List of endangered arthropods facts for kids
Did you know that many amazing creatures called arthropods are in danger of disappearing forever? Arthropods are a huge group of animals that includes insects, spiders, crabs, and many more. In July 2016, a group called the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) looked at many arthropod species. They found that 616 different types of arthropods were considered endangered. This means they are at a very high risk of becoming extinct in the wild.
The IUCN also listed 27 types of arthropod subspecies as endangered. A subspecies is like a special group within a species. When a species is "endangered," it means it meets certain rules that show it's in big trouble. Even more at risk are "critically endangered" species, which are facing an even higher chance of extinction. There are 1010 arthropod species that are either endangered or critically endangered.
Sometimes, there isn't enough information about a species to know if it's in danger. These are called "data deficient" species. About 2875 arthropod species are in this group. The IUCN thinks these species might also be in danger because they often live in small areas or have small populations. It's important to pay attention to them, just in case!
This article will tell you about some of the different types of arthropods that are endangered.
Centipedes
Centipedes are long, many-legged creatures that are usually found in damp places. Five species of centipedes are currently listed as endangered. One example is the Seychelles long-legged centipede (Seychellonema gerlachi).
Arachnids
Arachnids are a group of arthropods that includes spiders, scorpions, and mites. There are 72 arachnid species that are endangered.
Harvestmen
Harvestmen, also known as daddy longlegs, are arachnids that look a bit like spiders but are different. Eight species of harvestmen are endangered.
Spiders
Spiders are well-known arachnids that spin webs. Many spider species are endangered. For example, the Kauaʻi cave wolf spider (Adelocosa anops) and the Beautiful parachute spider (Poecilotheria formosa) are both endangered. In total, 59 spider species are listed as endangered.
Other Arachnid Species
Besides harvestmen and spiders, there are other types of arachnids that are endangered. These include some mites and other small arachnids. Eight other arachnid species are endangered, such as the Fading beetle mite (Scheloribates evanescens).
Branchiopods
Branchiopods are small aquatic crustaceans, often called fairy shrimp or tadpole shrimp. Ten species of branchiopods are endangered. Examples include the Conservancy fairy shrimp (Branchinecta conservatio) and the San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis).
Millipedes
Millipedes are arthropods with many body segments and two pairs of legs per segment. Sixteen species of millipedes are endangered. Some examples are the Badplaas black millipede (Doratogonus furculifer) and the Seychelles giant millipede (Sechelleptus seychellarum).
Malacostracans
Malacostracans are a large group of crustaceans. This group includes animals you might know, like crabs, lobsters, crayfish, and shrimp. There are 170 malacostracan species and six malacostracan subspecies that are endangered.
Isopods
Isopods are a type of crustacean that includes woodlice and aquatic forms. Ten species and three subspecies of isopods are endangered. The Clifton cave isopod (Caecidotea barri) is one example.
Amphipods
Amphipods are small crustaceans often found in water. Six species and one subspecies of amphipods are endangered. The Illinois cave amphipod (Gammarus acherondytes) is an example.
Decapods
Decapods are a very diverse group of crustaceans, including crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. There are 154 decapod species and two decapod subspecies that are endangered.
Parastacids
Parastacids are a family of freshwater crayfish. Twenty-eight species of parastacids are endangered. The Tasmanian giant freshwater crayfish (Astacopsis gouldi) is a well-known example.
Gecarcinucids
Gecarcinucids are a family of freshwater crabs. Twenty-seven species of gecarcinucids are endangered. The Taiwan waist crab (Somanniathelphusa taiwanensis) is one of them.
Atyids
Atyids are a family of freshwater shrimp. Twenty-three species of atyids are endangered. The Alabama cave shrimp (Palaemonias alabamae) is an example.
Cambarids
Cambarids are another family of freshwater crayfish, mostly found in North America. Thirty-two species and one subspecies of cambarids are endangered. The Orlando cave crayfish (Procambarus acherontis) is an example of an endangered cambarid.
Potamonautids
Potamonautids are a family of freshwater crabs found in Africa. Ten species of potamonautids are endangered. The Purple marsh crab (Afrithelphusa monodosa) is one such species.
Potamids
Potamids are a family of freshwater crabs found in Asia and Europe. Eleven species of potamids are endangered. The Yangmingshan crab (Geothelphusa yangminshan) is an example.
Palaemonids
Palaemonids are a family of shrimp. Eight species and one subspecies of palaemonids are endangered. The Balcones cave shrimp (Palaemonetes antrorum) is an endangered species in this group.
Other Decapod Species
Beyond these families, twelve other decapod species are also endangered. The White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) is one of them.
Insects
Insects are the largest group of arthropods, including beetles, butterflies, and grasshoppers. There are 343 insect species and 21 insect subspecies that are endangered.
Blattodea
Blattodea includes cockroaches and termites. Seven species of Blattodea are endangered. Gerlach's cockroach (Nocticola gerlachi) is an example.
Orthoptera
Orthoptera includes grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. There are 91 species and two subspecies in this group that are endangered.
Lentulids
Lentulids are a family of grasshoppers. Three species of lentulids are endangered, including the Slender restio grasshopper (Betiscoides meridionalis).
Tetrigids
Tetrigids are small grasshoppers, often called pygmy grasshoppers. Three species of tetrigids are endangered.
