Welcome back to the Lab! As summer winds down and teachers prepare their classrooms and curriculum for the school year, I figured it was time to address a question we […]
Read MoreArticles by: Butterfly House
Wooly Bee Fly (genus Systoechus)
While there are 120 different species of bee fly in this genus worldwide, there are only 5 species in North America. While that gives us pretty good odds at a […]
Read MoreAphid in the subfamily Calaphidinae
Aphids are tiny and hard to identify to species. In this case, the best we could do is get this individual to Subfamily. Calaphidinae is the second largest subfamily of Aphids with […]
Read MoreCommon Gluphisia (Gluphisia septentrionis)
This is one of the most widespread moth species in North America, being found everywhere except Nunavut and Northwest Territories. The larvae feed on the leaves of trees in the […]
Read MoreCalifornia Root Borer, male (Prionus californicus)
This rather large species of long-horned beetle can grow to over 2 inches. The way to quickly determine male from female is by the antennae. The antennae of males (shown […]
Read MoreVivid Dancer (Argia vivida)
These beautiful damselflies tend to be found near spring-fed streams and seeps with lots of vegetation …including hot springs. The nymphs spend from a few months to up to three […]
Read MoreSalt Marsh Moth (Estigmene acrea)
Last week we featured this species of moth caterpillar indicating that, “Caterpillars are not always easy to identify.” As this photo demonstrates, that can certainly be the case even when […]
Read MoreShield-backed Katydid (genus Anabrus)
While this may look like the more familiar Mormon Cricket (Anabrus simplex), we believe this is a Long-legged Anabrus (Anabrus longipes). The impressive sword-like appendage sticking off of this female’s […]
Read MoreTen-lined June Beetle (Polyphylla decemlineata)
At up to 1.5 inches in length, these beetles are hard to miss when they are around. The males have large paddle-like antennae that they can feather out to look […]
Read MoreArhopalus asperatus
Photo by: Glenn Marangelo on 8/4/21 in Missoula, MT
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