This strange looking beetle is likely the Black Meloe (Meloe niger). They are active primarily in April and May. As you might guess from their short, stubby wings, the adults […]
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What can you see around Western Montana right now?
Morning-glory Plume Moth (Emmelina monodactyla)
If you see a moth in an “airplane” or “T” perching posture, you can be certain it is a type of plume moth. Kristi got two nice shots that showcase […]
Read MoreRichardson’s False Marsh and Bog Beetle (Opisthius richardsoni)
Allison and her son Rowan found a lot of these beetles hanging out under rocks on the banks of the Clark Fork River near the Tower St. access. The beetles […]
Read MoreGreen Lacewing (family Chrysopidae)
While these beautiful and delicate looking insects are harmless to humans, they are very capable predators that always seem to be hungry. And since they tend to feed on other […]
Read MoreStonefly (order Plecoptera)
If you scour along the riverbank you’re likely to find molts (or exuviae) of dragonfly, damselfly, stonefly nymphs (naiads) clinging to rocks and vegetation. We’re not 100% sure what’s going […]
Read MoreMayfly (order Ephemeroptera)
Peter discovered this mayfly going through its final molt in his kitchen. It must have flown into his house, which may give you pause, how did it have wings before its […]
Read MoreAn Owlet Moth (Annaphila danistica)
These day-flying moths are very small, only about the size of a fingernail. They fly early in the spring, from March to late May in the Pacific Northwest. Their range […]
Read MoreFlea Beetle (Altica sp.)
As far as beetles go, these guys are pretty small (ranging from 1/16 to a whopping 1/4 of an inch). Thanks to oversized hind legs, they are good jumpers—hence the […]
Read MoreWhat’s Buzzin’: Early Season Butterflies
There are eight butterflies that you can find with regularity in western Montana this time of year: the Mourning Cloak, three different species of tortoiseshells, and four different species of […]
Read MorePlume Moth in the family Pterophoroidea
Plume moths are members of the micromoth group and have unusually modified wings. At rest, they look like a capital “T” or like a glider. They resemble a piece of dried […]
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