There are plenty of bugs in Maine. If you’ve ever wondered what some of our most popular state bugs are, wonder no more. We’ve included 10 bugs in Maine below. While some of these creepy crawlers are pretty much harmless, the others should be avoided at all costs. In fact, maybe you should steer clear of them altogether.

  1. The Bold Jumping Spider

Donald Hines / Flickr Close up, this guy looks terrible. But, the good news is that they’re actually quite small. They have the ability to jump more than four times their own body length. It is this fast pounce that allows them to attack insect prey after stalking it. The bite from one of these spiders is not lethal, but it may cause a small stinging sensation. The good news is that they are really fast, meaning it is rare for humans to be bitten. Fun fact: These spiders don’t spin a web, and they’re on the go most of the day.

  1. The Assassin Bug

Ian Jacobs / Flickr So, this bug is actually as scary as it looks. These bugs have very strong beaks, which are kept tucked under their head when not being used. Assassin bugs use their legs to hold their prey down. Then, they use their beak to stab the unfortunate guy until it dies. After that, they suck out its body fluids.

Humans are safe from losing their body fluids, but bites will still be very painful.

  1. The Bed Bug

flickr/Michael Aulia These bugs don’t look especially horrifying. In fact, they’re almost cute. But, folks, I promise you that this is one of the scariest bugs on this list. They are little abominations. They’ll feast on you in your sleep, typically biting three times in one area. Experts call it “breakfast, lunch, and dinner” because they have one meal, then take a break, then continue all night. If you find out you have bed bugs, don’t try moving to the couch. They will follow your CO2 to the new area and infest that area as well. Oh, one more thing you should know is how they reproduce. It’s called “traumatic insemination” and involves a male punching the woman in the stomach and impregnating her. They’re awful. Run, do not walk, from a place that is infested with bed bugs.

Some advice: When you check into a hotel, pull back the sheets and check in the crevices of the mattress for small specks. They are bed bugs and you’ll need to get back on the plane and leave the area immediately. Maybe even leave the country.

  1. The House Centipede

flickr/Kerry Wixted This beast is possibly the most hideous of bugs on this list. In fact, while writing this section, I covered the photo of the bug. As horrifying as they are, the house centipede is actually a helpful guy to have around because he keeps bigger pests such as cockroaches and moths low in number. House Centipedes move very fast and run with their bodies held high above the ground. They can be found in wet or damp areas, and occasionally can be seen outside.

  1. The Arrow-Shaped Micrathena Spider

Dani Tinker / Flickr Fear not, Mainers, this spider is not as scary as it looks. The females have ridges with spines and it’s believed that they are used to ward off predators. It’s also possible that they exist to help her conceal herself in her web. Males do not have spines and are mostly black with white edges. Females are twice as large as males. Their webs are close to the ground and are typically re-spun every single day. Imagine if you had to rebuild your house every day. No thanks!

  1. The Burying Beetle

USFWS Mountain-Prairie / Flickr These curious beetles find a dead bird or small mammal and remove its feathers and hair. Then, they get to work laying eggs on the carcass. It is then covered up with soil or plants. Later, when the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the remains of the animal.

  1. The Deer Tick

flickr/R. Kriatyrr Brosvik They’re tiny, they’re gross, and they’re deadly. A tick bite is more dangerous than you might think. Unchecked, Lyme disease can lead to a lifelong autoimmune disorder, or, in the case of one mid-coast Maine woman, even death. Always give yourself a thorough once over after spending time in the outdoors and, if you can, be sure to secure the loose ends of pant legs to avoid ticks traveling inside.

  1. The Ichneumon Wasp

David Short / Flickr There are many different species of this wasp and all have different coloring. That long syringe-type thing on the back is actually not a stinger. It is used for inserting her eggs into wood (live trees, or logs) where the larvae will feed on any other insect larvae that’s already there. These bugs will sting when threatened, so it’s best to keep your distance.

  1. The Common Pillbug

Joshua Allen / Flickr This is one of the bugs in Maine that isn’t actually an insect. It’s a crustacean. And, it’s not actually so scary. Pillbugs are a food source for insects and members of the spider family. Their diet of rotting organic material like leaves and wood means they help cycle nutrients through the food web. When feeling threatened, they roll up into a tight ball until the perceived threat has passed. For some reason, I called them “tickle bugs” when I was little. Depending on where you are from, you may have called them “roly-polies.”

  1. The Maritime Earwig

stevenw12339 / Flickr While most bugs hide from bodies of water, these guys spend the majority of their time near it. This species does not swim, but it hunts along wet sandy areas looking for insects to eat. They hunt at night, combing the beach for small insects, their eggs, and any dead arthropods that drifted ashore. They’re most often seen in areas around high tide.

