Top 20 Most Common Insects in Saint Petersburg

Small and colorful, small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is the national butterfly of Denmark. However, it is capable of surviving anywhere the common nettle leaf may be found, which the larvae of this species depend on. Once among the most common butterflies in Europe and temperate Asia, this species is experiencing rapid declines for reasons still being investigated.

European peacock (Aglais io) is a colorful butterfly that resides in temperate Asia and Europe – hence its common name. Its prominent eyespots deter would-be predators, who mistake them for the eyes of a bigger, more dangerous species. In recent years, this species appears to be expanding its range into previously uncolonized territory.

Common brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) is an attractive species of butterfly; males display iridescence and have yellow wings, whereas females have white-green, non-iridescent wings. This species is wholly reliant on two species of buckthorn plant to lay its eggs. Consequently, the larvae consume large amounts of buckthorn.

Red admiral (Vanessa atalanta) is a visually striking species of butterfly. Unusually territorial, males will compete for choice areas, and females will only mate with males that maintain their own territories. This butterfly is known for being particularly patient with human interactions, even to the point of perching on clothing or flesh.

As evidenced by its name, two-spotted ladybug (Adalia bipunctata) is best distinguished from other species of ladybug by its two black spots, of which there are commonly one of on each side of their base. However, as some specimens may display more spots, identification may remain difficult. Farmers appreciate it for its ability to eat aphids, and two-spotted ladybug was specifically introduced into Australia for this purpose.

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.

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.

Green-veined white (Pieris napi) is a distinctively white-winged butterfly that lays its eggs in a variety of food plants. This species displays observable differences dependent on sex: males possess only one dark spot on each forewing, whereas females display two. Unlike several of its cousin species, green-veined white prefers not to lay eggs in garden cabbages, rendering it less of a pest to farmers.

Cicindela hybrida, also known as the northern dune tiger beetle, has a wide distribution in the Palaearctic region. The species is divided into the following subspecies: Cicindela hybrida sahlbergi Fisher 1823 Cicindela hybrida przewalskii Roeschke 1891 Cicindela hybrida rumelica Apfelbeck 1904 Cicindela hybrida lagunensis Gautier 1872 Cicindela hybrida iberica Mandl 1935 Cicindela hybrida lusitanica Mandl 1935 Cicindela hybrida tokatensis Motschulsky 1859 Cicindela hybrida transdanubialis Csiki 1946 Cicindela hybrida subriparia Mandl 1935 Cicindela hybrida pseudoriparia Mandl 1935 Cicindela hybrida riparioides Korell 1965 Cicindela hybrida transversalis Dejean 1822 Cicindela hybrida magyarica Roeschke, 1891 Cicindela hybrida albanica Apfelbeck 1909 Cicindela hybrida monticola Menetries 1832 Cicindela hybrida silvaticoides W. Horn 1937 (Cicindela hybrida kozhantschikovi Lutsnik 1924 now Cicindela kozhantschikovi)

The alder leaf beetle got its common name because it feeds mostly on the leaves of alder trees during both the larvae and beetle phases. The trees can usually survive this feeding pattern, especially considering these beetles only reproduce a new generation once per year.