Insect Coloring Pages (Free PDF Printables)

By: Papaya Ink Team · Last updated: October 19, 2026

There are more kinds of insects than of every other animal group put together: about a million named species, and many more still waiting for a name. These insect coloring pages are not cartoon bugs. Each sheet shows a real species, drawn close enough to count the joints in its legs, with the common name lettered underneath – bees and wasps, ants, dragonflies, mantises and the other six-legged neighbors that share our gardens, ponds and deserts.

Every page is a free printable PDF. Click a picture and the PDF opens in a new tab, sized for US Letter paper and printing cleanly on A4 as well. The line art is crisp black on pure white, so a home inkjet prints it without a gray haze, and the pages take colored pencils, markers and fine liners equally well.

Real insects make good color studies. Wings are the tricky part: keep them nearly clear, with a pale tint and the veins traced in gray, so the body still shows through. Bees and wasps come together best in light layers of warm yellow, amber and brown; dragonflies and a few wasps carry metallic blues and greens that come alive with a white gel pen highlight at the very end. A photo of the species open next to the page will help more than any rule.

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Insect Coloring Pages - A honey bee makes roughly a twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her whole life, so this flower gets her full attention. Amber abdomen with dark brown bands, and a pale fuzzy collar of hair around the thorax. — A honey bee makes roughly a twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her whole life, so this flower gets her full attention. Amber abdomen with dark brown bands, and a pale fuzzy collar of hair around the thorax.

Insect Coloring Pages - Notice the waist: on a black-and-yellow mud dauber it stretches into a stalk as thin as thread. Females build clusters of mud cells under eaves and porch roofs and stock them with spiders. Black body, lemon-yellow legs and stalk. — Notice the waist: on a black-and-yellow mud dauber it stretches into a stalk as thin as thread. Females build clusters of mud cells under eaves and porch roofs and stock them with spiders. Black body, lemon-yellow legs and stalk.

Insect Coloring Pages - The Carolina mantis, a native of the eastern and southern US, hunts the way a heron fishes - perfectly still, then very fast. Those spiked front legs are made for grabbing. Mottled gray-brown or soft green both match the real insect. — The Carolina mantis, a native of the eastern and southern US, hunts the way a heron fishes – perfectly still, then very fast. Those spiked front legs are made for grabbing. Mottled gray-brown or soft green both match the real insect.

Insect Coloring Pages - Greenhouse growers rent colonies of common eastern bumble bees, which shake pollen loose from tomato flowers by buzzing. Color the thorax yellow, then only the first band of the abdomen; everything behind it is black. — Greenhouse growers rent colonies of common eastern bumble bees, which shake pollen loose from tomato flowers by buzzing. Color the thorax yellow, then only the first band of the abdomen; everything behind it is black.

Insect Coloring Pages - Each fall, common green darners fly south in big migrations, some covering hundreds of miles. This one is resting on a reed before the trip. Grass-green thorax, sky-blue abdomen for a male. Detailed - fine veins in all four wings. — Each fall, common green darners fly south in big migrations, some covering hundreds of miles. This one is resting on a reed before the trip. Grass-green thorax, sky-blue abdomen for a male. Detailed – fine veins in all four wings.

Insect Coloring Pages - That perfectly round half-inch hole in the porch railing has a culprit. Eastern carpenter bees chew tunnels in bare wood to raise their young. Tell one from a bumble bee by its shiny, almost hairless black abdomen. — That perfectly round half-inch hole in the porch railing has a culprit. Eastern carpenter bees chew tunnels in bare wood to raise their young. Tell one from a bumble bee by its shiny, almost hairless black abdomen.

Insect Coloring Pages - Unlike most wasps, the European hornet keeps flying at night and will happily circle a porch light. It is a true hornet, brought over to North America in the nineteenth century. Chestnut brown up front, yellow with brown bands behind. — Unlike most wasps, the European hornet keeps flying at night and will happily circle a porch light. It is a true hornet, brought over to North America in the nineteenth century. Chestnut brown up front, yellow with brown bands behind.

Insect Coloring Pages - Wasps were making paper long before people were: they chew wood fiber into pulp and shape it as an open, umbrella-shaped comb. The European paper wasp has bright orange antennae, worth saving your best orange pencil for. — Wasps were making paper long before people were: they chew wood fiber into pulp and shape it as an open, umbrella-shaped comb. The European paper wasp has bright orange antennae, worth saving your best orange pencil for.

