The Black Widow Spider
The female black widow spider is the most venomous spider in North America, but it seldom causes death to humans, because it only injects a very small amount of poison when it bites. Black Widows spin webs that lack shape and form. The silk is stronger than most spiders.

 

The Cicada
That humming, buzzing chorus of insects heard on summer nights is usually due to cicadas -- small, stout-bodied, large-headed insects with sucking mouth parts. Take a look at one up close and listen for yourself to their singing.

 

Harvester Ants
Colonies of harvester ants operate perfectly well in the absence of any apparent central control or organizing force. They travel up to 40 feet from their nests foraging for food. Maintenance ants police the nest entrance to reject items too large for the nest tunnels. Watch these insects as they busy themselves about their nest.

 

The Honeybee
The honeybee begins its life as a pinhead-sized egg, one of 1500 to 2000 laid by the queen of the hive during the course of a typical late-winter or early-spring day. It and its siblings each occupy private, adjoining, six-sided cells that, collectively, serve as the nursery and the honeycomb of the hive.

 

The Pinacate Beetle (Stink Bug or Clown Beetle)
When walking, pinacate beetles, with lowered front ends and raised rears, resemble little low-riders. They are well known for their comical, yet effective, defense tactics. When alarmed they stand on their heads by bending their front legs down and extending their rear legs, and spray a malodorous secretion.

 

The Tarantula
The tarantula family includes the largest spiders known. The Goliath Tarantula (Theraposa leblondi) which inhabits South America, reaches a body length of 5 inches with a leg span of up to 12 inches. Watch video of this fascinating creature.

 

The Tarantula Hawk
The Tarantula Hawk is part of the wasp family. It lays its eggs in the bodies of Tarantulas. Watch as the Tarantula Hawk drags its victim to its doom.

 

The Tick
A tick will sneak up on you or your dog, take up a sequestered residence in secret body parts, administer a painless bite into the skin, and engorge itself with blood. A small fraction of an inch in length, a typical tick has a roughly teardrop-shaped, two-part body encased in a leathery, accordion-like, dark brown external skeleton.