We’re not 100% sure what species of swallowtail these individuals are, but we’ve narrowed the possibilities down to the Two-tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata) and the Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus). We’ve read that the “The […]
Read MoreWhat’s Buzzin’
What can you see around Western Montana right now?
Crane Fly (family Tipulidae)
With their slender body and stilt-like legs, crane flies kind of look like mosquitoes on steroids. But not to worry, they are not out for blood. Adult crane flies only […]
Read MoreA Metallic Wood Boring Beetle (Buprestis langii)
Metallic wood-boring beetles are commonly called “jewel beetles” because of their shiny, iridescent colors. This particular “jewel” ranges across western North America (California-New Mexico-Manitoba-British Columbia). Adults are usually seen gleaming […]
Read MoreA Blister Beetle in the subgenus Macrobasis
Our best guess for this trio of blister beetles is the Ashgray Blister Beetle (Epicauta fabricii), although the sunflower they’re feeding from doesn’t seem to match their common host plants […]
Read MoreUnicorn Caterpillar Moth (Schizura unicornis)
The Unicorn Caterpillar Moth is aptly named …and that hump / horn is not for show. According to the University of Alberta Museums, “Caterpillars in this genus are unusual in […]
Read MoreBur-seed Fly (Euaresta aequalis)
Kristi wrote that this is “One of the coolest flies I have ever seen!” …we couldn’t agree more about this fruit fly! Fruit flies (family Tephritidae) are sometimes called peacock […]
Read MoreCommon Wood Nymph (Cercyonis pegala)
These butterflies can be found in southern Canada and across most of the United States except much of the Southwest and Texas, southern peninsular Florida, and northern Maine. Their appearance […]
Read MorePine White (Neophasia menapia), Female
These beautiful butterflies are all over the place right now …you just need to look up. From August through September you will notice these white butterflies flying around the tops […]
Read MoreDogwood Spittlebug (Clastoptera proteus)
Now that this little spittlebug (at most 4.1 mm) is an adult, it feeds out in the open, no longer surrounded by its namesake protective white glob of spittle. The […]
Read MoreGalium Sphinx Moth (Hyles gallii)
If the caterpillar is big, you can guess the adult moth will be big too. Galium Spinx Moths, also called Bedstraw Hawkmoths, have a wingspan of up to three inches. Once the […]
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