These 18 Bugs Found In Wyoming Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine
By Caryl|Updated on July 29, 2022(Originally published July 23, 2022)
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Caryl
Author
I am a freelance writer who also has been a small business owner and worked in the fields of insurance, accounting, and education. I enjoy spending time with family, reading, writing, photography, music, running, sports, and of course traveling!
We all know Wyoming is a stand-out state when it comes to nature. On the surface, nature is bold, beautiful, and all-around wonderful. but when you get up close and personal with nature, you may begin to notice some aspects that aren’t as attractive. You just have to remind yourself that even though these bugs may not be very pretty to look at, they may still serve a very useful purpose in the ecosystem. Here is a list of creepy crawly bugs in Wyoming that are lurking in the great outdoors.
The Blue Death-Feigning Beetle feeds on plant and animal debris. The beetle protects itself from predators by pretending to be dead. They roll on their backs and bend their legs so that they appear to be dead and dried out.
The Masked Hunter has a body that is covered with sticky hairs and a beak that is used to inflict painful bites. These bugs primarily feed on bed bugs. This is one of the most intriguing Wyoming bugs.
The Periodical Cicada emerges every 13 to 17 years. They appear in hundreds or in thousands. They are large insects with bulging eyes on each side of their head. If you have ever experienced these before, you will never forget them. During the masses, you will see them clinging to everything outside. You can barely take a step without hearing that crunching sound.
Pseudoscorpions are shaped like really small scorpions. They typically travel by catching rides on larger insects. They are important because they eliminate smaller pests in the area. This is one of the creepier-looking insects in Wyoming.
The American Cockroach is reddish-brown with a glossy coating. They have wings which make them good flyers. They eat both human and pet food. Like everywhere else, the American Cockroach is one of the most common bugs in Wyoming.
Instead of spinning webs, the Carolina Wolf Spider is a hunter where it goes around attacking other insects. They are brown, black, and ivory in color.
Carpenter Ants eat other insects and plant juices. Their defense mechanism is that they bite and spray an irritating acid from their abdomen. They have a destructive habit of boring through wood. They are the largest ants in North America.
Labyrinthine Orb Weaver Spiders spin unique webs that consist of double webs. Not only do they catch their prey in their web but they also have a venomous bite.
Jerusalem Crickets are humpbacked with a large head and striped abdomen. Their hind legs consist of two rows of spines. Their defense mechanism is a very painful bite. They eat plant roots and other insects and the females often eat their mates.
Where else can I see cool insects in the United States? What about in a museum setting?
There are plenty of museums dedicated to insects in our nation! Many people love the May Natural History Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado, which has over 8,000 specimen on display. The Harrell House Bug Museum in New Mexico has a lot of rare specimens for visitors to check out. If you're on the east coast, maybe you'd like to stop into the Insectropolis Museum in New Jersey!
What if I don't like bugs? What other wildlife is there to see and enjoy in Wyoming?
