Archive for category: Send your photo for identification

6460. It bit me about 3 weeks ago its still swollen tonight i have fever. Society Hill, South Carolina. United States

Number 6460.  This is an earwig (order Dermaptera); it is extremely unlikely that it was the cause of your distress. They very rarely bite, and are more likely to pinch you with their forceps-like cerci. I am unaware of any reports of an earwig bite having any significant consequences.

6458. Cambridge, Ontario. Canada

Number 6458.  This is a female predaceous diving beetle (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae). These are general predators on other small aquatic life forms; they are strong fliers that may be found quite some distance from any water.

6456. I have more photos available, when I poked it it didn’t fly, it let me get as close as I wanted without moving but it wasn’t dead, I’m just curious to what it is, as I’ve never seen one before. Edmonton, Alberta. Canada

Number 6456.  This is Urocerus albicornis, a wood wasp (Hymenoptera: Siricidae),  Click here for an image. They lack a sting and are harmless; their larvae bore in the wood of dead/dying trees.

6454. Please help. St. thomas, Ontario. Canada

Number 6454.  This is a German cockroach, Blattella germanica (Blattoidea: Ectobiidae), a cosmopolitan species that is notoriously difficult to eradicate.  Click here for control recommendations.

6452. I noticed my cat trying to get on the window ledge and that’s when I saw thing. I have no idea what it is and it’s the first time I saw this in my house. I hope that it’s not poisonous since I do have small children and animals. Range Road 272, Spruce Grove, Alberta. Canada

Number 6452.  This is a sexton/burying beetle (Coleoptera: Silphidae; Nicrophorus sp.), possibly Nicrophorus tomentosus, known as the tomentose burying beetle. These are harmless, and perform a valuable service in finding and burying small mammal and bird carcasses that then serve as food for their larvae.

6450. Approx 2 1.2” long, two eye type marlins st the top of its body, not sure if it had wings. When I placed a glass over the top of it, it withdrew its head and legs into its body. King Street West, Chatham-Kent, Ontario. Canada

Number 6450. This is an eyed elater, Alaus oculatus (Coleoptera: Elateridae). Also known as the eastern eyed click beetle, click beetles in the genus Alaus are the largest members of their family in North America. Their larvae live in decaying wood where they prey on the larvae and pupae of other beetles found there.

6448. Hello. I found about 6 to 7 of these beetles on my durum wheat that I am growing in my garden. I was wondering if these are a beneficial insect or a pest. If you could identify it, that would be great. Thanks. Humboldt, Saskatchewan. Canada

Number 6448. This is a scarlet malachite beetle, Malachius aeneus (Coleoptera: Melyridae); definitely not a pest species. Click here for more detailed information.

6446. Roughly quarter inch long when fully flat, they probably can either bite or sting, fast moving when they want to. I’ve found dozens of these things under a large tree that only lets moss grow under it in my front yard. Are they a weevil or similar? Thank you for the help. Nith Rd. Cambridge, Ontario. Canada

Number 6446. These is larvae of a lacewing (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). These are general predators on other small, soft-bodied arthropods such as aphids and caterpillars.

6444. Taking July 6, 2019. Early morning stroll in my flower garden. This spider was eating a bee prior to this picture… Hot, sunny and humide morning… Rue Principale, Néguac, New Brunswick. Canada

Number 6444. This is a Misumena vatia, a crab spider (family Thomisidae) known as the goldenrod crab spider. This species can change its color to better match its surroundings; Click here for more detailed information.

6442. Found outside in research plots in a field near Vanscoy. Two of the same insect were seen fighting. Many have been spotted around the wheat and canola plots. Do not know if they are eating or damaging any of the crops. Insect is approximately an inch long. Have seen them walking/gliding over the ground by walking and possibly using its wings. Have seen none getting higher than a foot off the ground. The days the pictures were taken, approximately 2 weeks ago, it was warm out (not hot) and partially cloudy. Prairie Ln Road, North of Highway 7
Vanscoy, Saskatchewan. Canada

Number 6442. This is a March fly (Diptera: Bibionidae). Most species are harmless; the larvae of a few can be pests, feeding on underground plant parts. Click here for more detailed information

6440. Large beetle type. Not sure if it can fly but has wings. Rear is an iridescent green and head area is iridescent reddish purple. Smaller antenna, head appears to be roach like or ant like. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada.

Number 6440. This is a blister beetle (Coleoptera: Meloidae) in the genus Lytta; Click here example.

6438. Found on our deck at night first week of July. Flew right in my partners face. Nova Scotia. Thanks! Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Canada

Number 6438. This looks like a female spring fishfly, Chauliodes rastricornis (Megaloptera: Corydalidae; subfamily Chauliodinae); their larvae are aquatic and sometimes called hellgrammites. Click here for more detailed information.

6434. Found in a small lake in Hearst, Ontario. Hearst, Ontario. Canada

Number 6434. This is a larva of an aquatic beetle, either a predaceous diving beetle (family Dytiscidae) or a water scavenger beetle (family Hydrophilidae). Similar in appearance, both are general predators on other small aquatic life forms.

6432. Wheatley conservation area. southwestern ontario near windsor by lake erie. Windsor, Ontario. Canada

Number 6432. This is a dark fishing spider, Dolomedes tenebrosus (family Pisauridae), the largest spider species native to Ontario. Not at all dangerous to humans, and in spite of its name, these can be found a long distance from water. Click here for more detailed information.

6430. Darling Street, St. John’s, NL. Canada

Number 6430. This is a mayfly (order Ephemeroptera). The adults only live for a day or so; just long enough to find mates and lay eggs. They do not feed, but may become nuisances when they emerge in large numbers. They spend most of their lives as nymphs in streams and ponds/small lakes where they constitute an important link in the aquatic food web.