Insects, Beetles & Arachnids

Fiery searcher (Calosoma scrutator) © Stephen L. Minter
Spotted western orb weaver spider (Neoscona oaxacensis, Araneidae). © Charles Hedgcock
Rainbow or painted grasshopper (Dactylotum bicolor, Acrididae). © Charles Hedgcock
Plains lubber grasshopper (Brachystola magna, Romaleidae). This keystone species plays an important role in the ecosystem as herbivore and food for many predators including coyotes, foxes, and turkey vultures. © R. Wayne Van Devender
Sky Islands toothed scorpion (Diplocentrus spitzeri, Diplocentridae). Young scorpions stay on the mother’s back for a while. © Charles Hedgcock
Madrean jewel scarab (Chrysina adelaide, Scarabaeidae). © Sky Island Alliance. Photo by Thomas R. Van Devender
Western black widow spider (Latrodectus hesperus, Theridiidae). © Stephen L. Minter
Giant vinegaroon (Mastigoproctus giganteus, Thelyphonidae). © Sky Island Alliance. Photo by Thomas R. Van Devender
Mexican burying beetle (Nicrophorus mexicanus, Silphidae). © Charles Hedgcock
Desert millipede (Orthoporus ornatus, Spirostreptidae). © Charles Hedgcock
Desert millipede (Orthoporus ornatus, Spirostreptidae). © Charles Hedgcock
Mexican leaf cutter ant, mochomo in Spanish (Atta mexicana, Formicidae). © Patrick MacCormack
Stripe-tailed scorpion (Paravaejovis spinigerus, Vaejovidae). © Charles Hedgcock
California jumping spider (Phidippus californicus, Salticidae). © Jillian Cowles
Sky Islands toothed scorpion (Diplocentrus spitzeri, Diplocentridae). © R. Wayne Van Devender
Flower beetle (Acmaeodera decipiens, Buprestidae). © Stephen L. Minter
Western Hercules beetle (Dynastes granti, Scarabaeidae). © Stephen L. Minter
Red jumping spider (Phidippus carneus, Salticidae). © Charles Hedgcock
Elegant jumping spider (Phidippus tux, Salticidae). © Jillian Cowles
Arizona scorpion (Pseudouroctonus apacheanus, Vaejovidae). © Charles Hedgcock
Tiger centipede (Scolopendra polymorpha, Scolopendridae). © Stephen L. Minter
Giant mesquite bug (Thasus neocalifornicus, Coreidae). © Chris Roll
Giant mesquite bug (Thasus neocalifornicus, Coreidae). Cluster of adults. © James C. Rorabaugh
Mexican outlaw scorpion (Vaejovis bandito, Vaejovidae). © R. Wayne Van Devender
Giant Agave Bug (Acanthocephala thomasi, Coreidae). © Sky Island Alliance. Photo by Thomas R. Van Devender
Tumacacori Highlands Grasshopper or Atascosa Gem Grasshopper (Azectacris gloriosus, Acrididae). Endemic to Santa Cruz County, Arizona, and adjacent Sonora. © Robert A. Behrstock
Haldeman’s green potato beetle (Leptinitarsa haldemani) © Charles Hedgcock
Green dung beetle, rodabola in Spanish (Canthon indigaceus, Scarabaeidae). © Trevor Hare
Click beetle (Chalcoledidus approximatus, Elateridae). The larvae of this large, rare beetle are predaceous on the larvae of wood boring beetles. © Sky Island Alliance. Photo by Thomas R. Van Devender
Glorious scarab (Chrysina gloriosa, Scarabaeidae). © Doug Danforth
Leaf beetle (Disonycha collata, Chrysomelidae). © James C. Rorabaugh
Pleasing fungus beetle (Gibbifer californicus, Erotylidae). Pupal cases. © Sky Island Alliance. Photo by Thomas R. Van Devender
Pleasing fungus beetle (Gibbifer californicus, Erotylidae). Adult. © Sky Island Alliance. Photo by Thomas R. Van Devender
Convergent lady beetle (Hippodamia convergens, Coccinelidae). © Sky Island Alliance. Photo by Thomas R. Van Devender
Metallic boring beetle (Hippomelas planicauda, Buprestidae). © Charles Hedgcock
Leaf beetle (Physanota disjuncta, Chrysomelidae). © Sky Island Alliance. Photo by Thomas R. Van Devender
Leaf beetle (Physanota disjuncta, Chrysomelidae). © David J. Bygott
Water Scorpion (Ranatra quadridentata, Nepidae). © Michael T. Bogan
Oak-leaf Grasshopper (Tomonotus ferruginosus, Acrididae). © Sky Island Alliance. Photo by Thomas R. Van Devender
Jewel scarab beetle (Chrysina adelaida) © Sky Island Alliance. Photo by Thomas R. Van Devender
Humphrey’s Grasshopper (Barytettix humphreysii) © Sue D. Carnahan
Desert Blonde Tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes) vs. Tarantula Hawk (Pepsis chrysothemis) © Dean Goehring