Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur

Sitio realizado por aficionados a la observación de aves desde 10 de enero 2006

Arthropods

Lucas Rubio collaborates in the arthropod section
not found
My relation with insects is not very long. I am studying biology at the University of Buenos Aires and I have been taking macro photos of arthropods for some years now. Enough to get familiar with various groups of insects and the corresponding bibliography to identify them. To contact the author: [email protected]

Arthropods

Athropods have an exoskeleton and jointed appendages. In general people categorize all these animals as insects and it is a mistake. Insects are only one of the classes within arthropods. Arthropods also comprise the arachnids, the crustaceans and the miriapods. A simple way not to confuse them is to count the number of legs. Insects have three pairs of legs; arachnids, 4 pairs (and no antennae); crustaceans, 5 pairs and the miriapods, many more pairs of legs.

Insects

The primary objective of this site is to insert insects within the Costanera Sur World. To understand them as interactive components of the system, preys, predatos, polinators, etc. To reach the species level of an insect is on many occasions impossible either because the photo does not show the diagnostic character or because genitalia is required to get to this definition level.
Those who want to send photos of insects may subscribe to Artrópodos Argentinos. A group of enthusiastic entomologists help to unravel this intricate world. One of them is Gastón Zubarán who collaborated in this site and keeps doing so indirectly through Artrópodos Argentinos.

Insects have a chitinous exoskeleton, two antennae, three pairs of legs and two pairs of wings. Their body is organized in three segments or tagmata: a head, a thorax and an abdomen. It is important to bear in mind the number of legs rule not to call them insects erroneously just because they are segmented.

They are not glamorous nor do they inspire tenderness. Most people hate them. They feel repulsion and try to exterminate them by any means. They are the enemy. This is so because we only bear in mind those which cause harm or negatively affect our daily life and we do not know all the benefits they may carry directly or indirectly. The colourful butterflies and some beetles may be the exception. Only the harmful, beneficial or nice may bear a name. That is why insects have been grouped under a generic name. In this way one can associate the belonging of an insect inside a group, even if we do not know the species for certain.

They outnumber us widely. More than half of all described species and three quarters of all the animals are insects. It is said that there are 200 million insects per inhabitant and we barely perceive a few. Their small size or perfect camouflage contribute to their anonimacy. Neither does it help the behaviour of a birdwatcher who move away to see the object and overlook these small creatures when observers lose contact with plants. Nevertheless, all insects have a characteristic as inexplicable as fascinating: the curious transformation which undergo many of them turning into a completely different organism. A wingless caterpillar which devours leaves becomes a flying butterfly which laps up flowers. The entomology, the science which studies them, is a discipline in constant revision and investigation. And there is a lot to explore.

Butterflies and moths were the first insects listed on this site and they remain in a separate section. Butterflies' names in Spanish have been taken from the book "Mariposas de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires y alrededores" by Ezequiel Núñez Bustos, who collaborates in the lepidopteran section. To visit the cast of Lepidoptera click on the photo.

Lepidoptera (Butterflies and moths)
mari y poli

Coleoptera (Beetles)
Long-horned beetles
Long-horned beetle/Paromoeocerus barbicornis

Long-horned beetle

Paromoeocerus barbicornis
Long-horned beetle/Retrachydes thoracicus

Long-horned beetle

Retrachydes thoracicus
Long-horned beetle/Mallodon spinibarbis

Long-horned beetle

Mallodon spinibarbis
Long-horned beetle/Parmenonta maculata

Long-horned beetle

Parmenonta maculata
Lady beetles
Lady beetle/Cycloneda sanguinea

Lady beetle

Cycloneda sanguinea
Lady beetle/henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata

Lady beetle

Henosepilachna vigintiooctopunctata
Multicoloured Asian Lady beetle/Harmonia axyridis

Multicoloured Asian Lady beetle

Harmonia axyridis
Lady beetle/Eriopis connexa

Lady beetle

Eriopis connexa
Vaquita/Eriopis serrai

Lady beetle

Eriopis serrai
Lady beetle/Olla v-nigrum

Lady beetle

Olla v-nigrum
Metallic blue lady beetle/Curinus coeruleus

Metallic blue lady beetle

Curinus coeruleus
Lady beetle/Coleomegilla quadrifasciata

Lady beetle

Coleomegilla quadrifasciata
Lady beetle/Azya luteipes

Lady beetle

Azya luteipes
Vaquita/Cryptolaemus montrouzieri

Mealybug destroyer

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri
Flower beetles
Blister beetle/Nemognatha nigrotarsata