Insect Coloring Pages - Wool carder bees shave the fuzz off lamb's ear leaves and roll it up in tiny cotton balls to line their nests. Males guard flower patches like nightclub bouncers. Black all over, with a row of yellow spots down each side. — Wool carder bees shave the fuzz off lamb's ear leaves and roll it up in tiny cotton balls to line their nests. Males guard flower patches like nightclub bouncers. Black all over, with a row of yellow spots down each side.

Insect Coloring Pages - Florida turtle ants live inside hollow twigs, and their soldiers use a flat, shield-shaped head as a living door to plug the entrance. Glossy near-black armor suits this one; leave a white highlight on the head plate. — Florida turtle ants live inside hollow twigs, and their soldiers use a flat, shield-shaped head as a living door to plug the entrance. Glossy near-black armor suits this one; leave a white highlight on the head plate.

Insect Coloring Pages - Pottery without a wheel: the female fraternal potter wasp shapes a pea-sized jug of mud on a twig, packs it with caterpillars for her larva and seals the top. Black body with fine pale yellow bands, the pot in sandy tan. — Pottery without a wheel: the female fraternal potter wasp shapes a pea-sized jug of mud on a twig, packs it with caterpillars for her larva and seals the top. Black body with fine pale yellow bands, the pot in sandy tan.

Insect Coloring Pages - Katydids are the baby food here: the great golden digger wasp stocks a sandy burrow with them for her young. The adults themselves sip nectar from daisies and milkweed. Rusty orange front half of the abdomen, black rear, golden fuzz on the head. — Katydids are the baby food here: the great golden digger wasp stocks a sandy burrow with them for her young. The adults themselves sip nectar from daisies and milkweed. Rusty orange front half of the abdomen, black rear, golden fuzz on the head.

Insect Coloring Pages - In the desert Southwest, honeypot ants store nectar in special workers whose abdomens swell up like grapes. They hang from the nest ceiling as a living pantry for the dry months. Translucent amber for the belly, thin brown stripes. — In the desert Southwest, honeypot ants store nectar in special workers whose abdomens swell up like grapes. They hang from the nest ceiling as a living pantry for the dry months. Translucent amber for the belly, thin brown stripes.

Insect Coloring Pages - None of the leaves a leafcutter ant carries home gets eaten. The colony chews them to mulch, grows a fungus garden on it and eats the fungus instead. A busy colony can strip a shrub overnight. Rusty red-brown from head to tail. — None of the leaves a leafcutter ant carries home gets eaten. The colony chews them to mulch, grows a fungus garden on it and eats the fungus instead. A busy colony can strip a shrub overnight. Rusty red-brown from head to tail.

Insect Coloring Pages - Seeds end up in underground granaries one load at a time, and this red harvester ant is hauling the next one. Harvester mounds sit in the middle of a cleared, bare circle of ground. Brick red for the ant, straw tan for the seed. — Seeds end up in underground granaries one load at a time, and this red harvester ant is hauling the next one. Harvester mounds sit in the middle of a cleared, bare circle of ground. Brick red for the ant, straw tan for the seed.

Insect Coloring Pages - Despite the name, the red velvet ant is a wasp: the wingless female, wearing a coat of dense scarlet fuzz. It squeaks when picked up, though nobody should try. Paint the coat orange-red with a black band across the middle. — Despite the name, the red velvet ant is a wasp: the wingless female, wearing a coat of dense scarlet fuzz. It squeaks when picked up, though nobody should try. Paint the coat orange-red with a black band across the middle.

Insect Coloring Pages - Like the bird it is named after, the ruby-tailed cuckoo wasp lays its eggs in other insects' nests. Threatened, it curls up in a tight armored ball. Metallic blue-green head and thorax, ruby-red rear, and the dimpled texture is real. — Like the bird it is named after, the ruby-tailed cuckoo wasp lays its eggs in other insects' nests. Threatened, it curls up in a tight armored ball. Metallic blue-green head and thorax, ruby-red rear, and the dimpled texture is real.

Insect Coloring Pages - Count them: three dark spots on each of four wings make twelve, and mature males add white patches in between. Twelve-spotted skimmers patrol ponds across North America. Brown spots, white patches, a chalky blue-gray tail. — Count them: three dark spots on each of four wings make twelve, and mature males add white patches in between. Twelve-spotted skimmers patrol ponds across North America. Brown spots, white patches, a chalky blue-gray tail.

Insect Coloring Pages - Living leaves are the only building material weaver ants need. Workers form chains to pull two leaves together while others hold larvae that spin silk to stitch the edges. Orange for the Asian kind, or a green abdomen like Australia's green tree ant. — Living leaves are the only building material weaver ants need. Workers form chains to pull two leaves together while others hold larvae that spin silk to stitch the edges. Orange for the Asian kind, or a green abdomen like Australia's green tree ant.

