All of the bugs that come out in spring in Arizona, from lady bugs to black widows

As spring approaches and flowers begin to bloom, the emergence of insect pollinators such as bees and ladybugs is a familiar sight.

In Arizona, the spring months also bring forth an array of potentially scarier creatures. Among these are black widow spiders; the formidable Arizona bark scorpion, known for its venomous sting; and the strikingly colored mustard yellow paper wasps, recognized for their distinctive nests and painful stings.

Additionally, grape leaf skeletonizer moths can wreak havoc on crops, and the elusive agave weevil poses a threat to agave plants.

But all of these insects and arachnids contribute to the biodiversity of Arizona's landscape. Read on for a guide to the most common creatures you may see indoors or outside during spring in Arizona and whether they pose a danger to people or pets.

Bugs in Arizona in March

In March, you're likely to see buzzing bees pollinating newly bloomed flowers and colorful butterflies dotting garden foliage. Here's what to look for, according to the University of Arizona's Cooperative Extension:

Argentine ants

Small brown ants that form extensive colonies. Commonly found in urban areas, they are not directly harmful but can invade homes and disrupt ecosystems.

Harvester ants

Medium-size reddish-brown to black ants known for large colonies and seed-harvesting behavior. They are found in arid regions and can deliver painful stings.

White-lined sphinx moths

Large moth with brownish-gray wings and prominent white stripes. Found in various habitats, these moths are important pollinators and harmless to humans and pets.

Painted lady butterfly

Medium-size butterfly with orange-brown wings and black/white spots. Found in gardens and meadows, they are harmless and beneficial pollinators.

Honey bees

Small bees with golden-yellow bodies. These bees are important for pollination and honey production. They are not aggressive but can sting if provoked and are potentially dangerous to those allergic.

Paper wasps

Medium-size wasps with brown bodies and yellow markings. These wasps build paper-like nests and can sting repeatedly if provoked. The painful stings may cause allergic reactions.

Mosquitoes

Small flying insects found in areas near standing water. Females feed on blood, transmit diseases, deliver itchy bites and are potentially dangerous to humans and pets.

Lacewings

Delicate insects with transparent wings and green or brown bodies. These beneficial predators feed on garden pests and are harmless to humans and pets.

Citrus thrips

Tiny insects with fringed wings, they feed on citrus leaves and fruits and are found in citrus orchards. They are not harmful to humans or pets, but they can damage crops.

Western tent caterpillars

Caterpillars with black bodies and white/yellow/blue markings. They are not harmful to people, but they can defoliate the trees they build their tents in and can damage landscapes.

Grape flea beetles

Small black beetles with enlarged hind legs for jumping. They are found in vineyards and feed on grape leaves. They are not harmful to humans or pets but can damage crops.

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Bugs in Arizona in April

In April, expect to encounter a bustling ecosystem of creatures, including crickets, beetles and curious spiders spinning intricate webs to catch unsuspecting prey. Here's what to look for, according to the University of Arizona:

Camel crickets

Large, humpbacked crickets with long legs. Often found in dark, damp areas indoors, they are not harmful but may startle you with their jumping behavior.

Black widow spiders

Females have shiny black bodies and red hourglass markings on their abdomens; males may be gray or brown with little red spots. Usually found in dark, sheltered areas, the females are venomous and their bite can be dangerous and potentially lethal.

Arizona bark scorpions

Venomous scorpions with pale yellow bodies and a long, slender tail with a stinger. Their sting is painful and potentially dangerous.

Lubber grasshoppers

Large, brightly colored grasshoppers with short wings, found in grasslands and gardens. Lubbers are not harmful to people but can damage crops and ornamental plants.

Ladybugs

Small beetles with rounded red or orange bodies and black spots. These beneficial predators feed on aphids and other pests. They are harmless to humans and pets.

Aphids

Small, soft-bodied insects with pear-shaped bodies. They reproduce rapidly and damage crops by sucking sap from leaves, but they are not harmful to humans or pets.

Carpenter bees

Black thumb-sized carpenter bees with shiny abdomens and strong mandibles. Known for nesting in wood, carpenter bees are not aggressive but can damage wooden structures.

Bugs in Arizona in May

May brings a crescendo of insect activity as graceful swallowtail butterflies dance on warm breezes and industrious leafcutter bees craft their nests from tender foliage. Here's what to look for, according to the University of Arizona:

Tomato hornworm caterpillars

Large green caterpillars with white diagonal stripes and a horn-like appendage. These feed on tomato plants and cause significant damage to crops.

Stink bugs

Shield-shaped insects with a distinctive odor when disturbed. These bugs feed on plant sap, can damage crops and become household pests.

Grape leaf skeletonizer moths

Moths with translucent wings and green bodies. Larvae skeletonize grape leaves by feeding on them and can damage crops.

Mustard yellow paper wasps

Wasps with yellow bodies and brown markings. They build paper nests, and their painful stings may cause allergic reactions.

False chinch bugs

Very small — usually less than a quarter-inch long — and brownish gray. These flying bugs feed on plants, particularly grasses and grains, and can damage crops and ornamental plants.

Agave weevils

Beetles with elongated snouts. They feed on agave plants and can cause damage by boring into plant tissue.

Swallowtail butterflies

Large butterflies with colorful wings and distinctive swallowtail extensions. Swallowtails feed on flower nectar and are harmless, beneficial pollinators.

June bugs

Large beetles with stout bodies and mottled coloring, often called May, June or Chafer beetles. They feed on foliage and flowers of various plants and can damage crops and ornamental plants.

Leafcutter bees

Solitary bees that cut circular pieces from leaves to build their nests. Leafcutter bees are important pollinators, not aggressive and generally harmless to humans and pets.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona bug calendar: Here's what you'll see in spring 2024