Trashline Orbweaver (genus Cyclosa)
Trashline orbweaver spiders get their common name because they’re not the tidiest of spiders, decorating their web with a line of... Continue Reading
Polyphemus Silkmoth, male (Antheraea polyphemus)
Kristi discovered a Polyphemus outside her home, while Rose found one downtown outside A Carousel for Missoula. This is our most... Continue Reading
Cicada Molt (family Cicadidae)
We’re not sure what cicada species this shed exoskeleton belongs to, but it is a very cool find that marks the... Continue Reading
Zebra Jumping Spider (Salticus scenicus)
If you spend time outside gardening, you’ve likely run into this beautiful spider before. Like other jumping spiders, Zebras have great... Continue Reading
No Common Name (Greya mitellae)
This moth’s life is closely tied to Smallflower Miterwort (also known as Side-flower Mitrewort), a plant in the Saxifrage family with intricate... Continue Reading
Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle (Cicindela tranquebarica kirbyi)
These insects are FAST. Tiger beetles have been clocked running at 1.38 feet per second (about 29 body lengths). That may not sound... Continue Reading
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.... Continue Reading
Western Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma californicum)
As you can see, unlike many caterpillars that venture out on their own to feed, these guys like company and spend a large... Continue Reading
Ceanothus Silkmoth (Hyalophora euryalus)
This massive moth can be found from British Columbia east to western Montana, south through Washington, western Oregon, and California to... Continue Reading
Ranchman’s Tiger Moth (Platyprepia virginalis)
Like other tiger moth caterpillars, the Ranchman’s is densely hairy …and downright adorable. They are not picky eaters, feeding on foliage... Continue Reading