Swirly butt bug
Location:  Saint Petersburg, FL
July 30, 2010 1:47 am
We’ve been trying for years to figure out what kind of bug this is. We call them swirly butt bugs because many of the ones we see look to have something protruding from their rear side that seems to move in a circular motion. I can’t tell from this picture if this one had it or not. We have to get them out of the house all the time, yet I don’t think I’ve ever seen one outside. Again, I can’t tell if it’s obvious from the picture, but he does fly. I don’t think they much care what season it is. Please tell me what kind of bug this is.
Brittany in Florida

Ensign Wasp

Hi Brittany,
We just posted another identification request for the Ensign Wasp that has a much clearer photo than the one you submitted, but what we really like about your request is the colorful way you described the behavior of the Ensign Wasp.  It waves its abdomen about like a flag.  Ensign Wasps parasitize the oothica or egg cases of cockroaches, and the increased number of reports we are receiving of Ensign Wasps spells bad news for cockroaches.

The post Ensign Wasp appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Axe shaped rear end
Location:  Fort Worth, TX
September 30, 2010 6:59 pm
I have seen quite a few of these in and outside the house. Have no idea what it may be but the rear end tends to swing/chop up and down when it is landed, just like an axe swing. The wings are fly-like, clear and are the length of the body. The head and antennae look like an ant. The six legs are similiar to a cricket or such. Long thicker back legs with the other four like a fly or such.
Body aprox 3/8 inch; 3/4 inch overall length from head to extended legs.
Signature:  Thanks, David

Ensign Wasp

Hi David,
The Ensign Wasp gets its common name because of its habit of bobbing its abdomen up and down while hunting.  They are also known as Hatchet Wasps or Flag Wasps according to the Australian Museum website.  Ensign Wasps are a beneficial species and their presence should be encouraged because they parasitize the oothica or egg cases of Cockroaches.

Daniel,
Thank you!  I have looked and looked until my eyes are bleary to try and match the bug to something on the web, but to no avail.
I thank you again!
David Bryan

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Just moved to Florida from Oregon
Location:  North Palm Beach, Fla.
October 2, 2010 4:53 pm
What the HECK is this? The first time I saw this bug was in the bathroom of my new place. It was fast, moved very strangely and quickly, but didn’t appear to have wings.
I saw another today on my living room wall, captured it and froze it to snap a pic. I’ve searched your site and all over online with no luck IDing it.
Very long back legs, it’s last body segment it rapidly bobs up and down constantly. Tiny wings are almost invisible. It seems to be a cross between an ant and a wasp. My home is next to a pond and there are mangroves all around, and I’m very near the intracoastal waterway.
Any ideas? Does it sting?
Signature:  THANK YOU! — Scott

Ensign Wasp

Dear Scott,
The Ensign Wasp does not sting, however it will help to control the Cockroach population since it parasitizes the oothica or egg cases of Cockroaches.

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What’s this bug??
Location: Sydney, Australia
February 20, 2011 1:21 am
Hi bugman,
We had two of these bug’s in the house today. We live in Sydney, Australia, it’s Summer and it’s a humid day around 30 degrees. What is it?
Signature: Sophie

Ensign Wasp

Hi Sophie,
This is a beneficial Ensign Wasp.  The female parasitizes the oothica or egg case of cockroaches helping to keep the cockroach population in check.

Hi,
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly and thank you for the answer. That makes sense – we have a huge cockroach population inside our house at the moment, it’s out of control.
Regards,
Sophie

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Wasp, fly, cricket combo
Location: Houston ,TX
February 18, 2011 3:35 pm
Every spring and summer these little buggers end up in our bathrooms. This has happened in every house we have lived in and I cannot figure out what they are or how they get in. They sting and usually only come in one at a time, but we get a new one every few days for months on end.
Signature: Kelly Peyton

Ensign Wasp

I just found out what it is after searching “Houston” on your site…It’s an ensign wasp and I guess although they look like they sting they don’t? They sure have a BIG stinger!

Hi Kelly,
We are happy to hear you identified your Ensign Wasp using our archives.  We are surprised that you are reporting that they sting.  We believe the stinger is actually an ovipositor but in some insects, the ovipositor also serves as a stinger.  We hope you still consider the Ensign Wasp to be beneficial since the female parasitizes the oothica or egg case of Cockroaches.

