North Carolina Insect Photos

Photographs by Will Cook, mostly taken in North Carolina. Equipment: Nikon CoolPix 995 (8/2001-5/2005), Nikon CoolPix 8800 (4/2005-8/2007), Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 (8/2007-present). I use the Nikon 4T (5/2005-8/2007) or Sony VCL-M3358 (8/2007-present) close-up lens for almost all my macro photos.

Insect ID books

Check out the Carolina Nature insects forum if you'd like to talk about the insects of the Carolinas.

Lepidoptera - Butterflies & Moths

Odonata - Dragonflies & Damselflies

Coleoptera - Beetles

Other Insects

Blattodea (Cockroaches)
Wood Cockroach (Parcoblatta sp.) - Carroll Co., VA 6/17/06
Wood Cockroach (Parcoblatta sp.) - Durham, NC 7/27/06. Male (females are wingless).
Wood Cockroach (Parcoblatta sp.) - Orange Co., NC 8/24/08

Diptera (Flies)
Ommatius sp. - Robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) - Orange Co., NC 8/24/08
March Fly (Diptera: Bibionidae) - Carroll Co., VA 9/22/06
Bee fly 90218 (Diptera: Bombyliidae) - Orange Co., NC 8/24/08
mosquito sp. 7848 (Diptera: Culicidae) - Durham, NC 6/19/07
mosquito sp. 10100 (Diptera: Culicidae) - Durham, NC 10/10/07
mosquito sp. 80671 (Diptera: Culicidae)? - Durham, NC 8/4/08
mosquito sp. 90294 (Diptera: Culicidae) - Orange Co., NC 8/24/08
Gallinipper (Psorophora ciliata), male (Diptera: Culicidae) - Durham, NC 9/9/08. Huge mosquito!
Gallinipper (Psorophora ciliata), female (Diptera: Culicidae) - Chatham Co., NC 9/20/08. Huge biting mosquito!
mosquito sp. 140021 (Diptera: Culicidae) - Durham, NC 4/29/09
Crane fly (Epiphragma fasciapennis) (Diptera: Limoniidae) - Carroll Co., VA 5/26/07
Crane fly 7299 (Diptera: Limoniidae) - Carroll Co., VA 6/9/07
Crane flies 7347 (mating) (Diptera: Limoniidae) - Carroll Co., VA 6/9/07
Crane fly 10265 (Diptera: Limoniidae) - Carroll Co., VA 10/24/07
Crane fly 10275 (Diptera: Limoniidae) - Carroll Co., VA 10/24/07. Same individual.
Crane fly 40312 (Diptera: Limoniidae) - Durham, NC 4/10/08
Crane fly 80934 (Diptera: Limoniidae) - Carroll Co., VA 8/16/08
Crane fly 100061 (Diptera: Limoniidae) - Durham, NC 9/9/08
Crane fly 140025 (Diptera: Culicidae) - Durham, NC 4/29/09
Golden-backed Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus thoracicus) - female (Diptera: Rhagionidae), Chapel Hill, NC 5/8/05
Golden-backed Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus thoracicus) - male (Diptera: Rhagionidae), Chapel Hill, NC 5/5/07
Black Horse Fly (Tabanus atratus) (Diptera: Tabanidae) - Carroll Co., VA 6/9/07
Black Horse Fly (Tabanus atratus) (Diptera: Tabanidae) - Carroll Co., VA 6/9/07
Tachinid fly (Pararchytas sp.) (Diptera: Tachinidae) - Carroll Co., VA 7/24/05. Feeding on flowers of Smooth Sumac.
Tachinid Fly 90236 (Diptera: Tachinidae) - Orange Co., NC 8/24/08
fly 1067 - Chapel Hill, NC 5/1/05. Feeding on Rubus flowers.
robberfly 1775 - Clay Co., NC 5/22/05
robberfly 1827 - Clay Co., NC 5/22/05
flies 1998 - Wake Co., NC 6/4/05
fly 1998 - Wake Co., NC 6/4/05
fly 2051 - Wake Co., NC 6/4/05
fly 2053 - Wake Co., NC 6/4/05
fly 7637 - Carroll Co., VA 6/17/06
robberfly 8762 - Carroll Co., VA 7/3/06
fly 6022 - Durham, NC 5/23/07
fly 6026 - Durham, NC 5/23/07
fly 9355 - Durham, NC 7/11/07
fly 9426 - Durham, NC 7/12/07. Red eyes!
fly 9461 - Durham, NC 7/12/07. Tiny!
fly 0225 - Orange Co., NC 7/20/07
fly 0228 - Orange Co., NC 7/20/07. Same as 0225.
fly 40413 - Orange Co., NC 4/12/08
fly 80547 - Carroll Co., VA 8/2/08
Crane fly 80999 - Carroll Co., VA 8/17/08
Crane fly 90019 - Carroll Co., VA 8/17/08. Same individual as 80999.
fly 100991 - Durham, NC 9/30/08
fly 110075 - Carroll Co., VA 10/4/08
fly 140433 - Carroll Co., VA 5/10/09

