Top 12 Most Common Insects in Colombia
Insects, distinguished by their segmented bodies, jointed legs, and exterior skeletons, abound in Colombia's diverse habitats. From its coastal plains to its lofty mountains, Colombia's various geographical realms contribute significantly to its insect biodiversity. The most common 12 insects are a testament to this country's natural variation, shaped by factors such as geography, climate, and human activities. These winged, crawling, and voracious creatures play dual roles—both beneficial and as pests, in concert with Colombia's ecosystems.
Most Common Insects
1. Western honey bee
Western honey bee（Apis mellifera） is the most common species of honeybee in the world. Among the first domesticated insects, its cultural and economic impact on humanity has been vast and far-reaching, providing honey, wax and its services as a pollinator. Western honey bee faces challenges worldwide, such as colony collapse disorder, and populations are thought to be decreasing.
2. Fire ant
Solenopsis geminata is an ant species from the Myrmicinae subfamily. The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1804 by Fabricius.
3. Scarlet peacock
Anartia amathea is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. In addition to A. amathea amathea there are the subspecies A. amathea thyamis and A. amathea sticheli. The species is represented in the tropical areas of Latin America and the offshore islands, such as Trinidad.
4. Silver argiope
The silver argiope (Argiope argentata) often creates unique zigzag patterns on its webs. It's usually found in warm, dry areas, especially on cacti and aloe vera plants. The females are much larger than males. They can bite and cause irritation to the skin, but the damage won't be life-threatening.
5. Multicolored asian ladybeetle
Often confused for the ladybug, multicolored asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis) is a separate species that, unlike the ladybug, is a household pest. It is considered particularly annoying for its habit of returning to places from which it is removed. One of the most variable species in the world, there are many different colors and patterns multicolored asian ladybeetle may display, making identification potentially difficult.
6. Longhorn Crazy Ant
The longhorn Crazy Ant (Paratrechina longicornis) has earned its name through two interesting features. First, the "longhorn" part of their name comes from the 12-segmented antennae, which is incredibly long. The "crazy" part of its name comes from its rebellious nature to move in erratic patterns. Other ants tend to stay in more orderly patterns.
7. Black Witch
The black Witch (Ascalapha odorata) is given this spooky name because its part in folklore being associated with misfortune or death. In the novel, The Silence of the Lambs, they were placed in the mouths of the victims of Buffalo Bill. They can be identified with darker colorings and undertones of purple and pink.
8. Tetragonisca angustula
The Tetragonisca angustula is a bee that makes up as the best of all worlds. First, this is a bee that does not have a stinger, which means that they are not harmful to humans. They also produce honey, which is an awesome addition that makes them perfect for beekeeping. However, they do produce "bouncers" in the form of larger soldiers that are good at protecting the nest.
9. Spinybacked Orbweaver
The spinybacked Orbweaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis) has a crab-like structure with six spines on its abdomen. The color of this species varies based on where it lives, and the colors are usually red, orange, yellow, or white. Males and females communicate by creating patterns of vibration on their webs.
10. Monarch butterfly
The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the most recognizable butterfly in North America. It is best known for its appearance, but should be better known for the fact that it has a 3000-mile migration that takes the butterfly 4 generations to complete. Their diet is also a natural deterrent for predators, as they eat milkweed, a poison that induces vomiting.
More
