 |
 |
|
Desert centipede: Although the name comes from the Latin words for 100 legs,
the centipede actually has only one pair of legs per body segment or about 40
legs altogether. The venom in the poisonous claw is rarely harmful to adults,
but the bite is quite painful. |
Bark scorpion: This once aquatic arachnid has adapted well to living in the
desert with its hard, waxy, multilayered cuticle. Some bark scorpions in Arizona
and southwestern New Mexico have a toxic sting.
|
 |
 |
|
Colorado potato beetle: This pest actually originated in Mexico, not Colorado,
as the name implies. NMSU genetic engineers are trying to develop a potato
variety that contains a protein toxic to the beetle, which is cosidered the
world's most destructive potato pest.
|
Cochineal bug: This insect makes its presence known by white cottony masses on
prickly pear pads. Females are found under the white material. When crushed, the
masses produce a bright, red-purple dye that Betsy Ross may have used for the
stripes on the first American flag.
|
 |
 |
|
Bordered patch butterfly: From the brush-footed butterfly family, this is one of
the most abundant butterflies in the desert, grassland and low mountain Southwest.
Natural enemies include mantids, robber flies, spiders and birds.
|
Convergent ladybird beetle: This native species is one of the most familiar and
popular insects, after butterflies. A diet of aphids and other small insects make
it a good choice for use as a biological control agent.
|
 |
 |
|
Snakeweed grasshopper: This medium-sized grasshopper is probably the most effective
natural enemy of the native, woody snakeweeds. This mated pair was found in Socorro
County.
|
Tarantula hawk: This long-legged wasp with a metallic, blue-black body is the
official state insect of New Mexico. The name comes from its breeding behavior,
which requires the female to lay its egg on a tarantula it paralyzes.
|
 |
 |
|
Sowbug: This scavenger feeds on decaying organic matter, usually plant material.
Sowbugs and pillbugs are the only crustaceans that live on land.
|
Tomato hornworm: The bane of gardeners, this giant caterpillar can do serious
damage to tomato plants. As an adult, it is a large hawk moth that can be
mistaken for a hummingbird.
|
