pest identification photos 1201

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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.
If you have a digital camera or scanner send us photos of any pest you would like identified. Please include the location the pest was found and any other information you can offer. Hopefully one of our visitors will be able to identify them. Send your photos or answers to: webmanager@pestcontrolcanada.com

Click on the photos to enlarge. They are usually much clearer.

1300 This is around 4 mm length pest i found it inside my computer shop ,it was sticked close to the window, outside the window there is birds all the time. this one is not full of blood the other one i found is full with blood. Osama
This could be a soft tick (family Argasidae). Unlike hard ticks that feed slowly and must remain attached to their host for extended periods of time (often several days) in order to feed to repletion, soft ticks feed relatively rapidly, usually at night, and leave their host to seek shelter during the daytime. Many species feed primarily on birds, but others will feed on reptiles or mammals (including bats). In North America, soft ticks in the genus Ornithodoros can transmit the causative agent for relapsing fever. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1299 We live in West Central Saskatchewan. I originally thought these guys came in on some poplar wood/leaves but am not so sure now. After thinking they were gone, I found them behind the baseboards and possibly under the sheetrock (not sure if they are under sheetrock or just in the crack behind baseboards. Thank you. Gay

This beetle looks very much like the specimen no. 1099, also from Saskatchewan. Unfortunately, I was unable to provide a positive i.d. It’s overall appearance is consistent with the family Tenebrionidae, which includes some stored products/household pests such as the confused flour beetle and the cadelle. However, the vast majority of tenebrionids are not pests, and your specimens may simply be accidental intruders. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1298 Hi!! I live in Barrie Ontario and this large beetle (approximately 1 and a half inches in length from head to toe) was found at my job on a loading dock on a very stormy night. The beetle appears to be black in color with some brownish hair on it's underside. I have never come across a beetle this large and was wondering what species it was. Thank you. Jennifer
This is a scarab beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), but I cannot be more specific from the image provided. One possibility from its size and your description is that it could a female rhinoceros beetle (Xyloryctes jamaicensis; see http://entweb.clemson.edu/amuseum/webonly/local/lmisc/lmisc17.jpg for an image). Although this is considered a southern species, at least one record for Ontario exists - see
http://www.pinerypark.on.ca/pdf%20files/icheck.pdf. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1297 I went to Atlanta last year and stayed in a hotel (looked dirty on the inside). When I returned home I noticed about 15 of these bugs in my back pack so I threw it out. Every now and again I see one of these bugs on my couch. Any ideas on what kind of bug it is? Are they pests? Thanks! Scott Winnipeg, Manitoba
The photo is too fuzzy for a positive i.d., but it does bear a resemblance to a dermestid beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) such as those in the genus Megatoma (see http://www.dermestidae.com/Megatomacylindrica.jpg for an image). However, as far as I know, that genus is restricted to western North America, and is not regarded as pestiferous. Nevertheless, just in case, you might want to examine your premises for any signs of dermestid larvae (see http://www.floridanature.org/photos/Dermestidae_1,_Tallahassee,_20041114.jpg and http://www.uku.fi/~holopain/stt/apellio2.jpg for representative images). Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1296 I found this bug inside on my carpet. It's brown about 1/8" long and it jumps. To me, it's shaped almost like a shrimp. I've looked on several different websites to try to figure out what they were. The closest thing to it is a torpedo mayfly larvae, but that's not quite it either. The sites say these are aquatic insects. I've seen these here in South Carolina since I was little and they are always outside around dirt or sand and it's almost always during the summer. It has three tails, two short on the outside, one long in the middle, two long antennas, it looks like it has fangs on the front (I may be wrong), and it looks prehistoric. It also looks like it has a hard shell on top of its head and upper back, but down towards the tail its almost like scales. Please help!!! Thank you!!! -Melody-
This is another member of the order Thysanura (see nos. 1295 and 1238), but because it jumps, it likely belongs to the family Machilidae (‘jumping bristletails’). To the best of my knowledge, none of these are considered pests. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1295 Please help!! I live south of Vancouver BC. I have this bug in the house , its about 0.6 cm 0 1.2 cm, moves really fast, they are found on the floor sometimes high on the wall or even in the bath tub. body is soft , does not fly .Find them one a time, never in group , appears to die and dry up on the floor, Are they harmful to human ? do they bite ? do they carry disease ? Most importantly how do I get rid of them ? M. Tan
This appears to be a firebrat, a primitive insect in the order Thysanura, family Lepismatidae (silverfish and firebrats). They will feed on all manner of starchy materials, from that found in bookbindings, wallpaper and clothing to some pantry items. Although they seldom are numerous enough to cause serious damage, they certainly can be nuisance pests. See http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/housingandclothing/DK1018 for a fact sheet that includes control recommendations. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1294 These guys were all photographed in my woods (except the one in the bathroom) in East Texas between Dallas and Shreveport, below the I-20 and not far from the Louisiana line. Bob Wilson.
Arp, Texas US