Ephemeroptera (Mayflies)
Giant Mayfly (Hexagenia limbata) - Carroll Co., VA 7/22/06
Mayfly sp. 9470 - Montgomery Co., VA 7/13/07
Mayfly sp. 140458 - Carroll Co., VA 5/10/09

Hemiptera (Bugs)
Toad Bug 1200836 (Hemiptera: Gelastocoridae) - Durham Co., NC 8/23/09
Small Milkweed Bug (Lygaeus kalmii) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) - Orange Co., NC 7/20/07
Small Milkweed Bug (Lygaeus kalmii) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) - Durham Co., NC 9/13/09
Small Milkweed Bug (Lygaeus kalmii) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) - Durham Co., NC 9/13/09
Bee Assassin (Apiomerus crassipes) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) - Orange Co., NC 5/26/07
Wheel Bug (Arilus cristatus) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)
Ambush Bugs (Phymatinae) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)
Assassin bug 2050 - Wake Co., NC 6/4/05
Assassin bug 6437 - Clay Co., NC 5/12/06
Assassin bug 2542 - Bladen Co., NC 10/6/06. Bizarrely camouflaged.
bug 8161 - Moore Co., NC 7/1/07
bug 0262 - Orange Co., NC 7/20/07
leaffootedbug 0237 - Orange Co., NC 7/20/07
bug 0305 - Durham, NC 9/9/07
bug 40406 - Orange Co., NC 4/12/08
leaf-footed bugs 70375 - Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08
bug 90890 - Carroll Co., VA 9/6/08
bug 90996 - Carroll Co., VA 9/7/08

Homoptera (Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids, and Allies)
Periodical Cicada (Magicicada septendecim) - Carroll Co., VA 6/14/03. This is from brood IX of the 17-year cicadas. More info.
Dog-Day Cicada (Tibicen sp.) - Durham, NC 8/20/04. The heralds of summer.
Dog-Day Cicada (Tibicen sp.) - Brunswick Co., NC 8/28/04. Mating pair!
Dog-Day Cicada (Tibicen sp.) - Durham, NC 8/19/06. Attracted to a light at night.
Dog-Day Cicada (Tibicen sp.) pupal case - Chapel Hill, NC 9/9/06.
Dog-Day Cicada (Tibicen sp.) adult emerged from pupal case - Carroll Co., VA 7/15/07.
Dog-Day Cicada (Tibicen sp.) pupal case - Carroll Co., VA 7/15/07.
Dog-Day Cicada (Tibicen sp.) adult - Carroll Co., VA 7/15/07.
Dog-Day Cicada (Tibicen sp.) - Carroll Co., VA 8/17/07.
Dog-Day Cicada (Tibicen sp.) pupal case - New Hanover Co., NC 8/30/08.
Dog-Day Cicada (Tibicen sp.) - Carroll Co., VA 8/3/08. Emerging from pupal case.
Dog-Day Cicada (Tibicen sp.) - Carroll Co., VA 8/3/08. Emerging from pupal case.
Dog-Day Cicada (Tibicen sp.) - Carroll Co., VA 8/3/08. Just emerged from pupal case.
Dog-Day Cicada (Tibicen sp.) - Orange Co., NC 8/23/09. Attracted to a light at night.
Metcalfa pruinosa (Citrus Flatid Planthopper) - Durham, NC 10/2/06
Otiocerus degeeri (Planthopper) (Derbidae) - Carroll Co., VA 7/5/07
hopper 80921 - Durham, NC 8/11/08
hopper 90201 - Orange Co., NC 8/24/08
hopper 90226 - Orange Co., NC 8/24/08. Same individual as 90201.
hopper 90268 - Orange Co., NC 8/24/08
hopper 90751 - Durham, NC 9/2/08
hopper 100998 - Durham, NC 9/30/08
hopper 9378 - Durham, NC 7/11/07
hopper 9392 - Durham, NC 7/11/07
hopper 9394 - Durham, NC 7/11/07
hopper 9399 - Durham, NC 7/11/07
hopper 9457 - Durham, NC 7/12/07. Cottony-tailed nymphal hopper.

Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps, and Sawflies)
Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) (Apidae) - Durham, NC 5/14/09
Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) (Apidae) - Durham, NC 7/12/09
Elm Sawfly (Cimbex americana) (Cimbicidae) - Clay Co., NC 5/21/05
Sawfly (Cimbex sp.) (Cimbicidae) - Botetourt County, VA 4/18/05
Callirhytis quercusgemmaria (Cynipidae) wasp galls with "nectaring" ants - Durham Co., NC 4/11/09
Ants (Formicidae) on wasp galls - same photo as above - Durham Co., NC 4/11/09
Red ants (Formica pallidefulva) (Formicidae) - Durham Co., NC 4/13/03. A colony of these ants was flooded out at the Flat River
impoundment near Falls Lake. Instead of walking over to dry land as the water rose, they climbed up grass
stalks and got trapped! There were dozens of ant balls like this in the area.
Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) (Formicidae) - Chatham Co., NC 9/20/08
Short-tailed Ichneumon Wasp (Ophion sp.) 7697 (Ichneumonidae) - Carroll Co., VA 6/17/06
Short-tailed Ichneumon Wasp (Ophion sp.) 9019 (Ichneumonidae) - Carroll Co., VA 7/3/06
Short-tailed Ichneumon Wasp (Ophion sp.) 0910 (Ichneumonidae) - Carroll Co., VA 8/12/06
Short-tailed Ichneumon Wasp (Ophion sp.) 2188 (Ichneumonidae) - Carroll Co., VA 9/22/06
Ichneumon Wasp sp. 1008 (Ichneumonidae) - Durham, NC 8/19/06
Ichneumon Wasp sp. 40301 (Ichneumonidae) - Durham, NC 4/10/08
Leucospis affinis (Leucospididae), female - Carroll Co., VA 7/22/06. Parasitic on Megachilid bees.
Velvet Ant (Mutillidae) - Chatham Co., NC 5/18/05.
Velvet Ant (Mutillidae) - Orange Co., NC 4/12/08.
Velvet Ant (Mutillidae) - Orange Co., NC 4/12/08.
Southern Yellowjacket (Vespula squamosa) (Vespidae)- Durham, NC 8/19/06
Wasp sp. 1777 - Carroll Co., VA 9/3/06
Wasp sp. 2505 - Durham, NC 10/1/06
Wasp sp. 2876 - Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06
Wasp sp. 3686 - Durham, NC 3/7/07
Wasp sp. 5871 - Clay Co., NC 5/20/07. Amazingly long ovipositor!
Wasp sp. 7073 - Durham, NC 6/5/07
Wasp sp. 9095 - Carroll Co., VA 7/6/07
Baldfaced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) nest - Alleghany Co., NC 9/23/07
Polistes sp. 80495 - Carroll Co., VA 8/2/08
Common Aerial Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria) nest - Carroll Co., VA 8/3/08
Common Aerial Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria) - Carroll Co., VA 8/16/08
Wasp sp. 90929 - Carroll Co., VA 9/6/08
Wasp sp. 1180229 - Durham, NC 8/23/09
Wasp sp. 1200865 - Orange Co., NC 8/23/09
metallic bee sp. - Durham Co., NC 9/13/09
metallic bee sp. - same individual - Durham Co., NC 9/13/09

