Wrinkled grasshopper (Hippiscus ocelote)

The Mordellidae are a family of beetles commonly known as Tumbling Flower Beetles for the typical irregular movements they make when escaping predators. These black beetles are small, usually between 3 and 7 mm (0.1 to 0.3 inch) in length and are most often seen on flowers. They are covered with fine hairs and are…

Among the many species of rattlesnake, timber rattlers are the only species in the area. They have powerful venom that is medically significant to humans; however bites are uncommon due to their mild disposition. Despite issuing a characteristic warning sound, they are actually slow to strike. Individuals live 9–10years and primarily feed on rodents.

Nearly 1,000 species of click beetle inhabit the US, and eyed click beetles are among the largest. They have two large eyespots, surely for protection against predators, as eyespots in other insects. But the eyespots of eyed click beetles are unique. They absorb 96% of light, nearly ‘super black’, and much more than most blacks…

Melanotus is a genus of click beetles in the family Elateridae. There are at least 30 described species in Melanotus. They are famous for the noise they make when they need to make a hasty escape from a predator. A stiff spine on the anterior (belly) side of the beetle snaps with great force, propelling…