Insect Coloring Pages - Broad dark brown bands cover the inner half of each wing on a widow skimmer, and males add a white band just beyond them. Look for one at a pond edge in summer. Shade those bands first and keep the wing tips clear. — Broad dark brown bands cover the inner half of each wing on a widow skimmer, and males add a white band just beyond them. Look for one at a pond edge in summer. Shade those bands first and keep the wing tips clear.

Insect Coloring Pages - Males of the American rubyspot carry a patch of deep red at the base of each wing and flash it at rivals above fast streams. A damselfly, so it rests with wings closed. Coppery red body, ruby wing bases, clear tips. — Males of the American rubyspot carry a patch of deep red at the base of each wing and flash it at rivals above fast streams. A damselfly, so it rests with wings closed. Coppery red body, ruby wing bases, clear tips.

Insect Coloring Pages - Two sooty blotches at the base of the hindwings look like saddlebags slung over a horse, hence the name. Black saddlebags spend so much time in the air that a perched one is a lucky sighting. Black from head to tail, clear wings. — Two sooty blotches at the base of the hindwings look like saddlebags slung over a horse, hence the name. Black saddlebags spend so much time in the air that a perched one is a lucky sighting. Black from head to tail, clear wings.

Insect Coloring Pages - A row of little red hearts runs down the abdomen of the male calico pennant, and nobody has asked him why. Females swap the red for yellow. Fill the wing spots with amber-brown and keep the rest of each wing nearly clear. — A row of little red hearts runs down the abdomen of the male calico pennant, and nobody has asked him why. Females swap the red for yellow. Fill the wing spots with amber-brown and keep the rest of each wing nearly clear.

Insect Coloring Pages - Airborne, this one fools almost everybody: black hindwings with a pale yellow rim make the Carolina grasshopper look like a butterfly. Back on the ground it turns into dusty brown again. Black wings, cream border, mottled tan everywhere else. — Airborne, this one fools almost everybody: black hindwings with a pale yellow rim make the Carolina grasshopper look like a butterfly. Back on the ground it turns into dusty brown again. Black wings, cream border, mottled tan everywhere else.

Insect Coloring Pages - A male common whitetail raises his chalk-white abdomen like a signal flag when he chases rivals off a pond. Females and young males stay brown. Wide dark bands cross each wing; leave the white tail as bare paper. — A male common whitetail raises his chalk-white abdomen like a signal flag when he chases rivals off a pond. Females and young males stay brown. Wide dark bands cross each wing; leave the white tail as bare paper.

Insect Coloring Pages - The pointed cone on its forehead is the quickest way to recognize a conehead katydid. Males sing on summer nights with a shrill, steady buzz that sounds a lot like a humming power line. Grass green or straw brown. — The pointed cone on its forehead is the quickest way to recognize a conehead katydid. Males sing on summer nights with a shrill, steady buzz that sounds a lot like a humming power line. Grass green or straw brown.

Insect Coloring Pages - Black chevrons stacked like arrowheads on the big hind legs mark the differential grasshopper, one of the large, common grasshoppers of farm country. Olive-yellow overall, yellow shins, the chevrons in glossy black. — Black chevrons stacked like arrowheads on the big hind legs mark the differential grasshopper, one of the large, common grasshoppers of farm country. Olive-yellow overall, yellow shins, the chevrons in glossy black.

Insect Coloring Pages - Slow, flightless and impossible to miss, the eastern lubber grasshopper wears warning colors on purpose: it tastes awful and hisses out foam when grabbed. Bright yellow and black, with a flash of red on the short wings. — Slow, flightless and impossible to miss, the eastern lubber grasshopper wears warning colors on purpose: it tastes awful and hisses out foam when grabbed. Bright yellow and black, with a flash of red on the short wings.

Insect Coloring Pages - Ebony jewelwings flutter like small black butterflies along shaded woodland streams. The male's body glows metallic blue-green, while his wings are solid black. Work a black pencil in light layers, so the vein lines still show through. — Ebony jewelwings flutter like small black butterflies along shaded woodland streams. The male's body glows metallic blue-green, while his wings are solid black. Work a black pencil in light layers, so the vein lines still show through.

Insect Coloring Pages - Its wings are a leaf, midrib and all. The greater angle-wing katydid disappears among the foliage by day and gives itself away only with a ticking song after dark. Leaf green throughout, with a few brown freckles for realism. — Its wings are a leaf, midrib and all. The greater angle-wing katydid disappears among the foliage by day and gives itself away only with a ticking song after dark. Leaf green throughout, with a few brown freckles for realism.

