Mary has been hanging around me a bit too long and apparently one of my idiosyncracies is catchy. This afternoon Mary was out by the pool area talking with some friends when she shouted to me, “John, come quick. A new bug!” Ever since we first moved here I have been pointing out new odd or unique looking insects and then scrambling for my camera to get a picture. Mary enjoys discovering new bugs too and was calling for me to bring the camera.
As I came out with the camera, the bug took off flying, but luckily it flew in circles close to my head and then settled on the back of a chair on our patio so I could see it and get some pictures.
As you can see, it is a beetle type insect with a unique yellow/orange stripe on its’ back, but the most unusual thing are the antennae. Striped in Halloween colors of black and orange and then hooking near the ends.
Counting the antennae the beetle was about one and one half inches long. When it was flying around it looked like a large wasp.
I tried to get a close up of the head to see the eyes, but it is unclear where the eyes are. There also appears to be some hair-like growth on the face! Maybe this guy needs a shave?
Mary and I have a large field guide book with descriptions and pictures of the birds of Ecuador. We have seen dozens of different types of birds, but maybe we should have also brought a book describing and picturing insects of Ecuador. My guess is that it would have to be a multi-volume affair with millions of entries.
Life is good in Ecuador!
nice report!!
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
well, at least we aren’t the only ones discovering new bugs!! we have seen the large antennas but not sure if it is this bug or not….we should definitely count the types we have seen!!
LikeLike
Absolutely count them and please take pictures and post! I think the creator got most imaginative with insects – some of which are made solely to pollenate one type of flower! They intrigue me.
LikeLike
it’s a lovely, interesting beetle, though i have no idea ! z
LikeLike
They are all interesting to me – all so different.
LikeLike
Always like seeing the bugs, but this one is really weird. Beard, giant antennae, fuzzy legs, YIKES! That close up is a little bit freaky :-). I hope you find out what it is.
LikeLike
I love my camera because it lets me get close ups and then study features (like the little bits of hair on the face) more closely. Always fun and yes, a bit weird at times!
LikeLike
Hello, I have been searching years for a picture of this bug! About 14 years ago this exact beetle landed on my plate and helped himself to some watermelon. I have never forgotten it, and have searched every once in a while for a name/picture of it to no avail until now. I lived in Yuma, Arizona at the time. May I use your picture as a reference to try and identify it? Thank you very much for capturing a picture of this beauty. 🙂
LikeLike
Feel free to use the picture and if you do identify it, please let us know. Good luck!
LikeLike
I currently live in Yuma AZ and I just saw this bug, how cool!
LikeLike
It must be an international traveler. Little guy gets around!
LikeLike
I think I saw this bug fly into my house in San Diego last night.
LikeLike
Cool! Although I believe bugs belong outside, they are very fascinating little things and we never tire of watching them.
LikeLike
hola encontre un insecto muy parecido a ese en mi casa soy de mexico no saben que especie es?
LikeLike
Si, yo no se tambien. pero todos es criaturas de Dios! Buen Dia, mi amigo.
LikeLike
sooooo i’m from New Zealand and work at a daycare centre. today the children found this bug but as i had no idea what it was called i promised them i would find out what it is…….but that seems to be a mission. would love to know what it is.
LikeLike
This is really weird, but I saw a beetle just like this one in Aravaipa Canyon, in Arizona. I took some pictures just like you did, when it landed, but it later flew off. Has anyone figured out what type of beetle it is? Apparently it also lives in arizona…
LikeLike
I have not heard it’s official name. It is a wonder to watch and ponder the diversity in all of the insects around the world.
LikeLike
Maybe it’s a Trachyderes mandibularis
LikeLike
I believe got it! Also known as a “Long-jawed Longhorn Beetle”. Thank you very much!
LikeLike
Aren;t they interesting? I love discovering new insects, & birds also. Nice post.
LikeLike
Thank you. We really get a kick out of getting close up shots of new insects. They all have such amazing details.
LikeLiked by 1 person
omg I just saw one of these near my house here in Brazil!! that’s awesome
LikeLike
Nature never ceases to amaze us!
LikeLike
This exact bug/beetle was just flying around my bedroom. I don’t think it’s a longhorn beetle though, the stripes look different. The one I just saw looks just like the one you posted and is also the ONLY one I can find on the internet that matches exactly to the one I saw. How strange!
LikeLike
There appears to be no end to the strange and new things the world of nature has to offer! We are constantly amazed at the diversity and beauty of the world around us.
LikeLike
pachyteria dimidiata
LikeLike
There you have it in Latin! I looked up the insect on Google and sure enough this is what it is called. Thank you “anon.”
LikeLike
There you have it in Latin! I looked up the insect on Google and sure enough this is what it is called. Thank you “anon.”
LikeLike
just came across this little guy as well in bradenton florida .
LikeLike
It is amazing to see the diversity in each little insect. Hope you are well in Florida!
LikeLike
Longhorned beetle. We found one in Guyana a few days ago.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just found this bug eating my bananas in Haiti. Can’t find out what it is. Did you ever find out?
LikeLike
I think so… Let me review our comments to see, Meanwhile, isn’t it great discovering new birds, animals, and insects? We hope your adventure is as fun as ours!
LikeLike
Is it poisonous or not? If it bites what we have to do?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I highly doubt that this beetle was poisonous, although I never know. He was not aggressive and looked to be a normal plant eater. My experience with unusual insects leads me to believe that they are dangerous is not provoked. Live and let live and enjoy the variety of life provided by our Creator!
LikeLike
I just found the same insect here in Mexico!
LikeLike
Cool! I would bet that Ecuador and Mexico share many of the same species. Have a great day!
LikeLike
I saw one yesterday at work- a shipyard in Tampa bay’s port. I just now tried to look it up and I just now saw how old this post is…. hope you have had a good 7 years so far!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Of all of the hundreds of post we have done over the years, this old one, “Another New Bug!” keeps garnering new comments. Hope all is well in Florida and, rest assured, all is well here. Life is good!
LikeLike
Hoy encontré uno precisamente, Colombia. Mompox – Bolivar.
LikeLike
I just found one today! I even took some pictures. I found it in Brazil 🙂
LikeLike