Species library

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

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

Papilio aegeus

Australia's largest common butterfly, the Orchard Swallowtail, is a spectacular garden visitor known for its bold bla...

Insects

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

Trypoxylon politum

The master architect of the backyard, this elegant black wasp constructs sophisticated clay nurseries that look like ...

Insects

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

Lepidosaphes ulmi

Hidden in plain sight on the bark of your favorite trees, the Oystershell Scale is a marvel of natural camouflage. Th...

Insects

Pacific Dampwood Termite

Zootermopsis angusticollis

The Pacific Dampwood Termite is the giant of the termite world, a master of decomposition that thrives in the misty f...

Insects

Pacific Forktail

Ischnura cervula

A tiny, electric-blue marvel of the western wetlands, the Pacific Forktail is the perfect subject for macro-wildlife ...

Insects

Pacific Mole Crab

Hippa marmorata

A camouflage expert of the shoreline, the Pacific Mole Crab lives its life in reverse, dancing with the waves and dis...

Insects

Painted Lady

Vanessa cardui

Known as the "Cosmopolitan" butterfly, the Painted Lady is the world's most frequent flyer. With its stunning orange-...

Insects

Painted Skimmer

Libellula semifasciata

A masterpiece of the marsh, the Painted Skimmer stands out with its glowing amber wings and intricate markings. As on...

Insects

Pale-banded Dart

Agnorisma badinodis

A signature species of the autumn night, the Pale-banded Dart is recognized by its chocolate-colored wings and elegan...

Insects

Pale Mottled Willow Moth

Caradrina clavipalpis

An understated master of camouflage, the Pale Mottled Willow Moth is a fascinating nocturnal visitor that has recentl...

Insects

Palemouth

Brachydiplax denticauda

A small but striking dragonfly, the Palemouth is famous for the male's brilliant powdery blue abdomen and distinctive...

Insects

Palo Verde Root Borer

Derobrachus hovorei

One of North America's largest beetles, the Palo Verde Root Borer is a spectacular desert giant that emerges with the...

Insects

Pea Aphid

Acyrthosiphon pisum

The Pea Aphid is a tiny, translucent wonder of the garden world, known for its incredible reproductive speed and its ...

Insects

Pea Blue

Lampides boeticus

A master of disguise and a world-class traveler, the Pea Blue butterfly brings a shimmer of violet to any backyard ga...

Insects

Peacock Royal

Tajuria cippus

A master of deception and a flash of cerulean beauty, the Peacock Royal is one of the most stunning butterflies you c...

Insects

Peck's Skipper

Polites peckius

Meet the 'fighter jet' of the butterfly world. The Peck's Skipper is a pint-sized powerhouse of the backyard, easily ...

Insects

Pelomyxa

Pelomyxa palustris

The giant of the microscopic world, Pelomyxa is a massive, multi-nucleated amoeba that roams the muddy depths of back...

Insects

Pepsis grossa

Pepsis grossa

The Tarantula Hawk is a shimmering titan of the insect world, famous for its vivid orange wings and a legendary sting...

Insects

Pernicious Scale

Comstockaspis perniciosa

The Pernicious Scale is a tiny but tenacious inhabitant of the backyard orchard. Though individually microscopic, the...

Insects

Phacus pyrum

Monomorphina pyrum

The emerald jewel of the microscopic world, Phacus pyrum is a pear-shaped wonder found in nearly every backyard pond....

Insects

Pigweed Flea Beetle

Disonycha glabrata

A striking gymnast of the garden, the Pigweed Flea Beetle sports bold racing stripes and a 'spring-loaded' escape pla...

Insects

Pine Bark Adelgid

Pineus strobi

Transform your view of the Eastern White Pine by zooming in on the Pine Bark Adelgid. These tiny architects create sn...

Insects

pine needle scale

Chionaspis pinifoliae

Transforming green needles into white-flecked landscapes, the pine needle scale is a master of camouflage and station...

Insects

Pine Woolly-aphid

Pineus pini

Look closely at the 'snow' on your pine branches and you might find the Pine Woolly-aphid. These tiny architects shro...

Insects

Pink-barred Sallow

Xanthia togata

With its vibrant canary-yellow wings and royal purple accents, the Pink-barred Sallow is a stunning late-season visit...

Insects

Plains Blue Royal

Tajuria jehana

A flash of sky-blue in the canopy, the Plains Blue Royal is a master of high-speed maneuvers and delicate beauty. Wit...

Insects

Polyphemus Moth

Antheraea polyphemus

Meet the titan of the backyard: the Polyphemus moth. With its massive wingspan and hypnotic eyespots, this nocturnal ...

Insects

Poplar Catkin Sallow

Anathix puta

A delicate master of autumn camouflage, the Poplar Catkin Sallow is a late-season visitor to North American backyards...

Insects

Potato Aphid

Macrosiphum euphorbiae

A tiny titan of the vegetable garden, the Potato Aphid is a master of disguise and survival. Whether appearing in vib...

Insects

Potato Leaf Miner

Liriomyza huidobrensis

Though barely larger than a pinhead, the Potato Leaf Miner leaves its mark through intricate, winding white trails pa...

Insects

Potato Leafhopper

Empoasca fabae

A tiny neon-green traveler with a knack for sideways scuttling, the Potato Leafhopper is a master of the garden vanis...

Insects

Powdered Dancer

Argia moesta

Looking like they've been dusted in fine white flour, the Powdered Dancer is a robust river-dweller. This master of t...

Insects