Attracting pollinators and beneficial insects to your garden or outdoor space is environmentally friendly. Not every bug is bad, and knowing when you’ve found a helpful bug or not helps our pollinators and beneficial insects. Here is a list of the coolest bugs in Nevada from your local pest control experts.
Cactus Longhorn Beetles
Cactus longhorn beetles are about an inch long and have a shiny body with a hunched stance and a head, almost like a horse. Their antennae are enormous. While these are some of the coolest bugs around as far as looks go, they’re not beneficial. The female lays eggs that hatch into larvae and burrow into cacti, feeding on the roots and interior tissues. Adults hide in the sand during the day and sometimes feed on new shoots and plants. It’s the larvae, however, that destroy cactus plants.
Pipevine Swallowtails
The pipevine swallowtail is a type of butterfly found throughout the U.S. and as far south as Mexico. They are iridescent black and have a row of yellow spots along their wings’ edges. The undersides of their rear wings have seven round orange areas, and the wings are iridescent blue. Their larvae feed only on pipevine plants (hence their name). Still, like all butterflies, they are a good option for attracting pollinators and beneficial insects, as they carry pollen from one plant to another.
Wild Silk Moths
Wild silk moths are about 2 to 3 inches long, and their larvae feed on horsebrush, Fremont’s Dalea, and desert almond plants. The adults don’t feed at all. They have snow-white wings with black outlines and spots with bodies that are orange and black. One brood is produced annually, and their caterpillars are green and appear to have small pine fronds jutting out of their backs on their body segments. Like many moths, their larvae damage plants, but the adults are harmless and pretty to see.
Golden Velvet Ants
Golden velvet ants are not ants but ant-like wasps. Females don’t have wings and jet around on the ground, while males fly. Females are covered in long golden hairs, while males look like giant ants. These bugs are not aggressive, but females sting if agitated, and the sting is painful. Females also make a squeaking sound when in distress. They feed on nectar, making them one of Nevada’s pollinators and beneficial insects.
Leafcutter Bees
When people think about attracting pollinators and beneficial insects, bees come to mind, but the leafcutter bee also damages trees. These small bees are primarily black with very narrow yellow rings. They cut oval disks from leaves to fill the holes in their nests. Always call for pest control to carefully remove infestations of pollinating bugs to protect them.
It was tough to choose our favorites, so these are just a few of the coolest bugs in Nevada. You can also check out our list of the most beautiful bugs for more interesting crawlers. If you have uninvited insects, bugs, or critters hanging out in your home or yard, contact Dr. Death Pest Control today!