List of Florida Insects

Stinkbugs are common in Florida.

Florida's environment is attractive to many different types of insects. The weather is hot and humid much of the year. Plenty of rainfall and waterways mean that insects have lots of places to procreate. Insects can be pests but also help the ecosystem by controlling populations of other insects and eating dead plants and animals.

Noseeums

Noseeums, or Culicoides furens, are familiar to anyone who has spent much time on the Florida coast or in the Everglades. These annoying gnats are also known as sand fleas and come out when the temperature is hot and the air is humid, which in Florida, is often. Many people pronounce the name as "no-see-ums" because the gnats are so small, you really only see a cloud of them. These gnats don't sting, but they leave an uncomfortable sensation when the acid on their bodies touch skin.

Flying Palmetto Bug

The flying Palmetto bug is also known as the American cockroach. These bugs resemble other cockroaches, except they grow very large--up to 2 inches long. Flying Palmetto bugs have long wings along their backs they can use to fly, but the bugs also scurry along the ground like non-flying cockroaches. Flying Palmetto bugs can't live without moisture, so they are commonly found in wet, tropical environments, such as Florida's.

Mole Cricket

Mole crickets are so named because they have similar habits to moles. These 2-inch-long crickets burrow into the ground and feed on the roots of plants. If they have been digging near a plant, the soil will likely be loosened and you can probably see the tunnels. Mole crickets can cause considerable damage to crops and other plants.

Ladybug

Ladybugs are Florida bugs that gardeners likely welcome. That's because these red bugs with black dots eat garden pests, such as aphids, mites and mealybugs. Most ladybugs are small and reach only about a quarter of an inch long. Birds are the main ladybug predator, and the insect will pretend to be dead if it feels threatened.

Stinkbugs

Stinkbugs are known for the bad smell they emit when they feel threatened. These bugs feed on many different types of plants but don't usually eat enough to cause serious damage. They are about 2/3 inch long and are usually a light shade of green. They have wings on their backs and are normally good fliers.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Insect Management in the Home Garden
• Florida Nature: Florida Flying Insects