The "What is this bug?" thread

[JonathanD]

 

[Harvestman]

Here's one of mine, from today. Found under bark on some dead oak.

 

[Harvestman]

Out of curiosity Jon, before I pronounce, are you claiming to know the answer to this one?

I'm trying to judge how much you know

 

[JonathanD]

I that Calosoma auropunctatum?

 

[JonathanD]

Out of curiosity Jon, before I pronounce, are you claiming to know the answer to this one?

I'm trying to judge how much you know

Not a clue mate. Just remembered it and posted it up. I never tried to ID it before.

 

[Harvestman]

I that Calosoma auropunctatum?

If I'm honest, I'm not sure. Posted before identification. I'm coming down in favour of a different species though...

 

[JonathanD]

If I'm honest, I'm not sure. Posted before identification. I'm coming down in favour of a different species though...

What you think it is then?

 

[Harvestman]

I'm favouring Carabus nemoralis at the moment, but I'm not 100% certain by any means.

Your spider is a male Philodromus species, possibly P. cespitum, but other species are possible. Without seeing the male pedipalp I can't say more.

You do photograph things at some odd angles.

 

[JonathanD]

I'm favouring Carabus nemoralis at the moment, but I'm not 100% certain by any means.

Actually, yeah, that is a much better fit than my ID.

 

[Harvestman]

Here's something a bit different, and no I haven't worked it out myself yet.

Photographed under a canal bridge at about 11pm earlier this week.

 

[JonathanD]

Your spider is a male Philodromus species, possibly P. cespitum, but other species are possible. Without seeing the male pedipalp I can't say more.

You do photograph things at some odd angles.

Bear in mind that this little bugger took a trip in my equipment bag from Tanzania. You'll have to forgive the picture, Emm took it and at the time she was in a heightened state of panic. She unpacked it.

 

[JonathanD]

Here's something a bit different, and no I haven't worked it out myself yet.

Photographed under a canal bridge at about 11pm earlier this week.
View attachment 12287

Oooh, not good on slugs, but is looks like a leopard.

 

[Harvestman]

Bear in mind that this little bugger took a trip in my equipment bag from Tanzania. You'll have to forgive the picture, Emm took it and at the time she was in a heightened state of panic. She unpacked it.

If it isn't a UK species then I'm dead in the water. I'm assuming that's a finger alongside it.

 

[Harvestman]

Oooh, not good on slugs, but is looks like a leopard.

Yes, I think it is a small Limax maximus, Leopard slug.

 

[JonathanD]

If it isn't a UK species then I'm dead in the water. I'm assuming that's a finger alongside it.

Yeah. The front leg span measured about 2 inches across.

 

[Harvestman]

Yeah. The front leg span measured about 2 inches across.

If it was that big it wasn't a UK species at all.

What's bothering me are the reflective eyes. The eyes in this group are characteristically black and beady. its a feature they use iun the AIDGAP key to families. The legs are a bit robust too.

Looks like it might be Tanzanian rather than British then.

 

[JAG009]

What part of the world is this from ?



Jason

 

[JAG009]

Sorry just read the thread i see you have already posted where its from ,I have the books out i will have a look


Jason

 

[JonathanD]

Looks like it might be Tanzanian rather than British then.

Oh yeah, beyond doubt. Thought I'd post it up to throw you a bit Would love to know what it is though. I'm just grateful it wasn't a camel spider stowaway. That would have freaked the beejesus outta me had I of found that toddling around the kitchen.

 

[JAG009]

Right am pretty sure this is it (palystes castaneus) huntsman or rain spider ,I will leave this one up to Harvestman to see what he thinks



Jason