Insects & Arachnids

Bug out!

Insects, arachnids, millipedes, centipedes, and some other arthropods.  Also, see Mollusks & Crustaceans.

Confused?  See below.

Chinese Mantis (Tenodera sinensis) An introduced species. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Oct, 2008.

Short-winged Blister Beetle (Meloe angusticollis). This beetle’s fascinating life cycle follows bees–eggs are laid near nests and larvae ride on bees to the nest where they feed and pupate. Adults play dead when provoked and then secrete blister-causing toxins to ward off attackers. South Park, Pennsylvania. April, 2010.

Margined Carrion Beetle (Oiceoptoma noveboracense). This, and a few other beetle species, are important consumers of rotting animal flesh. Here some beetles are mating on the bone of a deer carcass. South Park, Pennsylvania. April, 2013.

Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus). Larvae, pictured here, are gathered on a milkweed seed pod where they feed on the seeds. The adults, one at bottom left and another in the background at top, are winged and will congregate in masses of bugs to mate. Farmington, Pennsylvania. September, 2010.

Large Bee Fly (Bombylius sp.)? This bee mimic is one of many important pollinator fly species. South Park, Pennsylvania. April, 2010.

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) A common butterfly throughout North America and Europe. Farmington, Pennsylvania. May, 2010.

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia). A common butterfly throughout North America except Pacific Northwest and tundra. Delaware Seashore State Park, Delaware. Aug, 2010.

Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa). A large butterfly of the forest. Caterpillars are spiny, black and with red spots along center. South Park, Pennsylvania. May, 2012.

Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa). A large butterfly of the forest. Caterpillars are spiny, black and with red spots along center. South Park, Pennsylvania. May, 2012.

Hobomok Skipper, male (Poanes hobomok). South Park, Pennsylvania. May, 2012

Hobomok Skipper, male (Poanes hobomok). South Park, Pennsylvania. May, 2012

Isabella Tiger Moth, larvae (Pyrrharctica isabella). The infamous “woolly bear caterpillar” or “fuzzy wuzzy.” This caterpillar is thought to be a predictor of the upcoming winter–the brown is an indicator of how long or bad or cold it might be. Cooper’s Rock State Park, West Virginia. March, 2014.

Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americanum). The malacosoma species are infamous for destroying apple and cherry trees–the larvae feed voraciously on foliage within and around their silken tent. The dull brown and hairy adult moth of the caterpillar is called the Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth. South Park, Pennsylvania. April, 2010.

Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe). This moth not only appears very similar to a hummingbird, but also behaves similarly–active during the day, hovering while feeding, rapid wingbeat, and fast, agile flight. South Park, Pennsylvania. May, 2012.

Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe). This moth not only appears very similar to a hummingbird, but also behaves similarly–active during the day, hovering while feeding, rapid wingbeat, and fast, agile flight. South Park, Pennsylvania. May, 2012.

Lancet Clubtail (Gomphus exilis)? One of many similar species of dragonflies. Farmington, Pennsylvania. May, 2010.

Twelve-spotted Skimmer, female (Libellula pulchella). The male differs in chalky white abdomen and white wing spots between the black ones. A large and conspicuous dragonfly. Farmington, Pennsylvania. July, 2009.

Clubtail Dragonfly (Gomphus sp.)? An individual from the Gomphus genus, clubtails are common throughout North America. Farmington, Pennsylvania. July, 2009.

Red Ants, winged females (Formica sp.)? Most ant species have very complex communal living situations where individuals are born into castes which are anatomically different. Winged ants are sexually reproductive and leave their home colony to mate and start a new one. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. September, 2012.

American Giant Millipede (Narceus americanus) Farmington, Pennsylvania. May, 2010.

Deer Tick, engorged (Ixodes scapularis) Pulled from my waistline after a hike in the woods. Deer ticks are known to carry Lyme Disease. South Park, Pennsylvania. Oct, 2008.

Clover Mite (Bryobia praetiosa)? Mites are extremely difficult to identify as they are very small. These pinhead sized arachnids are closely related to ticks and play an important role in soil and water, breaking down organic matter. West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. April, 2010.

What’s the difference between insects, spiders, and others?

Insects: are six-legged; have three body segments; most have wings in their adult stage, with a few exceptions; go through one of two life cycles from egg to reproductive adult; and are extremely varied between beetles, dragonflies and damselflies, gnats and midges, ants, bees, grasshoppers, cicadas, and many many others.
Spiders: are eight-legged; have two body segments; none have wings; all are predacious and can produce silk.
Others:

• Millipedes, or diplopods, generally have many tiny legs and a rounded, hard shell.  More often long and slender, millipedes can be microscopic in size to more than a foot long.
• Centipedes, or chilopods, have a flattened appearance with the legs splaying out to the sides.  They are carnivorous and have sharp venomous appendages at the mouth to help kill prey.
• Scorpions and pseudoscorpions are eight legged with two front claws.  Scorpions have a stinging tail and pseudoscorpions do not.  They are predacious.
• Ticks and mites are tiny eight-legged arachnids.  Ticks feed on blood as parasites on a number of hosts, not exclusively warm-blooded.  Mites are mostly microscopic and prefer moist environments in soil or water, though many survive by parasitizing plants and animals.