Have you ever seen any of these 10 scary bugs in Maine? If so, let us know in the comments below. Also, share with us the worst bug you can possibly imagine here in Maine.

Donald Hines / Flickr

Close up, this guy looks terrible. But, the good news is that they’re actually quite small. They have the ability to jump more than four times their own body length. It is this fast pounce that allows them to attack insect prey after stalking it. The bite from one of these spiders is not lethal, but it may cause a small stinging sensation. The good news is that they are really fast, meaning it is rare for humans to be bitten. Fun fact: These spiders don’t spin a web, and they’re on the go most of the day.

Ian Jacobs / Flickr

So, this bug is actually as scary as it looks. These bugs have very strong beaks, which are kept tucked under their head when not being used. Assassin bugs use their legs to hold their prey down. Then, they use their beak to stab the unfortunate guy until it dies. After that, they suck out its body fluids.

Humans are safe from losing their body fluids, but bites will still be very painful.

flickr/Michael Aulia

These bugs don’t look especially horrifying. In fact, they’re almost cute. But, folks, I promise you that this is one of the scariest bugs on this list. They are little abominations. They’ll feast on you in your sleep, typically biting three times in one area. Experts call it “breakfast, lunch, and dinner” because they have one meal, then take a break, then continue all night. If you find out you have bed bugs, don’t try moving to the couch. They will follow your CO2 to the new area and infest that area as well. Oh, one more thing you should know is how they reproduce. It’s called “traumatic insemination” and involves a male punching the woman in the stomach and impregnating her. They’re awful. Run, do not walk, from a place that is infested with bed bugs.

Some advice: When you check into a hotel, pull back the sheets and check in the crevices of the mattress for small specks. They are bed bugs and you’ll need to get back on the plane and leave the area immediately. Maybe even leave the country.

flickr/Kerry Wixted

This beast is possibly the most hideous of bugs on this list. In fact, while writing this section, I covered the photo of the bug. As horrifying as they are, the house centipede is actually a helpful guy to have around because he keeps bigger pests such as cockroaches and moths low in number. House Centipedes move very fast and run with their bodies held high above the ground. They can be found in wet or damp areas, and occasionally can be seen outside.

Dani Tinker / Flickr

Fear not, Mainers, this spider is not as scary as it looks. The females have ridges with spines and it’s believed that they are used to ward off predators. It’s also possible that they exist to help her conceal herself in her web. Males do not have spines and are mostly black with white edges. Females are twice as large as males. Their webs are close to the ground and are typically re-spun every single day. Imagine if you had to rebuild your house every day. No thanks!

USFWS Mountain-Prairie / Flickr

These curious beetles find a dead bird or small mammal and remove its feathers and hair. Then, they get to work laying eggs on the carcass. It is then covered up with soil or plants. Later, when the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the remains of the animal.

flickr/R. Kriatyrr Brosvik

They’re tiny, they’re gross, and they’re deadly. A tick bite is more dangerous than you might think. Unchecked, Lyme disease can lead to a lifelong autoimmune disorder, or, in the case of one mid-coast Maine woman, even death. Always give yourself a thorough once over after spending time in the outdoors and, if you can, be sure to secure the loose ends of pant legs to avoid ticks traveling inside.

David Short / Flickr

There are many different species of this wasp and all have different coloring. That long syringe-type thing on the back is actually not a stinger. It is used for inserting her eggs into wood (live trees, or logs) where the larvae will feed on any other insect larvae that’s already there. These bugs will sting when threatened, so it’s best to keep your distance.

Joshua Allen / Flickr

This is one of the bugs in Maine that isn’t actually an insect. It’s a crustacean. And, it’s not actually so scary. Pillbugs are a food source for insects and members of the spider family. Their diet of rotting organic material like leaves and wood means they help cycle nutrients through the food web. When feeling threatened, they roll up into a tight ball until the perceived threat has passed. For some reason, I called them “tickle bugs” when I was little. Depending on where you are from, you may have called them “roly-polies.”

stevenw12339 / Flickr

While most bugs hide from bodies of water, these guys spend the majority of their time near it. This species does not swim, but it hunts along wet sandy areas looking for insects to eat. They hunt at night, combing the beach for small insects, their eggs, and any dead arthropods that drifted ashore. They’re most often seen in areas around high tide.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

bugs in maine August 04, 2022 Jennifer Young What three Maine insects should be avoided at all costs? Like most other states, Maine is filled with many types of insects. While most of the Maine insects are pretty harmless, there are several that can be dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. Listed below are three of these Maine insects.

