Top 20 Most Common Insects in Lima
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of insects, intricate creatures that have distinct features and dwell in various habitats within Lima. Dive into the diversity shaped by Lima's geographical idiosyncrasies. Critical to our ecosystem, insects range from those we consider pests to the beneficial species that aid in pollination and natural pest control. Understanding the 20 most common insects in Lima helps us appreciate the unique interplay between the environment and its resident insects.
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. 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.
3. 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.
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. 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.
6. Juno longwing
Dione juno, the Juno silverspot, juno longwing, or Juno heliconian, is a species of butterfly of the subfamily Heliconiinae in the family Nymphalidae found from southern United States to South America. 
7. Red rock crab
Grapsus grapsus is a typically shaped crab, with five pairs of legs, the front two bearing small, blocky, symmetrical chelae (claws). The other legs are broad and flat, with only the tips touching the substrate. The crab's round, flat carapace is slightly longer than 8 centimetres (3.1 in). Young G. grapsus are black or dark brown in colour and are camouflaged well on the black lava coasts of volcanic islands. Adults are quite variable in colour; some are muted brownish-red, some mottled or spotted brown, pink, or yellow.
8. Spotless ladybird
The spotless ladybird (Cycloneda sanguinea) is a red ladybug with no spots at all. Like similar species, these insects feed on aphids. They're primarily seen on milkweeds, but they can sometimes be found on other plants too. The pupae are capable of "biting" potential predators, which is a characteristic known as a "gin trap".
9. White peacock
The wingspan of the moths is 51 to 70 millimeters. The basic color is whitish. On the forewings there is a black, circular spot near the inner angle. At the front edge, two to three oblong, yellow-brown spots stand out. The Submarginalregion is also yellow-brown colored and crossed by dark lines. On the hind wings are two more small, black, circular spots near the tawny and dark-colored submarginal region. A short tail is more or less strong. The wing underside shows similar drawing elements as the top, but these are paler and weaker pronounced.
10. Common house fly
The female common house fly mates once and can store the sperm for multiple batches of eggs throughout her life. She will lay anywhere between 75 to 150 eggs at a time, usually in rotting organic matter, where the larvae will feed. The adults feed on feces and animal matter, making them important ecological composters. However, they can also transmit pathogens to human food and are considered pests and health hazards in human-occupied areas.
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