Question: what Paleozoic Era creature has survived every type of natural catastrophe to become a common household pest in the 21st century? If you answered “the cockroach,” you’d be right! Despite floods, droughts, famine and fire, these seemingly indestructible insects have managed to thrive essentially unchanged since prehistoric times. Modern scientists have identified about 5,000 […]
When you think of Halloween decorations, giant spider webs are probably near the top of the list. They are among the most common elements people use to set a scary scene. They’re patterned after the real-life webs created by orb weavers, a spider group best known for their elaborate webs. This group includes a large […]
Crickets. They’re everywhere! With over nine-hundred unique species, they can be found on every continent except Antarctica. They’re highly adaptable and resilient and live in all kinds of habitats, from forest and meadows to caves and in the soil. Some insects commonly thought of as “crickets” are not true crickets. Camel crickets…sometimes called spider or cave […]
Stink bugs are probably the most appropriately-named insects ever! These nuisances are around through the growing season, but they become prominent in late summer and autumn as temperatures start to drop. That’s when they’re most likely to be seen inside. They are known for releasing a foul odor when disturbed. If you think you can […]
Boxelder bugs. Like a lot of people, you may have seen them but don’t know what they’re called. Their name comes from the fact they love to hang out around boxelder trees. Over time, people began associating the bugs with the plant, and the name stuck. These insects are small and smart. Their range extends […]