Skip to main content
The Wild Pest
Book
Six Legs Score™ 50–74

Curious

Every bug in the Wild Files scoring 50–74 on the Wild Pest's proprietary 0-100 wildness rating. The Six Legs Score™ combines biology, strangeness, human impact, cultural prominence, and visual drama.

106 on file

On File
A common eastern firefly (Photinus pyralis) glowing on a leaf in evening light.
Curious
Six Legs74
Alias
Photinus pyralis

Common Eastern Firefly

Glows on demand using a chemical reaction efficient enough to embarrass a lightbulb.

Read the file→
On File
A giant huntsman spider (Heteropoda maxima) inside a Laotian cave, showing the long flat-set legs and brown coloration.
Curious
Six Legs74
Alias
Heteropoda maxima

Giant Huntsman Spider

Largest spider in the world by leg span — 30 cm. Runs sideways. Doesn't bother you.

Read the file→
On File
A hummingbird hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum) hovering in front of a flower, long proboscis extended.
Curious
Six Legs74
Alias
Macroglossum stellatarum

Hummingbird Hawkmoth

Looks like a hummingbird. Flies like a hummingbird. Is, in fact, a moth.

Read the file→
On File
A giant stick insect (Phryganistria chinensis) clinging to a twig, body indistinguishable from the branch.
Curious
Six Legs74
Alias
Phryganistria chinensis

Chinese Giant Stick Insect

Longest insect on Earth — 64 cm. Looks like a twig. Some species haven't needed males in centuries.

Read the file→
On File
A carpenter ant (Camponotus pennsylvanicus), large glossy black worker with characteristic single petiole node.
Outlaw
Six Legs74
Alias
Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Carpenter Ant

Doesn't eat wood — excavates it. Galleries through your beams. Largest ant in eastern North America.

Read the file→
On File
A polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), large tan silk moth with prominent transparent eyespots on each hindwing.
Curious
Six Legs74
Alias
Antheraea polyphemus

Polyphemus Moth

North America's giant silk moth. 15 cm wingspan. Eyespots straight from the Cyclops. Adult cannot eat.

Read the file→
On File
A male calico pennant dragonfly (Celithemis elisa), small dragonfly with intricate amber-brown-and-clear wing patterns and bright red abdominal spots, four wings spread, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs74
Alias
Celithemis elisa

Calico Pennant

Small NA dragonfly with intricate STAINED-GLASS WING PATTERNS. Perches on twigs like a tiny flag or pennant.

Read the file→
On File
A male variable dancer damselfly (Argia fumipennis), slim purple-violet damselfly with distinctive smoky-tinted wings, four narrow wings folded above the back, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs74
Alias
Argia fumipennis

Variable Dancer

Stream-side dancer damselfly. Distinctive jerky 'DANCING' flight pattern. Color-variable.

Read the file→
On File
A hackberry emperor butterfly (Asterocampa celtis), brown-and-tan butterfly with intricate dark markings on the upperside and prominent eyespots on the underside of the hindwing, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs74
Alias
Asterocampa celtis

Hackberry Emperor

Forest brushfoot. LANDS ON HUMANS to drink sweat. Restricted to hackberry-tree forests in eastern NA.

Read the file→
On File
A grass spider (Agelenopsis pennsylvanica), tan-brown spider with two darker longitudinal stripes running down the cephalothorax, pale undersides, and long legs, eight legs, top view.
Beneficial
Six Legs74
Alias
Agelenopsis pennsylvanica

Grass Spider

Funnel-web spider with horizontal sheet web. Among the FASTEST running spiders in NA — 60 cm/sec sprint.

Read the file→
On File
A male eastern amberwing dragonfly (Perithemis tenera), tiny dragonfly with brilliant tinted amber wings, four wings spread, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs74
Alias
Perithemis tenera

Eastern Amberwing

Smallest NA dragonfly. Bright AMBER WINGS. WASP-MIMIC — pumps abdomen up and down like a wasp.

Read the file→
On File
A female Andrena vaga mining bee, small dark bee with black abdomen and dense gray-white fur on the thorax, six legs, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs74
Alias
Andrena vaga

Mining Bee

Solitary mining bee. Obligate WILLOW pollen specialist. Forms massive 50,000-burrow nesting aggregations.

