This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The Asian needle ant originally hails from Japan and mainland Asia. These ants are capable of medically significant stings and are considered a highly invasive species. They are a widely distributed ecological threat in the countries in which they have been introduced. They severely outcompete native species of ant in […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

It seems that wherever you go something is trying to kill bees. The European beewolf is no exception. These predatory wasps hail from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. They may be predatory, but they face the threat of fungal and bacterial pathogens that can infest their nests and kill […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The titan beetle is touted as 1 of the largest known insect species and 1 of the largest known beetles. These giants live in South America. More specifically in north-central Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, the Guianas, Peru, and Venezuela. They face the threats of habitat loss and destruction due to rapid […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The velvet ant, aka cow killer, is not actually an ant at all, but rather a wasp. The females are wingless and carry with them a powerful sting! While there are no listed threats to these wasps, they do face habitat loss and destruction at the hands of residential and […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The varied carpet beetle is a globally distributed pest beetle that can be found on every continent, sans Antarctica. They can be found anywhere from bird’s nests to inside homes. These beetles are considered an invasive species, even though they occur naturally in some locales. Therefore, the IUCN does not […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The eastern yellowjacket, aka eastern yellow jacket, are considered a pest species due to their nesting in populated areas such as buildings. They face the threats of invasive species, at the hands of the German yellowjacket; predation, by raccoons, skunks, badgers, and bears, pesticide use as a means to kill […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The Colorado potato beetle, aka Colorado beetle, ten-striped spearman, ten-lined potato beetle, and potato bug, is an agricultural pest that can be found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. As you would imagine, they are notorious for infesting and damaging potato crops. They are not evaluated by the IUCN. Colorado […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The European paper wasp is among the most common and well-known species of social wasps. While initially hailing from Europe, they are considered an invasive species in North America. These critters are not evaluated by the IUCN, as they are not only invasive but also highly abundant on 2 continents. […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The Gray’s leaf insect hails from Sumatra and the southern part of Malay Peninsula. Their specific epithet bioculatum means “2-eyed” in Latin and refers to the 2 dots located on the abdomen in these insects. These critters face the threats of habitat loss and destruction at the hands of deforestation; […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The Amazonian giant centipede, aka Peruvian giant yellow-leg centipede, hails primarily from South America, but can be found in the Caribbean as well. These large and ferocious arthropods face the threats of habitat loss and destruction, at the hands of residential and commercial developments, as well as farming and ranching; […]

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