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What bug is this?
Location: Metro, Sydney.
March 31, 2011 11:59 pm
Dear Bugman,
Can you please help identify what this bug is.
I live in metropolitan Sydney and I took a photo of this in my back yard. Its approximatly 1cm in length, shiny black with features that resemble a cicada, fly and a grasshopper. Can you help me know who my neighbour is. Thank you!
Signature: Damian

Ensign Wasp

Hi Damian,
This is an Ensign Wasp, and it really needs to be recognized as it performs a significant function.  Ensign Wasps parasitize the oothica or egg cases of Cockroaches, though to the best of our knowledge, there have not been any studies on how effective Ensign Wasps are in controlling Cockroach populations.

The post Ensign Wasp from Australia appeared first on What's That Bug?.

What is this pest???
Location:  Houston, Texas
July 12, 2011 8:46 PM
I found these two pests flying around my home yesterday and tonight July 11, 2011.  I recently moved into my new home and I now have a new pest to deal with.  This bug has hind legs similar to a grasshopper; wings like a fly; a bulb bottom like a wasp stinger; blue eyes; and is extremely hard to kill!  I placed the first one in this baggy and it lived for an entire day.  The second bug is still alive after I smashed it with a fly swatter and its been inside a closed bag for ten hours.  What is this scary looking mutant?
Lola @ Houston, Tx.
Teachers Make All Other Professions Possible!

Ensign Wasp Carnage

Dear Lola,
We find your letter most troubling and we hope we can use our response to educate you.  Our first challenge to you is to question why you automatically assumed that these Ensign Wasps are pests?  How do you define a pest?  We propose this to you because Ensign Wasps are harmless creatures that cannot sting humans.   Ensign Wasps parasitize the oothicae or egg cases of Cockroaches.  The wasp larva consumes the cockroach eggs before pupating within the now empty oothica, helping to naturally control the population of cockroaches.  Without a natural means of control, Cockroaches will multiply and that might necessitate frequent visits from the exterminator which costs money and introduces poisonous pesticides to the home.  If there are Ensign Wasps in your home, that is probably an indication that a food supply is nearby.  We noticed your tagline that “Teachers Make All Other Professions Possible!” and we applaud you for using the internet to identify the creatures you have encountered in your home, but we wish that you had decided to educate yourself about them first before swatting and suffocating these beneficial creatures.  Not everything you encounter in your new home is a pest.

First and foremost, thank you very kindly for your quick response to my inquiry.  I am happy to finally put an identity to this new insect I have never before encountered.
Now, as far as my naming this wasp a “pest”, I find it completely fitting and I can briefly explain why (as you ask for my definition).  My four year old son became fearful of these wasps as they seem to purposely fly near our faces and around us and are not just spending time on a wall or in and out an open door or window.
Yes, as my tag mentions, I am a teacher and find it interesting that you mention it as some sort of way to belittle my wanting to rid this home of an insect I am unfamiliar with.  Though I do have great scientific interests, I find my son’s peace much more priority and anything disturbing him that I encounter will become secondary.  You mention I should have “educated” myself beforehand and I ask you, how else would I have been able to capture the photos, get a closer look, and educate myself had I not swatted these FAST flying wasps and placed it in a bag?
Truly you may want to consider proofreading your outgoing mail before hitting send and turning a newly interested reader to your site into someone who finds this more personally based than that of sharing knowledge.
Thanks again as I now have learned more than the name of this new insect.
Next time someone encounters your site and is genuinely seeking assistance in identifying an insect they’ve never before encountered don’t make it personal.  It takes away from your own credibility, as well as your site.
Thanks for this one time exchange.
Teachers Make All Other Professions Possible!

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Restroom violayor
Location: North fort worth, texas
July 19, 2011 10:42 am
I have a policy of ignore and be ignored with bugs in my home. There’s just an unwritten rule of personal space, however, in the restroom that space it’s expanded exponentially to a no fly zone of assured death. Not once, not twice, but thrice times I swatted this one away with non lethal intent. At first I thought it was a spider the way it crawled out from under the scale. Then I noticed it’s cricket like hind legs and it flew, directly at me, multiple times. Also it appeara to have an antlike abdomen. Hopefully this specimen will serve as an example to others in the future. PS: He seems to have found a hair to cling to in death… How quaint.
Signature: Relatively benign bug overlord

Ensign Wasp Carnage

Dear Relatively benign bug overlord,
While we understand your desire for personal space in the bathroom, we hope your “no fly zone” policy can be moderated once you learn what you have killed.  This is a harmless Ensign Wasp that is actually a beneficial parasite.  Ensign Wasps parasitize the oothica or egg cases of Cockroaches.  The larval wasp feeds on the developing eggs and then pupates in the empty oothica, ensuring that the future generation of Cockroaches in your home will be reduced.  This also helps the environment by reducing the need to spray toxic chemical pesticides around the home.

