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One type of edible freshwater crab is the Southern European crab (Potamon fluviatile). This is a type of green crab that is generally found in rivers and streams in Italy, Greece and the Balkans.

Compared to varieties of seawater crabs, the Southern European crab is tiny in comparison. An adult green crab may only average about 2” (5 cm) and they have been a popular food source for hundreds of years.

European green crabs have now become an invasive species in North America. You can boil them in a similar way to Blue crab and they have a rich sweet taste.

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The Moringa horned treehopper is generally distributed and occurs on many trees and plants, but not in sufficient numbers to be considered a serious pest. The family Membracidae commonly known as “Treehoppers”, comprises of a distinct group of small insects occurring in all the major geographic regions, Although endowed with powers of flight, they prefer to hop about when disturbed and this habit has earned them the popular name "Treehoppers"

These bugs feed by sucking the sap of trees, shrubs and cultivated crops and most species are host specific. They secrete a sugary substance called ‘honey dew’ which serves as food for ants, bees and wasps. In turn, they benefit from the interaction with ants that provide house cleaning services and protect them from predators.

Most of the local species of membracids show host specificity to it remarkable extent. The monophagous membracids exhibit absolute host specificity. In a few instances, the association between the membracid and the host is so specific that a knowledge of the one is sufficient for the recognition of the other. Thus, Leptocentrus moringae not only confines itself to Moringa but is the only species ever found on this host.

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The asian jumping mantises (Statilia maculata) are smaller mantises that also have a home in the eastern US. They are being closely monitored given their recent introduction in 2019. They have also been observed participating in nymphal cannibalism, where they eat their own kids. Also, they have participated in sexual cannibalism, where they eat their mate.

It is native to Asia that can be found in China and Japan and Korea.

Upon emerging, nymphs resemble miniatures of adults but lack fully developed wings. In this stage, asian jumping mantis undergoes progressive molts, increasing in size, slowly developing wing buds, and changing color with each instar, enhancing survival by improving camouflage and hunting ability.

Emerging from the final molt, the adult asian jumping mantis's development is marked by the presence of fully formed wings and functional reproductive organs. Body pattern and color reach their peak for mating signals and camouflage, while the adult is preoccupied with reproduction and feeding.

Asian jumping mantis can turn its head nearly 180 degrees to scan its surroundings due to a flexible joint between the head and prothorax.

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The larva of the Wavy-lined Emerald Moth (Synchlora aerate), also called the camouflaged looper, is a fairly common caterpillar you might not see because it uses a unique method for hiding. This caterpillar will attach bits of the plant material on which it is feeding to its back with bits of silk in order to blend into its host plant and avoid detection. If it is feeding on Rudbeckia petals, it will “wear” those. If it is feeding on the Rudbeckia flower head, it will attach pieces of that part of the flower. If it moves to a Liatris, it will choose parts of that flower to cover itself and transforms into a purple caterpillar. It also presumably detaches and replaces the parts as they wilt, since it always seems to be covered in fresh colorful adornments that match the meal perfectly. So while it is essentially using camouflage, this insect is an active participant in the process.

The adult moth is green with wavy white transverse lines. It is a small but beautiful moth, with a wingspan of about an inch, and is a nocturnal flier that is attracted to light.

This moth, a member of the family Geometridae, overwinters in the larval stage and emerges in the spring to feed on flowers. It has a large range covering most of North America, from southern Canada south to Texas. It feeds on different types of plants, mostly composite flowers, in addition to many flowering shrubs and trees.

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The habitat of the Pacific Spiketail is clear, shady foothill and mountains streams with either sand or mud substrate and steady current. Away from water this species tends to forage along forest openings and clearings or brushy ravines. Pacific Spiketails often perch on trees and small branches of shrubs for lengthy periods of time.

This is a large vividly-marked, black and yellow dragonfly with long abdomen, the eyes are smallish and barely touching. They are strong flyers and when perched often hang at a 45° angle. The female has a spikelike ovipositor. This species inhabits lotic systems in western Montana (small woodland streams and rivers). There is only 1 genus and 1 species of this family of dragonflies in NorthWestern North America.