Blister beetle

Nemognatha nigrotarsata
Flower chafer/Gymentis pudibunda

Flower chafer

Gymnetis pudibunda
Flower chafer/Gymnetis chalcipes

Flower chafer

Gymnetis chalcipes
Shining leaf chafer/Macraspis morio

Shining leaf chafer

Macraspis morio
Soft-winged flower beetle/Astylus sp.

Soft-winged flower beetle

Astylus quadrilineatus
Soft-winged flower beetle/Astylus atromaculatus

Soft-winged flower beetle

Astylus atromaculatus
Soldier beetle/Discodon sp.

Soldier beetle

Polemius denticornis
Soldier beetle/Chauliognathus scriptus

Soldier beetle

Chauliognathus scriptus
Weevils
Snout beetles - Family Curculionidae

Snout beetles

Family Curculionidae
South American fruit tree weevil/Naupuctus xanthographus

South American fruit tree weevil

Naupactus xanthographus
Fuller's Rose weevil/Naupuctus cervinus

Fuller's Rose weevil

Naupuctus cervinus
Primitive weevil/Brentus rufiventris

Primitive weevil

Brentus rufiventris
Sesbania clown weevil/Eudiagogus episcopalis

Sesbania clown weevil

Eudiagogus episcopalis
Click beetles
Cilck beetle/Hemirrhiphus

Cilck beetle

Hemirriphus apicalis
Click beetle/Chalcolepidius limbatus

Click beetle

Chalcolepidius limbatus
False click beetles - Family Eucnemidae

False click beetles

Family Eucnemidae
Leaf beetles
Leaf beetle/Cacoscelis nigripennis

Leaf beetle

Cacoscelis nigripennis
Flea beetle/Parchicola sp.

Flea beetle

Parchicola sp.
Cucurbit beetle/Diabrotica speciosa

Cucurbit beetle

Diabrotica speciosa
Flea beetle/Alagoasa vigintiseptemmaculata

Flea beetle

Alagoasa vigintiseptemmaculata
Flea beetle/Systena novemmaculata

Flea beetle

Systena novemmaculata
Tortoise beetle/Chelymorpha indigesta

Tortoise beetle

Chelymorpha indigesta
Tortoise beetle/Chelymorpha sp.

Tortoise beetle

Chelymorpha sp
Tortoise beetle/Anacassis fuscata

Tortoise beetle

Anacassis fuscata
Tortoise beetle/Stolas festiva

Tortoise beetle

Stolas festiva
Tortoise beetle/Paraselenis sp.

Tortoise beetle

Paraselenis sp
Golden tortoise beetle/Charidotella sexpunctata

Golden tortoise beetle

Charidotella sexpunctata
Leaf beetle/Coraliomela quadrimaculata

Leaf beetle

Coraliomela quadrimaculata
Leaf beetle/Spintherophyta sp.

Leaf beetle

Spintherophyta sp.
Leaf beetle/Freudeita sp.

Leaf beetle

Freudeita sp.
Leaf beetle/Chalcophana sp.

Leaf beetle

Chalcophana sp.
Leaf beetle/Typophorus nigritus

Leaf beetle

Typophorus nigritus
Leaf beetle/Microhaltica transversa

Leaf beetle

Macrohaltica transversa
Calligrapher beetle/Calligrapha polyspila

Calligrapher beetle

Calligrapha polyspila
Leaf beetle/Lexiphanes coenobita

Leaf beetle

Lexiphanes coenobita
Leaf beetle/Plagiodera erythroptera

Leaf beetle

Palgiodera erythroptera
Ground beetles
Darkling beetle/Scotobius pilularius

Darkling beetle

Scotobius pilularius
Darkling beetle/Strongylium decoratum

Darkling beetle

Strongylium decoratum
Rhino beetle/Diloboderus abderus

Rhino beetle

Diloboderus abderus
Ground beetles - Family Carabidae

Ground beetles

Family Carabidae
Ground beetle/Scarites anthracinus

Ground beetle

Scarites anthracinus
Water beetles
Large diving beetle/Megadytes giganteus

Large diving beetle

Megadytes giganteus
Marsh beetles - Family Scirtidae

Marsh beetles

Family Scirtidae
Fireflies
Firefly/Aspisoma stictica

Firefly

Aspisoma stictica
Hymenoptera (Wasps, bees and ants)
Wasps
Potter and paper wasps - Family Vespidae

