Tachinid flies are mostly robust flies with spiny abdomens. This group lacks spines on the abdomen, with Gymnosoma meaning “naked body.” Adults sip nectar from flowers, but larvae prefer protein. Of the […]

We believe this is a plume moth caterpillar, a distinctive group of moths that look like a capital “T” or like a glider at rest. Caterpillars are hairy or bristly, various […]

Spring field crickets are the most common black cricket with a slowish chirp in the spring in many regions—ranging roughly through the northern half of the US. After overwintering as nymphs, […]

The Silvery Blue is on the wing from May into mid June and has prominent rows of black spots circled in white on each wing. It can potentially be confused […]

Thank you to Alexis and the students at Spring Creek School for sharing photos of this colorful beetle (and for tuning into the Online Bug Encounter each week!). We’re glad […]

We were so focused on seeing what was “trying to pollinate the flower” that we initially did not notice the spider. Goldenrod Crab spiders are masters at blending in. These spiders can change […]

We believe these tiny (4-6mm long) beetles are Scelolyperus schwarzii. The penstemon gives you a good idea of their size. The two that are in full view are likely males, as […]

As suggested by the name, 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 […]

We believe this is an Indiscriminate Cuckoo Bumble Bee. This species is commonly encountered from May to August in Canada and forested areas of the western United States, but rarely found […]

Like most skippers, the adult butterflies rest with their wings closed, but you can often find them basking in the sun with their wings open to warm up when the […]