5 Piedmont Region Invertebrates

It’s our great hope that each of you, our readers, will fully appreciate the wonder of these 5 Piedmont Region Invertebrates presented herein. We certainly enjoyed selecting the different species, and presenting the information for your enjoyment and edification.

Quite obviously, however, the species listed here represent the barest fraction of similar species found in this part of the world. Indeed, the area teems with fauna, as well as flora, of all kinds. We invite you to peruse our other articles to discover more such marvels.

Brown Recluse Spider

Brown Recluse Spider Facts

• Leading off this article about 5 Piedmont Region Invertebrates comes the arachnid that’s infamous in the region, the Brown Recluse Spider.
• This seemingly harmless arachnid remains best known by this name for excellent reasons. The surprising arthropod also goes by several other common names, though. These terms include the brown fiddler, the violin spider, and the fiddleback spider.
• Among professional researchers, however, it’s generally referred to by the difficult to pronounce scientific name of the Loxosceles reclusa. But, which name one uses to refer to it fails to alter one simple fact. Its relatively benign appearance is quite misleading.
• In point of fact, this particular arachnid typically makes most top 10 lists of the most dangerous spiders in the world. Also impressive remains another fact. Such a great potential threat actually comes packaged in a comparatively small body.
• Fortunately, though, encounters with humans that end in bites rarely occur. This primarily occurs due to a combination of its reclusive nature, and its choice of preferred habitat. Yet, when bites are inflicted, these can be extremely serious in nature.
• For the moment, the IUCN does not presently have a classification for the Brown Recluse Spider. That’s due to the combination of adequate range and sufficient numbers. Any ranking would appear on the organization’s published Red List.
• It must, however, be considered to be at some potential risk, like many species today. Also like other creatures, it currently faces many threats. Further sharing mutual perils, its greatest dangers most likely consist of habitat loss and the effects of climate change.

Brown Recluse Spider Physical Description

While the magnificent Brown Recluse Spider impresses, it does not do so due to sheer size. Although certainly not the smallest known spider, by any means, it’s nevertheless tinier than most dangerous ones. Plus, it does display sexual dimorphism, but not in terms of size.

Somewhat oddly, adults vary significantly in size. As a result, leg spans average from 0.24 – 0.79 in (6 – 20 mm). Exceptional specimens do sometimes occur, however. That being said, unconfirmed reports of individual specimens approaching 1 in (2.5 cm) in span exist.

The color pattern of both genders also typically consists of a light or medium brown over the entire body. Some Brown Recluse Spider specimens display an off white, dark brown, or grayish color. Many display a black line on the side, and a violin-shaped marking.

The gender-based difference displays in the pedipalps. These leg-like structures are larger on the end among males. In appearance, though, its most notable feature remains its eyes. This spider has six eyes, instead of eight, arranged in pairs. Few spiders share this trait.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Class: Arachnida
• Order: Araneae
• Family: Sicariidae
• Genus: Loxosceles
• Species: L. reclusa

Brown Recluse Spider Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The often overlooked Brown Recluse Spider also holds yet another notable status. That’s the fact that this shy but potentially deadly spider only appears in a restricted portion of the world. In fact, that natural range consists of portions of the United States, in North America.

More precisely, its official native range covers much of the southeastern, southwestern, and parts of the mid-west regions. This area includes all or portions of 16 different states. But, perhaps due to the activities of humans, reports of sightings in other areas exist.

Within this zone, its natural habitat consists of such places as fallen logs. It further prefers dark, dry, undisturbed locations. It has also adapted to the presence of humans in its range. As a result, it frequently inhabits wood piles, garages, basements, and storage sheds.

The Brown Recluse Spider builds an irregular-shaped web. This also generally holds a small shelter. This particular variety of web weaver also differs from its brethren its behavioral patterns. It leaves its lair at night to hunt, with females tending to remain in closer proximity.

Given that it actively hunts and stalks its prey, it evolved to move quickly. Such prey usually includes creatures such as various small insects and even other small spiders. It’s also extremely resilient. In point of fact, individuals can survive for months between feedings.

