View Full Version : Identification Help...
sacguy63
07-12-2009, 07:38 PM
Last year, I purchased a mason jar bee kit. This year, it has attracted leaf cutters and mason jar bees. And, both are busy building in many tubes. It's quite exciting. However, I'm worried about a new pest that's arrived.
There's a small (1/8" long), black body, 6-legged (I think- maybe 8, so small), clear wings, pest that is crawling around and into the empty tubes. I've searched on-line with no luck to identify the pest. I'm sure it's not a mite or beetle, based on photos on-line. I've placed a few in a jar.
Can you help me with identification, please? Thank you!
nicesacguy@hotmail.com
dcross
07-13-2009, 07:15 PM
Some type of small wasp?
http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=226834&highlight=ovipositor
sacguy63
07-13-2009, 11:06 PM
No...they are more like a small gnat. It's only 1/8th of an inch in length.
c10250
07-14-2009, 08:09 AM
See if you can find him here http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=gnat .
That site is crazy good at identifying insects. You might try a search under wasp as well.
Let us know.
Ken
sacguy63
07-14-2009, 09:17 AM
Thanks for the link. I've been there before, but I checked it out again. It "almost" looks like a Dark-winged Fungus Gnat. But, it's described as a little longer and dark wings. This type of gnat has clear wings. But, what would a gnat be doing around bee tubes? Harmful? Thanks for everyone's help.
There are gnat sized wasps. Do you have a pic?
sacguy63
07-14-2009, 11:27 AM
Unforutunately, no. It's so small, I don't have a way to take pics. However, these are similar to ones I've found in a plant I happened to overwater. When I read a description of this gnat, it seemed to fit.
justin
07-14-2009, 09:05 PM
most bugs just fly around and check everything out. i can't think of a scenario where a gnat would indicate or create a problem.
Jack Grimshaw
07-16-2009, 08:17 PM
Any of these parasitic wasps?
http://www.ars.usda.gov/Research/docs.htm?docid=18333
sacguy63
07-17-2009, 02:28 PM
No, I think they are a gnat afterall. I do, however, appreciate the link you gave me. It showed pictures of a couple beetles that I've seen over the years. Thanks, again!