Emerald Ash Borer

The Emerald Ash Borer is the latest in the long line of tree-killing beetles, now found in more midwest and eastern states as well as Canada. The Emerald Ash Borer is known for the targeting and destruction of Ash trees and is more potent as a larvae than as an adult, though both damage just as well. Growing cases of infestation has resulted in quarantines in states from Illinois and Michigan across to Pennsylvania and Maryland. Read More...

Attack of the Assassin Bug

The assassin bug in Wheel Bug form is another popular identification photo that we get here regularly. Thanks to Jim S. of State College, Pennsylvania, you get to see this fearsome-looking critter in action against a poor hapless beetle.

One of the striking things to us about this insect is in how it drastically changes its form from nymph to young adult to full adult. The full adult is identifiable by the distinct coloring and high ridge back that you see in the picture on the right. Additionally, the noticeable "beak" type appendage can be seen here in red, and is used for repeatedly stabbing its prey.

Luckily for us humans, it prefers other insects in the form of caterpillars and bees.

View the Assassin Bug Attack Pics!

Details on the Wheel Bug Assassin Bug

Excellent Imagery of the Periodical Cicada

Now that the height of the "Cicada Invasion" is past us, one particular visitor from New York sent us some pretty impressive imagery of a Cicada emerging from its old body.

Full color pictures are provided and a very special thanks to Darla M. of Lancaster, New York for the submission of these photos!

View the Cicada Molting Process Photos

Details on the Periodical Cicada

Our Welcome to You

There are over 1 million identified species of insects and spiders (Arthropods) in the world today with many more still awaiting categorization and discovery. As ancient as time itself, insects offer up an mostly forgone and often times misunderstood existence in our ecosystem. In short, without their being here among us, we surely would not exist in the way that we do! InsectIdentification.org tries to provide a casual understanding about common North American insects - most notably those found in the continental United States of America - and tries to put some knowledge out there for you, our special guest, to absorb.

You should know that you are looking at an insect when you can clearly identify 1 pair of antennae, 2 pairs of wings, 3 pairs of legs and 3 body parts consisting of a head, thorax and abdomen in that order from front to rear. All insects have an exoskeleton meaning that their bones are on the outside of their bodies, with organs and muscles kept inside.

There are insects and then there are bugs. Furthermore there are what are called "True Bugs". What sets True Bugs apart from other bugs is that they utilize a feeding tube when they eat as oppose to chewing mandibles commonly found on bugs. As a rule of thumb, spiders, scorpions and ticks are not to be considered insects as they contain 8 legs in sets of two and not the traditional 6.

Things You Should Know

All photography is acquired through public domain sources tied to the United States Government Park Service and Department of Agriculture (and cited as such throughout). Articles therein our website are wholly authored and owned by InsectIdentification.org unless otherwise indicated.

We are currently in the process of creating an entirely new (and larger) database to house the hundreds of insect database entries we intend to showcase throughout the site. We'll also be unveiling a beta version of our database insect search function that will ease the job of identifying your insect in question based on keywords like color and size and the state you reside in. A new user commenting function will also be in place to make the site even that much more interactive.