Hobbies And Interests
Flies
Several biting flies have greenish hues, especially in their eyes. The stable fly, which lives all over North America, looks almost exactly like the average housefly, except they give a nasty bite in their quest for blood. Horse flies are enormous flies with large, distinctive eyes. Deer flies look a lot like horse flies, except for being a bit smaller. Both these flies leave large wounds at the bite site, possibly causing infection in the future.
Wasps
Several wasps have a dark green hue, especially when seen against grass or other foliage. Wasps give a nasty bite, which they do for defensive purposes. Many people are highly allergic to wasp bites and bee stings, sometimes even fatally. The baldface hornet is one to look out for; they will attack in swarms if provoked. The mud dauber wasp is another that can appear green, as can paper wasps. Most of these are actually black, but their exoskeletons are highly reflective.
Caterpillars
Caterpillars don't actually bite, preferring leaves to human blood. However, several species are poisonous as a defense mechanism. Touching these bugs results in a nasty chemical reaction that can leave painful bumps or hives. The saddleback caterpillar has a bright green "saddle" pattern on its back. The Io moth caterpillar has yellow-green spikes poking out from all over its body. A good rule of thumb is to avoid any caterpillar that has bright colors or patterns. This is a warning sign to predators that they are poisonous.
Praying Mantis
The praying mantis can be found throughout the world. They vary in size depending on age, sex and species. The mantises found in North America are all green to match their leafy surroundings where they lie in wait for their prey. These bugs aren't looking to feed on you, but they will attack with their powerful pincers if provoked. Their large, claw-like legs can break the skin and draw blood, especially if the mantis is large.