11 species of bugs at Lake Herrick
Note: All illustrations and photos on this page are by Gigi Gonsalves
Blue-fronted Dancer, Argia apicalis
Having been spotted in 30 states throughout the U.S., these dragonflies are very common near ponds, streams and creeks. As larvae (babies), they eat insects, fish and worms, and as adults they only flying insects, primarily mosquitos. In fact, a single dragonfly can eat up to 100 mosquitos in one day. Fully mature, they're usually 1 to 1.5 inches in length. Spot them almost anywhere at the lake, mainly during warmer weather.
Having been spotted in 30 states throughout the U.S., these dragonflies are very common near ponds, streams and creeks. As larvae (babies), they eat insects, fish and worms, and as adults they only flying insects, primarily mosquitos. In fact, a single dragonfly can eat up to 100 mosquitos in one day. Fully mature, they're usually 1 to 1.5 inches in length. Spot them almost anywhere at the lake, mainly during warmer weather.
Differential Grasshopper, Melanoplus differentialis
These large grasshoppers about 2 inches in length are found throughout northern Mexico, Ontario, Canada and central America. Though rare at the lake, they're easy to identify when found thanks to the distinct black herringbone pattern on the femurs of their hind legs. They are found in a wide variety of habitats and are in fact a food pest for many farms, as they like to feed on grasses and corn, soybeans and other common crops. However, they make for great fishing bait when captured (a helpful hint for any fishermen or fisherwomen).
These large grasshoppers about 2 inches in length are found throughout northern Mexico, Ontario, Canada and central America. Though rare at the lake, they're easy to identify when found thanks to the distinct black herringbone pattern on the femurs of their hind legs. They are found in a wide variety of habitats and are in fact a food pest for many farms, as they like to feed on grasses and corn, soybeans and other common crops. However, they make for great fishing bait when captured (a helpful hint for any fishermen or fisherwomen).
Jorō Spider, Trichonephila clavata
These are members of the golden orb-web spider genus, meaning their webs are fashioned in a circular pattern. This species has been found throughout Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China, and has only very recently been discovered in northeast Georgia. They can be easily confused with Argiope aurantia, a native garden spider of Georgia whose only noticeable difference from the Jorō spider is that it doesn't have a red underbelly. The Jorō spider isn't aggressive toward humans. Spot them at eye level in the trees, but don't lean too close to look at them- they'll run away quickly!
These are members of the golden orb-web spider genus, meaning their webs are fashioned in a circular pattern. This species has been found throughout Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China, and has only very recently been discovered in northeast Georgia. They can be easily confused with Argiope aurantia, a native garden spider of Georgia whose only noticeable difference from the Jorō spider is that it doesn't have a red underbelly. The Jorō spider isn't aggressive toward humans. Spot them at eye level in the trees, but don't lean too close to look at them- they'll run away quickly!
Brown Stink Bug, Euschistus servus
Occurring throughout much of North America, these insects are most common in southeastern United States and Central America. There is a lot of variability among stink bugs, but the brown stink bug in particular is distinguishable by its pointed shoulders and yellowish bands on its antennae. They are considered a serious pest for agricultural sites as they feed on seeds, grains nuts and fruit crops. They often outcompete other insects that feed on shrubs, vines and broadleaf weeds, and they tend to inject toxic substances into plant parts that can inhibit plant development in the areas of incision. Pest management is essential to keeping these insects under control.
Occurring throughout much of North America, these insects are most common in southeastern United States and Central America. There is a lot of variability among stink bugs, but the brown stink bug in particular is distinguishable by its pointed shoulders and yellowish bands on its antennae. They are considered a serious pest for agricultural sites as they feed on seeds, grains nuts and fruit crops. They often outcompete other insects that feed on shrubs, vines and broadleaf weeds, and they tend to inject toxic substances into plant parts that can inhibit plant development in the areas of incision. Pest management is essential to keeping these insects under control.
Spinybacked Orbweaver, Gasteracantha cancriformis
These interesting-looking spiders get their name from the spines that protrude from their abdomen and their body shape that resembles a crab, as well as the fact that their webs are spun in circular patterns. Sometimes, the large spikes extending from their abdomens are red instead of black. Females are generally a fourth to a half of an inch long, and males are generally a little smaller. Interestingly, their egg sacs contain over 200 offspring and can become pests in homes. However, they are predacious on insects that cause damage to crops and gardens, so orb weavers are considered very beneficial spiders.
These interesting-looking spiders get their name from the spines that protrude from their abdomen and their body shape that resembles a crab, as well as the fact that their webs are spun in circular patterns. Sometimes, the large spikes extending from their abdomens are red instead of black. Females are generally a fourth to a half of an inch long, and males are generally a little smaller. Interestingly, their egg sacs contain over 200 offspring and can become pests in homes. However, they are predacious on insects that cause damage to crops and gardens, so orb weavers are considered very beneficial spiders.
Eastern Black Carpenter Ant, Camponotus pennsylvanicus
One of the most common species of ants found in America, these insects are known for chewing up wood to use for building their nests in dead trees. Importantly, they don't actually eat the wood. Rather, they eat sap, honeydew, dead and live insects and animal fat. They're also relatively large in size and can be very aggressive toward humans. Colonies can have more than 15,000 individuals!
