Most Common Bugs in Florida Part 3

This is the third and final installment in our three part series titled “Most Common Bugs in Florida”.  This series features the most common bugs in our state. These are bugs you have seen your entire life and perhaps you didn’t know what they were called. Our first bug is no stranger to any of us:

Love Bug

Scientific name: Plecia nearctica. Twice per year these things end up decorating your windshield in high numbers. This is because, as their name implies, they are mating and are out in full force. It is important to wash these critters off your car however. Their reside can damage your paint.

Spined Soldier Bug

This bug looks like a stink bug but isn’t. Scientific name: Podisus maculiventris. It is actually a good friend of humans in that it is carnivorous and eats 90 other types of bugs. This is a bug we like having on our side.

Florida Predatory Stink Bug

Scientific name: Euthyrhynchus floridanus. This is the actual stink bug we mentioned above. But guess what? It is also beneficial to humans in that it eats lots of other bugs.

Gulf Coast Tick

Tick. Scientific name: Amblyomma maculatum. Any and all ticks are bad news for people and pets. These blood suckers transmit many dangerous pathogens to living mammals. It is important to check your body and your pets body to avoid these insects from passing on illnesses. (pictured above)

Check out our previous installment of this series: Most Common Bugs in Florida Part 2

Article Reference:

IFAS. (2015). Featured Creatures. Retrieved from
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/main/search_common.htm