Insects are everywhere around us, and learning their names can boost your English vocabulary. This list of 100 insects names in English includes everything from common critters like ants and bees to rarer ones like moths and fireflies. With a mix of familiar and unique insects, this list helps you connect each name to the real world, making it easier to remember and use. Perfect for English learners, these insects names provide a fun way to expand your vocabulary while learning about the natural world.
Table of Contents
List of Insects Names with Pictures
- Cicada
- Stink Bug
- Carpenter Ant
- Butterfly
- Carpenter Bee
- Blowfly
- Booklouse
- Bed Bug
- Beetle
- Damselfly
- Bat Bug
- Bumblebee
- Caterpillar
- Borer
- Click Beetle
- Clothes Moth
- Black Fly
- Botfly
- Cabbage Butterfly
- Centipede
- Biting Louse
- Cockroach
- Crane Fly
- Darkling Beetle
- Ant
- Aphid
- Assassin Bug
- Bark Beetle
- Horse Fly
- Stink Bug
- Hairstreak Butterfly
- Greenfly
- Harlequin Bug
- Gnat
- Goliath Beetle
- Flea
- Flies
- Meal Moth
- Firefly
- Grub
- Hercules Beetle
- Grasshopper
- House Centipede
- House Cricket
- Fungus Gnat
- Green Lacewing
- Hairy Caterpillar
- Hornet
- Fruit Fly
- Housefly
- Japanese Beetle
- June Bug
- Dragonfly
- Dung Beetle
- Earwig
- Fire Ant
- Mole Cricket
- Maggot
- Mealybug
- Mantid
- Metalmark Butterfly
- Locust
- Longhorn Beetle
- Dauber Wasp
- Monarch Butterfly
- Moth
- Leafhopper
- Flies
- Leaf Beetle
- Mayfly
- Midge
- Louse
- Morpho Butterfly
- Lightning Bug
- Green Lacewing
- Mealworm
- Millipede
- Lice
- Mosquito
- Nematode
- Katydid
- Lace Bug
- Lacewing
- Ladybug
- Squash Bug
- Scorpionfly
- Snout Butterfly
- Silkworm
- Spider Mite
- Admiral Butterfly
- Red Velvet Mite
- Tiger Beetle
- Stag Beetle
- Termite
- Planthopper
- Pond Skater
- Butterfly
- Silverfish
- Spittlebug
- Robber Fly
- Stick Insect
- Pupa
- Scarab Beetle
- Skipper Butterfly
- Springtail
- Praying Mantis
- Stonefly
- Tsetse Fly
- Nymph
- Orchid Mantis
- Lady Butterfly
- Paper Wasp
Insects Names for Kids with Pictures
Here are some common insects that kids can easily learn and recognize. Each name is simple and fun, perfect for young learners:
- Ant
- Bee
- Butterfly
- Ladybug
- Dragonfly
- Grasshopper
- Moth
- Spider
- Fly
- Mosquito
- Beetle
- Caterpillar
- Firefly
- Worm
- Cockroach
- Cricket
- Termite
- Locust
- Tick
- Weevil
- Flea
- Stinkbug
- Praying Mantis
- Snail
- Antlion
- Mayfly
- Cicada
- Tsetse Fly
- Bedbug
- Silverfish
Details about Insects Names in English
- Cicada
A loud, tree-dwelling insect known for its distinctive buzzing sound made by males to attract mates. - Stink Bug
A brown or green bug that releases a foul odor when threatened, often found on plants. - Carpenter Ant
A large ant species that burrows into wood to build its nests, often found in decaying wood. - Butterfly
A colorful insect with large wings, known for its life cycle, including metamorphosis from caterpillar to adult. - Carpenter Bee
A large bee that bores holes into wood to create nests, similar to carpenter ants. - Blowfly
A fly species attracted to decaying matter, often seen around dead animals and rotting food. - Booklouse
A tiny insect that feeds on mold and is often found in damp environments, especially near books. - Bed Bug
Small, reddish-brown insects that feed on human blood, often hiding in bedding or cracks. - Beetle
A diverse group of insects with hard, protective forewings and chewing mouthparts. - Damselfly
A delicate, slender insect related to dragonflies, usually found near water. - Bat Bug
A parasitic insect closely related to bed bugs, feeding on the blood of bats and sometimes humans. - Bumblebee
A large, fuzzy bee known for its role in pollination, particularly in early spring. - Caterpillar