Read the file→
On File
A banded net-winged beetle (Calopteron reticulatum), oval beetle with bright orange-yellow elytra marked by two broad black cross-bands and a raised network of veins giving the wing covers a textured lattice appearance, six legs, top view.
Beneficial
Six Legs74
Alias
Calopteron reticulatum

Banded Net-Winged Beetle

Bright ORANGE elytra with raised NETWORK of veins. Müllerian mimicry — multiple beetle species share the warning pattern.

Read the file→
On File
A male ebony jewelwing damselfly (Calopteryx maculata), brilliant metallic emerald-green-and-blue body with completely black wings, four wings folded above the back, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs74
Alias
Calopteryx maculata

Ebony Jewelwing

Brilliant METALLIC GREEN BODY with completely BLACK WINGS. NA cousin to the banded demoiselle.

Read the file→
On File
A Pandora sphinx moth (Eumorpha pandorus), large hawk moth with olive-green-and-grayish-brown wings marked by graduated pink-cream-and-black bands resembling tree bark, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs74
Alias
Eumorpha pandorus

Pandora Sphinx

Camouflage hawk moth with olive-pink-cream graduated bands. Larva has FIVE oval eye-spots like a five-eyed snake.

Read the file→
On File
A brown hawker dragonfly (Aeshna grandis), large bronze-brown body with heavily tinted amber-bronze wings, four wings spread, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs74
Alias
Aeshna grandis

Brown Hawker

European hawker dragonfly with HEAVILY-TINTED AMBER WINGS visible in flight. 8 cm body, hours of patrol.

Read the file→
On File
A zebra swallowtail butterfly (Eurytides marcellus), pale cream wings crossed by bold black vertical stripes with dramatically elongated hindwing tails, dorsal view.
Beneficial
Six Legs74
Alias
Eurytides marcellus

Zebra Swallowtail

Tennessee state butterfly. Longest tails of any North American swallowtail. Eats only pawpaw.

Read the file→
On File
A cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne), small oval brown beetle with serrated antennae and short legs, magnified specimen on cream backdrop.
Outlaw
Six Legs74
Alias
Lasioderma serricorne

Cigarette Beetle

Eats tobacco, spices, dried herbs, museum specimens. Yeast endosymbiont detoxifies the nicotine.

Read the file→
On File
A firebrat (Thermobia domestica), elongated silver-and-tan-mottled body tapering to three tail filaments, with long antennae.
Curious
Six Legs74
Alias
Thermobia domestica

Firebrat

Silverfish's heat-loving cousin. Lives behind ovens at 40°C. 400 million years old.

Read the file→
On File
A large milkweed bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus), bright red-and-black aposematic body with elongated wings folded back, six legs, side profile.
Curious
Six Legs74
Alias
Oncopeltus fasciatus

Large Milkweed Bug

Eats only milkweed. Sequesters toxin. Wears warning red-and-black. Major model organism.

Read the file→
On File
An Apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo), wings spread showing translucent white surface with black veins and bright red eye-spots ringed in black on the hindwings.
Curious
Six Legs74
Alias
Parnassius apollo

Apollo Butterfly

Translucent white alpine butterfly with red eye-spots. CITES protected. Climate-pressured upslope.

Read the file→
On File
A giant peacock moth (Saturnia pyri), enormous brown wings spread with dramatic concentric eyespots on each wing, fuzzy body and feathered antennae.
Curious
Six Legs74
Alias
Saturnia pyri

Giant Peacock Moth

Largest moth in Europe. 20 cm wingspan. The species that proved insect pheromones exist in 1879.

Read the file→
On File
A metallic green sweat bee (Agapostemon virescens), brilliant iridescent metallic green head and thorax with yellow-and-black banded abdomen.
Beneficial
Six Legs74
Alias
Agapostemon virescens

Metallic Green Sweat Bee

Iridescent metallic green. Drinks human sweat for the salt. Key model for evolution of insect society.

Read the file→
On File
A cave cricket (Ceuthophilus secretus), humped tan-brown body with extremely long hind legs and very long thin antennae.
Curious
Six Legs74
Alias
Ceuthophilus secretus

Cave Cricket (Spider Cricket)

Jumps AT you when scared because she can't see far. The basement 'spricket.' 250 million years old.

Read the file→
On File
A harvestman (Phalangium opilio), small oval body with no waist segmentation and eight extremely long thin legs spread evenly.
Beneficial
Six Legs74
Alias
Phalangium opilio

Harvestman (Daddy Long-Legs)

TRUE daddy long-legs. NOT a spider. No venom. No silk. Eats solid food. 410 million years old.

