The first submission of our state butterfly, the morning cloak, has arrived! This distinct tortoiseshell is often the first and last butterfly we see every year. They overwinter as adults and are often seen emerging on sunny days to warm up. After the adults breed, they die off, and the following generation takes wing in late summer to early fall. These aren’t the only early butterflies we’re seeing right now, so go get some sunshine (when we have it) and see who else is on the wing! Don’t forget to submit your bug pics to bugid@missoulabutterflyhouse.org!
Header Photo: Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) Brenna Shea, April 23rd, 2024. Caras Nursery, Missoula, MT.
Large Yellow Underwing
Noctua pronuba
The larvae of this moth species, commonly called Winter Cutworms, are generalists that feed at night on many kinds of grasses and herbaceous vegetation. They feed into the fall, and even in the winter on warmer days (in the 40s). If you see a caterpillar crawling on the snow this is likely it! A portion of the larval population enters winter as last-instars (pupating in early spring) and the remainder enter as earlier instars (continuing to feed in spring).
Kamal Fox, April 21st, 2024. Missoula, MT.
Anise Swallowtail
Papilio zelicaon
Anise Swallowtails are widespread, numerous in the west, and are so-named for the caterpillars’ penchant for feeding on plants in the parsley family, including the introduced sweet fennel, or anise. These are some of the first swallowtails we see in the spring, flying from late April to July among bare hills, mountains, gardens, fields, vacant lots, and roadsides.
Kenna Allison, April 21st, 2024. Bitterroot Valley, MT.
Harlequin Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
This species of lady beetle was introduced to the US in the early 1900s to help control aphids. Unfortunately, they are an aggressive species that has since established and has an impact on our native lady beetles. Their color can range from light orange to deep red, with the boldness of the spots/patterns being different from individual to individual. The top of the thorax is often pale, with an M-shaped dark spot, but in dark forms, it can be black with white outer edges.
Linda Shea, April 24th, 2023. Missoula, MT.
Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum sp.
As the largest of all bee genera with over 1,800 species worldwide, identifying this minuscule bee to species is a challenging undertaking. They are a highly variable group; some exhibit highly specific plant-pollinator associations, some are parasites of other insects, and some are even nocturnal! This group is primarily holarctic, with a scattered distribution across temperate and arid regions of South America.
Brenna Shea, April 23rd, 2024. Missoula, MT.
Wolf Spider
Family Lycosidae
Some of the largest spiders encountered in Montana are wolf spiders. Their long legs and unparalleled eyesight allow them to ambush their meal—no web needed. Some dig burrows in the ground; others make holes under rocks, and many have no retreat at all. They are widespread, diverse, and found on every continent except Antarctica.
Morgan McNeill, April 21st, 2024. Clark Fork Riverbank, Missoula, MT.
Cream-spotted Ladybird
Calvia quatuordecimguttata
Despite its name, the cream-spotted lady beetle comes in a wide variety of color morphs, including the form seen here with large black spots. The name stems from the Eurasian color morph, which exhibits – you guessed it – cream-colored spots. This species is widespread across Europe and Asia, and is an introduced species to North America.
Kamal Fox, April 21st, 2024. Missoula, MT.
Long-Legged Sac Spider
Cheiracanthium sp.
Have you ever come across a spider that wasn’t associated with some kind of myth or urban legend? It seems like every species has its own baggage, and sac spiders are no different. It was once assumed that sac spiders were attracted to the smell of gasoline after several vehicles were recalled due to spiderwebs blocking fuel lines. Subsequent research found that no, they’re not particularly fond of gasoline; they just found the fuel lines to be excellent places for building webs, likely while they were still on the factory floor.
Linda Shea, April 25th, 2023. Missoula, MT.