The Bug Blog
The purpose of the Bug Blog is to provide information about and a forum for discussing the insects and other arthropods commonly encountered in Marin and Sonoma counties. Insect identification is a free service offered by the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District. If you have an insect or arthropod that you would like identified, you may mail it to District headquarters (attn: Eric Engh) or drop it off (in an enclosed container) at our front desk during regular office hours. Specimens will be identified as time permits.
Varied Carpet Beetle
Carpet beetles are an important part of nature's "clean up crew", but can damage certain items such as natural fabrics, carpets, and even preserved animal specimens (like that wild boar head mounted above your fireplace).
A Seed Bug
The seed bug Metapoplax ditimoides (family: Oxycarenidae) is relatively new to our area. Originally from the Mediterranean, it was first detected on the west coast in Oregon in 1998, and in Sonoma County in 2002.
Leafhopper Assassin Bug
Although this predatory insect is generally considered to be beneficial, it had an encounter with a Santa Rosa resident that was not beneficial for either party. The insect likely wandered or flew indoors and decided to seek refuge in a bed.
Western Yellowjacket
Western Yellowjackets typically form large, hidden colonies in enclosed spaces (especially in abandoned rodent burrows and occasionally in attics). When viewed from above, this species has a continuous yellow ring around each eye, and it is this feature that helps to separate them from other lo
European Paper Wasp
These paper wasps are relatively new to California. They typically construct uncovered, aerial nests (with populations reportedly reaching up to 200 workers), but unlike our native paper wasps, they will also readily nest within cavities.
