10 Bugs In Hawaii That Might Keep You Up At Night.

The Hawaiian islands boast a unique and varied wildlife, which includes approximately 174 different types of insects. Although most of these bugs are harmless, some can be quite unnerving, especially for those who suffer from entomophobia. These Hawaiian insects can be found in various habitats, such as forests, jungles, gardens, and even inside homes. If you're visiting Hawaii, be ready to encounter some intriguing and eerie creatures that might give you goosebumps.

1 - Centipedes in Hawaii can be a serious matter. These arthropods can reach up to 12 inches in length and over an inch in width. Centipedes can be aggressive and often travel in pairs. Interestingly, the scent of a dying centipede can attract more centipedes to the area, so it's best to relocate them instead of killing them.

2- Cockroaches are actually pretty large here in Hawaii. Hawaii is home to 19 different types of cockroaches, but fortunately, only three of them are commonly found near humans or inside homes. Among these, the American cockroach is the largest and most notorious. In fact, they are often referred to as "B52s" due to their size and tendency to fly directly towards people's faces. So, if you're living in Hawaii, be prepared to encounter these massive insects.

3- Cane Spiders Cane spiders are a common sight in Hawaii, and while they can grow up to 3-4 inches in length, they are not dangerous to humans. Interestingly, these spiders do not spin webs, so the mother carries the egg case in her mouth for up to a month. During this period, she refrains from eating anything. So, if you come across a cane spider in Hawaii, don't be alarmed, as they are harmless and play an important role in the ecosystem.

4 - Black Widow Apart from cane spiders, Hawaii is home to a variety of other spider species, including banded garden spiders, shamrock spiders, Carolina wolf spiders, running crab spiders, and even black widows. With such a diverse range of spiders, Hawaii certainly has no shortage of these eight-legged creatures. However, it's important to note that most of these spiders are harmless to humans and play an essential role in maintaining the ecological balance.

5- Great Golden Digger Wasp The great golden digger wasp is a striking insect with its bright golden color, but don't let its appearance fool you. These wasps are generally non-aggressive and pose no threat to humans. However, we understand that encountering one of these wasps can be quite alarming, don't be completely shocked if you freak out a little.

6- Assassin Bug The assassin bug is a predatory insect that uses its powerful beak to repeatedly and violently stab its prey to death, hence the name. These bugs can also inflict painful bites on humans, so it's important to be cautious around them. If you come across an assassin bug in Hawaii, keep an eye out and avoid getting too close to it.

7- Golden Tortoise Beatle Thanks to microscopic cavities in its cuticle that house pigmentation, this bug is not only gold, but can actually change its coloring. And while it appears to be rather creepy, it is harmless to humans, since it primarily feeds on garden vines.

8 - Dobson Flies When it comes to this insect, the males may look intimidating with their long tentacle-like appendages, but they are actually harmless, as they cannot bite. It's the females that you need to watch out for, as they can inflict a nasty bite if they feel threatened or agitated. So, if you encounter this insect in Hawaii, be sure to keep your distance from the females and avoid provoking them.

9 - Common Thread Waisted Wasp This wasp species is known for its ambush attack strategy, where it stings its prey to immobilize it and then drags it to an underground lair using its strong jaws. The prey is then stored there for the wasp's larvae to feed on later. While this wasp is not typically aggressive towards humans, its defensive sting can still be quite painful. Therefore, it's best to avoid disturbing this wasp if you encounter it in Hawaii.

10- The Eastern Velvet Ant Aka "Cow Killer" This Hawaiian insect is actually a wasp, not an ant. The intense coloring serves as a warning sign to both humans and other animals. It's rumored that a sting from a female can kill cattle. It will most definitely hurt a human! They are parasitic to bumblebees, and will lay eggs in a beehive. The ant's larvae then eat the bee larvae.