Insects, Spiders, Centipedes, Millipedes

A photo of a small spider hanging in mid-air near trail from the Cliff Dwellings
Small spider appears to hang in mid-air near the trail from the cliff dwellings.

NPS Photo by Barry Nielsen

The insect world in the vicinity of the Gila Cliff Dwellings and the surrounding Gila Wilderness is rich and abundant. In fact, existing field guides are often inadequate to describe all the species in the area. Insects include a variety of bees, wasps, hornets, beetles, ants, dragonflies, damselflies, cicadas, grasshoppers, crickets, butterflies, moths, mantids, worms, cochineal scales, katydids, lacewings, and flies.

One of the interesting creatures in the forest is the giant vinegeroon. Visitors often mistake it for a giant scorpion. It is a whip scorpion, not a true scorpion. It has scorpion-like pinchers in the front but a non-scorpion whiptail in the back, with no stinger. Common in this area, this creature hides in dark corners and is rarely seen. When approached too closely, it reacts by blasting a stream of vinegar-like acetic acid at the interloper, preferably at their eyes, where the liquid produces a burning sensation. A nighttime walk along the road during the summer months may allow campers to see this bizarre creature.

Last updated: December 8, 2022

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

26 Jim Bradford Trail
Mimbres, NM 88049

Phone:

575-536-9461

Contact Us

Tools