Left - This is a larva of a white-marked tussock moth (Orgyia leucostigma; Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae - see http://www.discoverlife.org/IM/I_DLW/0000/640/Orgyia_leucostigma,_larva,I_DLW78_1.jpg for an image of a larva and http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/38804504 for an adult moth). They are general feeders on the leaves of a wide variety of trees and shrubs, and contact with the body hairs of these larvae can cause an allergic reaction (urticaria) to sensitive skin. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
Center - This is a specimen of Cramer's Eighty-eight (Diaethria clymena; Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). It is a South American species that occasionally strays into the southern United States; see http://www.nearctica.com/butter/plate18/Dclymen.htm for an image and more information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
Right - This is an assassin bug (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), likely the banded assassin bug, Pselliopus cinctus; see http://www.stephencresswell.com/s/0314.JPG for an image. Assassin bugs such as these are general predators on other small arthropods, and generally are considered beneficial. However, larger specimens are capable of delivering a painful ‘bite’ if mishandled. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1293 I found (ok my CAT found) this bug crawling through the living room today. It's creeping me out!!! It's about 1cm. long and has a really odd red pattern on its back. (And its the dead of winter...how can it be alive right now!?!) HELP so I can sleep tonight! --Michelle Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada

This is a stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae); likely Perillus bioculatus (see http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/46752156 for an image). Although most stink bugs are plant feeders, several species, including this one, are predaceous and therefore considered beneficial. It overwinters as an adult; your specimen probably entered your home accidentally in search of suitable winter quarters. It is nothing to worry about. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1292 Need help identifying pls. We've found a few of these in our relatively new house (2yrs) Coloring is same on all. Non flying. We're located in Alberta. Thanks Warren

This is a long-horned wood-boring beetle (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). However, it does not appear to be a species that would cause any structural damage. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1291 Hello. Can you please identify the bug in this photo I took the other day in my yard. I would like to know if it is a beneficial insect or if it is the one eating my flowers leaves. I live in south eastern BC, and I found it on my Echinacea flower. Thanks Jenny

This is a nymph of a stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Although this family includes a few predaceous (and therefore beneficial) species, the vast majority are plant feeders. This specimen more likely belongs to the latter group. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1290 We live in Northeastern Wisconsin and have seen several of these bugs for the last couple of weeks (early / mid August). They have a hard shell and appear to be black / brown and crawl fairly quickly. Audrey.
This is a weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae); likely in the subfamily Otiorhynchinae (short-snouted weevils); see no. 1283 for another example. It most likely is an accidental invader and not an indoors pest species. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1289. I have discovered a new bug. The diameter of the ball on top looks like maybe 1.5 mm. When not walking it retreats to some extent under it's ball. When it walks, viewed from above it looks as though it is riding on wheels, so perfectly smooth is its motion. I found it in a canyon in Los Angeles, California. Thank you very much. Terry Payne

This is a larva of a lacewing (order Neuroptera) - I cannot be sure from the photographs, but it appears as if the empodium (median structure between the tarsal claws) is broadened terminally, which would put it in the family Chrysopidae (green lacewings). The empodium in the closely related family Hemerobiidae (brown lacewings) is more pad-like in appearance. Larvae of some species in both families will ‘camouflage’ themselves by attaching bits of debris to their body setae. They are general predators on other small arthropods, including aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, etc. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1288 Do you know what this is? I found it behind the night stand beside the bed. It appears to be a skin of some kind...
As the photo would not enlarge, I can say only that it looks like either a shed exoskeleton of a spider, or a very dehydrated dead spider. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1287 Please find attached 2 photos of an insect, which was found in a Chinese restaurant, in Ireland. The insect measures approximately 2 mm in length. Any help with its identification would be greatly appreciated! Brenda Lennon.

