Top 20 Most Common Insects in Shasta Lake

1. Pipevine Swallowtail

The pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) is an insect that is protected globally but is considered a species of special concern in the northern part of their range in Michigan. The name pipevine Swallowtail comes from the common plants that they are hosts of. They are also known as the blue swallowtail due to their brilliant, blue color.

2. 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.

3. Crowned orbweaver

A common species of orb-weaver, crowned orbweaver (Araneus diadematus) builds large and noticeable webs. Only the females build webs, and they may prey upon their mates before, during or after engaging in sexual intercourse. Crowned orbweaver is reluctant to bite humans and will not do so unless scared or provoked. It avoids danger by vibrating in its web until it becomes a blur, confusing predators.

4. Spotted tussock moth

The spotted tussock moth (Lophocampa maculata) gets its name from the long tufts of hair it has as a caterpillar. The adults are a mix of yellow and brown while the larvae are a fuzzy pattern of yellow and black. These larvae are pests because they consume a wide range wood, including birch, oak, maple, and willow.

5. Isabella Tiger Moth

The isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia isabella) grows into the Isabella Tiger Moth. In folklore, the amount of brown on their band is said to determine the length of the upcoming winter. Over the winter it freezes completely. It prevents the damage of tissue by producing a liquid that preserves the tissue.

6. California tortoiseshell

It is recognized for the top of its wings being orange with big black spots (used mainly for camouflage). The browns and grays of the wing underside make it resemble a dead leaf when the wings are closed. Its wingspan varies from 1.25–2.75 in.

7. Yellow-spotted millipede

Harpaphe haydeniana reach a length of 4 - 5 cm when mature. The upper surface of the body is black to olive green, and is distinctively marked along the sides with patches of a yellowish colour. Harpaphe haydeniana has approximately twenty body segments, bearing a total of 30 (males) or 31 (females) pairs of legs. The difference between males and females is due to one pair of legs on the seventh segment in males being modified to form gonopods used for sperm transfer.

8. The striped shore crab

The striped shore crab spends half of its time out of the water, usually hiding in small cracks among rocks. It is well adapted to semi-terrestrial life and said to be able to thrive on land for up to 70 hours. When night falls and its predators are not active, the the striped shore crab emerges out from rock cervices, seeking food.

9. Variegated meadowhawk

The variegated meadowhawk is a small to medium-sized dragonfly with a slender abdomen, often reaching a length of 4.5 - 23 cm. The male is commonly dark brownish black with an abdomen of bright red, pink, and golden brown. The thorax may be marked with a pair of yellow dots on each side. The leading edges of the wings are marked with pinkish. The females are similar in color but not as brightly colored, with gray and yellow replacing the red of the male. Young variegated meadowhawks are much paler and mottled with pale green, pale yellow, golden brown, and orange.

10. Spotted Cucumber Beetle

The spotted Cucumber Beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata) is an agricultural pest with a bright yellow body and dark spots. It causes damage to corn and other crops by feeding on roots, seedlings, and flowers. Its larvae are often called "rindworms" because they also damage the rind and skin of fruits.

11. Silver-spotted tiger moth

Lophocampa argentata is a bear butterfly from the spider owl family (Erebidae). The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1864 by Packard.

12. Common Rough Woodlouse

The common Rough Woodlouse is one of the most common woodlice, found throughout the world. Add that to its rough feel, and that's how it got its name, common rough woodlouse. Unlike other members of the family, these woodlice like to play dead rather than curl up in a ball to defend themselves. The common Rough Woodlouse was the inspiration for a mathematical algorithm because of its kinesis behavior.

13. Anise swallowtail

The anise swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon) is often confused with the Tiger swallowtail. They are differentiated by being smaller in size and lacking the stripping patterns. They like flat plains or hills and are often seen hanging around the vacant lots of towns.

14. 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.

15. Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth

The forest Tent Caterpillar Moth larvae make silk "mats" to gather together and rest on. It even got its name, forest tent caterpillar moth, from this habit. These larvae are notorious for their ability to eat large amounts of leaves, and when a population outbreak occurs (which happens annually in some places), it can devastate an entire forest.

16. Dungeness crab

Despite its extremely hard shell, the dungeness crab is able to sense touch through the tiny hairs that cover its body. It is also able to regrow limbs when bitten off. A highly prized seafood, the dungeness crab is considered a delicacy and preferred over the Red rock crab (Cancer productus) due to its meatier limbs. It is the no.1 "single species" fishery in the state of Oregon, while the town of Port Angeles, WA, celebrates the Annual dungeness crab festival each year in October.

17. Black-tailed bumble bee

Bombus melanopygus is a non-woven insect from the family of bees and bumblebees (Apidae). The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1848 by Nylander.

18. European mantis

The european mantis (Mantis religiosa) is a bright green mantis that can be distinguished by the two black spots with single white spots inside on its front legs. These spots resemble the eyes of a predator. If it's threatened, it will raise its wings and show off these intimidating "eyes". Also, it's a fierce species that will chase down its prey to catch it.

19. Pacific forktail

The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1876 by Selys.

20. Western tiger swallowtail

It is a large, brightly colored and active butterfly, rarely seen at rest; its wingspan is 8 - 10 cm, and its wings are yellow with black stripes, and it has blue and orange spots near its tail. It has the "tails" on the hindwings that are often found in swallowtails. The eggs are deep green, shiny, and spherical. Young caterpillars resemble bird droppings, and as they molt, they eventually turn bright green, with a pair of large yellow eyespots with black and blue pupils. The caterpillars molt five times, eventually reaching a length up to 5 cm before pupating.

Cookie Name	Source	Purpose	Lifespan
_ga	Google Analytics	These cookies are set because of our use of Google Analytics. They are used to collect information about your use of our application/website. The cookies collect specific information, such as your IP address, data related to your device and other information about your use of the application/website. Please note that the data processing is essentially carried out by Google LLC and Google may use your data collected by the cookies for own purposes, e.g. profiling and will combine it with other data such as your Google Account. For more information about how Google processes your data and Google’s approach to privacy as well as implemented safeguards for your data, please see here.	1 Year
_pta	PictureThis Analytics	We use these cookies to collect information about how you use our site, monitor site performance, and improve our site performance, our services, and your experience.	1 Year

Cookie Name	Source	Purpose	Lifespan
_fbp	Facebook Pixel	A conversion pixel tracking that we use for retargeting campaigns. Learn more here.	1 Year
_adj	Adjust	This cookie provides mobile analytics and attribution services that enable us to measure and analyze the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, certain events and actions within the Application. Learn more here.	1 Year