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Grammostola pulchra, is a head turning and stunning species of tarantula, more commonly known as the Brazilian black tarantula. As yet, there is much to be written and research about this species in its natural habitat. What little is known is that it is a ground dweller for sure. It is resourceful and will attempt to make a home out of what is around it. This might be inside a pre-made burrow from another animal, or under a nice quiet dark log.

The Grammostola pulchra female can live up to a whopping 30 years in captivity if it is well cared for. The male sadly less, living a maximum of six years. These sturdy tarantulas can reach up to around 7 inches. They are gentle and slow, do not have a tendency to attack or bite.

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The Brown crab (Cancer pagurus) is an edible crab with a reddish-brown shell, legs, and claws. Similar to the Florida Stone crab, the claws of this seawater crab have black tips. The Brown crab is one of the most popular varieties of crab in the United Kingdom.

This is a medium-sized crab variety with the carapace being between 6” and 9” (15 – 22 cm) wide. An adult brown crab can weigh up to 6.6 lbs (3 kg) with about one-third of its weight being meat.

Brown crabs have an oval body with edging that looks like a pie crust. The brown shell turns a lighter shade of brown when cooked. The taste and look of the sweet crab meat depend on the sex of the crustacean. The meat of the female crabs is a brown type of crab meat that has a rich flavor. The meat from male brown crabs is whiter and has a sweeter flavor.

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The genus Cryptops is readily recognisable due to the presence of 21 leg pairs (all other British and Irish centipedes have 15 pairs or at least 35 pairs).

This species is found in all of Europe except for: the Baltic states, Andorra, Belarus, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Russia, Vatican City and various European islands. It has also been introduced to Tasmania, Australia.[4] It is found in gardens and woodland, and under stones and logs.

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The world’s largest grasshopper is the hedge grasshopper (Valanga irregularis), measuring around 3” (75 mm) long. However, some reports say the giant grasshopper can grow to 3.5” (90 mm). This gigantic grasshopper is native to Australia and has a brownish or tan-colored body. However, there are variations in appearance.

The species favours a moist climate. In spring and autumn they are often found in grassland or forest. If the atmospheric conditions are ideal they sometimes leave for suburban gardens.

Adult individuals are good jumpers and can defend against predators like mantises (Mantodea) or lynx spiders with the spines on the hindlegs. Moreover, Valanga irregularis is well camouflaged as the body colour resembles the plant stem and leaf they are hiding behind.

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Geotrupidae (from Greek γῆ (gē), earth, and τρῡπητής (trȳpētēs), borer) is a family of beetles in the order Coleoptera. They are commonly called earth-boring dung beetles or dor beetles. Most excavate burrows in which to lay their eggs. They are typically detritivores, provisioning their nests with leaf litter (often moldy), but are occasionally coprophagous, similar to dung beetles. The eggs are laid in or upon the provision mass and buried, and the developing larvae feed upon the provisions. The burrows of some species can exceed 2 metres in depth.

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The Gray Hairstreak butterfly, a small yet fascinating member of the hairstreak group, is widespread across North America and extends its range into Central and northern South America. Renowned for their close associations with ants and a diverse range of host plants, these butterflies exhibit unique survival strategies that make them a subject of interest for both enthusiasts and researchers alike.

The Gray Hairstreak caterpillar is characterized by a vibrant green body with a distinct line running from head to tail. In its early stages, it feeds primarily on flowers and fruits, favoring a variety of plants from the pea (Fabaceae) and mallow (Malvaceae) families, including beans, clover, and cotton.

Gray hairstreaks have a fascinating relationship with ants. Ants are attracted to the caterpillars because they secrete a sweet substance. In return, the ants provide protection to the caterpillars from predators.

In its adult form, the Gray Hairstreak showcases a brilliant blue-gray hue on the dorsal side of its wings, accentuated by a large red spot near the ends. The ventral side varies seasonally, from dark gray in spring and fall to a lighter shade in summer.

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The eastern parson spider is a special kind of spider from the USA and Canada. It’s part of the Gnaphosidae family. Instead of making webs to catch food, this spider likes to chase down its meals! It’s a sneaky spider, hiding in soft spots during the day and hunting at night.

They are brown to black body with the front mostly being chestnut in shade, gray abdomen, and a distinctive mark in pink or white. The body of the Eastern Parson Spider is covered in a velvety texture, adding to its unique appearance.

