Catoptria latiradiella “Two-banded Catoptria” Crambidae
Clinton, MT
July 25, 2015
Robert Niese
This small species of Crambid moth is restricted to boreal and montane forests in North America. Its larvae are believe to feed exclusively on mosses. As adults, these moths are active both in the day and at night and are regularly seen at lights in July and August.
Phaneta infimbriana “Silver-spotted Wormwood Moth” Tortricidae
Clinton, MT
July 25, 2015
Robert Niese
These dainty Tortricids are found throughout the Northwest between July and August. As larvae they feed primarily on plants in the family Asteraceae, particularly members of the genus Artemisia, which includes sagebrush, tarragon, and wormwoods. According to the Tortricidae foodplant database, the larvae of this species have only ever been recorded on Artemisia ludoviciana which is a very common weedy species in all our open, semi-dry habitats here in the PNW.
Nematocampa resistaria “Horned Spanworm Moth” Geometridae, male
Clinton, MT
July 25, 2015
Robert Niese
This species of inch-worm moth is found throughout the US, except the southwest, and exhibits striking variation in morphology across its range. Males and females are also quite dimorphic. Males tend to be yellower and have dark patches at the base of their forewings while females almost always have a white ground color. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the morphology of this species are the horns of their caterpillars. Look for these crazy caterpillars in mixed hardwood/conifer forests in the early summer here in the PNW.
Enicospilus “americanus” species complex, Ichneumonidae
Clinton, MT
July 25, 2015
Robert Niese
This elegant wasp is a parasitoid of Saturnid and Sphingid moth caterpillars. Females lay their eggs on the bodies of caterpillars and the larvae then grow inside the caterpillar, consuming it and taking its place inside its cocoon. Adults visit flowers at night and are commonly seen at lights. We spotted this individual at our mothlighting event for National Moth Week!
Gyponana sp. “Common Green Leafhopper” Cicadellidae
Seeley Lake, MT
September 13, 2014
Robert Niese
These leafhoppers are extremely abundant in North America but are next to impossible to identify beyond genus using external characteristics alone. These species tend to feed on the sap of conifers, and considering that this little guy was found in one of Montana’s most famous larch forests, I’m gonna guess he’s a larch specialist.
Speyeria hydaspe “Hydaspe Fritillary” Nymphalidae
on Agastache urticifolia “Nettle-leaf Giant Hyssop” Lamiaceae
Great Burn, Lolo National Forest, MT
July 10, 2015
Robert Niese
Fritillaries are a common, large butterfly here in the PNW east of the Cascades. There are several species that are regularly found in our area. Learn more about them here. This particular fritillary is feeding on the nectar of a very interesting and quite common local plant. Its Latin name, Agastache, is Greek for “many spikes” and, as you might guess, its inflorescence looks like a giant spike ball. Like many other members of the mint family, giant hyssop is commonly used in herbal teas and poultices for a variety of medicinal purposes. In particular, the leaves can be used to induce sweating and as a vasodilator. This particular species is quite abundant in the PNW east of the Cascades and is a favorite food source for many ungulates like deer, elk, cows, and moose.
Leucoma salicis “Satin Moth” Lymantriidae (now Erebidae)
Clinton, MT
July 25, 2015
Robert Niese
Here’s another species from our National Moth Week event
with the Missoula Butterfly House. Satin Moths are native to the Palearctic, from the British Isles to Japan, but was introduced to the US in the 1920s. The moth was originally introduced to the Northeast, but specimens have been collected from the Pacific Northwest quite regularly in the past years, suggesting that a new population may have been introduced here recently. Their larvae eat the leaves of aspen, poplar, and willow until they’re fat enough to overwinter under the bark of their host trees. Adults are nearly pure white and hard to confuse with any other local moth species. And they’re so darn cute!
Leptogaster (coloradensis?) “Colorado Slender Robber Fly” Asilidae
Clinton, MT
July 25, 2015
Robert Niese
When we first saw this odd fly on our sheets during our mothlighting event last month, we thought it was a parasitic wasp! Turns out its a Leptogaster robber fly, a group of flies that are very poorly studied. Montana only has records for two species of Leptogaster flies, but it’s possible that several others occur here, and others may still be new to science. Robber flies are the tigers of the insect world and this individual likely joined us at the sheets to partake in a late night snack of gnats and midges.
Lebia viridis (cyanipennis) “Western Colorful Foliage Beetle” Carabidae
Clinton, MT
July 25, 2015
Robert Niese
This awesome carnivorous beetle joined us at the sheets during our Mothlighting event for National Moth Week with the Missoula Butterfly House. These colorful Carabids didn’t come to the light looking for sex though. They were on the hunt! This guy was speedily chasing after gnats and other small insects that we had attracted to our lights. In my opinion, watching these tiny predators was just as exciting as any lion hunt in Africa!
Cyphocleonus achates “Knapweed Root Weevil” Curculionidae
Missoula, MT
August 13, 2015
Robert Niese
These weevils are native to Europe, but were introduced in the 1980s as a potential biological control agent for various species of knapweed. Various studies have shown that they are actually quite good at reducing the biomass of Spotted Knapweed, and have been successful in various locations in Montana, Minnesota, Oregon, Nevada, British Columbia, and recently, Michigan.
Northwest Naturalist 