The post Ensign Wasp: Unnecessary Carnage because it violated personal space appeared first on What's That Bug?.

need help identifying Bug and Bee
Location: Island of Curaçao in the Caribbean
August 19, 2011 7:08 pm
Hi, I am Garrick Marchena, from the island of Curaçao in the Caribbean and I need help identifying these two insects.
I know one of them is a bee, but i need to know what type of bee. Its certainly a type I’ve never seen or heard of before.
The other is an insect known to our island as one that brings luck. It is called ”Mamoendenge” by our local people, but i need to know the official name. It kinda looks like a Mud Dobber wasp but i don’t think it is. Its back part bobs up and down as it walks.
I really appreciate if you can help, but if you can’t maybe you might know someone who does?
thanks you very much,
wkr
Garrick Marchena.
Signature: Garrick

Carpenter Bee: Xylocopa muscaria

Hi Garrick,
Though we don’t recognize your bee, and we have been unable to locate a match online, we suspect it is some species of Carpenter Bee.  The other insect which you call Mameondenge we find very interesting because of the notion that it brings bad luck.  This is a beneficial Ensign Wasp, so named because of the bobbing of its abdomen which is thought to resemble a flag.  The Ensign Wasp parasitizes the oothica or egg cases of Cockroaches, helping to reduce their population.  We wonder if the name the locals have given it is a reference to dengue fever which is spread by mosquitoes.  You might want to educate the locals as to the importance the Ensign Wasp plays in Cockroach control.

Ensign Wasp

Thanks for the fast response!!!
Locals say that the Esign Wasp (or Mamonedenge) brings GOOD luck actually! Sorri i wasn’t clear on that.
Now that i know this information I’m gonna love this bug even more!
From what I’ve searched on the internet the bee does look like a carpenters bee. Also seems to be a type of solitary type bee.
This is really awesome!
Let me know if you are going to use the pictures because i would like to add a copyright on them first if you don’t mind.
Thank you very much for your help.
Garrick.

Sorry Garrick,
We somehow inserted the word “bad” before luck in your letter.  The images are already posted live and we have cropped them, lightened them and formatted them to our site.  Your name is printed with your original email.

Correction courtesy of John Ascher
April 22, 2012
Xylocopa (Schonnherria) muscaria (Fabricius, 1775) female:

The post Ensign Wasp and Carpenter Bee on Curacao appeared first on What's That Bug?.

What type of fly is this?
Location: South Central Texas
October 28, 2011 9:22 pm
Mr Bugman,
I notice these flies mainly during the summer months…they’re not prolific, nor do they sting or bite…I’ve always just been curious as to what name and type of fly they are.
Signature: Mark Warfield

Ensign Wasp

Hi Mark,
The Ensign Wasp, as its name implies, is not a fly.  These parasitic hymenopterans lay their eggs in the oothica or egg cases of cockroaches, helping to control the numbers of the infesting insects.

The post Ensign Wasp appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Subject: Insect identification
Location: Miami, FL
April 11, 2013 4:35 pm
Hi, I was wondering if you could help me identify this insect I found inside my home, flying near a window. The end of its abdomen was wiggling around quite a bit and was even folded back a few times. I’ve attached a few photos I took with my phone.
Thanks a lot.
Signature: Kevin

Ensign Wasp

Hi Kevin,
This is an Ensign Wasp, and you should probably welcome it into your house as they lay their eggs in the oothica or eggcases of Cockroaches.  The larval wasps then feed on the developing Cockroaches.

Ensign Wasp

The post Ensign Wasp appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Subject: HELP
Location: San Angelo, Texas
May 26, 2013 3:05 pm
I found several bugs in my apartment that have a body of an ant with fly wings and back legs like a cricket. What is it? Do they bite?
Signature: Thanks

Ensign Wasp

This is a beneficial Ensign Wasp.  The female lays her eggs in the oothica or egg case of cockroaches and the larval wasps feed on the developing cockroach eggs, helping to control the populations of the household pests.  We have postdated your submission to go live during our absence from the office in early June.

The post Ensign Wasp appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Subject: What’s this?
Location: North of Iran (Khazar sea)
July 27, 2013 12:43 am
It’s tail actually moving and it’s prickle is too painful. Please look at it’s photos.
Signature: ?

Ensign Wasp

Your Ensign Wasp is a beneficial creature that parasitizes the oothica or egg case of Cockroaches, helping to control the populations of that household marauder.