Eastern Parson spiders have venom. They use it to catch the bugs they eat. But for people, it’s not very strong. They can bite if they’re disturbed. It might feel like a tiny pinch, but it’s usually not a big deal.

The Eastern Parson Spider plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems it inhabits. By preying on various insects, it helps control their populations, ensuring that no single species dominates. This nocturnal hunter relies on its agility and speed to chase down and capture its prey.

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The Mediterranean recluse spider (Loxosceles rufescens) is a species of spider that originated in the Mediterranean region as its name implies, but can now be found in many parts of the world and is listed as one of the most invasive spiders worldwide. Usually dwelling in caves, the spiders will also inhabit basements and tunnels. Their webs shelter their egg sacs, which hatch into young that molt as they grow. The spider hunts at night and eats species including silverfish and cockroaches, and they usually target smaller insects.

Similar to other species in their genus, bites from L. rufescens can cause necrosis and, for some individuals, systemic damage due to the enzyme sphingomyelinase D. Pest control may be undertaken with similar strategies as used for the brown recluse spider.

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Barsine orientalis is a multi-colored, pretty moth with orange, tan, dark brown, and black markings. Like many types of beautiful moths, this orange moth is native to tropical climates. The patterns on the wings are geometric shapes of squares and rectangles as well as some circles.

When resting, the Barsine orientalis has its large, rounded flat wings, covering its back. You’ll also see that the cool moth has whitish-gray legs with black markings. Finally, the orange moth has narrow white antennae.

The identifying feature of the Barsine orientalis moth is its pale tan wings with orange squares or rectangles and brown patterns.

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A base green color is specific to The Narrow-winged Mantis (Tenodera angustipennis). This species is native to Asia where it can be found in India, Japan, and other countries. It has also made its way to The East Coast of The US as well as to Hawaii.

These bugs measure around 3 inches with only the largest females measuring up to 3.3 inches.

Large females are responsible for laying eggs and they use a gray to brown ootheca to lay clusters of eggs. These eggs can hatch within 10 days and then molt multiple times to the final color, which is often mostly green with brown dorsal areas.

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The emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive wood-boring beetle from Asia, is responsible for the death and decline of tens of millions of ash trees in North America. EAB lays its eggs in the bark crevices of ash trees. The eggs hatch and the larvae burrow into the tree where they feed. This feeding is what damages the trees.

EAB adults are metallic green with a coppery-red abdomen and about one-half inch long. These beetles live for about three weeks. They are most active during the day, particularly when the weather is warm and sunny.

Up to 99% of ash trees are killed by EAB within 8-10 years of its establishment. EAB has greatly reduced the number of black ash trees in particular, and could spread throughout most of the tree’s range within the next two generations. Based on the threat from EAB, black ash was declared endangered and added to the Species at Risk in Ontario List in 2022. There are ongoing efforts to mitigate the impacts of EAB and protect existing populations of ash.

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Nomad bees look more like black and yellow wasps than a typical bee. The small striped bee measures 0.31” to 0.39” (8 – 10 mm) and has a distinctive yellow and black abdomen, orange antennae, and yellowish legs. An easy way to tell the nomad bees apart from other bees is their hairless bodies.

The females use olfactory and visual cues for detecting suitable host nests. Upon locating a suitable host nest, she lands nearby, and rests facing the nest entrance. At some point, she enters the host nest where she lays an egg in the wall of a single cell, then leaves.

The host bee will continue to provision the nest cell with food and then seal up the cell. The larvae that hatch from the egg of Nomada have large mandibles (jaws), which they use to destroy the grub of the host bee, and eat the food supplied by its parent.

As a cleptoparastie (a brood parasite), Nomada species have no pollen baskets or scopa on the hind legs for collecting pollen, nor can they create their own nest cells. They are therefore completely reliant on a host.

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Migratory grasshoppers are a fascinating and sometimes troublesome species found in various parts of the world, including the United States. They are known for their ability to travel long distances in search of new breeding regions.

They are considered short-horned grasshoppers from a scientific standpoint. Their migrations are massive and can have significant impacts. In fact, these different types of grasshoppers cross continents during spring and fall, numbering in the billions.

The scale of their migration can even influence weather patterns, leading to rainfall and potentially causing tornadoes in certain areas. Interestingly, migratory grasshoppers are the first species to arrive each spring.

