Texas Insects Butterflies Moths Dragonflies Damselflies Beetles Bees

Texas Insects Butterflies, Moths, Dragonflies, Damselflies, Beetles, Bees, and Wasps

Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly Range in Texas: Statewide Diet: Nectar from many flowers Lifespan: 4 -6 months Fun fact: Called the Tiger swallowtail due to it distinct “tiger stripes”

Gulf Fritillary Butterfly Range in Texas: Statewide Diet: Lantana nectar Lifespan: 4 -6 months Fun fact: Adults release odorous chemicals to deter attack by predators

Malachite Butterfly Range in Texas: Southernmost Diet: flower, rotting fruit, dead animals, nectar, and bat dung Lifespan: 4 -6 months Fun fact: This butterfly is named for the mineral malachite, which is bright green!

Monarch Butterfly Range in Texas: Statewide Diet: Milkweed blossoms Lifespan: 12 -14 months Fun fact: Called King of the Butterflies due to its yearly migration from Canada to Mexico.

Viceroy Butterfly Range in Texas: Statewide Diet: milkweed flowers Lifespan: 4 -6 months Fun fact: Called the Viceroy because like a ruler exercising authority, it mimics the king. The “king” in this case is the Monarch butterfly!

Luna Moth Range in Texas: Mostly central, eastern and southern Diet: Adults do not feed Lifespan: Adults live only a few weeks, enough time to mate and lay eggs Fun fact: Named after Luna, the Roman goddess of the Moon.

Catalpa Sphinx Moth Range in Texas: Statewide Diet: nectar from columbines, larkspurs, petunia, honeysuckle, moonvine. Lifespan: 1 -2 months Fun fact: These moths fly like hummingbirds hovering while sipping nectar.

Black Witch Moth Range: Statewide Diet: Adults fed on nectar Lifespan: 2 -3 weeks Fun fact: Known as "mariposa de la muerte" the “Butterfly of Death” because it is seen as a sign of death in Hispanic culture.

Green Darner Dragonfly Range in Texas: Statewide Diet: Flying insects Lifespan: Several months Fun fact: Migratory from the Northern US to Mexico

Whitetail Skimmer Dragonfly Range in Texas: Statewide Diet: Flying insects Lifespan: Spring through fall Fun fact: Males protect their harem (group of females they mate with) zealously.

Ebony Jewel Wing Damselfly Range in Texas: Eastern Diet: Small flying insects Lifespan: Several months Fun fact: The male is famous for his iridescent green body.

Familiar Bluet Damselfly Range in Texas: Statewide Diet: Small flying insects Lifespan: Several months Fun fact: Most commonly found near water, like a pond of river.

Eyed Elater Beetle Range in Texas: Central and Eastern Diet: Nectar, sap, and plant juices Lifespan: 4 -6 months Fun fact: It is the largest “click beetle” which can flip high in the air when place on their backs.

Festive Tiger Beetle Range in Texas: Statewide Diet: Insects, small arthropods Lifespan: 5 -6 months Fun fact: Brilliantly metallic coloring, aggressive, truly the tigers of the insect world.

Golden Tortoise Beetle Range in Texas: Statewide Diet: Morning glory and sweet potato Lifespan: Spring to fall Fun fact: Brilliant in life, dull in death as most lose their color after dying. Some change from gold to red when disturbed.

Forest Caterpillar Hunter Range in Texas: Statewide Diet: Caterpillars Lifespan: 4 -6 months Fun fact: Distinctively metallic green and a ferocious predator of caterpillars.

Whirligig beetle Range in Texas: Statewide Diet: Insects below and on the surface of the water Lifespan: 4 -6 months Fun fact: Their eyes are split in two and they can see below and above the water at the same time!

Blue Mason Bee Range in Texas: Statewide Diet: Flower pollen, nectar Lifespan: 1 year Fun fact: Often raised alongside crops as designated pollinators of certain crops such as almond trees.

Sweat Bee Range in Texas: Statewide Diet: Flower nectar Lifespan: 1 year Fun fact: They are “brood parasites” and invade other bee nests, kill the larva and replace them with their eggs which will be raised by the “foster” bee.

Cicada Killer Wasp Range in Texas: Statewide Diet: Flower nectar and saps Lifespan: 5 -6 months Fun fact: Females sting cicadas, anesthetizing them which are then buried and used as food for the wasp's larvae

Mexican Honey Wasp Range in Texas: Southernmost Diet: They feed on a species of citrus bug Lifespan: several months Fun fact: They are one of the few wasps that produce honey. In Mexico, the wasps, larvae, and honey are all consumed as a delicacy.