What’s Buzzin’

What can you see around Western Montana right now?

Western Lynx Spider (Oxyopes scalaris)

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 […]

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Damselfly 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, […]

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Satin 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 […]

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A 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 […]

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No 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 […]

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Ranchman’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, […]

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Click 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 […]

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