INSECTS AND THEIR KIN
The insect world populating the dense grass jungles and sand-dune
deserts at Castle Neck is generally unfamiliar to the human towering
above, yet its principal characters may readily be observed by the keen
eye, or, better, the keen eye aided by a simple magnifying glass.
Insects are identified by the presence of six legs. Insect-like animals
may be found with more than six legs. Let’s look at these first.
INSECT RELATIVES: MULTILEGGED CREATURES
_Eight-legged Animals_
[Illustration: Ticks]
Ticks
(Ioxidae and Argasidae)
Body egg-shaped in outline
Very small head
Parasitic on human beings as well as animals
Ticks are quite common at the beach, but only the tourist who ventures
into the woods will encounter them. From the tip of a blade of grass
they hook on to a warm-blooded animal passing by. In removing a Tick
some care is necessary so that the tiny head will not remain embedded in
the victim. Ticks can usually be persuaded to let go if touched with a
lighted cigarette or daubed with rubbing alcohol.
[Illustration: Harvestmen]
Harvestmen
(_Phalangida_)
Very small oval body
Extremely long, slender legs
Better known as “Daddy-long-legs,” these creatures resemble Spiders, but
are not very closely related to them. They are perfectly harmless and
cannot bite. Most of them feed on plant juices or dead insects.
[Illustration: True Spiders]
True Spiders
(Araneida)
Body divided into two distinct parts
All have poison fangs
Many spiders are to be found on Crane’s Beach. Most are small, harmless,
and difficult to identify. However, some of the general groups may be
readily recognized:
Sheet-web Spiders (Linyphiidae): A small spider, usually less than a
quarter of an inch long. Its sheetlike web identifies it.
Orb-weaving Spiders (Argiopidae): All of these spiders build their
webs like a wheel with radiating spokes. The Orange-and-Black Garden
Spider (_Miranda aurantia_), a large species infesting grassy places
in the fall, is typical of the group.
Crab Spiders (Thomisidae): The Crab Spiders do not construct webs, but
their crablike shape and the fact that they walk sidewise will
identify them.
Wolf Spiders (Lycosidae): This spider hunts its prey instead of
building a web and waiting for its meal to happen along. Wolf Spiders
are often large and quite hairy. The holes you find in the sand dunes
are nurseries constructed by the female Sand Dune Wolf Spider (_Lycosa
pikei_).
Jumping Spiders (Attidae): “Jumpers” have a rather fat body that is
heavily covered with hair. They too hunt their prey, often jumping
several inches to capture it.
_Creatures with More Than Eight Legs_
[Illustration: Sow Bugs]
Sow Bugs
(Isopoda)
Flat, segmented body
Less than ten pairs of legs
The Sow Bug, commonly called the “Pill Bug,” is usually found hiding
under a damp log. It is completely innocuous and will often roll into a
ball when disturbed.
[Illustration: Centipedes]
Centipedes
(Chilopoda)
Elongated, segmented body
Fifteen or more pairs of legs
One pair of legs per segment
The Centipede is usually found hidden in a moist place. It feeds on
insects killed by a poison injected through its jaw. Although Centipedes
occasionally bite a finger, their poison is so weak that the bite can be
ignored.
[Illustration: Millipedes]
Millipedes
(Diplopoda)
Hard, segmented, worm-shaped body
Two pair of legs per segment
Roll into a ball when disturbed
The Millipede is found in much the same habitat as the Centipede, under
a board or rock or inside a rotten stump. It is harmless, and lives for
the most part on decaying plants.
INSECTS: SIX-LEGGED ANIMALS
_The Mayflies_
[Illustration: Mayflies]
These insects have long, soft bodies and two long “tails.” The first
stage in the Mayfly’s life is spent under water in one of the several
swampy pools behind the main beach. Early in the spring it changes into
the winged adult that is unable to eat. This adult lays its eggs and
dies soon afterwards.
