The Spangled Skimmer grows to nearly 2 inches long. Each of the 4 wings has a white spot beside a black spot on the outer leading edge. Males are blue with a dark head. Females are dark brown with lengthwise yellow stripes, and darkish wingtips. Ranging throughout eastern United States, this species can be found…
The Azure Bluet is often seen flying near water sources that are slow-moving if they have a current at all. Ponds, marshes, bogs, and lakes are all great habitats for this type of damselfly that feeds on small flying insects. The striking blue color is seen on both males and females. A single blue band…
The Banded Pennant is a small dragonfly (to about 1½ inch long) with distinctive black markings and reddish eyes. Look for the Banded Pennant near water. They are also seen flying in open lots and ditches, fields and meadows. It is active from late spring to early autumn. View more insects.
The Mordellidae are a family of beetles commonly known as Tumbling Flower Beetles for the typical irregular movements they make when escaping predators. These black beetles are small, usually between 3 and 7 mm (0.1 to 0.3 inch) in length and are most often seen on flowers. They are covered with fine hairs and are…
The Red Imported Fire Ant is polymorphic, as workers appear in different shapes and sizes. The ant’s colors are red and somewhat yellowish with a brown or black gaster, but males are completely black. Red Imported Fire Ants are dominant in altered areas and live in a wide variety of habitats. They can be found…
The Calico Pennant is a colorful, beautifully marked dragonfly. A key identifier for this species is the dark spot that occurs short of the wing tip. This spot is positioned next to the leading edge of the wing, and it does not extend as a band to the trailing edge of the wing. This dragonfly…
A native of eastern Asia, the multicolored Asian Lady Beetle was introduced into the United States by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a biological control agent. This tree dwelling beetle is an important predator of aphids and scale insects. Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles are slightly larger than native lady beetles, with adults measuring 9/32…
American Giant Millipedes are large terrestrial animals that inhabit forests and agricultural areas of eastern North America. Active in spring through fall, they can be found under rocks, rotting logs, leaf litter, and other decaying plant material. These millipedes are primarily nocturnal, preferring dark and damp areas where they spend most of their time foraging,…
The Green Stink Bug is a flattened, shield-shaped bug, named for the offensive odor it produces. The adult is bright green and about 2/3 inch (17 mm) long. It is easily distinguished by the triangular-shaped plate that partially covers its wings. The green stink bug feeds on many plants, including native and ornamental trees, shrubs,…
The Chinese Mantis is a long, slender, brown and green praying mantis. It is typically longer than other praying mantis species reaching just over 11 cm (4.3 in), and it is the largest mantis species in North America. Its color can vary from overall green to brown with a green lateral stripe on the borders…