While lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) are one of the most diverse orders of insects, they are also favorites among nature enthusiasts and make up a high percentage of submissions to What’s Buzzin’. So, we decided to make this week all scaly winged critters. There are a huge diversity of size, shape and colors represented here, we hope you enjoy!
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: Identifying insects from a picture can often be very challenging, and it doesn’t help that scientists are still trying to determine the correct genus for many of these small moths. This beautiful little moth, from the Genus Olethreutes, will have to go without a species name for now. – Klara Briknarova, June 9, 2025, Missoula, MT
Salt Marsh Moth
Estigmene acrea
The name of this elegant moth reflects its frequency in coastal salt marshes (tidal marshes) along the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf Coasts. But really, they can be found in any open habitat throughout North America, except for Alaska and the Yukon. Part of the tiger moth family and related to the more familiar woolly bear, the caterpillars feed on a wide variety of plants, and are often seen rapidly wandering around on the ground in search of new food sources.
Annie Davis, June 4,2025, Missoula, MT
Snowberry Checkerspot
Euphydryas colon
This checkerspot is so named for its larval food source, the snowberry. However, whether or not this species is its own or a subspecies of the variable checkerspot, Euphydryas chalcedona, is up for debate. Some argue that all E. chalcedona north of California should be considered E. colon, but evidence to support these two as separate species is lacking. This species (or subspecies) has a northwestern distribution, from the northern tip of CA into British Columbia, and as far east as Western MT.
Kelly Dix, June 9, 2025, Stevensville, MT
Lorquin’s Admiral
Limenitis lorquini
These showy butterflies can be found from British Columbia south to Baja California and inland to Montana and Nevada. Like many butterfly species, there’s an incredible visual difference between the bottom (ventral) side of the wings and the top (dorsal) side of the wings. They frequent river bottomlands, lakeshores, and forest edges where the larvae feed on willows, poplars, and chokecherry.
Kelly Dix, June 9, 2025, Stevensville, MT
Canary Thorn Moth
Neoterpes trianguliferata
A species of Geometrid moth that ranges from southern British Columbia to southwestern Alberta, south to Colorado, Utah, and California. The hostplants for larvae (the caterpillars) are Currants and Gooseberry (Ribes). Larvae are twig mimics and Pupae sleep through the winter wrapped in a leaf, another reason to “leave the leaves” and refrain from burning or bagging and discarding the leaves around your home. You could inadvertently impact overwintering species like these and others. Adults are approximately 14-20mm (forewing length).
Judy Halm, June 11, 2025, Helena, MT
Northern Checkerspot
Chlosyne palla
Checkerspots are generally medium-sized, larger than crescents, and have orange and black checkered uppersides. Their flight is fairly fast, direct and low. They are on the wing in our area from mid June to mid July in a wide variety of habitats, from woodland openings to sagebrush. The males are territorial perchers, often seen in paths or on rocks, and both sexes may be seen feeding on flower nectar, mud, dung, and ash.
Kelly Dix, June 9, 2025, Stevensville, MT
Siva Juniper Hairstreak
Callophrys gryneus ssp. siva
While the Juniper Hairstreak (C. gryneus) is striking and easily recognizable, it shows regional variation in patterning and color, resulting in several subspecies with overlapping ranges and hybrids. The Siva subspecies is found throughout the Rocky Mountain West in dry, open fields and bluffs, usually where juniper and cedar varieties (their host plants) are present. Males often perch in cedar trees to wait for females and become territorial if other males approach.
Glenn Marangelo, May 25, 2025, Charlo, MT
Variable Checkerspot
Euphydryas chalcedona
The variable checkerspot is another example of a butterfly whose taxonomic classification is debated among experts. Found in western North America, some argue that all E. chalcedona north of California should be considered E. colon (the Snowberry checkerspot), but evidence to support these two as separate species is lacking. This species overwinters in its larval stage, entering diapause to wait until spring. In higher elevations, larvae may stay in diapause for several years. Once emerging, they pupate, with adults on the wing for a short 15 days between mid-April and June.
Glenn Marangelo, May 25, 2025, Charlo, MT
Boisduval’s Blue
Plebejus icarioides
The Boisduval’s is a larger blue, approaching one and half inches and is on the wing in late spring into summer in a wide variety of habitats (mountain meadows, forest openings, prairies). The males are lilac-blue with dark borders on the upper side, while the females may be brown, or blue with wide dark borders. Females lay eggs on new growth of lupine species (Lupinus). Caterpillars feed first on leaves, then flowers and seedpods. The caterpillars also enter a mutually beneficial relationship with ants. Caterpillars produce a sugary secretion which is eaten by the ants that protect them. This species sticks to the west, from British Columbia east to the western edge of the Great Plains, south to New Mexico, Arizona, southern California, and Baja California.
Kelly Dix, June 9, 2025, Stevensville, MT
Celery Looper
Anagrapha falcifera
This common to abundant species can be found through most of North America. They prefer open grasslands, agricultural lands and even disturbed urban areas. The larvae are considered a pest to a variety of herbaceous agricultural crops, including beets, blueberries, cabbage, carrots, celery, corn, lettuces, and other crops. The adults can be active both during the day and night, and can be found from spring to fall in our area.
Klara Briknarova, June 8, 2025, Missoula, MT
Two-tailed Swallowtail
Papilio multicaudata
Two-tailed swallowtails are primarily on the wing in Montana in late spring and early summer. They’re the largest of all our western butterflies, with some individuals pushing six inches in wingspan, and unique among them, sporting two “tails” on the hindwings. Males patrol stream courses or open thoroughfares looking for receptive females. The caterpillars commonly feed on chokecherry and ornamental green ash. Like many other swallowtails, the younger larvae resemble bird droppings. The older caterpillars have a bright orange, odorous organ (osmetriums) that can be everted from behind the head when threatened.
Marna Zmak, June 4, 2025, Missoula, MT