Insects

Photo by P.O. Gustafson Common Name: Honeybee Scientific Name: Apis mellifera Awards: State Insect of Kansas (1976), Arkansas (1973), Georgia (1975), Louisiana (1975), Maine (1975), Mississippi (1980), Missouri (1985), Nebraska (1974), New Jersey (1974), North Carolina (1973),Oklahoma (1992) South Dakota (1978), Tennessee (1990), Utah (1983), Vermont (1978) Wisconsin (1977)   One of the most familiar insects in the world is…

Photo by Bob Gressused by permission   Common Name: American Burying Beetle Scientific Name: Nicrophorus americanus       Range: Dark Blue = Counties with designated critical habitat Light Blue = Historical records   Federal Status: Endangered State Status: Endangered Comments: The American burying beetle belongs to a small group of beetles known to bury small, dead…

Photo by Kyle Gerstnerused by permission   Common Name: Scott Optioservus Riffle Beetle Scientific Name: Optioservus phaeus     Range: Dark Blue = Counties with designated critical habitat Light Blue = Historical records   Federal Status: None State Status: Endangered Comments: The only known place in the world where the Scott optioservus riffle beetle can be found…

Cottonwood borer – All photos by Jim Mason Common Name: Cottonwood Borer Scientific Name: Plectrodera scalator Omigosh!! value: Very high   The cottonwood borer is a member of the long-horned beetle family, the Cerambycidae. It is the largest member of that family found on the Great Plains and is indeed one of the largest insects found in…

Regal Fritillary female Regal Fritillary male Common Name: Regal Fritillary Scientific Name: Speyeria idalia Known only from: The Tallgrass Prairie of North America   The Regal Fritillary is one of the most striking butterflies to be found on the prairie. As a large “orange and black” butterfly, it may be confused with the Monarch if seen…

Monarch male All photos courtesy of Monarch Watch Common Name: Monarch butterfly Scientific Name: Danaus plexippus Favorite Winter Vacation Spots: The Transvolcanic Range in Mexico or the Pacific coast of California.   The Monarch butterfly is one the most readily recognized and beloved insects in North America. With its vivid orange and black markings and often…

Female (left) and male (right)Photo by Jim Mason Common Name: Field Cricket Scientific Name: Gryllus assimilis Famous soloist in: Homes everywhere   Crickets are familiar members of the insect order Orthoptera, which also includes the grasshoppers and katydids. Members of this order all have large hind legs modified for jumping. Crickets become very noticeable in the autumn.…

Widow Skimmer (male) Photo by Jim Mason Dragonflies and Damselflies in Kansas Dragonflies and damselflies are insects in the Order ODONATA. They are some of the more noticeable insects, especially around the bodies of water that they call home. Their amazing aerial capabilities and superb sense of sight make them fascinating creatures to watch. As…

Silvery Checkerspot Photo by Jim Mason Butterflies in Kansas Butterflies and moths form the insect order Lepidoptera. They are one of the advanced orders of insects and undergo complete metamorphosis. Most people regard butterflies as colorful and appealing, even if they don’t like “bugs” in general. By studying them, one can gain insight into the…