(# 1) One of the most interesting insects living in the Sonoran Desert, is the Pepsis Wasp. This large and brightly colored wasp is also called the Tarantula Hawk Wasp. This is because the female hunts for tarantulas for her larvae to eat. After the wasp finds a tarantula, she paralyzes it with her stinger. The wasp will then drag the tarantula into a burrow, and lay one egg on the live spider. She will then seal the opening of the burrow. When the egg hatches. the larva will feed on the tarantula. I wouldn't want to be that spider. The adult wasps feed on nectar and pollen from flowering plants.
The Pepsis Wasp has one of the most painful stings in the entire insect world. No need to worry though, these wasps are non-aggressive. I've had dozens fly right by me in my lifetime. They fly rather slowly with their long blue-black bodies and beautiful bright orange wings.
The Pepsis Wasp has one of the most painful stings in the entire insect world. No need to worry though, these wasps are non-aggressive. I've had dozens fly right by me in my lifetime. They fly rather slowly with their long blue-black bodies and beautiful bright orange wings.
My son, a professional photographer, took the photo in the left picture. The wasp was just "hanging around." Notice the long orange wings and black tips. Its bright colors could serve as a warning--"leave me alone--I'm not an insect to mess with!" Never disturb these wasps. Even though they have a very painful sting, they are not deadly. I like to take a few pictures from a safe distance. The wasps can get pretty large. This wasp is two inches (5 cm) long. So if you should happen to see a very large brightly colored insect fly past you in the Sonoran Desert, You'll be able to say, "That's a Pepsis Wasp!"
(# 2) We could not talk about the Tarantula Hawk Wasp without talking about one of the world's largest spiders--the tarantula. My sister took the photo to the right during late summer, just before sundown. The evening is when these large and hairy arachnids like to move about. They hunt for insects and other smaller animals to eat. During the mating season, male tarantulas can be seen crawling around, searching for the female's underground burrows. The males are thinner and darker than the females, and have reddish hairs on the abdomen (see right photo). The females are more stocky, and are covered in light brown or tan hairs. If a tarantula feels threatened, they can flick the little hairs on their abdomens with their back legs. The hairs may irritate the nose and eyes of their enemies.
A Gentle & Long-Lived Spider
Did you know that desert tarantulas can live for over
10 years. The females can live even longer than that--
up to 20 years. The spiders are very gentle, and do not try to attack people. They just continue on with their business whenever humans run into them. Do not try to pick them up, though. They can bite if they feel threatened. Their venom is mild, and is similar to a bee sting. It is very rare that a tarantula bites a human.
Below, is the entrance to a female tarantula's burrow.
(# 3) While we are talking about arachnids, we do not want to forget the scorpion. The desert just wouldn't be as grand without these interesting eight-legged arachnids. Three of the more common scorpions found in the Sonoran Desert are the Bark Scorpion (right), the Striped Tail Scorpion, and Giant Desert Hairy scorpion (below). Out of these, only the sting of the Bark Scorpion is dangerous. The scorpions use the stinger at the tip of their tails to catch their prey (their food), such as insects and spiders. They will also use their stinger to defend themselves. Scorpions will only sting a person if they feel threatened, or are being attacked. Whenever I lift a rock, and find a scorpion underneath, it frightfully tries to scramble to another rock. They prefer to live under things, such as rocks, as they are cool and moist. In their search for cooler places, the Bark Scorpion sometimes finds its way into a home. Unlike other scorpions, these small (2" or 5 cm) scorpions prefer to climb, and so can more easily find their way inside. Scorpions are good for the desert, as they help it not become overrun with insects and spiders. They are also fun to watch! especially at night. These little arachnids are nocturnal, so they are mostly active at night--searching for food and mates. They even glow in the dark, if a an ultraviolet (black) light is shined upon them. Pretty interesting!
The Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion (right photo) is the largest in the Sonoran Desert. This yellowish scorpion, with its lobster-like pincers and darker back, can grow to be five 5.5 inches (14 cm)long. Despite its larger size, the sting from this scorpion is mild. As the scorpion's name suggests, it has small brown hairs on its body. Can you see the hairs on the legs and tail? The delicate hairs help the scorpion detect vibrations in the soil. If you should ever see a scorpion, do not try to touch--just look at it, and enjoy!
Scorpion Back Ride
Scorpions give birth to live young during the summer months. When the babies are born, they quickly crawl up their mother's pincers and legs, and onto her back. They will safely ride around on her back until they molt (shed their skin) in 7-21 days. The little scorpions hold on tight. Desert scorpions have many animals that want to eat them. Notice all the little scorpions in the left photo. That is some mother!
