Wildlife Species Library

Insects

Monarch

Danaus plexippus

The Monarch is the crown jewel of the backyard garden, famous for its vibrant orange wings and its legendary multi-ge...

Insects

Morning-glory Plume Moth

Emmelina monodactyla

A master of disguise that looks more like a floating twig than a moth, the Morning-glory Plume Moth is a fascinating ...

Insects

Morrison's Bumble Bee

Bombus morrisoni

The Morrison's Bumble Bee is the golden icon of the American West. With its fuzzy yellow coat and industrious spirit,...

Insects

Mottled Grasshopper

Myrmeleotettix maculatus

A miniature marvel of camouflage, the Mottled Grasshopper is the hidden gem of dry, sunny gardens. Look closely for i...

Insects

Mountain Cornflower Aphid

Uroleucon montanivorum

A high-altitude specialist of the Rocky Mountains, the Mountain Cornflower Aphid is a master of survival in rugged me...

Insects

Muslin Moth

Diaphora mendica

The Muslin Moth is a master of disguise and transformation, featuring a unique look for both males and females. Disco...

Insects

Neon Skimmer

Libellula croceipennis

With its electrifying red body that looks almost battery-powered, the Neon Skimmer is the crown jewel of southwestern...

Insects

Nevada Bumble Bee

Bombus nevadensis

Meet the golden giant of the West. The Nevada Bumble Bee is a robust, hardworking pollinator that brings a flash of b...

Insects

Noble Chafer

Gnorimus nobilis

A rare and shimmering emerald of the insect world, the Noble Chafer is a prized find for any nature enthusiast. This ...

Insects

Noble Scoliid Wasp

Scolia nobilitata

A striking native wasp with golden spots and iridescent wings, the Noble Scoliid Wasp is a peaceful garden guardian. ...

Insects

Nomad

Sympetrum fonscolombii

True to its name, the Nomad is a world traveler that brings a splash of scarlet to backyards across the globe. With i...

Insects

North American Luna Moth

Actias luna

A breathtaking emerald of the night, the Luna Moth is a short-lived wonder of the backyard world. With its long flowi...

Insects

Northern Bluet

Enallagma annexum

A masterpiece of biological engineering in miniature, the Northern Bluet dazzles with its electric blue segments and ...

Insects

Northern Broken-Dash

Polites egeremet

The Northern Broken-Dash is a zippy, olive-brown skipper that brings a touch of subtle elegance to summer meadows. Lo...

Insects

Northern Brown Argus

Aricia artaxerxes

A chocolate-colored jewel of the northern grasslands, the Northern Brown Argus is famous for the tiny white 'beauty m...

Insects

northern corn rootworm

Diabrotica barberi

A gem-like visitor of the late-summer garden, the northern corn rootworm is a master of finding the best pollen in to...

Insects

Northern Crab Spider

Mecaphesa asperata

A tiny, bristly master of disguise that hunts the giants of the pollinator world from the petals of your backyard flo...

Insects

Northern Paper Wasp

Polistes fuscatus

Meet the garden’s most misunderstood architect. The Northern Paper Wasp is a master of facial recognition and a natur...

Insects

Nutmeg Moth

Anarta trifolii

A master of midnight camouflage, the Nutmeg moth is a subtle beauty that hides in plain sight among our gardens and g...

Insects

Oak Bush-cricket

Meconema thalassinum

The ghost of the canopy, the Oak Bush-cricket is a silent drummer that trades loud chirps for secret vibrations. This...

Insects

Ocola Skipper

Panoquina ocola

The Ocola Skipper is a master of high-speed maneuvers, easily identified by its exceptionally long wings and chocolat...

Insects

Oleander Aphid

Aphis nerii

The Oleander Aphid is a tiny, brilliant yellow gem of the garden world. Often found in bustling colonies on milkweed,...

Insects

One-spotted Stink Bug

Euschistus variolarius

A common but often overlooked resident of North American gardens, the One-spotted Stink Bug is a marvel of natural ca...

Insects

Orange Sallow

Tiliacea citrago

With its vibrant golden-orange wings, the Orange Sallow is a true jewel of the autumn night. This moth is a master of...

Insects

Orange Skipperling

Oarisma aurantiaca

A tiny, golden gem of the grasslands, the Orange Skipperling is a master of low-altitude flight. Though small, its vi...

Insects

orange-tip

Anthocharis cardamines

A signature sign of spring, the orange-tip brings a splash of vibrant color to garden hedgerows. With its unique 'mos...

Insects

Orchard Swallowtail

Papilio aegeus

Australia's largest common butterfly, the Orchard Swallowtail, is a spectacular garden visitor known for its bold bla...

Insects

Orchid Tit

Hypolycaena othona

A gem of the tropical garden, the Orchid Tit is a master of disguise with delicate tails and striking orange-banded w...

Insects

Organ-pipe Mud-dauber Wasp

Trypoxylon politum

The master architect of the backyard, this elegant black wasp constructs sophisticated clay nurseries that look like ...

Insects

Ornate Pennant

Celithemis ornata

A jewel of the wetlands, the Ornate Pennant dazzles with its ruby-red spots and delicate wing patterns. This small bu...

Insects

Oystershell Scale

Lepidosaphes ulmi

Hidden in plain sight on the bark of your favorite trees, the Oystershell Scale is a marvel of natural camouflage. Th...

Insects

Pacific Dampwood Termite

Zootermopsis angusticollis

The Pacific Dampwood Termite is the giant of the termite world, a master of decomposition that thrives in the misty f...

Insects

Pacific Forktail

Ischnura cervula

A tiny, electric-blue marvel of the western wetlands, the Pacific Forktail is the perfect subject for macro-wildlife ...

Insects

Pacific Mole Crab

Hippa marmorata

A camouflage expert of the shoreline, the Pacific Mole Crab lives its life in reverse, dancing with the waves and dis...

Insects

Painted Lady

Vanessa cardui

Known as the "Cosmopolitan" butterfly, the Painted Lady is the world's most frequent flyer. With its stunning orange-...

Insects

Painted Skimmer

Libellula semifasciata

A masterpiece of the marsh, the Painted Skimmer stands out with its glowing amber wings and intricate markings. As on...