Hemlock Looper

Hemlock Looper Facts

• Next up among our choices for inclusion in this compilation of 5 Piedmont Region Invertebrates we present the gorgeous insect named the Hemlock Looper.
• This delicate marvel of Nature, an excellent example of native Lepidoptera, most frequently goes by the highly unique common name. The invertebrate also has another, though less frequently used common name. That’s the term of the mournful thorn.
• Professionals, however, typically refer to it by yet another name. That’s the technical name for the small species. Unfortunately, however, like many such terms, its’ rather hard to pronounce. That’s due to the fact that it’s also called the Lambdina fiscellaria.
• The respected French entomologist, Achille Guenée, assigned this tonge-twisting formal name. He made the first known official recognition of the insect as a separate and distinct species. This scientifically noteworthy event further occurred in 1857.
• Regrettably, though, in some parts of its native range, it’s viewed as a serious pest. That holds true due to the feeding habits of its caterpillar form. When present in sufficient numbers, these pose a serious threat to several varieties of trees in local area.
• For the moment, this impressive invertebrate appears to be maintaing a population base that’s both sizeable and stable. This also seems to hold tue throughout the entirety of its natural range. The IUCN, therefore, presently has no listing for it on its Red List.
• The Hemlock Looper nevertheless should be considered as facing several threats to its continued existence. Habitat loss, chiefly due to human activities, naturally constitutes a potential danger. Its greatest threat, however, comes from climate change.

Hemlock Looper Physical Description

The appealing Lepidoptera known by the attention-grabbing common name of the Hemlock Looper garners some attention due to its dietary habits, to be sure. Yet the remarkable insect also merits its own degree of appreciation due to its sheer visual appeal, too.

It further manages to earn a certain degree of appreciation for its natural beauty alone. Its physical size isn’t a factor in that particular aspect. That’s because it remains only an average-sized specimen of its kind, unlike some giants, like the Giant Atlas Moth.

More specifically, mature adults of the species possess an average wingspan of roughly 1.4 in (3.5 cm). Exceptional individuals do occur occasionally, of course. These uncommon specimens, however, rarely exceed this measurement by more than a small fraction.

Unlike many of its relatives, though, the Hemlock Looper displays no noticeable degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. This lack of distinguishing traits between the genders further includes both sheer size and physical appearance.

Adults of both genders therefore present the same general pattern of colors, as well as size. This principally manifests as a cream colored background over most of the body and wings. Thin, dark lines, however, generally also cross both the forewings and hindwings.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Class: Insecta
• Order: Lepidoptera
• Family: Geometridae
• Genus: Lambdina
• Species: L. fiscellaria

Hemlock Looper Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Fortunately, both for the Hemlock Looper itself, and those of us who appreciate Nature, it evolved as native to a relatively wide section of the globe. That’s due to the fact that the Arthropod evolved as native to much of the continent of North America.

Within that vast area, though, its range extends as far north as the southern portions of the country of Canada. From there, it makes appearances throughout the United States. The range of the small moth does not, however, extend into the country of Mexico.

In both of the countries on the continent that it does appear in, though, the great majority of its numbers tend to live in the eastern half of the continent. In all regions, however, the creature typically makes its home in areas of either coniferous or deciduous forests.

Although the caterpillar froms feed on virtually every variety of tree in their habitat range, they do show certain preferences. As the common name implies, though, these show a strong preference for hemlock trees. Yet they consume most others, as well as some shrubs.

Other than hemlock trees, the favorite food sources of the caterpillar form includes such indigenous tree species as white spruce, oak, and balsam fir. The mature adults, meanwhile, like many of their relatives, feed on the nectar of various local plant species.

The adult Hemlock Looper typically flies between August and early October, in most instances. After mating, the female lays large numbers of eggs, usually either in small groupings, or even singly. These she further places on bark, twigs, foliage, or even debris.

Giant Water Bug

Giant Water Bug Facts

• The third entry into this compendium of 5 Piedmont Region Invertebrates is the startling species appropriately known as the Giant Water Bug.
• The highly evocative term for this imposing creature quite accurately serves as one of the common names for this relatively large insect. This behemoth of its kind also goes by the humorous, though equally accurate, common name of the toe-biter.
• Its official scientific name, meanwhile, remains that of the somewhat informative, though hard to pronounce Lethocerus americanus. By either of these names, though, the creature remains a most fascinating, if visually unappealing, insect.
• The first recorded official scientific identification of this remarkable invertebrate further took place in the year 1847. This noteworthy event occurred as a direct result of the work of the highly respected American scientist and researcher, Joseph Leidy.
• For the moment, the amazing arthropod appears to still be present in relative abundance throughout its range. The IUCN, therefore, currently has no status listed for it. Any such listing would appear on the organization’s Red List of Threatened Species.
• The, to some, intimidating Giant Water Bug, must, nevertheless, be considered to facing at least some risks to it as a species. Habitat loss remains a potential danger. Its greatest threat, though, most likely consists of the effects of ongoing climate change.

Giant Water Bug Physical Description

In the specific case of the awesome Giant Water Bug, its name remains completely appropriate. That’s due to the simple fact that this arthropod ranks as a true giant of its kind. It also, differently from many insects, shows no noticeable sign of sexual dimorphism.