Potter and paper wasps

Family Vespidae
Potter wasp/Monobia angulosa

Potter wasp

Monobia angulosa
Camuati Wasp/Polybia scutellaris

Camuati wasp

Polybia scutellaris
Camuati Wasp/Polybia sp.

Camuati wasp

Polybia sp.
Balck paper wasp/Polybia ignobilis

Black paper wasp

Polybia ignobilis
Paper wasp/Brachygastra lecheguana

Paper wasp

Brachygastra lecheguana
Paper wasp/Polistes sp

Paper wasp

Polistes sp.
Paper wasp/Polistes simillimus

Paper wasp

Polistes simillimus
Paper wasp/Polistes cinerascens

Paper wasp

Polistes cinerascens
Paper wasp/Mischocyttarus sp.

Paper wasp

Mischocyttarus sp.
Thread-waisted wasps - Family Sphecidae

Thread-waisted wasps

Family Sphecidae
Mud-dauber/Sceliphron asiaticum

Mud-dauber wasp

Sceliphron asiaticum
Grass-carrying wasp/Isodontia sp.

Grass-carrying wasp

Isodontia sp.
Thread-waisted wasp/Sphex.sp.

Thread-waisted wasp

Sphex sp.
Spider wasps - Family Pompilidae

Spider wasps

Family Pompilidae
Avispa cazadora de araña/Poecilopompilus sp.

Spider wasp

Poecilopompilus sp.
Spider wasp/Taschypompilus sp.

Spider wasp

Tachypompilus sp.
Apoid wasps - Family Crabronidae

Apoid wasps

Family Crabronidae
Apoid wasp/Bicyrtes sp.

Apoid wasp

Bicyrtes sp.
Scarab hunter/Scolia rufiventris

Scarab hunter

Scolia rufiventris
Ichneumon wasps - Family Ichneumonidae

Ichneumon wasps

Family Ichneumonidae
Ichneumon wasp/Joppa sp.

Ichneumon wasp

Joppa sp.
Ichneumon wasp/Neotheronia sp.

Ichneumon wasp

Neotheronia sp.
Ichneumon wasp/Cryptanura sp

Ichneumon wasp

Cryptanura sp.
Braconid wasps - Family Braconidae

Braconid wasps

Family Braconidae
Bees
Carpenter bee/Xylocopa frontalis

Carpenter bee

Xylocopa frontalis
Carpenter bee/Xylocopa augusti

Carpenter bee

Xylocopa augusti
Carpenter bee/Xylocopa spp.

Carpenter bee

Xylocopa spp.
Small carpenter bee/Ceratina sp.

Small carpenter bee

Ceratina sp.
European honey bee/Apis mellifera

European honey bee

Apis mellifera
Bumblebee/Bombus spp.

Bumblebee

Bombus spp.
Bumblebee/Bombus bellicosus

Bumblebee

Bombus bellicosus
Solitary bee/Centris sp.

Solitary bee

Centris sp.
Chimney bee/Ptilothrix sp.

Chimney bee

Ptilothrix sp.
Long-horned bee/Melissoptila sp.

Long-horned bee

Melissoptila sp.
Chimney bee cuckoo/Leiopodus lacertinus

Chimney bee cuckoo

Leiopodus lacertinus
Cuckoo bee/Doeringiella nobilis

Cuckoo bee

Doeringiella lacertinus
Sweat bees - Family Halictidae

Sweat bees

Family Halictidae
Sweat bee/Pseudaugochlora graminea

Sweat bee

Pseudaugochlora graminea
Sweat bee/Temnosoma sp

Sweat bee

Temnosoma sp.
Sweat bee/Pseudagapostemon sp

Sweat bee

Pseudagapostemon sp.
Sweat bee/Lasioglossum sp

Sweat bee

Lasioglossum sp.
Leaf cutter bee/Megachile sp.

