Our submissions and identification requests are soaring! There are so many bugs around right now, with more than we have room for in this newsletter. We will try and get to more of your other pictures in the coming weeks. But be sure to get outside and see what you can see!
Submit your bug pictures to bugid@missoulabutterflyhouse.org (and remember to include your name, the date, and the location where you took the photo)!
Header photo: Whose nest is this? The larger insect with white markings is a Bald-faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) and the smaller one is a Common Aerial Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria). They both make large, papery basketball-sized nests, which are typically found in trees. You can tell the difference between the nests by their appearance when the nests become larger …but at this point, it’s tough to say which species built this nest and which is snooping around. Klara Briknarova, June 1, 2025, Missoula, MT
Ceanothus Silk Moth
Hyalophora euryalus
Ceanothus silk moths are found from British Columbia east to western Montana, south through Washington, western Oregon, and California to Baja California. There is only one brood a year with adults generally emerging from mid May to mid June in western Montana. Adults do not feed, focused solely on passing their genes onto the next generation. Larvae feed on a large number of trees and shrubs, including its namesake Ceanothus. It strongly resembles the Glover’s Silkmoth (also found in Montana), which has a grayish border to the wings as opposed to the Ceanothus Silkmoth’s reddish / pink border.
Ashley Potts, June 5, 2025, Missoula, MT
Hairy Soft-winged Flower Beetle
Collops hirtellus
Beetles in the genus Collops are typically brightly colored, with the Collops hirtellus being metallic blue or green with orange on the underside of the body. They also have greatly enlarged basal antenna segments (segments close to the head). Like most beetles in the family Melyridae, both the adults and larvae are predaceous, eating aphids and other small insects as well as eggs and larvae.
Naomi Medley, June 1, 2025, Pearson, ID
Asher’s Blue
Celastrina asheri
Once considered a part of the many subspecies of azure butterflies (Celestrina), this blue only became its own species in the past few years. The Asher’s is found in western Montana and other areas in the northern Rockies west of the divide. In Montana they are frequently associated with riparian corridor habitats. As far as is known, caterpillars feed only on red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) and possibly oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor).
Connie Geiger, June 7, 2025, Helena, MT
Alder Flea Beetle
Altica ambiens
As far as beetles go, flea beetles 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 name “Flea Beetle.” They are plant eaters. Some species are considered crop pests, while others are considered “beneficial” since they feed on weeds. Flea beetles survive the winter as adults and become active again in the spring.
Rick Clark, June 4, 2025, Lincoln, MT
Oregon Gem Moth
Heliothis oregonica
The Oregon Gem is a small day-flying moth that is typically found in the dry interior of the Northwest and flies during late spring and summer. This species is widely distributed in open mountain meadows at middle to high elevations. They have a wide distribution in western North America from the southern half of Alberta south through the Rocky Mountains to northeastern Arizona. It is also found in northeastern California. This specie’s larva feed on herbaceous vegetation with a strong preference for paintbrush (Castilleja spp.).
Judy Halm, June 8, 2025, Helena, MT
Silken 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 the clicking sound they make, you’ll see your little friend launch into the air. These beetles have a special spine on the underside of their thorax. They use their muscles to arch their bodies, insert the spine into a special groove, and then continue to contract their muscles until the spine eventually pops out of the groove with enough released energy to send the beetle flying. They use this “click” to hopefully avoid being eaten by something and to right themselves in case they end up on their back. This species can be found in western North America, from British Columbia to Oregon to Alberta to Utah.
Judy Halm, June 8, 2025, Helena, MT
Great Grig
Cyphoderris monstrosa
This bulky, formidable creature belongs to the family Orthoptera, along with crickets, katydids, and grasshoppers. Like katydids and crickets, Great Grig males use a scraper-and-file mechanism on their tegmina (hardened forewing) to sing. At dusk, males begin calling to attract mates while repelling potential rivals. The longer a male sings, the higher his fitness (and the likelihood he has a chance to mate). They range throughout the Northwestern United States and Southwestern Canada. They primarily feed on broad-leaved shrubs and the pollen of coniferous trees; and females will occasionally consume the wings of a male after mating.
Jennifer Wells, June 7, 2025, Holland Lake, MT
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
This species of lady beetle was introduced to the U.S. in the early 1900’s 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 a M-shaped dark spot, but in dark forms it can be black with white outer edges.
Raelynn Roadhouse, May 23, 2025, Missoula, MT
Jumping Spider
Pelegrina aeneola
This species of jumping spider is common throughout western North America, extending into Canada and Mexico. Like all Jumping Spiders Pelegrina aeneola is sexually dimorphic, with the females lighter in color and slightly bigger than the males. What’s not commonly seen or known is the fact that some spider species make a meal of insect eggs.
Kelly Dix, June 9, 2025, Stevensville, MT
Glistening Pine Chafer
Dichelonyx fulgida
Dichelonyx is a genus of May beetles and junebugs. This brilliantly colored beetle is found in the mountainous areas of the west and are typically seen in June and July. They are associated with conifers as the adults feeds on their pollen. Its elytra are typically a bright metallic green. When encountered numerous individuals may be present.
Matt, June 9, 2025, Lincoln, MT