Recently Asked

Learn what the community is asking about this season, with answers by Museum experts.

“Hello! Can you tell what this is? Thanks!”
Kevin, Santa Barbara - August 13, 2025

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“Hello! Can you tell what type of beetle this is? Very tiny.”
Kevin, Santa Barbara - August 4, 2025

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“This moth was on our patio floor and was franticly spinning around and around.”
Ronald, Santa Barbara CA. - July 31, 2025

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“We came into our kitchen one day to find these bad boys popping through a crack in our cabinetry trim. Then a friend of ours in the building found these growing straight through the paint on the...”
Kevin, Santa Barbara, CA - June 24, 2025

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“How can I tell what kind of butterfly these eggs will  hatch into? They were found on the underside of our Butterfly bush.  Some are starting to hatch into little caterpillar. &nb...”
Catherine, Solvang, CA - June 18, 2025

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“Our friends report that they have glowing insects in their yard! They just moved to Santa Teresita, up off of Ontare. She sent me a photo, which isn't very clear, but I had never heard of Glowin...”
Michele, Goleta, CA - June 3, 2025

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“Hello! What is this insect? Thank you!”
Kevin, Santa Barbara - May 12, 2025

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“I found this bug by our back door. It's not made any sound except for flittering, so I don't think it's a cricket or a cicada. Our door was open last night but I didn't hear it until today,...”
Caitlin, West Side - May 2, 2025

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“Hi, I recently discovered this piece while hiking on a trail near Buellton. (I can be more specific about location through private communications if need be). It is an area where I have fou...”
Dylan, Buellton - April 26, 2025

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“What did I find right near the wharf?”
Louis, The wharf - March 31, 2025

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