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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- Recently Asked
“Is this a Polyphemus Moth? I discovered this amazing moth on my front door doormat at 8:00 AM on July 30, 2019. The light above this door was on the entire night. I determined it was alive while movin...”
Anne, Santa Barbara - August 26, 2019
“Is this a praying mantis? It has been on my screen door for over a week. Is this insect normally found here in Santa Barbara?
Thanks!”
Molly, Santa Barbara - Upper East - August 13, 2019
“We have had a severe problem with chiggers in our Cleveland School area yard for decades. Only recently have they been positively identified. For years we were told chiggers were not present in SB and...”
Lauren, Upper Eastside - August 5, 2019
“Can you help me identify this caterpillar? We found it in Carpinteria.
Thanks!”
Ananda Mahto, Carpinteria - July 10, 2019
“We found this beetle in our yard tonight on our swing. We looked it up and could not find anything close to what it seems to be, that is in California. (Tile horned prionus?) Any ideas!? Our kids are...”
Cari Thomas, Santa Barbara - July 3, 2019
“My daughter found this strange rock-like thing in our yard that seems to have snail-like shell shapes in it, all stuck together. It feels like some kind of calcium rocky thing. We've attached a couple...”
Jason Freidenfelds, Santa Barbara - June 29, 2019
“An Edhat poster sent in a photo of these egg casings. The hammock was outside and then stored for the winter, so it could be an indoor or outdoor egg-laying insect. Please i.d.
Thank you ever so muc...”
Lisa Ann Kelly, Santa Barbara, CA - May 19, 2019
“My son and I found this little guy on a walk up to Nojoqui falls. I think it must be a moth but I've never seen one like this. Is the museum interested in hearing about every odd plant and bug we find...”
Christian, Goleta - July 12, 2018
“Hi Curators,
I keep finding rocks on the beach around here with many small, perfectly round holes in them. Is this a human-made thing, or something natural?”
Dan, Santa Barbara - July 12, 2018
“What can be done about the loss of monarch butterfly habatat and their exclusive milk weed food?
What can be done to restore the Ellwood Mesa monarch overwintering site?
There is information here: h...”
Larry Dighera, More Mesa - May 7, 2018
