Top 20 Most Common Insects in Mount Washington

1. 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.

2. Eastern tiger swallowtail

Eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) is among the most recognizable butterflies in the eastern United States, where it inhabits a variety of habitats. This species is diurnal and usually solitary, preferring to fly high above the ground until the time comes to mate. Caterpillars display eyespots to deter birds in between some molting phases.

3. Eastern Carpenter Bee

The eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica) is considered a pest and a benefit in the same body. It has earned its pest status from its ability to tunnel into human-made structures and weaken them. They can also stain their excrement on the building as they leave the tunnel. Their benefits as pollinators heavily outweigh any damage they do to structures.

4. Common Eastern Bumble Bee

The common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens) is one of the most important pollinator bees in North America. A decline in the bee population will lead to financial hardships for farmers and reduced food yield. Their efficiency in pollination and foraging comes from their ability to drop "traplines." These lines guide other bees to the correct path for food while informing them of depleted locations.

5. 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.

6. Sachem

The sachem (Atalopedes campestris) feeds on the nectar of many flowers, including milkweeds, peppermint, and red clovers. It often spends its time near pastures, meadows, roadsides, parks, and yards. The males spend most of their time on the ground, waiting for females to come.

7. 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.

8. Silver-spotted skipper

The silver-spotted skipper (Epargyreus clarus) constructs a series of nests throughout its development that depends on its growth stage. Its caterpillar form is considered a major homebody, as they rarely leave the spot they call home. When they are adults, males perch on high branches in order to claim and defend favorable territory. Unusually, silver-spotted skipper adults never visit yellow flowers.

9. Spicebush swallowtail

The spicebush swallowtail (Papilio troilus) is a butterfly with an extreme love for plants in the Lauraceae family, such as spicebushes. Their preference is so strong that an experiment proved they would rather die than choose another host. Their two subspecies, *T. troilus *troilus and *T. troilus *ilioneus, differ based on location. The *T. troilus *ilioneus has more bluish spots and prefers redbay and swampbay plants.

10. Brown marmorated stink bug

As evidenced by its name, brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) is most recognizable for its ability to exude a nasty, foul-smelling odor if disturbed. Capable of subsisting on over one hundred species of plant, it has become an enormous pest for many farmers in the U.S., costing over $30 million annually in apple crop losses alone. It often invades homes in autumn, as soon as the weather begins to chill.

11. Brown-belted bumble bee

The brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis) can be distinguished from other bumble bees because of the brown belt on its abdomen. It's often found in urban landscapes, near sunflowers, thistles, and milkweed. The males often fly very high in search of females, and they've even been spotted at the top of the Empire State Building.

12. Pearl crescent

The pearl crescent (Phyciodes tharos) is an orange butterfly that lives in open areas that are generally moist and sunny. These butterflies are attracted to puddles, and the males will often fight with other male butterflies that land near the same puddle. However, females are not as aggressive and prefer to stay in groups.

13. Common whitetail skimmer

Common whitetail skimmer has black bands on its translucent wings which make it easy to identify. The common whitetail skimmer is found throughout North America and serves a vital ecological purpose. The dragonfly’s compound eyes provide it with a 360-degree field of vision, allowing it to spot prey like spiders and other nuisance insects.

14. Black Swallowtail

The black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) is one of the fastest swallowtails out there. With a lifespan that maxes out at 45 days, it has a limited amount of time to get a mate. As a result, courtship is only around forty seconds long. They can also put their abdomen at the top of their wings, keeping them warm during colder flights.

15. Large Milkweed Bug

The red-orange X-shaped back of the large Milkweed Bug makes it an instant eye-catcher, which is what it wants. This striking pattern acts as a warning to predators that it will be poisonous to eat, as it contains toxins from the milkweed it feeds upon. The large Milkweed Bug mimics the cry of similar-looking bugs, making it even less appealing to predators looking to catch them.

16. Yellow garden spider

The yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia) is an arachnid that connects itself to its web to feel vibrations that signal to him prey has been caught. Its venom is harmless to humans but perfect for catching smaller insects that might cause harm to your garden. Yellow garden spiders web construction process includes bridge construction and scaffolding, making it among the more complicated web patterns.

17. Wheel Bug

The wheel Bug (Arilus cristatus) gets its name from the spiked wheel on the top of his head. The punk rock look suits these bugs, as their bite tends to be more painful than a bee sting. Another nickname, assassin bug, is earned through its hunting of many bugs we would consider as crop pests and indoor pests. Their saliva is toxic, usually killing prey within 30 seconds of injection.

18. Hackberry Emperor

The Asterocampa celtis, also known as the hackberry Emperor, can be easily found in moist places where its favorite Hackberry tree grows. These pretty and naughty creatures are always interested in bright objects, such as a piece of white paper held in the sun. Sometimes they fly to and land on people, in order to drink the sweat for their needs of salt. They also sip moisture and minerals from mud.

19. Variegated fritillary

The variegated fritillary (Euptoieta claudia) earns its name from the greek work Eutptoietos, which means "easily scared." This is because they are incredibly difficult to approach, darting away if anyone comes close. They are identified with a checkered orange and black on its wings. The variegated fritillary is unique among butterflies for its ability to have two or three broods per year, resulting in many potential children.

20. Goldenrod Soldier Beetle

The goldenrod Soldier Beetle is typically found in gardens, meadows, and fields where flowers are abundant. While the beetle is commonly seen on goldenrod plants, it also feeds on other late-blooming flowering plants. The insect’s diet is primarily nectar and pollen, but it will also eat aphids and other insects harmful to plants.

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