Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.
This page lists 4 insects. 1 is venomous by official accounts. 2 are nonnative.
Not every species: no complete official list of New Mexico insects exists, so this page covers the ones state and Extension sources name. How lists are built.
Official sources single out these insects in New Mexico, in their own words:
Disease (West Nile virus). “Cases of West Nile Virus in New Mexico have occurred every year since 2003.” New Mexico Department of Health
Disease (plague). “People usually get plague from the bite of a rodent flea that is carrying plague bacteria or by handling an infected animal.” New Mexico Department of Health
Larvae infest wounds. “New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a foreign animal disease and a serious threat to wildlife, livestock, pets and people.” New Mexico Department of Wildlife
Mass stinging attacks. “Rather than tolerating people or animals near their colonies as European bees usually did, Africanized bees were highly unpredictable and dangerously defensive.” College of ACES
Venomous species first, then A to Z. Do not handle them.
Venom: “The toxic dose (LD50) of honey bee venom is 8.6 stings per pound of body weight for an average person.” (College of ACES)
Cochliomyia hominivorax
Records of insects in New Mexico peak in June to September. They show when people record insects, not how many there are (about month bars).
Call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Poison Help connects you to your local poison center, any time of day.
Official advice from New Mexico Poison & Drug Information Center and College of ACES:
The species list comes from No complete official list of New Mexico insects; entries are medically significant insects named by NMDOW and the New Mexico Department of Health (New Mexico Department of Wildlife (formerly New Mexico Department of Game and Fish), 2026-11-03). 4 more entries come from other official sources named on each card.
Venom labels come only from official sources and link to them; "Not stated" never means harmless. How labels work.
"Nonnative" and "Invasive" follow the wording of the source list. See invasive species in New Mexico.
“New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a foreign animal disease and a serious threat to wildlife, livestock, pets and people.”
“Cases of West Nile Virus in New Mexico have occurred every year since 2003.”
“People usually get plague from the bite of a rodent flea that is carrying plague bacteria or by handling an infected animal.”
“The toxic dose (LD50) of honey bee venom is 8.6 stings per pound of body weight for an average person.”
“Rather than tolerating people or animals near their colonies as European bees usually did, Africanized bees were highly unpredictable and dangerously defensive.”
“In that case the most important recommendation is simple: Run.”
“If you think that you have been stung by a scorpion, call 1-800-222-1222 immediately for first aid advice.”