Two-tailed swallowtails are primarily on the wing in late spring and early summer in Montana. They’re the largest of all our western butterflies (spread specimens sometimes push 6 inches in […]

These mostly nocturnal moths have evolved an impressive defense against bats. Equipped with special ears that are sensitive to the echolocation call frequencies used by bats, they listen for and […]

These native bees are typically a metallic green or blue color (especially the head and thorax). There are 44 species in the genus, ranging from Canada to Argentina. They are […]

These blues are relatively easy to identify thanks to the band of white “arrowheads” pointing inward on the hindwing. They tend to be found close to lupines. Size: Wing Span 1 […]

These beautiful spiders are definitely one of 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 […]

While these beautiful and delicate looking insects are harmless to humans, they are very capable predators that always seem to be hungry. And since they tend to feed on other […]

Of all the species of meadowhawk dragonflies in Montana, the variegated is the most boldly patterned. With a body length of 1.5 to 2 inches, these beautiful dragonflies are often […]

This rather large species of weevil feeds upon grasses and is considered a pest of Kentucky blue grass in parts of Rocky Mountain region and the Northern High Plains. So […]

Soldier Beetles (Cantharidae) are also called Leatherwings for their soft flexible wing covers (elytra). Flat, long, and velvety, soldier beetles have brown to black bodies often marked with red or […]

Tachinid flies are mostly robust flies with spiny abdomens. Adult tachinid flies prefer sucking up sweet nectar from flowers, but larvae prefer protein. Of the 1,345 species of tachinid flies in North America, larvae are […]