one hundred common insects of new mexicoone hundred common insects of new mexico david b. richman1,...

One Hundred Common Insects of New Mexico

Cooperative Extension Service • Circular 570College of Agriculture and Home Economics

CONTENTSIntroduction ...............................................................1Insect Identification List for Reference .....................2Class Crustacea .........................................................3Class Diplopoda ........................................................3Class Chilopoda ........................................................3Class Arachnida ........................................................3 Order Scorpiones .................................................4 Order Acari ..........................................................4 Order Araneae ......................................................4Class Insecta ..............................................................4 Order Thysanura ..................................................5 Order Odonata .....................................................5 Order Orthoptera .................................................5 Order Mantodea ...................................................7 Order Phasmida ...................................................7 Order Blattaria ....................................................8 Order Isoptera ......................................................9 Order Dermaptera ................................................9 Order Anoplura ....................................................9 Order Hemiptera ................................................10 Order Homoptera ..............................................12 Order Neuroptera ...............................................14 Order Coleoptera ...............................................15 Order Lepidoptera .............................................22 Order Diptera .....................................................24 Order Siphonaptera ............................................27 Order Hymenoptera ...........................................27Keys to Common Groups of Arthropods ................32Keys to Selected Orders of Adult Insects ...............34Keys to Selected Families .......................................41 Order Hemiptera ................................................41 Order Homoptera ...............................................42 Order Coleoptera ...............................................43 Order Lepidoptera .............................................48 Order Diptera .....................................................50 Order Hymenoptera ...........................................52Glossary ..................................................................55Index ......................................................................60

�

One Hundred Common Insects of New Mexico

David B. Richman1, Carol A. Sutherland2, and Christian Y. Oseto3

Welcome to the third edition of “One HundredCommonInsectsofNewMexico!”Thismanualbeganas a study guide for insect identification contests in NewMexico,althoughtheillustrationsandtextmakeithandyforanyonewithabasicinterestincommonarthropodsinthestate.The�00speciesofinsectsandtheirrelativesincludedinthismanualwereselectedfortheirabundance,economicimportance,diversityofformand,sometimes,theirpeculiarappearance. Inthelate�970s,EllisHuddleston,anentomologistat New Mexico State University, started the first New Mexicostateentomologycontestswithjust77com-moninsectsandtheirrelatives.Thatlistincreasedto100 species when this manual was first printed in the early�980s.Thesecondeditionincludedthekeytoallorders,includingseveralnotcoveredinthismanual,aswell as an artificial key to all families included in the manual. In this third edition, we have five classes, 21 orders,twosuperfamilies,onemultifamilygroupand84separatefamiliesofarthropodsrepresented.Betweenthesecondandthirdeditions,theOrderOrthopterawasrevised, such that mantids (Mantodea), cockroaches(Blattaria) and stick insects (Phasmida)wereplacedintotheirownorders.Thisupdate,plusimprovementsintheartworkbyCarolSutherlandandChristianOseto,justified preparation of the third edition. Tosimplifyarthropodsystematicsforbeginners,weareusingonlycommonnamesforthefamilyorsuper-familylevels.Often,thesenamesincludeallmembersofafamily,withafewexceptionsnotedinthetext.

Briefdescriptionsoftaxonomicclassesandordersareintroducedbyboldfacetype,whilecommonnamesarenotedinitalics. DescriptionsandcommonnamesarebasedonthoseincludedinA Field Guide to the Insects(�970,�stedition)byD.J.Borror andR.E.White (PetersonFieldGuideSeries, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston). This and otherintroductorybooksaboutinsectsandtheirrelativesareexcellentreferencesforbeginners;theartworkandphotographyinsomevolumesarespectacular. Whilewewrotethismanualtohelpstudentspreparefor identification contests, it also can be used to identify insectsandotherarthropodsthatpeoplecommonlycollect.Compareyourspecimentodescriptionsorillustrationsoftheordersorclassesandthengothroughfamilydescrip-tions,comparingspecimenstoillustrations.Rememberthat only �00 common arthropods are included here.The key will be “artificial,” because it will lead you correctly,orotherwise,tojustthosespecies.ConsulttheField Guide listed above for unknowns that don’t fit our descriptions. Forthosewhoaremakingarthropodcollections,help-fulnotesonwheretolookforvariousspeciesandtheirfeedinghabitsareincludedinthetext.Ahandyglossaryoftechnicaltermsisattheend.Instructionsoncollect-ingandpreservingarthropodsaresummarizedinBorrorandWhiteandotherbeginningtexts,includingthe4-HEntomology(project)Manual.

�DepartmentofEntomology,PlantPathologyandWeedScience,NewMexicoStateUniversity,LasCruces,NewMexico;2DepartmentofExtensionPlantSciences,NewMexicoStateUniversity,LasCruces,NewMexico;3DepartmentofEntomology,PurdueUniversity,WestLafayette,Indiana.

2

Insect Identification List for ReferenceCOMMON NAMES�. *Ambushbug2. * American cockroach3. *Ant4. Antlion5. *Aphid6. *Assassinbug7. Backswimmer8. *Barkbeetle9. Bee fly10. Black fly��. *Blisterbeetle12. Blow fly�3. *Braconidwasp14. Brush-footed butterfly�5. *Camelcricket�6. Carrionbeetle�7. *Centipede�8. Chalcididwasp�9. Checkeredbeetle20. Cicada21. * Click beetle22. Cricket23. Damsel bug24. Damselfly25. * Darkling beetle26. * Dermestid beetle27. Diving beetle28. * Dragonfly29. * Earwig30. *Flea31. * Flesh fly32. Geometer moth33. *Germancockroach34. Giantsilkwormmoth35. *Gossamer-winged butterfly36. *Greenlacewing37. Groundbeetle38. Halictidbee39. Histerbeetle40. *Honeybee41. * Horse fly42. Ichneumon wasp43. *Jerusalemcricket44. *Ladybirdbeetle45. Leafbeetle46. Leafcuttingbee47. *Leaf-footedplantbug48. *Leafhopper49. *Long-hornedbeetle

CLASSESA. ArachnidaB. ChilopodaC. CrustaceaD. DiplopodaE. InsectaORDERSF. Acari(=Acarina)G. Araneae(=Araneida)H. AnopluraI. BlattariaJ. ColeopteraK. DermapteraL. DipteraM. HemipteraN. HomopteraO. HymenopteraP. IsopodaQ. IsopteraR. LepidopteraS. MantodeaT. NeuropteraU. OdonataV. OrthopteraW. PhasmidaX. Scorpiones(=Scorpionida)Y. SiphonapteraZ. ThysanuraMETAMORPHOSISNoneSimpleComplete

MOUTHPARTSChewingSucking

50. *Long-hornedgrasshopper51. Louse fly52. * Mantid53. Metallicwood-boringbeetle54. Millipede55. *Mosquito56. Muscid fly57. *Noctuidmoth58. Orientalcockroach59. Picture-winged fly60. Plantorleafbug6�. *Planthopper62. Pyralid moth63. * Robber fly64. Rovebeetle65. Sapbeetle66. Scaleinsect67. *Scarabbeetle68. Scoliidwasp69. Scorpion70. Seedbug7�. Short-hornedgrasshopper72. * Silverfish73. Skipper74. Snoutbeetle75. Soft-winged flower beetle76. Soldierbeetle77. *Sowbug78. Sphecidwasp79. *Sphinxmoth80. *Spider8�. Spiderwasp82. * Stink bug83. *Suckinglouse84. Sulfur Butterfly85. *Swallowtail86. Syrphid fly87. Tachinid fly88. *Termite89. Tick90. Tigerbeetle9�. Tigermoth92. Tiphiid wasp93. *Treehopper94. Twigborer95. *Velvetant96. *Vespidwasp97. *Walkingstick98. Waterboatman99. Waterscavengerbeetle�00. Waterstrider

NOTE: The novice age group in 4-H is responsible for knowing only 50 of the 100 common insects of New Mexico. These are marked with an asterisk.

3

*CLASS CRUSTACEA, Order Isopoda: Sowbug.Terrestrialcrus-taceans, related to crabs and shrimp.With seven pairs of legs andstrongly segmentedbodies.Trueantennaepresent, usuallybendingatseveralpoints.Bodyusuallygrayorblackand�0mmlongorless.Commoningardens,underboards,dampareas,etc.Occasionalpests;sometimeseatseedlings,developingstrawberries.Nuisancesindampplaces.Metamorphosisnone.Mouthpartschewing.

CLASS DIPLOPODA: Millipede.Wormlike,cylindricalarthropodswithmany-segmentedbodies.Mostsegmentswithtwopairsofwalkinglegs(onlyonepairpersegmentfoundincentipedes).Doesnothavevenomousbiteassomecentipedesdobutcanproducefoulsmelling,defensivechemicals.Primarilyplantfeedersandscavengers.Occa-sional nuisances in flower beds rich in organic matter. Bodies black grayorbrown;lengthvariable,fromafewmmtomorethan�00mm(Orthoporus).Usuallyunderrocksorboards;crawlonsurfaceaftersummerrains.Mouthpartschewing.Metamorphosisnone.Trueanten-naepresent.

*CLASS CHILOPODA: Centipede. Body many-segmented, butusually flattened and with only one pair of legs per segment. Poison clawsnearhead;somespecieshavepainful,venomousbites.Lengthfromafewmmto�50mm.Colorvariable:red,orange,grayandgreen.Desert centipedesoften foundunder rocks,boards, and“cowpies.”Long-leggedhousecentipedesusuallyfoundinbuildings.Mouthpartschewing.Metamorphosisnone.Antennaepresent.

CLASS ARACHNIDA: Spiders , Scorpions, Mites and Ticks. Tinytolargearthropods,usuallywithtwobodyregions:prosoma(cepha-lothorax)andopisthosoma(abdomen), lattersometimessegmented.Eyessimple.Alwayswingless.Noantennae;pedipalpioronepairoflegsoftensubstituteforantennae.Fourpairsofwalkinglegsusuallypresent(threepairsoflegsinlarvalmitesandticks).Mouthpartsusu-allyacombinationofchewing-sucking.Metamorphosisnone.

4

Order Scorpiones:Scorpion.Mediumtolarge(to�00mminArizona)arachnidswithelongated,segmentedtailstippedwithstingers.Pedipalpimodified as claws. Venom of most common species similar in effect to waspvenom;afewspecieswithlethalvenoms.Onedangerousspecies,Centruroides exilicauda(formerlyC.sculpturatus),distributedinsouth-ernArizonaandsouthwesternNewMexico.Nocturnalpredators.Foundoccasionallyinbuildingsandcommonlyunderrocksandbark.

Order Acari: Tick.Largestofthemites,uptoseveralmmlong.Blood-sucking ectoparasites; transmit certain animal and human diseases,suchasLymediseaseandRockyMountainspottedfever.Onebodyregion;Opisthosoma(abdomen)andprosomacombination(headandthorax) without distinct separation. Opisthosoma leathery, flattened in unfedticks;opisthosomaglobosewhentickisengorged.Withsuck-ingmouthparts,insteadofthecombinationfoundinotherarachnids.Larvaltickswiththreepairsoflegs;allotherstageswithfourpairs.Usuallyfoundonmammalsandbirds.Commondogticksoftenaseri-ousproblemtodogsandtheirowners.

Order Araneae: Spider. Tinytolargearachnids;spinsilkfromspin-neretsontipsofopisthosoma.Commonpredatorsusuallywithwiderangeof arthropodprey; introducedEuropean sowbug spider feedsmostlyonsowbugsandbeetles.Numerousspecies.Blackwidowandviolinspidersvenomous;tarantulaoverratedasadangerousarthropod.Withpoisonousfangs.Allspinsilk;althoughmanyspeciesdonotbuildwebs.Somespinbeautifulorb-shapedwebs,othersmakehap-hazardspacewebs,sheetwebs,funnelwebsorhammockwebs.Generallycanbefoundalmostanywhere;verycommonunderrocks,boardsanddeadplants, in vegetation, on and in houses, on flowers, and on the ground. Oftentakeninsweepnetsamples.