  1. Ticks Ticks might be small and not look like they pose a threat, but they certainly do. They’re known to carry a variety of diseases, including Lyme disease. Babesiosis is another disease that can be contracted through tick bites. Both of these diseases, if contracted via a tick bite, can be fatal. To help prevent tick bites, remember to always wear bug repellent when outdoors.
  2. Bumblebees/Hornets If you’ve ever been stung by a bumblebee or hornet, you probably experienced some pretty significant pain. Even though bumblebees are great for our environment, their stingers can still cause allergic reactions, which, like tick bites, could be fatal. Hornet stings also hurt. In fact, they usually hurt much worse. The next time you see a bumblebee or hornet, be sure to leave them alone. They’ll only bother you if they feel threatened.
  3. Assassin Bugs Assassin bugs have a long, pointy beak they use to kill their insect prey. With that being said, when an assassin bug bites a human, the pain is usually excruciating. These insects typically hide in plants, so always use caution whenever you’re outdoors. What’s one of the most destructive Maine bugs? There are several types of bugs located throughout the state of Maine, including quite a few that are very destructive. One of the most destructive Maine bugs is the Southern lyctus beetle. The Southern lyctus beetle is a wood chipper bug that’s known to do lots of damage to trees, untreated furniture, etc. It’s usually 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch long. Also known as a powderpost beetle, the Southern lyctus beetle re-infests dry, seasoned wood year after year. This destructive beetle is known for leaving behind holes filled with powdery frass.

The OIYS Visitor Center

bugs in maine

August 04, 2022

Jennifer Young

What three Maine insects should be avoided at all costs? Like most other states, Maine is filled with many types of insects. While most of the Maine insects are pretty harmless, there are several that can be dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. Listed below are three of these Maine insects.

  1. Ticks Ticks might be small and not look like they pose a threat, but they certainly do. They’re known to carry a variety of diseases, including Lyme disease. Babesiosis is another disease that can be contracted through tick bites. Both of these diseases, if contracted via a tick bite, can be fatal. To help prevent tick bites, remember to always wear bug repellent when outdoors.
  2. Bumblebees/Hornets If you’ve ever been stung by a bumblebee or hornet, you probably experienced some pretty significant pain. Even though bumblebees are great for our environment, their stingers can still cause allergic reactions, which, like tick bites, could be fatal. Hornet stings also hurt. In fact, they usually hurt much worse. The next time you see a bumblebee or hornet, be sure to leave them alone. They’ll only bother you if they feel threatened.
  3. Assassin Bugs Assassin bugs have a long, pointy beak they use to kill their insect prey. With that being said, when an assassin bug bites a human, the pain is usually excruciating. These insects typically hide in plants, so always use caution whenever you’re outdoors. What’s one of the most destructive Maine bugs? There are several types of bugs located throughout the state of Maine, including quite a few that are very destructive. One of the most destructive Maine bugs is the Southern lyctus beetle. The Southern lyctus beetle is a wood chipper bug that’s known to do lots of damage to trees, untreated furniture, etc. It’s usually 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch long. Also known as a powderpost beetle, the Southern lyctus beetle re-infests dry, seasoned wood year after year. This destructive beetle is known for leaving behind holes filled with powdery frass.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Like most other states, Maine is filled with many types of insects. While most of the Maine insects are pretty harmless, there are several that can be dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. Listed below are three of these Maine insects.

  1. Ticks

Ticks might be small and not look like they pose a threat, but they certainly do. They’re known to carry a variety of diseases, including Lyme disease. Babesiosis is another disease that can be contracted through tick bites. Both of these diseases, if contracted via a tick bite, can be fatal. To help prevent tick bites, remember to always wear bug repellent when outdoors.

  1. Bumblebees/Hornets

If you’ve ever been stung by a bumblebee or hornet, you probably experienced some pretty significant pain. Even though bumblebees are great for our environment, their stingers can still cause allergic reactions, which, like tick bites, could be fatal. Hornet stings also hurt. In fact, they usually hurt much worse. The next time you see a bumblebee or hornet, be sure to leave them alone. They’ll only bother you if they feel threatened.

  1. Assassin Bugs

Assassin bugs have a long, pointy beak they use to kill their insect prey. With that being said, when an assassin bug bites a human, the pain is usually excruciating. These insects typically hide in plants, so always use caution whenever you’re outdoors.

What’s one of the most destructive Maine bugs?

There are several types of bugs located throughout the state of Maine, including quite a few that are very destructive. One of the most destructive Maine bugs is the Southern lyctus beetle. The Southern lyctus beetle is a wood chipper bug that’s known to do lots of damage to trees, untreated furniture, etc. It’s usually 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch long. Also known as a powderpost beetle, the Southern lyctus beetle re-infests dry, seasoned wood year after year. This destructive beetle is known for leaving behind holes filled with powdery frass.