Top 20 Most Common Insects in Virginia
Insects, with their distinctive features and diverse habitats, populate every corner of Virginia. The diversity of these insects can be influenced by Virginia's dynamic geographical landscapes. These critters play important roles in our ecosystem - from pests that challenge us, to beneficial species that help with pollination and pest control. Indeed, Virginia's environment and its insect inhabitants present a unique, interwoven tapestry, as we will see in our 'Top 20 most common insects' feature.
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. 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. 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.
4. Pharaoh cicada
The pharaoh cicada emerges from underground in the masses every 17 years east of the Great Plains in the United States. This waiting period is crucial for development as these insects feed on plant roots. Interestingly, they continue to stay in large groups in order to overwhelm predators with their calls, which have been said to sound like they're saying "Pharaoh".
5. 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.
6. Blue dasher
The name Pachydiplax longipennis implies that the blue dasher has long wings due to the "longipennis" section literally translating to it. But this would be misleading, as the insect does not have particularly long wings. Instead, they stick out with vibrant blue colors. The dasher part of their name may be in reference to their voracious diet, as they can eat up to 10 percent of their body weight daily.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Eastern pondhawk
The eastern pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) has much in common with American fishermen, they love living near the sides of ponds. They are a beautiful insect that is easy to distinguish when it comes to different genders. Females are bright green with bands around the abdomen and the males are bright blue with a green face.
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