Mantodea (Mantids)
Carolina Mantis (Stagmomantis carolina) - Craven Co., NC 8/27/06
Carolina Mantis (Stagmomantis carolina) - Durham Co., NC 9/9/06
Mantis sp. 2386 - Carroll Co., VA 9/23/06
Carolina Mantis (Stagmomantis carolina) - Craven Co., NC 8/31/08

Mecoptera (Scorpionflies and Allies)
Scorpionfly (Panorpa sp.) (Mecoptera: Panorpidae) - Clay Co., NC 5/13/06

Megaloptera (Alderflies, Dobsonflies, and Fishflies)
Eastern Dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus), female (Corydalidae) - Montgomery Co., VA 7/13/07
Eastern Dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus), female (Corydalidae) - Montgomery Co., VA 7/13/07

Neuroptera (Antlions, Lacewings, and Allies)
Beaded Lacewing (Lomamyia sp.) (Neuroptera: Berothidae) - Durham, NC 6/28/06. Bizarre!
Green Lacewing (Chrysoperla sp.), tan winter form (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) - Durham, NC 3/2/06
Gray Fishfly (Neohermes angusticollis) (Neuroptera: Corydalidae) - Durham, NC 6/13/03
Gray Fishfly (Neohermes angusticollis) (Neuroptera: Corydalidae) - Durham, NC 6/2/07
Fishfly sp. 70658 (Neuroptera: Corydalidae) - Durham, NC 6/5/08
Fishfly sp. 70694 (Neuroptera: Corydalidae) - Alleghany Co., NC 6/14/08
Mantidfly (Dicromantispa sp.) (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) - Durham, NC 8/19/06
Mantidfly (Zeugomantispa minuta) (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) - Durham, NC 8/19/06
Antlion (Myrmeleon sp.) (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae), adult - Moore Co., NC 6/18/05
Lacewing, sp. 3208 - Carroll Co., VA 8/13/05
Lacewing, sp. 90114 - Orange Co., NC 8/24/08
Lacewing eggs - Durham, NC 7/8/09

Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Katydids and Crickets)
Fork-tailed Bush Katydid (Scudderia furcata) (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) - Harnett Co., NC 8/18/05
Orange-winged grasshopper (Pardalophora phoenicoptera) - brown phase nymph, Scotland Co., NC 4/13/02.
Orange-winged grasshopper (Pardalophora phoenicoptera) - green phase nymph, Scotland Co., NC 4/13/02.
Two-Spotted Tree Cricket (Neoxabea bipunctata) - adult female, Carroll Co., VA 9/3/06
Camel/cave cricket sp. 2374 - Carroll Co., VA 9/23/06
Orthoptera sp. 9955 - Carroll Co., VA 7/14/07
Orthoptera sp. 00133 - Durham, NC 9/8/07
Common True Katydid (Pterophylla camellifolia) - Alleghany Co., NC 9/22/07. Ovipositing in the base of a tree trunk.
Common True Katydid (Pterophylla camellifolia) - Alleghany Co., NC 9/22/07. Same individual, a few minutes later.
Orthoptera sp. 70343 - Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.
Orthoptera sp. 80404 - Carroll Co., VA 8/2/08
Grasshopper sp. 80592 - Carroll Co., VA 8/2/08
Orthoptera sp. 90986 - Carroll Co., VA 9/6/08
Camel cricket sp. 80668 - Durham, NC 8/4/08
Katydid sp. 110099 - Carroll Co., VA 10/4/08
Grasshopper sp. 110829 - Scotland Co., NC 11/1/08
Cricket sp. 120492 - Dare Co., NC 11/9/08
Cricket sp. 120494 - Dare Co., NC 11/9/08
Grasshopper sp. 1210974 - Scotland Co., NC 10/4/09
Katydid sp. 1210424 - Carroll Co., VA 9/7/09
Grasshopper sp. 1200835 - Durham Co., NC 8/23/09
Grasshopper sp. 1200839 - Durham Co., NC 8/23/09
Grasshopper sp. 1200940 - Orange Co., NC 8/23/09
Grasshopper sp. 1200948 - Orange Co., NC 8/23/09
Katydid sp. 1200946 - Orange Co., NC 8/23/09

