Robber flies in the genus Laphria can do a convincing job of making you think they are a bee (many species tending to resemble bumblebees). However, unlike the insects they are trying […]
Read MoreWhat’s Buzzin’
What can you see around Western Montana right now?
Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis)
These beautiful little butterflies can be found all across North America – from southern Canada, in all US states, and into Mexico. Here in MT they can be found from […]
Read MoreWhite-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata)
White-lined sphinx Moths are one of the most abundant hawk moths in North America, having a wide geographic range (from southern Canada into Central America). They occupy a wide variety […]
Read MoreDalmatian Toadflax Stem Weevil (Mecinus janthiniformis)
These little weevils have been released in MT as a form of biological control to fight against Dalmatian Toadflax. The adults (pictured here) emerge from the plant stems in the […]
Read MoreSt. Johnswort Beetle (Chrysolina hyperici)
These iridescent little beetles are yet another biological control species introduced to combat noxious weeds in MT. This time, the host plant is St. Johnswort. Females will lay up to […]
Read MoreHarris’s Diving Beetle (Dytiscus harrisii)
Blake and Ollie found this sizable critter in a parking lot in Helena. We were happy to inform them that they had found a Predaceous Diving Beetle (in the genus Dytiscidae). […]
Read MoreCarpenterworm Moth (Prionoxystus robiniae)
These rather large moths can be found all across southern Canada and the United States. They tend to be more common in the east since their larvae bore into the […]
Read MoreTussock Moth Caterpillar (genus Dasychira)
Identifying Tussock Moth caterpillars to genus is not too hard. Getting them to the exact species can be a bit more challenging. We believe this is the Variable Tussock Moth […]
Read MoreField Crescent (Phyciodes pulchella)
These small to medium sized butterflies range from central AK and the northern Yukon to southern CA, AZ and NM. To the east, they can be found all the way […]
Read MoreDeer Fly (genus Chrysops)
These photos are of a Deer Fly in the genus Chrysops. We believe it is the species Chrysops mitis. On different websites, we saw the common name listed for this species as “Benign […]
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