1. North America

Pollinators & Helpful Insects

• Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) – Famous for its migration across the U.S. and Mexico.
• Honeybee (Apis mellifera) – Vital pollinator, introduced from Europe.
• Bumblebee (Bombus spp.) – Native pollinator, active in cooler weather.

🐞 Pests and Common Insects

• Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americanum) – Builds silky nests in trees.
• Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica) – Invasive species that damages plants.
• Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys) – An invasive bug that gives off a bad smell.

🦟 Biting Insects

• Mosquito (Culex pipiens) – Spreads West Nile virus.
• Deer Tick (Ixodes scapularis) – Spreads Lyme disease (technically an arachnid).

🦗 Other Notables

• Katydid (Microcentrum spp.) – Green and leaf-like; known for nighttime calls.
• Lightning Bug / Firefly (Photinus pyralis) – Lights up at night in summer.

2. Africa

🐝 Pollinators & Important Species

• African Honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata) – Known for aggressive defense; important in agriculture.
• Dung Beetle (Scarabaeus sacer) – Revered in Ancient Egypt, rolls dung to feed young.

🦗 Dangerous or Notable Insects

• Tsetse Fly (Glossina spp.) – Transmits sleeping sickness.
• Anopheles Mosquito (Anopheles spp.) – Spreads malaria.
• Safari Ant / Driver Ant (Dorylus spp.) – Moves in huge columns; very aggressive.

🐞 Others

• Giant African Millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas) – Often confused with insects (actually a myriapod).
• Locust (Schistocerca gregaria) – Forms destructive swarms that devastate crops.

🌏 3. Asia

🐞 Colorful and Unique Species

• Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas) – One of the largest moths in the world.
• Jewel Beetle (Chrysochroa spp.) – Shiny metallic beetles found in Southeast Asia.
• Giant Asian Hornet (Vespa mandarinia) – Also known as the "murder hornet."

🐝 Pollinators & Important Insects

• Asian Honeybee (Apis cerana) – Native bee used in honey production.
• Paper Wasp (Polistes spp.) – Builds paper-like nests.

🦗 Predators and Mimics

• Praying Mantis (Tenodera sinensis) – Skilled insect predator.
• Stick Insect (Phasmatodea spp.) – Camouflaged to look like twigs.

🌎 4. South America

🐞 Colorful and Unique Insects

• Blue Morpho Butterfly (Morpho menelaus) – Shimmering blue wings; found in rainforests.
• Goliath Beetle (Goliathus spp.) – Among the heaviest insects in the world.
• Leafcutter Ant (Atta spp.) – Farmers of fungus; cut leaves to grow their own food.

🐝 Dangerous and Defensive Species

• Bullet Ant (Paraponera clavata) – Infamous for the world’s most painful sting.
• Army Ant (Eciton spp.) – Travel in massive groups; blind but deadly to prey.

🌏 5. Australia & Oceania

🦋 Unique Species

• Ulysses Butterfly (Papilio ulysses) – Bright blue butterfly found in Queensland.
• Orchid Mantis (Hymenopus coronatus) – Looks like a flower; found in some parts of Papua New Guinea too.

🐝 Other Notables

• Green Tree Ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) – Builds leaf nests in trees; bites hard.
• Australian Cicada (Cyclochila australasiae) – Known as the “green grocer”; very loud!

🦟 Pest Insects

• Bush Fly (Musca vetustissima) – Common nuisance in the outback.
• Australian March Fly (Tabanidae) – Bites painfully; active in summer.

🌍 6. Europe

🐞 Common Species

• Seven-Spotted Ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata) – Eats aphids and is a gardener’s friend.
• European Honeybee (Apis mellifera) – Spread around the world for pollination.

🦋 Notable Butterflies

• Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io) – Recognizable by “eye spots” on wings.
• Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio machaon) – Large and graceful, common in southern Europe.

🐜 Others

• European Wood Ant (Formica rufa) – Builds giant ant hills in forests.
• Green Lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea) – Eats aphids; beneficial in gardens.