As a natural consequence of this fact, mature adult specimens of this insect attain the same impressive size. On average, these reach body lengths between 1.5 – 2.4 in (4 – 6.2 cm). That same body, though, also develops as extremely flattened in structure.

These creatures further display a somewhat oval shape, in addition to the flat body design. In coloring, this member of the Hemiptera Order also displays a color scheme consisting of various shades of brown. The lone exception remains the enormous black eyes.

The rear four of the legs of the Giant Water Bug evolved a comparatively flattened shaped, like the rest of the body. In this case, though, this serves to aid it in swimming. The out-sized, and quite powerful, front legs, evolved into pincers, remain its most notable feature.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Class: Insecta
• Order: Hemiptera
• Family: Belostomatidae
• Genus: Lethocerus
• Species: L. americanus

Giant Water Bug Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Quite fortunately for it, the impressive Giant Water Bug inhabits a comparatively large area of the world. This holds especially true for an insect of its kind. In point of fact, it appears naturally in an area covering much of the continent of North America.

More precisely, it lives in a region that begins with the southern portions of Canada. The majority of that range, though, further covers the entirety of the continental United States. Its greatest concentration, though, appears in the south and southeast sections.

Its very name contains also contains a reference to its habitat preferences. This arthropod shows great flexibility in this, however. It appears to be equally at home in regions consisting of creeks, streams, marshes, ponds, and even the outlying edges of lakes.

The Giant Water Bug further evolved as entirely carnivorous in nature, like many of its relatives. In this respect, evolution created a formidable predator. It generally preys on similar sized creatures, but will also attack prey slightly larger than itself on occasion.

This prey most commonly includes such forms of life as various small species of fish, snails, frogs, and newts. It will, nonetheless, sometimes choose to attack and feed on small snakes. Each of these it grabs with those powerful pincers, and pulls it to its fate.

Saint Francis’ Satyr Butterfly

Saint Francis’ Satyr Butterfly Facts

• Appearing in the fourth position in this article about these 5 Piedmont Region Invertebrates is the other Lepidoptera on that list, the Saint Francis’ Satyr Butterfly.
• This stunning product of evolution also ranks as the fifth rarest known species of butterfly in the world. Ironically, this Lepidoptera shares part of its habitat range with yet another very rare butterfly. That species is the Mitchell’s Satyr Butterfly.
• Amazingly, though, science actually did not discover this remarkable species until the year 1983. Subsequently, the first official description of the wonderful invertebrate occurred in the year 1989. Since then, various studies of the insect have been ongoing.
• Following that recognition, the gorgeous insect became listed as federally endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the year 1995. But surprisingly, the gorgeous Saint Francis’ Satyr Butterfly does not appear on the IUCN Red List.
• Nevertheless, its populations numbers earn it the distinction it holds as the fifth rarest of all butterflies. Estimates place its population at between 500 -1,400 individuals. Understandably, it now faces numerous threats to its continued existence.
• Regrettably, due to the nature of its habitat range, the ongoing threat of habitat loss currently poses a very real and present danger to the creature. However, this stunning Lepidoptera also faces the looming threat of climate change, much like many species.

Saint Francis’ Satyr Butterfly Physical Description

Firstly, regardless of its great beauty, the delicate Saint Francis’ Satyr Butterfly remains a physically small variety of butterfly. Secondly, the lovely arthropod also displays a very slight degree of the physical characteristic of sexual dimorphism.

In the case of this insect, however, this physical trait displays itself in terms of very slight size and coloring differences. Although females do tend to be slightly larger, an overall average wingspan for the insect equals about 1.34 – 1.73 in (34 – 44 mm).

Plus, the overall color scheme of the awesome invertebrate presents a general background of a shade of light brown. Males also tend to be a slightly darker brown in color. Additionally, a number of small oval spots appear on the lower surfaces of the wings.

Also, these spots of the Saint Francis’ Satyr Butterfly typically possess a dark brown center. Yet inside of these appears a light, almost opalescent patch, with a silvery shade. These spots further display a dark yellow border around them.

In turn, this narrow border has its own outer border of dark brown. Finally, though, two comparatively bright orange bands accent these, between them and the edges of the wings. The net effect gives the insect a most striking physical appearance.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Class: Insecta
• Order: Lepidoptera
• Family: Nymphalidae
• Genus: Neonympha
• Species: N. mitchellii

Saint Francis’ Satyr Butterfly Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The dazzling Saint Francis’ Satyr Butterfly inhabits an extremely limited habitat range. Firstly, that range falls within the boundaries of the United States, in North America. Secondly, that range remains further limited to only the single state of North Carolina.

Even within this area, the butterfly only has an extraordinarily limited territory. That holds true due to the fact that it appears only in the area covered by the military base, Fort Bragg. This lies in an area that covers small portions of four separate counties in the state.

Even there, the Saint Francis’ Satyr Butterfly inhabits a specific type of habitat. That consists of regions of broad, damp meadows. Further, these also must have a strong diversity of different types of sedges, and located in close proximity to gently flowing streams.

Just like other types of butterflies found throughout the world, this species has a liquid diet. Also following the pattern of most related species, adults primarily feed on the nectar of various local flowers. This does, however, leave them dependent on them.

Nevertheless, this gorgeous Lepidoptera will also occasionally consume other things. These most commonly consist of pollen, sap, or rotting fruit. But the caterpillar form only feeds on various leaves. These, however, it consumes voraciously.

Six-Spotted Fishing Spider

Six-Spotted Fishing Spider Facts

• Closing out this listing of 5 Piedmont Region Invertebrates comes one that really hits not simply the spot, but six of them, in fact, the aptly-named Six-Spotted Fishing Spider.
• The very descriptive term for this particular arachnid perfectly serves as the common name for a specific species in the genus Dolomedes. Not only that, but the remarkable spider also represents only one of roughly 100 species in the surprising genus.
• The various members of the group also occur around the world. This species, along with the other members of the group, is a member of the nursery web spider Family. All also have one particular trait that distinguishes them from other arachnids.
• That’s the remarkable fact that this particular species, along with its brethren, evolved as semi-aquatic in nature. Given this fact, the other commonly used name for members of this genus, that of dock spiders, comes as no great surprise to most people.
• This variant on the name occurs due to the behavior of the arachnid. That’s because individuals can frequently be seen scurrying through the cracks in boat docks in many regions. Pleasantly, the IUCN currently has no listing for the Six-Spotted Fishing Spider.
• That fortunate status holds true due to a combination of its apparent present numbers and its range of habitation. It must nonetheless be considered to be facing the same threat that now imperils countless species. That peril, of course, is climate change.

Six-Spotted Fishing Spider Physical Description

Regardless of its other distinctive attributes, the wonderful Six-Spotted Fishing Spider ranks as an average-sized spider. The quite surprising creature does also, however, much like most arachnids, display the characteristic trait of sexual dimorphism.

In its case, though, the difference presents itself in terms of size. Among this species, the female generally attains a larger body length than the male does. That’s because her body averages 0.6 – 0.8 in (15 – 20 mm), while his averages about 0.35 – 0.5 in (9 – 13 mm).

The legs of both sexes of the arachnid, meanwhile, average the same approximate length. As a result, the average legspan of both genders equals roughly 2.4 in (6.1 cm). But, both genders of the Six-Spotted Fishing Spider display the same colors and markings.

The body further displays a light to dark brown color. Most individuals develop a cream or light white colored stripe on the side of its cephalothorax. Its abdomen has a pattern of light lines and spots. Plus, the underside of the cephalothorax displays the six dark spots.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Class: Arachnida
• Order: Araneae
• Family: Pisauridae
• Genus: Dolomedes
• Species: D. triton

Six-Spotted Fishing Spider Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Perhaps most notably, the remarkably distinctive-looking Six-Spotted Fishing Spider has an extremely broad range for a spider. That’s due to somewhat surprising fact that the small but fascinating arthropod inhabits a large portion of the Western Hemisphere.

More specifically, however, this zone of habitation presently includes all of the continental United States, and southern Canada, in North America, as well. Scattered populations of the intrepid invertebrate also extend into scattered portions of Mexico.

Since it evolved as semi-aquatic, its habitat preferences should come as no surprise. These preferred areas consist of various wetland-type habitats. Most often, this consists of such places as around the shores of various lakes, ponds, and gently flowing streams.

In these locations, the creature further prefers to live under rocks, man-made structures, or in vegetation, near the water. The magnificent Six-Spotted Fishing Spider evolved a diurnal lifestyle. Since it hunts during the day, concealment remains important.

The natural coloring of the invertebrate also allows it to blend in with its surroundings. Plus, it patiently waits for hours, if it must. Meanwhile, although it does eat small fish, these compose only a small part of its diet. It primarily eats such prey as vertebrates and insects.

5 Piedmont Region Invertebrates

We sincerely hope that you have thoroughly enjoyed this article about these 5 Piedmont Region Invertebrates. It’s our further hope that doing so engendered in you a new or renewed appreciation of such wonders. Nature spent a long time perfecting them, after all!

Sadly, however, many of their related species now find themselves facing severe threats to their existence. This holds true not just here, though, but all across the globe. It’s up to each of us to do all that we can to protect and preserve these wondrous species.

Check out our other other articles on 4 Wondrous Asian Waterfalls, Wonderful Wild Cats of the World, 7 Magnificent Wild Canines, Incredible Sharks of the World