Insects

The water strider (Gerris lacustris) is an aquatic insect famed for its unique ability to walk on the surface of calm freshwater using specialized hydrophobic legs.

The dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus) is a large North American aquatic insect known for its striking elongated mandibles in males and its role as an indicator of clean freshwater ecosystems.

The tiger beetle (Cicindela campestris) is a fast-moving, metallic green predatory beetle known for its remarkable speed and agility in open habitats.

The firefly, Photinus pyralis, is a bioluminescent beetle renowned for its glowing light displays used in nocturnal mating rituals.

The bark beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae, is a small but impactful insect known for its ability to bore into pine tree bark, causing widespread damage in North American forests.

The praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) is a predatory insect famed for its distinctive "praying" posture, where it folds its raptorial forelegs as if in prayer, making it a skilled ambush hunter of insects and small vertebrates.

Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) are small, wingless insects known for their silvery, metallic sheen and swift, fish-like movements, commonly found in damp indoor environments where they feed on starchy materials.

Cicadella viridis, commonly known as the Green Leafhopper, is a small, agile insect recognized for its plant-feeding habits and remarkable jumping ability.

The European earwig (Forficula auricularia) is a small, nocturnal insect known for its elongated, reddish-brown body and distinctive forceps-like pincers at the rear.

Chrysoperla carnea, commonly known as the green lacewing, is a delicate insect famed for its lace-like wings and vital role as a natural predator of agricultural pests.

Aphis gossypii, commonly known as the cotton aphid, is a small sap-sucking insect notable for its rapid reproduction and widespread impact as an agricultural pest.

The weevil, specifically Sitophilus oryzae, is a small beetle known worldwide as a major pest of stored grains, easily identified by its elongated snout and compact body.

The bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, is a large, fuzzy bee species known for its distinctive black and yellow bands and its essential role as a highly effective pollinator in both natural and agricultural ecosystems.

Frankliniella occidentalis, commonly known as the Western flower thrips, is a tiny insect species recognized worldwide for its impact as an agricultural pest and vector of plant viruses.

Stoneflies (order Plecoptera) are slender aquatic insects known for their sensitivity to water quality, making them vital indicators of clean, well-oxygenated freshwater ecosystems.

The damselfly Ischnura elegans is a slender, delicate insect closely related to dragonflies, recognized for its bright coloration and habit of holding its transparent wings together above its body when at rest.

The honey bee (Apis mellifera) is a domesticated insect renowned worldwide for its vital role in pollination and honey production.

Dermatobia hominis, commonly known as the human botfly, is a parasitic fly species whose larvae uniquely develop within the skin of mammals, including humans, causing cutaneous myiasis primarily in tropical Central and South America.

Hydropsyche caddisflies are aquatic insects known for their silk-spinning larvae that construct protective nets and cases in freshwater streams, serving as vital indicators of water quality and key prey for fish.

Gnats are small, delicate flies primarily from the family Sciaridae, recognized for their slender bodies, long legs, and swarming behavior that often makes them common nuisances in homes and agricultural settings.

The midge, Chironomus plumosus, is a small, non-biting aquatic fly known for its distinctive feather-like antennae in males and its vital role in freshwater ecosystems.

The leafcutter bee (Megachile rotundata) is a solitary bee species celebrated for its unique habit of cutting leaf pieces to build nests and its vital role as an efficient pollinator, especially in agricultural crops like alfalfa.

The horsefly (Tabanus bovinus) is a large, robust blood-feeding fly known for its painful bite and significant impact as a persistent pest of livestock.

The carpenter ant, Camponotus pennsylvanicus, is a large North American ant species known for nesting in wood by excavating galleries without consuming it.

Phasmatodea, commonly known as walking sticks or stick insects, are insects renowned for their elongated bodies that mimic twigs and branches, providing exceptional camouflage against predators.

Moths are a vast and diverse group of insects within the order Lepidoptera, primarily recognized for their nocturnal activity and distinctive antennae, setting them apart from their butterfly relatives.

Robber flies, belonging to the family Asilidae, are fierce predatory insects known for their aggressive hunting tactics and distinctive bristly faces.

Butterflies are vibrant, winged insects known for their scaled wings, slender bodies, and distinctive clubbed antennae, celebrated worldwide as symbols of beauty and ecological vitality.

The German cockroach (Blattella germanica) is a small, fast-moving insect known for its flattened body and adaptability, commonly found as a persistent household pest worldwide.

Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae, renowned for their complex colonies, division of labor, and adaptability across diverse terrestrial habitats worldwide.

Culex pipiens, commonly known as the mosquito, is a small, slender insect renowned for its role as a widespread vector of human and animal diseases.

The housefly (Musca domestica) is a small, widespread insect known for its close association with human environments and its role as a common household pest.

The mealybug (Planococcus citri) is a small, soft-bodied insect known for its distinctive white, powdery wax coating and its role as a widespread agricultural pest, especially on citrus and ornamental plants.

The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is a small, globally widespread insect renowned as a foundational model organism in genetics and biological research.

The dragonfly Anax junius, commonly known as the Common Green Darner, is a swift and skilled predatory insect recognized for its vibrant colors, multifaceted eyes, and mastery of agile flight.

Grasshoppers are jumping insects of the suborder Caelifera, recognized for their powerful hind legs and significant impact as agricultural pests worldwide.

The scarab beetle, Scarabaeus sacer, is a distinctive insect known for its rounded, robust body and its iconic role in ancient Egyptian culture as a symbol of rebirth and the sun.

The field cricket, Gryllus campestris, is a terrestrial insect known for its distinctive male chirping used to attract mates, characterized by a robust body and powerful hind legs specialized for jumping.

The flea (Pulex irritans) is a small, wingless insect known for its remarkable jumping ability and its role as a parasitic blood feeder on mammals, including humans.

Wasps are a diverse group of insects known for their slender bodies, narrow waists, and striking black-and-yellow coloration, playing vital roles as both predators and pollinators.

Reticulitermes flavipes, commonly known as the eastern subterranean termite, is a highly social insect famed for its role as a major decomposer of wood and a significant structural pest in North America.

The ladybug, scientifically known as Coccinella septempunctata, is a small, brightly colored beetle famed for its seven black spots and vital role as a natural predator of garden pests.

The mayfly, Ephemera danica, is a delicate aquatic insect known for its brief adult life and its role as a vital indicator of freshwater ecosystem health.

The booklouse, Liposcelis bostrychophila, is a tiny, soft-bodied insect commonly found in human homes, known for feeding on mold and detritus and thriving in humid environments.

Magicicada septendecim, commonly known as the periodical cicada, is a North American insect famed for its remarkable 17-year synchronized mass emergences and its distinctive, loud mating calls.

The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) is a shield-shaped insect native to East Asia, recognized for the distinctive odor it emits when disturbed and its status as a widespread agricultural pest.