List of Insects: 40+ Useful Insect Names with Pictures & Facts

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In this lesson, you’ll learn common insect names in English, grouped by their main characteristics and typical habitats. The list focuses only on true insects (six-legged animals) and includes images to help you recognize each insect group more easily.

List of Insect Names

• Ants
• Bees
• Beetles
• Butterflies
• Caterpillars
• Cockroaches
• Crickets
• Dragonflies
• Fleas
• Flies
• Grasshoppers
• Grubs
• Ladybugs
• Maggots
• Mosquitoes
• Locusts
• Termites
• Wasps
• Greenflies

Note: Caterpillars, maggots, and grubs are larval stages of insects such as butterflies, flies, and beetles. Many learners still search for these words as separate insect names, so they are included here.

Common Insect Groups

Beetles

Beetles are one of the largest insect groups in the world. They are known for their hard outer wings and wide variety of shapes.

• Ladybugs
• June bugs
• Ground beetles
• Stag beetles
• Fireflies

Butterflies and Moths

Butterflies and moths are winged insects known for their colorful patterns and life cycle stages.

• Monarch butterflies
• Swallowtail butterflies
• Luna moths
• Sphinx moths
• Tiger moths

Flies

Flies are insects with a single pair of wings. They are commonly found around food and waste.

• Houseflies
• Fruit flies
• Horseflies
• Crane flies

Ants, Bees, and Wasps

These insects are social species that live in colonies and cooperate to gather food and build nests.

• Honeybees
• Carpenter ants
• Fire ants
• Paper wasps
• Yellow jackets

Dragonflies and Damselflies

These insects are commonly found near water and are known for their long bodies and strong flight.

• Blue dashers
• Common whitetails
• Eastern pondhawks
• Ebony jewelwings

Grasshoppers and Crickets

Grasshoppers and crickets are jumping insects commonly found in grassy areas.

• Grasshoppers
• Field crickets
• Mole crickets
• Katydids

Unique Insect Types

Stick and Leaf Insects

Stick and leaf insects are known for their camouflage, allowing them to blend into plants and trees.

Cicadas, Aphids, and Scale Insects

These insects vary in size and are often associated with plants. Cicadas are known for loud sounds, while aphids and scale insects feed on plant sap.

True Bugs

True bugs are insects with piercing mouthparts used for feeding on plants or other insects.

• Stink bugs
• Bed bugs
• Water striders

Insects from Different Regions

North America

Common insects include monarch butterflies, carpenter ants, bumblebees, and cicadas.

Europe

Common species include honeybees, stag beetles, dragonflies, and hornets.

Asia

Notable insects include rhinoceros beetles, silk moths, and cicadas.

Africa

Common insects include dung beetles, locusts, termites, and tsetse flies.

Australia

Australia is known for insects such as Christmas beetles, giant water bugs, and honey ants.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common insect names?

Common insect names include ants, bees, butterflies, beetles, cockroaches, crickets, flies, grasshoppers, mosquitoes, moths, and wasps.

Is a spider an insect?

Feature	Insects	Spiders
Number of legs	6 legs	8 legs
Body parts	3 parts (head, thorax, abdomen)	2 parts (cephalothorax, abdomen)
Antennae	Yes	No
Wings	Some insects have wings	No wings

Do insects help the environment?

Yes. Insects help pollinate plants, recycle organic material, and provide food for many animals.

Related:

• List of Mammals