Although I cannot see the diagnostic features (cornicles), the overall size and general appearance of this insect is consistent with it being an aphid (‘plant louse’). What it might have been doing in a restaurant is anyone’s guess - I doubt if it was on the menu! Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1286 Hello! This is the second one of these guys we found buzzing around the house in Bremerton, WA. At first glance I thought it was a moth while it was flying around, but when it landed, it was obviously something else. It has long antenna and a mantis like head. It's back legs lay straight back aligned with the wings, they are not like a grasshoppers, ready to jump. It's body is not sectioned like a moth, and the wings are like panes of glass, not covered in a dust. It does not have large mandible, or pincer, just a very small mouth, very hard to see. Any help would be appreciated, I have already spent hours pouring over google and bug books. Love the site. Thanks, Danielle

This is an adult caddisfly (order Trichoptera). Their larvae are aquatic; most species construct cases of pebbles or plant material, but some others make silken nets in which to trap the plant debris on which they feed. A few predaceous species are free-living. Trichoptera is considered a sister group to Lepidoptera, the two orders thought to share a common ancestor that gave rise to no other lineages. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1285 I think its a millipede but unsure flesh toned with brown /grey towards the tail, keep finding them in the basement usually dead but a few on the move seem to curl up when touch or dead, basements is dry and clean its winter out side can't tell what the attraction is, I vacuum them up but get about 50 new ones a week worried what summer will be like if not resolved, no mulch near foundation, small garden near front of house new home new grass, can someone please help? Nick
This is indeed a millipede, specifically, a flat-backed millipede (order Polydesmida). It resembles the garden millipede, Oxilus gracilis; see http://www.bioterium.com.br/bioterium/animais/Diplopodos/Imagens/OxilusGracilis.jpg for an image. This species can damage tender plants (such as in greenhouses), and will invade homes to some extent. See http://www.uvm.edu/extension/publications/el/el21.htm for a fact sheet that includes control recommendations. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1284 We live in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, and we have recently found 3 of these insects in our home. It is tan in color with black stripes on it back, 2 long antenna's and grasshopper type rear legs, and 2 "points" on it's rear end. Any info on this insect would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Bree.
This is a camel cricket (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae, subfamily Rhaphidophorinae); see nos 1265, 1231, 1198, 1148, and 1130 for other examples. Usually considered nuisance pests, they seldom do any real harm. See http://entweb.clemson.edu/cuentres/eiis/pdfs/HS21.pdf for a fact sheet that includes control recommendations. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1283 I have noted these bugs about two weeks ago, they usually appear in pairs in the morning, on the floor or wall. They are approximately 1 cm long. I leave in West Vancouver, BC in an apartment building, on the second floor and keep the balcony open during the night. Originally I suspected that they may be coming from the plant I recently purchased, so I removed the plant outside, and then I removed all my plants outside. I did not see them for 2 days, but then one appeared this morning. I am very concerned, should I be contacting exterminators? Your help would be greatly appreciated. Nina
This is a weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae); subfamily Otiorhynchinae (short-snouted weevils). This subfamily includes at least one serious agricultural pest species (the introduced white-fringed beetle), as well as the black vine weevil (an occasional pest on nursery stock). Although this specimen does resemble the black vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus; see http://safari.zog.org/images/DSC_4599.jpg for an image), I would hesitate to call it with certainty. If you do have black vine weevils, you might notice the characteristic adult feeding damage as seen at http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/TRA/PLANTS/images/lilcbkvh.jpeg (their larvae feed on plant roots). Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1282 hi found this bug underneath my fridge. ive recently had to treat my place for german cockroaches which seem to have gone away over the last month. i had gel bait and had the place sprayed as well. im terrified at the idea that the problem is back. help appreciated!!! tad

