Pachyrhinus (elegans?) “Elegant Pine Needle Weevil” Curculionidae
Missoula, MT
May 13, 2014
Robert Niese
Month: October 2014
Scelolyperus schwarzii Chrysomelidae
Missoula, MT
June 15, 2014
Robert Niese
This tiny (5mm) leaf beetle is common in moist forests throughout the Pacific Northwest west of the Rockies. They seem to be particularly fond of hanging out in Hydrophyllum flowers.
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) Icteridae
Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, MT
April 24, 2014
Robert Niese
Platycryptus californicus Salticidae
Missoula, MT
June 5, 2014
Robert Niese
An extremely abundant, charismatic jumper commonly found on door frames and windowsills throughout the summer here in Missoula.
Lewisia rediviva “Bitterroot” Portulacaceae
National Bison Range, MT
June 8, 2014
Robert Niese
Monochamus clamator “Spotted Pine Sawyer” Cerambycidae (male)
Bonner, MT
July 20, 2014
Robert Niese
Monochamus males have some of the longest “horns” of any Cerambycids here in the northwest. These antennae are used to “smell” for females and are often more than twice their body length.
Corallorhiza trifida “Early Coralroot” Orchidaceae
Glacier National Park, MT
June 20, 2014
Robert Niese
Sergiolus montanus “Stealthy Ground Spider” Gnaphosidae (male)
Missoula, MT
May 9, 2014
Robert Niese
Alucita montana “Montana Six-plumed Moth” Alucitidae
Missoula, MT
November 20, 2013
Robert Niese
This is a member of a rather large group of moths that fly using rackets, not paddles. The “plumes” of the plume moths are remarkably similar to feathers on a bird. Learn more about how these remarkable organisms are capable of flying here.
Bison bison “American Bison” Bovidae
National Bison Range, MT
June 8, 2014
Robert Niese
Northwest Naturalist 