Insects, Spiders, and Other Bugs in the Everglades 

grasshoppersIt’s summertime in the Everglades, which means there’s a lot of bugs out there. When visiting the Everglades for an airboat tour, it’s best you come prepared with bug spray (or put it on ahead of time), as well as proper clothing to keep your skin protected from bugs.  

Thousands upon thousands of insects, spiders, centipedes and millipedes call the Everglades “home.” From mosquitos and flies to butterflies and golden silk orb weaver, there are seemingly endless species of these “pests” living in the Everglades. We may clarify them as pests, but they are critical to the ecosystem as many are food sources for other animals, mammals, and birdsSpiders, for example, feed on insects and other “pests,” as well. Not ever bug species is beautiful and charming like a ladybug or butterfly, but they are play their part to the ecosystem 

When it comes to insects, they represent about 90 percent of all life forms on Earth – that’s a lot of bugs! Throughout the world, more than one million insect species have been identified, but it is believed there may be more than 10 million species out there. As you can see, it’s a nearly impossible task to count how many bugs are in the Everglades, and no park-wide inventory has been done; however, the South Florida Collections Management Center currently curates more than 5,000 insect specimens from the Everglades.  

Insects don’t have a backbone and they are a type of invertebrate. They have a hard-exterior body covering caused an exoskeleton. They are cold blooded and do not have lungs.   

Arachnids, which are spiders, mites, ticks, scorpions, pseudoscorpions, and whip scorpions can all be found in the Everglades. 

Centipedes are long, thin arthropods and have fewer than 20 legs or as much as 300 legs despite the “centi” in their name. They live in the Everglades, but usually aren’t seen because they are mostly nocturnal. 

Millipedes are commonly seen in the Everglades and they do not bite or sting. They are longer and thinner than centipedes and they can have anywhere from 36 to 400 legs. They are slower than centipedes. 

If you stick to paths and sit on an airboat, you won’t be bothered by too many bugs, but it’s always important to come prepared with bug spray. If you’re a lover of spiders, insects, and other creepy crawly creatures, come out on an airboat tour and see if you can spot any bugs crawling or flying around.  

While on an airboat tour, you’ll be surrounded by thousands of bugs (and not even know it) during your adventure. 

To book an airboat tour with Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours, call 800-368-0065  or visit our Everglades Airboat Tours page. Captain Mitch’s Everglades Airboat Tours are open seven days a week 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. If paying by cash, adults cost $40 (plus tax) and children 12 and under cost $20 (plus tax. If paying by credit card, adults cost $45 (plus tax) and children cost $25 (plus tax).