Goldenrod Crab Spiders are masters at blending in. These spiders can change their color over several days (ranging from yellow to white) in order to better blend in with their […]
Read MoreWhat’s Buzzin’
What can you see around Western Montana right now?
Johnson Jumping Spider, female (Phidippus johnsoni)
These beautiful spiders are definitely one of Montana’s most colorful jumping spiders. Both sexes have a bright red abdomen, black cephalothorax, and iridescent green chelicerae. The male’s abdomen is entirely […]
Read MoreSawfly Larvae (suborder Symphyta)
We are not 100% sure, but believe this a sawfly larva, rather than a butterfly or moth larva. Although “fly” is in their name, they are actually in the order […]
Read MoreSilvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
The Silvery Blue is on the wing from May into mid June and has prominent rows of black spots circled in white on each wing. It can potentially be confused […]
Read MoreStansbury’s Blister Beetle (Tricrania stansburyi)
Admire these boldly colored beetles with eyes only, as they can ooze a liquid that can blister skin. The chemical responsible, cantharidin, is highly toxic to animals, but has been […]
Read MoreVariagated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum)
Of all the species of meadowhawk dragonflies in Montana, the variegated is the most boldly patterned. With a body length of 1.5 to 2 inches, these beautiful dragonflies are often […]
Read MoreSnakefly (order Raphidioptera)
Trevor spotted around 10-15 snakeflies on a ponderosa pine at Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge—lucky! These beautiful and seemingly elusive insects get their name from the long “neck” of the adults (part […]
Read MoreAsher’s Blue (Celastrina asheri)
We’re excited to introduce you to a new butterfly species in western North America, the Asher’s Blue! Once considered a part of the many subspecies of azure butterflies (Celestrina), this […]
Read MoreNearctic Bumble Bee (Bombus vancouverensis nearcticus)
We featured this bumble bee about a month ago, but not on a Trillium ovatum backdrop. These three-petaled beauties require the services of pollinators, like bumble bees and beetles, to produce seeds. […]
Read MoreMiner Bee (genus Andrena)
Andrenas are commonly referred to as “mining bees,” because they construct underground nests. If you scour the ground along park trails, you may spy the holes of Andrena nests, usually no more […]
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