In the TN Woods, You Can Find All Kinds of Surprises, Like This Copperhead

This is a southern devil scorpion. They inhabit the southern Appalachian region and are the only scorpion that lives east of the Mississippi River, except for three species in Florida and surrounding areas. Like most scorpions, they have two eyes in the middle of their ‘head’ area, but also have ‘lateral eyes’. This species has…

Widespread hatred is common forthe10 or so introduced cockroaches that now invade our homes. But the US is home to more than 70 species of native cockroach that do not act as pests. These natives might resemble pest species, but they live their lives in the wilderness. This specimen is a wood cockroach (Parcoblatta). Male…

Ponerine ants like this live their lives in forest soils and feed on other arthropods. Female tiny parasitic wasp (Eupelmidae) with an interesting jumping mechanism crawling over tree bark-likely Anastatus hunting for stink bug eggs to lay its own eggs into Flies attracted to dead longhorn beetle-stilt-legged fly (Rainieria antennaepes) quickly leaves while several scuttle…

Scuttle flies are likely among the most ecologically diverse families of all arthropods. The diversity of habits is staggering. Although some scuttle flies specialize on ants, even killing them in interesting ways, these individuals are likely just seeking to snack on an already-dead ant, before scuttling on their way Female tiny parasitic wasp (Eupelmidae) with…