Top 20 Most Common Insects in Minnesota
Insects, the often-overlooked denizens of Minnesota, play a crucial role in the local ecosystem. These diverse creatures, ranging from pests to beneficial pollinators, occupy different geographical locations, each tailored to their unique needs. The diversity of Minnesota's landscapes, from dense woods to rippling lakes, significantly contributes to the types of insects found here. Join us as we delve into the 'Top 20 most common insects' that call Minnesota home.
Most Common Insects
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. 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.
3. 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.
4. Two-spotted bumble bee
The name of two-spotted bumble bee (Bombus bimaculatus) comes from the two yellow spots found on its abdomen. Where other bees are on the decline, this one's population remains stable. For the first day of a young male's life, they are unable to fly. As a result, they pump their abdomens against the larva in order to generate heat flow.
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. 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.
7. Black and gold bumble bee
Bombus auricomus is a non-woven insect from the family of bees and bumblebees (Apidae). The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1903 by Robertson.
8. Red-belted bumble bee
The queen is 1.6 - 1.8 cm long and just under 1 cm wide at the abdomen. It is black with scattered gray and yellowish hairs on the head. The abdomen has many bright yellow hairs and areas of reddish hairs. The worker is 1.1 - 1.2 cm long and 5 mm wide at the abdomen. It is similar to the queen but it may have longer hairs. The male is 1.2 - 1.3 cm long and 5 mm wide at the abdomen. It is mostly black with more yellow on the head and abdomen. This species displays four genetically-controlled color polymorphisms: the second and third abdominal terga may have red or black hairs, and the fourth and fifth may be either yellow or black. 
9. Rusty patched bumble bee
The rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) is the first bee from the US mainland to be added to the endangered species list. Their population has reduced heavily, causing them to become at risk of extinction. If given enough time, nests that are converted from rat burrows can house around 2000 bees.
10. 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.
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