Spring always shows up in fits and starts in Montana, and this week was a perfect example. Read on to see what bugs we were still able to find, despite winter resurfacing for (hopefully) its last breath of air.
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: Short Horned Grasshopper nymph (Superfamily Acridoidea). Connie Geiger, March 2nd, 2025. Townsend, MT.
Johnson’s Jumping Spider
Phidippus johnsoni
Johnson’s jumpers are Montana’s most colorful jumping spiders. Both sexes have a bright red abdomen, black cephalothorax, and iridescent green chelicerae. The male’s abdomen is entirely red, whereas the female’s has a black mark down the center and often shows some yellow or tan coloration as they grow older. In addition to being some of the most colorful, they are one of the largest jumping spiders in western North America. They are not dangerous to humans, but their striking coloration often leads to confusion, as many mistake them for the infamous black widow.
David Lorenzo, March 29th, 2025. Clinton, MT.
Chalcidid Wasp
Brachymeria sp.
Chalcid wasps are parasitoids of other insects, and like other parasitoids, they are tiny, easily missed, and likely far more diverse than we realize. The superfamily Chalcidoidea contains roughly 22,500 species, but researchers believe there are over 500,000 unknown to science. They are important members of every ecosystem, keeping insect populations in check, and are often employed in agriculture to keep greenhouse pests at bay. The genus Brachymeria is known for its buffed-up hind legs – this is a wasp that never skips leg day.
Cathy Houles Barrow, March 24th, 2025. Arlee, MT.
Micro Leafhopper
Subfamily Typhlocybinae
Typhlocybinae, a subfamily of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, is another group of minuscule insects with immense diversity and impact. As herbivores, many of the 6,000 known species are crop pests. Researchers believe that there are likely so many species in Typhlocybinae that they comprise the largest subfamily of leafhoppers, but their diminutive size makes them difficult to study (much like the parasitoid wasps above).
Brenna Shea, March 27th, 2025. Rocky Mountain Gardens, Missoula, MT.
Twirler Moth
Family Gelechiidae
To be completely honest, we’re a little unsure of this moth’s ID, but based on the narrow wings and long antennae, we think this moth belongs to the family Gelechiidae. These moths are frequent pests of stored grains and cereal, and their larvae are commonly known as leaf miners for the trails they leave as they eat their way through deciduous tree leaves.
Connie Geiger, March 19th, 2025. Scratchgravel Hills, Helena, MT.
Stink Bug
Family Pentatomidae
Stink bugs are tough to identify to species, but one thing is for sure: when you see a stink bug, it is undeniably a stink bug. These frequent home invaders feature a recognizable square or “shield” shaped body, and if you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to trigger their smelly defense, you won’t soon forget it.
Connie Geiger, March 28th, 2025. Helena, MT.