Leaf cutter bee

Megachile sp.
Minig bees - Family Andrenidae

Mining bees

Family Andrenidae
Ants
Ants - Family Formicidae

Ants

Family Formicidae
Camponotus mus/Carpenter bee

Carpenter ant

Camponotus mus
Leaf cutter ant/Acromyrmex lundii

Leaf cutter ant

Acromyrmex lundii
Ant/Pseudomyrmex sp.

Ant

Pseudomyrmex sp.
Big-headed ant/Pheidole sp.

Big-headed ant

Pheidole sp.
Hemiptera (True bugs; cicades and spittlebugs; aphids)
Sternorrhyncha
Black bean aphid/Aphis phabae

Black bean aphid

Aphis phabae
Aphids - Family Aphidae

Aphids

Familia Aphididae
Psyllid/Platycorypha nigrivirga

Psyllid

Platycorypha nigrivirga
Auchenorrhyncha
Cicadas - Family Cicadidae

Cicadas

Family Cicadidae
Cicada/Dorisiana drewseni

Cicada

Dorisiana drewseni
Spittlebug/Cephissus siccifolius

Spittlebug

Cephisus siccifolius
Froghopper/Notozulia entreriana

Froghopper

Notozulia entreriana
Treehoppers - Family Membracidae

Treehoppers

Familia Membracidae
Treehopper/Entylia sp.

Treehopper

Entylia sp.
Treehopper/Cyphonia fuscata

Treehopper

Cyphonia fuscata
Treehopper/Enchenopa sp.

Treehopper

Enchenopa sp.
Treehopper/Enchenopa sp.

Treehopper

Enchenopa sp.
Treehopper/Kronides incumbens

Treehopper

Kronides incumbens
Treehopper/Ceresa sp.

Treehopper

Ceresa sp.
Treehopper/Ceresa sp.

Treehopper

Stictopelta sp.
Leafhopper/Balacha melanocephala

Leafhopper

Balacha melanocephala
Leafhopper/Pawiloma victima

Leafhopper

Pawiloma victima
Planthoppers - Family Delphacidae

Planthoppers

Family Delphacidae
Heteroptera
Red bug/Dysdercus albofasciatus

Red bug

Dysdercus albofasciatus
Cotton stainer/Dysdercus sp.

Cotton stainer

Dysdercus sp.
Lace bug/Corythaica sp.

Lace bug

Corythaica sp.
Lace bug/Corythaica sp.

Scentless plant bug

Niesthrea sp.
Flat bugs - Family Aradidae

Flat bugs

Family Aradidae
Leaf-footed bugs - Family Coreidae

Leaf-footed bugs

Family Coreidae
Leaffooted bug/Eubule sp.

Leaf-footed bug

Eubule sp.
Leaf-footed bug/Holhymenia histrio

Leaf-footed bug

Holhymenia histrio
Acacia bug/Pachylis argentinus

Acacia bug

Pachylis argentinus
Leaf-footed bug/Leptoglossus sp.

Leaf-footed bug

Leptoglossus sp.
Leaf-footed bug/Acidomeria cincticornis

Leaf-footed bug

Acidomeria cincticornis
Tomato stink bug/Arvelius albopunctatus

Tomato stink bug

Arvelius albopunctatus.
Green stink bug/Loxa sp.

Green stink bug

Loxa sp.
Horn bug/Diceraeus furcatus

Horn bug

Diceraeus furcatus
Stink bug/Thyanta sp.

Stink bug

Thyanta sp.
Stink bug/Thyanta acuminata

Stink bug

Thyanta acuminata
Stink bug/Supputius cincticeps

Stink bug

Supputius cincticeps
Black and red bug/Largus rufipennis

Black and red bug

Largus rufipennis
Jagged ambush bug/Phymata sp.