The larval stage of butterflies and moths, often green or striped, feeding on leaves. - Borer
An insect whose larvae burrow into wood, plants, or fruit, damaging the material. - Click Beetle
A beetle species that can make a clicking noise and flip into the air when flipped onto its back. - Clothes Moth
A moth known for feeding on natural fibers like wool, causing damage to clothing and fabrics. - Black Fly
Small, dark-colored flies known for their biting habits, often found near water. - Botfly
A parasitic fly whose larvae infest mammals, including humans, causing skin lesions. - Cabbage Butterfly
A white butterfly whose larvae feed on cabbage and other cruciferous plants. - Centipede
A long, segmented creature with many legs, known for being fast-moving and carnivorous. - Biting Louse
A small parasitic insect that feeds on the blood of mammals, including humans and animals. - Cockroach
A fast-moving insect often found in kitchens and bathrooms, known for its resilience. - Crane Fly
A large, thin-legged insect that resembles a giant mosquito, often found near water. - Darkling Beetle
A beetle species often found in dry, dark places, and sometimes used in the pet trade as food for reptiles. - Ant
A small, social insect that lives in colonies and has a structured society with roles like worker, queen, and soldier. - Aphid
A small insect that feeds on plant sap and often causes damage to crops. - Assassin Bug
A predatory bug that captures and kills other insects, often using a piercing mouthpart. - Bark Beetle
A beetle that burrows into tree bark, sometimes causing severe damage to trees. - Horse Fly
A large, aggressive fly known for its painful bite, often found around livestock. - Stink Bug
A pest that emits a foul odor as a defense mechanism when disturbed. - Hairstreak Butterfly
A small butterfly known for its distinctive tail-like projections on its hindwings. - Greenfly
A type of aphid, often green, that feeds on plant sap and can damage crops. - Harlequin Bug
A brightly colored, triangular-shaped bug that feeds on plants, especially in the cabbage family. - Gnat
A tiny, flying insect often found in swarms, particularly near moist areas. - Goliath Beetle
One of the largest beetles in the world, known for its massive size and strength. - Flea
A small, jumping insect that feeds on the blood of mammals, often a nuisance for pets. - Flies
A general term for a variety of small, flying insects, often associated with decaying organic matter. - Meal Moth
A moth species known for infesting dry foods like flour and cereal. - Firefly
A glowing insect, also known as a lightning bug, that uses bioluminescence to attract mates. - Grub
The larval stage of various insects, particularly beetles, known for its worm-like appearance. - Hercules Beetle
One of the largest beetles, known for its impressive horns and strength. - Grasshopper
A jumping insect with powerful hind legs, often found in fields and grasslands. - House Centipede
A fast-moving, multi-legged insect often found in homes, feeding on other pests. - House Cricket
A cricket species commonly found inside homes, known for its chirping sound. - Fungus Gnat
A small flying insect often found in moist environments, particularly around houseplants. - Green Lacewing
A delicate, green insect whose larvae are beneficial as they feed on pests like aphids. - Hairy Caterpillar
A caterpillar with noticeable hair or bristles, which can sometimes cause irritation if touched. - Hornet
A large, aggressive type of wasp known for its painful sting. - Fruit Fly
A small fly often found around ripe or fermenting fruits, particularly in kitchens. - Housefly
A common, fast-moving fly often found in homes, known for its tendency to spread bacteria.