Scorpions give birth to live young during the summer months. When the babies are born, they quickly crawl up their mother's pincers and legs, and onto her back. They will safely ride around on her back until they molt (shed their skin) in 7-21 days. The little scorpions hold on tight. Desert scorpions have many animals that want to eat them. Notice all the little scorpions in the left photo. That is some mother!
Not a Scorpion--Not a Spider
People often get confused when they see this little creature running about... It resembles something between a a large spider and a scorpion, but it is different in many ways. This ground-dwelling arachnid is called a solifugid, and is non-venomous. It is also called a wind scorpion, camel spider, and sun spider. Unlike spiders, solifugae don't produce silk or spin webs. Its two long front legs are actually sense organs, called pedipalps. They help detect obstacles and prey, such as insects, spiders, and scorpions. A solifugid will use its large jaws to help catch and crush its food. So be careful not to handle one of these, or you could get quite a pinch! Because they hunt for animals, such as scorpions, solifugae are a welcomed sight to desert home owners.
People often get confused when they see this little creature running about... It resembles something between a a large spider and a scorpion, but it is different in many ways. This ground-dwelling arachnid is called a solifugid, and is non-venomous. It is also called a wind scorpion, camel spider, and sun spider. Unlike spiders, solifugae don't produce silk or spin webs. Its two long front legs are actually sense organs, called pedipalps. They help detect obstacles and prey, such as insects, spiders, and scorpions. A solifugid will use its large jaws to help catch and crush its food. So be careful not to handle one of these, or you could get quite a pinch! Because they hunt for animals, such as scorpions, solifugae are a welcomed sight to desert home owners.
The Desert Loudmouth!
(# 4) Let's talk again about insects. Some desert insects are heard before they are seen. And one of the loudest insects on the planet, is the cicada. During the hottest days of summer, when most animals seek shelter from the midday desert heat, the cicada can be heard from nearby trees and shrubs. The male's shrill calls are made by a membrane on each side of the insect's body. When the membranes vibrate, they give out a very high-pitched whistle-like sound. It's the male's way of calling the females. After mating, the female will inject several eggs into the stem on a bush or tree. The cicada in the photo above is doing just that. Once a young cicada hatches, it will drop to the ground, and burrow into the soil. Young cicadas are called nymphs. Nymphs look similar to the adults, but are missing a few things, such as wings (see left drawing below). The nymph will molt (shed its skin) many times as it grows. It will feed on the sap from roots in underground chambers for several years. Then one year... the nymph will climb out of the ground, onto a plant, and molt one final time. It will emerge from its old nymphal skin as a fully-grown adult. With its large chunky body, and new pair of wings, this fully-grown cicada will fly for the very first time. If it's a male, it won't be long before it joins other cicadas in making one of the loudest sounds in the desert. I love to listen to desert cicadas!
"During the hottest of days,
from morning to afternoon,
the desert cicada plays
his most melodious tune."
--Carolyn French
from morning to afternoon,
the desert cicada plays
his most melodious tune."
--Carolyn French
The Desert's Tiny Recyclers
(# 5) You can't see the insect in the above photo, but it's there, along with many others. The desert, as we know it, would not exist without this little insect. This quiet and lowly little insect is called the termite. Notice the dead cactus branch and shrub, coated with hard crusty soil, in the above and left photo. I started to lift a branch, but then noticed dozens of tiny cream-colored termites moving about underneath. The termites looked like pudgy pale ants. They are helping to break down the dead wood by feeding on it. As the termites feed, they release much-needed nutrients from the dead plant back into the soil. Other living plants need those nutrients in order to survive. When they break down plant litter, sunlight is then able to reach the desert's smaller plants, so they can grow. The termites protect themselves from the desert's harsh environment by constructing mud tubes (or casings) around the dead plant as they feed and travel. That's what you see in the photos.
(# 5) You can't see the insect in the above photo, but it's there, along with many others. The desert, as we know it, would not exist without this little insect. This quiet and lowly little insect is called the termite. Notice the dead cactus branch and shrub, coated with hard crusty soil, in the above and left photo. I started to lift a branch, but then noticed dozens of tiny cream-colored termites moving about underneath. The termites looked like pudgy pale ants. They are helping to break down the dead wood by feeding on it. As the termites feed, they release much-needed nutrients from the dead plant back into the soil. Other living plants need those nutrients in order to survive. When they break down plant litter, sunlight is then able to reach the desert's smaller plants, so they can grow. The termites protect themselves from the desert's harsh environment by constructing mud tubes (or casings) around the dead plant as they feed and travel. That's what you see in the photos.