Jagged ambush bug

Phymata sp.
Assassin bug/Zelus leucogrammus

Assassin bug

Zelus leucogrammus
Assassin bug/Zelus renardii

Assassin bug

Zelus renardii

Assassin bug

Repipta flavicans
Assassin bug/Cosmoclopius nigroannulatus

Assassin bug

Cosmoclopius nigroannulatus
Shield-backed bug/Augocoris illustris

Shield-backed bug

Augocoris illustris
Seed bug/Oncopeltus unifasciatellus

Seed bug

Oncopeltus unifasciatellus
Plant bug/Horciasinus argentinus

Plant bug

Horciasinus argentinus
Broad-headed bugs - Family Alydidae

Broad-headed bugs

Family Alydidae
Backswimmers - Family Notonectidae

Backswimmers

Family Notonectidae
Diptera (flies, mosquitoes)
Nematocera (mosquitoes)
Galliniper/Psorophora sp.

Galliniper

Psorophora sp.
Floodwater mosquito/Aedes albifasciatus

Floodwater mosquito

Aedes albifasciatus
March fly/Dilophus pectoralis

March fly

Dilophus pectoralis
March flyo/Bibio sp.

March fly

Bibio sp.
Midges - Family Chironomidae

Midges

Family Chironomidae
Bee fly/Hemipenthes sp

Bee fly

Hemipenthes sp.
Horse flies - Family Tabanidae

Horse flies

Family Tabanidae
Soldier flies - Family Stratiomyidae

Soldier flies

Family Stratiomyidae
Soldier fly/Hedriodiscus sp

Soldier fly

Hedriodiscus sp.
Stilt-legged fly/Paragrallomyia sp

Stilt-legged fly

Paragrallomyia sp.
Long-legged flies - Family Dolichopodidae

Long-legged flies

Family Dolichopodidae
Long-legged fly/Condylostylus sp

Long-legged fly

Condylostylus sp.
Band-eyed drone fly/Eristalinus taeniops

Band-eyed drone fly

Eristalinus taeniops
Hoverfly/Palpada sp.

Hoverfly

Palpada sp.
Hoverfly/Palpada rufoscutellata

Hoverfly

Palpada rufoscutellata
Hoverfly/Copestylum sp.

Hoverfly

Copestylum sp.
Hoverfly/Toxomerus sp.

Hoverfly

Toxomerus cf. duplicatus
Hoverfly/Syrphus sp.

Hoverfly

Syrphus sp.
Hoverfly/Allograpta sp.

Hoverfly

Allograpta sp.
HoverflyDioprosopa clavata

Hoverfly

Dioprosopa clavata
Hoverfly/Pseudoscaeva meridionalis

Hoverfly

Pseudoscaeva meridionalis
Bristle flies - Family Tachinidae

Bristle flies

Family Tachinidae
Bristle fly/Oestrophasia sp.

Bristle fly

Oestrophasia sp.
Marsh flies - Family Sciomyzidae

Marsh flies

Family Sciomyzidae
Fruit flies - Family Tephritidae

Fruit flies

Family Tephritidae
Flies - Family Lauxaniidae

Flies

Family Lauxaniidae
Robber flies - Family Asilidae

Robber flies

Family Asilidae
Robber fly/Efferia (s.l.) sp.

Robber fly

Efferia (s.l.) sp.
Robber fly/Mallophora ruficauda

Robber fly

Mallophora ruficauda
Robber fly/Ommatius sp.

Robber fly

Ommatius sp.
Robber fly/Atoniomyia sp.

Robber fly

Atoniomyia sp.
Blow flies - Family Calliphoridae

Blow fly

Lucilia sp.
Blow fly/Cochliomyia sp.

Blow fly

Cochliomyia sp.
Blow fly/Chrysomya megacephala

Blow fly

Chrysomya megacephala
Flesh fly/Oxysarcodexia paulistanensis

Flesh fly

Oxysarcodexia paulistanensis
Flesh fly/Oxysarcodexia varia

Flesh fly

Oxysarcodexia varia.
Flesh fly/Oxysarcodexia sp.

