Species library

Field marks, habits, and camera tips for the wildlife that visits backyard habitats.

397–432 of 569 species

Queen

Queen

Danaus gilippus

Meet the Queen, a regal mahogany-winged beauty that thrives in the sun-drenched gardens of the Americas. While it sha...

Insects
ragweed leaf beetle

ragweed leaf beetle

Ophraella communa

The ragweed leaf beetle is a tiny, striped powerhouse that spends its days munching on one of nature's most annoying ...

Insects
Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Vanessa atalanta

With their striking red bands and fearless personality, Red Admirals are the charismatic generals of the backyard gar...

Insects
Red-banded Leafhopper

Red-banded Leafhopper

Graphocephala coccinea

Often called the 'Candy-striped Leafhopper,' this tiny insect is one of the most vibrantly colored creatures in North...

Insects
Red-belted Bumble Bee

Red-belted Bumble Bee

Bombus rufocinctus

With its striking splash of orange and tireless work ethic, the Red-belted Bumble Bee is a late-summer favorite for b...

Insects
Red-bodied Swallowtail

Red-bodied Swallowtail

Pachliopta polydorus

A striking tropical visitor with a bold crimson warning, the Red-bodied Swallowtail floats through northern gardens w...

Insects
Red-legged Marsh Beetle

Red-legged Marsh Beetle

Scirtes tibialis

A tiny master of the leap, the Red-legged Marsh Beetle brings a splash of color and incredible agility to the edges o...

Insects
Red-veined Dropwing

Red-veined Dropwing

Trithemis arteriosa

A scarlet sentinel of the garden pond, the Red-veined Dropwing is famous for its brilliant crimson hue and its unique...

Insects
Red-veined Pennant

Red-veined Pennant

Celithemis bertha

A jewel of the Southern wetlands, the Red-veined Pennant dazzles with its crimson-laced wings and characteristic 'fla...

Insects
Rhododendron Leafhopper

Rhododendron Leafhopper

Graphocephala fennahi

Decked out in neon turquoise and racing stripes, the Rhododendron Leafhopper is a tiny gem of the garden. This agile ...

Insects
Riley's Giant Scale Insect

Riley's Giant Scale Insect

Crypticerya rileyi

A marvel of desert adaptation, Riley's Giant Scale Insect wears a protective coat of fluted wax to thrive in the heat...

Insects
River Jewelwing

River Jewelwing

Calopteryx aequabilis

The River Jewelwing is a shimmering masterpiece of the waterfront, boasting metallic emerald bodies and elegant, dark...

Insects
Roesel's Bush-cricket

Roesel's Bush-cricket

Roeseliana roeselii

Listen for the electric hum of the meadow. The Roesel's Bush-cricket is a master of camouflage with a song that sound...

Insects
Rose Aphid

Rose Aphid

Macrosiphum rosae

The Rose Aphid is a tiny, fascinating marvel of the garden, turning rosebuds into bustling miniature ecosystems. Disc...

Insects
Rose Flea Beetle

Rose Flea Beetle

Altica rosae

The Rose Flea Beetle is a tiny, shimmering jewel of the garden, recognizable by its metallic blue-green sheen and rem...

Insects
Rose Leafhopper

Rose Leafhopper

Edwardsiana rosae

The Rose Leafhopper is a miniature marvel of the garden, a translucent acrobat that thrives in the secret shadows of ...

Insects
Rose Sawfly

Rose Sawfly

Arge ochropus

A vibrant splash of orange in the garden, the Rose Sawfly is a master of the rose bush. Though often noticed for thei...

Insects
Rose Slug Sawfly

Rose Slug Sawfly

Endelomyia aethiops

A master of disguise in the rose garden, the Rose Slug Sawfly larva looks like a shimmering drop of moss-green slime....

Insects
Roseate Skimmer

Roseate Skimmer

Orthemis ferruginea

A bold splash of neon pink in the garden, the Roseate Skimmer is one of the most stunning dragonflies you'll encounte...

Insects
Rosemary Beetle

Rosemary Beetle

Chrysolina americana

Adorned in shimmering metallic stripes of emerald and amethyst, the Rosemary Beetle is a slow-moving jewel of the her...

Insects
Roundneck Sexton Beetle

Roundneck Sexton Beetle

Nicrophorus orbicollis

A fascinating nocturnal recycler, the Roundneck Sexton Beetle is the forest's master undertaker. Known for its devote...

Insects
Ruby Meadowhawk

Ruby Meadowhawk

Sympetrum rubicundulum

A flash of brilliant crimson in the summer sun, the Ruby Meadowhawk is one of the most striking dragonflies found in ...

Insects
Ruddy Darter

Ruddy Darter

Sympetrum sanguineum

With its striking blood-red body and jet-black legs, the Ruddy Darter is one of the most vivid summer visitors to the...

Insects
Rusty-patched Bumble Bee

Rusty-patched Bumble Bee

Bombus affinis

The Rusty-patched Bumble Bee is a crown jewel of North American pollinators. Once common across the East and Midwest,...

Insects
Rusty Tussock Moth

Rusty Tussock Moth

Orgyia antiqua

A master of transformation and unusual habits, the Rusty Tussock Moth features day-flying males and flightless female...

Insects
Saffron Sapphire

Saffron Sapphire

Iolaus pallene

With its brilliant golden wings and hidden metallic 'sapphire' spots, the Saffron Sapphire is a high-speed jewel of t...

Insects
Saffron-winged Meadowhawk

Saffron-winged Meadowhawk

Sympetrum costiferum

A late-season gem of the insect world, the Saffron-winged Meadowhawk brings a flash of brilliant red and gold to the ...

Insects
Salt Marsh Moth

Salt Marsh Moth

Estigmene acrea

A snowy white beauty with a hidden splash of orange, the Salt Marsh Moth is a master of adaptation found from Canadia...

Insects
Saxon Wasp

Saxon Wasp

Dolichovespula saxonica

A sophisticated aerial architect, the Saxon Wasp is a gardener's friend that builds intricate paper nests and provide...

Insects
Say's Burying Beetle

Say's Burying Beetle

Nicrophorus sayi

The Say's Burying Beetle is a striking, orange-spotted marvel of the forest floor, known for its incredible parental ...

Insects
Scarce Chaser

Scarce Chaser

Libellula fulva

A rare gem of the wetlands, the Scarce Chaser dazzles with its striking transition from vibrant orange to sky blue. W...

Insects
Scarlet Malachite Beetle

Scarlet Malachite Beetle

Malachius aeneus

A jewel of the summer meadow, the Scarlet Malachite Beetle captivates with its brilliant metallic green and fiery red...

Insects
Scarlet Skimmer

Scarlet Skimmer

Crocothemis servilia

A flash of fire in the garden, the Scarlet Skimmer is one of the most vibrant dragonflies you can encounter. Renowned...

Insects
Sculptured Resin Bee

Sculptured Resin Bee

Megachile sculpturalis

An architectural marvel of the insect world, the Sculptured Resin Bee is a large, solitary pollinator known for its g...

Insects
Scurfy Scale

Scurfy Scale

Chionaspis furfura

The Scurfy Scale is a tiny architect of the backyard, building protective white armor that can coat the branches of f...

Insects
Setaceous Hebrew Character

Setaceous Hebrew Character

Xestia c-nigrum

Named for the cryptic, ancient-looking symbol on its wings, the Setaceous Hebrew Character is a master of the night. ...

Insects

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