_The Dragonflies and Damselflies_
[Illustration: Dragonflies]
Dragonflies
(Aeshnidae, and others)
Two pairs of long, stiff wings
Two large compound eyes, which touch each other
Hold wings outspread when they alight
Dragonflies are often called “Devil’s Darning Needles,” but they are
perfectly harmless. They frequent wet areas, where they feed on other
insects—particularly mosquitoes!
[Illustration: Damselflies]
Damselflies
(Lestidae and Coenagrionidae)
Two pairs of long wings
Large compound eyes do not touch
Wings folded over back when resting
Aside from their smaller, more delicate appearance, these insects look
like the Dragonflies. They are found in the same places and have similar
habits.
_The Fan-winged Insects: Grasshoppers, Crickets, etc._
[Illustration: Short-horned Grasshoppers]
Short-horned Grasshoppers
(Acrididae)
Antennae shorter than body
Typical Grasshopper shape
Most Grasshoppers are strong fliers and are easily frightened into
flight. The males may be heard singing during the day—a rasping noise
produced by drawing the hind leg across the veins on the wing.
[Illustration: Crickets]
Crickets
(Gryllidae)
Antennae longer than body
Black or dark brown color
The commonest Cricket here is the Black Field Cricket (_Acheta
assimilis_). The “singing” of the Cricket is produced by the male as he
rubs his wings together. Of particular interest is the Snowy Tree
Cricket (_Oecanthus niveus_), which chirps rhythmically. By counting the
chirps in one minute and subtracting forty, then dividing this total by
four and adding your new sum to fifty, you will have a rough estimate of
the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.
[Illustration: Praying Mantis]
Praying Mantis
(_Stagmomantis carolina_)
Pale green color
Forefeet bent as though praying
Mantids were once rare in New England but in recent years seem to have
been extending their range northward and are now quite common even in
the grassy beach area. They are said to be the only insects that can
look over their shoulders.
_The Earwigs_
[Illustration: European Earwig]
European Earwig
(_Forficula auricularia_)
Wings short, not half length of body
Two pincers on tail
The Earwig hides by day, coming out at night to feed on plant material.
Since it does not bite with its pincers, it can be handled freely. Other
species are occasionally found. The Seaside Earwig (_Anisolabis
maritima_) is the largest New England earwig. It has more than
twenty-four segments to its antennae, whereas the European has no more
than fifteen.
_The True Bugs_
In common parlance, the term “bug” is usually applied to all insects.
Actually the following group is the only one scientifically recognized
as “bugs.” In all of them, half of the forewing is thickened and
leather-like, and all of the mouth parts are designed to pierce their
food.
[Illustration: Lygaeid Bugs]
Lygaeid Bugs
(Lygaeidae)
Four sections to antenna
Antennae end in club shape
Very few veins in forewing
The most common member of this group is the Red-and-Black Milkweed Bug
(_Oncopeltus fasciatus_), which feeds exclusively on Milkweed. A small
insect (_Geocoris_) also belongs to this group. It has a hammer-shaped
head and may be found beneath dried seaweed.
[Illustration: Stink Bugs]
Stink Bugs
(Pentatomidae)
Broad, shield-shaped insect
There are many kinds of Stink Bugs, so named because of the disagreeable
odor they emit when crushed. Some are brightly colored and are commonly
found on the fleshy dune plants.
_The Aphids and Scale Insects_
[Illustration: Woolly Alder Aphid]
Woolly Alder Aphid
(_Prociphilus tessellatus_)
White, woolly mass on Alder or Maple tree
The Woolly Aphid is found only on Alder and Maple trees and may be
recognized by its downy appearance. Although it feeds on the tree, it is
never common enough to do any damage. The wool is a secretion of wax
protecting the insect.
[Illustration: Oyster-shell Scale]
Oyster-shell Scale
(_Lepidosaphes ulmi_)
Tiny oyster-shell-shaped body covering
Attached to bark of tree (particularly Poplar and Birch)
You must look very carefully to discover one of these insects. The young
Scales have legs and move about during the month of June. Then they
settle down, lose their legs, and secrete a wax shell over their bodies.