This appears to be a larder beetle (Dermestes lardarius; Coleoptera: Dermestidae - see http://www.dermestidae.com/Dermesteslardariusm.jpg for an image). This is a pantry pest, feeding primarily on proteinaceous items, such as cured meats, cheeses, dried fish, dry pet food, etc. See http://www.ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/larder_beetle.htm for a fact sheet that includes control measures. Also, you may wish to check infestible items in your pantry for signs of these beetles, their larvae (see http://www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/natural/insects/bugsfaq/pics/larder.jpg ), or damage. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1281 Hello, My name is Sarah I live in new westminster BC, it a rental apartment building that is fairly old, and we have these little tiny beetle like bugs in our kitchen, they really like to get into the flour and cornstarch and then die there so we had to throw away food and make sure to seal everything but they keep showing up especially on the wooden cutting board, i tryed drowning them tried laying a faramone trap (worked great on the tiny moths) but we cant get rid of them here is a photo, thanks for the help :)
There are several species of small, reddish-brown beetles that may infest flour and similar dry food products. The images here are too fuzzy to be certain, but these could be saw-toothed or merchant grain beetles (Oryzaephilus surinamensis and O. mercator); see http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2086.html for a fact sheet that includes control recommendations. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1280 PLEASE ID Darren. London, Ontario

This is a short-horned grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae), but the image is too fuzzy for a more specific determination. One possibility is that it could be a Carolina locust (Dissosteira carolina; see http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/Images/Orthoptera/d_carolina.jpg for an image). Note the notch in the pronotum of this specimen, it is diagnostic for this genus. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1279 Found this in a parking lot in Dartmouth Nova Scotia. At least two inches long. Never seen anything like it thanks. Mike

This is a horntail (Hymenoptera: Siricidae). Their larvae bore into both hardwood and coniferous, particularly those already under decline because of disease, fire, or other insect depredation. They seldom are numerous enough to cause real additional damage to the trees, but do degrade the quality of lumber from infested tree, and may continue to develop in and emerge from green lumber (see http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/iiin/bhorntail.html). They are preyed upon by spectacular ichneumon wasps in the genus Megarhyssa (see no. 1081 for an example). Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.
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This is is a type of Symphytan wasp called a Horntail (Family: Siricidae). The females use their modified ovipositor to insert an egg along with symbiotic fungi and mucus into dying or diseased trees. The secretions promote fungal growth for the larvae to feed upon. Craig Gibbs

1278 In reference to photo # 1035, I agree, it looks like a wolf spider but I found it on top of a four foot weed and it appeared to be guarding this nest, with egg sac and all these little spiders all over the inside, unless this was her lunch …
Whatever this is, it almost certainly is not a wolf spider egg sac. Female wolf spiders carry their egg sac attached to their spinnerettes (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:IC_Wolf_spider.jpg for an image) until the eggs hatch, at which time the spiderlings emerge and climb on to the female’s back where they remain at least until their first molt (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Wolf_spider_with_young_in_garden.jpg for an image). Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1277 Hi, I found this little guy in Elliot Lake, Ontario. It was in my dresser drawer on a item of clothing. If looks furry and doesn't move much. Thanks for all the help. Drew..
This is a larva of a carpet beetle in the genus Anthrenus. See nos. 1209 and 1210 for other examples, and http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2103.html for a fact sheet that includes control recommendations. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1276 I found this bug (there are four photos of it) in my New York city apartment. It was just sitting on the linoleum in the middle of the hallway between my kitchen & living room just near the door to my closet. It didn't try to run or move. I squash it before realizing i should have kept it as is, but the bug was rounded on the top and flat on the bottom. It is brown and has ridges and a bunch of white legs underneath curled under. Any idea what this is?
Thanks if anyone knows what this is! Kristi
This is a sow bug. They are usually found in damp locations and do not survive if they venture out into dry areas. Read more about sow bugs.