Insect Coloring Pages - Humpbacked, wingless and mostly legs, the greenhouse camel cricket turns up in basements and garages and jumps in whatever direction feels dramatic. Without wings it cannot chirp at all. Mottled tan and brown, antennae as fine penciled lines. — Humpbacked, wingless and mostly legs, the greenhouse camel cricket turns up in basements and garages and jumps in whatever direction feels dramatic. Without wings it cannot chirp at all. Mottled tan and brown, antennae as fine penciled lines.

Insect Coloring Pages - Orange wings with dark brown bands make the Halloween pennant easy to name. It perches at the very tip of a stem and rocks in the wind like a small flag. Warm orange between the bands, deep brown for the slim abdomen. — Orange wings with dark brown bands make the Halloween pennant easy to name. It perches at the very tip of a stem and rocks in the wind like a small flag. Warm orange between the bands, deep brown for the slim abdomen.

Insect Coloring Pages - Front legs shaped like garden trowels let the northern mole cricket tunnel through soil the way a mole does. Males sing from inside the burrow, which works as a natural loudspeaker. Velvety brown all over, the digging claws darker. — Front legs shaped like garden trowels let the northern mole cricket tunnel through soil the way a mole does. Males sing from inside the burrow, which works as a natural loudspeaker. Velvety brown all over, the digging claws darker.

Insect Coloring Pages - Now and then an oblong-winged katydid hatches bright pink instead of green, thanks to a rare genetic quirk. This one could be either, so the color choice is yours. Long oval wings, very long antennae, delicate legs. — Now and then an oblong-winged katydid hatches bright pink instead of green, thanks to a rare genetic quirk. This one could be either, so the color choice is yours. Long oval wings, very long antennae, delicate legs.

Insect Coloring Pages - Shieldback katydids wear a wide plate over the shoulders, like a shield buckled on. The protean shieldback lives in the leaf litter of eastern forests and does not fly. Patchy brown, gray and rust; protean means changeable. — Shieldback katydids wear a wide plate over the shoulders, like a shield buckled on. The protean shieldback lives in the leaf litter of eastern forests and does not fly. Patchy brown, gray and rust; protean means changeable.

Insect Coloring Pages - Few insects dress this loudly. The rainbow grasshopper of the Great Plains and the Southwest wears red, yellow, black and blue at once, a warning to birds that it tastes bad. Fill the pale patches with yellow and red. — Few insects dress this loudly. The rainbow grasshopper of the Great Plains and the Southwest wears red, yellow, black and blue at once, a warning to birds that it tastes bad. Fill the pale patches with yellow and red.

Insect Coloring Pages - Spreadwings are damselflies that perch with their wings held half open, as this one does. The slender spreadwing has one of the longest, thinnest abdomens in its family - a matchstick with wings. Bronze-brown with clear wings. — Spreadwings are damselflies that perch with their wings held half open, as this one does. The slender spreadwing has one of the longest, thinnest abdomens in its family – a matchstick with wings. Bronze-brown with clear wings.

Insect Coloring Pages - Snowy tree crickets earned the nickname thermometer cricket: count the chirps for fifteen seconds, add forty, and you get the temperature in Fahrenheit, close enough to be useful. Pale green and nearly translucent, so keep the colors soft. — Snowy tree crickets earned the nickname thermometer cricket: count the chirps for fifteen seconds, add forty, and you get the temperature in Fahrenheit, close enough to be useful. Pale green and nearly translucent, so keep the colors soft.

Insect Coloring Pages - Rubbing one wing against the other gives the spring field cricket its chirp, and its ears sit on its front legs, just below the knees. It is one of the first crickets heard each year. Glossy black, with brownish wings folded on top. — Rubbing one wing against the other gives the spring field cricket its chirp, and its ears sit on its front legs, just below the knees. It is one of the first crickets heard each year. Glossy black, with brownish wings folded on top.

Insect Coloring Pages - Katy did, Katy didn't, Katy did: the true katydid argues with itself from the treetops on August nights. Its wings cup around it like two green leaves. Leaf green everywhere, with the veins traced a shade darker. — Katy did, Katy didn't, Katy did: the true katydid argues with itself from the treetops on August nights. Its wings cup around it like two green leaves. Leaf green everywhere, with the veins traced a shade darker.

Insect Coloring Pages - Peru's black beauty stick insect is jet black from antennae to tail and lives in one tiny patch of northern forest. Bother it and it sprays a sharp-smelling mist. Give it a matte velvet finish, with bright yellow eyes as the only color. — Peru's black beauty stick insect is jet black from antennae to tail and lives in one tiny patch of northern forest. Bother it and it sprays a sharp-smelling mist. Give it a matte velvet finish, with bright yellow eyes as the only color.

