The western tiger is slightly smaller than our other tiger beetles in Montana (only 11 – 13 mm). Their color can vary from brown, green, purple to black. They are […]

This richly colored and subtly patterned moth flies from late spring to summer in a variety of forested habitats: dry, open ponderosa pine forests to wetter Douglas fir or subalpine fir […]

To say we were excited to see this submission come in is an understatement. It’s the largest native moth in North America, females with a five to seven inch wingspan […]

Similar to wolf spiders and jumping spiders, western lynx spiders are active hunters that are fast runners and leapers with good vision. Rather than hunting on the ground, they are […]

This metallic woodborer beetle is truly a work of art, with its textured upper side and iridescent bronze luster. An opening of the wings reveals even more beauty. This species was […]

Before taking to the sky, damselflies, and their close relatives the dragonflies, develop in still water such as ponds, lakes, marshes, and bogs. The nymphs are predatory like their adult counterparts, […]

Beautiful both in their immature and adult forms, satin moths were introduced from Europe in 1920 and can now be found across Canada and in the northwestern and northeastern states. Caterpillars eat aspen, poplar […]

While exploring the Willoughby 40 hiking area, Annie’s nine-year-old daughter spotted a dung beetle pushing a dung ball with its back feet. They watched for a little while until it […]

Two-tailed swallowtails are primarily on the wing in late spring and early summer in Montana. They’re the largest of all our western butterflies (spread specimens sometimes push 6 inches in […]

This moth’s life is closely tied to Smallflower Miterwort (also known as Side-flower Mitrewort), a plant in the Saxifrage family with intricate alienesque flowers. The larvae are picky eaters that feed […]