One of the most common species of ants found in America, these insects are known for chewing up wood to use for building their nests in dead trees. Importantly, they don't actually eat the wood. Rather, they eat sap, honeydew, dead and live insects and animal fat. They're also relatively large in size and can be very aggressive toward humans. Colonies can have more than 15,000 individuals!
Slaty Skimmer, Libellula incesta
A very common dragonfly in Georgia, these skimmers are native to eastern U.S., parts of Canada. Mature males are dark blue with black heads while mature females have brown abdomens and a stripe down their backs. Like most dragonflies, they can fly in 6 different directions- upward, downward, forward, back and side to side. And they can hover in the air for up to a minute. Spot mates flying together over the bridge by the cove at Lake Herrick.
A very common dragonfly in Georgia, these skimmers are native to eastern U.S., parts of Canada. Mature males are dark blue with black heads while mature females have brown abdomens and a stripe down their backs. Like most dragonflies, they can fly in 6 different directions- upward, downward, forward, back and side to side. And they can hover in the air for up to a minute. Spot mates flying together over the bridge by the cove at Lake Herrick.
Hoverflies, Eupeodes spp.
Also called flower flies or syrphid flies, these insects mimic the appearance of a bee to protect themselves from predators (they don't actually have stingers, because they're in fact flies). Their name is suggestive of the fact that they like to hover around flowers and collect their nectar. While adults do serve as important pollinators, it's their larvae that are beneficial to ecosystems and gardens, as maggots (the larval form of the fly) eat harmful aphids off of plants. Luckily, they are found all around the world, in woodlands and urban areas alike.
Also called flower flies or syrphid flies, these insects mimic the appearance of a bee to protect themselves from predators (they don't actually have stingers, because they're in fact flies). Their name is suggestive of the fact that they like to hover around flowers and collect their nectar. While adults do serve as important pollinators, it's their larvae that are beneficial to ecosystems and gardens, as maggots (the larval form of the fly) eat harmful aphids off of plants. Luckily, they are found all around the world, in woodlands and urban areas alike.
Eyed click beetle, Alaus oculatus
Reaching an average length of between 1 to 1.8 inches, these interesting-looking beetles have false eyes on their pronotum (front part of their body) that serve as a defensive adaptation meant to scare away predators. These beetles can also catapult itself out of danger suddenly by releasing the energy stored by a click mechanism (hence their name). They can be found in Central and North America in various woodlands.
Reaching an average length of between 1 to 1.8 inches, these interesting-looking beetles have false eyes on their pronotum (front part of their body) that serve as a defensive adaptation meant to scare away predators. These beetles can also catapult itself out of danger suddenly by releasing the energy stored by a click mechanism (hence their name). They can be found in Central and North America in various woodlands.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Papilio glaucus
Native to eastern North America, these pretty butterflies fly from spring to fall and have an average wingspan of 3.1 to 5.5 inches. They like to feed on the nectar of many flowers, such as the one pictured to the right- common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis). Their common habitats include woodlands, fields, rivers and gardens, and they're often found solitary rather than in groups. Two interesting facts: in caterpillar form, they disguise themselves as bird droppings to protect themselves from getting eaten, and this butterfly has been named the state butterfly of Alabama, Delaware, South and North Carolina, and Georgia.
Native to eastern North America, these pretty butterflies fly from spring to fall and have an average wingspan of 3.1 to 5.5 inches. They like to feed on the nectar of many flowers, such as the one pictured to the right- common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis). Their common habitats include woodlands, fields, rivers and gardens, and they're often found solitary rather than in groups. Two interesting facts: in caterpillar form, they disguise themselves as bird droppings to protect themselves from getting eaten, and this butterfly has been named the state butterfly of Alabama, Delaware, South and North Carolina, and Georgia.
Common Checkered-Skipper, Burnsius communis
These beautiful skippers appear fluffy and similar to a butterfly. They have a wingspan of 1 to 1.5 inches and are extremely similar to the white checkered skipper. In fact, the only way to tell the difference between the two involves dissection and intricate examination of the male. Males mate in swarms in the afternoons, and females lay eggs on tops of leaves and leaf buds. They like to feed on nectar from flowers such as asters, clovers and other various weeds, and they can be seen anytime between February and October in sunny places with low vegetation and some bare soil (like trails in the woods). Their range includes most of temperate North America and parts of Mexico.
These beautiful skippers appear fluffy and similar to a butterfly. They have a wingspan of 1 to 1.5 inches and are extremely similar to the white checkered skipper. In fact, the only way to tell the difference between the two involves dissection and intricate examination of the male. Males mate in swarms in the afternoons, and females lay eggs on tops of leaves and leaf buds. They like to feed on nectar from flowers such as asters, clovers and other various weeds, and they can be seen anytime between February and October in sunny places with low vegetation and some bare soil (like trails in the woods). Their range includes most of temperate North America and parts of Mexico.
Below is a link to even more flowering plant species found at Lake Herrick (as we couldn't include an exhaustive list on this page):