Ponerine ant (Ponerini)

Ponerine ants like this live their lives in forest soils and feed on other arthropods.

Default ThumbnailFemale 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 Default ThumbnailFlies attracted to dead longhorn beetle-stilt-legged fly (Rainieria antennaepes) quickly leaves while several scuttle flies (Phoridae) feed on the carcass Default ThumbnailSouthern devil scorpion (Vaejovis carolinianus) Default ThumbnailWrinkled grasshopper (Hippiscus ocelote)

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Camel crickets are large, abundant insects common to forests across the US. But they are rarely noticed, partly because they’re nocturnal. Here are two camel crickets that left their underground daylight hiding place to feed on a mushroom at night. Female tiny parasitic wasp (Eupelmidae) with an interesting jumping mechanism crawling over tree bark-likely Anastatus…

Tumbling Flower Beetle resting on a leaf

Tumbling Flower Beetle

ByGeorge Lindemann

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…

Collared-Ant

Collared ant (Aphaenogaster) pulling carpenter ant (Camponotus) – gets stuck

ByGeorge Lindemann

Something comical about other animals experiencing the struggles of our human lives. Here a collared ant is dragging a dead carpenter ant back to its nest, when the claws of the dead ant get stuck on the bark. There’s something cathartic and endearing about the ensuing struggle. American Bird Grasshopper Banded Pennant Forcepfly (Merope tuber)…

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Wrinkled grasshopper (Hippiscus ocelote)

ByTiffany Crockett

This robust grasshopper seems dull at first, but notice the bright blue inside the hindleg and the bright yellow hindwings 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 beetle-stilt-legged fly (Rainieria antennaepes)…

Genus Melanotus sitting on a leaf

Genus Melanotus

ByGeorge Lindemann

Melanotus is a genus of click beetles in the family Elateridae. There are at least 30 described species in Melanotus. They are famous for the noise they make when they need to make a hasty escape from a predator. A stiff spine on the anterior (belly) side of the beetle snaps with great force, propelling…