# Need help identifying a flying insect **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 6, 2005, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-a-flying-insect/311329 "2005-07-06T19:18:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-a-flying-insect/311329/21 "2005-07-07T17:24:15Z")
> [@Hal Briston](#): > > Hey, thanks! Yup, [that’d](http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/mpages/luna_moth.htm) be the one. > > Glad I got to see one…or a half-dozen of them actually. Well! That 'splains it! I have black walnut trees, so that’s why I’ve seen them a couple times. WooHOO! They are sooooo huge. They are truly gorgeous. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-a-flying-insect/311329/22 "2005-07-07T18:54:07Z")
And the hijack continues… I have looked and looked on Google but cannot find a pic or a description of the critters that are crawling all over my tomatoes. I think they are eating the almost ready to pick ones. They look like big ants, or spiders - I haven’t really counted the legs. The legs are black and the bodies are orangey red. They all clump together, maybe 20 at one site. Any clues? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-a-flying-insect/311329/23 "2005-07-07T19:04:40Z")
> [@Dolores Reborn](#): > > And the hijack continues… > > I have looked and looked on Google but cannot find a pic or a description of the critters that are crawling all over my tomatoes. I think they are eating the almost ready to pick ones. They look like big ants, or spiders - I haven’t really counted the legs. The legs are black and the bodies are orangey red. They all clump together, maybe 20 at one site. > > Any clues? [http://members.tripod.com/~jimhammond/Images/tomatoplantbug.jpg](http://members.tripod.com/~jimhammond/Images/tomatoplantbug.jpg) These bugs? Bug, Tomato Plant (Cyrtopeltis spp.) Description: Adult, small about 1/16" (2 mm), green to brown, rapidly moving. Nymph, like adult but without fully developed wings. Life Cycle: ? Hosts/Damage: Both adults and nymphs may cause tomato flowers to drop by puncturing peduncles. May also feed on aphids and whiteflies. Controls: Cultural - Keep garden debris cleaned up. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-a-flying-insect/311329/24 "2005-07-07T19:35:02Z")
> [@jrfranchi](#): > > or this [http://vector.ifas.ufl.edu/graphics/fig7-10-co.jpg](http://vector.ifas.ufl.edu/graphics/fig7-10-co.jpg) Thats the one. Ugly little bastards. Can’t say I live next to any wetlands. I’m pretty sure Lake Michigan wouldn’t count, otherwise it’s a sea of asphalt and shoe stores. Maybe if I saw down the tree in front, think the management company would go for that? Wonder if it’s worth calling the exterminator. ---
**Author:** ![little\_bit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@little\_bit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/little_bit)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-a-flying-insect/311329/25 "2005-07-07T19:39:27Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Since you guys have been so efficient, I figure I’ll throw another one out there. No pic unfortunately, but these guys wierd me out since they are in my apartment. > > They are a kind of millipede or centipede. They get about 3/4 to 1 inch long. Are brownish grey, and seem to have really long hairs sticking off their bodies. They seem to like to scamper across the wall and floors at the most inopertune times. > > Anyone know of any common indoor pests like this? I gotta get rid of the little bastards. Wish I had more to go on, but when I see one I usually kill it as opposed to grabbing the camera. If they’re what I think they are, when you flick them they “burst” leaving nothing but twitching legs lying around with a small wet spot. We call them walking water balloons at work. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-a-flying-insect/311329/26 "2005-07-07T19:46:10Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Thats the one. Ugly little bastards. Can’t say I live next to any wetlands. I’m pretty sure Lake Michigan wouldn’t count, otherwise it’s a sea of asphalt and shoe stores. Maybe if I saw down the tree in front, think the management company would go for that? > > Wonder if it’s worth calling the exterminator. Just make sure you turn off pilot lights and really air the house out afterwards. We had a flea & ant problem on spring about 7 years ago. I set off 150% of the recommended dose. (Cats removed in carriers, Dog out in pen, Baby in Carseat) We let it sit for 3 hours. I was last out and first back in. I ran lots of fans on exhaust and opened all windows. No bugs, including Spiders for a long time. I didn’t know about these when I had the apartment. ---
**Author:** ![caveman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caveman/32/7242_2.png) [@caveman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caveman)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-a-flying-insect/311329/27 "2005-07-07T20:33:32Z")
Here’s one I’ve been wondering about for a while. I’ve only seen one a couple times, both sightings here in central Texas. It’s a flying insect, resembling a lightly built wasp, orange-red in color with translucent wings. Here’s the odd bit: its tail resembles that of a scorpion, and I’ve seen it curl it up just as scorpions do. What is this scary-lookin’ critter? ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-a-flying-insect/311329/28 "2005-07-07T23:41:30Z")