CLASS INSECTA: Insects. (Remainder of orders and families inmanual.)Withthreebodyparts(head,thoraxandabdomen),threepairsofwalkinglegs,compound(manyfaceted)eyes;adultswinglessorwithoneortwopairsofwings.Mouthpartsmaybechewing,suckingor a modification of these. Metamorphosis none, simple or complete. Withtrueantennae.

5

Order Thysanura: Silverfish. Metamorphosis none. Mouthpartschewing.Wingless.With threehairlikeappendagesatendofabdo-men. Antennae long, many-segmented. Body flattened, carrot-shaped, about�0mmlong,oftensilvery.Commonpestsinhouses;eatstarchysubstances, including paste, paper finishes and some paper and fabric. Oftencollectedaroundbooksorpapers,orfoundtrappedinsinks.

Order Odonata: Dragonflies and Damselflies.Metamorphosissimple.Mouthpartschewing.Withtwopairsoflong,many-veinedwings.Im-matures(naiads,nymphsorlarvae)aquatic.Predatorsasnymphsandadults.Antennaeshort,bristlelike,inconspicuous.

*Dragonfly.Mediumtolarge(toalmost80mm)insects;legsspiny.Headspherical;almostcompletelycoveredbycompoundeyes.Wingsoutstretched when at rest. Common around standing or very slow-moving water, including stock tanks; sometimes seen miles fromwater;maybeverynumerous.Preyonvarietyofinsects,includingother dragonflies and mosquitos. Usually considered beneficial. Often difficult to catch; use the aerial net and catch the dragonfly as it rests, or in early morning when the dragonflies are not as alert or as fast. Includesseveralfamilies.

Damselfly. Similar to dragonflies, but smaller, with thinner body and with wings held over the back when at rest. Usually slow, weak fliers; oftencollectedwhilesweepingvegetation.Preferredhabitatssimilarto those of dragonflies. Body length usually 50 mm or less. Includes severalfamilies.

Order Orthoptera: Grasshoppers, Katydids, and Crickets. Meta-morphosis simple. Mouthparts chewing. Order relatively uniform.Mostwithjumpinglegs.Manyspecieswithleatheryforewingsandmembranoushindwings;otherswithshortwingsorwingless.Mostlyvegetarian,butsomearepredatory,especiallysomeofthelong-hornedgrasshoppers.

6

*Short-Horned Grasshopper.Commongrasshoppers;widelydistributed.Antennae filamentous, much shorter than body. Tarsi three- segmented. Sizevariable,�0-80mmlongdependingonspecies.Ovipositorreducedornotapparent.Oftencategorizedaslubber,slant-faced,spur-throated,orband-wingedgrasshoppers.Collectedbysweeping,aerialnettingand capturing by hand. Some very difficult to catch. Several species commonpestsonrangelandand/orcrops;otherseatweeds.

*Long-Horned Grasshopper. Usually with filamentous, fragile, anten-naethatareoftenmuchlongerthanthebody.Tarsifour-segmented.Often wingless. Some resemble leaves (katydids). Ovipositors flat-tened,blade-like.Colorsusuallymoreuniformthanforshort-hornedgrasshoppers;usuallyfadeafterdeath;manyspecimens turnbrownandshrivelbecausebodiesaresoftanddecomposereadily.Reasonablycommon;oftennocturnal.Fewpests,exceptfortheMormoncricketandsomenearrelativesthatdevastaterangeland.Mostphytophagous;somepredators.Sizevariable;�5-80mm,dependingonspecies.

*Camel Cricket. Similartowinglesslong-hornedgrasshoppers,butmorehump-backed.Tarsifour-segmented.Hindlegsverylong.Ovipositorflattened, bladelike. Usually gray or brown. Found under rocks and in caves,oroccasionallyonsandysoilsatsunrise.Notknowntobepests.Sizevariable;usuallylessthan40mmlong.

*Jerusalem Cricket.Withrelativelyshorthindlegs; large,sphericalheads;anddistinctseparationbetweenthewinglessthoraxandblack-banded abdomen.Antennae hold shorter than body.Tarsi four-seg-mented.Usuallynocturnal;frequentlycollectedunderrocks,inpitfalltraps,andwhiledigging.Occasionallyfoundtrappedinsidebuildingsinearlymorning.Probablyomnivorous;rarelypests.Notvenomousdespitefolktalestocontraryinwhichit isreferredtoas“NiñadelaTierra”(ChildoftheEarth).Lengthusuallylessthan50mm.

7

Cricket. Somewhat flattened and with shorter threadlike antennae than long-hornedgrasshoppersorcamelcrickets.Withthree-segmentedtarsi(unlikeotherOrthopteraexceptshort-hornedgrasshoppers).Ovipositorlongandneedlelike.Malesandfemalesofmanyspecieswithelongatecerci.Commonexamples include treecrickets (palegreenorstrawcolored, chirp in trees at night or found in alfalfa), field and house crickets(brownorblack;oftenfoundunderboards,haybalesandincracks;maleschirploudlyatnight;mayfeedonfabricandpaperinsidehomes).Sizevariablebutusuallylessthan30mm.

Order Mantodea: Mantids. Metamorphosis simple. Mouthpartschewing. Order very uniform. Usually large (over 25 mm). Front legs modified for grasping, first coxae very long. Prothorax elongate, mo-bile,necklike.Eyesbulbous;headtriangular.Allstagespredaceous;beneficial, although they will kill bees and butterflies. Occasionally cometolights,butoftenfoundinbushes,trees,oronbark.Somespe-cieswingless(bothsexes),femalesofotherspeciesoftenwithshortwings; males with wings usually weak flyers.

Order Phasmida:Walkingsticks.Metamorphosissimple.Mouthpartschewing.Orderquiteuniforminstructure.AllNorthAmericanspecieselongated(stickortwiglike)andmostwithoutwings.Somespeciesverylargeto75mmorlarger.OneNewMexicospeciescommoninmesquite,anotherincreosote;commonlyseenrestingonwalls,fences.Tarsi five-segmented. Plant feeding. Seldom pests.

8

Order Blattaria: Cockroaches. Metamorphosissimple.Mouthpartschewing. Order relatively uniform. Usually flattened insects often with spinylegs.Usually,butnotalways,wingedasadults.Somemorethan30mminlength(notcountingthewingtips).Mostofourcommonspeciesareimportedpests

*German Cockroach. Bodies flattened, usually about 10 mm long. Colorgray-brown.Headusuallynotvisiblefromabove.Tarsispinyand (as in other roaches) five- segmented. Prothorax with two black stripes. Antennae filamentous. Typically nocturnal. Found inside and outsidehouses,usuallyaroundwatersources.Canbeseriouspestsinkitchens,pantriesandbathrooms.Omnivorous;feedonmanykindsofstoredproducts,alltypesoffoodandgarbagenotproperlystored.Defecatefrequently,leavingbrownishblackspotswithpungent,am-monia-like odor. Easily confused with closely related field cockroach, whichprefersdrierareas.

*Oriental Cockroach.SizeofadultsintermediatebetweenGermanandAmericancockroaches.Bodybroadlyoval.Femaleswithveryshortwings. Color dark brown to black. Body flattened, head not visible from above; legs and five-segmented tarsi spiny. Nocturnal. Females com-monincompostheaps.Commonlyhideincrevicesinrockwallsandundermanholecoversforundergroundutilities.Commonlyassociatedwith garbage and filth; especially obnoxious pests in homes, hospitals, food processing plants, etc. Body length approximately 25 mm.

*American Cockroach. LargerthanOrientalcockroach;lengthto30mm,longerifwingsincluded.Bothsexeswinged.Colorreddish-brown,prothoraxyellowishwithapairofreddishbrownpatches.Antennaefilamentous, but often broken. Common in sheds, homes and other buildings.Canbeapestinbuildings;habitslikeGermancockroaches.Destroybooks,papersandsomefabric;contaminatefoodstuffs,dishesandcookingutensils.

9

*Order Isoptera: Termite.Metamorphosissimple.Mouthpartschew-ing.Small,soft-bodied,“thickwaisted”andusuallyoff-white,socialinsectswithbeadlikeantennae.Workersaresterilemalesorfemales;nymphsliveandworkin thenestwith theworkers.Tarsifour-seg-mented.Reproductiveswinged;fore-andhindwingsroughlyequalinsize and many veined. Wings lost soon after swarming or mating flight. Manycommonspecieswithsoldiercaste;mostsoldiersthick-waisted,off-white,withenlargedblackorreddishbrownheadswithprotrud-ingmandibles.Manymajorpestsofwoodandwoodproducts;oftencause serious structural damage. Others beneficial from standpoint of convertingdeadwood,“cowpies,”driedweeds,partiallyburiedwoodandothercellulosetohumus.Gutcontainssymbioticone-celledmi-croorganisms(protozoans)thatdigestwood.Usuallycollectedindeadwood;reproductivesoftenswarmintheeveningsafterrains.Workersusually5mmlongorless,exceptindampwoodtermiteswhereworkersareabout�0mmlong.Soldiersandreproductivesareslightlylargerthanworkersofrespectivespecies.

*Order Dermaptera:Earwig.Metamorphosissimple.Mouthpartschewing. Small- to medium-sized, flattened, elongate insects with flex-ibleforcepsatendofabdomen.Tarsithree-segmented.Usuallytwopairsofwings;hindwingsmembranous,foldedundershortleatheryforewings.Femalesusuallyguardnests;eggslaidincavitiesinthesoil.Nocturnal,plantfeeding;sometimespredaceous.Someseriouspests; others beneficial predators. Common under boards and debris. Occasionallyconfusedwithrovebeetles,whichlacktheforcepslikecerciofearwigsandhavecompletemetamorphosis.Bodylength�0-�5mm.Infolklore,oftenthoughttoenterbrainthroughear,givingonepossiblesourceforcommonname.

*Order Anoplura:Sucking Louse.Metamorphosisnoneorsimple.Mouthpartssucking;withdrawnintoheadwhennotinuse.Usuallyless than 4 mm long. Dorsoventrally flattened, rather than laterally flattened like fleas. Antennae short, tarsi one-segmented and plierslike; adaptedforgraspinghairsofhost.Allectoparasitic,someonmananddomesticanimals.

Soldier

Worker

Queen

WingedTermite

�0

Order Hemiptera: True Bugs. Metamorphosis simple. Mouthpartssucking. Forewings divided into leathery and membranous halves(Hemi=half,-ptera=wing). Wings held flat over body when at rest. Tarsi withthreeorfewersegments.

*Water Boatman.Usuallylessthan�0mmlong.Aquaticbugwithveryshort forelegs; first legs with tarsi one-segmented and scoop-shaped. Middle and hind legs nearly equal length. Hind legs long, flattened and oarlike,oftenwithzebrastripesacrossthedorsalsurface.Swimrightsideup;backswimmersswimupsidedown.Feedonalgae.Donotbite;backswimmers do. Common in ponds and stock tanks. Adults fly.

Backswimmer. Aquaticbugs,usuallyabitlargerthanwaterboatmen.Dorsalsurfaceconvexandoftenbrightlycolored(red,etc.).Nozebrastripes.Frontlegswithoutscoopliketarsi.Swimupsidedown.Hindlegsoarlikeandlongerthanmiddlepair.Predators;backswimmerscanbite if handled. Found in ponds, stock tanks and puddles. Adults fly. Commonly8mmlong;somespeciesreach�7mm.

*Waterstrider.Middle legscloser tohind legs thanfront legs.Tarsitwo-segmented.Legselongateandspreadwidelyawayfromslenderbody.Adultsusuallydarkbrownandwhite.Foundonthesurfacesofcanals,rivers,ponds,etc.Withorwithoutwings.Allarepredatorsorscavengers;donotbite.Bodylengthusuallyabout�0mm.

PlantBugorLeaf Bug.Mostlylessthan�0mmlong;withtwoclosedcellsinmembranouspartofforewings.Ocelliabsent.Beakfour-seg-mented.Colorvariable;somequitebrightlycolored.Allrathersoft-bodied.Nearly all feedon plant sap; some serious pests; some arepredators. Some jump (fleahoppers). Common in sweep net samples, especiallyfromalfalfaandcotton.

