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 on each side of the thorax sits above more blue. View more insects.
Nearly 1,000 species of click beetle inhabit the US, and eyed click beetles are among the largest. They have two large eyespots, surely for protection against predators, as eyespots in other insects. But the eyespots of eyed click beetles are unique. They absorb 96% of light, nearly ‘super black’, and much more than most blacks…
Widespread hatred is common forthe10 or so introduced cockroaches that now invade our homes. But the US is home to more than 70 species of native cockroach that do not act as pests. These natives might resemble pest species, but they live their lives in the wilderness. This specimen is a wood cockroach (Parcoblatta). Male…
This is a southern devil scorpion. They inhabit the southern Appalachian region and are the only scorpion that lives east of the Mississippi River, except for three species in Florida and surrounding areas. Like most scorpions, they have two eyes in the middle of their ‘head’ area, but also have ‘lateral eyes’. This species has…
These attractive metallic flies are commonly seen on leaftops, hunting for smaller insects. They are lively creatures and some species have elaborate mating dances. Female tiny parasitic wasp (Eupelmidae) with an interesting jumping mechanism crawling over tree bark-likely Anastatus hunting for stink bug eggs to lay its own eggs into Flies attracted to dead longhorn…
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…
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…