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.
Main
- Anthropology
- Rocks & Fossils
- Invertebrates
- Vertebrates
- Botany
- Astronomy
- Fungi
- General
- Recently Asked
“My son is REALLY into dinosaurs and found the below at the beach and would LOVE help with an ID. Any advice?”
Jack Ucciferri, Carpinteria - May 27, 2020
“I came across it in my bathroom. When I placed a glass over it—in order to capture it and relocate it outside—it spun around faster than anything I've ever seen in my life.”
Erik Torkells, Montecito - May 9, 2020
“My son is completing his science project on our local tidepools. We've identified all specimens during our field study, except for the attached. Can you help? ”
Andrea, Coal Oil Point - May 9, 2020
“I saw these blonde and pink anemone friends at Goleta Beach, in addition to the regular blue ones, and I was wondering what causes their various colors? And can anemones be phosphorescent?”
Julian, Goleta - April 29, 2020
“I found this insect in our bathroom yesterday it was less than a quarter of an inch. Can you tell me what it is. Thank you”
Terry Holgate, Goleta - April 22, 2020
“These bugs infested my pomegranate tree last year, leaving little drill holes (for eggs?).
What are they and why have I seen them only once in 20 years?”
Jana, Goleta - April 8, 2020
“Hello. Today I saw this on a rock at Ellwood Beach. Perhaps it is a common creature, but I have never seen one before. There were only two on the same rock. Sorry I didn't think to put a coin beside...”
Lisa, Santa Barbara, CA - February 25, 2020
“Hello,
We found these chitons students Shell Beach in Pismo Beach. It was low tide and we were exploring the tide pools.
They were on the underside of the rock.
While examining them they started to...”
Maria, Santa Barbara, CA - January 27, 2020
“We found this shell at Hendry's Beach this week. Can you identify it?”
Jay, Santa Barbara - January 11, 2020
“It's about the side of 9pt felt tip pen dot. It didn't seem to jump. It crawled onto an iPad in our house. It didn't quite look like a dust mite or bed bug. We thought maybe a plant mite?”
Tom, Oxnard, CA - September 2, 2019
