Nicole Timo
Seasonal Naturalist, Blacklick Woods
For some, the summertime is something people have been looking forward to all year, and for others, it’s the worst part of the year. Some love the summer because it’s hot, but others hate the summer for that exact reason. No matter how you feel, this time of year is quite possibly the best for insects. The abundance of resources and warmer temperatures breed a cyclical and in some instances, a very predictable nature for the bottom of the food chain. Insects are ectothermic, meaning they don’t create their own body heat, and must rely on outside sources to keep warm. The summer’s heat is the prime time to be out and about.
To be considered an insect, three criteria must be met:
- An insect has at least three distinct body segments – the head, thorax and abdomen,
- An insect has six legs – all of which are connected to the thorax, and
- An insect will have an exoskeleton – an outer body covering made primarily of chitin
These unique requirements have allowed class Insecta to thrive and evolve around 30 insect orders (this is still debated among entomologists). There are over one million species of scientifically described insects, and estimates of 2.5- to 10 million different species of insects being alive right now, yet to be discovered. That’s over 75% of the total described species on Earth! Insects have managed to dominate almost every ecological niche on the planet, and here we are going to highlight some memorable, polarizing, and in some cases, rather loud insects.
Fireflies
Fireflies, order Coleoptera, make up over 2,400 described species around the world, with an estimated 24 or 25 in Ohio. Fireflies use their specialized abdominal organs to communicate and attract mates using a process called bioluminescence. This glowing can also make potential predators think that fireflies will taste bad, and to not eat them. In areas with few human settlements and low light pollution, this mating display can look like an eruption of glowing stars. Each firefly species is synched up to their own light showcase rhythm, which helps each species differentiate itself from one another. Careful though — some female fireflies, termed femme fatales, can mimic other species’ females to lure in unsuspecting males for a firefly meal.
You can find fireflies in meadows, prairies, under the forest canopy, and at the edges of water bodies. Fireflies are found in areas with little light pollution from city, street and car lights, such as at Blacklick Woods, where you may find them along the Buttonbush, Beech and Maple Trails as well as the Multi-purpose Trail. These insects can also thrive where there is little to no pesticide use. If you’re interested in helping out these rapidly declining insects, look into planting more native plants in your space, reduce or eliminate pesticide usage and leave your autumn leaves, twigs and other potential annoyances in your space, because firefly larvae can inhabit these spaces for their development.
Butterflies and moths
Butterflies and moths, order Lepidoptera, make up about 180,000 described species globally and around 10% of total described organisms in the world! There are around 130 species of butterflies and over 3,000 species of moths in Ohio. Both moths and butterflies undergo a complete metamorphosis and encase themselves in a cocoon or chrysalis, respectively, before emerging into their final adult stage. The summer’s heat and blossoming flowers allow them to pollinate plants alongside other insects, mammals and birds. A moth or butterflies’ coloration and patterns on their body and wings can have a variety of uses; spooking off potential predators, camouflage and attracting mates are the most common.
Butterflies and moths can be generalist feeders and pollinators, meaning that they can feed and pollinate a large variety of plants; or they can be specialists, meaning they only feed on or pollinate a single plant species. They could also be something in between. Here in Blacklick Woods, check out the pollinator garden outside of the nature center as well as spring and summer wildflowers along the Beech and Maple trails. The best time to find butterflies would be during the daytime since they’re diurnal and the best time to see most moths would be very late at night because they’re nocturnal. Moths are also lunar navigators, so be sure to turn off any outdoor lights at night so as to not disorient them.
Crickets and katydids
Crickets and katydids are in the same insect order Orthoptera, along with grasshoppers and locusts, and make up over 20,000 described species worldwide. In Ohio, there are an estimated 40 species of crickets and 45 species of katydids. Crickets and katydids produce their summer evening songs through a process called stridulation – where crickets will rub their right wing over their left wing and katydids rub their wings together. In crickets, most of the time, only the males will sing to attract female mates. With katydids, both males and females will sing to attract one another. The warm weather increases their body’s metabolism and contractions, making their chirps less frequently spaced and faster, which helps add to the summer atmosphere.
