
Invertebrates
See our handy guide to critters found in local homes and our Central Coast Butterfly FAQ. Browse the insects and other terrestrial arthropods we’ve identified. Check out local marine invertebrates, particularly bivalve mollusks and intertidal organisms.
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“I went to sniff a flower in my yard and it was chowing down on a bee!”
Ann Fox, Santa Barbara County - September 23, 2021
“I saw this bee in Oxnard licking a plumeria leaf, roughly about 1/4” in size. The hind end area has a longish black part sort of like a stinger. The body is greenish and the eyes are defin...”
Amy, Oxnard - September 1, 2021
“Hello, Hoping your experts there can help identify this very large brown moth that was in my house. My photo is not very good. The moth was about five inches across.”
Lisa, Ventura County - August 26, 2021
“Hi there,
Is early July very early to be seeing tarantulas walking around? This one (ebony?) was spotted July 3 in the Carpinteria foothills at about 9:30 PM. Coincidentally, we...”
Claire, Santa Barbara County - August 13, 2021
“I took this photo last weekend at the SB Botanic Garden. I couldn't find an example of one in the online beetle ID sources I looked at.
Thank you!”
Kevin, Santa Barbara - August 5, 2021
“I found this one near our door, so I have no idea what the host plant is. He was all fuzzy.”
Cassie, Ventura - July 16, 2021
“Hello! I have a new insect for you. I think he was on the wisteria...so maybe a genista broom caterpillar?”
Cassie, Ventura - July 1, 2021
“My daughter found a black fuzzy caterpillar 2 weeks ago and wanted to keep it until it turned into a moth or butterfly. Yesterday it wedged itself in the bottom of its container, and started spi...”
Ariel, Goleta - June 30, 2021
“Hello!
I found this cicada struggling in my pool. After I netted it I took a few photos while it was in torpor, and looked online for the species. I could not find a match to a black-eyed...”
Adam, Goleta - June 30, 2021
“Every year I am struck by the bees (?) buzzing in the coast live oaks around the western residence. Collectively, there are enough to create quite a hum at a distance. This is not a...”
Bob, Las Encinas Road - May 19, 2021