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 […]

This iconic caterpillar was spotted on some roadside milkweed southeast of Corvallis, Montana. Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) and the chemicals from them make both larva and […]

This beautiful species of antmimic spider lives in a variety of habitats — typically close to the ground, under rocks and logs, or in leaf litter. As a type of ground hunting […]

These beautiful moths (and their caterpillars) can be found throughout North America. Adult moths are almost all white on the wings with a beautiful coat of white fur on the thorax. The […]

Ellen observed this large caterpillar crawling along the sidewalk at the edge of her house. She writes, “It looked entirely black until I viewed it from the side to see its colorful […]

Sometimes our subjects make it easy to find them …Glenn found this beautiful moth on the office door as he headed into work. October Thorns can be found from mid-August into November (depending on location […]

The Mourning Cloak is Montana’s state butterfly and one of the first butterflies we see each year (as early as March). After overwintering as an adult, these hardy butterflies will find a […]

This long-horned beetle can be found in coniferous forests across North America, especially in the northern U.S., upper Midwest and much of Canada. The males have one white spot at the front […]

These large moths are often mistaken for hummingbirds since their rapid wing movement resembles a hummer in flight (hovering over flowers while feeding). They usually fly at dusk, during the […]