Insects Native to Michigan

Lake Saint Clair and four of the five Great Lakes border the state of Michigan. Because Michigan contains more than 64,000 ponds and lakes, residents seldom reside more than six miles from natural water. Michigan also is one of the most forested states in the United States. The state's woodlands support thousands of jobs and provide wood for fuel and fiber products. Michigan's forests are at risk from native insects like the balsam woolly adelgid and from recently arrived invasive insects like the emerald ash borer. Insects are responsible for the destruction of thousands of acres of forest in Michigan.

  1. American Burying Beetle

    • The American burying beetle, previously called the carrion beetle, is one of the largest of its genus; it belongs to the Silphidae family. These insects are master scavengers; they clean the environment, burying small, dead mammals and insects for their future consumption. The beetle has a shiny black body with hard, protective wing covers and large antennae. The beetle population began to decline in the 1920s due to several factors, including accessibility of its habitat by other carrion consumers and increased lighting in developed areas. Historically, the beetles were found in the northern peninsula of Michigan.

    Balsam Woolly Adelgid

    • The balsam woolly adelgid is considered an exotic, but serious pest in Michigan. It attacks forests, seed production and Christmas tree crops. The damage caused by these insect pests is estimated to be billions of feet of fir timber in North America. The adelgids feed on the outer portions of the crown of the tree, the main stem and large branches. The infestations on the main stem are serious; they cause the most damage and mortality to trees. Damaged trees are rendered brittle, effectively lowering their value as lumber.

    Lake Huron Locust

    • The Lake Huron locust is a small insect with a silver to ash gray-colored body. Males are noisier in flight than females and also larger in size. The locust is on the list of rare Michigan insects. It is a member of the horned grasshopper family, generally found in coastal dune areas in northern Michigan. The insects prefer sparsely vegetated areas and sand dunes rather than heavily vegetated or wooded areas. They are a ground-dwelling species; they seldom climb onto foliage. They feed off vegetation found at the base of the dunes and may supplement their diet with dead insects.

    Black Widow Spider

    • In Michigan, black widows are called northern black widow spiders. The males of the species are smaller than the females. The spiders are characterized by a black, shiny body and a well-rounded abdomen. Females generally are identified by a red hourglass shape on the abdomen (underside). The spiders commonly are found in woodpiles, in boxes, under eaves, meter boxes and outdoor toilets. Black widows are not aggressive, but they do bite; the bite is sharp and very painful. Victims should seek treatment immediately after being bitten.