I love a well-named insect; there is no doubt about what the grapeleaf skeletonizer moth (Harrisina americana) eats and what economic impact it might have. Fortunately, I do not have any grape vines, so I can just enjoy this strangely-shaped little black and red moth. (It does eat other things, but I have plenty of…
Tag: insect
Planthopper (Cyarda sp)
This sharky little planthopper is a flatid in the genus Cyarda. It’s highly likely that this is Cyarda sordida, because I understand that’s the more common variety, but this is one of those species where science is currently arguing over exactly how many species there are and where they live. To make it worse, it’s…
Shiny Flea Beetle (or “Gator Beetle”)
It is scientific tradition, when giving the Latin name of an organism, to follow it, in parentheses, with the name of its discoverer: hence, many Latin names are followed by, say, (Linnaeus), or even just (L), for Carolus Linnaeus, who named so many things. The shiny flea beetle, Asphaera lustrans, was formally named by George…
Myxosargus nigricormis
The entirety of Myxosargus nigricormis‘ Wikipedia entry reads (at time of writing): “A species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae.” INaturalist puts its range at most of the eastern United States (and of course Florida). Soldier flies in general are somewhat large and can look imposing (some mimic wasps), but they are usually harmless…
Culex erraticus
This mosquito (thankfully a male, note the plumed antennae) is Culex erraticus, no common name. It is widespread over the southeastern United States, and while in Florida the females primarily bite birds and reptiles, they do of course also feed on mammals and also on people (usually me). They actually generally feed on birds during…
Green Banana Cockroach
Usually, if you find a bright green cockroach it means it has just molted and will shortly, as the air dries its carapace, turn the expected brown. The green banana cockroach (Panchlora nivea), however, is always green as an adult, freshly molted or otherwise. (Nymphs/juveniles are brown.) The “nivea” in its name means “snowy” —…
Acrolophus walsinghami
This darling little bagworm moth (whose juveniles and their debris-covered cases are scattered liberally across the sides of my house) is Acrolophus walsinghami. The dark “W” shape on the forewing is “distinctive”, but not definitive — the coloration of the moth is pretty variable, so we’d have to take these poor little things apart in…
Banded Tussock Moth
I hope someday to meet an adult of this handsome caterpillar; the adult banded tussock moth (Halysidota tessellaris) is equally handsome, with light brown, outlined/checkered stripes on a light background, perhaps with a hint of blue and yellow on the body, the whole insect looking a lot like an art deco stained glass window. Tessellaris…
Four-Spotted Aphid Fly
This lovely little syrphid fly, with the distinctive white spots on a dark abdomen, has a couple of common names: four-spotted hover fly, four-speckled aphid fly, and various combinations thereof. Its Latin name is Dioprosopa clavata. Its body shape and coloration somewhat mimic that of a wasp, but this fly is harmless to humans and…
Australian Cockroach
This juvenile male Australian cockroach (Periplaneta australasiae) is probably one molt shy of being a handsome adult like this one. He’s quite peeved that I’ve caught him in a clear plastic drink cup, so I could get him out of my kitchen and back into the world, where he is one of the many vitally…
Spartocera fusca
This large and strikingly marked leaf-footed bug (family Coreidae) is Spartocera fusca. The lack of common name is pretty criminal for this strikingly marked orange and black species that’s almost 3 cm long. S. fusca is native to “Mexico, the southwestern United States, and Florida”, because everything makes its way to Florida eventually. It eats…
Chionomus quadrispinosus
This handsome black, brown and white planthopper with clear wings is Chionomus quadrispinosus, no common name. The “thumblike” antennae (such a little alien, isn’t it?) and the spur on the hind leg mark it as a member of the family Delphacidae, the largest family of planthoppers. Someone has carefully photographed each of the 14 members…
Coastal Plain Meganola Moth
This darling little moth is a coastal plain meganola moth, Meganola phylla. It is native to eastern and southeastern North America. The larvae feed on Quercus species (oak trees). Unfortunately, this is another of the many, many species where a bunch of stubby little internet articles all quote one another. At least it photographs well….
Horned Spanworm Moth
This strange, “dragon” shaped caterpillar has eversible tentacles extending from the top of two of the central sections of its body. In the above photo, they are in the “relaxed” configuration, but, when the caterpillar is startled, it can extend its tentacles to 2x their resting length. The adult moths are varying shades and patterns…
White-Spotted Arvelius
This sad-eyed little green and yellow alien is a white-spotted arvelius, or tomato stink bug, Arvelius albopunctatus. It’s honestly a little spectacular — about 2cm long, brilliant green, with yellow “shoulders” yellow and black spots, and a black striped face — which makes it sad that it has Wikipedia Stub Syndrome (or, actually, doesn’t even…
Split-eyed Owlfly (Ululodes sp.)
I thought this insect was a badly mangled dragonfly at first, one that was in the process of being sucked into a spider’s lair. You’re looking down at this insect — i.e., its right side is pointed upwards, its top is pointed sideways, and its legs are wrapped around a piece of wood in a…