Species library

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

505–540 of 589 species

Tailed Jay

Tailed Jay

Graphium agamemnon

With its striking electric-green spots and swift, shivering flight, the Tailed Jay is a jewel of the tropical garden....

Insects
Tansy Beetle

Tansy Beetle

Chrysolina graminis

Known as the 'Jewel of York,' this rare and radiant beetle is a masterpiece of natural iridescence. Discover how to s...

Insects
Tawny-edged Skipper

Tawny-edged Skipper

Polites themistocles

A pint-sized dynamo of the backyard, the Tawny-edged Skipper is a master of rapid flight and sun-drenched meadows. Lo...

Insects
Tawny Shears

Tawny Shears

Hadena perplexa

A master of camouflage and a specialist of the night, the Tawny Shears is a frequent visitor to moonlit gardens. Know...

Insects
terrapin scale

terrapin scale

Mesolecanium nigrofasciatum

Looking like miniature, ornate turtle shells stuck to a branch, the Terrapin scale is a master of camouflage and a co...

Insects
The Rustic

The Rustic

Hoplodrina blanda

A master of nighttime camouflage, The Rustic is the understated star of the midsummer garden. Look closely at its sil...

Insects
The Sallow

The Sallow

Xanthia icteritia

A golden gem of the autumn night, The Sallow moth perfectly mimics the falling leaves of the season. Its vibrant yell...

Insects
The Uncertain

The Uncertain

Hoplodrina octogenaria

A master of summer camouflage, The Uncertain is a frequent visitor to backyard light traps. While its name suggests m...

Insects
Thick-legged Flower Beetle

Thick-legged Flower Beetle

Oedemera nobilis

A shimmering emerald of the garden, the Thick-legged Flower Beetle is a sun-worshipping pollinator famous for its met...

Insects
Thisbe's Tarantula-hawk Wasp

Thisbe's Tarantula-hawk Wasp

Pepsis thisbe

A shimmering titan of the insect world, Thisbe's Tarantula-hawk Wasp is a master of the desert garden, blending strik...

Insects
Three-lined Potato Beetle

Three-lined Potato Beetle

Lema daturaphila

A striking visitor to the summer garden, the Three-lined Potato Beetle is known for its bold racing stripes and its u...

Insects
Tile-horned Prionus

Tile-horned Prionus

Prionus imbricornis

A nocturnal giant with architecturally stunning antennae, the Tile-horned Prionus is one of North America's most impr...

Insects
Tobacco Budworm Moth

Tobacco Budworm Moth

Chloridea virescens

A delicate visitor of the night, the Tobacco Budworm Moth features subtle green hues and elegant stripes. While often...

Insects
Tomentose Burying Beetle

Tomentose Burying Beetle

Nicrophorus tomentosus

The Tomentose Burying Beetle is the golden-haired undertaker of the forest floor. With its striking orange-on-black p...

Insects
Triangle Plume Moth

Triangle Plume Moth

Platyptilia gonodactyla

With wings like feathery fans and a silhouette like a tiny aircraft, the Triangle Plume Moth is one of the most archi...

Insects
Tricolored Bumble Bee

Tricolored Bumble Bee

Bombus ternarius

With its signature sunset-orange belt and industrious nature, the Tricolored Bumble Bee is one of the most striking p...

Insects
Triple-spotted Clay

Triple-spotted Clay

Xestia ditrapezium

A nocturnal gem of the Eurasian woodlands, the Triple-spotted Clay is prized by moth-watchers for its rich purplish h...

Insects
Tule Bluet

Tule Bluet

Enallagma carunculatum

The Tule Bluet is a dazzling splash of electric blue found dancing across North American wetlands. This resilient dam...

Insects
Tulip-tree Silkmoth

Tulip-tree Silkmoth

Callosamia angulifera

A nocturnal giant of the Eastern forests, the Tulip-tree Silkmoth is a master of camouflage and a spectacular find fo...

Insects
Tuliptree scale

Tuliptree scale

Toumeyella liriodendri

The Tuliptree scale is a master of the sedentary life, masquerading as a simple bump on a branch while supporting an ...

Insects
Turnip Sawfly

Turnip Sawfly

Athalia rosae

The Turnip Sawfly is a jewel-toned visitor to the summer garden, easily recognized by its glowing orange body and dar...

Insects
Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Libellula pulchella

A master of aerial maneuvers, the Twelve-spotted Skimmer is easily recognized by its ornate, spotted wings and bold t...

Insects
Twin-spot Skipper

Twin-spot Skipper

Oligoria maculata

A small but striking resident of the Southeast, the Twin-spot Skipper is easily identified by the bright white dots t...

Insects
Twister

Twister

Tholymis tillarga

The ghost of the twilight garden, the Twister is a master of evening aerobatics. Known for its glowing white wing pat...

Insects
Two-lined Spittlebug

Two-lined Spittlebug

Prosapia bicincta

A striking master of disguise and jumping, the Two-lined Spittlebug brings a splash of racing-stripe color to Eastern...

Insects
Two-spotted Bumble Bee

Two-spotted Bumble Bee

Bombus bimaculatus

The Two-spotted Bumble Bee is the herald of spring, often the very first bee to visit your garden as the weather warm...

Insects
Two-spotted Lady Beetle

Two-spotted Lady Beetle

Adalia bipunctata

A pint-sized guardian of the garden, the Two-spotted Lady Beetle is a vibrant red ally in the fight against plant pes...

Insects
Twospotted Spider Mite

Twospotted Spider Mite

Tetranychus urticae

The Twospotted Spider Mite is a master weaver that builds an entire world on the underside of a single leaf. Nearly i...

Arachnids
Vagrant Darter

Vagrant Darter

Sympetrum vulgatum

A vibrant master of the late-summer garden, the Vagrant Darter is easily identified by its unique 'moustache' and its...

Insects
Vancouver Bumble Bee

Vancouver Bumble Bee

Bombus vancouverensis

The Vancouver Bumble Bee is a vibrant, mountain-dwelling pollinator known for its striking orange bands and sophistic...

Insects
Variable Dancer

Variable Dancer

Argia fumipennis

A flash of neon purple in the reeds, the Variable Dancer is one of nature's most vibrant aerial acrobats. Found danci...

Insects
Variable Sallow

Variable Sallow

Sericaglaea signata

A master of autumn camouflage, the Variable Sallow is one of the few moths you'll spot braving the chilly winter nigh...

Insects
Variegated Fritillary

Variegated Fritillary

Euptoieta claudia

A restless nomad of the Americas, the Variegated Fritillary dazzles with its checkered orange wings and incredible sp...

Insects
Variegated Meadowhawk

Variegated Meadowhawk

Sympetrum corruptum

A master of migration and a champion mosquito hunter, the Variegated Meadowhawk brings a splash of intricate color to...

Insects
Vedalia Beetle

Vedalia Beetle

Novius cardinalis

The tiny red hero of the citrus grove, the Vedalia Beetle is a master hunter that saved California's orange industry....

Insects
Vegetable Leafminer

Vegetable Leafminer

Liriomyza sativae

The Vegetable Leafminer is a tiny architect of the garden, creating shimmering, winding galleries inside the leaves o...

Insects

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