Euschmidtiids
Euschmidtiids are a family of monkey grasshoppers. Three species of euschmidtiids are endangered, such as Jagos monkey grasshopper (Chromomastax jagoi).
Mogoplistids
Mogoplistids are a family of scaly crickets. Six species of mogoplistids are endangered.
Pamphagids
Pamphagids are a family of stone grasshoppers. Nine species of pamphagids are endangered, including the Parnassos stone grasshopper (Glyphanus obtusus).
Crickets
Crickets are well-known for their chirping sounds. Eight species and one subspecies of crickets are endangered. The Seychelles palm cricket (Metioche bolivari) is one example.
Acridids
Acridids are a large family of grasshoppers. Twenty-seven species of acridids are endangered. The Ferdinand's grasshopper (Chorthippus ferdinandi) is one of these.
Tettigoniids
Tettigoniids are also known as bush-crickets or katydids. Twenty-five species of tettigoniids are endangered. The Big-bellied glandular bush-cricket (Bradyporus macrogaster) is an example.
Phaneropterids
Phaneropterids are a family of katydids. Six species and one subspecies of phaneropterids are endangered. The Cyprian plump bush-cricket (Isophya mavromoustakisi) is one example.
Hymenoptera
Hymenoptera includes bees, wasps, and ants. Eighteen species of hymenopterans are endangered. Crotch's bumble bee (Bombus crotchii) is an endangered species in this group.
Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera includes moths and butterflies. There are 51 species in this group that are endangered.
Swallowtail Butterflies
Swallowtail butterflies are known for their beautiful, often large wings. Nine species of swallowtail butterflies are endangered. The Queen Alexandra's birdwing (Ornithoptera alexandrae) is one of the most famous endangered butterflies.
Lycaenids
Lycaenids are a family of small, often brightly colored butterflies. Seventeen species of lycaenids are endangered. Illidge's ant blue (Acrodipsas illidgei) is an example.
Nymphalids
Nymphalids are a large family of butterflies, also known as brush-footed butterflies. Twenty-one species of nymphalids are endangered. The Seychelles crow (Euploea mitra) is one of them.
Other Lepidoptera Species
Four other Lepidoptera species are also endangered. The Fabulous green sphinx moth (Tinostoma smaragditis) is an example.
Beetles
Beetles are the largest group of insects. There are 72 beetle species that are endangered.
Dytiscids
Dytiscids are a family of diving beetles. Eight species of dytiscids are endangered.
Stag Beetles
Stag beetles are known for the large mandibles (jaws) of the males. Six species of stag beetles are endangered.
Geotrupids
Geotrupids are a family of earth-boring dung beetles. Nineteen species of geotrupids are endangered.
Longhorn Beetles
Longhorn beetles have very long antennae. Nine species of longhorn beetles are endangered. The Pitt Island longhorn beetle (Xylotoles costatus) is an example.
Scarabaeids
Scarabaeids are a large family of beetles, including dung beetles and chafers. Sixteen species of scarabaeids are endangered. The Yanbaru long-armed scarab beetle (Cheirotonus jambar) is one of them.
Other Beetle Species
Thirteen other beetle species are also endangered. The Violet click beetle (Limoniscus violaceus) is an example.
Odonata
Odonata includes dragonflies and damselflies. There are 97 species and 19 subspecies in this group that are endangered.
Platystictids
Platystictids are a family of damselflies. Seven species of platystictids are endangered. The Cacao shadowdamsel (Palaemnema baltodanoi) is one example.
Platycnemidids
Platycnemidids are a family of damselflies often called featherlegs or threadtails. Nine species and three subspecies of platycnemidids are endangered. The Jungle threadtail (Elattoneura caesia) is an example.
Megapodagrionids
Megapodagrionids are a family of damselflies. Five species of megapodaagrionids are endangered. The Jamaican hypolestes (Hypolestes clara) is one of them.
Gomphids
Gomphids are a family of clubtail dragonflies. Twenty-eight species and four subspecies of gomphids are endangered. The Humped knobtail (Epigomphus camelus) is an example.
Calopterygids
Calopterygids are a family of damselflies, often called broad-winged damselflies. Six species and one subspecies of calopterygids are endangered. The Glittering demoiselle (Calopteryx exul) is one of these.
Coenagrionids
Coenagrionids are a large family of narrow-winged damselflies. Twelve species and one subspecies of coenagrionids are endangered. The Blue-and-orange threadtail (Microneura caligata) is an example.
Aeshnids
Aeshnids are a family of large dragonflies, often called hawkers or darners. Five species and three subspecies of aeshnids are endangered. The Cretan spectre (Boyeria cretensis) is one of them.
Libellulids
Libellulids are a large family of dragonflies, often called skimmers. Six species and three subspecies of libellulids are endangered.
Other Odonata
Nineteen other Odonata species and four subspecies are also endangered. The Ancient greenling (Hemiphlebia mirabilis) is an example of an endangered damselfly.
Other Insect Species
Seven other insect species from different groups are also endangered. These include Mccarthy's plant-louse (Acizzia mccarthyi) and the Canary dwarf mantis (Pseudoyersinia canariensis).
Images for kids
-
Endangered (EN) species are considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
