Species library

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

433–468 of 569 species

Seven-spotted Lady Beetle

Seven-spotted Lady Beetle

Coccinella septempunctata

The iconic 'C-7' is a gardener's most colorful ally, patrolling backyard plants for pests with its striking red-and-b...

Insects
Sharp-angled Carpet

Sharp-angled Carpet

Euphyia unangulata

A masterpiece of geometric camouflage, the Sharp-angled Carpet is a frequent but often overlooked visitor to damp sum...

Insects
Sharp-nosed Leafhopper

Sharp-nosed Leafhopper

Scaphytopius acutus

The Sharp-nosed Leafhopper is a master of miniature camouflage, featuring a uniquely pointed head and intricate wing ...

Insects
Shiny Flea Beetle

Shiny Flea Beetle

Asphaera lustrans

A miniature marvel of the insect world, the Shiny Flea Beetle dazzles with its metallic blue shell and golden spots. ...

Insects
Short-tailed Blue

Short-tailed Blue

Cupido argiades

A tiny, violet-hued gem of the grassy meadows, the Short-tailed Blue is famous for its delicate 'cupid' tails and low...

Insects
Short-winged Conehead

Short-winged Conehead

Conocephalus dorsalis

A gem of the marshland, the Short-winged Conehead is a vibrant green bush cricket that thrives in the humid micro-cli...

Insects
Silky Field Ant

Silky Field Ant

Formica subsericea

The Silky Field Ant is a shimmering, high-speed architect that brings life to your garden soil. Recognizable by their...

Insects
Silver-ground Carpet

Silver-ground Carpet

Xanthorhoe montanata

A common but beautiful summer visitor, the Silver-ground Carpet is easily recognized by its striking chocolate-brown ...

Insects
Silver-spotted Skipper

Silver-spotted Skipper

Epargyreus clarus

Don't let the drab brown wings fool you—the Silver-spotted Skipper is a master of disguise with a brilliant metallic ...

Insects
Silver Streaked Acacia Blue

Silver Streaked Acacia Blue

Zinaspa todara

A shimmering jewel of the forest edge, the Silver Streaked Acacia Blue is famous for the brilliant metallic streaks t...

Insects
Silver-studded Blue

Silver-studded Blue

Plebejus argus

A shimmering jewel of the heathland, the Silver-studded Blue is a tiny marvel with a secret. Beyond its iridescent wi...

Insects
Silverleaf Whitefly

Silverleaf Whitefly

Bemisia tabaci

The Silverleaf Whitefly is a tiny, waxy-winged traveler that has conquered gardens across the globe. Though barely th...

Insects
Silverstreak Blue

Silverstreak Blue

Iraota timoleon

A shimmering jewel of the canopy, the Silverstreak Blue combines high-speed aerial acrobatics with stunning metallic ...

Insects
Six-striped Rustic

Six-striped Rustic

Xestia sexstrigata

With its warm cinnamon tones and elegant geometric markings, the Six-striped Rustic is a classic visitor of the Europ...

Insects
Slate Flash

Slate Flash

Rapala manea

A metallic marvel of the garden, the Slate Flash is a tiny powerhouse of speed and color. Look for its shimmering blu...

Insects
Small Blue

Small Blue

Cupido minimus

Meet the Small Blue, a tiny treasure of the butterfly world that trades vibrant colors for subtle elegance. As the sm...

Insects
Small Blue Leaf Beetle

Small Blue Leaf Beetle

Nisotra breweri

A tiny jewel of the garden, the Small Blue Leaf Beetle dazzles with its metallic sheen and surprising jumping power.

Insects
Small Skipper

Small Skipper

Thymelicus sylvestris

A golden-orange spark in the summer grass, the Small Skipper is the engine of the meadow. Watch for its unique 'jet-p...

Insects
Small White

Small White

Pieris rapae

The Small White is the quintessential backyard butterfly, a snow-colored aerialist that brings life to every garden. ...

Insects
Smith's Dart

Smith's Dart

Xestia smithii

A warm-toned wonder of the northern night, Smith's Dart is a master of camouflage. This cinnamon-colored moth is a st...

Insects
Smoky Rubyspot

Smoky Rubyspot

Hetaerina titia

The Smoky Rubyspot is a gothic beauty of the waterways, sporting dramatic dark-stained wings and brilliant crimson ac...

Insects
snake-climber

snake-climber

Adenia gummifera

The snake-climber is a fascinating woody liana that mimics the form of a serpent as it winds through the African cano...

Insects
Soldier

Soldier

Danaus eresimus

With its rich mahogany wings and delicate white-spotted borders, the Soldier is a regal visitor to tropical and subtr...

Insects
Solomon's-seal sawfly

Solomon's-seal sawfly

Phymatocera aterrima

A specialist of the shaded garden, the Solomon's-seal sawfly is a master of disguise until its spotted larvae begin t...

Insects
Soothsayer Dart

Soothsayer Dart

Graphiphora augur

A master of the midnight garden, the Soothsayer Dart is recognized by its mysterious 'dart' markings and earthy camou...

Insects
Southern Carpenter Bee

Southern Carpenter Bee

Xylocopa micans

With its shimmering violet-blue armor and gentle nature, the Southern Carpenter Bee is a crown jewel of the southeast...

Insects
Southern Darter

Southern Darter

Sympetrum meridionale

A sun-loving master of the skies, the Southern Darter is recognized by its warm red tones and remarkably pale, clean ...

Insects
Southern Gossamer

Southern Gossamer

Iolaus silas

The Southern Gossamer is a living jewel of the South African garden, sporting brilliant sapphire wings and a clever '...

Insects
Southern Oak Bush-cricket

Southern Oak Bush-cricket

Meconema meridionale

The Southern Oak Bush-cricket is the 'silent drummer' of the insect world, using rhythmic vibrations rather than loud...

Insects
Southern Red Mite

Southern Red Mite

Oligonychus ilicis

The Southern Red Mite is a vibrant, microscopic gem of the backyard ecosystem. While tiny in stature, these ruby-colo...

Insects
Southern Skimmer

Southern Skimmer

Orthetrum brunneum

A master of the summer heat, the Southern Skimmer is easily identified by the striking, uniform powder-blue coat of t...

Insects
Southern White Admiral

Southern White Admiral

Limenitis reducta

An elegant master of the woodland edge, the Southern White Admiral dazzles with its velvet-black wings and flashes of...

Insects
Southern Wood Ant

Southern Wood Ant

Formica rufa

Meet the forest's most industrious engineers: the Southern Wood Ant. Famous for their massive thatched mounds and org...

Insects
Southern Yellowjacket

Southern Yellowjacket

Vespula squamosa

The Southern Yellowjacket is a vibrant and highly social wasp famous for its unique orange queens and sprawling under...

Insects
Spanish Fly

Spanish Fly

Lytta vesicatoria

A shimmering jewel of the insect world, the Spanish Fly is an iridescent wonder with a hidden, toxic punch. Watch the...

Insects
Speckled Bush-cricket

Speckled Bush-cricket

Leptophyes punctatissima

A master of garden camouflage, the Speckled Bush-cricket is a flightless wonder covered in a galaxy of tiny dark spot...

Insects

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