Read the file→
On File
A blue morpho butterfly (Morpho menelaus) at rest on a green leaf, showing the iridescent blue upper wings.
Curious
Six Legs73
Alias
Morpho menelaus

Blue Morpho Butterfly

Blue isn't paint — it's physics. Wings inspire holograms, fabrics, and solar cells.

Read the file→
On File
A luna moth (Actias luna), pale green wings spread with long ribbon tails.
Curious
Six Legs73
Alias
Actias luna

Luna Moth

Pale green ghost of the moonlit forest. Tails that jam bat sonar. No mouth.

Read the file→
On File
An adult spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) showing the spotted gray forewings and red-and-black hindwings.
Outlaw
Six Legs73
Alias
Lycorma delicatula

Spotted Lanternfly

The bug your state told you to step on. Invasive, destructive, gorgeous, tasty.

Read the file→
On File
A male European stag beetle (Lucanus cervus), dark mahogany body with enormous antler-like mandibles.
Curious
Six Legs73
Alias
Lucanus cervus

European Stag Beetle

Europe's largest beetle. Antlers like a deer. Wrestles other males over rotting logs.

Read the file→
On File
An Australian tiger beetle (Rivacindela hudsoni), iridescent green-bronze body with prominent curved mandibles.
Curious
Six Legs73
Alias
Rivacindela hudsoni

Australian Tiger Beetle

Fastest insect on Earth. Runs so fast her eyes can't keep up.

Read the file→
On File
A male atlas beetle (Chalcosoma atlas), large dark body with three prominent forward-pointing horns.
Curious
Six Legs73
Alias
Chalcosoma atlas

Atlas Beetle

Asia's largest rhino beetle. Three forward horns. Males wrestle for branches.

Read the file→
On File
A Malaysian dead leaf mantis (Deroplatys dessicata), brown leaf-shaped body with curled edges and vein-like patterns.
Curious
Six Legs73
Alias
Deroplatys dessicata

Malaysian Dead Leaf Mantis

Looks exactly like a dead leaf — curled edges, vein patterns, fake insect damage, the leaf-in-wind sway.

Read the file→
On File
A giant African millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas), long cylindrical glossy black body with hundreds of small legs.
Curious
Six Legs73
Alias
Archispirostreptus gigas

Giant African Millipede

Largest millipede on Earth — 38 cm. 256 legs. Releases cyanide when annoyed.

Read the file→
On File
A Madagascan sunset moth (Chrysiridia rhipheus) with wings spread, iridescent green-blue-orange-gold pattern.
Curious
Six Legs73
Alias
Chrysiridia rhipheus

Madagascan Sunset Moth

Often called the most beautiful insect on Earth. Iridescent green, blue, orange, gold, red.

Read the file→
On File
A Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina), small green mantis with raptorial front legs and triangular head, six legs, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs73
Alias
Stagmomantis carolina

Carolina Mantis

Only NATIVE mantis in eastern NA. State insect of SC. Famous for sexual cannibalism.

Read the file→
On File
A Gulf fritillary butterfly (Agraulis vanillae), bright orange uppersides with bold black spots and brilliant metallic-silver-and-cream spot patterns on the hindwing underside, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs73
Alias
Agraulis vanillae

Gulf Fritillary

Bright orange with brilliant METALLIC SILVER underside spots. Sequesters toxins from passion flowers.

Read the file→
On File
An eastern black swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes), large predominantly black butterfly with two parallel yellow spot rows along the wing margins and small red/orange spots near hindwing tail bases, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs73
Alias
Papilio polyxenes

Eastern Black Swallowtail

The 'parsley caterpillar' butterfly. State butterfly of OK and NJ. Female mimics toxic pipevine.

Read the file→
On File
A male cloudless sulphur butterfly (Phoebis sennae), bright lemon-yellow wings with no markings, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs73
Alias
Phoebis sennae

Cloudless Sulphur

Bright LEMON-YELLOW migratory butterfly. Millions migrate south through the eastern US each autumn.

Read the file→
On File
An imperial moth (Eacles imperialis), large yellow giant silk moth with patches of pink, purple, brown, and red across the wings resembling autumn maple leaves, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs73
Alias
Eacles imperialis

Imperial Moth

14-17 cm yellow giant silk moth marked with red-purple-brown maple-leaf patches.

