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Invertebrates Around Las Vegas
Wildlife Around Las Vegas

The invertebrates are a huge group of animals that include virtually everything except those with backbones. Technically, the bones in our backs (i.e., backbones) are referred to as "vertebra," and animals with vertebra are called "Vertebrates," while those without vertebra are called "In-vertebrates" (where "in-" means not or without). Invertebrates are an extremely important group of organisms in the desert (and everywhere else for that matter), and desert ecosystems wouldn't function without them.

There are far too many invertebrates in the Mojave Desert to list them all. My intent here is to list the major groups and a few of the more common, conspicuous, and interesting invertebrate life forms within each group. While this website celebrates the lives of these creatures, they do belong out-of-doors. If you have trouble with unwelcome guests in your home, consider contacting Fischer's Pest Control.

Photo Phylum Subphylum Class Order Links
tarantula Arthropoda Chelicerata Arachnidia Araneae Spiders
ticks Arthropoda Chelicerata Arachnidia Acarina Ticks and Mites
Harvestmen Arthropoda Chelicerata Arachnidia Opiliones Harvestmen
solpugid Arthropoda Chelicerata Arachnidia Scorpiones Scorpions
solpugid Arthropoda Chelicerata Arachnidia Solifugae Solpugids (sunspiders)
silverfish Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Thysanura Silverfish
may-flies Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Ephemeroptera Mayflies
dragonfly Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Odonata

Dragonflies and Damselflies

Interested in watching dragonflies?

stone-fly Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Plecoptera Stone-flies
grasshoppers Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Orthoptera Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Katydids
stick-insect Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Phasmida Stick-Insects
earwigs Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Dermaptera Earwigs
cockroaches Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Blattaria Cockroaches
mantis Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Mantodea Mantids
Isoptera Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Isoptera Termites
true bugs Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Hemiptera True Bugs
Raphidioptera Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Raphidioptera Snakeflies
lacewing Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Neuroptera Lacewings and Antlions
fleas Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Siphonaptera Fleas
beetles Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Coleoptera Beetles
true flies Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Diptera Flies and Midges
butterfly Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Lepidoptera Butterflies, Moths, and Skippers
bees Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Hymenoptera Ants, Bees, and Wasps
millipedes Arthropoda Myriapoda Diplopoda Many Orders Millipedes
stone centipedes Arthropoda Myriapoda Chilopoda Lithobiomorpha Stone Centipedes
tropical centipedes Arthropoda Myriapoda Chilopoda Scolopendromorpha Tropical Centipedes
fairy shrimp Arthropoda Crustacea Branchiopoda Anostraca Brine Shrimp
clam shrimp Arthropoda Crustacea Branchiopoda Conchostraca Clam Shrimp
tadpole shrimp Arthropoda Crustacea Branchiopoda Notostraca Tadpole Shrimp
crawdad Arthropoda Crustacea Malacostraca Decapoda Crabs and Crayfish
Isoposa Arthropoda Crustacea Malacostraca Isoposa Pillbugs and Sowbugs
clams Mollusca N/A Bivalvia Many Orders Clams and Allies
snails Mollusca N/A Gastropoda Many Orders Snails and Slugs
Horsehair Worm Nematomorpha N/A Gordioidea Many Orders Horsehair Worms
Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240910
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