Flesh fly

Oxysarcodexia sp.
Grizzled woodlouse fly/Stevenia deceptoria

Grizzled woodlouse fly

Stevenia deceptoria
Odonata (Dragonflies and damselflies)
Dragonflies
Dragonfly/Rhionaeschna bonariensis

Dragonfly

Rhionaeschna bonariensis
Dragonfly/Rhionaeschna absoluta

Dragonfly

Rhionaeschna absoluta
Dragonflies - Family Libellulidae

Dragonflies

Family Libellulidae
Dragonfly/Erythrodiplax nigricans

Dragonfly

Erythrodiplax nigricans
Dragonfly/Erythrodiplax umbrata

Dragonfly

Erythrodiplax umbrata
Dragonfly/Erythrodiplax sp.

Dragonfly

Erythrodiplax sp.
Dragonfly/Orthemis nodiplaga

Dragonfly

Orthemis nodiplaga
Dragonfly/Micrathyria hipodydima

Dragonfly

Micrathyria hypodidyma
Dragonfly/Micrathyria sp.

Dragonfly

Micrathyria sp.
Dragonfly/Erythemis attala

Dragonfly

Erythemis attala
Dragonfly/Erythemis plebeja

Dragonfly

Erythemis plebeja
Dragonfly/Erythemis vesiculosa

Dragonfly

Erythemis vesiculosa
Dragonfly/Perithemis tenera

Dragonfly

Perithemis tenera
Dragonfly/Perithemis sp.

Dragonfly

Perithemis sp.
Dragonfly/Tramea cophysa

Dragonfly

Tramea cophysa
Damselflies
Damselfly/Telebasis willinki

Damselfly

Telebasis willinki
Damselfly/Ischnura fluviatilis

Damselfly

Ischnura fluviatilis
Damselfly/Ischnura sp.

Damselfly

Ischnura sp.
Damselfly/Argentagrion ambiguum

Damselfly

Argentagrion ambiguum
Damselfly/Homeoura chelifera

Damselfly

Homeoura chelifera
Damselfly/Oxagrion terminale

Damselfly

Oxyagrion terminale
Orthoptera (locusts and crickets)

The Order Orthoptera is composed of two groups: Ensifera and Caelifera. In general terms they are known as locusts and crickets respectively.
They are hemimetabolous insects. They undergo different stages, but they look like their parents since they are born.
If crickets and locusts are famous for something is for their ability to jump. Of the three pairs of legs only the posterior one, which is very strong, is designed for jumping. It has springs which together with the muscle accumulate the energy which is released when the insect is eyected. They use jumping as a way of escape, fight or a simple way of moving.
Another characteristic typcal of this order are the sounds produced by rubbing body parts. In crickets the stridulating mechanism is on the forewings. In locusts it may be on the wings or on the legs. Song is used in pair formation or as an indication of allarm or aggression.
A good song needs a good ear and the location of the ear also differs in locusts and crickets. The crickets' "ear" is on the frontal tibia and the locusts' on the first abdominal segment.
The more basic difference between these two groups is the length of the antennae. Crickets have more than 30 segments and locusts less than that. Roughly speaking, long antennae is a cricket, short antennae is a locust.
Ensifera's ovipositor is scimitar-like or cylindrical. It is inserted in vegetal tissues or the ground (respectively) to lay eggs. In general eggs are laid separately. Caelifera's ovipositor is short and dented. They dig a hole and introduce the ovipositor which elongates doubling almost its size thanks to specialized muscles.

Caelifera
Lubber grasshopper/Coryacris angustipennis

Lubber grasshopper

Coryacris angustipennis
Lubber grasshopper/Chromacris speciosa

Lubber grasshopper

Chromacris speciosa
Lubber grasshopper/Xyleus discoideus

Lubber grasshopper

Xyleus discoideus
Lubber grasshopper/Zonpodia tarsata

Lubber grasshopper

Zoniopoda tarsata
Spur-throated grasshopper/Ronderosia bergii

Short-horned grasshoppers

Family Acrididae
Spur-throated grasshopper/Ronderosia bergii

Spur-throated grasshopper

Ronderosia bergii
Spur-throated grasshopper/Dichroplus elongatus

Spur-throated grasshopper

Dichroplus elongatus
Slant-faced grasshopper/Amblytropidia australis

Slant-faced grasshopper

Amblytropidia australis
Yellow-lined grasshopper/Schistocerca flavofasciata

Yellow-lined Grasshopper

Schistocerca flavosciata
Spur-throated grasshopper/Tucayaca gracilis

Spur-throated grasshopper

Tucayaca gracilis
Spur-throated grasshopper/Tucayaca sp.