These Scales are extremely common at the beach, but only the careful
observer is likely to see them.
_The Golden-eyed Insects_
[Illustration: Common Lacewing]
Common Lacewing
(_Chrysopa_, several species)
Delicate-green insect
Very large wings
Golden-colored eyes
In spite of its delicate shape, when caught the Lacewing emits an odor
which has earned it the name “Stink Fly.” Its eggs are laid singly on
long stalks because the young, called “aphid lions,” are cannibalistic.
_Nature’s Insect Tanks: Beetles_
[Illustration: Carrion Beetles]
Carrion Beetles
(Silphidae)
Body is soft but horny
Five segments in antennae
Usually found near dead animals
The Carrion Beetles lay their eggs on a dead animal, which they bury as
a food reserve for their young. This habit has given them the common
name of “Burying Beetles.”
[Illustration: Ground Beetles]
Ground Beetles
(Carabidae)
Dark brown or black
Head narrower than mid-body
Usually have prominent jaws
The legs of the Ground Beetle are designed for quick movement. These
beetles are mostly active by night. They are beneficial because they eat
other insects.
[Illustration: Tiger Beetles]
Tiger Beetles
(Cicindelidae)
Bright green or blue, metallic
Head broader than neck
Run and fly quickly
The adult feeds savagely on other insects, killing them with powerful
jaws—which can also nip your finger. The larvae are called “doodlebugs”
and live in upright burrows in the sand, allowing their jaws to extend
above ground to capture unsuspecting prey.
[Illustration: Click Beetles]
Click Beetles
(Elateridae)
When turned over, the insect snaps back upright
First body segment as broad as the last
Click Beetles are so named because of the resounding “click” they make
when snapping up into the air after being overturned. The adults are
strict vegetarians, so look for them on plants.
[Illustration: Scarab Beetles]
Scarab Beetles
(Scarabaeidae)
Large body, oval outline
Antennae terminate with fanlike segment
Body has “polished” finish
There are more than 1400 species in this group in the United States and
more than 30,000 in the world. Two of the most common at the beach are:
May Beetle (_Phyllophaga fusca_): A large cylindrical brown body. Also
called “June Bug,” in May and June it is frequently discovered at
night flying to a light.
Japanese Beetle (_Popillia japonica_): The head and forebody are
metallic green; the wings are copper color. Introduced from the Orient
about fifty years ago, these beetles do great damage to many kinds of
plants.
[Illustration: Snout Beetles or Weevils]
Snout Beetles or Weevils
(Curculionidae)
Small, roundish body
Dull, uninteresting color
Long tube (snout) on head
These are very common beetles on the dunes. Their long snout is used to
drill into seeds and plant tissues. None of our species do great harm,
but they have some unpleasant relatives—the Plum Curculio
(_Conotrachelus nenuphar_) and the Cotton Boll Weevil (_Anthonomus
grandis_).
[Illustration: Ladybug Beetles]
Ladybug Beetles
(Coccinellidae)
Hemispherical shape
Brightly colored
Many kinds of “Ladybug” or “Ladybird” Beetles can be found at the beach.
Some feed on plants and others on small insects. The insect-eating
varieties are extremely valuable.
[Illustration: Fireflies]
Fireflies
(Lampyridae)
A “tail light”
Elongated soft body
Head is not visible from above
The Firefly’s light is produced by the chemical reaction of a substance
called luciferin. It is an almost perfect “cold” light, with practically
no heat loss. The light is used to attract the opposite sex during
mating. The larva of this beetle is the “glowworm.”
_The Scaled-wing Insects: Butterflies and Moths_
Butterflies may be identified by their threadlike antennae, which are
club-shaped at the end; Moths usually have feathered antennae.
[Illustration: Swallowtails]
Swallowtails
(Papilionidae)
Large Butterflies
Tail-like extension on hind wings
The Tiger Swallowtail (_Papilio ajax_), with yellow and black wings, is
the largest butterfly at the beach, and, indeed, the largest butterfly
in America. In midsummer you may find one fluttering about flowering
plants.
