Something's been bugging me...!

[Gorosaurus]

Hey all, got some quick questions.

First, I saw this first crazy bug streamside the other day. Not sure what it is (looks like some sort of ant?), so I thought I'd ask some experts.

And then this morning I found THIS floating in my fish tank. The tank is in my house, and there's really no way I could imagine a bug getting in there. Strange!

 

[Maurice]

The second one is a golden stonefly. They can be in the streambed for two years as nymphs so if you put anything in there a couple years ago that may have come from a clean creek or river, It may have hatched.

 

[Gorosaurus]

Here's the thing - This aquarium is completely brand new. Been running for about 2 months now, and completely from Petco as well.


.. I have to admit, though, I did throw in ONE wild visitor a few weeks ago.

But SURELY there's no way there was a nymph attached to him, right??

 

[Maurice]

Hey it could have crawled up under your gravel guard hitch-hiked home with you, hatched and then found your aquarium to lay eggs. But lemme guess, you have a lid on the tank.

You are a fisherman, you found an aquatic insect in your home....not a big surprise.

Is that a helgermite? Wait til that hatches.....it'l' be like a bird flying through the house.

 

[Gorosaurus]

Haha yes on all accounts. I had my suspicions that it was a stonefly, but I had little background knowledge on non-mayflies, so I wanted to ask here.

I live within a quarter mile of the susquehanna, and though the windows are closed, I'm pretty sure he found a way in.

I had let the hellgrammite go free after taking a few pics to avoid just that scenario you mentioned! Thanks for the info!

 

[henrydavid]

I would not let that 1st insect crawl on my arm, no clue what it is but red is a warning sign.

 

[Gorosaurus]

Eek.. after looking online, I can't find any way to identify that insect! Sure looks like an ant, but no mandibles or anything

 

[sandfly]

looks like a ant killer, type of wasp..

 

[pcray1231]

The first pic is a wheel bug nymph/hatchling. Big and brown when adults. But I think there's only 1 generation a year, they hatch in May, so they'd all be nymphs/hatchlings this time of year. Predators.

They do have a very nasty bite, much worse than a bee or wasp bite. I know cause I got stung by one as a kid. That I still remember it should be a warning! The pain was excruciating, and then the area swells up and goes completely numb for like a week. Then the skin dies and sloughs off leaving an ugly open wound that you gotta keep clean. At least 2 weeks till your normal again.

See last picture on this page, that's your bug.

http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/trees/wheel_bug.htm

 

[Gorosaurus]

My God! I lucked out!


I am guessing that they either aren't able to penetrate human skin as a nymph or that I am very lucky. That bite sounds excruciating!

 

[pcray1231]

They are able to penetrate skin as nymphs. Easily. They have like a spear, I think they specialize in piercing beetle shells.

I've no clue how aggressive they are. But I certainly wouldn't put one on my skin!