I live in Palmer, Alaska. I've never see this kind of bug before. I first noticed it when i felt a "pinch" or "sting" on my forearm. I looked down to see this fellow. My fiance' was putting together a garden cart that was made in China. My first thought was it came outta the box. I ran inside to get my camera to snap a picture before he crawled away. It's size is approx a 1/4 inch in length and travels quite fast. The spot on my arm where it either pinched or bit me is about the size of a pimple, red and raised up. It itched at first, although after a few seconds, maybe a minute, it quit. However the lump is still there. Need i be worried? What is this bug? Is it from China? The picture coloring didnt show the gradual color change in its body. It went from a brownish color on the upper portion to a orangish near its tail, which came to sharp point. See a pic here @ photobucket http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a189/angel_uv_hope/IMG_1194_1.jpg
2007-06-21 18:00:05 · 8 answers · asked by Angela H 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
I dont believe it to be the Stag Beetle as this thing was only approx 1/4 inch in length and maybe 1/8 wide. The picture i took was magnified many many times so as i could really see this guy. Thanks though.
I think i will head on over to our states website to see who i can contact. I didnt keep the bug - although now i'm wishing i would of.
All i can say, is this thing has got me feeling all creeped out. I am NOT a bug person. lol
2007-06-21 18:39:55 · update #1
Thinking i may be able to get it I just went outside and looked for it in our driveway where it was last seen. I cant spot anyhting. Although that was about an hour ago that this took place.
The bump is still there, not bothersome or irritated at all ... so i'm not as worried as i was when i 1st posted this. Just a lil freeked is all ... now any lil feeling i get i find myself looking down to see if there's one there. Gosh! We just went thru clover mites in and around our house - THAT WAS BAD!!! - for me. one who hates these creepy crawlies.
2007-06-21 18:49:58 · update #2
It's also very flat lookin and low profile. If that helps
2007-06-21 18:59:01 · update #3
I just went back thru the pics i took. This ones rather blurry but its the best shot i have from directly above the critter ... as you can see there is really no seperation of the head from the body .... all runs together ....
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a189/angel_uv_hope/IMG_1192_1.jpg
2007-06-21 19:07:23 · update #4
I got news from a local office in my area that it is indeed a brown lacewinged larvae. Thanks everyone for your help.
He told me that he has been biten by one before and it was zactly how i described. They inject venom to subdue their prey then suck em dry of juices!! Eeewwwuuuh!! Whateva's cleva!
2007-06-22 05:37:35 · update #5
That's a lacewing larva; probably green lacewing but I can't tell from the picture. They aren't harmful to people but can pinch as you know. They are voracious predators of aphids(they are sometimes called "aphid lions"), other small soft-bodied insects, and insect eggs. They are beneficial insects are are better at controlling aphids than ladybugs; they can consume ~50 aphids a day! There are many species of lacewings so when you look at the pictures some of them won't even look remotely like your critter.
2007-06-21 20:54:43 · answer #1 · answered by infernoflower 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I can say it is definately not a stag beetle as those sorts of beetles can fly and have wings. the photo you have shown, shows that this has a whole body, with no wings. The pinchers are also different. It does look to me as some sort of centerpede type insect. However Im not sure in what it is. I think if you have a red lump and it is of concern to you, go and see a doctor and take the photo in with you. It does sometimes happen, where you get an item from overseas and there is a hitch hiker in the goods. But Im guessing it is rare. If it is from china it may be dangerous to your native insect species. Did you end up catching it and placing it in a glass jar?
It also maybe a common insect from your area that you just may have never seen before.
Anyway let me know what you find out, I am intergued in what sort of insect it is now.
2007-06-21 18:38:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was young in Kentucky, I use to fish a lot and there was a bug just like that one which we called "TUFFY" We would twist it's head off then starting from the tail at the point of the hook we would turn the tuffy inside out on the fish hook, We could catch 3 or 4 fish before the Tuffy would come off the hook.
2007-06-21 19:43:26 · answer #3 · answered by puddog57 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
would nicely be a cicada killer wasp or yet another burrowing wasp or bee. there is also a cuckoo bee, which burrows. you may want to attempt a astonishing website noted as Whats that computer virus? and also you'll discover pictures of those and many different extraordinary insects.
2016-10-18 23:46:29 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would get in touch with the your local agricultural department. They've helped me before with bug identification. Call and ask, and get someone's e-mail address to send that photo to them. DId you by any chance save the bug?
2007-06-21 18:25:46 · answer #5 · answered by ♫ Melody 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok i found out what kind. because it is so yucky you had me wondering.. it is called a kokuwagata (small stag beetles)
check it out here.. tons of info on them
http://thebugbrothers.blogspot.com/
They are peoples pets in Japan? ewwwwwww
2007-06-21 18:04:26 · answer #6 · answered by Shyly 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
larva stage of earwig?
2007-06-21 20:45:18 · answer #7 · answered by glenn t 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
whatever it is, please put a hook in it and catch something useful. Like a big trout.
2007-06-21 18:13:32 · answer #8 · answered by Greg L 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