Read the file→
On File
An eastern pondhawk dragonfly (Erythemis simplicicollis), brilliant emerald-green female with bold black markings on the abdomen, four wings spread, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs73
Alias
Erythemis simplicicollis

Eastern Pondhawk

Eats other dragonflies. EMERALD-GREEN females, POWDER-BLUE males. Most aggressive NA pond predator.

Read the file→
On File
A white-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata), large hawk moth with brown forewings marked with white line running diagonally and pink hindwings with black bands, fat bullet-shaped body, hovering posture.
Beneficial
Six Legs73
Alias
Hyles lineata

White-Lined Sphinx

Most widespread hawk moth in NA. Hovers at flowers like a hummingbird at dawn and dusk.

Read the file→
On File
A male flame skimmer dragonfly (Libellula saturata), entirely brilliant flame-red body with dramatically orange-tinted wings, perched on a stem.
Beneficial
Six Legs73
Alias
Libellula saturata

Flame Skimmer

Brilliant flame-red dragonfly of western North America. Major desert mosquito predator.

Read the file→
On File
A Queen of Spain fritillary butterfly (Issoria lathonia), bright orange-and-black checkered upperside wings spread, dorsal view.
Curious
Six Legs73
Alias
Issoria lathonia

Queen of Spain Fritillary

Largest silver underside patches of any European butterfly. Migrates north from Iberia and North Africa.

Read the file→
On File
A silver-washed fritillary (Argynnis paphia), brilliant orange-and-black checkered upperside wings spread, large butterfly resting on a bramble flower.
Beneficial
Six Legs73
Alias
Argynnis paphia

Silver-Washed Fritillary

Largest European fritillary. Lays eggs on tree bark, not the host plant. Caterpillar overwinters without feeding.

Read the file→
On File
A European garden spider (Araneus diadematus), brown-tan female with distinctive white cross-shaped pattern of dorsal spots on the abdomen, eight legs at the center of an orb web.
Beneficial
Six Legs73
Alias
Araneus diadematus

European Garden Spider (Cross Spider)

European garden orb-weaver. White cross on her back. First spider to build a web in space (1973).

Read the file→
On File
A zebra jumping spider (Salticus scenicus), small black-and-white striped jumping spider with large forward-facing principal eyes, eight legs.
Beneficial
Six Legs73
Alias
Salticus scenicus

Zebra Jumping Spider

Black-and-white striped jumping spider on your sunny windowsill. Watches you with puppy-dog eyes.

Read the file→
On File
A pink-toe tarantula (Avicularia avicularia), black-bodied tarantula with dramatic pink-tipped feet on all eight legs, on a tree branch.
Curious
Six Legs73
Alias
Avicularia avicularia

Pink-Toe Tarantula

Tree-dwelling tarantula with pink feet. Defends by SHOOTING fecal matter up to a meter.

Read the file→
On File
A Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis), oval yellow-orange beetle with 8 black spots on each elytron, six legs, dorsal view.
Outlaw
Six Legs73
Alias
Epilachna varivestis

Mexican Bean Beetle

A vegetarian ladybeetle. Skeletonizes bean leaves. Major US bean crop pest.

Read the file→
On File
A boxelder bug (Boisea trivittata), dark gray-black body with bright red marginal stripes and red abdomen, six legs, dorsal view.
Outlaw
Six Legs73
Alias
Boisea trivittata

Boxelder Bug

Forms autumn aggregations of thousands on south-facing walls. Same red-and-black mimicry as milkweed bug.

Read the file→
On File
A red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), small dark reddish-brown elongated beetle with six legs and short antennae, side profile.
Outlaw
Six Legs73
Alias
Tribolium castaneum

Red Flour Beetle

Most cosmopolitan stored-grain pest. Second insect ever to have her genome sequenced. Key model organism.

Read the file→
On File
A male io moth (Automeris io), bright yellow forewings spread to reveal dramatic blue-and-black eyespots on the hindwings.
Curious
Six Legs73
Alias
Automeris io

Io Moth

Hides camouflaged at rest; flashes giant blue eyes at predators. Caterpillar stings like a bee.

Read the file→
On File
A Mexican red-knee tarantula (Brachypelma hamorii), large black tarantula with bright orange-red knee markings on each leg, eight legs spread evenly.
Curious
Six Legs73
Alias
Brachypelma hamorii

Mexican Red-knee Tarantula

The Indiana Jones tarantula. 30-year lifespan. CITES-protected. Gentle and famous.