��

*Ambush Bug.Small(�0-�3mm),stout-bodiedbugswithgreatlyen-largedraptorialfrontlegs.Antennaefour-segmented,slightlyclubbed.Ocellipresent.Beakthree-segmented.Abdomenangled;widerposte-riorly.Usuallyyellowwithgreenorbrownonwingsandabdomen.Predators.Usuallydonotbite.Foundcommonlyinlatesummerorfallwhile sweeping or beating flowers or flowering shrubs.

*Assassin Bug. Body oval, elongate or very elongate. Beak three-segmented, curved and fitting into groove anterior to front legs. Head elongate.Antennaefour-segmented.Ocelliusuallypresentbutabsentinthemostelongatespecies.Edgesofabdomenoftenextendlaterally.Front legs somewhat raptorial. Usually 10-25 mm long. Common in sweepnetsamplesinlatesummerorearlyfall.Mostspeciespreda-ceous;afewbloodfeederstransmitcertaindiseasestohumans.Manycan inflict painful bite. Most are beneficial.

Damsel Bug. Similartoassassinbug,butusuallysmaller,3.5-��mmlong. Beak four-segmented. Antennae four- to five-segmented. Ocelli present.Frontlegsslightlyraptorial.Wingedorwingless.Membraneofhemelytrausuallywithnumeroussmallcellsaround themargin.Predators. Usually do not bite; beneficial.

Seed Bug. Small to medium-sized, relatively hard-bodied bugswith ocelli. Antennae and beak four-segmented. Tarsi three-segmented,withapadat thebaseofclaws.Front femora some-times thickenedas inassassinbugsanddamselbugs.Membraneof forewing with only four to five veins. Some species brightly colored.Most less than�0mm long.Some speciespests (falsechinch bugs); some beneficial (big-eyed bugs). Plant feeders usu-allyattackseeds;big-eyedbugsarepredators.Donotbite.Sweptfromplantsorfoundonground.

12

*Leaf-Footed Plant Bug. Mostly medium-sized to large, somewhatelongate,dark-coloredbugs.Headnarrowerandshorterthanpronotum.Hind tibiae of some species expanded and flattened. Membranous portion offorewingwithnumerousveins.Somepests(squashbug,leaf-footedplantbug).Majorityfeedonplants;somespeciespredaceous.Foundoncacti,manyshrubsandtrees;occasionallyinsweepnetsamples.Manyspecies�8mmlongorless.

*Stink Bug. Broadlyoval,oftenshield-shapedbugs.Scutellumlargeandtriangular.Bodyusuallylargerthan7mm.Tibiaewithfewspines.Someplantfeedersandcroppests;severalarepredatorswithonespe-ciespredaceousonColoradopotatobeetle(aleafbeetle).Commoninsweepnetsamplesandvariousplants,at lightsandoccasionallyontreebark.Colorvariable;usuallybrownorgreen.

Order Homoptera:Cicada, Leafhoppers, Planthoppers, Treehoppers, Whiteflies, Aphids, and Scale Insects.Metamorphosissimple.Mouth-partssucking;phytophagous.Wingedorwingless.Variableorderwithindividualsranginginsizefromlargecicadastonearlymicroscopicmalesofsomescaleinsects.

Cicada. Large insects, most 25-50 mm long. Two pairs of membranous wings,eachwithnumerousveins.Malewithsound-producingorgansonventerofabdomen.Withthreeocelli.Donotjump.Commondur-ingsummer;malecicadasmakeloudchirringnoisesheardintreesandshrubsduringtheday.Occasionallyfoundatlights.Mostspecimenscaughtbystalkingsingingmales.Generallynotpests;egglayingoc-casionallydamagestwigsonyoungtrees.Longestlivinginsectsto�7yearsforsubterraneannymphs;feedonrootsapofvarioustreesandshrubs.

�3

*Treehopper.Small,hump-backedjumpinginsects,usuallylessthan�0mm in length.Pronotumexpanded, oftenprojectingbackwardoverabdomen.Oftenwithsharpspinesorcornersongreenorbrownbody. Hind tibiae without comblike row of spines. Common onsweepnetsamples.Feedontrees,shrubs,weeds,grassesandotherforage.Notimportanteconomically,exceptforoccasionaldamageonforagecrops.

*Leafhopper. Small(usuallyunder�0mm),cigar-orwedge-shapedbodies,withcomblikerowofspinesonhindtibiae.Colorationvari-able,oftengreenorbrown,butcanhaveredstripesorothercolorfulmarkings.Manyseriouspestsofcultivatedcrops;someimportantvec-torsofcertainplantdiseases.Commoninsweepnetsamples.Easytofind in almost any field during the warmer months. Usually mounted onpoints.

*Planthopper. (IncludesseveralfamiliesinsuperfamilyFulgoroidea).Similartotreehoppers,butantennaeareattachedtosidesofheadbeneatheyes;hindtibiaelackrowsofcomblikespines.Generallysmall(under�3mm),phytophagous,jumpinginsects.Wingsbulgenearmiddleofbody insomespecies;a fewhaveprojectionson theirheads.Mostspeciesnoteconomicallyimportant.Commoninsweepnetsamplestakeninlatesummer.

*Aphid. Soft-bodied,pear-shaped,small(4-8mm)insects,usuallywithtwotube-likeprojections(cornicles)onabdomen.Wingedorwingless.Adultsandimmaturesfoundtogether;oftennumerous.Occasionallytendedbyants;exudelargeamountsofsugaryhoneydew.Somespecieshost specific; others have extremely broad host range. Some serious pests of assorted field crops and ornamental. Many transmit certain plant diseases.Shouldbepreservedinalcoholoronmicroscopeslides.

�4

Scale Insect.(IncludesseveralfamiliesinthesuperfamilyCoccoidea).Manyspeciesnotinsectlikeinappearance,exceptwhenrecentlyhatched.Bodiesofolderimmaturesandadultscoveredwithnonlivingscales,eitherwaxyandsoftorhardandvariouslyornamental.Femaleswing-lessandusuallylegless.Malesusuallytwo-winged;nearlymicroscopic.Groundpearls,armoredscales,waxscales,softscalesandcochinealinsectsincludedinthisgroup;cochinealinsectsfoundoncactiinNewMexico.Otherspeciesoftenfoundonperennialorchard,yard,garden,orpottedplants;someseriouspests,weakeningorkillingtheirhostsorblemishingfruit.Femalesusuallycollectedwithintheirscalesanddried;malesroutinelymountedonmicroscopeslides.Mealybugsandsoft scales can be stored in alcohol. Body size usually 1-2 mm; a few speciesreach5mmindiameter.

Order Neuroptera: Net-winged Insects. Metamorphosis complete.Mouthparts chewing. Two pairs of membranous wings with manyveins. Antennae relatively long, threadlike, pectinate or clubbedas opposed to short, threadlike antennae on Odonata. Tarsi five-segmented(three-segmentedinOdonata).

*Green Lacewing.Most about �0mm long.Wings andbodypalegreen.Eyesmetallicgoldorcopperinlife.Produceabadsmellwhenbrushedorcrushed.Eggslaidsinglyonthinstalks.Larvaeandadultspredaceous, usually on aphids. Among the most beneficial insect in crops. Very delicate, fluttery flyers. Often attracted to lights at night.

Antlion. Like damselflies, but with knobbed antennae; bodies usually finely mottled gray and brown. Extremely slender and often quite large, to50mm.Larvae(doodlebugs)digconicalpitsinsand;antlionnamecomesfromcommonfoodoflarvae:ants.Adultscommonatlights;oc-casionallyfoundrestingonvegetation.Noteconomicallyimportant.

�5

*Order Coleoptera:Beetles.Metamorphosiscomplete.Mouthpartschewing.Forewings(elytra)withoutveins,usuallyhardened.Anten-nae of various types include filamentous, beadlike, clubbed, serrate, elbowed,lamellate,orpectinate.

Firstabdominalsegment(a)inillustrationbelowdividedbyhindcoxaeor(b)notdividedbyhindcoxae.(cx=coxa;tr=trochanter;fm=femur).

(a) (b)

lamellate

pectinate

clubbed

elbowed

serrate

beadlike filmentous

cx1st

tr

fm

cx

tr

fm

�6

Tiger Beetle. Firstabdominalsegmentdividedbyhindcoxae.Tarsiwith five segments. Head at eyes as wide or wider than pronotum (tho-rax).Mandiblesoftenenlargedandwithdistinctiveteeth;mandiblesusuallyvisiblefromabove.Legsslender.Antennaethreadlike.Hindtrochanterbean-shapedandoffsettowardthemidline.Foundnearwater,in undergrowth, on hillsides, on field margins, sand dunes, playa lake beds, or along woodland paths. Often good flyers; visual predators. Most diurnal, few nocturnal (latter not good flyers). Usually collected withanaerialnet;larvaeoccursinglyinverticalburrowsusually�0-20 mm long.

Ground Beetle. Firstabdominalsegmentdividedbyhindcoxae.Tarsiwith five segments. Head at eyes usually narrower than pronotum. Mandiblesvaried.Hindtrochanterbean-shapedandoffsettowardthemidline. Antennae filamentous. Often found near water, under rocks andrunningonground;alsocollectedbysweepingorpitfalltrapping.Sometimesmetallicbutoftenblackorbrown,occasionallymottled.Predators as adults and larvae. Usually poor flyer. Many species benefi-cial. Many common species 10 mm long or less; a few reach 25 mm.

Diving Beetle (Predaceous Diving Beetle).Firstabdominalsegmentdivided by hind coxae. Tarsi five-segmented. Head at eyes narrower thanpronotum.Mandiblesnotvisiblefromabove; legsnotslender,hind legs oarlike. Antennae filamentous and long. Palpi near mouth veryshort.Foundinquietwater;stocktanks,ponds,lakes,etc.Usu-ally brown or black, sometimes spotted; predators. Adults can fly, but usuallyobservedswimming.Sometimescometolights,butbestcol-lected with dip net. Commonly 10-12 mm long; some are only 3 mm long,whilethelargestreach35mm.

Hister Beetle. First abdominal segment not divided by hind coxae.Tarsi with five segments. Head at eyes narrower than pronotum. Man-dibles often pincerlike. Legs often flattened, with lateral teeth. Anten-naeclubbed.Foundindecayingorganicmatter.Usuallyshinyblack,sometimeswithredmarkings;occasionallymetallicgreen.Predators.Can fly but usually seen crawling. Usually collected by turning over ordiggingthroughrottingplantoranimalmatter;occasionallycometolights.Commonly7-�0mmlong;smallestare0.5mmlong.

�7

Water Scavenger Beetle.Firstabdominalsegmentnotdividedbyhindcoxae. Tarsi five-segmented; hind tarsi flattened with fringe of hairs. Palpiusuallylongerthanantennae.Bodyovalorelliptical,oftenwithventralkeelorspine.Antennaeshortandclubbed.Colorusuallyblackorbrown.Usuallyaquaticbutafewspeciesliveindung.Predatorsofsmallaquaticanimalsorscavangersasnameimplies.Sizevariable;fromafewmmto40mmlong.

Carrion Beetle.Firstabdominalsegmentnotdividedbyhindcoxae.Tarsi five-segmented. Forewings long in some species; short in oth-ers,exposingonetothreeabdominalsegments.Bodyrelativelysoft,flattened. Usually about 10 mm in length. Antennae clubbed. Solid black,darkgrayorblackwithyellow,orangeorredmarkings.Feedoncarrion,occasionallyfoundindung.Collectedbyturningoverdeadanimals or baiting a pitfall with meat, especially fish.

Rove Beetle.Firstabdominalsegmentnotdividedbyhindcoxae.Tarsifive-segmented. Forewings short, exposing three to six abdominal segments. Body elongate, slender. Abdomen soft, flexible. Sometimes confused with earwigs, but lack forceps. Antennae filamentous or clubbed.Oftenlessthan5mmlong;somecommonspeciesreach�0mm.Foundoncarrion,dung,alongstreams,underrocks,infungi,underbark,indecayingvegetablematter.Predatorsandscavengers,somefeed on fly larvae and have been used in biological control programs arounddomesticanimalunits.

