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N E Y W JERSE There are more insects in Monmouth County The Monmouth County Park System has two envi- Classic Features & Variety than people. Insects are the most populous ronmental centers dedicated to nature education. Insects Insects have three body parts: a head, thorax, and animals on the planet! Each has a trained staff of naturalists to answer visi- abdomen. They also have exoskeletons, which is tor questions and a variety of displays, exhibits, and In fact, there are so many different kinds of a type of hard outer “shell,” 2 antennae, 6 legs, and hands-on activities where visitors of all ages can of insects it is helpful to categorize them to help (usually) wings. Some insects have two wings, learn about area wildlife and natural history. with identification. There are more than 20 insect others have four; some have only wing “buds” and Orders (the groupings used by scientists). Here some have no wings at all. The Huber Woods Environmental Center, on Monmouth are some of the ones discussed in this brochure. Brown’s Dock Road in the Locust Section of Dragonflies Middletown, features newly renovated exhibits • Diptera; flies and • Orthoptera; crickets, Dragonflies and the similar about birds, plants, wildlife and the Lenape Indians. County mosquitoes grasshoppers looking damselflies (sometimes Miles of surrounding offer many opportunities • Hemiptera; true bugs • Mantodea; mantids called “darning needles” for their to enjoy and view nature. slight build and fast motion) (assassin bugs and • Blattodea; roaches water striders) can look scary, but don’t let • Isoptera; termites Calico Penant Dragonfly • Homoptera; cicadas their appearance fool you. • Anoplura; lice The adults are harmless to humans, but nymphs in • Hymenoptera; ants, • Coleoptera; fireflies and bees and wasps the water are voracious predators and you could beetles (such as the risk a nip should you attempt to capture one. • Siphonaptera; fleas Ladybug) These hunters have translucent wings and jewel- • Lepidoptera; butterflies • Odonata; dragonflies and moths like coloring that make them a vision to see near and damselflies the water. Although like all insects they The Manasquan Environmental Center, have six legs, they cannot on Georgia Tavern Road in Howell specializes in walk! They can hold onto species. The center has many water- their prey with the front legs related displays and exhibits to learn about local Cricket and hold onto grasses and plants and wildlife. The 5-mile perimeter is a shrubbery with the others. Spreadwing Damselfly great place to explore and enjoy nature. And, interestingly, their four wings can function independently, allowing them great speed and the ability to hover and fly backwards. Visit the Manasquan Reservoir Praying Mantis or any other park with bodies of water, such as Holmdel Park or Turkey Ant Swamp Park All illustrations by Elayne Leighton during summer. The Life Stages: Changing Appearance Insects do not just grow bigger; instead they go through distinct stages of development called Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders “metamorphosis.” Many insects change appearance dramatically as they “morph” from an egg to Board of Recreation Commissioners larva then to pupae or nymph, and finally to their adult form. A10554-12/10 www.monmouthcountyparks.com Thompson or Tatum Park Butterflies & Moths Visit the meadows of Carpenter Bee The Bad Flea Seeing Bees Fleas are very unwelcome Have you ever watched a Monarch, one late spring-early fall to see the Monarch and other Honey bees are part of an guests in our homes. They of this area’s most common, beautiful and elegant butterflies flutter-by. elaborate social structure, can live on cats, dogs, people, recognizable butterflies? In the life cycle of the Tiger while carpenter bees are rats, , opossums, and Monarch butterfly, they go through a complete Swallowtails are solitary. Fortunately, neither another very birds. They feed on the blood metamorphosis. They start life as eggs, then are likely to sting you. Honey common of their host. It was the flea hatch into caterpillars (the larval stage). Next, they species. bees are by nature calm, but that carried bubonic plague. shed their outer skin as they grow and pupate by more importantly, should one If fleas cannot find a blood attaching themselves to a surface to become a sting you it will be the end of her (as she will leave Scanning Electron Micro- meal, they can cocoon graph (SEM) . www.cdc.gov. chrysalis. After their body has completely changed the stinger and a rear portion of her abdomen with as an adult for a year. They Janice Haney Carr structure, they emerge as adult butterflies. you!) Male carpenter bees, on the other hand, do not can also live in carpet or furniture fibers as eggs, even have a stinger, although they may bite if you larva, and cocooned pupae. Metamorphosis of a Monarch Butterfly The Mourning Cloak pester them, and can bore damaging tunnels into can be seen in early wooden structures such as decks, eaves, and sheds. The Bugly spring, arising on Most true bugs have hard fore wings, similar to woodland trails before you as you The Good, Bad & Bugly beetles, but the tips are membranous where they overlap. True bugs also have sucking (as opposed hike along. There are beautiful insects and destructive insects. to chewing) mouthparts, so they can feed by Some we find repulsive, and others do important piercing the outer covering of their prey—which jobs for us. may be plant or animal. Some are parasitic; and 1. caterpillar The Good Ladybug many have a scutellum, a triangular, breast-plate The Spicebush Lady Bird Beetles, also known like covering, which is why they are commonly Swallowtail as ladybugs, have hard called shield bugs. lives in low, damp colorful wings on the outside Stink Bug The Spined Soldier Bug, a kind woods and visits to protect their diaphanous 2. pupae open fields less of Stink Bug native to this area, and delicate inner wings, often than other is so named because it can emit swallowtails. which stay folded inside. a strong odor to repel enemies; When the outer wings lift note the “armor” like plates. [ Not up, the inner unfold to take to be confused with the non- flight. Ladybugs have biting mouthparts and are native (Asian) Marmorated Stink predators to many of the harmful insects that Bug, which has stripes, bands The devour our crops. 3. chrysalis luminescent and/or dots along it’s outer edges and antennae.] Luna Moth Ladybugs are easy to catch and in the adult form Some true bugs are found in fresh water such as glitters green are usually harmless. Although… should you in the evening Water Strider ponds and lakes. This one—the moonlight irritate them you will find a yellow, foul-smelling water strider--can even walk or searching for secretion emanating from their leg joints. They skate on the surface of water. the aroma of range in color from red (with or without black Tiny hairs or setae and a wax the female’s spots) to pink, yellow, striped, black or white. pheromones. coating on the legs help it stay Incidentally, you cannot tell a lady bug’s age by 4. adult afloat. counting the spots.