They are widely distributed and can be found in various parts of the world. Their migrations span thousands of miles a year, sometimes aided by wind patterns.

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Ormenoides venusta is a species of flatid planthopper in the family Flatidae, found in North America. This species is univoltine, with first instars emerging in May. It feeds on paw paw leaves.

Flatid planthoppers make use of spines on their hind legs to provide purchase necessary for takeoff. The spines on the tibiae are one characteristic of the Flatidae; coupled with stubby but powerful flying wings, they give this little creature a violent and efficient escape mechanism.

Planthoppers expend considerable energy in the leaps. Even a medium sized nymph (<5mm) can jump a distance of 30 centimeters or more. The waxy coating also protects the insects from being caught in spider webs or puddles; they don’t stick to spider webs and they float quite well and can swim to safety.

Nymphs of many Flatids secrete a filamentous wax from the time they hatch. The filaments are extruded from glandular tissue at the tip of the abdomen, and may provide protection from predators and prevent desiccation.

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Porcellio werneri is a large sized, flat bodied isopod native to Greece. It is an unusual looking isopod species with an oval shape, a very broad and flat body and it is also a large species, measuring up to 2 cm long. Its color is dark gray, almost black with a white skirt. Once the colony is established it proves to be a non demanding species to keep and breed, and it’s also moderately prolific.

Common name: Werner’s Woodlouse, Greek Shield Isopod, Pancake isopod.

In their native Greece, Porcellio werneri are specialists that are restricted to dry habitats, like calcareous rocky substrate.

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American oil beetles belong to the beetle family Meloidae and belong to the genus Meloe. These are a large beetle species that have an iridescent shiny black body that is massive in relation to its head and thorax.

These big black beetles get their common name from an oily substance they emit when disturbed. This poisonous chemical can cause skin blistering which is why they are also called ‘blister beetles.’ They have 2 antennae that point up like an upside-down L shape. They are also identified by their long spindly legs attached to their thorax that carry their oversized body.

Although oil beetles have wings, they are generally flightless insects and prefer to slowly move around looking for plant material to feed on.

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The Giant Desert Centipede (Scolopendra heros), also known as the giant Sonoran centipede or Texas redheaded centipede is a North American species found in the southwestern United States. They are the largest centipede in North America.

They can grow to 200mm in the wild and longer when in captivity. It is aposematically colored, to warn off potential predators, and a number of color variants are known in the species. They can have up to twenty-three pairs of legs. In Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas they have red heads with a green to black body and tail.

They are common from New Mexico and Arizona to Missouri, Louisiana, and Arkansas. They are found in rocky woodland areas, remaining underground in warmer weather and coming out on cooler days.

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The American Carrion Beetle earns its name by eating decaying flesh in both its larval and adult form. Sometimes adults may be seen eating fungi or rotten fruit. In addition to to dead flesh and stinky fruit, they also eat maggots and other insect larvae feeding on decaying animals. Dried skin and muscle tissue is eaten as well. This unsavory role aids in returning nutrients from dead animals back into the ecological food web.

This little beetle has the appearance of a fat Firefly at first glance. In flight, it may look more like a small, flattened Bumblebee. It can smell carrion from a distance and instinctively flies to it and tucks in for a tasty meal. Its elytra (wing covering) and head are black. The elytra has a bumpy texture and a clear mid-line where it splits open so its wings, safely stored underneath, can take flight. It has a yellowish pronotum ('shoulder' area) with a distinct black mark in the center that is shaped somewhat like a shield or badge.

Some black butterflies with pink spots are known for their small pink spots on the hindwings.

While Pink-spotted Windmills (Byasa impediens) are this type of butterfly, they have large pink spots on their tail-shaped hindwings.

This is a species with very large, usually bright pink, spots on its wings.

Its forewings show mostly black nuances with visible black veins.

Pink-spotted Widnmils additionally exhibit a mostly pink body with a few visible black spots.

Native to Taiwan, this is one of the large pink butterflies of the world. It grows to a wingspan of 3-4 inches.

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These small purse crabs, Persephone punctata, are usually found in slightly deeper water. They are called purse crabs, either because the shape of their shell is purse-like, or because the females have a pouch in their abdomen which protects her eggs as she buries herself backward in the sand.