Insect Coloring Pages - Four balls on stalks rise from its back like a tiny antenna array, and biologists still argue about what the Brazilian treehopper uses them for. The whole contraption grows from the thorax. Amber brown, the balls a shade darker. — Four balls on stalks rise from its back like a tiny antenna array, and biologists still argue about what the Brazilian treehopper uses them for. The whole contraption grows from the thorax. Amber brown, the balls a shade darker.

Insect Coloring Pages - Buffalo treehoppers owe the name to the shield over their shoulders: seen from the front, it has the blunt outline of a bison. They sit motionless on twigs and pass for a bud. Fresh leaf green, a paler underside. — Buffalo treehoppers owe the name to the shield over their shoulders: seen from the front, it has the blunt outline of a bison. They sit motionless on twigs and pass for a bud. Fresh leaf green, a paler underside.

Insect Coloring Pages - Peppermint stripes on an insect barely a third of an inch long: the candy-striped leafhopper turns up on garden shrubs all summer. Alternate red and turquoise bands on the wings, then a yellow head and legs. — Peppermint stripes on an insect barely a third of an inch long: the candy-striped leafhopper turns up on garden shrubs all summer. Alternate red and turquoise bands on the wings, then a yellow head and legs.

Insect Coloring Pages - The long electric buzz of late summer belongs to the dog-day cicada, which appears every year in the hottest weeks of July and August. Black body with green markings along the back, clear wings with green veins. — The long electric buzz of late summer belongs to the dog-day cicada, which appears every year in the hottest weeks of July and August. Black body with green markings along the back, clear wings with green veins.

Insect Coloring Pages - Nothing about the ghost mantis says insect at first glance. A curled crown and ragged flaps on the legs turn it into a dry, crumpled leaf, and it sways on its twig to finish the act. Every brown in the box, a little green. — Nothing about the ghost mantis says insect at first glance. A curled crown and ragged flaps on the legs turn it into a dry, crumpled leaf, and it sways on its twig to finish the act. Every brown in the box, a little green.

Insect Coloring Pages - Pet keepers love the giant Asian mantis: it grows longer than a finger and swivels its head to follow you around the room. The spiked forelegs fold away like a pocketknife. Bright leaf green with a lighter belly. — Pet keepers love the giant Asian mantis: it grows longer than a finger and swivels its head to follow you around the room. The spiked forelegs fold away like a pocketknife. Bright leaf green with a lighter belly.

Insect Coloring Pages - Even its legs have leaf-shaped flaps, edged with fake bite marks. The giant leaf insect of Malaysia rocks back and forth like foliage in a breeze, and females can lay fertile eggs without a male. Lime green, browner edges. — Even its legs have leaf-shaped flaps, edged with fake bite marks. The giant leaf insect of Malaysia rocks back and forth like foliage in a breeze, and females can lay fertile eggs without a male. Lime green, browner edges.

Insect Coloring Pages - Australia's giant prickly stick insect curls its spiny tail like a scorpion, but the threat is pure bluff. Ants carry its seed-like eggs underground and keep them safe. Sandy brown, with the spikes in darker brown. Detailed. — Australia's giant prickly stick insect curls its spiny tail like a scorpion, but the threat is pure bluff. Ants carry its seed-like eggs underground and keep them safe. Sandy brown, with the spikes in darker brown. Detailed.

Insect Coloring Pages - Hissing, then a snap of spiny hind legs shut like a trap: that is how the Malayan jungle nymph, one of the heaviest insects in the world, says no. Females are lime green; males, winged like this one, are brown and olive. — Hissing, then a snap of spiny hind legs shut like a trap: that is how the Malayan jungle nymph, one of the heaviest insects in the world, says no. Females are lime green; males, winged like this one, are brown and olive.

Insect Coloring Pages - Threatened, the Malaysian dead leaf mantis drops flat and plays dead, which suits a creature already disguised as a withered leaf. Its wide shield even has a fake midrib. Shades of tan, rust and dead-leaf brown. — Threatened, the Malaysian dead leaf mantis drops flat and plays dead, which suits a creature already disguised as a withered leaf. Its wide shield even has a fake midrib. Shades of tan, rust and dead-leaf brown.

Insect Coloring Pages - In late summer, female northern walkingsticks drop their eggs from the treetops one by one, and in a big year it sounds like light rain on the leaves. Wingless and twig-thin. Brown to match an old twig, or green to match a fresh shoot. — In late summer, female northern walkingsticks drop their eggs from the treetops one by one, and in a big year it sounds like light rain on the leaves. Wingless and twig-thin. Brown to match an old twig, or green to match a fresh shoot.