Insects, Their Food, and Where They Live
Insect Name | What They Eat | Where They Live |
---|---|---|
Ant | Sugary food, plants, dead insects | Underground nests, inside walls, near food |
Bee | Nectar and pollen | Beehives, tree hollows, wooden boxes |
Butterfly | Nectar and fruit juice | Gardens, forests, near flowers |
Mosquito (♀) | Blood (females), nectar (both sexes) | Near water, damp areas, inside houses |
Grasshopper | Green plants, leaves | Grasslands, fields, tall grass |
Cricket | Plants, fungi, small insects | Underground, under rocks, inside walls |
Dragonfly | Flying insects (like mosquitoes) | Near ponds, lakes, and wetlands |
Ladybug | Aphids, mites | Garden plants, tree leaves, under bark |
Housefly | Rotten food, waste, spoiled fruits | Garbage areas, kitchens, drains |
Cockroach | Almost anything – food scraps, grease | Kitchens, bathrooms, under sinks and fridges |
Termite | Wood, paper | Inside wooden walls, tree trunks, soil mounds |
Moth | Wool, flour, grains | Cupboards, dark corners, storage containers |
Beetle | Plants, wood, dung, small insects | Under logs, in grains, wood, soil |
Wasp | Nectar, other insects | Nests under roofs, trees, wall gaps |
Firefly | Insects (larvae), nectar | Grasslands, near water, forests |
Flea | Blood of animals | On pets, in carpets, bedding |
Tick | Blood from animals or humans | On animals, in tall grass or bushes |
Aphid | Plant sap | Underside of leaves, garden plants |
Leafhopper | Plant juices | On leaves of crops, trees, and shrubs |
Praying Mantis | Other insects | Tall grasses, bushes, tree branches |
Stink Bug | Fruits and vegetables | On plants, in gardens, wall cracks |
Earwig | Dead plants, insects, soft fruit | Under stones, logs, in flower beds |
Weevil | Seeds, grains, nuts | Stored grains, cupboards, pantries |
Lice | Human or animal blood | On scalp, body hair, feathers |
Caterpillar | Plant leaves | On plant stems, underside of leaves |
Silverfish | Paper, glue, books | Bookshelves, cupboards, bathrooms |
Borer Beetle | Wood and bark | Inside dead trees, furniture, floorboards |
Cicada | Tree sap | Tree trunks, underground (as nymphs) |
Lacewing | Aphids, insect eggs | On garden plants, shrubs, near lights at night |
Mayfly | Algae, plant matter (nymphs only) | Near rivers, lakes, in water as larvae |
Insects Names list with Infographics
Flying vs Crawling Insects
Feature | Flying Insects | Crawling Insects |
---|---|---|
Wings | Yes, they have wings | Mostly no wings or underdeveloped wings |
Movement | They fly through the air | They crawl on land or surfaces |
Speed | Usually faster due to flight | Slower movement |
Habitat | Trees, skies, flowers, open areas | Soil, under rocks, inside homes |
Purpose of Movement | To search food, escape danger, migrate | To hunt, hide, or find food near habitat |
Examples | Bee, Butterfly, Mosquito | Ant, Cockroach, Termite |
Wing Stage (Larva) | Wings develop in adult stage | Most never grow wings |
FAQs
Common insect names include ant, bee, butterfly, cockroach, mosquito, fly, dragonfly, ladybug, grasshopper, and moth.
Ten of the strongest insects include the dung beetle, ant, rhinoceros beetle, titan beetle, weevil, Japanese hornet, giant water bug, termite, army ant, and ladybug.
Some of the smallest insects include the fairyfly, parasitic wasp, ant, midge, flea, and booklice. These insects are often just a few millimeters in size, making them nearly invisible to the naked eye.
Twenty common insect names include ant, bee, butterfly, cockroach, mosquito, fly, dragonfly, ladybug, grasshopper, moth, termite, wasp, beetle, cricket, flycatcher, fruit fly, firefly, caterpillar, roly-poly, and aphid.
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