The post Ensign Wasp from Iran appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Subject: Grasshopper Like Fly
Location: Brewton, Alabama
October 14, 2013 12:28 pm
I’ve never seen this type of bug before it’s like a cross between a grasshopper, a fly, and a wasp all at the same time. Can you please tell me what this is?
Signature: Erica C.

Ensign Wasp

Dear Erica,
We guessed correctly from your subject line that you were inquiring about an Ensign Wasp.  Ensign Wasps are parasitic and they prey upon the oothica of Cockroaches, which means they are a natural means of controlling the household pests.

The post Ensign Wasp appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Subject: black long legs big head beetle?
Location: Miami Florida
November 14, 2013 9:26 pm
Dear whats that bug,
I just found this visitor in our bathroom in the morning in November in Miami Florida.
Is not as beautiful as other bugs that i see in this website but I am just move by curiosity.
I could not found any picture online exactly as this guy . I think is a beetle
I took the pic with my cell phone and the animal was very high in the wall so i couldn’t get closer.
Thank you in advance
Signature: vlad

Ensign Wasp

Dear Vlad,
This is an Ensign Wasp, and you should probably welcome it into your home.  The female Ensign Wasp parasitizes the oothica or egg case of a Cockroach, and the developing Ensign Wasp larva feeds upon the eggs and developing Cockroaches, helping to control the population of an insect that very few people, even the most tolerant, will relish having in their homes.

Dear Daniel Marlos,
Thank you for your fast reply. I need to work in my id skills! Good that I leave it alone as I normally do with insects (with the exception of cockroaches).
Vlad

The post Ensign Wasp appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Subject: My new roommates!
Location: St. Thomas, USVI
January 30, 2014 6:53 pm
Hi bugman,
As I’ve been traveling around the US for the past year, I’ve been able to identify quite a lot of my “new roommates” through your great web resource here. (Thanks!) It’s been a fun and comforting challenge to observe, document, and identify each diverse creature that I’ve come across. Currently, I’m in the Virgin Islands (so, although it is winter season, the temperatures still range from about 74-84 degrees right now). This little guy appears to be a thread-waisted wasp to me, but just wanted to seek your expert opinion.
I’m new to the area, but I’ve seen a few of them in my apartment over the past couple days, and I definitely didn’t think it was a wasp at first just because they are a much smaller size than I usually associate with wasps. I also have quite a funny group of case-bearing cloth larva living here as well, and I see the signs of termites here, but have yet to spot any individual termites. So, there are lots of friends!
Signature: Rachel

Ensign Wasp

Hi Rachel,
This Ensign Wasp really is your friend.  The female Ensign Wasp lays her eggs on the oothica or egg case of a Cockroach, and the larval wasp eats the eggs and developing nymphs of the Cockroach, helping to control the Cockroach populations in homes.  The abdomen of the Ensign Wasp bobs up and down as it moves about, much like the action of signalling with a flag, hence the common name.

Daniel, thank you! Very nice news to hear about the ensign wasp helping to control the cockroach population. I appreciate your help in identifying it! Have a great February!
Rachel

The post Ensign Wasp from the Virgin Islands appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Subject: Strange fly – Accra Ghana
Location: Accra Ghana
February 25, 2014 9:53 am
Hi,
Live in Ghana, west Africa, these bugs keep appearing in my bedroom, never seen them before anywhere else. I’ve lived in the US before and never saw them there either. My biggest concern is if it is harmful, like carry some disease. Please help! Thanks
Signature: ND

Ensign Wasp

Dear ND,
This is a Wasp, not a Fly, and it does not carry disease.  We are surmising that once we tell you that this is a beneficial Ensign Wasp that parasitizes the ootheca or egg cases of Cockroaches, helping to reduce their populations, that no additional individuals will fall victim to Unnecessary Carnage.