[Illustration: Cabbage and Sulphur Butterflies]
Cabbage and Sulphur Butterflies
(Pieridae)
Half-dollar size
White or orange wings
These butterflies are common wherever there is an open area such as the
dunes. In other parts of the United States the caterpillars destroy
great amounts of alfalfa and cabbage.
[Illustration: Milkweed Butterflies]
Milkweed Butterflies
(Danaidae)
Large size
Orange and black markings
The Monarch Butterfly (_Danaus plexippus_) is our most common species.
Because of its bitter taste the birds won’t eat it.
[Illustration: Wood Nymphs]
Wood Nymphs
(Satyridae)
Butterflies with two large “eye spots” in brown wings
Large wing veins are swollen at base
Nymphs are found from sea level to the mountain peaks. Look for them in
the Pitch Pine woods behind the beach.
[Illustration: Skippers]
Skippers
(Hesperiidae)
Very hairy Butterflies, even wings
Erratic, skipping flight
The Skippers look much like Moths. Their crazy, zigzag flight helps
identify them.
[Illustration: Sphinx Moths]
Sphinx Moths
(Sphingidae)
Sphinx Moths frequently have a five-inch wingspread and
are called “Hawk” or “Hummingbird” Moths.
[Illustration: Saturnid Moths]
Saturnid Moths
(Saturniidae)
Very large, hairy moths
Large, feather-like antennae
Two species occur in our area:
Cecropia Moth (_Samia cecropia_): It is the largest moth in our area,
having varying colors of brown and yellow.
Luna Moth (_Tropaea luna_): New England’s most beautiful moth, the
Luna is pale green, with a brown leading edge on the forewing and a
long tail-like extension from the hind wing.
[Illustration: Tiger Moths]
Tiger Moths
(Arctiinae)
Yellowish-brown body
Three rows of black spots on body
The larvae of these moths are the well-known “Woolly Bear” caterpillars
that are covered with a dense coat of rusty-red and black hairs. They
are not beneficial. Two common examples are:
Salt-marsh Caterpillar (_Estigmene acrea_): This caterpillar is
covered with rose-colored hair. It feeds on practically every type of
leaf in the fall.
Webworm (_Hyphantria cunea_): It covers the ground for several feet
with its silky web. In large numbers, Webworms can denude a tree in
short order. Periodic outbreaks of these “Soldier Worms” are common at
the beach.
[Illustration: Eastern Tent Caterpillar]
Eastern Tent Caterpillar
(_Malacosoma americanum_)
Adult moth is reddish brown
Extremely hairy, even on legs
The adult is less readily recognized than is the web home of these
caterpillars. In the spring, the webs may be found on most of the Black
Cherry trees in the area.
[Illustration: Measuringworms]
Measuringworms
(Geometridae)
Small gray or brown Moths
Margin of wings frilly or scalloped
The caterpillars of these moths are the famous “Inch-worms” which move
along by arching the body to bring the tail up to the head, then
throwing the head out as if measuring the inches with the body.
_The Two-winged Insects: Flies and Mosquitoes_
Flies differ from other insects in having only two wings (one pair). The
second pair has degenerated into a tiny club-shaped structure that aids
the Fly in keeping its balance.
[Illustration: Biting Midges]
Biting Midges
(Certaopogonidae)
Minute size (usually felt rather than seen!)
Also called “No-see-ums” and “Sand Flies,” these tiny blood-sucking
Flies are altogether too common at the beach. So small that they can
pass through window screening, they are best discouraged with a liberal
dose of insect repellent.
[Illustration: Crane Flies]
Crane Flies
(Tipulidae)
Resemble overgrown Mosquitoes
Extremely long, threadlike legs
Crane Flies are associated with the wet, swampy areas behind the beach.
In spite of their mosquito-like shape, they can’t bite.
[Illustration: Gall Midges]
Gall Midges
(Cecidomyiidae)
Minute Flies with humpback
Antennae as long as body
The galls appear as unnatural swellings on plant stems or leaves. Each
species of these flies has a specific-shaped gall, made on a specific
type of plant, and at a specific place on the plant.
