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Post by nfchapman on Sept 30, 2011 14:14:02 GMT -8
Hey, all. I signed up for this form after searching in vain to answer a question I have about an insect. I have no images to share, but do have the following description of how I came to want to know what kind of insect I encountered: I was in my garage/office late last night; it was dark; no lights were on, save for the computer monitor. I felt something crawling on my neck and reflexively slapped my neck. Yep, it was a bug of some sort, and big, too. After dispatching the poor little guy, I noticed a very sweet almost floral smell on my hand. I am not very familiar with insects in general, but know about stink bugs...this was not any stink bug smell I've ever smelled. I am in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area. Anyone have any idea what type(s) of insect this might have been. Obviously, I don't really expect anyone to positively ID based solely on my extremely limited description, but was just wondering if anybody had any ideas. Thanks.
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Post by entoman on Sept 30, 2011 15:01:25 GMT -8
Hmm... I don't have very much experience regarding the scents produced by crushed insects. Could you give some information about the remains (assuming there might be any) of the insect? Were wings present? What color was it? How long do you think it might have been if still alive? What do the antennas look like? Etc., etc., etc. Perhaps someone on here will have some idea, but I think your best bet will be to provide more physiological data.
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Post by africaone on Sept 30, 2011 23:45:21 GMT -8
may be a sting bug  |
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Post by nfchapman on Oct 1, 2011 15:20:03 GMT -8
Hmm... I don't have very much experience regarding the scents produced by crushed insects. Could you give some information about the remains (assuming there might be any) of the insect? Were wings present? What color was it? How long do you think it might have been if still alive? What do the antennas look like? Etc., etc., etc. Perhaps someone on here will have some idea, but I think your best bet will be to provide more physiological data. Thanks for the response. The room was totaly dark, and once dispatched, was quickly flicked accross the garage (I have a small bug phobia:(). All that was left was the smell. I've never heard of insects that have an odor such as this and was really curious as to whether anyone knew of any critters that put off this kind of sweet odor. |
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Post by starlightcriminal on Oct 3, 2011 10:08:28 GMT -8
A lot of insects that sequester cyanide derivatives from their diets produce an amaretto-like odor; wood roaches, for example. Could be something similar as cyanides can produce an array of cherry to stinky scented molecules which are commonly found in insects that eat plant products; leaves, wood and seeds. It's bitter to taste so it's a defense mechanism but doesn't necessarily produce an unpleasant odor. Humans are a little perverse in our sense of taste and smell anyway, perhaps it is unpleasant to most other mammals the way mustards and hot peppers are intended to be. Hard to say specifically because this character pops up in lots of types of insects, a little description is probably required to get further than that. In terms of location (garage, in Texas) I would lean towards, and brace yourself if you don't like bugs, some kind of roach crawling on you.  |
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ckswank
Full Member
Posts: 239
Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Oct 3, 2011 18:07:05 GMT -8
Could be a ground beetle (Carabidae), possibly Calosoma. Some are really aromatic, but I wouldn't describe their odor as floral or anything pleasant. They are predatory, feeding on other insects & caterpillars.
Charlie
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Post by starlightcriminal on Oct 4, 2011 5:46:00 GMT -8
Not at all, Calosoma smell sour like rotting fruit and cheese or something. Hard to describe, but it's terrible. Comes from citric acid derivatives I believe. Lasts for quite some time too.
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Post by wingedwishes on Oct 5, 2011 18:52:51 GMT -8
The palmetto bug/ wood roach has a strange smell I would describe similarly. In the same family of chemicals I suppose a millepede like one in your area could produce a nutty/floral smell too as they produce a similar chemical deterrant. Just be glad it was not a vinegaroon/whip scorpion. They have a vinegar smell (ascetic acid) that can be nauseating.
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Post by starlightcriminal on Oct 6, 2011 4:06:14 GMT -8
Yes, vinegaroon and Calosoma are probably the stinkiest things around here. Some phasmids have kind of a strange odor too I think. But considering it was in a garage in the dark, I'm going with a cockroach. I thought wood roach immediately as well. Funny odor that isn't altogether nasty and likely to be in a dark place. Plus doesn't it seem that only "gross" bugs crawl on you in your home? Rarely a butterfly will land on you if you are really sweaty and out in the field, but at home it's always a spider or a roach or something else most creepy. I would say expect the worst  |
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Post by wollastoni on Oct 6, 2011 4:59:13 GMT -8
Must be Colias ponteni... |
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Post by jackblack on Oct 12, 2011 1:54:08 GMT -8
Maybe a moth?
As you have a phobia of insects , good advice is , don`t ever swat anything that lands on you , use a sideways swipe always ! brush it away , as it may sting you , stink you , bite you ect ect !!!
Also you may crush a useful specimen for your collection .
I gave up swatting things that land on me years ago , I live in a rich rainforest with too many bities and have paid for the mistake , also several times they turned out to be Phasmid nymphs which I later reared to adult and was very surprised when they did their final moult to adult .
Be wise and use a side swipe .
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