Nate
There’s nothing creepier than seeing a bug you’ve never encountered before. How do you know if it’s poisonous or if you’re just making stuff up in your head?
Luckily, there’s a place you can turn to on Reddit that’s appropriately named “What Is This Bug?” and it’s helping people identify the random bugs people have come across.
1.
Answered by u/GunsnBeerKindaGuy:
Giant redhead centipede, they’re venomous.
Answered by u/knitmeablanket:
Yeah… the idea of one of these just waking along my recliner is unsettling. They’re vicious as f*ck.
2.
Answered by u/globosingentes:
It sure is! For what it’s worth, they aren’t aggressive and they’re extremely unlikely to bite unless pressed up against skin, but if it does bite you you’re in for a world of hurt.
Answered by u/TheyCallMeDemi:
I’m an uncultured person and I have no idea what happens when a black widow bites you… please enlighten me.
Answered by u/globosingentes:
Google “latrodectism.”
It isn’t a guarantee that the symptoms will be significant, and dry bites that don’t inject venom are also possible, but you really don’t want to be handling the things.
3.
From Redditor u/Bodark43:
Prionus grubs can be pretty big. Maybe Prionus californicus, the California Root Borer.
4.
5.
Answered by u/Laconicus:
The geographical location would help, but I’m thinking Rhagastis albomarginata.
Answered by u/NotAModelCitizen:
Wait. What? I seriously thought these were fake! Maybe this is a multilayered internet prank (I have trust issues).
Answered by u/Ubblebungus:
Yeah, those are real, insects often use eye-like patterns on their bodies to ward off predators.
6.
From the OP u/aliasbackslash:
Someone identified them as ruby-spotted swallowtails. Apparently, they are edible and taste like bacon.
From ButterflysAndMoths.org:
Females lay eggs in groups on host plant leaves. Caterpillars rest in clusters on host plant during the day and feed at night; they all feed and molt at the same time.
Answered by u/xenogazer:
From David Gracer:
Caterpillar Aggregation from Honduras: Arsenura armida
A.armida: very edible!
I tried this species in 4/10 at an international conference on entomophagy; one of the presenters had brought them from Mexico and said that they’re farmed in the southern part of the country. Fascinating. They were also exceedingly tasty, if rather unusual. They were fried or rather sauteed and tasted like a cross between bacon and jerky. Quite yummy, actually.
7.
From Redditor u/Goblin_Crotalus:
Acrophylla titan: both the post and the wiki picture show thorns on the “neck” part of the thorax.
8.
Answered by u/Uniiiiiiiiiiiii:
That looks like shrimp tempura with legs
Answered by u/LeatherJacketBiFemme
Popular…
Answered by u/SomewhereZestyclose7:
Answered by u/InFarvaWeTrust
Privet Leafhopper nymph – Fieberiella flori
Would need confirmation from an expert here though, but looks pretty similar other than color. This little guy is also really spikey, maybe he/she won the genetic lottery and is just showing off – it already has better dance moves than most of us.
9.
Answered by u/Callmedrexl:
10.
From Redditor u/pigeonsareprettycool:
Misumena vatia, is a very pretty lady.
From Redditor u/therealmothdust:
Crab spider. Super pretty.
11.
Answered by u/MKG733:
Female bagworm moth.
12.
Answered by u/the_dan_man:
Looks like a moth cocoon. Some of the similar-looking images I can find mention genus Cyana specifically. The cage structure is made from the long hairs of the caterpillar instead of the more traditional silk.
13.
Answered by u/zx629:
That’s a male Eastern Hercules beetle.
14.
Answered by u/MrRoarke:
Looks like a Picasso Bug, a type of Shield-Backed Bug. Example pic here. They don’t bite or sting.
15.
Answered by u/PM_me_ur_beetles:
Nice! A royal walnut moth. Looks fresh out of the pupa.