Read the file→
On File
A booklouse (Liposcelis bostrychophila), tiny pale tan flat-bodied insect with long antennae, magnified specimen on cream backdrop.
Curious
Six Legs73
Alias
Liposcelis bostrychophila

Booklouse (Psocid)

1 mm. Eats the mold on your books. All female. Cosmopolitan museum and library pest.

Read the file→
On File
A Goliath beetle (Goliathus regius) on a tree branch, showing the distinctive black-and-white striped thorax.
Curious
Six Legs72
Alias
Goliathus regius

Goliath Beetle

Heaviest insect in the world. Lifts 850× its own body weight. Lives in trees.

Read the file→
On File
A Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) on a hand, showing the glossy mahogany body and pronotum bumps.
Curious
Six Legs72
Alias
Gromphadorhina portentosa

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Hisses by exhaling — not by rubbing. One of the only insects with a real voice.

Read the file→
On File
A male peacock spider (Maratus volans) displaying its iridescent abdominal fan.
Curious
Six Legs72
Alias
Maratus volans

Peacock Spider

Tiny dancing spider. Iridescent fan. Has its own choreography.

Read the file→
On File
A marmalade hover fly (Episyrphus balteatus) on a flower, yellow-and-black banded body, transparent wings.
Beneficial
Six Legs72
Alias
Episyrphus balteatus

Marmalade Hover Fly

Looks like a wasp. Can't sting. Pollinates your garden. Larvae eat aphids by the thousand.

Read the file→
On File
An ebony jewelwing damselfly (Calopteryx maculata), iridescent metallic blue-green body with jet-black wings folded above.
Beneficial
Six Legs72
Alias
Calopteryx maculata

Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly

Dragonfly's slender cousin. 200 million years old. Iridescent metallic body, midnight black wings.

Read the file→
On File
A European paper wasp (Polistes dominula), slender black-and-yellow body, on the edge of a small open-comb nest.
Outlaw
Six Legs72
Alias
Polistes dominula

European Paper Wasp

Invented paper before humans. Recognizes nestmates by face. Tense dominance hierarchies under your eaves.

Read the file→
On File
A brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys), shield-shaped marbled brown body with characteristic banded antennae.
Outlaw
Six Legs72
Alias
Halyomorpha halys

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Invasive Asian shield-bug. Devastates apples, peaches, soybeans. Stinks like burnt cilantro on contact.

Read the file→
On File
A tawny emperor butterfly (Asterocampa clyton), warm orange-and-tan butterfly with intricate dark markings on the upperside and solid underside eyespots, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs72
Alias
Asterocampa clyton

Tawny Emperor

Sister species to hackberry emperor. Same hackberry-host biology and human-sweat-landing behavior.

Read the file→
On File
A female marbled orbweaver spider (Araneus marmoreus), large bright orange-and-brown marbled abdomen with dark markings, eight legs, top view.
Beneficial
Six Legs72
Alias
Araneus marmoreus

Marbled Orbweaver

The 'pumpkin spider' — bright orange-and-brown marbled abdomen looks like a tiny jack-o-lantern.

Read the file→
On File
A male falcate orangetip butterfly (Anthocharis midea), small white butterfly with hooked sickle-shaped forewing tips and bright orange patches at the wing tips, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs72
Alias
Anthocharis midea

Falcate Orangetip

Tiny white butterfly with HOOKED forewing tips. Males have bright ORANGE wing-tip patches.

Read the file→
On File
A great spangled fritillary butterfly (Speyeria cybele), large bright orange-and-black butterfly with brilliant metallic silver-and-cream spot patterns on the hindwing underside, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs72
Alias
Speyeria cybele

Great Spangled Fritillary

Large NA fritillary with brilliant METALLIC SILVER underside spots. Larvae OVERWINTER WITHOUT EATING.

Read the file→
On File
A dogbane beetle (Chrysochus auratus), oval-shaped beetle with brilliant metallic iridescent coloration combining green, gold, copper, and red highlights across the wing covers, six legs, top view.
Beneficial
Six Legs72
Alias
Chrysochus auratus

Dogbane Beetle

Brilliant METALLIC GREEN-GOLD-AND-COPPER iridescent beetle. Sequesters cardiac glycosides from dogbane.

Read the file→
On File
An American lady butterfly (Vanessa virginiensis), bright orange-and-black wings with intricate black-cream-and-pink underside patterns, side profile showing two large eyespots on the hindwing.
Beneficial
Six Legs72
Alias
Vanessa virginiensis

American Lady

NA sister to the painted lady. Distinguished by TWO large eyespots vs painted lady's four-five smaller ones.