Soldier Beetle.Firstabdominalsegmentnotdividedbyhindcoxae.Tarsi five-segmented. Body elongate, parallel-sided. Head visible from above.Bodyandwingssoft.Colorblack,yellow,orbrown,lightercolored speciesoftenwithblackmarkings.Usually around�0mmlong. Common on flowers, especially yellow composites in summer andfall.Larvaearepredators,adultsfeedonpollenandnectar.Easilycollectedbysweeping.

�8

Dermestid Beetle. Firstabdominalsegmentnotdividedbyhindcoxae.Tarsi five-segmented. Generally small (under 5 mm), elongate to oval beetles,oftenwithscalesorhairsonelytra.Carrionbeetlesusuallylarger, �0mmormore.Antennae clubbed.Color usuallybrownorblack,sometimesmottled.Larvaefeedondeadplantandanimalmatter.Oftenseriouspestsinstoredproducts,carpets,upholstery,furhides,andinsectandplantcollections.

Soft-Winged Flower Beetle. Firstabdominalsegmentnotdividedbyhind coxae. Tarsi five-segmented. Forewing broadest posteriorly; small, somewhatwedge-shapedbeetles,usuallylessthan8mmlong.Anten-nae serrate or filamentous, sometimes with basal segments enlarged. Oftenblack,metallicgreenorbluewithred,orange,oryellowmark-ings.Somearepredators;othersfeedonpollen.Relativelycommonon flowers and in various field crops.

Checkered Beetle.Firstabdominalsegmentnotdividedbyhindcoxae.Tarsi five-segmented. Body elongate, often with long erect hairs. Pro-notumusuallynarrowerthanforewingsorhead.Usuallyblack,oftenwith red, orange or yellow markings. Antennae clubbed or filamentous. Predatorsofwood-boring insects;onespeciesattacksstoredmeats.Adults often collected on flowers. Most species 5-12 mm long.

*Click Beetle. Firstabdominalsegmentnotdividedbyhindcoxae.Tarsifive-segmented. Body elongate, flattened, and with posterior corners of pronotumpointed.Clickingmechanismonunderside,betweenbasesoflegs.Overturnedadultscanrightthemselvesbycockingandsnappingtheirbodies,oftenwithadistinctclickingsound.Usuallybrownorblack,occasionallypatterned;somewitheyespots,withlightorgansatcornersofpronotum,ormetallicgreen.Larvaearewireworms;somepredators,butmostarerootandseedfeeders.Someseriouspestsofcrops.Adultscommoninlights.Occasionallycollectedwhilesweepingorfoundunderwoodorbark.Sizeusually�0-30mm.

�9

Metallic Wood-Boring Beetle. Firstabdominalsegmentnotdividedbyhind coxae. Tarsi five-segmented. Usually metallic or bronzed, espe-ciallyventrally.Resemblingclickbeetles,butproportionallyshorterusually and cannot click. Antennae short, serrate or filamentous. Usually 5-20 mm. Several common species on willows, mesquite and flowering composites. Larvae called flat-headed borers; bore into wood of trees andshrubs.Somepestsinorchards,andonornamentalshrubs,trees,and structural timber. Adults feed on leaves, bark and flowers. Some species collected by sweeping flowers, especially in summer and fall. Useaerialnetforsinglebeetles.

Sap Beetle. Firstabdominalsegmentnotdividedbyhindcoxae.Tarsiall four- or five-segmented. Antennae with three-segmented club, which sometimesappearsfour-segmented.Bodyshapevaries,usuallyrobust-elongate.Abdomenoftenexposedbeyondshorteyltra.Colorusuallyblackorbrown,sometimesmarkedwithredoryellow.Usuallysmall(ca. 3 mm long), but occasionally larger. Common in flower heads, fungi,ordecayingfruitandvegetables;thistleheadssometimescontainmanysapbeetles.

*Ladybird Beetle.Firstabdominalsegmentnotdividedbyhindcoxae.Tarsiapparentlythree-segmented.Shapeusuallyovaltonearlyhemi-spherical.Headmostlyconcealed.Oftenbrightlycolored:red,yellowororangewithblackspotsorblackwithredoryellowspots.Sometotallyblack.Usuallyabout5mm.Commoninalfalfaandothercrops,onroadsideweeds;gregariousinfallinthemountains.Mostarepredators;severalspecieshavebeenusedinbiologicalcontrol.Veryfewpests;Mexicanbeanbeetledefoliatesbeansandrelatedcrops.Commonlycollectedbysweeping.

20

*Blister Beetle. Firstabdominalsegmentnotdividedbyhindcoxae.Tarsalformula5-5-4.Bodyusuallyelongate;pronotumnarrowerthanheadorforewings.Bodysoft;elytrausuallysoft,sometimesexposingabdomen. Antennae filamentous or beadlike. Color black, gray, brown, metallicpurple,greenorblue;somearebanded,stripedorspottedwithred,black,whiteorothercolors.Sizeusuallyaround�0mm.Larvaeusually beneficial, feeding in grasshopper egg pods; some species para-sitizeundergroundnestsofwaspsorbees,however.Adultsproducecantharidin,ablisteringagentthatmaykillhorsesorotherstockwheningested in hay. People coming into contact with beetle body fluids can develop spectacular blisters. Adults common on plants and flowers, whichtheyoftendefoliate.Oftencollectedbysweepingorbyhandpickingastheyrunovertheground.

*Darkling Beetle.Firstabdominalsegmentnotdividedbyhindcoxae.Tarsalformula5-5-4.Bodyelongateorhemispherical.Antennaeusu-ally 11-segmented, filamentous, beadlike, or clubbed. Eyes usually notched.Oftenconfusedwithgroundbeetles,darklingbeetlesdifferby having four tarsal segments on the hind legs, no division in the first abdominalsegment,conicalhindcoxaeandnotchedeyes.Usuallyblackorbrownandfromafewmmto30mmlong.Mostlyscavengersthatcanbefoundunderrocks,ontheground,inrottenwood,infungietc.;somespeciespestsofstoredgrains.Easilycollectedinpitfalltrapsorwhilerunningoverthegroundinthedesert.

Twig Borer. Firstabdominalsegmentnotdividedbyhindcoxae.Tarsifive-segmented. Antennae clubbed, three- to four-segmented. Head mostlyconcealedfromabove.Elongatebody,usuallywithtuberclesorteethonpronotum.Usuallyabout�0mminlengthanddarkbrownorblack.Oftenfoundatlights.Feedsbyboringintotwigsorbranches.

*Scarab Beetle. Firstabdominalsegmentnotdividedbyhindcoxae.Tarsi five-segmented. Antennae lamellate. Body usually robust. Size minute highly variable, ranging from(2 mm) up to at least 50 mm in someunicornbeetles.Colorvariable:black,brown,green,metallicgreen,greenwithsilverstripes,mottledgrayandbrown,etc.Commonatlights,underdung,insweepnetsamples,onfruittrees,rosebushes,composite flowers, rotten wood, in lawns, etc. Includes several economic species: fig eater, Japanese beetle, white grubs (May and June beetles) amongothers.Feedonfruit,pollen,orleavesasadults;larvaefeedonrottingorganicmatter,dung,orroots.

21

*Long-Horned Beetle. Firstabdominalsegmentnotdividedbyhindcoxae.Tarsiapparentlyfour-segmented.Antennaeusuallyatleasthalfas longasbody.Thereareexceptions!Eyesusuallynotched.Tarsiusuallywithpadssimilartothoseofleafbeetlesandsnoutbeetles.Sizefromafewmmtoover50mm.Colorvariable,oftenbrownorblack;butsomemetallic,mottled,orwithcolorfulbandsorstripes.Often found on flowers, in decaying wood, or around lights. Larvae feedasborers(round-headedborers)inwoodofvariousforbs,shrubsand trees. Some species destructive in cut logs and firewood or timbers madefromthem;adultsoftenfeedonpollen.Canbecollectedfromwood, on bark or by sweeping flowers.

Leaf Beetle. Firstabdominalsegmentnotdividedbyhindcoxae.Tarsiapparentlyfour-segmented.Antennaealmostalwaysshorterthanhalfof body length; usually filamentous or beadlike. Tarsi with pads. Body usuallyoval,butsometimeselongate.Eyesnotnotched.Sizeusually�0mmorless.Colorvariable,oftenmetallic,striped,spottedormottled.Oftendestructivepests,manyofthesebeetlesfeedoncropplantsandornamentals,bothaslarvaeandadults.Foundalmostanywhereplantsgrowandoftentakeninsweepnetsamples.

Snout Beetle. First abdominal segment not divided by hind coxae.Tarsiappearfour-segmented.Withamoreorlessdistinctsnout;somespecieswithvery longsnout.Antennaeelbowedandclubbed.Sizeusuallylessthan�0mm.Colorvariable,butusuallygray,brownorblack,sometimesmetallic.Manypestsofcropandornamentals,bothasadultsandaslarvae.Foundinsweepnetsamples,atlights,andonvariousplants.

*Bark Beetle. Firstabdominalsegmentnotdivided.Tarsiapparentlyfour-segmented.Antennaeelbowedandclubbed.Bodyelongate,cy-lindrical,somewhatlozenge-shaped;somewithabdomenappearingscoopedout.Mostspeciessmall;lessthan5mm.Colorusuallydark;brown,blackorred.Manyseriouspestsofshadeandforesttreeswheretheyboreintobarkorwood.

22

Order Lepidoptera: Butterflies and Moths. Wingsmostlyorentirelycoveredwithscales.Metamorphosiscomplete.Mouthpartssucking,nonfunctionalorabsentinsomespecies.

*Swallowtail. Large butterflies with wing span to 100 mm. With clubbed antennae;antennaelackterminalhooks.Hindwingtailed(somespe-ciesoutsideNewMexicolacktails).Wingsusuallystriped,spottedoratleastpartlyblueorgreen.Larvaedefoliatevariousplants;adultssipnectar.Blackswallowtaillarvaecommonaspestsoncarrots,parsleyand related plants. Usually collected as adults on various flowering plants.Canberaisedfromlarvaeiffedonproperhostplants.

Sulfur Butterfly (including Whites and Orange-tips). Small tomedium-sized (to 50 mm wingspan) butterflies with clubbed antennae lackinghooks.Colorusuallyyellow,orangeorwhite,markedwithblack and/or orange. Common in alfalfa fields, gardens and weedy lots. Larvaeofseveralspecieseconomicallyimportant,feedingonalfalfaormustards,includingcabbageandrelatedplants.

*Gossamer-Winged Butterfly. Small (wingspan less than 35 mm),delicate butterflies. Antennae clubbed and without hooks. Some spe-cieswithhairliketailsonhindwings.Colorsvariable;manyspeciesmetallicblueorpurple,graywithredeyespotsororangeandblack.These include the smallest butterflies. Often found around flowers or weeds,suchasRussianthistle.Fewspecies(e.g.cottonsquareborer)areeconomicallyimportant.

Brush-Footed Butterfly. Highlyvariableinsizeandcolor;primarilydistinguishedbytheirreducedfrontlegs,makingthemappearfour-legged.Antennaeclubbedandwithouthooks.Includessomeofourmostcommon butterflies, such as the mourning cloak, red admiral, viceroy, monarch,queen,andpaintedlady.Manyspecieshaveredororangepatches,oftenonblackordarkbrownbackground.Feweconomicallyimportantspecies.Adultsmaycongregatearoundwetspotsonthegroundor on flowers. Body length up to 25 mm; wingspan to 50 mm.

23

Skipper. Antennaeclubbedandwithahook.Headaswideorwiderthan thorax. Hind leg with two pairs of spurs. Usually 10-20 mm long. Color black, brown, spotted or orange. Common at flowers. Larvae roll leaves.Noteconomicallyimportantusually;afewspeciesmaybepestsoflegumes.Giantskipperlarvaeattackyuccasandagaves.