> [@jrfranchi](#): > > [http://members.tripod.com/~jimhammond/Images/tomatoplantbug.jpg](http://members.tripod.com/~jimhammond/Images/tomatoplantbug.jpg) > These bugs? > Bug, Tomato Plant (Cyrtopeltis spp.) > > Description: > > Adult, small about 1/16" (2 mm), green to brown, rapidly moving. Nymph, like adult but without fully developed wings. > > Life Cycle: ? > > Hosts/Damage: > > Both adults and nymphs may cause tomato flowers to drop by puncturing peduncles. May also feed on aphids and whiteflies. > > Controls: > > Cultural - Keep garden debris cleaned up. Nope, but thanks for looking. ---
**Author:** ![Mallory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mallory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallory)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-a-flying-insect/311329/29 "2005-07-08T01:24:08Z")
**caveman** : is [this](http://www.bombus.freeserve.co.uk/scorpionflies.htm) what you’ve seen? If so, they’re harmless to humans. They’re called, appropriately enough, scorpionflies. ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-a-flying-insect/311329/30 "2005-07-08T05:36:53Z")
Re: Amateur extermination w/ flea bombs > [@jrfranchi](#): > > I set off 150% of the recommended dose. (Cats removed in carriers, Dog out in pen, Baby in Carseat) We let it sit for 3 hours. I was last out and first back in. I ran lots of fans on exhaust and opened all windows. No bugs, including Spiders for a long time. This might work but then again, maybe not. I once tried to get rid of some house flies with a bug bomb. Six bombs later, my house is swarming with thousands of flies. It was like a horror movie. Sometimes it’s better to call an exterminator. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-a-flying-insect/311329/31 "2005-07-08T08:21:42Z")
I get hummingbird hawkmoths as occasional visitors to my salvia plants; I’m in the UK - right on the edge of their range, so it’s always a bit special to see them. I’m fascinated by just how _bird-like_ they really are; the body shape, wing outline and eye-placement is similar, they even have a little fanned tail that is movable and used for balance/fine adjustment of flight. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-a-flying-insect/311329/32 "2005-07-08T13:42:19Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I’m fascinated by just how _bird-like_ they really are; the body shape, wing outline and eye-placement is similar, they even have a little fanned tail that is movable and used for balance/fine adjustment of flight. Yes, they are really cool, and I have to wonder what survival advantage mimicking a bird has for them. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-a-flying-insect/311329/33 "2005-07-08T19:45:06Z")
Here’s the little [stinker.](http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/aimg65.html) (It’s a stinkbug.) ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-a-flying-insect/311329/34 "2005-07-09T01:46:46Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > Yes, they are really cool, and I have to wonder what survival advantage mimicking a bird has for them. Many of the Clearwing sphinx moths mimic bumblebees, and that seems pretty obvious as to advantage against predators—“STINGS, Yowch!” But that Hummingbird moth has such a clearly greenish tint and tail mimicry, and even frequents the same flowers as hummingbirds. I did search for a clear explaination via google, but didn’t come up with anything. Best sensible guess is that hummies are fast and pretty aggressive, so by mimicing them, the moths fool predators by the fact that hummers are simply not worth the energy to pursue. Pretty amazing evolution! Another neat thing about them is that they are active during the day, unlike the nocturnal tendency of most moths. How did they figger all this out? I was just watching one at work today, and was thinking how great they were. Nice to come home and see a thread about 'em! ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2005, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-a-flying-insect/311329/35 "2005-07-10T19:35:02Z")
> [@elelle](#): > > Many of the Clearwing sphinx moths mimic bumblebees, and that seems pretty obvious as to advantage against predators—“STINGS, Yowch!” > > But that Hummingbird moth has such a clearly greenish tint and tail mimicry, and even frequents the same flowers as hummingbirds. I did search for a clear explaination via google, but didn’t come up with anything. Best sensible guess is that hummies are fast and pretty aggressive, so by mimicing them, the moths fool predators by the fact that hummers are simply not worth the energy to pursue. > > Pretty amazing evolution! Another neat thing about them is that they are active during the day, unlike the nocturnal tendency of most moths. How did they figger all this out? I was just watching one at work today, and was thinking how great they were. Nice to come home and see a thread about 'em! Thanks for your reply, **ellele**. We have the ones that mimic bees in the yard now too, and they are fun to watch. Not very good flyers, though - I’ve been bonked into several times, and you can hear them hitting the gutters on the house too. At first I thought they were those stupid brown beetles we get about this time every year - talk about ‘pilot error’ … they crash into anything and everything. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-identifying-a-flying-insect/311329.md?page=1)