What’s Buzzin’

What can you see around Western Montana right now?

Pepper Weevil (Anthonomus eugenii)

This little fella is Pepe III, the third Pepper Weevil to make it to Jen and Glenn’s house via a green pepper purchased at the grocery store. They found their first in […]

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Polyphemus Moth Cocoon (Antheraea polyphemus)

Helena noticed a cocoon hanging from a branch alongside Rattlesnake Creek. She carefully collected it and brought it home for observation. Shortly after, she reached out to us for recommendations to help […]

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Eurasian Millipede (Ophyiulus pilosos)

Millipedes and centipedes both have a lot of legs, but they have some key differences. Millipedes are slow-moving, have two pairs of legs on most segments, and are harmless decomposers. […]

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Winter Caddisfly (genus Psychoglypha)

At first glance, caddisflies look much like their closest living relatives—the moths and butterflies. How to tell the two groups (orders) apart? Zoom in on their wings and mouthparts. Moth […]

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Tissue Moth (Triphosa haesitata)

Tissue moths overwinter in caves where the temperature stays just above freezing, emerging in early spring. (We suspect that they wait out winter in other protected, temperature-stable locations, too.) A […]

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Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)

Mourning Cloaks are extra special—they’re Montana’s state insect! They’re also relatively easy to identify in flight on account of their larger size, gold-yellow border, brilliant blue dots, and brownish-maroon interior. […]

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