Insects, Spiders, Centipedes, Millipedes

A finely woven spider web hangs delicately between tree branches near the visitor center.

NPS Photo / Susan Knisley

A survey of insects has been ongoing for several years, with the difficult task of identifying these creatures conducted by a dedicated volunteer and entomologist. Specimens are mounted and kept in collections as voucher specimens and educational tools. More than 200 species have been identified, with at least 1,200 specimens collected. Families of all types of insects have been collected. Beetles, true bugs, butterflies, true flies, wasps, moths, skippers, grasshoppers, damselflies, dragonflies, cicadas, and bees are among some of the insects collected thus far.

 

Duration:

32 seconds

Check out the video of a hungry caterpillar who was roaming around, munching on mildweed plants at the Mound City Group. Thanks to Biological Technician, Constance Jones, who provided a quick overview of the monarch caterpillar lifecycle.