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 at ponds, long-lasting puddles, lakes, and slow streams, often with water lilies, cattails, or other vegetation. View more insects.
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,…
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,…
Rarely encountered, even by specialists, forcepflies are strange insects with little known about their biology. Although they spend most of their life as a larva, their larval stage remains a mystery, despite a century of searching. American Bird Grasshopper Banded Pennant Bee-mimic robber fly (Laphria grossa) Io Moth (Automeris io)
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…
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…
Despite resembling a bumble bee, this is a actually huge fly that preys on other insects. They have strong venom for downing prey or inflicting a painful bite if handled. Notice this specimen turning its head to track potential prey flying by. Many flies mimic bees, and this species is among the largest in the…