Species library

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

289–324 of 589 species

Io Moth

Io Moth

Automeris io

With a dramatic 'startle' display that mimics the eyes of a much larger animal, the Io moth is a brilliant example of...

Insects
Ipsilon Dart Moth

Ipsilon Dart Moth

Agrotis ipsilon

A champion of the night sky, the Ipsilon Dart Moth is a migratory marvel identified by the distinctive 'dagger' marks...

Insects
Isabella Tiger Moth

Isabella Tiger Moth

Pyrrharctia isabella

Famous for the 'woolly bear' caterpillar stage, the Isabella Tiger Moth is a master of winter survival. This hardy in...

Insects
Japanese Beetle

Japanese Beetle

Popillia japonica

A shimmering jewel of the garden with a voracious appetite, the Japanese Beetle is a master of social feeding. While ...

Insects
Jet Ant

Jet Ant

Lasius fuliginosus

The Jet Ant is the master architect of the woodland world, building reinforced fungal fortresses inside ancient trees...

Insects
Julia Heliconian

Julia Heliconian

Dryas iulia

A flash of brilliant orange in the tropical sun, the Julia Heliconian is one of the fastest and most vibrant butterfl...

Insects
Juniper Scale

Juniper Scale

Carulaspis juniperi

Don't let their tiny size fool you—the Juniper Scale is a master of suburban camouflage. These armored invaders can t...

Insects
Keeled Skimmer

Keeled Skimmer

Orthetrum coerulescens

A slender, sky-blue sentinel of the summer wetlands, the Keeled Skimmer is a favorite for backyard observers. Watch a...

Insects
Keyhole Glider

Keyhole Glider

Tramea basilaris

A master of the trade winds, the Keyhole Glider is a vibrant red voyager famous for its trans-oceanic journeys. With ...

Insects
Knotgrass leaf beetle

Knotgrass leaf beetle

Chrysolina polita

A gem of the undergrowth, the Knotgrass leaf beetle brings a splash of metallic brilliance to the garden. Often found...

Insects
Knotweed Leaf Beetle

Knotweed Leaf Beetle

Gastrophysa polygoni

Meet the jewel of the garden weeds. With its shimmering metallic armor and vibrant orange accents, the Knotweed Leaf ...

Insects
Kudzu Bug

Kudzu Bug

Megacopta cribraria

An invasive visitor with a distinctive square shape and a potent scent, the Kudzu Bug is a fascinating example of ins...

Insects
Large Pine Aphid

Large Pine Aphid

Cinara pinea

The Large Pine Aphid is a master of the miniature forest, a 'spider-like' insect that thrives in the needles of the S...

Insects
Large Rose Sawfly

Large Rose Sawfly

Arge pagana

A striking visitor to the summer garden, the Large Rose Sawfly is easily identified by its vibrant orange abdomen and...

Insects
Large Skipper

Large Skipper

Ochlodes sylvanus

Meet the 'jet fighter' of the butterfly world. With its stout, furry body and unique angled-wing resting pose, the La...

Insects
Large Waxy Willow Aphid

Large Waxy Willow Aphid

Plocamaphis flocculosa

Often mistaken for a patch of summer snow or fuzzy mold, the Large Waxy Willow Aphid is a master of disguise. These '...

Insects
Large White

Large White

Pieris brassicae

A bold and powerful flyer, the Large White is a staple of the summer garden. Known for its brilliant white wings and ...

Insects
Large Yellow Underwing

Large Yellow Underwing

Noctua pronuba

A frequent visitor to backyard porch lights, the Large Yellow Underwing hides a brilliant secret beneath its drab ext...

Insects
Larger Citronella Ant

Larger Citronella Ant

Lasius interjectus

Known for their striking golden color and surprising lemon scent, Larger Citronella Ants are the "invisible gardeners...

Insects
Least Skipper

Least Skipper

Ancyloxypha numitor

The Least Skipper is a tiny, golden treasure that dances through the tall grass. With its rhythmic, bobbing flight an...

Insects
Leopard Slug

Leopard Slug

Limax maximus

The Leopard Slug is nature's most stylish 'cleaner,' sporting striking spots and performing high-wire mating acrobati...

Insects
Lepocinclis ovum

Lepocinclis ovum

Lepocinclis ovum

Peer into a drop of pond water and discover the emerald-green wonder of Lepocinclis ovum. This microscopic, egg-shape...

Insects
Lepocinclis oxyuris

Lepocinclis oxyuris

Lepocinclis oxyuris

Step into the hidden world of the micro-wildlife in your backyard pond. Lepocinclis oxyuris is a stunning, needle-tai...

Insects
Lepocinclis spirogyroides

Lepocinclis spirogyroides

Lepocinclis spirogyroides

Discover the hidden geometry of the microworld! Lepocinclis spirogyroides is a stunning, spiral-shaped single-celled ...

Insects
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing

Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing

Noctua janthe

A master of disguise with a hidden flash of gold, this common garden moth is a nighttime jewel waiting to be discover...

Insects
Lesser Marsh Grasshopper

Lesser Marsh Grasshopper

Chorthippus albomarginatus

A slender and adaptable resident of Europe's meadows, the Lesser Marsh Grasshopper is a master of camouflage. Famous ...

Insects
Lesser Stag Beetle

Lesser Stag Beetle

Dorcus parallelipipedus

The Lesser Stag Beetle is a sturdy, matte-black 'lumberjack' of the backyard. Frequently found near old wood, these f...

Insects
Lesser Thick-legged Flower Beetle

Lesser Thick-legged Flower Beetle

Ischnomera cyanea

A shimmering jewel of the late spring garden, the Lesser Thick-legged Flower Beetle dazzles with its metallic blue-gr...

Insects
Lesser Vespillo Burying Beetle

Lesser Vespillo Burying Beetle

Nicrophorus vespilloides

The forest's most colorful undertaker, the Lesser Vespillo Burying Beetle, is a master of recycling. Known for its de...

Insects
Lesser Yellow Underwing

Lesser Yellow Underwing

Noctua comes

A common yet stunning visitor to the night garden, the Lesser Yellow Underwing carries a secret splash of saffron hid...

Insects
Lily Leaf Beetle

Lily Leaf Beetle

Lilioceris lilii

A brilliant scarlet gem of the garden, the Lily Leaf Beetle is as beautiful as it is destructive to prize-winning lil...

Insects
Lime Swallowtail

Lime Swallowtail

Papilio demoleus

A vibrant, tailless traveler of the citrus groves, the Lime Swallowtail is one of the most common and energetic butte...

Insects
Little Glassywing

Little Glassywing

Vernia verna

The Little Glassywing is a dark, dashing inhabitant of summer meadows, named for the shimmering 'windows' on its wing...

Insects
Long-banded Silverline

Long-banded Silverline

Cigaritis lohita

A shimmering jewel of the garden, the Long-banded Silverline dazzles with metallic markings and clever mimicry that p...

Insects
Long Dash

Long Dash

Limochores mystic

A vibrant summer visitor, the Long Dash skipper is a master of high-speed maneuvers and golden-orange hues. Look for ...

Insects
long-tailed mealybug

long-tailed mealybug

Pseudococcus longispinus

The long-tailed mealybug is a master of waxy armor, recognizable by the elegant, thread-like filaments that trail beh...

Insects

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