Late Summer 2020 Insect Observations

Smoothstem blazingstar (Mentzelia laevicaulis) thrives on the dry slopes of Partridge Alley.

Despite their name, tree crickets (Oecanthus sp.) can be found in various habitats, including cultivated fields.

Grasshoppers are voracious native herbivores of Montana grasslands, crops, and MPG’s restoration plantings.

A Great Golden Digger Wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus) hunts for prey.

Native goldenrods (Solidago spp.) provide a late summer resource for a variety of insects.

An ant tends to one of many aphids on a Missouri goldenrod.

Three-banded lady beetles are voracious aphid predators as adults and larvae.

I spied this European paper wasp (Polistes dominula) basking in the morning sun near the Entrance Gate.