Phasmatodea (Walkingsticks)
Northern Walking Stick (Diapheromera femorata), male (Phasmatodea: Heteronemiidae) - Carroll Co., VA 7/23/05
Northern Walking Stick (Diapheromera femorata), male (Phasmatodea: Heteronemiidae) - Carroll Co., VA 7/23/05

Plecoptera (Stoneflies)
Stonefly 7761 (Perlidae?) - Carroll Co., VA 6/17/06
Stonefly 8876 - Carroll Co., VA 7/5/07
Stonefly 8892 - Carroll Co., VA 7/5/07
Stonefly 9280 - Carroll Co., VA 7/8/07

Psocoptera (Barklice and Booklice)
Psocoptera sp. 9028 - Carroll Co., VA 7/3/06

Trichoptera (Caddisflies)
Lepdiostoma sp. (Lepidostomatidae) - Carroll Co., VA 9/23/06. Very small and dark.
Pycnopsyche gentilis? (Limnephilidae), male - Carroll Co., VA 9/23/05
Pycnopsyche scabripennis (Limnephilidae), male - Carroll Co., VA 9/3/06
Caddisfly sp. 8477 - Carroll Co., VA 7/1/06. Large.
Chimarra sp.? (Philopotamidae) - Carroll Co., VA 6/17/06. Very small and dark.
Caddisfly 9085 - Carroll Co., VA 7/6/07
Caddisfly 9419 - Durham, NC 7/12/07
Caddisfly sp. 110044 - Carroll Co., VA 10/4/08
Caddisfly sp. 140425 - Carroll Co., VA 5/10/09. Small and dark.

Unidentified Insects
Scale insect 8375 - Alleghany Co., NC 7/1/06
Insect 2115 - Carroll Co., VA 9/22/06
Insect 3653 - Durham, NC 1/28/07. Tiny and dark.
Insect 3674 - Durham, NC 3/7/07. Tiny and dark. May be same species as 3653.
Insect 4188 - Durham, NC 3/24/07. Tiny. Similar to 3653 and 3674.
Insect 8149 - Durham, NC 6/28/07. Tiny.
Insect 8155 - Durham, NC 6/28/07. Minute, perhaps a 2 mm wingspan.
Insect 8837 - Carroll Co., VA 7/5/07
Insect 70651 - Durham, NC 6/4/08. Minute.

 

Recommended Insect Books: Though web sites are helpful, it's easier to learn how to identify insects by studying good books. Here are a few to get you started. If you would like to help support this web site, please click on the images below to buy through Amazon. Field Guides
	A Field Guide to Insects (Peterson Field Guides) by Donald J. Borror and Richard E. White (1998) Perhaps the best general field guide to the insects of North America. Great illustrations and scientifically accurate text.
	Insects (Golden Guide) by Herbert S. Zim and Clarence Cottam (2001) The venerable Golden Guide is great starting point for kids.
	National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders by Lorus and Margery Milne (1980) The first field guide I ever owned; my sister gave this to me when I was 14, helping spur my interest in nature. Out of date, but still worth having on hand.
	National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Insects and Spiders & Related Species of North America by Arthur V. Evans and Craig Tufts (2007) A newer guide with great photos to help identify the most common species.
	Garden Insects of North America: The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Bugs by Whitney Cranshaw (2004) Great photographic guide for the gardener.
	Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America by Eric R. Eaton and Kenn Kaufman (2007) I don't have this one, but it looks great.
	The Songs of Insects by Lang Elliott and Wil Hershberger (2007) This CD of insect songs, with acompanying book featuring gorgeous large photographs, is excellent for identifying common daytime buzzing insects and mysterious chirps in the night.
Insect Biology
	Borror and DeLong's Introduction to the Study of Insects by Charles A. Triplehorn and Norman F. Johnson (2004) This college textbook is fantastic for serious entomologists.

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Comments? Questions? E-mail me at cwcook@duke.edu

All photographs and text ©2010 by Will Cook, unless otherwise noted.