Insect Identification Guide

Because of the sheer number of bugs, insect identification is a daunting task. In North America alone there are approximately 90,000 different insect species. Over twenty-eight thousand of those are just beetles. In comparison, bird-watchers only deal with around 650 species in North America, and they are able to carry with them into the field pocket sized field guides.

For insect identification, no handy guide exists that can be easily carried into the field. Large insect identification books and insect identification charts can be purchased at on-line and brick and mortar bookstores or had free on the Internet. However, an insect-hunter can still successfully identify a bug by keeping three items in mind.

Household Insect Identification

Insect Identification

Consider the habitat. If searching for a specific insect, be familiar with where to find them if you aren’t just interested in household insect identification or  insect bites identification. Many species from butterflies to wasps can be found in gardens. Fields are excellent locations for crickets, and forests or swamps attract unique species. Some insects can only be found near water such as dragonflies.

Identify An Insect

To identify an insect the time of day is an important factor.

The activity of insects such as bees and butterflies normally peaks when the day’s temperature is at the highest — normally around noon. Other insects, such as mosquitoes, crank up their activity levels just as the sun is rising or setting. The earwig and the firefly, however, are nocturnal creatures.

Insect Identification Chart

The last item to consider in insect identification is field equipment. For novices or beginners interested in insect identification, a simple magnifying glass can show off an insect’s features much better than the unaided eye, and a camera allows photos to be taken so the insect can be later viewed or studied. Those more serious about insect identification may want to consider field collecting. Field collecting involves quite a bit of specialized equipment: a net, storage boxes, pins, pinning blocks, spreading boards, light and pitfall traps, killing jars, killing and preserving chemicals, assorted sized vials, and plastic bags. A collecting bag made of canvas or muslin can accommodate carrying much of the needed equipment into the field along with plant cuttings and found insects. For field equipment an insect identification chart can also be useful.

Flying Insect Identification

Examining several specific features about the bug found can help in the insect identification process as well. For example, check to see if there is any moving jaw or mouth parts. The type of mouth can lead to assumptions about the particular insect’s eating habits. Pincers indicate a predator, where as a straw-like mouth can indicate a vegetarian diet. Count the number of legs. If there are eight legs, what’s being examined is an arachnid such as a spider, as opposed to an insect, such as a beetle, which has six legs. Lastly, compare field results with some type of guide or check-list — whether a book or online web site.