Bugs. Insects. Spiders. Critters, creatures, pests. Whatever you want to call them, they make our skin crawl and we tend to want to squish them into oblivion when we see them invading our homes. But many of them serve a purpose. They serve as predators for other invasive species, thus instilling the balance needed to maintain our way of life… Creepy as they may be, we’ve got to appreciate their role in our eco-system. Here are some native to Michigan that make us freak out when we see them.
- These critters are bright in color and are known for their gigantic size.
“Imperial moth Illinois” by I, Joelmills. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- Augochlora Sweat Bee
Larry Crovo/Flickr With green an copper highlights in parts of this guy’s body, their legs also are also covered in a short golden hair… Kind of a metallic creeper.
- Cuckoo Wasp
“Chrysis April 2008-1” by Alvesgaspar - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons Also known as Emerald wasps for their bright green hue, they are named cuckoo for their habit of laying eggs in other species’ nests.
- Golden Tortoise Beetle
“Golden Tortoise Beetle - Charidotella sexpunctata” by Ilona Loser - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons Looks like it belongs in the film series, The Mummy.
- Halloween Pennant
“Halloween pennant j” by Joby Joseph - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons Look at that orange and black and there’s no question why this bug is named after the spooky holiday.
- Hummingbird hawk moth
“Macroglossum stellatarum MHNT sur Raiponce” by Roger Culos - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons These suckers are more often associated with birds, hence the name.
- American Lady butterfly
“Vanessa virginiensisPCSL03914B1” by Patrick Coin (Patrick Coin) - Photograph taken by Patrick Coin. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons Depending on the time of year, you may have seen this lady come for a visit in Michigan.
- Asian Multicolored Lady Beetle
“Harlequin ladybirds (Harmonia axyridis) mating” by Charlesjsharp - Own work, from Sharp Photography, sharpphotography. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons This one is adept at taking over native territories… Sounds dangerous?
- Sowbug Killer Spider
Dysdera crocata" by Mvuijlst at en.wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons You know those pesky sowbugs, otherwise known as rolly pollies or potato bugs? This guy is their natural born enemy.
So what do you think? Have you spotted any of these bugs around Michigan? Are there any that make your skin crawl that we didn’t mention? Let us know!
“Imperial moth Illinois” by I, Joelmills. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Larry Crovo/Flickr
With green an copper highlights in parts of this guy’s body, their legs also are also covered in a short golden hair… Kind of a metallic creeper.
“Chrysis April 2008-1” by Alvesgaspar - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Also known as Emerald wasps for their bright green hue, they are named cuckoo for their habit of laying eggs in other species’ nests.
“Golden Tortoise Beetle - Charidotella sexpunctata” by Ilona Loser - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Looks like it belongs in the film series, The Mummy.
“Halloween pennant j” by Joby Joseph - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Look at that orange and black and there’s no question why this bug is named after the spooky holiday.
“Macroglossum stellatarum MHNT sur Raiponce” by Roger Culos - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
These suckers are more often associated with birds, hence the name.
“Vanessa virginiensisPCSL03914B1” by Patrick Coin (Patrick Coin) - Photograph taken by Patrick Coin. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Depending on the time of year, you may have seen this lady come for a visit in Michigan.
“Harlequin ladybirds (Harmonia axyridis) mating” by Charlesjsharp - Own work, from Sharp Photography, sharpphotography. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
This one is adept at taking over native territories… Sounds dangerous?
Dysdera crocata" by Mvuijlst at en.wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
You know those pesky sowbugs, otherwise known as rolly pollies or potato bugs? This guy is their natural born enemy.
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