*Sphinx Moth. Medium-sized to largemoths (up to�00mmwingspan).Antennae thickened,andsometimesslightlyhooked,butnotclubbed.Bodytypicallybullet-shapedandheavy.Larvaecalledhorn-worms;severalspeciesattackvegetablesandornamentals.Commonflyers just at sunset and occasionally around lights at night. Adults can hover;theirsize,hoveringability,whirringsoundandactivitiesaroundflowers closely mimic those of hummingbirds.

Giant Silkworm Moth. Medium-sizedtolargemoths(wingspansome-timesmorethan�00mm).Antennaethreadlikeinfemales,featheryinmales.Wingsbroad.Bodyheavy.Includessomeofourlargestmoths,suchastheioandpolyphemusmoths.Mostseriouspestinthisfam-ilyinNewMexicoisrangecaterpillar,agrasslandpest.Mostspeciesdifficult to collect; adults usually available in only limited geographic areasandpopulationsusuallyaresmall.Larvaeofsomecanberearedfromcottonwood,mesquite,rangegrassesorcertaintrees,dependingonhostpreferences.Adultsdonotfeedandareshort-lived.

Geometer Moth. Smalltomedium-sizedmoths,oftenwithangulate,scallopedorfringedwings.Bodyslender.Manyspecieswithlightpastelwings:yellow,tawnyorgreen.Larvaecalled“inchworms.”Adultsofsome species common at lights. Antennae filamentous, without clubs orhooks.Wingspanusually30mmorless.

24

Tiger Moth. Smalltomedium-sizedmoths.Oftenbrightlycoloredorwhitewithblackspots.Occasionallypurewhite(forexample,thefallwebworm).Secondpairofwingsmaybebrightlycoloredonsomespecies. Antennae filamentous, without hooks or clubs. Larvae gener-allyfoliagefeederssometimesonornamentalannuals;fallwebwormlarvaeoftenpartiallydefoliatebroadleaftreesinautumn.Saltmarshcaterpillaroccasionallyminorpestofcotton.Canbefoundasadultsatlights or reared from larvae. Wingspan usually 25 mm or less.

*Noctuid Moth. Most species small to medium-sized; underwingswithwingspanofupto60mm.Blackwitch(occasionallycollectedinNewMexico)amongourlargestmothswithawingspanofupto100 mm. Antennae filamentous, never feathery. Includes many of the rathernondescript“millers”thatcometolightsinthesummer.Color-ationvaries,butmostspeciesgrayorbrownandmottledwithvariouspatterns.Underwingmothshavehindwingsblackmarkedwithredororange.Blackwitchmothshaveintricatepatternsondarkbrownwings,makingthemblendinwiththetreebark.Includessomeofourmostimportantplantpests, suchas thecornearworm,variouscutwormsandarmyworms.

Pyralid Moth. Mostly small moths (wingspan 25 mm or less). An-tennae filamentous. Palpi very long in most species; palpi usually (butnotalways)resembleasnout.Adultsusuallylighttantograyorwhite.EuropeanandSouthwesterncornborers,sodwebworms,pecannutcasebearersandalfalfawebwormseconomicallyimportant.Somespeciescommonlyfoundatlights.

Order Diptera: Flies. Adultswithonepairofmembranouswings;somespecieswingless.Secondpairofwingsreducedtoknoblikeorganscalledhalteres.Metamorphosiscomplete.Mouthpartssuckingorwithvarious modifications, enabling piercing or sponging.

(NOTE: “Fly” is part of the common name of many insects. Only in the Diptera can it stand alone in the common name. For example, robber fly, bee fly, horse fly all have “fly” as a separate word. For insects in other orders, “-fly” will be a suf-fix in the common name as in butterfly and whitefly.)

25

*Mosquito. Legsthreadlike;wingslongandnarrow,withscalesalongveinsandmargins.Proboscislong;piercing-sucking.Femalesofmostspeciessuckblood;may transmitdiseases, suchasmalaria,yellowfever,WestNilevirus,orencephalitis inhumansandheartwormindogs.Malesdonotbite.Adultsusuallylessthan7mm.Larvaearecommonwigglers instagnantwater.Commonaroundanystandingwaterduringthesummer.

Black Fly. Small,usuallylessthan4mm;stockyandhump-backed.Antennaeshort.Wingsbroadatbase.Femalessuckblood.Larvaeliveinstreams,usuallyattachedtorocks.Adultcolorusuallyblack,gray,oryellow;antennaeveryshort.Oftenviciouslyattackbothanimalsandhumans.

*Horse Fly (includingDeer Flies). Stout-bodied, often large (to 25 mm long) flies with helmet-shaped heads. Eyes almost completely cover head,especiallyinmales;eyesofteniridescentandrainbow-stripedinlife.Thirdantennalsegmentelongate.Probosciselongate,blunt-tipped,usuallyvisible.Femalessuckblood.Larvaeofmostspeciesaquatic.

*Robber Fly. Headhollowedoutontopbetweeneyes.Thirdantennalsegmentelongate.Faceusuallywithfuzzybeard.Sizevariable,upto25 mm; pointed proboscis. Predaceous on other insects. Adults suck fluids from bodies of prey; many look and behave like bees, wasps or dragonflies. Larvae live in soil or decaying wood. Very common flies thatoftenperchontwigswhileeatingorwaitingforpreyormates.

Bee Fly. Headrounded.Stout-bodiedandhairy.Antennaeshort.Wingsoftenmottledorwithanteriordark-coloredband.Tendtohoveroverplantsorpatchesofbareground.Larvaeparasiticoninsects;adultsnectarfeedersorpredaceous;suckingmouthparts.Smalltomedium-sized.Bodyusually�5mmorless.

26

Syrphid Fly. Small to medium-sized often shiny flies, to 12 mm long. Manyhaveyellowmarkingsonabdomen;somebeelike.Spurious(false)vein usually present on wings. Often seen hovering over flowers. Larvae ofmanypredaceous,especiallyonaphidsandsomeothersmall-bodiedarthropods;others(suchasrat-tailedmaggot)arescavengers.Adultssuck nectar or other fluids from flowers.

Picture-Winged Fly. Small to medium-sized flies with wings banded or spotted. Picture-wings common in sweep net samples from flowering plants,includingsomeweeds.Plantfeedersorscavengersaslarvae;adultssuckplantexudates,especiallyfromoverripeordamagedfruits.Someseriouspestsoffruit.Bodylengthusually�0mmorless.

Louse Fly. Adultswingedorwingless;dependinguponspecies.Bodydorsoventrally flattened. A common wingless species is the sheep ked, anectoparasite(bloodfeeder)ofsheep.Wingedspeciesusuallyfoundonbirds.Wingedspecieshavestronganteriorveinsandweakposteriorveinsinthewings.Collectfromskinoflivebirdsandmammals.Bodylengthabout6mm.Adultfemalesretainimmatureformsinternally,“givingbirth”tomaturelarvae,readytopupate.

Muscid Fly. Small to medium-sized gray flies, often with dark bands on thorax. These include house flies, face flies, horn flies and stable flies. Larvae are scavengers, often in filth or decaying organic matter. Adults may transmit disease organisms on their bodies; stable flies and horn flies are blood feeders, piercing skin of hosts and sucking their blood. House flies and face flies suck fluids (mouthparts sucking but adapted for sponging) from various sources (house flies) or from eyes, mouth or nostrils of host (face fly). Common wherever garbage, sewage, animal wastesordeadanimalsexist.Bodylength�0mmorless.

Tachinid Fly. Small to large flies with stout bristles on the abdomen and enlarged or fleshy postscutellum. Many are beelike only black or brown; some look like house flies or flesh flies. Presence of bristles on the abdomen usually separates tachinids from other flies. Larvae are internal parasites on other insects; many are beneficial. Can be collected with an aerial net on flowers; adults suck fluids from or off various flowers. Body length usually 7 mm or less; occasionally longer.

27

Blow Fly. Similartotachinids,butusuallymetallicandusuallyblueor green. Adults may be numerous on flowering plants in the spring. Larvaeareusuallyscavengers,feedingoncarrionanddung,butonespecies,thescrew-worm,attackslivingtissueandisaseriouspestoflivestock.Bodylengthusually7mmorless.

*Flesh Fly. Similar to muscid flies and some tachinid flies, but generally largerthantheformerandwithouttheheavybristlesofthelatter.Manyspecieswithacheckerboardpatternonthegrayabdomen;manyalsohavearedtipontheabdomen.Larvaeofmostspeciesscavengers;afew parasitic on such insects as grasshoppers. Often common on flowers and around houses; adults suck various kinds of fluids they can find in theirhabitat,rangingfromanythingassociatedwiththeanimalhosttonectar and fluids on flowering plants. Body length usually 7-9 mm.

*Order Siphonaptera: Flea. Winglessinsectswithbrownorblack,laterally flattened bodies and strong jumping legs. Generally less than 5mmlong.Antennaeshortandthree-segmented.Metamorphosiscom-plete. Mouthparts of adults fleas sucking. Ectoparasites of birds and mammals;somespecieswithbroaderhostrangethanothers.Larvaemaggotlikescavengersofdriedbloodandanimaldander;developawayformtheirhost,usuallyinnests,beddingorcarpeting.Canbeserious,blood-suckingpestsinhomesandyards,eventhosewithoutpets.Somespeciestransmitseriousdiseasesincludingplague.

Order Hymenoptera:Parasitoids, Ants, Wasps, and Bees. Twopairsof membranous wings or sometimes wingless. Ovipositors usuallylong; females of many species sting using ovipositor and modified ac-cessory glands (sources of venoms). Mouthparts chewing or modified chewing.Metamorphosiscomplete.

28

*Braconid Wasp. Mostlysmall,slenderparasitoidswithonerecur-rent vein in each forewing. Antennae filamentous, with 16 or more segments.Someas largeas�5mm.Manyspeciesbrownorblack,afewred.Larvaeareparasitoidsofotherinsectsandareamongthemostimportantofbiologicalcontrolagents.Adultsoftencollectedbysweep net or on flowers.

Ichneumon Wasp. Smalltoverylarge(to40mm),slenderparasitoidswith two recurrent veins in each forewing. Antennae filamentous with �6ormoresegmentsandusuallyhalfaslongasbody.Averylargefamilywithmorethan3,000speciesinNorthAmerica.Colorpatternsvarywidely.Larvaeparasitizealmosteverytypeofinsectandmanyother arthropods. Extremely beneficial. Commonly collected in sweep netsamples.

Chalcidid Wasp. Mostlysmalltomedium-sized(to7mm),relativelyrobustparasitoidswithveryfewwingveins.Antennaeshortandwith�3orfewersegments.Hindfemoragreatlyswollenandtoothedbelow.Hindcoxaemuchlongerthanfrontcoxae.Larvaeofmanyspeciesareparasitoidsonavarietyofinsects.Adultsoccasionallycollectedwhilesweeping or at flowers.

Tiphiid Wasp. Usually�0mmorlarger;elongated.Mesosternumwithtwoposteriorlobesoranteriorabdominalsegmentshighlyconstricted.Antennae 12-13 segmented. Body often banded black and yellow. Larvaeparasitoidsofvariousinsects,especiallywhitegrubs(larvaeofscarabbeetles).Occasionallylargenumbersofadultscongregatearound flowers or in mating swarms, flying over lawns.

Scoliid Wasp. Large, hairy, robust wasps (commonly 20-30 mm long). Mesosternumandmetasternumformaventralplatedividedbytrans-verse suture. Antennae 12-13 segmented. Wing membrane beyond cells wrinkled(differsfrommalevelvetant,whichhasbasicallysmoothwingtips).Coloroftenblackandredoryellow.Larvaemostlyparasitoidsofwhite grubs. Adults often collected around flowers, such as tamarisk (saltcedar).Mayswarmoverlawnsliketiphiids.