Insect Coloring Pages - Oak treehoppers gather in tidy family groups on oak twigs, and the mothers stay with their young. A smooth peaked hood rises over the wings. Blue-gray, with reddish stripes running lengthwise. — Oak treehoppers gather in tidy family groups on oak twigs, and the mothers stay with their young. A smooth peaked hood rises over the wings. Blue-gray, with reddish stripes running lengthwise.

Insect Coloring Pages - Bees fly straight at the orchid mantis of Southeast Asia, mistaking the whole animal for a flower; it needs no real orchid to hide in. Soft pink, cream and pale white, with a touch of green. — Bees fly straight at the orchid mantis of Southeast Asia, mistaking the whole animal for a flower; it needs no real orchid to hide in. Soft pink, cream and pale white, with a touch of green.

Insect Coloring Pages - Thirteen or seventeen years underground, then a few weeks of song: periodical cicadas emerge by the million in the same spring. Red eyes, orange wing veins and a black body make them easy to spot on any tree trunk. — Thirteen or seventeen years underground, then a few weeks of song: periodical cicadas emerge by the million in the same spring. Red eyes, orange wing veins and a black body make them easy to spot on any tree trunk.

Insect Coloring Pages - Folded flat, the wings of a pink-winged stick insect look like a plain tan stick; opened, they flash bright pink, and unlike most of its relatives it can fly. Tan body, a hint of pink peeking out along the wing edge. — Folded flat, the wings of a pink-winged stick insect look like a plain tan stick; opened, they flash bright pink, and unlike most of its relatives it can fly. Tan body, a hint of pink peeking out along the wing edge.

Insect Coloring Pages - A spiral eyespot on the wings is the spiny flower mantis's trump card: when it lifts them, a predator suddenly faces a big staring eye. It comes from southern and eastern Africa. White, green, pink and yellow in bands. — A spiral eyespot on the wings is the spiny flower mantis's trump card: when it lifts them, a predator suddenly faces a big staring eye. It comes from southern and eastern Africa. White, green, pink and yellow in bands.

Insect Coloring Pages - Thorn bugs line up along a stem and pass for a row of plant thorns, so hungry birds fly right past. Mothers guard their young until they grow up. Green or yellow, with red-brown streaks on the thorn-shaped hood. — Thorn bugs line up along a stem and pass for a row of plant thorns, so hungry birds fly right past. Mothers guard their young until they grow up. Green or yellow, with red-brown streaks on the thorn-shaped hood.

Insect Coloring Pages - Children know the larva as a doodlebug, the one that digs a neat funnel in dry sand and waits at the bottom for an ant to slip in. The adult antlion is this delicate night flier. Smoky gray body, clear wings with faint brown flecks. — Children know the larva as a doodlebug, the one that digs a neat funnel in dry sand and waits at the bottom for an ant to slip in. The adult antlion is this delicate night flier. Smoky gray body, clear wings with faint brown flecks.

Insect Coloring Pages - On a sunny October afternoon, boxelder bugs pile up by the hundreds on warm south-facing walls, looking for a crack to winter in. They are harmless, just very sociable. Charcoal black, with bright red-orange lines along the edges. — On a sunny October afternoon, boxelder bugs pile up by the hundreds on warm south-facing walls, looking for a crack to winter in. They are harmless, just very sociable. Charcoal black, with bright red-orange lines along the edges.

Insect Coloring Pages - A year or more underwater as a nymph, then a single day with wings: adult mayflies have no working mouthparts and never eat. They rise from rivers in clouds on a summer evening. Creamy yellow body, clear wings, three trailing tails. — A year or more underwater as a nymph, then a single day with wings: adult mayflies have no working mouthparts and never eat. They rise from rivers in clouds on a summer evening. Creamy yellow body, clear wings, three trailing tails.

Insect Coloring Pages - Mosquito hawk is the nickname, yet a crane fly eats no mosquitoes; adults barely eat anything at all. Those absurdly long legs snap off easily, a trick for escaping a bird's grip. Dusty gray-brown, smoky clear wings. — Mosquito hawk is the nickname, yet a crane fly eats no mosquitoes; adults barely eat anything at all. Those absurdly long legs snap off easily, a trick for escaping a bird's grip. Dusty gray-brown, smoky clear wings.

Insect Coloring Pages - Those huge sickle-shaped mandibles on the male eastern dobsonfly are mainly for show: they are too unwieldy to give a strong bite. Its larva, the hellgrammite, lives only in clean streams. Gray-brown wings speckled with pale spots. — Those huge sickle-shaped mandibles on the male eastern dobsonfly are mainly for show: they are too unwieldy to give a strong bite. Its larva, the hellgrammite, lives only in clean streams. Gray-brown wings speckled with pale spots.

