Class: Insecta

Order: Hymenoptera

Family: Vespidae (Paper Wasps, Yellow Jackets, Hornets etc:)

These stories of ancient rock are only part of Red Rocks’ ecological richness. The park is also home to vibrant modern-day life, including members of Class Insecta, Order Hymenoptera, and Family Vespidae—commonly known as paper wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets.

The buzzing sound of a wasp’s wings evokes an instinctive reaction—an ancient signal of alertness embedded deep in our biology. Their bright coloration serves as a warning: respect their presence or risk the sting. This evolutionary trait, called aposematism, is a powerful survival mechanism shared by many insects.

At Red Rocks, one might observe a solitary wasp feasting on a One-Sided Penstemon, one of many native wildflowers. These plants serve as both a feeding ground and supply depot for local insect architects. Oblivious to a camera’s flash, these wasps continue their essential work of pollination and nest-building, providing a window into the balance of nature.

In North America, there are approximately 325 species of Vespidae. Some are solitary, while others are social—with queens, workers, and males dividing labor in intricate colonies. Social wasps build paper nests from chewed plant fibers, often mixing in mud or wood pulp. These nests are typically seasonal in temperate climates, with only the queen surviving winter to start the next generation.

Whether through ancient stone or living insect, Red Rocks Park offers an extraordinary view into the interconnectedness of life and land. From billion-year-old metamorphic rock to the hum of a modern wasp’s wing, the park stands as a dynamic classroom for scientists, naturalists, and curious visitors alike.

Class: Insecta

Order: Mantodea

Family: Mantidae

Mantodea: Praying Mantids (Family Mantidae)

Among the most iconic and enigmatic insect predators found at Red Rocks is the Garden Praying Mantis. Belonging to Order Mantodea, mantids are instantly recognizable by their elongated bodies and powerful, raptorial front legs—specialized for grasping prey. The first leg segment, the coxa, is unusually long compared to most insects, enhancing their reach and precision.

Mantids are visual hunters, with large, forward-facing compound eyes capable of detecting motion from considerable distances. Remarkably, their triangular heads can rotate nearly 180 degrees, allowing them to “look over their shoulders”—a rare trait in the insect world.

Their mating behavior is infamous: females are known to sometimes consume males during or after copulation—a dramatic evolutionary strategy tied to nutrition and reproductive success. Despite this, mating can persist even after decapitation due to reflexive nerve activity, lasting for hours in some cases.

As autumn nears, female mantids seek shelter among fallen branches and vegetation to lay their eggs. They produce a foam-like ootheca, which hardens into a protective casing reminiscent of Styrofoam. This structure houses multiple developing embryos that will emerge in spring.

There are roughly 1,800 mantid species worldwide, mostly in tropical climates. Fossil evidence dates mantids back to the Cretaceous Period, around 130 million years ago, making them a long-standing player in the insect world.

From billion-year-old metamorphic rock to the predatory gaze of a mantis, the park stands as a dynamic classroom for scientists, naturalists, and curious visitors alike.

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Lycaenidae (Gossamer-winged Butterflies)

The Lycaenidae family includes some of the smallest and most delicate butterflies in North America, with approximately 160 known species across the continent. These butterflies are renowned for their vivid coloration—ranging from iridescent blues to fiery coppers—and intricate wing patterns that often shimmer in sunlight.

A distinguishing feature of Lycaenids is the presence of narrow white bands of scales that ring their antennae and eyes—an identifying trait useful in the field. Despite their delicate appearance, these butterflies are highly adapted to their environments.

This particular specimen is perched atop a Senecio flower, facing into the wind and bracing itself against the afternoon’s turbulent breeze—a typical behavior for many butterflies seeking stability and warmth in exposed, open habitats.