29

*Velvet Ant. Small to large (20 mm), very hairy wasps. Often brightly colored with red, yellow, or orange on black. Antennae 12-13 segmented. Femaleswingless(sometiphiidwaspsalsohavewinglessfemales).Females with very painful sting. They are sometimes called “cowkillers.” Larvae mostly parasitize ground-nesting bees and wasps.Females commonly collectedwhile they run on theground. Malesoften collected while they fly over dirt roads or bare ground in search of females or visit flowers.

*Ant. Most flightless, small to medium-sized insects, with one or two knotsatwaist.Antennae6-�3segmentedandstronglyelbowed,withfirst segment very long. Queens and males usually winged, at least duringdispersalphase;workersalwayswingless.Adultfemalesca-pableofreproducing.Usuallyfoundinsmall(justafewindividuals)togiganticcoloniesofmanythousands.Eatalmostanything.Mostwillbiteandmanywillsting.Immaturestagesaretendedundergroundbythe workers. Many species are pests, including fire ants, harvester ants andcarpenterants.Easytocollect;foundalmosteverywhere,includingindoors.Bodysizevariable,dependingonspeciesanddevelopmentalconditions. Workers usually 2-4 mm, occasionally reaching 8-9 mm. Reproductiveoftenslightlylargerthanworkers.

Spider Wasp. Mediumtolargewasps(someto40mm)withverylonglegs.Mesopleurawithtransversesutures.Wingsnotfoldedwhenrest-ing.Mostdarkblueorblack;manywithbrightredororangewings.Femalesoftenhavecurledantennae.Femaleshaveapotentsting.Com-mon around flowers during the summer, especially mesquite, tamarisk andvariousweeds.Femalescapturespidersandlaytheireggsontheminundergroundnests.Largerspecies(called“tarantulahawks”)attacktarantulas. Tarantula hawk is New Mexico’s state insect. It has a blue-blackbodyandorangewings,mostlyrimmedbyblack.

30

*Vespid Wasp. Common social or solitary wasps with long first discoidal cell in front wing. Pronotum not collarlike. Size usually around 10-20 mm.Oftenwithpatternofbrownandyelloworblackandyellowororange.Usually found incoloniesmadeofpaper (chewedwoodorcellulose), or on flowers; occasionally seen floating on water. Young caredforbyworkersandqueeninsocialspecies.Manysolitaryspeciesmakepotlikemudnests.Allfeedtheiryoungonotherinsectsorsmallspiders.Willattackinnumbersifnestisdisturbed.

Sphecid Wasp. Commonsolitarywasps(oftennestingroups,however)withshortdiscoidalcellinforewings.Pronotumoftendistinctlycollar-like.Often,butnotalways,thread-waisted.Usually�0-30mmlong.Colorpatternvaries;manyspecieswithpatternsofblackandyellow,grayandred,orbrownandyellowororange.Manyspeciesground-nesters;somebuildmudnests.Sandwaspsresemblestoutvespids.Allfeedtheiryoungonotherinsects,whichtheyparalyzewiththeirsting.Often collected around flowers.

Halictid Bee. Mostly small bees, often metallic green or partly so.Mostaredarkcolored.Some(sweatbees)attractedtoperspiration;willsting. Often collected around flowers. Pollen feeders. Many species dig communalnestsintheground.Bodylengthvariesbetweenspecies;smallestspeciesare4-5mm,largestareabout�5mm.

3�

Leafcutting Bee. Stout-bodied, medium-sized bees (10-20 mm usually) withtwosubmarginalcellsinforewings.Pollencarriedonundersideofabdomen.Abdominalsegmentsusuallydistinctlyoutlined.Adultscutoutroundedpiecesfromleavesofvariousplants,includingroses,tolinebroodcells.Nestconsistsoflinearseriesoflarvalcellsinnarrowcavities like nail or screw holes or drain holes in flower pots. Excellent pollinatorsofmanyplantsnotpreferredbyhoneybees.Bodylengthusuallyabout�0mm.

*Honey Bee (including bumblebees but not carpenter bees).Stout-bodied,mediumtolargebeeswiththreesubmarginalcellsinforewings.Pollencarriedonhindlegs.Honeybeesandbumblebeessocial.Mostspeciesgoodpollinators;honeybeesalsoproducehoneyandbeeswax.Honeybeesarebrownandblack.Bumblebeesareveryhairy;usuallyyellowandblack,sometimeswithredspotsontheabdomen.Honeybeesusually are about 8-10 mm long; carpenter and bumblebees reach 25-28 mm.Carpenterbees,whichresemblebumblebees,actuallybelongtoadifferentfamily.Theycanbedifferentiatedfrombumblebeesbecausetheyonlyhaveonecolor(eitherallfuzzybrownorallshinyblack)andbyhavingapicalspursonthehindtibia(seep.53).Theynestinyuccastalksandotherplantstems.Bumblebeesnestunderground.

Honeybee

Bumblebee Carpenterbee

32

Key to Common Groups of Arthropods

Unknown Specimen

Threeorfourpairsofwalkinglegs Fiveormorepairsofwalkinglegs

GO tO ARtHROpOD KeY 1, page 33

Class: INSeCtAInsects

Antennaepresent;threepairsoflegs Antennaeabsent;fourpairsoflegs

Class: ARACHNIDA

Withoutconstrictionbetweencephalothoraxandabdomen

Withconstrictionbetweencephalothoraxandabdomen

Order:Araneae,spiders

Abdomenwithtail-likeap-pendage;enlargedpincersorclawspresentnearhead

Tail-likeappendageabsent;pincersorclawsusually

absentnearhead

Order:Scorpionesscorpion

Order:Acariticks,mites

GO tO UNKNOwN INSeCt KeY, page 34

33

Arthropod Key 1

Class: CRUStACeAcrabs,lobsters,sowbus,etc.

Five or more pairS oF walking legS

Fivetosevenpairsoflegs �0ormorepairsoflegs

Class: DIpLOpODAmillipedes

Twopairsoflegsperbodyseg-ment;bodycylindrical

Class: CHILOpODAcentipedes

Onepairoflegsperbodysegment; body flat

34

Key to Selected Orders of Adult Insects

Withoneortwopairsofmembranous(transparent)wings,orwingscoveredwithscalesorhairs

Unknown inSect

Forewingshardenedorleathery,notmembranous;wingsmaybeabsent

Wingscoveredwithminutescales,mouthpartscoiledintoatubebeneaththehead(sometimesabsent)

Wingsnotcoveredwithscales,usuallyclear;mouthpartsnotcoiledintoatube

Withtwopairsofwings Withonepairofwings,onepairofhalteres

Wingslongandnarrow,fringedwithlonghairs;smallinsectslessthan5mmlong

Wingsnotnarrowedandfringed;lengthusuallyover5mm

*tHYSANOpteRA thrips

DIpteRAfly, mosquito

Posteriorportionofabdomenwithtwoorthreelong filaments about as long as body;

hindwingssmallerthanforewings

*epHeMeROpteRAmayfly, fishfly

Abdomen with short filaments or absent; hindwings larger than forewings

Forewingsclearlylongerandwithgreaterareathanhindwing

Forewingsnotclearlylongerthanhindwings,andwithsameorlessareathanhindwings

GO tO KeY B, page 36

*tRICHOpteRAcaddisfly

LepIDOpteRAbutterfly, moth, skipper

Wingshairy,opaque;palpslong;antennaeaslongasbodyorlonger

Wingstransparentortranslucent,nothairy;palpsshortorabsent;antennaeshorterthanbody

GO tO KeY C, page 37

*Ordersnotincludedin“�00CommonInsectsofNewMexico.”

GO tO KeY A, page 35

35

Key AForewingS hardened or leathery, not membranoUS; wingS may be abSent

Wings modified, forewings hard or leathery and covering hindwingWingscompletelyabsent

GO tO KeY D, page 38

Abdomenwithpincers Abdomenwithoutpincers

Mouthpartschewing Mouthpartssucking

DeRMApteRAearwig

Forewingswithoutveins,meetinginastraightlinedownback

COLeOpteRAbeetle,weevil

Forewingsnearlyalwaysthickenedatbase,membranousends;

beakarisesfromfrontofhead

Forewingsmembranousthroughout;beakarisesfrombackofhead

HeMIpteRAtruebug

HOMOpteRAaphid

First pair of legs not modified for grasping;pronotumnotelongated

Forewingswithveins;atrest,wingspressedtoabdomen;somearewinglessasadults

Bodyoftencylindrical;hindlegsmodified for jumping, sometimes

digging;wingedorwingless

ORtHOpteRAgrasshoppers,crickets

Body flattened; head usually notvisiblefromabove

BLAttARIAcockroaches

Firstpairoflegsobviouslymodi-fied for grasping prey; pronotum

oftenelongated

MANtODeAmantids

Headofleafhopperfromsideshowingsuckingstyletsextended

36

Key BForewingS not, or Slightly longer than hindwingS

Headprolongedventrallytoformbeaklikestructure

*MeCOpteRAscorpionfly, hangingfly

Headnotprolongedventrally

Antennaeveryshortandbristlelike;eyeslarge

ODONAtAdragonfly, damselfly

Antennaenotshortandnotbristlelike

Hindwingslittleifanybroaderthanfrontwings;

cerciabsent

Hindwingsbroaderthanforewings;ceripresent

*pLeCOpteRAstonefly

Mothlike;wingsnothairy,usuallytransparentorsmoky;antennae

generallyshorterthanbody

Mothlike;wingshairyandopaque;antennaeaslongasbodyorlonger

*tRICHOpteRAcaddisfly

Tarsifour-segmented;lengthto8mm Tarsi five-segmented; length to 75 mm

ISOpteRAtermite

NeUROpteRAantlion, dobsonfly, lacewing


37

Key CwingS tranSparent or tranSlUcent, not hairy

Tarsi five-segmented, usually wasplike or beelike Tarsitwo-orthree-segmented;notwasplikeorbeelike

HYMeNOpteRAbee,ant,wasp

HOMOpteRAaphid,scale,hoppers

*pSOCOpteRAbarklice

Mouthpartssucking;beakrisesatrearpartofhead;smalltolargeinsects

Mouthpartschewing;beakabsent;length7mmorless


38

Key DwingS completely abSent


Narrow-waisted,antlike

HYMeNOpteRAbee,ant,wasp

Notnarrow-waistedorantlike

Body not flattened laterally; coxanotenlarged

Body flattened laterally (all body structuresvisiblelaterally);smallinsects;

coxa enlarged, tarsi five-segmented

SIpHONApteRAflea

Body flattened dorso-ventrally

GO tO KeY e, page 39

Body not flattened dorso-ventrallyorslightly flattened

Abdomenwiththreadliketails Abdomenwithoutthreadliketails

tHYSANURAsilverfish

*COLLeMBOLAspringtails

Abdomenwithaforkedjumpingmechanism

Abdomenwithoutajumpingmechanism

Abdomenwithtwoshorttubes(cornicles);small,plumpinsects

Abdomenwithouttubes

HOMOpteRAaphid

GO tO KeY F, page 40

39

Key ebody Flattened dorSo-ventrally

Antennaeabsent

Legspresent Legsabsent;ontwigs,leaf,branches

Antennaepresent

*MALLOpHAGAchewinglice

ANOpLURAsuckinglice

HOMOpteRA scale

Abdomen with 12 segments; ex-tremelysmall

Abdomenwithlessthan12 segments

DIpteRAlouse fly

*pROtURAproturans


Headaswideorwiderthanthroax

Headnarrowerthanthorax

40

Key Fabdomen withoUt tUbeS

Distinctlypigmented Lackingpigment,whitish

Antennaelong,hairlike;tarsitwoorthree-segmented

Antennaeshort,beadlike;tarsifour-segmented

*tHYSANOpteRAthrips

*pSOCOpteRAbarkandbooklice

ISOpteRAtermite

Bodyshapevariable;lengthover5mm

Mouthpartssucking;antennae four- or five-segmented

Mouthpartschewing;antennaemanysegmented

HeMIpteRAtruebug

First pair of legs not modified for grasping;pronotumnotelongated

Forewings with veins; at rest, wings flat over addomen;somearewinglessasadults

Bodyoftencylindrical;hindlegsmodi-fied for jumping, sometimes digging;

wingedorwingless.