Look at all Those Legs!
(# 6) I could not talk about many-legged creatures, without mentioning the centipede and the millipede. These amazing desert creatures are not insects or arachnids. But they are very interesting! Each has a long body with many legs. The centipede has one pair of legs per each body segment. The millipede has two pairs of legs per segment. That's a lot of legs! Let's first talk about centipedes. There are two kinds of centipedes that live in the Sonoran Desert. My favorite is the giant desert centipede (left photo). This large centipede can grow 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm) long. It can be identified by its orange body and black head and tail. The bright colors serve as warning, "back off! I'm dangerous." No need to worry--centipedes are not deadly to people--only to smaller creatures, such as insects, lizards, and frogs. They capture their prey (their food) by using small leg-like structures in front of their legs. The centipedes will inject venom with these pincers into their prey. The common centipede, which is smaller and light brown, hunts in the same manner. Centipedes prefer to live under the protection of rocks, logs, and bark on the desert floor. That is where it is safer, cooler, and more moist. If you should ever come across a centipede, do not touch one. Their venom will not kill you, but it can hurt, and cause allergies.
(# 6) I could not talk about many-legged creatures, without mentioning the centipede and the millipede. These amazing desert creatures are not insects or arachnids. But they are very interesting! Each has a long body with many legs. The centipede has one pair of legs per each body segment. The millipede has two pairs of legs per segment. That's a lot of legs! Let's first talk about centipedes. There are two kinds of centipedes that live in the Sonoran Desert. My favorite is the giant desert centipede (left photo). This large centipede can grow 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm) long. It can be identified by its orange body and black head and tail. The bright colors serve as warning, "back off! I'm dangerous." No need to worry--centipedes are not deadly to people--only to smaller creatures, such as insects, lizards, and frogs. They capture their prey (their food) by using small leg-like structures in front of their legs. The centipedes will inject venom with these pincers into their prey. The common centipede, which is smaller and light brown, hunts in the same manner. Centipedes prefer to live under the protection of rocks, logs, and bark on the desert floor. That is where it is safer, cooler, and more moist. If you should ever come across a centipede, do not touch one. Their venom will not kill you, but it can hurt, and cause allergies.
This long and colorful centipede was found inside my home in the middle of the night. It was soon released back outside, where it could hunt in the dark for its insect prey (see above photo). Can you see its pincers? The pencil gives a better idea of just how long these centipedes can grow. They sure are amazing!
Did I mention that female centipedes make pretty good mothers. The mothers will coil around their eggs, and groom them. Once they hatch, the centipede moms will continue to care for their young a few more days.
Desert millipedes (right photo) are also egg-layers. But after these mothers lay their eggs--underground or in other concealed areas--they don't stay around. They have a very important job to do--to find and eat dead plants and animals. I know it sounds gross, but desert millipedes help clean the desert. This keeps the desert healthy. Desert millipede's are also good burrowers, and spend most of their time underground. I often see them crawling along roads, especially after a warm summer rain. Their long rounded dark reddish-brown bodies are easy to spot. They can grow 4 to 5 inches (10-13 cm) long. Their bodies are made up of many segments. Each segment has two pairs of legs. A new segment is added each time the millipede sheds its skin. That's a lot of legs!--far more than the centipede!
I Don't Bite, But I Can Smell & Taste Bad
Desert millipedes move slowly, and are gentle creatures. But don't pick them up. They do not bite, but if they feel threatened, they will ooze a foul-smelling chemical from openings along their sides. This is how they protect themselves. When disturbed, millipedes will also roll into a coil. I like to watch these helpful little creatures continue on their way...
I Don't Bite, But I Can Smell & Taste Bad
Desert millipedes move slowly, and are gentle creatures. But don't pick them up. They do not bite, but if they feel threatened, they will ooze a foul-smelling chemical from openings along their sides. This is how they protect themselves. When disturbed, millipedes will also roll into a coil. I like to watch these helpful little creatures continue on their way...
"If you should ever meet me,
slow down... and take a little stroll.
Say hi! to a millipede.
I'm a great little critter to know!"
--Carolyn French
slow down... and take a little stroll.
Say hi! to a millipede.
I'm a great little critter to know!"
--Carolyn French