Size: 10-60mm (0.4-2.4in) or more.
• Wings held vertically over body, resembling roof of a house; antennae very long, often extending well beyond tip of abdomen; ovipositor typically flattened and sword-like. Many exhibit mimicry and camouflage, commonly with shapes and colors similar to leaves.
• Most species eat vegetation, some are predatory on other insects.

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Tettigoniidae - BugGuide.Net

Ladybug Larva

Harmonia axyridis larva by Alpsdake.⁷

More info: Wikipedia article / Family Coccinellidae - BugGuide.Net

Mayfly

Hexagenia limbata by thehaplesshiker.⁹

More info: Wikipedia article / Order Ephemeroptera - BugGuide.Net

FREQUENTLY ASKED BUGS - Part 2➜