Insects & Arachnids

Bees and wasps can inspire fear. However, they are vitally important to nature and to our economy. 

There are more than 100 butterfly species in Massachusetts varying in size and color. See a few of the most common ones you find here and ways to help them.

About 600 species of ants reside in the United States, but none is perhaps more infamous than the large black carpenter ant.

Discover the fascinating world of cicadas—from their loud summer songs and tree-clinging exoskeletons to the rare emergence of 17-year periodical cicadas that captivate birdwatchers and nature lovers alike.

Fireflies are neither bugs nor flies; they are actually beetles that light up using a chemical reaction in their lower abdomen.

Hummingbird Moths are members of the sphinx moth family, which have heavy bodies and long front wings.

Both native and non-native species of ladybugs abound in New England. 

Monarchs are well known for their vibrant orange wings with black veins and black borders with a white polka dot outline. 

Dragonflies and damselflies that make up the order Odonata are the largest insects you’re likely to see in Massachusetts.

Get the facts about ticks—their appearance, life cycle, how to identify them, and what to do if you find one.

There are some native moth species that defoliate trees; the damage is typically aesthetic and not harmful.

Massachusetts residents may see this large, harmless home invader come fall. They're not stink bugs but can release a pungent odor if alarmed, touched, or squished.

Shiny black with bright white spots, the non-native Asian longhorned beetle feeds on a wide range of trees to the point of destruction.

Japanese Beetle grubs make up about 90% of the white grubs that live in Massachusetts lawns.