Seasonal and Annual Changes in Butterflies and Other Insects

Glenn shares photos and images from the butterfly surveys he completed this summer.

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The echo azure (Celastrina echo) is one of the first species of blue butterflies (subfamily Polyommatinae) seen each year.

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This black-banded orange (Epelis truncataria) looks like a butterfly, but it’s a moth

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The hoary elfin (Callophrys polios) was abundant in late May and early June this year, but we didn’t observe it once last year.

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The golden net-winged beetle (Dictyoptera aurora) occurs across the northern non-tropical parts of North America and Eurasia.

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A small “tail” on the hindwing easily identifies this western tailed blue (Cupido amyntula).

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Broad-nosed weevils (subfamily Entiminae) are among more than 3,000 species of true weevils in North America, making exact species identification a challenge.

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The persius duskywing (Erynnis persius) is common in most of the western United States, but in the east it’s rare in some places due to habitat destruction and pesticides.

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In mid June it was easy to observe all four life stages (egg, larva, pupa, and adult) of cottonwood leaf beetles (Chrysomela scripta) on young cottonwood trees.

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What’s the white glob on the side of this robber fly’s thorax (arrow)?

Posted on 9/25/2019 by Beau Larkin

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About MPG North

Established in 2005, the property boundary at MPG North encloses 200 undeveloped acres in Western Montana’s Swan Valley. Researchers and field staff manage the property to improve habitat quality for wildlife, discover new ways to restore damaged landscapes and study forest ecology. We also create opportunities to share what we've learned with local conservation organizations, students of all ages, management agencies and volunteers. Through these education and outreach efforts, we seek to inspire others to work together and protect undeveloped landscapes.