Insect Coloring Pages - Earwigs do not crawl into ears; the name is an old rumor. They are surprisingly devoted parents, though: the mother guards her eggs through the winter and keeps them clean. Curved pincers mean a male. Glossy reddish brown, tan legs. — Earwigs do not crawl into ears; the name is an old rumor. They are surprisingly devoted parents, though: the mother guards her eggs through the winter and keeps them clean. Curved pincers mean a male. Glossy reddish brown, tan legs.

Insect Coloring Pages - Swimmers call it the toe-biter, and the giant water bug is one of the largest insects in North America. In some species the father carries the eggs glued to his back until they hatch. Olive brown all over, the grasping forelegs a touch darker. — Swimmers call it the toe-biter, and the giant water bug is one of the largest insects in North America. In some species the father carries the eggs glued to his back until they hatch. Olive brown all over, the grasping forelegs a touch darker.

Insect Coloring Pages - A furry cape of gold hair covers the thorax of the golden-backed snipe fly, a harmless resident of eastern woodlands that likes to sit on leaves at eye level. Metallic gold on top, a black abdomen with thin pale bands. — A furry cape of gold hair covers the thorax of the golden-backed snipe fly, a harmless resident of eastern woodlands that likes to sit on leaves at eye level. Metallic gold on top, a black abdomen with thin pale bands.

Insect Coloring Pages - Gardeners buy green lacewings by the thousand: their larvae, nicknamed aphid lions, eat aphids by the dozen. The mother lays each egg on top of a hair-thin silk stalk. Pale green body, golden eyes, clear wings with green veins. — Gardeners buy green lacewings by the thousand: their larvae, nicknamed aphid lions, eat aphids by the dozen. The mother lays each egg on top of a hair-thin silk stalk. Pale green body, golden eyes, clear wings with green veins.

Insect Coloring Pages - Shield-shaped and leaf green, the green stink bug keeps a defensive smell in reserve; to many noses it is a lot like cilantro. It feeds on seeds and fruit in gardens and fields. Bright green with a thin yellow-orange rim along the edge. — Shield-shaped and leaf green, the green stink bug keeps a defensive smell in reserve; to many noses it is a lot like cilantro. It feeds on seeds and fruit in gardens and fields. Bright green with a thin yellow-orange rim along the edge.

Insect Coloring Pages - Harlequin, the diamond-patched clown of old Italian comedy, lends his name to this bug, whose bold black and orange pattern varies from one individual to the next. It feeds on cabbage, kale and their relatives. Black base, red-orange swirls. — Harlequin, the diamond-patched clown of old Italian comedy, lends his name to this bug, whose bold black and orange pattern varies from one individual to the next. It feeds on cabbage, kale and their relatives. Black base, red-orange swirls.

Insect Coloring Pages - Hover flies are striped like bees but completely stingless, and they bluff their way through the garden hanging perfectly still in midair between flowers. Count the wings: two, not four, give them away. Yellow and black bands, a furry thorax. — Hover flies are striped like bees but completely stingless, and they bluff their way through the garden hanging perfectly still in midair between flowers. Count the wings: two, not four, give them away. Yellow and black bands, a furry thorax.

Insect Coloring Pages - Early naturalists believed the curved snout of the lantern bug glowed at night, and the name stuck even though it never lights up. It lives on tree trunks in Southeast Asia. Red snout with white spots, green wings dotted with yellow. — Early naturalists believed the curved snout of the lantern bug glowed at night, and the name stuck even though it never lights up. It lives on tree trunks in Southeast Asia. Red snout with white spots, green wings dotted with yellow.

Insect Coloring Pages - Milkweed seeds are the whole menu for the large milkweed bug, and the plant's bitter chemicals make the bug taste bad in turn. Orange and black is the warning to any bird. Bright orange, with a broad black band across the middle. — Milkweed seeds are the whole menu for the large milkweed bug, and the plant's bitter chemicals make the bug taste bad in turn. Orange and black is the warning to any bird. Bright orange, with a broad black band across the middle.

Insect Coloring Pages - Huge bulging eyes and clubbed antennae nearly as long as the rest of it give the owlfly its odd look. It hunts small insects on the wing at dusk, much like a dragonfly. Smoky gray, with yellow and brown patches near the wing bases. — Huge bulging eyes and clubbed antennae nearly as long as the rest of it give the owlfly its odd look. It hunts small insects on the wing at dusk, much like a dragonfly. Smoky gray, with yellow and brown patches near the wing bases.

