Identifying Insects

Identifying insects is a process in which one goes about collecting information on said insect, reviewing the information in comparison to other field notes and delivering a verdict on what the insect in question is.

If you are an 'insect hunter', that is, someone out to enjoy and observe the interesting habits of insects, be sure to take the following three items into consideration:

Habitat: Pay attention to the environments of specific insects. If you're looking for a certain species of insect, know where to look for them to find them. Gardens are a good source to finding many different species, from spiders to butterflies and bees to wasps. Fields are another good source for crickets and spiders. Forests and swampy areas attract special species as well. Don't forget that bodies of water are also a good source (mosquitoes and spiders). Be careful when trying to locate insects in areas surrounded by rubble or refuse. You might come across dangerous insects such as the Brown Recluse spider (poisonous) or hidden bee and wasp hives. Perhaps coming across a snake as well is NOT out of the question. Be on your guard!

Time of Day: For most insects, activity will peak at midday, typically when the temperature is at it's highest (bees and butterflies). Some insects will become more active at dawn or dusk (mosquitoes) but most are busiest at night (spiders).

Equipment (Optional): A magnifying glass or digital camera. A magnifying glass will (naturally) let you view the details of an insect that you would otherwise miss when viewing with the naked eye. A digital camera will allow you to take a snapshot of an insect for further review or research. Though optional, having these two items will take your insect viewing experience to a new and appreciative level.

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself when trying to identify an insect that you have found - either outdoors or indoors:

How many legs does it have?
If the answer is 6, you are looking at an insect. if your answer is 8, you are looking at a spider.

Does the insect have any wings?
This will tell you if it is a walking insect or a flying insect. Some insects do have wings but they are not suitable for flying long distances.

Does the insect have any antennae or feelers?
If so, do they end in a point or are they 'knotted' at the ends?

Are there any moving jaw or mouthparts?
This will tell you allot about the types of food the insect eats. Spiders will usually have biting pincer-like parts whereas a butterfly will have a straw-like mouth part for sucking (nectar).