Top 20 Most Common Insects in Saskatoon
Insects, a fascinating group known for their six legs and three body parts, inhabit diverse habitats within Saskatoon. The rich geographical variations in Saskatoon foster an array of insect biodiversity. These tiny creatures play a crucial role in our ecosystem, from being a nuisance as pests to assisting in pollination. The co-existence and interaction between Saskatoon's environment and its insects is complex yet intriguing, shaping both value and challenges. Stay tuned as we journey into the top 20 most common insects in Saskatoon.
Most Common Insects
1. Clouded Sulphur
The scientific name is Colias philodice, also known as the clouded Sulphur. It is very commonly seen in North America with pale yellow wings, which have solid black borders on the upper surface and a doubled hindwing spot trimmed in brownish red. Interestingly, the wing color of the clouded Sulphur varies in a seasonal manner from white to yellow and the spots on the wings also change as well, being more pronounced during the cool months in spring and fall.
2. Eastern Boxelder Bug
The eastern Boxelder Bug (Boisea trivittata) pierces and feeds on maple seeds. They are not generally considered pests unless they invade homes or destroy fruit in the process. If they do invade homes, their excrement can stain the upholstery. They are also known as the boxelder bug.
3. Mourning cloak
The state insect of Montana, mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) owes its name to a visual comparison with a girl who, disliking mourning, allows a few inches of color to show from under her mourning garb. Among the longest-lived butterflies, individuals may persist for as long as eleven to twelve months. It is a powerful flier, with vagrants often found many miles from the usual migration paths.
4. Seven-spotted ladybug
Seven-spotted ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata), known in North America as the "seven-spotted ladybug," is the most common species of ladybird in Europe and the official state insect of five U.S. states. While not native to North America, it has established itself there after being introduced to control aphid populations. Its bright coloring deters predators, and it may also play dead or secrete foul-smelling liquids to discourage consumption.
5. Four-spotted chaser
The four-spot (Libellula quadrimaculata) is one of the large dragonflies and reaches a body length of 4 to 4.5 centimeters with wingspan between 7 and 8.5 centimeters. Each of the four wings has a striking dark spot in the area of the distinctive transverse vein (nodus), after which the species received both its scientific and its trivial name. This dragonfly is also known for its mass migrations in swarms of impressive dimensions. The entire stock is not considered to be threatened.
6. Hunt's bumble bee
Bombus huntii is a non-woven insect from the family of bees and bumblebees (Apidae). The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1860 by Greene.
7. Black darter
At about 3 cm long, it is Britain's smallest resident dragonfly.
8. Western white
The wingspan is 4 - 5 cm.
9. Variable darner
It's named after the distinctive broken stripes on the sides of the thorax of many male specimens.
10. Cherry-faced meadowhawk
Its abdomen is brown, turning dark red at maturity in both sexes. The sides of the abdomen are marked with black triangles and the legs are black. Some females have amber in basal areas of their wings. As their name suggests, faces are dark red when mature. Size is 2 - 3.5 cm.
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