As you can see, unlike many caterpillars that venture out on their own to feed, these guys like company and spend a large part of their caterpillar life with a bunch of friends in […]
Read MoreWhat’s Buzzin’
What can you see around Western Montana right now?
Crab Spider (genus Mecaphesa)
Crab spiders are ambush hunters that often attack pollinators at flowers. The unfortunate victim in this case, a fly, was likely looking for a meal of its own from the […]
Read MoreFlying Saucer Lady Beetle (Anatis rathvoni)
This lady beetle’s common name gets our vote for most charming. Their very angular outline is unlike any other North American lady beetle and their helmet-shape, with a flared “rim,” […]
Read MoreBoreal Long-lipped Tiger Beetle (Cicindela longilabris)
These insects are FAST, when they’re not occupied, that is. Tiger beetles have been clocked running at 1.38 feet per second (about 29 body lengths). That may not sound like […]
Read MoreGreen Stink Bug (Chlorochroa granulosa)
While we didn’t find a lot of information for this species, the Green Stink Bug is part of the larger group of stink bugs (Pentatomidae), a family that can produce […]
Read MoreSunflower Seed Maggot (Neotephritis finalis)
This is one of the most commonly seen fruit flies in North America. And while you may associate fruit flies with soft fruits, some species induce galls or mine stems, […]
Read MoreStink Bug (Cosmopepla uhleri)
This beautiful species of True Bug (order Hemiptera) has the unflattering family name of “Stink Bug” (family Pentatomidae). We did not find a lot of information about this particular species […]
Read MoreGreat Grig (Cyphoderris monstrosa)
These bulky insects are in the same order as grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids (Orthoptera). Males call at night, making a high-pitched sound used to attract females and claim their territory. […]
Read MoreReticulated Beetle (Priacma serrata)
Arthur has observed a few of these on his property, which means there’s probably some dead timber nearby, food for the wood-boring larvae. If you take a closer look you will notice […]
Read MoreStriped Sweat Bee (genus Agapostemon)
These native bees are typically a metallic green or blue color (especially the head and thorax). There are 44 species in the genus, ranging from Canada to Argentina. They are […]
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