© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Flower chafer - These beetles feed on the pollen and nectar of flowers, or browse on petals. Some species also feed on fruit.

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Leafhopper - These tiny and vibrant insects are distributed throughout the world.

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Deer fly -

These bloodsucking insects are considered pests to humans and cattle. 

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Carpenter bee - A habit of burrowing into dead wood or bamboo lends this bee its industrious name. 

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Carpenter bee - The wings of a carpenter bee. These bees lay the world's largest insect eggs. 

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Mottled tortoise beetle - A member of the leaf beetle family, they are found in almost every part of North America. 

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Fiery searcher - Native to North America, this bug hunts caterpillars. It's big, fast, and spectacular! 

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Jagged ambush bug - These crafty bugs lie in wait for their prey, relying on their excellent camouflage to make a hit.

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Orchid bee - Also known as the euglossine bee, the species is found from Mexico to northern Argentina. 

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Tree hopper - The speck-like tree hopper numbers over 3,000 species and is found on all continents except Antarctica.

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Honeybee - Pictured is a drone (male). Unlike the female worker bee, drones do not have stingers and gather neither nectar nor pollen. 

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Autumn meadowhawk - Native to North America, this is a species of dragonfly. 

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Lace bug - Just 3 mm long, these insects are named for their delicate and intricately designed fore wings, which resemble lace. 

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Jumping spider - Some of these arachnids are tiny. The spider pictured is about 10 mm in length. A ubiquitous species, they are mostly found in tropical forests. However one specimen was collected on the slopes of Mount Everest!

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Festive tiger beetle - This flashy bug is found in North America. 

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Leaf-cutter bee - The name of this bee species reflects their habit of using leaves as the materials from which they build their nests.

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Blister beetle - These beetles have a secret weapon, a defensive secretion of blistering agent. Hence the name! 

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Spider wasp - Arachnids are the favorite snack of this wasp, which is prevalent throughout South America. 

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Square-headed wasp - Clumsy-looking, but adept in the air. Their nesting habits are similar to carpenter bees in that they burrow in wood or pith. 

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Waxworm - These are the caterpillar larvae of wax moths. 

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Asian citrus psyllid - Pictured here with larvae, these sap-sucking bugs are widely distributed throughout southern Asia. 

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Sweat bee - Native to Central and South America, this species flies just before dawn and just after dusk. 

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

White oak borer beetle - Native to North America, this critter is one of the most destructive beetles of white oak trees. 

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Striped bark scorpion - This is not an insect but if you're going to encounter any scorpion in the United States, it's probably going to be this one. Pictured is the business end of this venomous creature.

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Common long-horned bee - So named for their large antennae, these bees are found in Central America and North America. 

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Marsh fly - There are around 600 known species of this fly worldwide. 

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Resin bee - These Australia-wide bees are so named because they build their nests out of resin. 

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Goldenrod cellophane bee - This bee species is found across North America.

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

Broad-headed sharpshooter -

Large, wide-bodied, and heavy, this bomber of the insect world is found in North and South America.

© Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey