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Bandelier National MonumentDragonfly
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Bandelier National Monument
Insects, Spiders, Centipedes, Millipedes
tarantula hawk

NPS Photo by Sally King

Although tarantula hawks utilize immobilized tarantulas as a first meal for their offspring, pollen from flowers is also an important food.

In the world there is no group of animals more diverse than insects and the same is true at Bandelier. From the beauty of a gossamer- winged butterfly to a hairy multi-legged tarantula or a sleek orange-winged tarantula hawk, insects are abundant in the park. 

Indentify Bandelier Insects and Spiders

 
insect diversity
Photos by Sally King
Bandelier is home to an incredible diversity of insects and spiders.
 
Aspen fall color  

Did You Know?
All the aspens in a cluster will change colors at approximately the same time. That's because in a grouping of aspens, most are clones that grew as root sprouts from the original plant.

Last Updated: January 21, 2008 at 14:07 EST