Spur-throated grasshopper

Tucayaca sp.
Spur-throated grasshopper/Stenopola puncticeps

Spur-throated grasshopper

Stenopola puncticeps
Stick grasshoppers - Family Procospiidae

Stick grasshoppers

Family Procospiidae
Ensifera
Long-horned katydid/Hyperophora major

Long-horned katydid

Hyperophora sp
Leaf katydid/Dasyscelus normalis

Leaf katydid

Dasyscelus normalis
Leaf katydid/Ligocatinus spinatus

Leaf katydid

Ligocatinus spinatus
Long-horned katydid/Stilpnochlora sp.

Long-horned katydid

Stilpnochlora sp.
Yellow-lined katydid/Grammadera clara

Yellow-lined katydid

Grammadera clara
Saltamontes de pastizal/Conocephalus longipes

Lesser meadow katydid

Conocephalus longipes
Sword-tailed cricket/Phylloscyrtus amoenus

Sword-tailed cricket

Phylloscyrtus amoenus
Sword-tailed cricket/Cranistes colliurides

Sword-tailed-cricket

Cranistes colliurides
Subterranean cricket/Anurogryllus sp.

Subterranean cricket

Anurogryllus sp.
Cricket/Ornebius alatus

Cricket

Ornebius alatus
Mantodea (mantids)
Mantid/Coptopterix sp.

Mantid

Coptopteryx sp.
Mantid/Pseudovates iheringi

Mantid

Pseudovates iheringi
Mantid/Parastagmatoptera sp.

Mantid

Parastagmatoptera sp.
Blattodea (cockroaches)
American cockroach/Periplaneta americana

American cockroach

Periplaneta americana
Neuroptera (lacewings)
Lacewings - Family Chrysopidae

Lacewings

Family Chrysopidae
Green lacewing/Chrysoperla externa

Green lacewing

Chrysoperla externa
Minute green mantidfly/Zeugomantispa minuta

Minute green mantidfly

Zeugomantispa minuta
Psocoptera (barklice)
Piojo de la corteza/Ceerastipsocus sp.

Barklice

Cerastipsocus sp.
Arachnids

Arachnids are as difficult as insects. You can find help in the indentification or important information in Reivindicando a las arañas (Vindicating the spiders).

The arachnids (spiders, scorpions and mites) have a body organized in two segments or tagmata (a cephalothorax and an abdomen), four pairs of legs, a pair of chelicerae and a pair of pedipalps. Generally they are erroneously considered insects If people dislike insects, spiders take the worst part. There is a phobia which is reinforced by a ruthless image of spiders. To come across a web causes excessive panic. Nevertheless, in most cases they are timid and avoid our presence. Not all of them weave a web, but all of them produce a silk thread which may have different functions. They are of immense benefit to man since they catch lots of insects.

Web-spinning spiders
Golden Silk Orbweaver/Nephila clavipes

Golden Silk Orbweaver

Trichonephila clavipes
Orb weaver/Metepeira sp.

Orb weaver

Metepeira sp.
Orb weaver/Araneus sp.

Orb weaver

Araneus sp.
Orb weaver/Araneus lathyrinus

Orb weaver

Araneus lathyrinus
Orb weaver/Araneus workmani

Orb weaver

Araneus workmani
Orb weaver/Araneus uniformis

Orb weaver

Araneus uniformis
Silver argiope/Argiope argentata

Silver argiope

Argiope argentata
Red-spider weaver/Alpaida gallardoi

Red spider weaver

Alpaida gallardoi
Orb weaver/Metazygia sp.

Orb weaver

Metazygia sp.
Orb weaver/Parawixia sp.

Orb weaver

Parawixia sp.
Orb weaver/Parawixia audax

Orb weaver

Parawixia audax
Orb weaver/Eustala sp.

Orb weaver

Eustala sp.
Cobweb spiders - Family Theridiidae

Cobweb spiders

Family Theridiidae
Cobweb spider/Tidarren sisyphoides

Cobweb spider

Tidarren sisyphoides
Cobweb spider/Theridion sp.

