Apis mellifera “European Honeybee” Apidae
on Ranunculus glaberrimus “Sagebrush Buttercup” Ranunculaceae
Council Grove State Park, MT
March 16, 2015
Robert Niese
It’s warming up here in Missoula and spring may have sprung early! The first Ranunculus glaberrimus flowers bloomed around town in early February which is several weeks earlier than previous years. Today was even warm enough to bring out a few species of bees like this European Honeybee.
Polistes aurifer “Golden Paper Wasp” Vespidae
Missoula, MT
May 13, 2014
Robert Niese
Aulacomnium androgynum “Little Grove Moss” Bryales
Missoula, MT
May 13, 2014
Robert Niese
This teensy-tiny moss species is readily identified by its adorable, round, lolly-pop structures known as gemmae. Each gemma is actually a mass of cells that will scatter on the wind or rain to produce a new moss (asexual reproduction). In total, this plant was barely more than 1cm tall! Look for A. adrogynum among pixie cup lichens (Cladonia) on rotting logs in moist-dry coniferous forests here in the Northwest. (ID courtesy of Mandy Slate)
Anthaxia (Melanthaxia) Buprestidae
Glacier National Park, MT
June 23, 2014
Robert Niese
These tiny wood borers (9mm long) are found abundantly in flower heads throughout the summer here in Montana.
Tragopogon dubius “Western Salsify/Goat’s-beard” Asteraceae
Missoula, MT
October 18, 2013
Robert Niese
This invasive weed is common throughout the eastern pinelands of the PNW and its giant, dandelion-like infructescences are easy to spot, even in late fall. The thick tuberous roots of this salsify, like its cultivated cousin T. porrifolius, are edible and apparently taste like artichoke hearts when prepared properly.
Anoplius sp. “Blue-black Spider Wasps” Pompilidae
Missoula, MT
June 29, 2014
Robert Niese
These lovely wasps are vicious spider hunters and have an absolutely gruesome life cycle. Instead of immediately killing their quarry, females paralyze the spider with a sting, and drag it down into a burrow. There, the female will lay eggs inside the spider, where her young will hatch and feed on the poor arachnid from the inside-out. Interestingly, spider wasps are nectivorous and lose their hunger for arachnid flesh at adulthood.
Phyllophaga sp. “May Beetle” Scarabaeidae
Missoula, MT
May 18, 2014
Robert Niese
There are more than 400 species of Phyllophaga in the United States and Canada. Their identification requires an intimate investigation of… ahem… reproductive morphology, which is not something I’m dying to do today.
Cercyonis pegala ”Common Wood-nymph” Nymphalidae
Missoula,MT
September 2, 2013
Robert Niese
Boisea trivittata “Box Elder Bug” Rhopalidae
Missoula, MT
October 8, 2014
Robert Niese
Box Elder Bugs are Acer specialists, feeding exclusively on the samaras (seeds) of various maple species. Box Elder Bugs tend to create massive congregations in sunny spots to keep warm while feeding and are often considered a nuisance in such large numbers – especially when the days become colder and they seek refuge in my bedroom! But overall, they’re totally harmless.
Cabin with Glacier National Park in the background.
Polebridge, MT
June 20, 2014
Robert Niese
Northwest Naturalist 