Ants are small insects that live in chambers beneath the desert floors. Several ant species are typical residents in desert biomes. They include fire ants of the Solenopsis genus, including the invasive red imported fire ant – Solenopsis invicta – from Brazil and harvester ants of the Pogonomyrmex genus. Ant colonies can be found on desert areas at elevations up to 8,250 feet, according to the the Desert USA website.
Hundreds of beetle species reside in desert biomes from open dune to mountain areas. Of these, the pincate beetle, better known as the stinkbug, is a common resident that can be active all year. Although many animals avoid contact with the stinkbug due to its defensive secretion, it is a prey for some mice and owls. Another beetle species found in desert biomes is the blister beetle, which causes a painful blister if it comes in contact with your skin.
Bees are important pollinating insects that live in desert environments. Several species of bees can be found in desert biomes, including the carpenter bees, sweat bees, bumblebees, cuckoo bees and honeybees. Bees help pollinate desert flowers, which plays an essential role in maintaining the desert ecosystem and wildflower blooms.
Many butterflies and moths occupy desert biomes, from sageland areas of Nevada, Oregon, Nebraska and New Mexico to mountain areas of Sierra Nevada and Cascade. Butterflies fly from February to September, depending on the geographical area, while moths can breed throughout the year in some desert locations. Common desert butterfly species include western tiger swallowtail, western admiral and viceroy butterfly, while common moth species include yucca and black witch moth.
Several families of flying insects, in addition to bees, butterflies and moths, exists in desert biomes, according to Desert USA. Typical species include wasps, such as the velvet ant and yellow jacket; the avid predator praying mantis; humming cicadas; and mosquitoes, which can spread disease-causing microbes, such as the West Nile virus. In addition, desert biomes are habitats to insects such as centipedes, termites and aphids.