The arrival of spring and summer in Maryland is always a cause for excitement. Warmer weather means more outdoor adventures, from hikes to swimming holes. However, with warm weather means the emergence of bugs in Maryland. We have hundreds of species of arachnids and insects in Maryland, and while there are certainly some people who love creepy crawlies, it’s safe to say that most of us are trying to invent a bug spray that repels them for 50 miles in every direction. We have very few truly dangerous bugs in Maryland, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of creepy-looking insects and arachnids here.
House centipedes are pretty creepy-looking. They're arthropods with an exoskeleton and jointed legs, and they're more similar to a lobster than an insect or bug. They can have up to 15 pairs of extremely long legs. The good news about them is that they're insectivores and consume arachnids and insects. Fun fact: if a leg becomes trapped, a house centipede can detach it.
Here in the Old Line State, you're most likely to see a Northern black widow, though the closely-related Southern black widow is more widespread in the United States. Widows are among the most-feared spiders thanks to their deadly venom, but in reality, these little guys are pretty skittish. Bites only rarely result in serious complications, and you're not likely to be bitten unless you startle the spider.
Camel crickets, also known as cave crickets, are quite unusual-looking, but they're harmless. They typically wander into homes in dark, damp areas like basements and bathrooms.
Stink bugs are most famous for, well, their stink. They release a smelly liquid when threatened or wounded. The smell varies depending on the individual insect, but some species release a compound that contains cyanide! They're not harmful to humans, but it's best to release them outside if you see one indoors. The pheromones within the "stink" liquid draw other stink bugs to your home, so one stink bug can quickly turn into an infestation.
There are actually multiple species of cicada in the eastern United States. The most famous is the 17-year cicada in Maryland, which spends most of its life underground and broods emerge every 17 years. The broods are made up of several different species.
Cockroaches are among the most hated insects in Maryland. There are thousands of cockroach species, and many are considered pests thanks to their cohabitation with humans. American cockroaches have elaborate social structures and, in laboratory experiments, have exhibited the ability to engage in group decision making.
Wolf spiders can grow quite large, so many people are terrified of them, but they are skittish and non-aggressive. The females are extremely maternal and will carry their young on their back (pictured) until they are large enough to hunt for themselves.
These wasps look creepy, but they're completely harmless and can't even sting. The females are capable of parthenogenesis, meaning they don't require males to reproduce. They lay their eggs in June bug larvae beneath the soil. When the wasp eggs hatch, they eat the June bug larvae for sustenance before emerging above ground.
Even for those who love creepy crawlies, bed bugs in Maryland are among the most hated of all critters. This fearsome creature feeds off blood and lives within fabric or wall corners. Because they can live several months without feeding, they can be almost impossible to get rid of.
Cicada killers are ground-dwelling wasps that grow quite large, but are harmless to humans. The males can't sting at all and the females only sting when threatened. Adults eat nectar, but they get their name because females will hunt cicadas (which weigh about twice as much as the wasps!) to bring back to her nest and feed her young.
There are several species of crane fly in Maryland - you may hear them referred to as "mosquito hawks." They resemble mosquitoes, but are quite different and only have two wings instead of four. They cannot bite and are completely harmless.
There's something unsettling about earwigs - maybe it's the pincers. They very rarely bite, but they will pinch you, and can even draw blood. They're not native to North America, but were introduced here in the early 20th century. Fun fact: both males and females have pincers, but the females' are straight and the males' curve inward (pictured).
Whether you love insects in Maryland or hate them, one thing is for certain: they’re here to stay!
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More to Explore
Animals In Maryland
Lisa Sammons|March 01, 2023
Are there any deadly spiders or insects, or dangerous bugs in Maryland?
Cow killer, aka velvet ant (though they are technically wasps!)
Red fire ant
Black widow spider
Brown recluse spider
What are some of the weirdest animals seen in Maryland?
Did you know there are over 50 species of birds that are only found in Maryland? We have all kinds of other critters you might not expect, like black bears, porcupines, and nutria.
How many species of insects in Maryland are there?
The exact number is unknown, but it's thought that there are over 1,200 species of insects in Maryland!
