Any Entomologists out there? Here's one for ya....This morning I went outside and found the most interesting creature. At first I thought it was a dragonfly, because of four transparent wings-shaped like a dragonfly and buzz quickly like a dragonfly. But the insect has antenae like a butterfly. The legs are short like a dragonfly. The abdomen is narrow. I have never seen any thing like it! Could this be some crazy hybrid? Who can I contact? If anyone knows, let me know!!! I picked it up and put it in a jar with a tuille top so it can breathe. It does not have any dust stuff on it like a butterfly and it did not hurt it. I need answers quick. Let me know....
2006-07-21 03:01:17 · 7 answers · asked by Sherry 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Well, I took some pictures, the best I could. He looks better in person. It was hard to keep him from flying around the house. His wings were still flapping/buzzing. He has four long wings. I already looked at the links some of you provided, and No he is not any of those insects.
Here are links to some of the pics I took of it.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i171/designsbysherry2/Butterdragonfly1_edited.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i171/designsbysherry2/Butterdragonfly2_edited.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i171/designsbysherry2/ButterDragonfly3_edited.jpg
Question is, does he eat fruit and nectar like a butterfly, or mosquitoes like a dragonfly......
2006-07-21 04:30:01 · update #1
haysoos2-Very close...could be it, but the wings do not have the brown on them, but a single black dot, like a dragonfly...Also, does the Owlfly have a probescus tounge type thing like a butterfly if it is an areial predator that feeds on other insects? I would think an insect such as that would have mandibles...Any ideas?
2006-07-21 05:14:31 · update #2
Thank you for the pictures, without them it would have been very difficult to figure out what you have there.
Although it is not a new species, it is very interesting. You have an owlfly, a member of the order Neuroptera (which includes lacewings and ant lions) in the family Ascalaphidae. They are aerial predators, feeding on small flying insects such as midges and gnats.
Personally, I have never seen a live one. I envy you your interesting entomological find.
UPDATE: The brown patches on the wings are characteristic of only that one species of owlfly (Ululodes quadrimaculatus), there are many other species of owlfly which have different markings. I suspect that yours may actually be in the genus Ameropterus, but I couldn't find a decent picture of one.
The mouthparts, however, are very unusual. A long, butterfly-like proboscis would indeed be indicative of something bizarre, as an owlfly should have more typical mandibles as you mentioned. If there are any entomologists at a University or college nearby, or even with a public health unit you may want them to take a closer look at it.
2006-07-21 04:43:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Well it could be one of many things. My first thought may have been a hummingbird or clearwing moth, they resemble butterflies, but have transparent wings, like a dragonfly. There are also many insects that are common near water, like stoneflies and dobsonflies, that could possibly fit your description, the only thing is that these insect orders dont really fly like a dragonfly.
So, my best guess would be a hummingbird or clearwing moth, I'll send you some pics of all my guesses, and you can have a look at them. I hope that helps...
If you could possibly take a digital image of it and send it ina new question, I will certainly be able to I.D it for you.
2006-07-21 04:10:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely take some pictures of it. Maybe somebody will recognize it. You could take the pictures to a local museum or university. It's possible that it is an undiscovered species. New species of insects are discovered all the time.
2006-07-21 03:08:08 · answer #3 · answered by mathsmart 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, it could be new, but then again, there are a lot of different insect species. You should take it to the biology department of a nearby university and see if you can get someone to take a look at it. If it can be confirmed as a new species, there's an off-chance you could get it named after you.
Good luck!
2006-07-21 03:07:20 · answer #4 · answered by Argon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congradulations you found a nueropteran. Some look just like dragonflies, but they have antennae. Some species are fairly common like ant lions. They're pretty cool bugs though. See the links below.
2006-07-21 12:01:11 · answer #5 · answered by fidowithaspot 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First go to the library and find a book to make sure it isn't already documented...then (IF NOT) you need to mount it so it can be studied and photographed and documented for each and ever part of it... Next you best bet is to go to your local Collage to have their Anthropologist have a gander at it and he will more than likely take it from there....This is where all of your documentation comes in..If he Tries to clam it as his own you will have proof that you had it first from the photos and all the other stuff you already did..SO good luck on your endeavor...
2006-07-21 03:12:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No Picture
No Proof
2006-07-21 03:05:08 · answer #7 · answered by x_cybernet_x 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