Western Encephalitis Mosquito, female (Culex tarsalis)
We appreciate Kristi’s willingness to photograph an insect that typically receives a different sort of greeting. Adults are really quite elegant,... Continue Reading
Mason Bee (genus Osmia)
There are about 150 species of mason bees in North America. They tend to be metallic green, blue-black, or blue-green in... Continue Reading
Blue Orchard Mason Bee, male (Osmia lignaria)
There are about 150 species of mason bees in North America. They tend to be metallic green, blue-black, or blue-green in... Continue Reading
Sweat Bee (family Halictidae)
Some species of sweat bees are attracted to our sweat, alighting on our skin and lapping it up for moisture and salt. They sometimes sting... Continue Reading
Echo Azure (Celastrina echo)
This species of butterfly falls in a subfamily of butterflies known as the blues because …well, the top-side of their wings is blue in color.... Continue Reading
Thin-legged Wolf Spider (genus Pardosa)
Some of the largest spiders encountered in Montana are wolf spiders …and when you see one carrying around a blue, pea-sized... Continue Reading
Stonefly Naiads (order Plecoptera)
Before taking to the air, stoneflies develop on the beds of rivers and streams. In this case, the scenic Blackfoot River.... Continue Reading
Colorful Zale Moth (Zale minerea)
The Colorful Zale Moth is on the wing in spring and early summer in mixed hardwood-conifer forest at lower elevations. They... Continue Reading
Goldenrod Leaf Miner (Microrhopala vittata)
This attractively striped beetle is part of the larger leaf beetle family (Chrysomelidae). While leaf beetles can vary incredibly in size... Continue Reading
Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle (Cicindela tranquebarica)
A very flashy beetle was found during the Montana Natural History Center’s Master Naturalist weekend. The naturalists likely got a good... Continue Reading