Insect Coloring Pages - Peanut shell or tiny alligator snout? Nobody knows exactly why the giant hollow head evolved. When disturbed, the peanut-headed lanternfly of Central and South America flashes two big eyespots on its hindwings. Mottled gray, cream and brown. — Peanut shell or tiny alligator snout? Nobody knows exactly why the giant hollow head evolved. When disturbed, the peanut-headed lanternfly of Central and South America flashes two big eyespots on its hindwings. Mottled gray, cream and brown.

Insect Coloring Pages - Picture-winged flies wave their patterned wings slowly up and down as they walk, like a signal crew on a runway. Watching a pair signal at each other across a leaf is oddly hypnotic. Dark brown wing bands, a glossy blue-black body, red eyes. — Picture-winged flies wave their patterned wings slowly up and down as they walk, like a signal crew on a runway. Watching a pair signal at each other across a leaf is oddly hypnotic. Dark brown wing bands, a glossy blue-black body, red eyes.

Insect Coloring Pages - Two ribbon tails streaming behind it are actually the hindwings, each ending in a little spoon. Spoon-winged lacewings flutter over dry meadows in Africa, southern Europe and Australia. Pale yellow wings with black-brown bands. — Two ribbon tails streaming behind it are actually the hindwings, each ending in a little spoon. Spoon-winged lacewings flutter over dry meadows in Africa, southern Europe and Australia. Pale yellow wings with black-brown bands.

Insect Coloring Pages - China is home ground for the spotted lanternfly, but this invasive newcomer spread across the eastern United States in just a few years, and many states ask residents to report new sightings. Gray-pink forewings with black spots, scarlet hindwings. — China is home ground for the spotted lanternfly, but this invasive newcomer spread across the eastern United States in just a few years, and many states ask residents to report new sightings. Gray-pink forewings with black spots, scarlet hindwings.

Insect Coloring Pages - Water striders stand on the surface of a pond without breaking it, thanks to thousands of water-repellent hairs on their legs. The short front legs grab whatever falls in. Dark brown-black, with the dimples in the water left white. — Water striders stand on the surface of a pond without breaking it, thanks to thousands of water-repellent hairs on their legs. The short front legs grab whatever falls in. Dark brown-black, with the dimples in the water left white.

Fun Things to Make with These Coloring Pages

Homemade field guide – color a page, write on the back where the species lives and one fact you learned about it, and file it in a three-ring binder. Over a season it grows into a real field guide.
See-through wings – trace the wing outlines onto vellum or clear acetate with a fine black marker, cut them out and glue them over the colored wings at the base only. They lift off the page like the real thing.
Museum drawer frame – cut out a colored insect, mount it with foam dots on cream card inside a shadow box, and add a small typed label with the common name, like an old natural history collection.
Pollinator garden stakes – color the bees and wasps, laminate them, cut them out and tape each to a wooden stake. Push them into the flower bed next to the plants those insects actually visit.
Name match game – print two copies, color one, cut the names off the other, then shuffle the name strips and match each one to its insect. A good way to learn the difference between a hornet and a paper wasp.
Backyard checklist – print the pages in a small stack and take them on a walk. Each time you spot a species in real life, color it in that evening and write the date and place in the corner.
Watercolor wings – print on heavier matte paper, color the body with pencils, then float a very thin wash of watercolor over the wings so the veins still show through. Let it dry flat under a book.
Hanging mobile – color and cut out several insects, glue each to thin card for stiffness, and hang them with fishing line from a small branch or an embroidery hoop at different heights.

More Coloring Pages

Beetle Coloring Pages - Among the longest beetles alive, a big male Hercules can stretch close to seven inches, and much of that is horn. The olive wing covers turn almost black when the air gets humid. Detailed - spotted shell and rough bark.

80 pages80 B&WBeetleColoring Pages

Butterfly and Moth Coloring Pages - The most famous wings in North America, resting on a milkweed flower cluster - the only plant its caterpillars will eat. Fill the panels bright orange, the veins and borders black, and dot the margins white.

80 pages80 B&WButterfly and MothColoring Pages

Sea Creature Coloring Pages - The green sea turtle is not green on the outside. The name comes from a layer of green fat under the shell, built from a lifetime of eating seagrass. Shell in olive and brown streaks, skin a soft gray-green.

80 pages80 B&WSea CreatureColoring Pages

Aquarium Fish Coloring Pages - A betta can gulp air at the surface through a labyrinth organ, which is how bettas get by in shallow rice paddies. This halfmoon tail opens wider than the fish is long. Detailed - let deep red melt into royal blue at the fin edges.

80 pages80 B&WAquarium FishColoring Pages

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