We’re really squeezing the last bit of summer out of the season; dragonflies, the icons of late summer/early fall, are out in full force this week, as are many second-generation butterflies. We even caught sight of our state butterfly, the Mourning Cloak. Like the planet Venus, these are often the first and last butterflies we see during the year. Their appearance signals the end of the season is coming, so let’s enjoy the next few weeks and soak up the sunshine while we can!
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: Meadowhawk (Sympetrum sp.)
Misty Nelson, September 25th, 2024. Erskine Fishing Access, Frenchtown, MT.
Mourning Cloak
Nymphalis antiopa
Our state butterfly is often the first and last butterfly we see every year. This species overwinters as adults, and is often seen emerging on sunny days to warm up. After the adults breed, they die off, and the following generation (currently the generation we’re seeing) takes wing in late summer to early fall.
Connie Geiger, September 19th, 2024. Blackfoot River, Lincoln, MT
Mosaic Darner
Aeshna sp.
Mosaic Darners tend to inhabit lakes and ponds with dense shoreline vegetation, marshy areas, fens, and slow-moving streams and sloughs. Darners are swift and agile hunters, catching various flying insects in midair — mosquitos, moths, flies, flying ants, and even smaller dragonflies.
Klara Briknarova, September 21st, 2024. Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge, Ravalli County, MT.
Hunt’s Bumble Bee
Bombus huntii
This handsome bumble is found across Western North America, east to Manitoba, and south to Central Mexico. In her northern climes, she is found in desert scrub habitats, prairies, and meadows. In her southern range, she is found in high-elevation pine forests, including those near the peaks of volcanoes. Like many bee species, Hunt’s Bumble Bee has experienced some population decline, but it is still one of the more common species encountered in this region.
Misty Nelson, September 20th, 2024. Missoula, MT.
Nevada Tiger Moth
Apantesis nevadensis
There is only one generation per year of these striking tiger moths, with the flashy adults taking wing in late summer. The larvae overwinter as early instars and begin emerging on warm sunny spring days. When they pupate, they wrap themselves in silken cocoons, sometimes adorned with gravel, dirt, twigs and even their own bristly hairs.
Judy Halm, September 20th, 2024. Spokane Creek, Helena, MT.
Mylitta Crescent
Phyciodes mylitta
Crescent butterflies are so-called for their crescent-shaped spot on the underside of their hindwing, but their intricate orange-and-black patterns on the upperside are more likely to catch your eye. These beauties fly direct and low with alternating series of flaps and flat-winged glides. The Mylitta graces a wide variety of habitats, including urban areas, dry fields and wet meadows, woodland openings and mountain canyons, from sea level to treeline. Caterpillars primarily feed on thistles.
Klara Briknarova, September 21st, 2024. Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge, Ravalli County, MT.
Large Grey Dagger Moth
Acronicta insita
The large grey dagger is a great example of a fuzzy caterpillar best observed with eyes only. Their hairs are particularly irritating and are said to be hollow and contain toxins. Though largely absent from the Great Plains, they are found throughout the northern United States. This individual will spin a tough cocoon of silk and irritating hair, then overwinter in its pupal stage. The adults emerge in the spring and are on wing from roughly May to August, but their flight period depends heavily on location.
Judy Halm, September 18th, 2024. Lincoln, MT.
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
White-lined sphinx Moths are one of the most abundant hawk moths in North America, having a wide geographic range (from southern Canada into Central America). They occupy open habitats, including deserts, suburbs, and gardens. They are often mistaken for hummingbirds thanks to their enormous size and rapid wing beating while they feed from flowers. Here in MT, the caterpillars overwinter, with adult moths appearing in May. After mating and laying eggs, we typically see the next generation of adults (the generation currently on the wing) in late summer.
Vickie Rectenwald, September 19th, 2024. Missoula, MT.
Purplish Copper
Lycaena helloides
These coppers are currently making their second appearance of the year in western Montana. We have two flights of Purplish Coppers — the first from May-July and the second from August-October. During this second flight, females will lay eggs near the base of their host plants, which then overwinter until the following spring. The caterpillars will emerge soon after the return of spring-like temperatures.
Klara Briknarova, September 21st, 2024. Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge, Ravalli County, MT.
Meadowhawk
Sympetrum sp.
Meadowhawks are common and widespread dragonflies and are easily recognized by their bright red bodies. Adult females are often seen ovipositing eggs in damp, marshy fields in late summer, usually in spots they know will fill with water in the spring (unfortunately, they are sometimes fooled by freshly-watered lawns). Like all dragonfly species, the nymphs (naiads) begin life in an aquatic state, feeding on aquatic insects and fish. Adult meadowhawks are fast, flighty, and skillful aviators, capturing up to 90% of the prey they pursue.
Klara Briknarova, September 21st, 2024. Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge, Ravalli County, MT.
Cutworm Wasp
Podalonia sp.
Cutworm wasps are widespread parasitoids who prey on caterpillars in the family Noctuidae. The female wasp hunts for an appropriate caterpillar to supply her offspring; she then burrows into the sand to construct her brood chamber and lays an egg on her prey. When her larvae hatch, they feed off the caterpillar until they are large enough to pupate. Cutworm wasps are found across North America, Eurasia and Africa.
Klara Briknarova, September 21st, 2024. Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge, Ravalli County, MT.