The mottled purse crab is one of just a few species of crab that reproduce through internal fertilization. While most crab species fertilize eggs externally by releasing eggs and sperm simultaneously, the female mottled purse crabs carry developing embryos until the larvae hatch.

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The scorpion species Centruroides gracilis is known in Cuba as "alacran azul," or "blue scorpion" in English. Elsewhere, the blue scorpion is also known as the slender brown scorpion, the Florida bark scorpion or the brown bark scorpion.

In the U.S., many blue scorpions were introduced as pets. In natural habitats, blue scorpions dwell under bark and stones in forests set with plenty of refuge, like dead or fallen timber. They can also survive in temperate to hot locations that have an average temperature of about 30 degrees Celsius -- so long as the area isn't too humid.

The gestation period for this species varies from several months to over a year. Females give birth to 25-35 young. After birth, the young climb and attach to the mothers back where they remain until the first molt (about one week). After the first molt, they become independent of the mother, and molt 5-7 additional times before reaching maturity.

Pet owners often enjoy the fact that blue scorpions don't show signs of cannibalistic behavior. These scorpions can be kept together with other species of scorpions, so long as food and shelter are well provided.

This scorpion can inflict very a painful sting, but it is not considered as potent as some of its relatives. Some information indicates that individuals from North America are less venomous than their relatives from Central and South America.

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Neotrypaea californiensis (ghost shrimp) can be found at intertidal locations within the regions of the North American West Coast. Ghost shrimp habitat is distinguished by numerous holes that are the entrances and exits of their burrows. Ghost shrimp are constantly excavating complex tunnels under the sand.

Body coloration ranges between shades of orange, pink, and red. Some individuals may also exhibit a very pale coloration, almost white. Their almost transparent bodies help them blend in, earning them the nickname "ghost."

The vigorous burrowing activities of ghost shrimp have such dramatic effects on their habitats of soft sediment that these animals are often considered ecosystem engineers.

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The banded sugar ant (Camponotus consobrinus), also known as the sugar ant, is a species of ant native to Australia. Its common name refers to the ant's liking for sugar and sweet food, as well as the distinctive orange-brown band that wraps around its gaster.

The banded sugar ant is considered a household pest and is occasionally seen in houses at night. It is capable of damaging furniture and fittings by chewing the wood. Carbon disulphide can be used to treat and remove a banded sugar ant nest.

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Bothiocera cognita is a tiny, black and white spotted cixiid planthopper. It is about 3-5mm long, and appears to range through the southeastern US.

Cixiids are medium to small planthoppers, most of which are somewhat flattened, with clear or patterned wings. Cixiidae may have a median ocellus (located on the face, just above the clypeus, when present). As nymphs, cixiids are subterranean root-feeders (perhaps fungus) and are rarely observed. As adults, many species (particularly smaller forms) are associated with grasses or herbaceous monocots in rich, mesic or wet situations and may be found by sweeping (although Cixius is largely associated with pines) in mid to late summer or early fall.

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The Ornate spiny lobster, Panulirus ornatus is also known as the Tropical rock lobster and the Ornate tropical rock lobster . They are among the largest of the Panuliris lobsters and are greatly favored as a delicacy. Being brightly coloured they are probably the best looking spiny lobsters.

Ornate spiny lobster grow to a maximum length of 50 centimeters (not including the long feelers) but most are smaller around the 30 to 40 cm range. The body is covered in a hard carapace with numerous forward pointing orange spines with two prominent forward facing spines between the eyes. The tail is covered in a segmented carapace allowing it to flex and provide powerful rearwards propulsion. The tail has a fan on the end with assists with propulsion when flared out.

As with all crustaceans they change carapaces and when the new one is ready they pull out of the old carapace. The new carapace takes a day or two to harden and they are extremely vulnerable to predators at this time. At night they come out to feed and can often be seen on the reef top. They usually stick close to cover and when threatened will use their powerful tail to jet them backwards to safety.

They are found in the sub tropical and tropical areas of the Indo west Pacific area from the South African coast up the east coast of Africa including Madagascar, across to Malaysia, Japan and the northern coast of Australia.

