Invertebrates

During the summer months, dragonflies are common near streams and pools.

NPS Robb Hannawacker

 

More Information

• Though there are many types of invertebrates, most species in the Grand Canyon are insects or arachnids (spiders, mites, ticks, and scorpions). Insects have 3 body segments, 6 legs, 2 antennae, and most species have wings. Arachnids have 2 body segments, 8 legs, and no antennae or wings.
• Colorado Plateau Museum of Arthropod Biodiversity

 

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Species Attribute Definitions

Definitions

Occurrence

Occurrence values are defined below. One or more Occurrence Tags may be associated with each Occurrence value.

Present: Species occurs in park; current, reliable evidence available.

Probably Present: High confidence species occurs in park but current, verified evidence needed.

Unconfirmed: Species is attributed to park but evidence is weak or absent.

Not In Park: Species is not known to occur in park.

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Occurrence Tags

Adjacent: Species is known to occur in areas near to or contiguous with park boundaries.

False Report: Species was reported to occur within the park, but current evidence indicates the report was based on misidentification, a taxonomic concept no longer accepted, or other similar problem of error or interpretation.

Historical: Species' historical occurrence in park is documented. Assigned based on judgment as opposed to determination based on age of the most recent evidence.

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Abundance

Abundant:

• Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, and counted in relatively large numbers.
• Plants: Large number of individuals; wide ecological amplitude or occurring in habitats covering a large portion of the park.

Common:

• Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, but not in large numbers.
• Plants: Large numbers of individuals predictably occurring in commonly encountered habitats but not those covering a large portion of the park.

Uncommon:

• Animals: Likely to be seen monthly in appropriate habitat and season. May be locally common.
• Plants: Few to moderate numbers of individuals; occurring either sporadically in commonly encountered habitats or in uncommon habitats.

Rare:

• Animals: Present, but usually seen only a few times each year.
• Plants: Few individuals, usually restricted to small areas of rare habitat.

Occasional:

• Animals: Occurs in the park at least once every few years, varying in numbers, but not necessarily every year.
• Plants: Abundance variable from year to year (e.g., desert plants).

Unknown: Abundance unknown

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Nativeness

Native: Species naturally occurs in park or region.

Non-native: Species occurs on park lands as a result of deliberate or accidental human activities.

Unknown: Nativeness status is unknown or ambiguous.

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List Differences

The Checklist contains only those species that are designated as "present" or "probably present" in the park.

The Full List includes all the checklist species in addition to species that are unconfirmed, historically detected, or incorrectly reported as being found in the park. The full list also contains species that are "in review" because their status in the park hasn't been fully determined. Additional details about the status of each species is included in the full list.

The checklist will almost always contain fewer species than the full list.

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Species attribute definitions

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Like most places on Earth, Grand Canyon National Park has far more species of invertebrates than any other animal group. While these animals do not have skeletons, many (including insects and arachnids) have hard exoskeletons, and they are very abundant- 1443 species of invertebrates have been identified inside the park, and there are certainly many more species waiting to be identified. Though many people dismiss insects as "pests" or "disgusting" these creatures play important roles in the ecosystems of the Grand Canyon. Many species such as the Arizona carpenter bee and the rare Kaibab swallowtail butterfly pollinate flowering plants, while many beetles and ants decompose dead material. Predatory invertebrates feed on other invertebrate species, and all invertebrates are prey for birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

From Arizona bark scorpions (Centruroides sculpturatus) and tarantulas to Arizona's state butterfly, the two-tailed swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata), you can always find something moving if you look closely. Study and observe these tiny animals, but do not disturb or harm them.

 

Bark scorpions glow white under black lights.

NPS Eric Hope

Bark Scorpion

One of the most venomous animals in the park, the bark scorpion is a small animal that only grows to 2.5 inches (6.4cm) long.

 

Weidemeyer's Admiral is one of the almost 300 butterfly species found in Grand Canyon National Park

NPS Robb Hannawacker

Butterflies

The Grand Canyon is home to 292 species of butterflies and moths. These colorful creatures are important pollinators in the park.

 

Darkling beetles are some of the most commonly seen invertebrates in Grand Canyon.

NPS Robb Hannawacker

Darkling Beetles

The Grand Canyon is home to 179 species of beetles, and some of the most commonly seen are the darkling beetles. Members of the family Tenebrionidae, these large, dark beetles are found throughout the Grand Canyon

 

Tarantulas are rarely seen predators that live throughout the Park.

NPS

Tarantula

The largest spiders in the world, tarantulas are predators that call the Grand Canyon home, feeding on insects, small lizards, and small rodents.

 

Tarantula hawks are some of the largest wasps in the world.

NPS Robb Hannawacker

Tarantula Hawk

Growing up to 2 inches (5mm) long, these colorful wasps hunt tarantulas to feed their larvae.