1275 Greetings, I live in Santa Cruz, CA and found this spider on an old redwood stump after I peeled away the thick bark. I am embarrassed to say (after reading many of Rick Vetter's articles) that I thought it was a Brown Recluse. The spider was approximately 1.75 inches
from leg to leg and was completely motionless in late afternoon on a cool day (approx 55 degrees F). The base of the legs were not blue and green, I suspect the flash brought out the colors. Can anyone help me out on this? Thanks.
This could be a recluse spider (Loxosceles spp.), although the characteristic ‘violin’-shaped marking on the cephalothorax cannot be seen. The best way to be more certain is by examining the eye pattern. If the eyes are in three groups of two each (total of six eyes), it almost certainly is a recluse spider (see http://www.spiderzrule.com/spiderphotos05/DSC_0077.1.600.jpg for an image). The other possibility is that it could be an immature huntsman spider (family Sparassidae). These spiders have eight eyes in two rows of four eyes each (see http://www.geocities.com/brisbane_spiders/images/Sparas3.jpg). Huntsman spiders are nocturnal; during the daytime, they may be found under loose bark, among other shelters. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1274 Hi This is a follow up to Photo 1261. These two pictures are clearer, and show live bugs – untouched so undamaged. These are appearing in a basement bathroom – in London Ontario, but not in any other rooms. We have taped cracks and clear bags over bigger openings, and have now found at least one entry point – there is a small pipe elbow from floor to wall, with a large opening into the wall, this is where we have found them appearing (seen behind a plastic bag taped over the pipe and openings) – so probably from wall. Does this help to identify what these are? Thanks , Brian

Again, I cannot be certain, but these moths could be in the superfamily Tineiodea that includes clothes moths and their relatives. There are hundreds of species of microlepidoptera known from Ontario, but the vast majority have larvae that are internal feeders (such as leaf miners) on living plants. A few species (such as clothes moths) have larvae that feed on materials of animal origin, including woolen fabrics, hair, fur, and the like. You might want to determine whether any plaster in that room contains animal hair (still occasionally used as a strengthening agent in plaster - see http://www.lime.org.uk/products/p82.asp ). If it does, that could be a potential food source for some pest insects. See http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/entfacts/struct/ef609.htm and http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2107.html for fact sheets on clothes moths that include control recommendations. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1273 Hi, this unusually bright green bug was found in Pembroke, Ontario. My boyfriend and I were putting away a few things in the shed when this little guy landed on the door frame above our heads. He sat there for a few hours and didn't seem to be bothered by us moving in and out around him. Although I try to avoid unusual looking bugs, this one caught my attention with his bright colour. A lot of bugs freak me out, but I came across this site today and was fascinated at the pictures and info. I sat for hours looking and reading....even identified a few more for me that I couldn't find...now I know what they are. Thanks for this site. The picture was taken during the summer of 2006. This was the clearest picture I could get, any ideas? Sue
Although the photo is too fuzzy to be certain, this could be an assassin bug (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in the genus Zelus; such as Z. luridus, a species that feeds on aphids and other soft-bodied insects and that has been reported from apple orchards in southern Ontario. See www.inhs.uiuc.edu/~sjtaylor/reduviidae/Zelus.jpg for an image. It is harmless to humans. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1272 I find these nests in the channels of my windows. I’m not sure if they’re wasp nests as I see thin waisted wasps around the areas in the Spring or stink bugs nests as I found three stink bugs in this one (photo attached). I clean out the channels each December but they are back each spring. Can the stink bugs be raiding a wasp nest? Can a wasp be raiding a stink bug nest? Or is it something else. Also I found a green grasshopper in one of these last year and in another what looked like a peanut with a soft center? Any one have any ideas of what this might be? Thanks, Steve. Simsbury, Connecticut
The bugs appear to be Western conifer seed bugs (see nos. 1253 and 1218 on this page), and are unrelated to the ‘nests’ you found. Those most likely were made by a grass-carrying wasp (Isodontia spp; Hymenoptera: Sphecidae). They provision their nests with tree crickets, which could be mistaken for pale green grasshoppers. Seed bugs on the other hand, often enter homes in the autumn seeking overwintering quarters. Although considered nuisances, they do no harm indoors. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1271 Hello, I found this clinging to my double pane patio door last night, 27 January 2007 - 11:00pm. Took its photo with my Nikon D70. Bug measured 2.25 inches square at widest points. We live next to a small river, just below the McDowell Dam in a heavily forested area in Peterborough, NH. I think it s a leaf leg like a baby Western conifer seed bug but after emailing the photo to Craig Hollingsworth, Head of Entomology at U Mass. He wrote:

"It is not a western conifer seed bug. The immatures would not be around until summer and would be in trees, not houses. It's a cool picture but I can't get a handle on what I am looking at. Which parts are which? It could be a cranefly but I could not tell. I suggest that you send the picture to "what is this pest" at http://www.pestcontrolcanada.com/Questions/What is this pest.htm Let me know if you find out what it is. Craig Hollingsworth, Ph.D., Department of Plant, Soil & Insect Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst MA "