Read the file→
On File
A common buckeye butterfly (Junonia coenia), brown butterfly with six large round eyespots ringed with concentric cream, blue, orange, and black circles, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs72
Alias
Junonia coenia

Common Buckeye

Six prominent EYESPOTS on the wings. Predator-deflection defense. Partial migrant in NA.

Read the file→
On File
A male common whitetail dragonfly (Plathemis lydia), chalky-white abdomen with broad dark brown wing bands at the middle of each wing, four wings spread, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs72
Alias
Plathemis lydia

Common Whitetail

Males have CHALKY-WHITE abdomens. Flicked at rivals as territorial displays. Females look like a different species.

Read the file→
On File
A face fly (Musca autumnalis), small dark gray fly with four black thoracic stripes resembling the house fly, six legs, side profile.
Outlaw
Six Legs72
Alias
Musca autumnalis

Face Fly

Cattle face-feeder. Vector of cattle pinkeye. Overwinters in rural attics by the thousands.

Read the file→
On File
A European field cricket (Gryllus campestris), large glossy black cricket with brownish wing covers and prominent tail filaments, six legs, side profile.
Curious
Six Legs72
Alias
Gryllus campestris

European Field Cricket

The original 'grasshopper' of Aesop's fable. Glossy black. Sings from burrow entrance.

Read the file→
On File
A small tortoiseshell butterfly (Aglais urticae), bright orange-and-black wings with row of blue spots along the margins, dorsal view.
Beneficial
Six Legs72
Alias
Aglais urticae

Small Tortoiseshell

Bright orange-and-black with blue marginal spots. First butterfly of European spring. UK population in steep decline.

Read the file→
On File
A manna cicada (Cicada orni), stout-bodied gray-and-brown cicada with broad head, large compound eyes, and translucent wings folded over the back.
Curious
Six Legs72
Alias
Cicada orni

Manna Cicada

The cicada of Mediterranean antiquity. Plato wrote about her chorus. Sap source of historical 'manna.'

Read the file→
On File
A dark-winged fungus gnat (Bradysia coprophila), small dark gray-black fly with Y-shaped wing venation and long thin legs, magnified scientific specimen.
Outlaw
Six Legs72
Alias
Bradysia coprophila

Dark-Winged Fungus Gnat

The houseplant pest. NZ cousin glows in caves to attract prey. Major greenhouse vector.

Read the file→
On File
A European fire ant (Myrmica rubra), small reddish-brown ant with elongated body, six legs, side profile.
Outlaw
Six Legs72
Alias
Myrmica rubra

European Fire Ant

Invasive in Metro Vancouver since 2010s. Sharp burning sting. Excludes native ants from infested soil.

Read the file→
On File
A small emperor moth (Saturnia pavonia), male with brilliant orange hindwings and gray forewings carrying dramatic concentric eye-spots, dorsal view.
Curious
Six Legs72
Alias
Saturnia pavonia

Small Emperor Moth

Only saturniid moth native to Britain. Day-flying orange males. Adults cannot eat.

Read the file→
On File
A dog-day cicada (Neotibicen canicularis), stout-bodied green-and-black insect with broad head, large compound eyes, and translucent wings.
Curious
Six Legs72
Alias
Neotibicen canicularis

Dog-Day Cicada

The high-whine of August 'dog days.' One of the loudest insects on Earth — 100+ dB.

Read the file→
On File
A cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), large reddish-brown wings spread with white crescent moons on each wing and a red body.
Curious
Six Legs72
Alias
Hyalophora cecropia

Cecropia Moth

Largest moth native to North America. 18 cm wingspan. Caterpillar is bright green with painted tubercles.

Read the file→
On File
An emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator), large jet-black body with massive pincers and curled tail.
Curious
Six Legs71
Alias
Pandinus imperator

Emperor Scorpion

Largest scorpion on Earth. Looks terrifying. Sting is roughly a bee's. Carries her babies.

Read the file→
On File
An eastern cicada killer wasp (Sphecius speciosus), large yellow-and-black body with reddish thorax, transparent wings.
Curious
Six Legs71
Alias
Sphecius speciosus

Eastern Cicada Killer

5 cm wasp. Hunts cicadas. Drags 2× her body weight home. Almost never stings humans.

