In the heat of summer, it can feel like the bugs are everywhere in Louisiana! Here are 10 of the most amazing, creepy, and even dangerous insects out there.
1) Velvet Ant
JMK / wikicommons
Truly a wasp instead of an ant, these ants are often strictly nocturnal. They are known for their extremely painful stings, which is why they are also known as the cow killer.
2) Brown Recluse Spider
While these spiders prefer to stay in dark corners and don’t choose to bite, when they do it can be a serious problem. They frequently build their webs in woodpiles, sheds, closets, and garages.
3) Luna Moth
One of the largest moths in North America, the Luna Moth can have a wingspan of over 4 inches! These moths can be found throughout the country, but in Louisiana can breed up to three generations a year.
4) Buck Moth Caterpillar
Louisiana is well known for its beautiful oak trees - the buck moth caterpillar's favorite home. If you are around in the wrong season then be careful, the spines can cause a painful and irritating sting.
5) Wolf Spider
An avid hunter that often works alone, these spiders have excellent eyesight. Their eyes, pictured here, are unusual since two of them are significantly larger than the rest. Be careful around these spiders—their bite can be extremely painful!
6) Banded Garden Spider (Argiope trifasciata)
Some people use this spider as a natural compass, because it always keeps its dark underbelly directed towards the south. They like to build webs low to the ground in gardens, tall grasses, or between bushes.
7) Eastern Lubber Grasshopper
In Louisiana, these grasshoppers are known as the "Devil’s horse" or "cheval-diable". If you get too close, these grasshoppers can release a foul-tasting foamy secretion from their thorax.
8) Eastern Hercules Beetle
Found in dirt or rotten wood, these beetles are some of the longest and heaviest beetles in the United States.
9) Earwig
Many people believe that this bug will crawl into your ear and lay eggs! It turns out this is a myth, but those pincers on an earwig's butt make it creepy nonetheless.
10 Blister Beetle
It may not be the creepiest looking insect on this list, but beware! If a blister beetle is irritated it will release a caustic chemical that can make you skin blister.
These are some of the creepiest bugs around! What do you think of our list? What do you think we should add? Tell us in the comments below!
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