I believe it's missing a leg or the leg is tucked under it's body. It died this morning. I am still not too sure it was not a western connifer seed bug. We had unseasonably warm days between December 1st and January 20. Could this have fooled the bugs into mating? I hope you can identify this pretty thing (as my kids called it).
I believe that this is a flower, and not an insect, as I see five petals, five anthers, and a pistil. I suggest that you ask Dr. Hollingsworth if he could forward the photo to a botanist in his department for assistance in identification. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1270 Hi. I was wondering if you could identify this little guy for me. I found him on the windowsill looking outside. He is about 1 cm with his wings expanded. After I took the photo I removed him from the house. I have seen one or two others about the house but have not found were they are coming from. The eventually find themselves in our light fixtures in the ceilings. I live in Gibbons Alberta on an acreage north of Edmonton. Doug…
This is a many-plume moth (Lepidoptera: Alucitidae). Three species in this family, all in the genus Alucita, have been reported from Canada (see B Landry and J-F Landry. 2004. The genus Alucita in North America, with description of two new species (Lepidoptera: Alucitidae). The Canadian Entomologist. 136(4):553-579.). It is possible that this specimen is Alucita adriendenisi, a newly described species distinguished from the other two by having uniformly coloured head scales -see http://www3.cablevision.qc.ca/jlap/chroniques.html for an image. These are not considered pests; the larvae (where food habits are known) appear restricted to members of the honeysuckle family. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1269 First of all, Thank You Sooo much for your site, it has helped me identity many an insect I have come across. Here is the little critter I cannot seem to put my finger on. Body is structured similarly to an earwig, but they all have the cream coloured strip down the back, two horn like appendages at the back and front just like an earwig. They appear in my bachelor apartment's kitchen on the 10th floor, in Toronto Ontario. There are never many all at once together, they scurry when I turn on the light, they don't like my company. They are at the largest 1/2 inch, but most are about 1/4inch or smaller. The picture is from one that drowned in a glass beside the sink, it might be bloated as it is on the larger scale of the ones I usually see. (other insects infested in my apartment: silverfish in the bathtub and found in the closet- and a TON of fruit flies, mostly in the kitchen) -Stephanie
This appears to be a nymph of a German cockroach, Blatella germanica. These can be very serious nuisance pests, especially in apartment complexes and the like, and complete control depends on cooperation among all residents. See http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2099.html for a fact sheet that includes control recommendations. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1268 Hello there so we have these bugs in our apartment. They fly, are attracted to light and seem to mate all the time by being attached butt end. Im finding them much in the window sills, carpet and on the ceiling. I cant figure out how to get rid of them. Any help would be great. Thanks so much. Jason

This could be a drugstore beetle (Stegobium paniceum; Coleoptera: Anobiidae), a sometimes pantry pest that will feed on an extremely wide variety of organic materials including spices, flour, leather, and hair. You probably should check your pantry for any signs of insect infestation. See http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/urban/stored/drugstore_beetle.htm for a fact sheet that includes control recommendations. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1267 Keep finding the bug all over basement usually curled up and dead can't tell where they are coming from? new home 2 years old unfinished basement can someone please help?

The photo is too small and fuzzy to be certain, but based on the description, it most likely is a millipede. Although considered nuisance pests, they do no real damage in situations as described here. See http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/millipedes.htm for a fact sheet that includes control recommendations. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1266 I just came upon your wonderful site. The pictures I have are of a fly (?) we saw on the counter in the kitchen. It as about 3/8" long and seemed to be drinking off the damp counter. As it walked, its wings moved backwards and forwards. We released it after it had finished drinking. I looked at other sites for a key, but some of them are much too technical for me. I looked in diptera because it seems to have only one set of wings, but I couldn't find it. I'm sure that it is not a pest. Can you help identify it for me? I live in Edmonton, Alberta.
This is a repeat of number 1092, identified as a flutter fly (Diptera: Pallopteridae) in the genus Toxoneura
by Dr. Martin Hauser. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1265 Hi, Every year i find these in a dark wooden shed in the woods. Mostly on the door inside, as was this one. Is this a camel cricket ? Most pictures i find are of dead bugs and they look different. I live in Trout Run, PA USA Thanks, Paul

