It mostly attacks dogs and cattle, but will also bite humans. This biting fly originated in Asia, but now can be found worldwide. Their peak season in Florida is April through June. Yellow flies are ferocious biters, with female flies needing a blood meal in order to develop their eggs after mating. They leave small red welts where they bite. They are a nuisance to people outdoors who might spend time near shorelines or wetland areas when winds are calm.

They are so small that you can’t see them (hence the nickname ‘No-See-Um’). These are the biting midges of the genus Culicoides 47 species of which are known to occur in Florida. It is found mostly outdoors, where it eats detritus and leaf-litter, but occasionally will sneak into houses. This large cockroach grows to a length of 30–40 mm (1.2–1.6 in). The following is a sampling of the 30 insect species most common to our state. Many of the invaders affect Florida residents and its environment in a negative way. Many insects are considered invasive species that arrived in Florida by accident or were intentionally introduced. Some of them eat the plants we consider important, and some of them bite, sting, or try to feed on us. They all eat something, and whether humans call them “pests” depends on how they impact our lives. Which are the most common bugs of Florida? Florida has at least 12,500 insect species.

Black bug with orange stripes on wings