Cobweb spider

Theridion sp.
Cobweb spider/Cryptachaea sp.

Cobweb spider

Cryptachaea sp.
Social cobweb spider/Anelosimus sp.

Social cobweb spider

Anelosimus sp.
Dwarf spiders - Family Linyphiidae

Dwarf spiders

Family Linyphiidae
Long-jawed orbweaver/Leucauge sp.

Long-jawed orbweaver

Leucauge sp.
Long-jawed orbweaver/Tethragnatha sp.

Long-jawed orbweaver

Tethragnatha sp.
Hunting spiders
Ghost spider/Arachosia praesignis

Ghost spider

Arachosia praesignis
Giant crab spider/Polybetes pythagoricus

Giant crab spider

Polybetes pythagoricus
Giant crab spider/Polybetes rapidus

Giant crab spider

Polybetes rapidus
Giant crab spider/Polybetes sp.

Giant crab spider

Polybetes sp.
Wolf spider/Lycosa erythrognatha

Wolf spider

Lycosa erythrognatha
Jumping spider/Lyssomanes sp.

Jumping spider

Lyssomanes sp.
Jumping spider/Megafreya sutrix

Jumping spider

Megafreya sutrix
Jumping spider/Cotinusa vittata

Jumping spider

Cotinusa vittata
Crab spiders - Family Thomisidae

Crab spiders

Familia Thomisidae
Crab spider/Misumenops sp.

Crab spider

Misumenops sp.
Crab spider/Misumenops callinurus

Crab spider

Misumenops callinurus
Running crab spider/Fageia sp.

Running crab spider

Fageia sp.
Misiones tarantula/Vitalius roseus

Misiones tarantula

Vitalius roseus
FALse scorpions
PSEUDOSCORPIONIDA
False scorpions - Order Pseudoscorpionida

False scorpion

Crustaceans

Unlike insects and spiders, the crustaceans have a good reputation. As they are primarily aquatic we have no contact with them. On the ohter hand, the are well appreciated as food.
The crustaceans have a body protected by a calcareous exoskeleton and is divided into two or three segments depending on whether the head is fused to the thorax, in which case the cephalothorax is formed, and the abdomen. They have two pairs of antennae and one pair of mandibles. As the number of legs goes they may be decapods (five pairs of legs) or may have several legs

ISOPODA
Pill bug/Armadillidium vulgare

Pill bug

Armadillidium vulgare
Pill bug/Armadillildium nasatum

Pill bug

Armadillidium nasatum
Sow bug/Cylisticus convexus

Sow bug

Cylisticus convexus
Sow bug/Porcellionides sexfasciatus

Sowbug

Porcellionides sexfasciatus
DECAPODA
Red crab/Dolicarcinus pagei

Red crab

Dilocarcinus pagei
Myriapods

The myriapods include all the animals which are commonly called centipedes and millipedes and which are recognized by their highly segmented bodies with too many legs. The centipedes comprise scolopendrids.

To tell apart a centipede from a millipede is easy. Pay attention to the number of legs at each segment. If there are four (two on each side of the segment) it is a millipede. Otherwise, one leg at each segment makes it a centipede. Another clue is their behaviour before a threat. The centipede escapes, whereas the millipede rolls up and stays quiet or protects itself by secreting some toxic or irritating chemical. A third clue is the disposition of the legs which spread away in centipedes and fall to the ground in millipedes.

The myriapods live only on land. Most of millipedes prefer humid places since their exoskeleton lacks a waxy layer which retains water. The centipedes may be found in all hábitats, including deserts where the largest species are encountered. The centipedes are predators and hunt primarily at night They feed on other invertebrates. The millipedes mainly eat rotting organic matter.

They are not considered dangerous to man, but you should always take special care. The bite of the largest millipede species may cause discomfort such as, vomitting, fever, etc. The millipedes do not bite but they secrete poisons though in rather small quantities for us to casuse an alarm. Anyway, it is advisable to wash thoroughly.

CEntipedes
SCOLOPENDRIDA
Scolopendrids - Family Scolopendridae

Scolopendrids

Family Scolopendridae
Millipede
POLYDESMIDA
Greenhouse millipede/Oxidus gracilis

Greenhouse millipede

Oxidus gracilis