Flying bugs in Oregon include the popular monarch butterfly.
Most of Oregon shares the same climate and, therefore, the same flying bugs. Native flying bugs are vital to Oregon's ecological balance, but they can interfere with a person's peace or a business's bottom line if the wrong one gets out of control. Many gardeners plan landscapes that attract certain flying bugs. Oregon has hundreds of butterfly enthusiasts that await the arrival of their favorite species each year.
Small Flying Bugs
Oregon has its share of very small or microscopic flying bugs. Because of the state's moist climate, many gardeners have a problem with fungus gnats. Fungus gnats also are found inside houses around the soil of potted plants. Although they are not biting bugs, fungus gnats are irritating when they feed and breed in garden areas, indoor potted plants and greenhouses. Evidence of their presence, if they are not seen flying around the soil after watering, is the tiny slime trails they live on top of the soil.
Flying Beetles
Although there are many beetle species in Oregon, one that is only found in Western North America is the rain beetle. Called rain beetles because they fly following autumn rains, these beetles feed on the roots of trees. The beetle's larvae, known as white grub, have done serious damage to fruit-bearing trees in Northern Oregon and Southern Washington. Records of rain beetle damage in Oregon goes back to the 1920s. After being attacked, the trees usually go into a slow decline before death. The beetle and larvae will quickly kill new trees and seedlings.
Flying Garden Bugs
One of the most common dragonflies in Oregon, according to Southern Oregon University biology professor Peter Schroeder, is the libellulidae. This striking red species is found in gardens and back yards throughout Oregon. They feed on a lot of other flying insects, including mosquitoes. Butterflies are plentiful in Oregon, and because milkweed is plentiful in Oregon, milkweed butterflies such as the Monarch and the queen thrive in the state. Other popular butterflies include Admirals, such as California Sister and Viceroy, and Longwings, such as the Pacific and Mormon Fritillaries.
Biting and Stinging Bugs
Bugs that fly about Oregon biting and stinging humans are sometimes a serious threat to health. Mosquitoes are plentiful in the state, and they have caused West Nile virus to become a concern to health officials. Every year, Oregon health officials warn residents of the dangers of allowing conditions in which mosquitoes thrive. Stinging threats that fly in Oregon include honeybees, bumblebees, solitary bees, and wasps, such paper and mud wasps, yellow jackets, hornets and wood wasps.
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