Pachyrhinus (elegans?) “Elegant Pine Needle Weevil” Curculionidae
Missoula, MT
May 13, 2014
Robert Niese
Insecta (and Hexapoda)
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.
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.
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.
Enoclerus eximius “Checkered Beetle” Cleridae
Tacoma, WA
June 14, 2013
Robert Niese
Anania hortulata “Small Magpie” Crambidae
Tacoma, WA
July 8, 2013
Robert Niese
Northwest Naturalist 