Top 20 Most Common Insects in Oak Ridge
Insects, the magnificent miniature life forms, permeate every nook and cranny in Oak Ridge, delighting us with their diversity. Their integral role, spanning from annoying pests to beneficial pollinators, helps maintain Oak Ridge's unique ecosystem equilibrium. The richness of 20 common species in Oak Ridge illustrates the interplay between the city's environment and their insect inhabitants. Stay tuned as we delve into these fascinating creatures.
Most Common Insects
1. Lone star tick
The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) has a white dot on its abdomen. This bloodsucker has a taste for turkeys, giving it the nickname "turkey tick." They do not tend to be picky eaters, as they do latch onto humans as well. Humans that have been bitten by this often have Southern Tick Associated Rash Illness (STARI). Symptoms such as fever, headache, and joint pain are resolved quickly using antibiotics.
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. 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. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Eastern black-legged tick
The eastern black-legged tick got its common name from its tendency to attach itself as a parasite to white-tailed deer. It is a vector for several animal and human diseases, including Lyme disease and Powassan virus. Humans are most likely to get bitten by ticks in the nymph stage, when they are smaller and hard to see. Humans also get bitten most often during the summer.
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