Wherever you go in the World there is no escaping insects, especially mosquitoes.  The Insecta class, one of the    seven principal categories of the hierarchical classification system, already has over a million insects classified under it and there are new insects being found everyday. 

     Insects have to be the most interesting members of the animal kingdom on the face of this Earth.  There are insects that have the most beautiful colors yet are the most dangerous to our well-being.  Others only look like they would be dangerous so that they can create a type of protection for themselves.  Below you will find the most
common insects that you will see in Oregon.  Enjoy!
 

INSECTS OF OREGON	DESCRIPTION
	Monarch Identification:  Make sure that when you see a Monarch butterfly to remember that they are poisonous.  When they are caterpillars they feed on many poisonous milkweeds.  It can grow up to 4" in span and can be identified by its brilliant colors, orange, yellow, white, and black.  Habitat:  Meadows and grassy fields.  Range:  Throughout North America except the far North. Life Cycle:  Many generations per year.  Adult Monarch emerges from cocoon in 12 days.
	Spring Azure Identification:  Soft silvery blue wings carry the Spring Azure to its destination.  This beautiful butterfly although frequently mistaken for a moth, is the first to appear in the spring after the cold winter months.  The wing span is generally 1 1/4". Habitat:  You will most likely see it in open woods, roadsides, and gardens. Range:  All over North America. Life Cycle:  In the East this butterfly can generally have several generations a year, and in the West it decreases to on or two generations per year.
	European Cabbage Butterfly Identification:  As described in the name, the European Cabbage Butterfly originally came from Europe.  It was originally spotted in Quebec in 1910 and since then has become one of the most abundant butterflies that we see today. Its wings have a span of about 2" with a creamy, to almost off-white color.  Habitat:  You will most likely see this butterfly anywhere, even in the city, scooping out for any tasty flowers in gardens.  Range:  All over North America except for the far North.  Life Cycle:  This species generally can have up to five generations.
	Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly Identification:  This beautiful butterfly is very well known for its size and graceful flight.  Wingspan is about 31/8-51/2".  Yet before this great beauty emerges out of its cocoon for the first flight, the caterpillar is a beautiful shade of green with orange and black spots around its eyes.  Habitat:  The Swallowtail likes to live around forests and especially gardens.  Range:  Along the West coast including Alaska and Canada. Life Cycle:  There are one to three generations per year.
	Field Crickets Identification:  Crickets are famous for there beautiful song throughout a beautiful, warm summer night.  They have a black or brown colored body, with a length of no more than one inch, and long legs to play their evening songs. Habitat:  Grassy fields and meadows. Range:  Seen all over North America Life Cycle:  In the North crickets tend to have one generation per year, however in the South they tend to have two or three per year.
	Blow Fly Identification:  This fly is as common as a House fly.  However you will find the Blow fly wherever there is decaying matter.  It is no bigger than 5/8" in length and has a metallic blue, green, or glossy black body with red eyes. Habitat:  Roadsides, city dumps, wooded areas, and pastures.  Range:  All over North America.  Life Cycle:  There are many generations of this specie per year.
	Damselflies Identification:  These beautiful creatures mostly come out at night after a warm summers night.  They tend to glide over the surface of water stretching their long transparent wings.  They come in various colors including blue and green, with a long and slender body, stretching out to about 2".  Habitat:  Most likely to be seen in marshes, shallow streams, or ponds.  Range:  Throughout North America.  Life Cycle:  Tend to have very many generations in one
	Crane Flies Identification:  Almost look like mosquitoes stretching out to be 21/2" in length!  Thorax has a V-shaped grove on its back.  Habitat:  Wetland areas, streams, and fields. Range:  All over North America.  Life Cycle:  May have one to several generations per year.
	Aphids Identification:  Are very hard to spot due to their size.  Most aphids are approximately 1/16-1/3" in length.  They come in various colors, mostly common is a yellowish green tone. Habitat:  Mostly found on all types of lush vegetation.  Range:  All over North America. Life Cycle:  Depending on conditions.  Eggs live through the winter.
