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Quiz about The State of Insects These Days

The State of Insects These Days Quiz

Most states in the United States have designated state insects. Some have more than one "bug" in different categories. How much do you know about them?

A multiple-choice quiz by Toneman52. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Toneman52

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
346,572

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
299

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What insect type is the most commonly selected by the US states? It is far and away the most popular choice of the states. Hint

Bee

Dragonfly

Ladybug

Butterfly

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Question 2 of 10

2. Hawaii chose a butterfly for its state insect in 2009. It happens to be named after a very famous person associated with the islands. Can you name this beautiful creature? Hint

Kamehameha butterfly

Kahanamoku butterfly

Cook butterfly

Damien butterfly

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Question 3 of 10

3. New Mexico has two state insects. One is a butterfly; what is the other insect? Hint

Ambush bug

Tarantula hawk wasp

Desert beetle

Leafcutting bee

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Question 4 of 10

4. Only two US states have included the firefly as their state bug. Can you name them? Hint

Georgia and Massachusetts

Maryland and Virginia

Pennsylvania and Tennessee

New York and South Carolina

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Question 5 of 10

5. Honeybees in the United States are not native to our shores. What continent largely affected the hybridization of the species that now is the state insect in 17 locations? Hint

Africa

Asia

Australia

Europe

6. This insect is an order that contains around 2,200 species in 15 families globally (usually in tropical and temperate climates). Variations of its name can suggest that worship is a key part of this bug's daily routine. It is also the state insect choice for both South Carolina and Connecticut. Can you name it? Hint

Ladybug

Mantis

Dragonfly

Bishop Beetle

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which is the only state with four insects as official bug designees? Hint

Tennessee

Missouri

California

Alabama

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Question 8 of 10

8. Alaska is pretty far north with plenty of rugged territory and weather. That said, its state insect probably needs to be pretty hardy. Name this inhabitant of the Land of the Midnight Sun. Hint

Four-Spotted Skimmer Dragonfly

Goliath Beetle

European Mantis

Kenai Mosquito

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Question 9 of 10

9. The ladybug is the insect choice for six states: Delaware, Massachusetts, Ohio, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Ladybugs are actually beetles. They are very beneficial in controlling aphid populations that damage plants. The ladybug also has a defense mechanism. What is it? Hint

Gather in a group at the first signs of danger

Venomous bite

Release of noxious fluid

Fly away from aggressive aphids

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Question 10 of 10

10. The Monarch Butterfly is the state insect in Alabama, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, Texas, Vermont, and West Virginia. Monarchs are noted for making vast migrations beginning in late summer. Some stay in the United States, but the vast majority head somewhere else. Where do they go? Hint

No one knows--scientists are baffled

Mexico

Tierra del Fuego

Australia

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What insect type is the most commonly selected by the US states? It is far and away the most popular choice of the states.

Answer: Butterfly

The butterfly is the dominant choice with many different varieties represented. Those states selecting butterfly representatives are: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The honeybee is second most popular, with ladybugs and dragonflies trailing this field.

2. Hawaii chose a butterfly for its state insect in 2009. It happens to be named after a very famous person associated with the islands. Can you name this beautiful creature?

Answer: Kamehameha butterfly

Kamehameha the Great (died 1819) conquered the islands and established the Kingdom of Hawaii. The Kamehameha butterfly, with the binomial nomenclature Vanessa tameamea, is only one of two butterfly species native to Hawaii. The Koa butterfly is the other "flier" native to The Aloha State.

3. New Mexico has two state insects. One is a butterfly; what is the other insect?

Answer: Tarantula hawk wasp

The Tarantula hawk wasp (pepis formosa) was selected by the Land of Enchantment as its first state insect in 1989. This wasp hunts the tarantula spider as food for its larvae. The sting of this wasp is reputed to be one of the most painful in the world.

4. Only two US states have included the firefly as their state bug. Can you name them?

Answer: Pennsylvania and Tennessee

In the larval state, some fireflies are known as glowworms. "Lightning bugs" use bio-luminescence to attract potential mates, usually at dusk. Pennsylvania and Tennessee chose these insects as their twinkling representatives in 1974 and 1975 respectively.

5. Honeybees in the United States are not native to our shores. What continent largely affected the hybridization of the species that now is the state insect in 17 locations?

Answer: Europe

Bees that are state insects are European honey bees (apis mellifera). Their European ancestors were introduced to the Americas in the 1600s. In 2007, colony collapse disorder was a prime concern in certain regions of the 50 states.

Answer: Mantis

The mantis' closest relatives are the cockroach and termite. The Greek word for mantis is prophet. The term Praying Mantis is thought to be an acknowledgement of the prayer-like stance of this insect or an eggcom, namely Preying Mantis because of the predatory nature of these critters.

7. Which is the only state with four insects as official bug designees?

Answer: Tennessee

Tennessee boasts a quartet of insects it honors. They are the Common Eastern Firefly, the Seven Spotted Ladybug, the European Honeybee, and the Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly. The first was voted in during 1975, and the last in 1985.

8. Alaska is pretty far north with plenty of rugged territory and weather. That said, its state insect probably needs to be pretty hardy. Name this inhabitant of the Land of the Midnight Sun.

Answer: Four-Spotted Skimmer Dragonfly

This bug (Libellula Quadrimaculata) became Alaska's official insect in 1995. Alaskan schoolchildren made the final choice. Rumor has it that many Alaskans thought it was a good choice because it feeds on the unofficial state bird---the mosquito.

Answer: Release of noxious fluid

The Lady Beetles' defense is a noxious and odorous fluid that is expelled from their leg joints when they feel threatened or disturbed. Worldwide there are about 5000 species of the ladybug. Most have a lifespan of one to two years.

Answer: Mexico

Most American Monarchs migrate to their sanctuaries of the Mariposa Monarca Biosphere Reserve in the Mexican states of Michoac�n and M�xico. It is estimated that between 60 million and one billion of these "regal" butterflies arrive in this area each year.

Some have fluttered close to 2,500 miles to get there. They are one of the few insects that are capable of trans-oceanic migrations, so if they ever choose to winter in Hawaii instead, they could.

Source: Author Toneman52

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