ORtHOpteRAgrasshoppers,crickets

Body flattened; head usuallynotvisible

fromabove

BLAttARIAcockroaches

Firstpairoflegsobviouslymodified for grasping prey; prono-

tumoftenelongated

MANtODeAmantids

Bodynarrow;lengthlessthan5mm


4�

Key to Selected Hemiptera

Unknown hemiptera

Antennae hidden, difficult to see Antennaevisible

Grooveinprosternum,transversegroovebetweeneyes Grooveabsentinprosternum

Fronttarsiscooplike;darkbandsacrossback

Fronttarsinormal;bodyconvex

water boatman Backswimmer

Middlelegsclosetohindlegs

Alllegsevenlyspaced

waterstrider

Scutellumlarge Scutellumsmall;raptorialfront

leg;frontfemurenlargedMesothoracicwing;venationasbelow

Leaf or plant bug

Twoclosedcells Smallcellsaroundmargin

Four to five wingveins

Numerousveins

Damsel bug Seed bug Leaf-footed bug

Ambush bug

Assassin bug

42

Key to Selected Homoptera

Unknown homopteran

Notinsectlike;ontwigs,branches,andotherplantmaterial

Scale

Bodyinsectlike;distincthead,thorax,abdomen

Pronotumexpandedoverabdomen

Pronotumnormal,notexpanded

treehopper

Hindtibiawithoutrowofspines

Antennaeattachedbelowcompoundeye

Antennaeattachedonfrontofhead;abdomenusuallywithcornicles

planthopper Aphid

Hindtibiawithrowofspines

Leafhopper

43

Key to Selected ColeopteraUnknown coleoptera

Elytralong,abdominalsegmentnotexposed

Headnormal,snoutabsentSnoutlong

Snout beetle (weevil)

Elytrashort,exposingpartofabdominalsegments

GO tO BeetLe KeY 1, page 44

Hindlegswithlonghairs Hindlegswithoutlonghairs

Antennaelamellate Antennaevariable,notlamellate

Scarab

Antennaeserrate,filiform, pectinate

Antennaeclubbed

Bodycoveredwithscalesorhairs Bodysmooth;scalesorsetaeabsent


Bodylong,headwiderthanpronotum Bodyovalorround

Checkered beetle Dermestid beetle

Withsternalkeelorspine Withoutsternalkeelorspine

water scavenger beetle predaceous diving beetle


Notspiderlikeinappearance

Spiderlikeinap-pearance

Blister Beetle(Cysteodemus)

44

Beetle Key 1elytra Short, not covering entire abdomen

Rove beetle

Antennaeclubbed

Elbowedantennae;bodyblack

Antennaestraight;bodycolorvariable

Bodynotelongate,slender Bodyelongate,slender,parallel-sided

Carrion beetle

Hister beetle

Antennaethreadlikeorserrate

Antennaethreadlike Antennaeserrate

Soft-winged flower beetle

Basalantennalsegmentssometimesenlarged

Allantennalsegmentsequal

Soft-winged flower beetle

Pronotumnarrowerthanheadorforewing

Pronotumequalorlargerthanwidthofhead

Blister beetles Rove beetle

EpicautaandothersMegetra

45


Beetle Key 2antennae Serrate, FiliForm, pectinate

Antennae filiform or pectinateAntennaeserrate

Bodymetallic-lookingormottledyellowandblack,whiteand

black,orredandblack

Bodynotmetallic

Metallic wood-boring beetle

Pronutumwithsharppoints;pro-sternumwithelongatelobe(click

mechanism)

Click beetle Soft-winged flower beetle

Pronotumwithoutsharppoints;basalantennal

segmentssometimesenlarged

46

Beetle Key 3body Smooth, ScaleS or Setae abSent

Ladybird beetle

Headvisiblefromabove Headnotvisiblefromabove

Tuberclesorteethorpronotoum Tuberclesabsent

twig borer Bark beetle

HeadwithoutsnoutHeadwithsnout

Snout beetle

Bodyroundoroval Bodyelongate

Lasttwoorthreeantennalsegmentswithhairs

Hairsabsentonlasttwoorthreeantennalsegments;bodyblackorbrown

withredoryellowmarkings;“lollipop”antennaeCarrion beetle

Sap beetle

47

Forewingnotbroadposteriorly;bodyelongate

Beetle Key 4antennae FiliForm or pectinate

Filiform Pectinate;pronotumwithangles;prosternumwithspine

Click beetle

Bodywithlong,erecthairs Bodyhairsabsent

Forewingsbroadposteriorly

Checkered beetleSoft-wingedflower beetle

Click beetle

Pronotumwithoutangles;prosternalspineabsent

Metallic;bodyoftenbullet-shaped Notmetallic;bodyoftennotbullet-shaped

Metallic wood boring beetle

Pronotumequalorwiderthanhead

Pronotumnarrowerthanheadorforewings

Mandiblesnormal,notlargeMandiblessickle-shaped

Blister beetletiger beetle

Antennaeshort,notlongerthanone-halfbodylength

Ground beetle

BodyelongateBodyoval

Leaf beetle

Long-horned beetle

Antennaeatleastone-halfaslongasbodyinmost

Pronotumwithangels;prosternumwithspine

48

Key to Selected LepidopteraUnknown lepidoptera

Antennaenotclubbed

GO tO LepIDOpteRA KeY 1, page 49

Antennaeclubbed

Clubbedwithhookattip Clubbedwithouthookattip

Hindwingwithtail

Swallowtail

Hindwingsnottailedorwithhairliketails

Antennaeringedwithwhitescales;wingsoftenlusterous;

somewithhairliketails

Gossamer-winged

Antennaenotringed,whitescalesabsent

Frontlegsnormal;yellow,whiteororangewingswithblackspots

Frontlegsreduced;bodycolorvariable

Sulfur Brush-footed

Skipper

49

Lepidoptera Key 1antennae not clUbbed, Simple, Serrate or pectinate

Abdomenextendsmorethanone-thirdofitslengthbeyondthehindwing;bodybullet-shaped,heavy

Abdomennotextendingformorethanone-thirdofitslengthbeyondtheabdomen

Antennaedoublybipectinate(featherlike);eachwingoftenwithacentraleyespot,crescentorclearwindow;wingspangreaterthan7.6cm

Smallerspeciesorifwingspanlargerthan7.6cm,usually

withouteyespotsandalwayswithoutpectinateantennae

Giant silkworm (male)

Abdomenred,orangewithblackspots, blue in a few species; first pair

oflegswithorgangeorredscales

Abdomennotredororange

WithoutprojectingsnoutSnoutprojectingfromhead

tiger moth

pyralid

Thickbodied,fore-andhindwingwithdifferentpatterns;earsonthorax

Noctuid

Thinbodied,fore-andhindwingsusuallywithsamepattern;earsabsentonthorax

Geometer

Sphinx moth

Thick-bodied;wingspanoftenlargerthan7.6cm;witheyespotsornot

Giant Silkworm Moth(female)

50

Louse fly

Key to Selected Diptera Unknown diptera

Wingspresent Wings absent, body flat

Markingsonwingsorwingscolored

Headtriangular;eyesbrightlycolored,iridescent

Headnormal;eyesnotcolored

Bodyhairy;antennaeshort Bodynothairy;antennaelong

Bee fly picture-winged fly

Horse fly/Deer fly

Wingsclear,withoutmarkings

Legsshort;nosetaalongwingveinsLegslong;setaealongwingveins

Mosquito

Topofheadwithoutdepression Topofheadwithdepression

Robber fly

Bodysizevaries,nothump-backedSmall,hump-backed

WithfalseveinbetweenRandM WithoutfalseveinbetweenRandM

GO tO DIpteRA KeY 1, page 51Syrphid

Black fly

5�

Diptera 1 withoUt FalSe vein between r and m

tachinid

Bristlesonabdomen;aristabare Bristlesabsent;aristawithhairs

AristaplumosealongentirelengthAristaplumoseonlyinbasalhalfortwo-thirds;bodygrayorsilvery

Flesh fly

Blue,greenmetallicbody Bodygrayorbrown

Blow fly Muscid fly

arista

52

Key to Selected Hymenoptera

Chalcidid

Wingspresent Wingsabsent

GO tO HYMeNOpteRA KeY 1, page 53

Hindfemurenlarged Hindfemurslenderorslightlyexpanded

Hindtarsiwithoutbasalsegmentsbroadened

GO tO HYMeNOpteRA KeY 1, page 53

Hindtarsiwithbasalsegmentwiderthanfollowingsegments

�6ormoreanntennalsegments�3orlessantennalsegments

PronotumwithoutcollarPronotumusuallywithcollar

Sphecid

Mesosternumwithtwolobes

tiphiid

Mesosternumwithoutlobes

Metasternumwithoutplate;mesopleuronwith

transversesuture

Mesosternumseparatedfrommetaster-numbytransversesuture

toformaplate,wrinklesinwings

Onerecurrentveininforewing;abdomenequaltoorshorter

thanheadandthorax

Tworecurrentveinsinfore-wing;abdomenlongerthan

headandthorax

Unknown hymenoptera

Scoliid Spider wasp Braconid Ichneumonid

lobes

Femur

Hindtarsus

53

Hymenoptera Key 1

Hindtarsiwithbroadenedbasalsegments

Metallicbody;basalveinonforewingstronglyarched

Halictid

Bodynotmetallic;basalveinnotstronglyarched

Hindtibiawithoutspurs

Corbiculaonhindleg;pollencarriedonhindleg

Pollencarriedonundersideofbody;longhairsonundersideofabdomen

Leaf cutting bee

Hindtibiawithapicalspurs

Honey bee/ Bumble bee

Withoutwings

Extremelyhairybody;brightlycolored

Mesosternumwithtwolobes

Bodysmooth;knotsatwaist;elbowedantennae

Velvet ant(female)

tiphiid(femalesofsomespecies)

Ant

*ANtHOpHORIDAeCarpenterbee


Hindtarsus

55

GLOSSARY

Abdomen.Posteriorbodypartofinsects.Theabdomen,headandthoraxcomprisethethreebodyregionsofinsects.Calledopisthosomainarachnids.Antenna(pl.antennae).Paired,segmented,sensoryappendagesattachedtoheadsofinsects,sowbugs,centipedesandmillipedes;absentinarachnids.Anterior.Towardthefrontorheadend.Aquatic.Livinginorassociatedwithwater.Basal.Thebaseorpartofanappendagenearestthebody.Beadlike Antenna.Antennacomposedofastringofnearlysphericalsegments.CharacteristicofIsopteraortermitesandcertainotherinsects.Bulbous.Protruding;roundedorswollen.Carnivorous.Feedingonanimalsincludingotherarthropods.Seepredaceous.Caterpillar. The larva or immature stage of a moth or butterfly.Cephalothorax. Combinedheadandthoraxinarachnids.Alsocalledtheprosoma.Cercus (pl.Cerci).Pairedappendageatposteriorendofabdomeninsomeinsects.Chelicera(pl.Chelicerae).Small,paired,pincerlikemouthpartsofspiders,ticks,mites,scorpionsandtheirrelatives.Chewing Mouthparts.Mouthpartsadaptedforgraspingandbreakingupfoodbyabackandforthmotion of the paired jaws. In some Hymenoptera, these also are modified for lapping nectar.Complete Metamorphosis.Developmentofinsectsinvolvingfourmajorlifestages:egg,larva,pupaandadult.Thepupaisusuallyinactiveanddoesnotfeed.Compound Eyes.Eyesmadeupofnumerousindividualelements,representedexternallybyfacets.Absentinarachnids.Concave. Curvedorroundedliketheinteriorofasphere.Convex.Curvedorroundedliketheexteriorofasphere.