[Illustration: Horse and Deer Flies]
Horse and Deer Flies
(Tabanidae)
½″ to 1″ in length
Head is hemispherical in shape
Large eyes, occupy entire head
The mouth of these flies is designed to puncture the skin
and draw blood. They frequently are pests, with a special
fondness for bathers.
[Illustration: Robber Flies]
Robber Flies
(Asilidae)
Large flies
Hind body narrower than forebody
Head hollowed out between eyes
Robber Flies do not bother human beings but they attack other insects,
often larger than themselves, in mid-air.
[Illustration: Syrphid Flies]
Syrphid Flies
(Syrphidae)
Large black-and-yellow-striped bodies
Superficially resemble bees
The Syrphids are constantly found among flowers and so are called
“Flower Flies.” They are nearly as important as bees in pollination. All
are harmless to us.
[Illustration: Mosquitoes]
Mosquitoes
(Culicidae)
Small, long-legged insects
Threadlike antennae covered with whorls of hair
Only female Mosquitoes bite. They must have one meal of blood before
they can lay eggs. We have eighteen species of Mosquitoes in our area.
_The Ants, Wasps, and Bees_
[Illustration: Ants]
Ants
(Formicidae)
Small, usually wingless, insects
Extremely thin waist
Ants are social insects, and our species is found in large or small
colonies everywhere. Ants are also the most common insect. Two readily
recognized types are:
Carpenter Ant (_Camponotus herculeanus pennsylvanicus_): A large black
ant that is found burrowing in damp wood. The labyrinth-like tunnels
in rotten wood will aid you in finding a colony.
Mound Ant (_Formica exsectoides_): Produce the well-known “ant hills,”
which may be six inches to a foot in diameter.
[Illustration: Hornets and Potter Wasps]
Hornets and Potter Wasps
(Vespidae)
Black or black and yellow, not furry, “Wasp-waisted”
Bald-faced Hornet (_Vespula maculata_): This is a black wasp with
white markings. The distinctive nest is made of paper manufactured
from wood pulp gathered by the insect from dead trees or old fence
posts. At the end of the season, it may be as much as a foot or two in
diameter. The only safe time to collect these nests is during the
winter months!
Potter Wasp (_Eumenes fraternus_): The Potter Wasp constructs a “clay
pot” on branches of trees, particularly Red Cedar, which it fills with
paralyzed caterpillars as food for its young.
[Illustration: Bumble and Honey Bees]
Bumble and Honey Bees
(Apidae)
Extremely hairy, woolly appearance
Hind legs flattened for pollen collection
Bumblebees (Bombus, species): Bumblebees are common visitors to
flowers. Their heavy body seems much too bulky for flight. The bee
makes its nest in old mouse nests on the ground and a careful search
for such nests will generally result in discovery of a Bumblebee’s
home.
Honey Bee (_Apis mellifera_): The well-known Honey Bee was brought to
this country from Europe. It has now become a common “wild” bee as
well as a domesticated species. You may find some wild-bee colonies in
hollow trees, particularly on Castle Hill.
INSECT COLLECTING—AN INEXPENSIVE HOBBY
Insects are everywhere and it is easy to collect them. Practically no
expense is required to produce a very beautiful collection. Some of the
seaside insects are most unusual and not available elsewhere, so it
would be well to start your collection right here. Some references that
will help you are:
Donald J. Borror and Dwight M. DeLong, _An Introduction to the Study
of Insects_. New York: Rinehart, 1954. $10.00
Alexander B. Klots and E. B. Klots, _Living Insects of the World_. New
York: Doubleday, 1959. $9.95
Su Zan Noguchi Swain, _Insects in Their World_. New York: Garden City
Books, 1955. $2.95
Herbert S. Zim and Clarence Cottam, _Insects: A Guide to Familiar
American Insects_. Rev. ed. New York: Golden Press, 1956.
Cloth $2.50, paper $1.00