Insects

Bzzzzz is the sound often heard when wandering the trails at the refuge! Many species of insects can be seen fliting around your ears. Beware, some of them may sting you! Keep an eye out for the damselflies, dragonflies, butterflies, and bees! Even those pesty ones, all pollinators serve an important role in the life cycle of many of the plants and as a results, the animals!

Bees and Wasps
Bees and wasps all belong to the order Hymenoptera. They are also members of the suborder Apocrita, characterized by a common narrow waist. This waist is really a thin junction between the thorax and the abdomen, giving these insects a waist-like appearance.

Bees have rounder, hairy bodies and feed on pollen and nectar

Wasps have a more slender, smooth body with very few hairs. They feed as predators or parasites of other insects or scavengers.
Butterflies
Several species of butterflies and moths can be seen flitting around the flowers, shrubs and trees. With very delicate wings, please only look, but do not touch!
Dragonflies and Damselflies
Dragonflies and damselflies both belong to the order Odonata. All odonates share certain characteristics, including membranous wings, large eyes, slender bodies, and small antennae. Conversely, there are clear differences between dragonflies and damselfies.

Look at the eyes: dragonflies have eyes that usually touch, or nearly touch, at the top of the head; damselflies have eyes that are clearly separated, usually appearing to each side of the head.

Look at the position at rest: dragonflies have wings held open, horizontally or downward; damselflies have wings held closed, usually over the abdomen.