Species library

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

325–360 of 569 species

Mexican Bean Beetle

Mexican Bean Beetle

Epilachna varivestis

A striking copper-colored cousin of the common ladybug, the Mexican Bean Beetle is a master of the legume patch. Whil...

Insects
Mexican Silverspot

Mexican Silverspot

Dione moneta

A shimmering jewel of the tropics, the Mexican Silverspot dazzles with its bright orange wings and brilliant metallic...

Insects
Mint beetle

Mint beetle

Chrysolina coerulans

The Mint beetle is a living jewel of the garden, boasting a shimmering cobalt armor that stands out against the green...

Insects
minute cypress scale

minute cypress scale

Carulaspis minima

A microscopic architect of the evergreen world, the minute cypress scale hides beneath a snowy white shield. These ti...

Insects
Monarch

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Ladybird

Orange Ladybird

Halyzia sedecimguttata

A luminous garden ally that trades aphids for fungi, the Orange Ladybird is a master of the night. Easily recognized ...

Insects
Orange Sallow

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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