Eerie but Essential Insects
Halloween is the perfect time to learn about the creepy crawlies that make our watershed their home. But don’t worry, these bugs aren’t as scary as they’re made out to be!
Discover five fascinating bugs that would win any Halloween-themed costume contest and play a vital role in helping the Credit River Watershed thrive.
Halloween Pennant
Dragonflies may not be at the top of the list for scariest bug, but this dragonfly gets their name, Halloween pennant (Celithemis eponina), for their orange and black-brown colouring. Pennant dragonflies are named after their habit of perching on the tips of plants, making them look like a flag or pennant. Imagine a field adorned with perching Halloween pennants, it would look like a well-decorated fall festival!
These small dragonflies are beneficial because they consume a lot of over-populated gnats, mosquitoes and other flies. As well, many birds consider pennant dragonflies as a favourite snack, playing a crucial role in the food cycle.
House Pseudoscorpion
The house pseudoscorpion (Chelifer cancroides) may seem menacing, but it’s harmless unless you’re a small bug.
Pseudoscorpions resemble true scorpions in appearance but lack their elongated tail and characteristic stinger. Instead, this tiny mimic uses their long pincers to grab mites, small flies, book lice and other little bugs in your house.
Similar to spiders, they use venom to inject into their prey before consuming it for a less stressful mealtime. They can also spin themselves silk sleeping bags to hide in to wait out cold weather. If you see one in your basement, it’s not a bad idea to keep them around and allow them to do some extermination for free.
Pumpkin Spider
The marbled orbweaver (Araneus marmoreus), is nicknamed the pumpkin spider because of the large, beautiful abdomens on females, often in yellow and orange, resembling a pumpkin.
Marbled orbweavers are web-building spiders that use a neat trick while they wait to catch their prey. They hide under a leaf shelter near their web and hold on to a trap line while they wait. When something lands on the line, it jiggles, and the spider jumps out to grab it, like a classic horror movie scene!
The marbled orbweaver, along with other spiders, are valuable predators in maintaining insect populations in balance within the watershed, while also being deserving of admiration for their beauty.
Beautiful Wood Nymph
Beautiful wood nymphs (Eudryas grata) mimic a not so pretty bird droppings as a clever strategy to outsmart predators, just like dressing up for Halloween to deceive spirits! When at rest, it stretches out its fuzzy little legs and does a convincing job of mimicking something a predator wouldn’t be interested in eating.
You might spot these moths flying near grapevines or Virginia creeper, aggressive vining plants in the watershed, which are common foods eaten by its caterpillars. Don’t expect to see the moths on flowers, the adults don’t eat and are only focused on reproduction.
American Carrion Beetle
You might not know this beetle, but you should be thankful for its presence in our area. Thanks to the American carrion beetle (Necrophila americana) and its counterparts, the watershed has a lot less deceased animals lying around.
American carrion beetles lay their eggs on animal carcasses and their larvae help break down and recycle the dead bodies by eating them. The adults also eat parts of the carrion and will even munch the eggs and larvae of competitor species.
We are grateful for the essential role bugs play in maintaining the health and vibrancy of the Credit River Watershed.
Share the Bug Love
Love bugs the same way we do? Here’s some ways to help spread the love for bugs this Halloween!
- Share this blog with your friends and family. Education will always help reduce myths and lessen fearful perceptions.
- Contribute to citizen science and share your observations on iNaturalist.
- We’d love to see your finds too, so tag us on Instagram, Facebook, and X.
By Sarah LeBret, Associate, Marketing and Communications