I heard this muted buzzing sound while at my desk today. I looked over to my window and spotted this bee or beetle or something buzzing around. What the heck is this?!
Anybody know? It looks like a cross between a bee and a box alder beetle. ?? I’ve never seen anything like it. My son through it was a beetle, but when I flipped the bug upside down, it “played dead,” curled up its body, and ejected a stinger. A yellow bubble of venom oozed out.
What is this thing? I’ve never seen anything remotely like it. Is it a mutant honeybee?
Please leave a comment if you know what it is. My curiosity is bursting!
Identification:
Head: Black and shiny. Jaws like an ant.
Thorax: Yellow fuzz, like a honey bee. The underbelly has a thin ring of yellow fuzz, too.
Abdomen: Black and smooth covered by two black wings with red stripes, like a beetle.
Legs: black and smooth. Front legs have feathery ends.
The bug is about 3/4-inch long, 1/8-inch wide. Moved somewhat slow. Could not fly, although wings lifted and buzzed a bit.
Has a stinger from which it ejects venom.
He was somewhat aggressive and distressed. When threatened, did not run away but instead stuck out his stinger.
:) I’m a married mom of four teenage children. We live in Upstate New York. We bought an old 1855 home and acre property, over 10 years ago. We've been in the slow, agonizing process of living in the home while (trying) to renovate it. When I'm not renovating, I'm a freelance writer and blogger.
We've learned to dig a French drain, plant huge flower and vegetable gardens, wire a circuit panel, install furnace ducting, understand the enigmatic complexities of the plumbing system, and more. It's been *quite* the adventure.
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June 16, 2012 at 8:59 am
I have no idea what that is. Sure looks like a bee to us. Have a great week end.
July 29, 2012 at 7:35 pm
I saw this bug today on my front porch. I’m in Northeast TN. Did a google search for “beetle that looks like a bee” and found the answer: Nicrophorus tomentosus, the Gold-Necked Carrion Beetle!
August 19, 2012 at 11:11 am
Just found one in my window sill this morning. Thanks for posting your post, so I could figure out what it was!