Skip to main content
MPG North

MPG North

Protecting Open Space for Future Generations

Search form

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Staff
    • Contact Us
  • Multimedia
    • Wildlife Camera Feed
    • Searchable Wildlife Cams
    • Photography
    • Videos
    • Live Video Feed
  • Reports
    • Field Notes
    • Research
    • Blog
    • Species Accounts

Seasonal and Annual Changes in Butterflies and Other Insects

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

2019-08-10_GM_MPGN-1.jpg

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

2019-08-10_GM_MPGN-2.jpg

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

2019-08-10_GM_MPGN-3.jpg

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


2019-08-10_GM_MPGN-4.jpg

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


2019-08-10_GM_MPGN-5.jpg

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


2019-08-10_GM_MPGN-6.jpg

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


2019-08-10_GM_MPGN-7.jpg

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.


2019-08-10_GM_MPGN-8.jpg

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.

2019-08-10_GM_MPGN-9.jpg

What’s the white glob on the side of this robber fly’s thorax (arrow)?
Posted on 9/25/2019 by Beau Larkin

Habitat Types: 

  • Deciduous Woodlands
  • Grassland or Open
  • Mixed Conifer
  • Riparian

Locations: 

  • Birch Floodplain Clearcut
  • Entrance Meadow

Related

  • Cooney Creek Wildlife - White-tail Deer Rut
  • Field update for 05/25/2015 - 06/18/2015
  • 07-22-11 Field Note: Swallows, Bears, Willows, Beetles, and Wildflowers

Photos

 Remote cameras deliver an inside view of wildlife behavior as shown here in this Buckeye capture from the summer of 2012.
 This week’s capture totals include several images of snowshoe hares, putting them at third place in the roster. Their seasonal white coats provide camouflage as they bound across the crust of snow on broad feet.
This Buckeye camera captures animals walking across Main Bridge above Cooney Creek.

Videos

Red Squirrel Mating

042315_AB_Sciurius_vulgaris_Red_squirrel_mating

Northern Pygmy Owl

120914 Northern Pygmy-owl at NMPG GS

Mustelid

100114 KF mustelid

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.