Without a ventral (underside) view of this butterfly, we were unable to decide if this is a Western White (Pontia occidentalis) or a Checkered White (Pontia protodice). Both can be found in this general […]

As adults, spittlebugs leave their protective, foamy (spit-like) mass behind and continue their diet of plant sap out in the open. Now exposed, this species relies on looking like bird […]

This beautiful Eurasian moth was accidentally introduced into North America on the east side of the Cascades in Oregon around 2003. It has since spread outside of the Pacific Northwest, […]

We are not 100% sure, but believe this is a Western Swallowtail Caterpillar. The Two-tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata) looks very similar in appearance. We’ve read that “The best clue [for the Two-tailed] is the black edge of the […]

These caterpillars look like the well-known “woolly bear” caterpillar, but with the addition of long, white hairs coming from the body. They can be found across southern Canada, in the […]

Female orbweavers (family Araneidae) construct intricate, circular webs to ensnare their insect prey. Adult male orbweavers are typically smaller and not often seen. They generally do not spin webs, but wander in the […]

Kristi remarked that this is “One of the more pretty dart moths, and this was an especially bright individual.” Pretty, indeed. Flying from late summer through fall in a variety of […]

Female orbweavers (family Araneidae), like these beauties, construct intricate, circular webs to ensnare their insect prey. Adult male orbweavers are typically smaller and not often seen. They generally do not spin webs, but wander […]

Many people refer to all orb weaver spiders as “Cat-faced Spiders” or “Barn Spiders”…but we believe this species is THE actual Cat-faced Spider, also called the Plains Orbweaver or Jewel […]