Insects & arachnids of Ocean City & Assateague

Field-guide profiles for butterflies, dragonflies, bees, biting flies, ticks, and spiders around Ocean City, Maryland, including Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague Island State Park. Birds and herps have their own directories; this page covers the small things that shape beach days, trail hikes, and garden walks.

Where to see wildlife Birds Reptiles & amphibians Nature Guide overview

12 starter species curated for visitors—not every Delmarva insect. Likelihood stars rate how often a typical visitor might notice the species around OC / Assateague MD (1 rare · 5 common). Ticks and biting flies are included for awareness, not alarm—plan repellent and post-hike checks.

Showing 12 of 12 species

Common Green Darner (Anax junius) — Ocean City, Maryland Common Green Darner Anax junius · Dragonfly / damselfly · ★★★★★ Maryland’s signature migrant dragonfly. Big, green, and patrolling marsh edges and bike trails from spring through fall around Ocean City and Assateague. Eastern Saltmarsh Mosquito (Aedes sollicitans) — Ocean City, Maryland Eastern Saltmarsh Mosquito Aedes sollicitans · Mosquito / biting fly · ★★★★★ The notorious marsh breeder of the Mid-Atlantic coast. Hatches after high tides and moon phases can make Assateague evenings memorable for visitors. Monarch (Danaus plexippus) — Ocean City, Maryland Monarch Danaus plexippus · Butterfly · ★★★★★ The iconic orange-and-black migrant, nectaring on seaside goldenrod and milkweed patches from Assateague dunes to mainland gardens around Ocean City. American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis) — Ocean City, Maryland American Dog Tick Dermacentor variabilis · Tick · ★★★★☆ The larger, ornate tick of grassy trails and dune scrub, common on Assateague paths and mainland field edges around Ocean City. Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia) — Ocean City, Maryland Black and Yellow Garden Spider Argiope aurantia · Spider · ★★★★☆ The classic big orb-weaver of late summer. Black, yellow, and silver webs span marsh grasses and garden fences from Assateague to mainland Ocean City. Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes scapularis) — Ocean City, Maryland Blacklegged Tick Ixodes scapularis · Tick · ★★★★☆ The Lyme-disease vector visitors should know about. Tiny nymphs lurk in Assateague woods and mainland trail edges. Not a beach-towel pest, but a real hiking precaution. Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica) — Ocean City, Maryland Eastern Carpenter Bee Xylocopa virginica · Bee / wasp · ★★★★☆ Big, shiny “bumblebee” look-alikes that buzz deck railings and wisteria around Ocean City rentals. Important native pollinators, not structural threats if wood is painted. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) — Ocean City, Maryland Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Papilio glaucus · Butterfly · ★★★★☆ Big yellow swallowtail of Eastern woods and gardens, common along Assateague trails and mainland nectar patches near Ocean City. Greenhead Fly (Tabanus nigrovittatus) — Ocean City, Maryland Greenhead Fly Tabanus nigrovittatus · Mosquito / biting fly · ★★★★☆ July’s infamous beach-day biter. Big green-eyed horse flies emerge from Assateague salt marsh and hunt the ocean beach on calm, hot afternoons. Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) — Ocean City, Maryland Painted Lady Vanessa cardui · Butterfly · ★★★★☆ A cosmopolitan migrant that irrupts some years. Orange, black, and white butterflies nectar on dune flowers and weedy lots around the resort. Carolina Wolf Spider (Hogna carolinensis) — Ocean City, Maryland Carolina Wolf Spider Hogna carolinensis · Spider · ★★★☆☆ A fast, ground-hunting spider of dunes and trail edges. Startling when it darts from beach grass, but a free pest-control service for crickets and beetles. Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) — Ocean City, Maryland Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa · Butterfly · ★★★☆☆ A velvety dark butterfly with cream wing borders. One of the few that can overwinter as an adult and surprise hikers on warm Assateague winter days.

Beach Blog on Insects & arachnids

Trip reads written for this hub—pacing and advice, not a second directory.

All posts about Insects & arachnids
Beach bugs and binoculars: a kid nature hour that is not gross—okay, a little gross — Beach Blog photo, Ocean City, Maryland

Beach bugs and binoculars: a kid nature hour that is not gross—okay, a little gross

Sophie Reed Insects & arachnids

Mosquito net hat for marsh evenings — Beach Blog photo, Ocean City, Maryland

Mosquito net hat for marsh evenings

Casey Nguyen Insects & arachnids

Pointy tick tweezers: pack the right tip — Beach Blog photo, Ocean City, Maryland

Pointy tick tweezers: pack the right tip

Grace Okonkwo Insects & arachnids

Tick gaiters and sock tucks after trail miles — Beach Blog photo, Ocean City, Maryland

Tick gaiters and sock tucks after trail miles

Grace Okonkwo Insects & arachnids

All Nature videos