This week is all about breaking the rules: moths that look like butterflies, moths that act like butterflies, damselflies who hold their wings like dragonflies (see above photo), and more. The insect world is full of species that are exceptions to the rule, and they’re always keeping us on our toes.
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: Pond Spreadwings (mating pair) Lestes sp.
Klara Briknarova, August 11th, 2024. Condon, MT.
Serrated Darkling Beetle
Iphthiminus serratus
Darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) tend to be unassuming little ground beetles; in our area, they are often small, dark, and found in inconspicuous places like under rocks or rotting logs. But with over 20,000 species in the darkling beetle family, they are incredibly diverse – the most diverse family of animals on the planet – and adapted to living in nearly every habitat. The serrated darkling beetle is found primarily in the West, from central British Columbia to Southern California. In western Montana, we are on the very eastern edge of its range.
David Slottje, August 11th, 2024. Hamilton, MT.
Western Sheep Moth
Hemileuca eglanterina
If you are someone who still believes that butterflies are always more beautiful than moths, then you’ve met your match. The Western Sheep Moth (also called the Elegant Sheep Moth) is widely distributed in western North America (from the Rocky Mountains west to the Pacific, and from Southern California to southern Canada). These day-flying moths are most frequently found in meadows with the larvae feeding on trees and shrubs that include rose, hawthorn, cherry, willow, aspen, and birch.
Addie Soeffker, August 16th, 2024. Missoula, MT.
Western Black Widow
Latrodectus hesperus
This female black widow is truly a stunner, with one of the most pronounced hourglasses we’ve seen. Black widows are reclusive and generally keep to themselves but will defend themselves or their egg sacs if you mistakenly grab or step on them. They have potent venom and a painful bite. Symptoms include pain in the chest/abdomen, muscle cramping and spasms, difficulty breathing, nausea, chills, a severe increase in blood pressure, and more. Brenna found this one in her bathroom, but now she lives in a safe terrarium on her desk.
Brenna Shea, August 14th, 2024. Missoula, MT.
Flower Longhorn Beetle
Xestoleptura crassipes
Flower longhorn beetles (subfamily Lepturinae) are recognized by their broad “shoulders,” long, tapering bodies, and affinity for – you guessed it – flowers. There are about 200 genera worldwide and over 1500 described species. Larvae spend years developing underground and woodboring, feeding on decaying organic material and various hardwood species. The adults, as seen here, prefer a floral palate. Flower longhorn beetles are incredibly diverse in the northern hemisphere but are almost always recognizable by their long antennae.
Klara Briknarova, August 11th, 2024. Condon, MT.
Salt Marsh Moth
Estigmene acrea
The Salt Marsh caterpillar varies widely in color, from blond to brown to black, making identification difficult (like most caterpillar ID). However, the black markings on the face give them away. Their name reflects their affinity for tidal marshes along the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf coasts. Still, they are 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.
David Lorenzo, August 18th, 2024. Clinton, MT.
Anise Swallowtail
Papilio zelicaon
Last week, we featured a young anise swallowtail caterpillar, in one of its early instars. This week, we’re featuring another anise swallowtail caterpillar, but this one is a little older. The anise swallowtail is a great example of how different caterpillars can look as they age – one of the many reasons why identification can be difficult. As this caterpillar grows, it will lose its “spikes” and become more green in color. Once temperatures drop, it will form a chrysalis and overwinter in its pupal stage. In the spring, adults are some of the earliest swallowtails we see on the wing from April until July.
Carolyn Taber, August 9th, 2024. Glacier National Park, MT.
Cuckoo Wasp
Subfamily Chrysidinae
Like their namesake, the cuckoo bird, these tiny, bejeweled wasps lay their eggs in the nest of their host species and let other wasp parents do their work for them. Their larvae will consume the provisions provided by their host; and then consume the host offspring as well. Their diminutive size means they often go unnoticed, but with over 3,000 described species worldwide (and over 80 genera), these wasps comprise a huge family within the Hymenopteran order.
Klara Briknarova, August 11th, 2024. Condon, MT.
Red Shouldered Pine Borer
Stictoleptura canadensis
There’s not a lot of info on this flower longhorn beetle outside of the typical, “adults feed on nectar, larvae feed on rotting wood and roots.” Adult coloring varies between individuals, with some showing more red on their “shoulders” than others. Some may exhibit elytra that are all black or all red. Their range is divided into sections; the western population is found from the Pacific Northwest, south to New Mexico (but is largely absent from California and Nevada). The eastern population is found in the northeast, from southern Manitoba to Newfoundland, south to the Carolinas.
Carolyn Taber, August 9th, 2024. Glacier National Park, MT.
Police Car Moth
Gnophaela vermiculata
When visitors ask us how to differentiate moths from butterflies, we tell them that one of the general rules is “butterflies fly during the day, moths fly at night.” The police car moth is just one exception to this rule. This unique-looking (and uniquely named) moth ranges throughout the Rocky Mountain region of North America, as far north as British Columbia and south to New Mexico. They occupy mid-elevation habitats like mountain foothills and nectar from herbaceous flowers like thistle and goldenrod. Adults are on the wing briefly in late summer, typically July through August.
Carolyn Taber, August 9th, 2024. Glacier National Park, MT.
Steel-blue Cricket-hunter Wasp
Chlorion aerarium
These absolutely stunning wasps are often found patrolling meadows and grassy fields, beach edges, dunes, and other open areas – all habitats preferred by their prey. And judging by their name, I bet you can guess what that is. Females tend to nest in areas away from their hunting grounds, digging individual cells for each egg. Each cell is provisioned with several crickets for their larvae to feed on once they hatch. They are often confused for cicada killers in areas where their ranges overlap, but cicada killers have a different preferred prey. Can you guess what it is?
Bev Stutzman, August 12th, 2024. Fort Peck, MT.