Dear Daniel,
I really appreciate the information and advice, especially knowing how much you have to work on each day.
I also want to assure you that these wasps will no longer suffer at my hands.
Best Regards
Nukunu

The post Ensign Wasp from Ghana appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Subject: Please help me identify this bug.
Location: South Florida
April 12, 2014 7:44 pm
I live in South Florida and I keep noticing these bugs inside of our apartment. It just started happening around February. They have wings although I’ve never seen them fly. We get sprayed by the exterminator in our apartment so I think I’m seeing them after they have been poisoned. They also have long back legs. Please help! I have an infant and a two year old this worries me. Thanks !
Signature: Concerned Mom

Ensign Wasp

Dear Concerned Mom,
You should be concerned, but not because of this insect.  This is a beneficial Ensign Wasp, a species that lays eggs on the oothicae or egg cases of Cockroaches.  Developing Ensign Wasp larvae eat Cockroach Eggs and unhatched nymphs, helping to control the Cockroach population naturally, without the use of pesticides.  These dead Ensign Wasps are either the result of collateral damage due to spraying for Cockroaches, or they are the result of bug phobia.  Some folks believe any bug in the home is a problem, resulting in unnecessary spraying of potentially, environmentally toxic chemicals.  We believe that the use of pesticides in the home is much more harmful to infants and toddlers than an encounter with a beneficial Ensign Wasp which is not capable of stinging nor biting a human.

Thanks so much for your reply. When we first moved into our apartment we found out it was infested with cockroaches. They tried several different sprays and treatments finally the apartments pest control sprayed a bed bug spray that was extremely strong smelling all through the house. I don’t see cockroaches anymore except dead on occasion, but I see these often. Does it mean I still have a cockroach problem too? Is this something I should consider breaking my lease for because of my children? Thanks again for your reply.

Hi again Concerned Mom,
We do not want to provide any advice regarding relocation, but we can provide you with additional information that might help you make up your own mind.  There are several studies that link Cockroach infestations to asthma in humans.  According to the American Lung Association website:  “Cockroaches, those unpleasant and unsightly pests, are not just a problem to look at. They also produce substances, or allergens, that aggravate asthma and cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to those substances. The allergens produced by cockroaches are likely concentrated in their fecal matter and in fragments of their body parts. These tiny particles can become airborne and contaminate the air in your home.”  The site has much more information on the relationship between Cockroaches and asthma.  The pesticides versus the cockroach infestation seems like a choice between the lesser of two evils, and there are probably differing opinions on which is worse.  The Ensign Wasp continuing to manifest its appearance in your apartment is a good indication that the Cockroaches are still present, albeit unseen.

The post Ensign Wasp: Cockroaches, Pesticides and Asthma appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Subject: My new roommates!
Location: St. Thomas, USVI
January 30, 2014 6:53 pm
Hi bugman,
As I’ve been traveling around the US for the past year, I’ve been able to identify quite a lot of my “new roommates” through your great web resource here. (Thanks!) It’s been a fun and comforting challenge to observe, document, and identify each diverse creature that I’ve come across. Currently, I’m in the Virgin Islands (so, although it is winter season, the temperatures still range from about 74-84 degrees right now). This little guy appears to be a thread-waisted wasp to me, but just wanted to seek your expert opinion.
I’m new to the area, but I’ve seen a few of them in my apartment over the past couple days, and I definitely didn’t think it was a wasp at first just because they are a much smaller size than I usually associate with wasps. I also have quite a funny group of case-bearing cloth larva living here as well, and I see the signs of termites here, but have yet to spot any individual termites. So, there are lots of friends!
Signature: Rachel

Ensign Wasp

Hi Rachel,
This Ensign Wasp really is your friend.  The female Ensign Wasp lays her eggs on the ootheca or egg case of a Cockroach, and the larval wasp eats the eggs and developing nymphs of the Cockroach, helping to control the Cockroach populations in homes.  The abdomen of the Ensign Wasp bobs up and down as it moves about, much like the action of signalling with a flag, hence the common name.

Daniel, thank you! Very nice news to hear about the ensign wasp helping to control the cockroach population. I appreciate your help in identifying it! Have a great February!
Rachel

The post Ensign Wasp from the Virgin Islands appeared first on What's That Bug?.

Subject: Strange fly – Accra Ghana
Location: Accra Ghana
February 25, 2014 9:53 am
Hi,
Live in Ghana, west Africa, these bugs keep appearing in my bedroom, never seen them before anywhere else. I’ve lived in the US before and never saw them there either. My biggest concern is if it is harmful, like carry some disease. Please help! Thanks
Signature: ND

Ensign Wasp

Dear ND,
This is a Wasp, not a Fly, and it does not carry disease.  We are surmising that once we tell you that this is a beneficial Ensign Wasp that parasitizes the ootheca or egg cases of Cockroaches, helping to reduce their populations, that no additional individuals will fall victim to Unnecessary Carnage.

Dear Daniel,
I really appreciate the information and advice, especially knowing how much you have to work on each day.
I also want to assure you that these wasps will no longer suffer at my hands.
Best Regards
Nukunu

The post Ensign Wasp from Ghana appeared first on What's That Bug?.