Where can I get a bug identified?

Two large communities identify insects, spiders and other bugs from photos. Location matters more here than almost anywhere else.

Where to ask

r/whatsthisbug

Best for: Fast ID of insects, spiders, crustaceans and similar.

Why it fits: Its public description: “Bug identification! All insects, spiders, crustaceans, etc. welcome!”

Members in our directory: 1.3M

We could not confirm this community’s posting rules. Read them before you post.

Read r/whatsthisbug’s current rules on Reddit

r/insects

Best for: ID requests plus broader bug discussion.

Why it fits: Its public description: “A subreddit all about insects and other bugs. ID requests, artwork, macro-photography, discussion, and more!”

Rules to know before posting:

ID requests should include a geographic location.
Do not post “bug bites”; the rules note many suspected bites are something else.
No bug hate or “kill it with fire” comments.

Read r/insects’s current rules on Reddit

Before you post

A sharp photo from above and from the side helps more than several blurry ones.
Add the country and region, and where you saw it (indoors, garden, woods).
For a bite or rash, see a medical professional instead of an ID community.

Rule summaries are paraphrased from each community’s published rules (public archive copy retrieved 7 November 2026; original snapshot date unavailable). Current rules may differ — check the community’s rules before posting. A good fit does not guarantee a reply.