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 […]
Read MoreWhat’s Buzzin’
What can you see around Western Montana right now?
Western Sculptured Pine Borer (Chalcophora angulicollis)
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 […]
Read MoreDamselfly Nymph (Suborder Zygoptera)
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, […]
Read MoreSatin Moth Caterpillar (Leucoma salicis)
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 […]
Read MoreA Tumblebug (Canthon simplex)
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 […]
Read MoreTwo-tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata)
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 […]
Read MoreNo Common Name (Greya mitellae)
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 […]
Read MoreRanchman’s Tiger Moth (Platyprepia virginalis)
Like other tiger moth caterpillars, the Ranchman’s is densely hairy …and downright adorable. They are not picky eaters, feeding on foliage of various herbaceous plants. We’ll start seeing the boldly marked, […]
Read MoreClick Beetle (Prosternon bombycinum)
We couldn’t find a lot of information for this beetle, but we do know that it can perform the family’s signature click trick. Gently pick one up and you’ll not only hear […]
Read MoreOblique-lined Tiger Beetle (Cicindela tranquebarica kirbyi)
These insects are FAST. Tiger beetles have been clocked running at 1.38 feet per second (about 29 body lengths). That may not sound like a lot, but factoring in their size, it’s […]
Read More