	Tiger Beetle Identification: Usually you will find that a full grown, adult Tiger Beetle will grow no more than 3/4" to 1" in length.  Habitat: Most commonly found in gardens or open wooded areas on sandy soil.  Range:  All over North America. Life Cycle: Up to two years as Larvae before they submerge into adulthood in the fall.  Then will continue to live for an additional two years in adulthood.
	Small Eastern Milkweed Bug Identification:  This bug, classified as a beetle, is mostly found on milkweed, hence the name.  Because of the toxic content of the milkweed this small insect becomes toxic as well.  It will grow no more than 1/2" in length, has a flat back and a long beak. Habitat:  Fields and meadows where there is a large abundance of milkweed plant.  Range:  All throughout North America.  Life Cycle:  One or more generations per year.
	Eyed Click Beetles Identification:  This magnificent specie has the ability to snap its body back with a sudden snap allowing it to spin into the air or turn themselves over if land on back.  Length is 13/4" with gray body and two black spots on their thorax.  Habitat:  Forests, mostly along logs or dead trees.  Range:  All over the U.S. Life Cycle:  One generation per year.
	Stink Bug Identification:  The Stink Bug, also known as Shield Bugs, when disturbed produces a strong and very unpleasant scent creating the predator to leave it alone.  Has a flat green or brown colored body with the length of 3/4".  Habitat:  Gardens, forests, meadows, or crops.  Range:  All over the United States and Canada.  Life Cycle:  One to three generations per year.
	Harlequin Cabbage Bug Identification:  Also known as Fire Bug or Calico Bug.  Length is 3/8" with a shiny black shield shape body with yellow and orange spots.  Habitat:  Gardens, fields, meadows.  Range:  In the U.S. and southern Canada.  Life Cycle:  One to four generations per year.
	June Beetles Identification:  These are lovely insects, however cause trouble to farmers.  When they are larvae they live and eat potatoes, ruining thousands of potatoes every year for farmers.  One of their most interesting characteristics is that, if picked up it will make a squealing sound. Length is 13/8" with a shiny brown or black body.  Habitat:  Fields, meadows, and crops.  Range:  Throughout North America.  Life Cycle:  Larvae take about two to three years to mature then have another two years as adults.
	Spur-Throated Grasshopper Identification:  The Spur grasshopper is the most common grasshopper in North America.  The grasshopper is approximately 3/4-13/4" in length and tend to be a yellow, or pale brown color but may come in a reddish or green color as well.  Habitat:  Fields and areas where there is a lot of grassy meadows. Range:  Are seen throughout the U.S. and Canada. Life Cycle:  Maturity is in the summer.  Have only one generation per year.
	Praying Mantis Identification:  The Praying Mantis gets its name by the position that it holds, it looks as if it is in a praying position.  The length is approximately 2 1/2" with a very slender greenish or brown body. Habitat:  Mostly found in meadows, fields or even your back yard.  Range:  Eastern United States and southern Canada.  Life Cycle:  One generation per year.
	Bumble Bee Identification:  We see most of the Bumble bees during the summer busy at work collecting pollen.  Have large furry bodies with black and yellow spots.  Habitat:  Woodlands, gardens, and meadows. Range:  Throughout North America. Life Cycle:  One generation per year.
	Yellow Jacket Identification:  Have yellow bands on end of abdomen.  The Queen bee is who makes all the calls for these busy workers.  Worker 5/8" in length and the Queen bee is larger.  Don't let them sting you! Habitat:  Fields, cities, meadows.  Range:  All over North America.  Life Cycle:  Generally one generation per year.
	Paper Wasps Identification:  Usually nest in cold, high corners.  Have a reddish brown  with yellow bands on end of body.  Have deadly stingers. Can reach up to 1" in length.  Habitat:  Meadows and fields.  Range:  Throughout North America.  Life Cycle:  Can have one to several generations in one year.