Read the file→
On File
A black-and-yellow mud dauber wasp (Sceliphron caementarium), elongated black-and-yellow body, transparent wings.
Beneficial
Six Legs71
Alias
Sceliphron caementarium

Black & Yellow Mud Dauber

Builds mud nests on your wall. Stuffs each cell with paralyzed spiders. Doesn't sting people.

Read the file→
On File
A silver-spotted skipper (Epargyreus clarus), brown wings with golden-orange spots on forewings and a single large white-or-silver oval spot on the hindwing underside, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs71
Alias
Epargyreus clarus

Silver-Spotted Skipper

Most widespread NA skipper. Bright SILVER spot on hindwing underside flashes in flight.

Read the file→
On File
A spring azure butterfly (Celastrina ladon), small bright sky-blue butterfly with pale blue-gray undersides marked by small dark spots, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs71
Alias
Celastrina ladon

Spring Azure

Bright sky-blue 'blue' butterfly. Emerges in EARLY spring. Larvae tended by ants for sweet secretions.

Read the file→
On File
A six-spotted tiger beetle (Cicindela sexguttata), brilliant metallic emerald-green body with small white spots on the wing covers, six legs, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs71
Alias
Cicindela sexguttata

Six-Spotted Tiger Beetle

Iridescent METALLIC EMERALD GREEN beetle. Sprints so fast it temporarily goes blind.

Read the file→
On File
A twelve-spotted skimmer (Libellula pulchella), large dragonfly with bluish body and four wings each marked with three dark brown spots in alternating bands and white flash patches between, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs71
Alias
Libellula pulchella

Twelve-Spotted Skimmer

12 dark wing spots in alternating bands. Males develop white 'flash' patches. NA flagship dragonfly.

Read the file→
On File
A male azure bluet damselfly (Coenagrion puella), brilliant azure-blue body with dramatic black abdominal markings, four narrow wings folded above the back, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs71
Alias
Coenagrion puella

Azure Bluet Damselfly

Brilliant azure-blue damselfly. Famous 'mating wheel' posture during copulation.

Read the file→
On File
A male orange tip butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines), pure white wings with brilliant orange tips on the forewings, dorsal view.
Beneficial
Six Legs71
Alias
Anthocharis cardamines

Orange Tip

Spring butterfly with bright orange wing tips (males only). Caterpillars are cannibalistic.

Read the file→
On File
A clouded yellow butterfly (Colias croceus), bright orange-yellow wings with broad black borders, slim body, dorsal view.
Beneficial
Six Legs71
Alias
Colias croceus

Clouded Yellow

Bright orange-yellow migrant. Multi-generational annual migration. 'Clouded yellow years' bring billions north.

Read the file→
On File
A Chilean rose hair tarantula (Grammostola rosea), rich brown body covered in fine rosy-pink hairs, eight stocky legs, dorsal view.
Curious
Six Legs71
Alias
Grammostola rosea

Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula

Most popular pet tarantula in the world. Gentle. Goes months without food. Venom yields cardiac drug candidate.

Read the file→
On File
A giant leopard moth (Hypercompe scribonia), wings spread showing pure white wings with bold round black hollow ring spots and visible iridescent blue abdomen.
Curious
Six Legs71
Alias
Hypercompe scribonia

Giant Leopard Moth

White wings with leopard-spot rings. Iridescent blue-orange abdomen hidden under the wings. Plays dead.

Read the file→
On File
A squash bug (Anasa tristis), flattened gray-brown body with elongated antennae, six legs, on a green squash leaf.
Outlaw
Six Legs71
Alias
Anasa tristis

Squash Bug

Dominant pest of squash and pumpkins. Vector of cucurbit yellow vine disease.

Read the file→
On File
A European crane fly (Tipula paludosa), slender brown body with extraordinarily long thin legs and a single pair of clear wings.
Curious
Six Legs71
Alias
Tipula paludosa

Crane Fly

Third major 'daddy long legs.' Actually a fly. Larva is a turf pest. Adult cannot eat.

Read the file→
On File
A red admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta), wings spread showing velvety black wings crossed by vivid red-orange bands and small white spots near the wing tips.
Beneficial
Six Legs71
Alias
Vanessa atalanta

Red Admiral

Long-distance migrant. Territorial males dive-bomb anything that moves through their patch.

Read the file→
On File
A silkworm moth (Bombyx mori) on a mulberry leaf, pale-cream wings folded.
Beneficial
Six Legs70
Alias
Bombyx mori

Silkworm Moth

Domesticated 5,000 years ago. Built the Silk Road. Adults can no longer fly.

