Saffron-winged Meadowhawks (Sympetrum costiferum) are one of the last species of dragonflies to be found still flying well into the fall. Males (pictured here) are all red with a thin […]

Lake Darners are among at least 13 different species of darners that can be found in Montana. If you look closely, you can notice the deeply notched thoracic (side) stripe […]

Green Commas join at least 8 other butterfly species in Montana with the distinction of being hardy little insects. The Green Commas we are seeing now will overwinter in the […]

The Hemlock Looper (Lambdina fiscellaria), also commonly called the Mournful Thorn, can be found coast to coast in Canada and adjacent parts of US. Females lay eggs from late July […]

The Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum fasciatum) is one of the easiest species of Meadowhawk to identify. Those reddish-brown “bands” or “saddlebags” on the wings are a quick identification clue. Their […]

These handsome, medium-sized moths fly from late August to October in forest habitats, including higher elevation spruce-fir and mixed-conifer forests, lower elevation ponderosa pine forests, and quaking aspen forests. Caterpillars […]

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 […]

A beautiful addition to the fall colors, the Band-winged Meadowhawk is the only meadowhawk with really defined and large, rusty patches on the wings next to the body. They are […]

The Cat-faced Orbweaver is our #1 submission as of late. The chunky females, combined with their spiral, wheel-shaped webs, are hard to miss this time of year. Melissa’s first photo […]