Crickets and katydids are going to be found in tall grassland habitats like a prairie or on edge habitats, though they can also inhabit more urban environments like home gardens. Here in Blacklick Woods, check along the Multi-purpose Trail’s open prairie. Crickets and katydids are nocturnal, strictly coming out during the evening and nighttime, so the best chance to hear their summer songs or see them in person would be during an evening hike or nighttime walk. Crickets and katydids are an important food source for several species, including birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Having a no mow section of your yard will help these insects preserve their numbers and help maintain balance of the food chain.
Bees and wasps
Bees and wasps, order Hymenoptera, include several specific genera as well as sawflies and ants. This order comprises over 150,000 species globally. In Ohio there are around 450 species of bees and over 1,000 species of wasps. There is a lot of variation in how bees and wasps live their lives – some live in thousand-member colonies while some live completely alone. Some bees and wasps are completely harmless to humans, and some can sting. Bees will feed on nectar and pollen, whereas stinging wasps are mostly predacious. Both bees and wasps are important pollinators for spring and summer plants and make up a large portion of overall pollinating insects. Approximately 75% of all fruits, nuts and vegetable crops grown in the United States are pollinated by bees and wasps.
You will find bees and wasps in a wide variety of different habitats naturally. In Blacklick Woods, look for them in the pollinator garden right outside the nature center as well as wildflowers along the Multipurpose Trail’s wildflower fields. Bees and wasps are diurnal, meaning they move, feed and pollinate during the daytime, so checking for them on your afternoon walk would be perfect! If you’d like to help out bees and wasps, creating your own pollinator garden, filled with native pollinating plants would be great- even if it’s small! Reducing or eliminating pesticide use as well as avoiding major maintenance, like annual soil turnover will also help bees and wasps find refuge during an ever more difficult time to do so.
Cicadas
Cicadas, order Hemiptera, make up over 3,400 described species globally with 12 annual cicadas (genus Neotibicen, Diceroprocta, Neocicada, and Okanagana) in Ohio, which take two to three years to fully develop and emerge from underground. In comparison, there are six species of periodical cicadas (genus Magicicada) in Ohio – three with 17 year life cycles and three with 13 year life cycles, which also emerge from underground. Only male cicadas sing, by vigorously shaking their abdomens using specialized tymbal organs to produce their iconic, deafening calls to attract female mates and deter predators. Cicada songs vary upon species, with each producing their own highly specialized chorus with different structures, rhythms and pitches.
Cicadas can be found in woody, forested areas as well as urban environments like the sides of houses and in gardens. Since periodical cicada emergences can be in the millions, they will find whatever suitable place to land. In Blacklick Woods, try looking for them along the Maple Trail for its woody habitat and mature trees. Though cicada songs can be a nuisance for some, these insects are an excellent food source for countless species, including birds, reptiles, mammals and amphibians. Damage to garden plants can occur from female cicadas trying to lay their eggs inside the plant, so consider using nets or tarps to cover any vegetation where potential damage could arise.
A decline in insect numbers
Globally, insect populations have been experiencing major drop offs, some more than others have been heavily affected. This can be due to a multitude of factors, such as habitat loss, overuse of pesticides, pollution, disease and climate change. What we may consider to be common now, may be rare or even extinct for future generations, which could have disastrous cascading effects around the world. Insects are often at the bottom of the food chain, supporting nearly all Earthly ecosystems, and are considered to be a keystone species. Losing them would throw the entire world out of wack, and if we were to suddenly live without insects, life on earth would cease to exist. Right now, it is more important than ever to help provide these critical beings with refuge, and help sustain their numbers so these same summer insects can be experienced for countless generations in the future.
To help get involved with insect preservation at home, please consider checking out the following websites:
The Ohio State University’s Plant by Number