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Field Crickets are a common sight throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada. Warm summer nights bring them out en masse as the males loudly chirp up to 30 times a minute in an effort to attract a female. The noise is a pleasant reminder of the season and will immediately stop if the crickets are approached too closely.

Field Crickets make homes in the ground, in tall grass, or even piles of organic lawn debris. They jump away from perceived danger, but sometimes that means right onto your legs if you're walking through their habitat. They are completely harmless and bounce off as soon as they land. The sensation of being touched tends to startle people though.

Field Crickets eat a diet of animal remains and plant matter. They provide beneficial services to the ecosystem by eating the eggs and pupae of insect that are considered pests. On the other hand, in large numbers, they can be somewhat of a nuisance in gardens, chewing on plants grown for food or aesthetics.

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The Southern Purple Mint Moth (Pyrausta laticlavia) is a species of moth of the Crambidae family. It is found from New Jersey south to Florida, west to Texas, Oklahoma and California.

Rosemary is one of the hosts for the Southern purple mint moth, Pyrausta laticlavia which will lay eggs on several plants in the mint family.

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German cockroaches are a worldwide issue, and they are the most common type of cockroach found around homes, apartments, grocery stores, restaurants, and commercial buildings.

Adults are light caramel colored with two dark, vertical stripes behind the head. They are about the size of a penny when fully grown. German cockroaches are fast runners.

They do best when the temperature is around 70°F, but they can reproduce year-round inside. They lay more eggs and mature faster than other cockroaches, requiring only 36 days to mature in ideal conditions.

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The Beech Blight Aphid appears in dramatic fashion. This aphid will raise the posterior end of its body and sway when it is disturbed. This action produces a dance-like effect that occurs throughout the colony. This phenomenon has led some to refer to this species as the "Boogie-Woogie Aphid." ✡️ It is a unique experience to see hundreds, if not thousands, of these perform this defensive, yet highly entertaining, behavior.

It has been speculated that heavy populations may kill smaller limbs of beech trees. Others suggest that smaller and/or distorted foliage may result from the feeding pressure imposed by this insect. Ultimately, there is no indication that this aphid causes any real serious harm beyond that of the vast amounts of aesthetically displeasing sooty mold

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Micro crabs, or Thai micro crabs (Limnopilos naiyanetri), are a species of tiny freshwater crabs native to Thailand.

hey typically measure around 0.4 inches wide, making them slightly larger than pea crabs. Micro crabs are known for their translucent milky-white shells, making them easily camouflaged in their natural habitat.

These crabs exhibit a preference for calm, slow-moving bodies of water, such as marshes and swamps. They are scavengers, feeding on small invertebrates, detritus, and plant matter found in their environment.

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The Eastern bark centipede is a species of centipede that’s native to the eastern region of the United States and can grow to be up to 4 centimeters in length. The body is typically a shade of reddish brown, and the legs are yellow.

However, there are some species that have a bluish-gray or even greenish coloration. These creatures can be discovered in forests and other wooded areas, specifically in the crevices of logs and loose bark.

They eat mostly insects and other small arthropods, and these critters are usually active at night. Unlike most centipedes, the venom of Eastern barks is sexually dimorphic, which means that males and females have different kinds of venom composition.

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Psalmopoeus victori: Hailing originally from Mexico, this species is known under two different common names; the Darth Maul tarantula or the Mexican Half-and-Half. Both these names do a good job of describing the appearance of this species.

The Darth Maul name springs from the fact that this is a red and black tarantula that matches the color scheme of the Star Wars villain.

With its remarkable speed and agility, the P. victori is a spectacle of natural beauty and behavior. Its contrasting black and orange pattern not only serves as a warning to predators but also captivates the enthusiasts and hobbyists alike. This species' distinctiveness lies not just in its appearance but in its spirited personality

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A stout, medium-sized moth, the Drab Prominent is a soft shade of green when it first enters the world as an adult. The color fades to a simple gray as it matures. Two vague scalloped lines curve across the wings, which might have visible white dots accentuating each point. The head and thorax are furry and may have a patch of bronze on them.

Unlike drab adults, the caterpillars of this species (Misogada unicolor) are highly colorful. They can also be entirely purple. Growth stages or instars come with different color changes in the Drab Prominent Caterpillar. This is a species that goes from full purple to mostly green as it grows.