Unknown

I have not been able to identify this little guy! I would appreciate any help. We noticed it on our porch and got this picture. We did not see how it got there (meaning whether it flew in, crawled, walked) nor did we see how it left. It has been quite a mystery!

comments (18)

Claire Hamilton

Lion

This is quite a remarkable creature, I would love to know what it is. is it complete? looks broken? Posted 11 years ago
1. Deb Cappello
  
  Snow Leopard
  
  I agree. It is a very remarkable creature that I have not been able to identify. I believe it is "complete" and unbroken. It landed on my porch and I was able to get this photograph. I did not see it land or fly but it came and went without any assistance from me. This photograph was taken in Kane PA. Posted 11 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Deb, I have to ask...is this a real bug? Or is this a manipulated image? Posted 11 years ago
1. Deb Cappello
  
  Snow Leopard
  
  This is absolutely a real bug. I have been trying to identify it for over a year now. Another person also made the comment that it was photo shopped. I can assure you that it was not. I took this picture and it has not been manipulated in any way, other than being cropped. I have never used photo shop on any of my photos, I wouldn't even know how to manipulate an image. This creature (I feel as though it is a beetle) landed on my porch in Kane PA. Posted 11 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    I believe you Deb, no worries, I was just asking since the title doesn't really tell whether it is real or not. I was mostly asking because it such an unbelievable bug. Would love to know the identification as well. Posted 11 years ago
  2. 1. Deb Cappello
      
      Snow Leopard
      
      I will keep trying to identify this little guy. Many of my friends have said it almost look like an alien craft! That makes me smile because I also thought it looked like an alien craft. My question to you is....if I think I have a plant or insect identified in one of my pictures, do I write it in the description even if I'm not quite sure I am right or do I leave it blank? I have tried to get accurate ID's on several of my photos but I do not feel 100% sure. Posted 11 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        It truly is a special bug, out of the ordinary!
        
        My best advise regarding species identification is to just be honest. When you're not sure, just say so in the description. If you're reasonably sure, try to make a case for your theory, for example by linking to a reference photo.
        
        It is ok to not know it at all times, but you are expected to make an effort. Posted 11 years ago

Claire Hamilton

Lion

Deb, what happened to the other photo you had of this, I feel sure there was a top view as well but cant find it. Posted 11 years ago
1. Deb Cappello
  
  Snow Leopard
  
  I removed it because I would like to try and identify it. I can certainly add it back to my photo collection if you like. Meanwhile, I am using every source possible to find out what it is. I keep thinking that a former teacher/neighbor of mine would be able to help with the identification. Sadly, he passed away many years ago. He would often come to my yard and we would talk for hours about our mutual love for plants, birds, insects, etc.... His name was Robert Carson and he was a highly respected teacher in the Kane Area School District. Please let me know if you would like to see the other photo back and I will happily put it back in the collection of my photos. Posted 11 years ago
2. 1. Claire Hamilton
    
    Lion
    
    if you would, please Deb, it may help with identification if we can see it from other angles. So sorry about your teacher, Robert. Hopefully we can find other avenues to help with identification, they are quite a resourceful lot on here! I am short on time at the moment but this thing is bugging me (excuse the pun!) so I will do my best to help out. Posted 11 years ago

Wendy

Lion

What an interesting creature.
Never seen before... Posted 11 years ago
1. Deb Cappello
  
  Snow Leopard
  
  I agree Wendy.....it is definitely interesting. Apparently, NOBODY has ever seen it before! I know that new species are discovered all the time....usually in the jungles, oceans and rain forests of the world. But in my yard in Kane PA???? How wonderful would that be? Posted 11 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Deb, did it actually move during your spotting? Or was it dead? Posted 11 years ago
  2. 1. Deb Cappello
      
      Snow Leopard
      
      I don't believe it was dead but I don't recall seeing it move either. If I had known that it was going to be this difficult to identify, I would have put it in a jar and studied it more closely. My husband and I have done that several times with other bugs that we weren't familiar with. Posted 11 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Here is the site where I requested external help:
        
        http://bugguide.net/node/view/967912
        
        Check the comments below the request. At this time of this writing, the main theory is that these may be the remains of a real bug, possibly infested by a fungus or parasite. I'll keep monitoring that site to wait for additional comments. Posted 11 years ago

Msalicat

Giant Tortoise

I agree it looks like some type of Alien species :) Maybe there were out of space visitors and they left this little fellow behind :) Posted 11 years ago
1. Deb Cappello
  
  Snow Leopard
  
  I can't help but smile when I read your comment! My husband and I thought that the moment we saw it. Also, several friends of mine that are insect/nature lovers made the same comment. At first they thought that I had found the picture somewhere on the internet or that I had photo shopped it. Then they teased me that it was a spy drone that the government sent into my yard! The latest and final consensus is that it is an alien craft that was left behind to study earthlings! Whatever it is, it has made for some very interesting conversations. Posted 11 years ago

Darryl Lane

Musk Oxen

This really does look like the remains of a chitin exoskeleton to me (back side facing the camera) Posted 10 years ago

No species identified

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By Deb Cappello

Uploaded Jul 28, 2014. Captured Jan 3, 2013 16:48 in 131-133 Grand Army of the Republic Highway, Kane, PA 16735, USA.

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Canon PowerShot A1000 IS
f/2.7
1/50s
ISO200
6.2mm

Captured in the winter. More winter photos.