This does appear to be a camel cricket (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae, subfamily Rhaphidophorinae); see nos 1231, 1298, 1148, and 1130 for other examples. Usually considered nuisance pests, they seldom do any real harm. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1264 Hi there, We came back from vacation and found these clumps of seed-like pods in corners of the house. They are not in the main hallways, etc. but tucked away in shelves and on the towels in the bathrooms. I don’t think these are bug/pest droppings, but I thought I would send a picture across just to be sure. I tried to squeeze a few of them and they appear to break in half with some whitish substance inside. The exterior seems to be like a shell, of sorts. Also, these clumps are nowhere near the vents. We live in Vaughan, ON and the temperature in the house was set at 62 degrees F when we left. We recently moved up from the US, and can’t figure out what this could be. Has anyone else come across this? Thanks! David
A clearer photo would be of great help here. Possibilities include seed caches made by mice (but in that case, you should have seen mouse droppings in the vicinity), and pupae of a small species of fly. Did you have any unrefrigerated cheeses or cured meats stored in the house? Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1263 Hello, I picked this little guy up for my kids a week ago in a bean patch near Eriksdale, MB. He was then about 3/4 of an inch long, white with a faintly yellow stripe down his back. Now he is an inch and a half, rust colored with a black head end and a bit of black on the tail end. He also has white guard hairs. Is this a tussock moth caterpillar? I have seen the ones that are bright yellow but not these rusty ones. Thanks. Neat website. Wanda ( Josh and Skylar)
This most likely is a so-called "yellow bear," the larva of the Virginian tiger moth (Spilosoma virginica; Lepidoptera: Arctiidae). Yellow bears can be extremely variable in colour, from pale yellow to nearly black, but all have the very long setae that you noted. See http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/28359379, http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/33470956 , http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/32569764, and http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/49820681 for some examples. Although several species in the family Arctiidae are referred to as "tussock moths," this term more commonly is applied to members of the family Lymantriidae. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1262 Hi, I live in Cheadle, Staffordshire, England. This insect flew into our house the other night, I whacked it with my slipper and sprayed it with fly killer several times but it still took over 24 hours to die! It is brown in colour approx 3cm long with a large upper body connected to the lower body by a very long narrow waist? It has 2 long back legs, and two long antennae. A nasty looking sting kept protruding from its tail. I have never seen anything like this. Can anybody tell me what it is and if it is native to our country. Thank you. Regards. Chris.
This is a parasitic wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Ophioninae; approximately 500 species in this subfamily have been reported from Great Britain. Most members of this subfamily are parasitic on moth larvae. Females have a very sharp ovipositor (the ‘sting’ that you noticed). Although they lack venom, some of these wasps are capable of penetrating human skin with their ovipositors. The resulting ‘sting’ may be painful, but it is harmless. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1261 Hi, I saw your great forum and would like to ask for help. We bought an old (55yrs) house in London Ontario last summer, and a month after moving in these bugs started to appear in our basement bathroom (which is relatively unused). They look like tiny moths but just not sure? Eventually there were a few dozen in there. We put in moth balls and after about 3-4 weeks they had all died. We removed them, left the mothballs for a couple more months, then removed them in January. A week later they started to re-appear. Can anyone tell me what they are? We don’t find them anywhere else in the house. Are they moths? DO they eat clothes? Where are they coming from? Could they be coming from the drains? How do we get rid of them? Thanks for your help! Brian

Unfortunately, this moth is too badly damaged for me to make a determination. Although it does not appear to closely resemblance to any of the pest moth species commonly encountered in homes, such as the Indian meal moth, angoumois grain moth, clothes moths, flour moths, etc., it probably wouldn’t hurt to examine any woolen clothing or grain products stored in the basement for signs of insect damage/infestation. No moth species that I am familiar with inhabit drains; there are very small moth-like flies (family Psychodidae) whose larvae do inhabit drains, but they look nothing like your specimen (see nos. 1160 and 1139 on this page). Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1260 I am living in a condominium and suddenly i am seeing this bug on the kitchen floor. I couldn't track their source, but they are continuously coming out in pairs. Please help.

