State Insects

The Smithsonian has compiled a list of the 41 states in the United States which have officially designated State Insects. Illinois has the Monarch Butterfly:

Photo: pieceoflace

Most of the states who have an official State Insect have selected a butterfly of some sort, but New Mexico is very unusual. The State Insect of New Mexico is the Tarantula Hawk Wasp:

Photo: Bugman

Read more about the Tarantula Hawk Wasp at Durango Nature Studies