Insect Identification

Anyone know an entomologist?

[mattglet]

I just now realized I have a minor insect problem, but I have no idea what these things are. What do you do on your own to figure out what the little creatures are, to try to eradicate them on your own? I'd rather not immediately have to call some pest control person to have him/her charge me a bunch of money just to tell me what I'm dealing with.

I've tried to do some searches, but I can't get it... I never was any good at the Gizmo Quiz ;) They are about 1/8 inch long with wings, and a striped abdomen/gaster that is 1/2 its total body length. They are ant-like (they have distinct body sections), with jointed antennae and red-ish legs. Tan body.

Anyone have any tips to help me identify these things, before I have to shell out some cash to a professional?

[deejay]

No idea offhand, but a geographical hint might help.

[weeks]

This is a very good guide to IDing bugs from Virginia Tech.

Read this page carefully.

Keep in mind that even professionals say, "I don't know" sometimes. There are a lot of bugs.

[everest.ento.vt.edu...]

Good luck.

[King_Fisher]

Sounds like winged termites. Just take a rolled up newspaper and swatt them!
:o)...KF

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

With the global warming we are starting to see some foreign looking bugs here in Scotland. About two months ago I was out in a local park and something bit me twice on my ankle. I didn't see it or feel it at the time but it took about four or five weeks to heal properly and I still have the marks today.

Last month I was cutting the grass and talking to my next door neighbour (the one with the fish) when I felt something biting my arm. I looked around and saw this nasty looking black *£$%%^&. I swatted it away and it it immediately came back and bit me on the leg. Once again I swatted it away and it came back and bit me again. By this time I was dancing around like John Travolta much to my ND neighbour's amusement. Eventually I managed to kill it.

It's starting to cool down here now and insect activity is slowing down but I think I would be interested in an Insect ID program too for next year!

[Marcia]

Several years ago there was a thread started here in the Spider Identification Forum by a lady looking for help with identifying a brown spider her husband had found in the garage. Apparently she searched for spider identification at one of the engines and landed here.

Everyone was very nice and helpful, and actually helped identify the spider for her.

[Matt Probert]

As an aside, there are millions of species of insects and bugs, many of which are unidentified and many more of which very little is known about them. When I was researching beetles I was horrified to discover that even in Europe there are species of beetle becoming extinct before we have even identified them. Creepy crawlies provide an excellent opportunity for amateur scientists to do some research. So before you exterminate possibly the last survivors of a hitherto unknown race of beings, please spare a thought for how little we know about them.

Matt

[rj87uk]

I think Matt means take a few pictures and do a write up about them and then swat them! hehe.

My area is infested with flying ants, they are every where!

[MamaDawg]

If you're in North America, try this [bugguide.net] ...