These likely are one of the three cosmopolitan species of the grain/seed-infesting weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in the genus Sitophilus that can attack a wide variety of seeds/grains, including rice, maize, wheat, rye, millet, etc. See http://www.ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/cereal_pantry_pests.htm for a fact sheet that includes images of these weevils as well as several other pantry pests.Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1259 LOVE this web site!! I live in southern Manitoba and find these cuties in the early mornings on buildings or windows. Any ideas? Thanks!! Moe

The moth on the left is in the family Notodontidae, genus Clostera; bearing a close resemblance to the sigmoid prominent moth, Clostera albosigma; see http://homepage.mac.com/eceisner/Insects/Moths/m1018.jpg for an image. The moth on the right is in the family Shingidae (hawk moths, hummingbird moths, sphinx moths), genus Paonias; likely the small-eyed sphinx, Paonias myops - see http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/pmyops.htm for images and much more information on this species.
Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1258 Hi, We saw this huge bug in our backyard in central Toronto. It was on top of our trellis but didn't seem to have wings. It didn't really do much, even when a bird when right up to it. It was about the length of my finger and had furry legs like a tarantula but the body looked kind of like a giant bee. It seemed to be molting. We've never seen anything like it. Thanks
This appears to be a female carpenter bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Xylocopinae) in the genus Xylocopa. (At various times, these bees have been placed in the families Anthophoridae, Xylocopidae, or Apidae; the most current consensus appears to be that they are a subfamily within Apidae.) They can cause damage to unpainted structures by constructing their nest tunnels. See http://www.labservices.uoguelph.ca/units/pdc/files/045CarpenterBee.pdf for a fact sheet that includes control recommendations. Your specimen may have lost its wings through some traumatic event; bees do not molt once they are in the adult stage. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1257 this little guy is about an inch and larger....they live under our deck and feed from we can tell on large green grasshoppers. We often see them fly over the deck with a large green grasshopper in their claws. They then go through the cracks in the deck. They don't really bother us...but we would like them gone. Can you tell me what this is and if there is something (like a nest bait and kill thing) that is out there.

This is a wasp in the family Sphecidae, such as Sphex pennsylvanica (see http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/33305335 for an image). The female wasps make burrows in the ground that they provision with their prey (katydids and the like). Their larvae then feed on the paralyzed prey items. These wasps are non-aggressive, and actually may be considered beneficial. If they are not really bothering you, I would not recommend any control. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1256 This is a spider we found today on our window at the back of our house. Her name is Amanda, and we’re all a little freaked out by her. Please help us with identifying her. Thanks, The Freaked out Family

No need to be ‘freaked out’ by Amanda; she’s an orb-weaving spider (family Araneidae), a very large family of spiders, all harmless to humans. You can find many more examples on these pages, starting with nos. 1248, 1224, 1167, and 1125. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1255 Hi - I live in Ajax, Ontario and found these bees on my front walkway .. what exactly would be going on here? thx, Victoria

This appears to be a mating pair of bumble bees (Bombus spp.). Unlike the quick, in-flight matings of honey bees, bumble bee matings usually take place on the ground, with the bees sometimes remaining in copula for more than an hour. The male usually dies shortly thereafter, the fertilized queen overwintering in a sheltered place. If she survives, she will begin establishing a colony in the spring. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1254 Found this bug crawling around a carpeted room. Nothing special about the room except that it is the only one that is carpeted. It's gold/brown, six legs and about 1 cm long; it also had a very flat abdomen. We are living in Barrie Ontario, but I've never seen this type of bug before. If you can help, I'd appreciate it! Thanks. Brad A Fuller
This is a nymph of an assassin bug (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). They are general predators on other arthropods, and larger specimens can deliver a painful ‘bite’ if mishandled. See no. 1182 for an example of a species often found indoors. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

1253 Hello, I am attaching two pictures of a bug found yesterday in our bathroom in Guelph, ON. It was on the floor, but the window had been open. It can fly. I still have it contained in a jar. I am concerned that it might be a cockroach. We had a very similar bug about a month ago. I hope you can identify it for us. Thank you. George

Definitely not a cockroach; this is a leaf-footed bug (Hemiptera: Coreidae); likely the western conifer seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis); see http://www.forestry.ubc.ca/fetch21/FRST308/lab2/leptoglossus_occidentalis/leaf.html. This species can be a nuisance pest when they