56

Cornicle. One of a pair of dorsal, tubular structures on an aphid’s posterior abdomen.Coxa (pl. Coxae). The basal segment of an arthropod’s leg.Discoidal Cell. A prominent cell, usually in the middle of an insect’s wing. Useful for identifying some flies, bees or wasps.Diurnal.Activeduringtheday.Dorsal.Oforbelongingtotheuppersurface.Dorsoventrally Flattened.Compressedbetweentheupperandlowersurfaces.Ectoparasite. Parasitethatlivesontheoutsideofitshost.Elytron(pl.Elytra).Athickened,leatheryorhornyforewing,especiallyintheColeoptera.Endoparasite. Parasitethatlivesinsideitshost.Femur(pl.Femora).Thethirdlegsegmentininsects,betweenthetrochanterandthetibia.Inarachnidsthefemurisbetweenthetrochanterandpatella.Filamentous.Threadlike,asinantennaeForceps.Hooklikeorpincerlikeprojectionsontheendoftheabdomen.CharacteristicofearwigsHaltere(pl.Halteres).Smallknoblikestructure,whichrepresentsthereducedsecondpairofwingsinadult Diptera. Balancing organs for flies.Head. First division in an insect’s body. United with thorax in arachnids (see Cephalothorax, Prosoma).Hemelytron(pl.Hemelytra).The“half-wing”(forewing)oftheHemiptera.Typicallythehalfofthewingattachedtothebodyisopaqueandsomewhatthickened,whiletheendsaremoremembranous.Lamellate. Composedofsheetsorleaves.SeeillustrationofantennatypesunderdescriptionofColeoptera.Larva(pl.Larvae).Generaltermforanimmaturestageofaninsectwithcompletemetamorphosis.Nowoftenusedforallimmatureinsects.Alsoappliedtosix-leggedstageinmitesandticks.Lateral.Towardtheside.Mandibles. Jawlikestructuresofinsectsandrelatedarthropods,exceptarachnids.Thelatterhavejointed(two-segmented)structurescalledchelicerae.

57

Mesopleuron. Theside(lateralsurface)ofthemesothorax.Mesosternum.Theunderside(orbreast)ofthemesothorax.Mesothorax.Thesecondofthethreethoracicsegments;precededbytheprothoraxandfollowedbythemetathorax.Mesoandmetathoraxaresegmentsthathavewings(ifpresent)attached.Metathorax.Thelastofthethreethoracicsegments;precededbythemesothoraxandfollowedbytheabdomen.Metamorphosis.Theseriesofchangesthroughwhichaninsectorotherarthropodfollowsinitsgrowthfromeggthroughtheincreasinglylargerandmorecompleximmaturestagestoadulthood.Seecompletemetamorphosis,simplemetamorphosisandnometamorphosis.Midline. Animaginarylinedrawnthroughthecenterofanorganismfromtheheadtothetail.Mite. MemberofalargeanddiversegroupofusuallysmalltomicroscopicorganismsbelongingtotheClass Arachnida and the Order Acari. Most have eight legs, first stage of larvae has six legs, the two bodyregionsunitedintoonepill-likebody,anunsegmentedabdomenandnoantennae.Nometamorphosis.Naiad. Aquatic immature of insects with simple metamorphosis (dragonflies, damselflies).No Metamorphosis.Organismhatchesfromegg,proceedstomoltthroughsimilarbutlargerstagestowinglessadult.Nocturnal.Activeatnight.Nymph. Immature stage of insects with simple metamorphosis. Also applied to specific immature stagesinthedevelopmentofmitesandticks.Ocellus(pl.Ocelli).Simpleeyeofinsectsorotherarthropods.Omnivorous.Feedingonavarietyofplantandanimalmatter.Opisthosoma.“Abdomen”ofarachnids.Ovipositor.Theegg-layingapparatusoffemaleinsects,oftentubularorsaberlikePalp(pl.Palpi).Segmentedappendagenearthemouth.Parasite. Ananimalthatliveson(ectoparasite)orinside(endoparasite)anotheranimal(host)andfeedson its tissue, especially blood. A true parasite does not directly kill its host (flea or mosquito). See Parasitoid.

58

Parasitoid.Ananimalthatlivesonorinsideanotheranimalandeventuallykillsitshost.CertainHymenoptera and some Diptera fit the category, because they attack and use other insects as food and hostsforlarvae.Pectinate. Comblike.SeeillustrationsofantennaeunderthediscussiononColeoptera.Pedipalp (pl.Pedipalpi).Thesecondpair(afterchelicerae)ofappendagesintheArachnida.Leglikeinspiders, but modified in other arachnid orders as grasping organs or used like antennae.Phytophagous. Feedingonfreshorlivingplantmatter.Picture-Wing. Wings of some flies that have spots or blotches.Point: Anelongatedtriangularpieceofcardstockpaperthatmaybeusedtodrymounttinyinsects.Theinsectpinisinsertedinthenarrowbaseofthetriangle.Theslenderpointofthetriangleisdabbedwithglue,andtheinsectisusuallygluedontherightsideofthethorax. Pitfall Trap.Acollectingdeviceforinsectsthatrunovertheground.Madebydiggingasmall,steep-sidedholeatleast6-8inchesdeepandliningitsnuglywithanopencanorjar.Baitandpreservativefluids in the can or jar are optional, depending upon the types of insects to be trapped.Postscutellum. InDiptera,thisistheprojectionunderandbehindthescutellumontheposteriordorsalthorax. Especially important for the identification of tachinid flies.Predaceous. Killingandfeedingonotheranimals.Seecarnivorous.Proboscis. Amouthstructurethatisextendible.Pronotum. The dorsal or top surface of the first thoracic segment.Prosoma. Theunitedheadandthoraxofarachnids.SeeCephalothorax.Prothorax.Anteriorofthethreepartsofthethoraxininsects.Oftenexpandedandmaycovermuchofdorsalsurface.Collarlikeinsphecidwasps.Raptorial.Suitableforgraspingprey(thegraspingforelegsofmantids).Recurrent Vein. OneoftwotransverseveinsintheforewingsofsomeHymenoptera.Reproductive.Thereproducingform(maleorfemale)ofthesocialinsects(termites,ants,andsomebees)asopposedtosterileworkers.Scavenger.Feedsondecayingplantoranimalmatter. Scutellum.Oftentriangularposteriorplateofthethorax.EspeciallyimportantforidentifyingHemiptera.

59

Serrate. Withwavyteeth,astheedgeofaknife.Referstotheformofanantenna.SeetheillustrationsofantennaeunderthediscussiononColeoptera.Simple Metamorphosis (= incomplete metamorphosis in some texts).Developmentinwhichtheimmaturestageslookmuchliketheadult,butlackwingsandreproductivestructures.Insomecases,theimmature stages live in a totally different habitat and feed on different things than the adult (dragonflies), ortheymayfeedonthesamefoodsandliveinthesamehabitatastheadult(grasshoppers).Soldier. A highly modified worker of the ants or termites that defends the nest. In ants, all soldiers are sterilefemales;intermites,soldiersmaybesterilemalesorfemales.Spinnerets.Silkspinningorgansonposterioropisthosomaorabdomenofspiders.Spurious Vein. Veinlike thickening of the wing between two true veins. Used to identify syrphid flies.Sterile. Notcapableofreproduction,asinthefemaleworkersandsoldiersinantcolonies.Submarginal Area.Thepartofthesurfacejustwithinthemargin.Sucking Mouthparts. Modified mouthparts used to suck up liquid food. These include the strawlike mouthpartsoftheLepidoptera;thepiercing-suckingmouthpartsofHemiptera,Homoptera,Siphonapteraand most Diptera; and the sponging mouthparts of muscoid and some other flies.Symbiotic. Separatespecieslivingtogetherinamoreorlessintimateassociation.Thisrelationshipoften benefits both, as in termites and their protozoans.Tarsal Formula. Groupofnumbers(5-5-4or5-5-5)showingthenumberoftarsalsegmentsoneachofthe legs in order from first to third legs.Tarsus.(pl.Tarsi).Legsegmentbeyondthetibia,consistingofoneormoresubdivisions(segments);andusuallyapairofclaws.Thorax. Thesecondofthethreemainsubdivisionsoftheinsectbody.Appendagesincludewalkinglegsandusuallywingsinadults.Tibia (pl.Tibiae).Fourthsegmentofinsectleg,afterfemur.Fifthsegmentinarachnidsafterpatella.Trochanter.Secondsegmentoftheinsectlegbetweenthecoxaandthefemur.Worker. Asterileadultinsectthatservestohelpreartheyoungproducedbyaqueeninsocialinsects;alsomayforageforfood,defendthecolony,feedothercolonymembers,andmovedebris.Sometermiteworkerscanreproduceifnecessary.Seealsosoldier.

60

INDeX

AAmbushbug............................................................ ��Americancockroach............................................................8Ant......................................................................................29Antlion...............................................................................�4Aphid.................................................................................�3Assassinbug.......................................................................��BBackswimmer...................................................................�0Barkbeetle.........................................................................21Bee fly................................................................................25Black fly.............................................................................25Blisterbeetle......................................................................20Blow fly..............................................................................27Braconidwasp....................................................................28Brush-footed butterfly........................................................22Bumblebee.........................................................................3�CCamelcricket......................................................................6Carpenterbee.....................................................................3�Carrionbeetle....................................................................�7Centipede.............................................................................3Chalcididwasp...................................................................28Checkeredbeetle................................................................�8Cicada................................................................................12Clickbeetle........................................................................�8Cricket..................................................................................7DDamselbug........................................................................��Damselfly.............................................................................5Darklingbeetle...................................................................20Dermestidbeetle................................................................�8Divingbeetle......................................................................�6Dragonfly.............................................................................5EEarwig..................................................................................9FFlea.....................................................................................27Flesh fly..............................................................................27GGeometermoth...................................................................23Germancockroach...............................................................8Giantsilkwormmoth.........................................................23Gossamer-winged butterfly................................................22Greenlacewing..................................................................�4Groundbeetle.....................................................................�6HHalictidbee........................................................................30Histerbeetle.......................................................................�6Honeybee..........................................................................3�Horse fly.............................................................................25IIchneumonwasp................................................................28JJerusalemcricket..................................................................6LLadybirdbeetle..................................................................�9Leafbeetle..........................................................................21Leafbugorplantbug........................................................�0Leafcuttingbee...................................................................30Leaf-footedplantbug.........................................................12

Leafhopper.........................................................................�3Long-hornedbeetle............................................................21Long-hornedgrasshopper....................................................6Louse fly.............................................................................26MMantid..................................................................................7Metallicwood-boringbeetle..............................................�9Millipede..............................................................................3Mosquito............................................................................25MuscidFly.........................................................................26NNoctuidmoth.....................................................................24OOrientalcockroach...............................................................8PPicture-winged fly..............................................................26Plantbugorleafbug..........................................................�0Planthopper........................................................................�3Pyralidmoth.......................................................................24RRobber fly...........................................................................25Rovebeetle.........................................................................�7SSapbeetle...........................................................................�9Scaleinsect.........................................................................�4Scarabbeetle......................................................................20Scoliidwasp.......................................................................28Scorpion...............................................................................4Seedbug.............................................................................��Short-hornedgrasshopper....................................................6Silverfish..............................................................................5Skipper...............................................................................23Snoutbeetle........................................................................21Soft-winged flower beetle..................................................�8Soldierbeetle.....................................................................�7Sowbug................................................................................3Sphecidwasp.....................................................................30Sphinxmoth.......................................................................23Spider...................................................................................4Spiderwasp........................................................................29Stinkbug............................................................................12Suckinglouse.......................................................................9Sulfur butterfly...................................................................22Swallowtail........................................................................22Syrphid fly..........................................................................26TTachinid fly........................................................................26Termite.................................................................................9Tick......................................................................................4Tigerbeetle........................................................................�6Tigermoth..........................................................................24Tiphiidwasp.......................................................................28Treehopper.........................................................................�3Twigborer..........................................................................20VVelvetant...........................................................................29Vespidwasp.......................................................................30WWalkingstick.........................................................................7Waterboatman...................................................................�0Waterscavengerbeetle.......................................................�7Waterstrider........................................................................�0

New Mexico State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and educator. NMSU and the U.S. Depart-ment of Agriculture cooperating. Revised October 2005 Las Cruces, NM

one hundred common insects of new mexicoone hundred common insects of new mexico david b. richman1,...

Documents