Hobbies And Interests
The Mosquito
The swamps of Louisiana are ideal for mosquito habitat. Mosquitoes thrive where there is heat, humidity and standing water, which the swamps of Louisiana have in excess. The mosquitoes are so prevalent in the swampland that they the Louisiana Mosquito Control Association was formed in 1957 to battle the pesky critters.
The Praying Mantis
When there is an abundance of insects in an ecosystem the excess is usually taken care of by bats, dragonflies and birds. In the swamps of Louisiana there is one vicious insect predator that is also another insect. The Carolina praying mantis sits still and blends into the forest until an unsuspecting fellow insect walks by. Then it pounces and captures its prey in its claw-like forearms. It kills and holds its victim and then devours it whole.
Predaceous Diving Beetle
Another carnivorous insect in the swamps of Louisiana is the predaceous diving beetle. It is sometimes called the "water tiger" or the "dragon of the pond" due to its extreme appetite, according to the Department of Natural Resources in Wisconsin, where they are also found. They eat insect, leeches, snails, tadpoles and fish. They propel themselves through the water with their front legs while keeping the other legs pinned to their bodies in order to more efficiently dive after their prey.
Other Insects in the Swamps of Louisiana
There is an incredibly colorful array of moths and butterflies that inhabit the swamps of Louisiana. LaFourche Parish alone, in the heart of Louisiana swampland, has 25 species of moths and butterflies. The honeybee is the state insect of Louisiana and it can be found in the swamps. Wasps, ants and grasshoppers are also plentiful. And don't forget the swamp cicada since it is named after the very environment it inhabits.