Missouri Department of Conservation

Insects

Home » Discover Nature » Outdoor Recreation » Nature Viewing

Insects

Periodical Cicadas

Red-eyed, black-bodied periodical cicadas emerge in large broods every 13 to 17 years, depending on the brood. Brood 19 will emerge again in 2011.

Largest group of animals on Earth

Like other arthropods, insects are animals with jointed legs and a segmented body. Insects are unique among arthropods in having a body with three distinct regions: head, thorax and abdomen. Insects are the largest group of animals on Earth. In fact, there are more different kinds of insects than all other species of animals combined. Over 1 million species of insects have been identified, but some scientists believe that this may be only a small fraction yet to be discovered.

We couldn't live without them

Fewer  than 1 percent of insects are harmful to humans, and some cause major damage to food crops. Without insects, however, we would not have the insect-pollinated foods that we eat every day. In fact, insects perform so many other important functions, such as  breaking down decaying matter, keeping soil healthy and serving as a food source for so many other animals in the food chain--that we might not be able to survive without insects.

Related Information

  • Bald-Faced Hornet The large, rounded, papery gray nests of this social insect are frequently seen in natural history displays. This species is a type of yellowjacket, but it has a different common name because it's not yellow.
  • BumblebeesBumblebees are fuzzy, familiar and are like huge honeybees: They are yellow and black, collect pollen and nectar, live in colonies and make honey. They are capable of stinging, if molested or if their nest is endangered, but you need not fear them; they are not aggressive.
  • Butterfly Gardening and ConservationLearn more about butterfly gardening and conservation.
  • Cicada Killer WaspThe cicada killer ranks most formidable in appearance of any wasp in the state. It is, however, nonagressive toward people and is virtually harmless, unless handled roughly. As in all ground-nesting wasps and bees, each active nest can usually be recognized by a mound of earth excavated by the female with its mandibles and legs.
  • Great Golden Digger WaspThis rather large solitary wasp is found throughout Missouri. The abdomen is orange in front and black at the end. The head and thorax have golden hairs. Like all solitary wasps, this species is not aggressive.
  • Eastern Carpenter BeeEastern carpenter bees somewhat resemble bumblebees but have a noticeably black, shiny abdomen. Also, they are rather solitary and excavate their nests in wood. Carpenter bee nests are provisioned in the spring and summer.
  • Leafcutter BeesLeafcutter bees are common throughout Missouri from late spring into early autumn. All are solitary. They are dark-colored with several whitish hair bands across the abdomen. One sign of their presence is the rounded holes they cut in the leaves of plants.
  • Mud DaubersMud daubers are among the most familiar solitary wasps. They belong to a number of related groups, but we call them all "mud daubers" because they all build their nests out of mud. One way to tell the different mud daubers apart is by the distinctive "architecture" they use.
  • Paper WaspsPaper wasps are the most familiar of Missouri's social wasps. A late summer nest bristling with dozens of wasps can be an impressive sight. If you have a garden, however, these wasps are your friends!
  • Periodical CicadasDon’t be alarmed when you see and hear armies of these big, loud insects emerge from the ground in May and start “singing” in the trees. Their appearance doesn’t last long—and while they can damage young trees, they don't create much impact on mature ones. This page helps you understand periodical cicadas, anticipate their appearance, plan outdoor events and protect young trees accordingly.
  • Sand Wasps Many species and genera of sand wasps occur in Missouri. They nest in the ground during summer. They are found in many habitats but most often in open, sandy areas along rivers.
  • Sweat BeesThere are many species of sweat bees in Missouri. Some are solitary, but a number show different levels of social behavior. They got their common name from their attraction to perspiration, which offers them precious moisture and salts.
  • Velvet AntsVelvet ants are not true ants. True ants are social insects, while velvet ants are a group of solitary wasps. Female velvet ants are wingless throughout their lives; males are winged.
  • Yellow JacketsYellow jackets are the bee-sized black and yellow social wasps that are widely, and incorrectly, called "sweat bees" in Missouri. Two native species occur statewide; the introduced German yellow jacket is expanding its range and will eventually occur statewide, especially in urban areas.

Other Content You May Like

  • The Spice of LifeFrequently Missourians send me photos of various caterpillars, and they usually ask me to identify them. One of the more interesting ones is the caterpillar of the spicebush swallowtail butterfly (Papilio troilus). It is a common species in the Ozarks but less so in other Missouri regions.
  • European Wood Wasp ControlLearn how to identify and control European wood wasps, which attack pine trees.
  • Periodical CicadaVideo of periodical cicadas.
  • Honeybee In 1985, the honeybee was made Missouri's official state insect, and most people know how to identify it. This social insect is unquestionably a friend to humanity and has been for millennia. Today, more than ever, we rely on honeybees to pollinate our crops, as well as for the sweet honey that only they can make.
  • Common Missouri Wasps and BeesBees and wasps are interesting to study, but use caution to avoid stings.

Content tagged with

Runge Nature Center
Shortened URL
mdc.mo.gov/node/6695
Serving Nature and You

MDC protects and manages the fish, forest, and wildlife resources.
We also facilitate your participation in resource management activities, and provide opportunities for you to use, enjoy and learn about nature.

Featured Pic

Check out the featured picture and other images at the MDC Media Gallery

Visit the media gallery
Popular Topics

Follow MDC on Twitter Facebook YouTube Flickr MDC RSS feeds

© 2012 Conservation Commission of Missouri. All rights reserved.