Read the file→
On File
A snowy tree cricket (Oecanthus fultoni), small pale green body on a leaf, long antennae.
Curious
Six Legs70
Alias
Oecanthus fultoni

Snowy Tree Cricket

Count her chirps in 13 seconds, add 40 — that's the temperature in Fahrenheit. To one degree.

Read the file→
On File
An owl butterfly (Caligo eurilochus) at rest with wings folded, showing the realistic owl-eye marking on the underside of the hindwing.
Curious
Six Legs70
Alias
Caligo eurilochus

Forest Giant Owl Butterfly

Owl-eye markings so realistic predators flinch and let her escape.

Read the file→
On File
A Carolina wolf spider (Hogna carolinensis), large brown body with mottled pattern, hairy legs, eight reflective eyes.
Curious
Six Legs70
Alias
Hogna carolinensis

Carolina Wolf Spider

Mom carries hundreds of babies on her back. Eyes glow back at flashlights from a hundred meters away.

Read the file→
On File
A pearl crescent butterfly (Phyciodes tharos), small bright orange-and-black butterfly with intricate dark borders and pale crescent marking on the hindwing underside, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs70
Alias
Phyciodes tharos

Pearl Crescent

Small NA brushfoot with diagnostic PALE PEARL CRESCENT marking on the hindwing underside.

Read the file→
On File
A variegated fritillary butterfly (Euptoieta claudia), small orange-and-black butterfly with intricate dark veining and brown undersides without silver spots, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs70
Alias
Euptoieta claudia

Variegated Fritillary

Small migratory NA fritillary. Multiple generations. Re-establishes northern range each spring by migration.

Read the file→
On File
A male eastern forktail damselfly (Ischnura verticalis), slim dark damselfly with green-and-black thoracic stripes, dark abdomen, and bright blue tail tip, four narrow wings folded above the back, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs70
Alias
Ischnura verticalis

Eastern Forktail

Most ABUNDANT damselfly in eastern NA. Females have THREE color morphs. Female-mimics-male strategy.

Read the file→
On File
A tiger swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucus), broad yellow wings with bold black tiger stripes and characteristic tail extensions on the hindwings.
Beneficial
Six Legs69
Alias
Papilio glaucus

Tiger Swallowtail

North America's tiger butterfly. Yellow with black stripes. Caterpillar wears fake eyes and a smelly orange horn.

Read the file→
On File
A scarlet malachite beetle (Malachius aeneus), small beetle with brilliant metallic emerald-green elytra and vivid scarlet-red tips on the wing covers.
Curious
Six Legs69
Alias
Malachius aeneus

Scarlet Malachite Beetle

Britain's most beautiful beetle. Emerald-green with scarlet wing tips. Critically declining.

Read the file→
On File
A cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae), wings spread showing white surface with one or two small dark spots on each forewing.
Outlaw
Six Legs69
Alias
Pieris rapae

Cabbage White

Most agriculturally damaging butterfly on Earth. $200M+ in US damage per year. Loves cabbage.

Read the file→
On File
A cellar spider (Pholcus phalangioides), small pale gray-brown body with extraordinarily long thin legs splayed out from a tangled web.
Beneficial
Six Legs69
Alias
Pholcus phalangioides

Cellar Spider

The basement 'daddy long legs.' Hunts and kills black widows. The viral venom myth is false.

Read the file→
On File
A goldenrod soldier beetle (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus), small soft-bodied yellow-and-black striped beetle with soft elytra, six legs, on a yellow goldenrod flower.
Beneficial
Six Legs68
Alias
Chauliognathus pensylvanicus

Goldenrod Soldier Beetle

Beneficial garden pollinator + predator. Looks like military uniform. Gathers on goldenrod by the hundreds.

Read the file→
On File
A common fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster), small tan body with red eyes and transparent wings.
Beneficial
Six Legs67
Alias
Drosophila melanogaster

Common Fruit Fly

The most-studied animal in scientific history. Six Nobel Prizes ride on her shoulders.

Read the file→
On File
A seven-spotted ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata) on a green leaf, showing the iconic red elytra with seven black spots.
Beneficial
Six Legs63
Alias
Coccinella septempunctata

Seven-Spotted Ladybug

Eats 5,000 aphids a lifetime. Bleeds yellow. Universally considered good luck.

Read the file→
This page is also available at /wild-files/score/curious