Wildlife Species Library

Identification guides, behavior notes, and camera tips for the wildlife visiting backyard habitats across the EverydayEarth community.

Eastern Black Carpenter Ant
Insects

Eastern Black Carpenter Ant

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

The Eastern Black Carpenter Ant is the heavyweight of the North American insect world. A master of social organizatio...

Eastern Carpenter Bee
Insects

Eastern Carpenter Bee

Xylocopa virginica

Often mistaken for oversized bumblebees, the Eastern Carpenter Bee is a master woodworker and vital pollinator. Recog...

Eastern Cicada-killer Wasp
Insects

Eastern Cicada-killer Wasp

Sphecius speciosus

The Eastern Cicada-killer is one of North America's largest and most misunderstood wasps. A solitary giant, this fasc...

Eastern Hercules Beetle
Insects

Eastern Hercules Beetle

Dynastes tityus

A prehistoric titan of the backyard, the Eastern Hercules Beetle impresses with its massive size and remarkable color...

Eastern Pondhawk
Insects

Eastern Pondhawk

Erythemis simplicicollis

The Eastern Pondhawk is a fearless aerial predator that transforms from a brilliant emerald green to a dusty sky blue...

Eastern Rhinoceros Beetle
Insects

Eastern Rhinoceros Beetle

Xyloryctes jamaicensis

Meet North America's miniature titan: the Eastern Rhinoceros Beetle. A glossy, mahogany-colored marvel, this nocturna...

Eastern Scarlet
Insects

Eastern Scarlet

Axiocerses tjoane

A flash of brilliant crimson in the African sun, the Eastern Scarlet is a high-energy gem of the savanna. Whether pat...

Eastern Subterranean Termite
Insects

Eastern Subterranean Termite

Reticulitermes flavipes

The Eastern Subterranean Termite is North America's most industrious decomposer. Though small, these social insects b...

Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth
Insects

Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth

Malacosoma americana

From intricate silk fortresses to vibrant fuzzy crawlers, the Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth is a spring icon. Discove...

Eastern Yellowjacket
Insects

Eastern Yellowjacket

Vespula maculifrons

The industrious architect of the underground, the Eastern Yellowjacket is a vital predator in our backyards that keep...

Ebony Jewelwing
Insects

Ebony Jewelwing

Calopteryx maculata

With its shimmering emerald body and velvet-black wings, the Ebony Jewelwing is a living gem of the woodland stream. ...

Eight-spotted Skimmer
Insects

Eight-spotted Skimmer

Libellula forensis

A striking master of the western wetlands, the Eight-spotted Skimmer is famous for its bold wing patterns and territo...

Elephant Beetle
Insects

Elephant Beetle

Megasoma elephas

The Elephant Beetle is the heavyweight champion of the backyard jungle. Draped in golden velvet and sporting a massiv...

Elongate hemlock scale
Insects

Elongate hemlock scale

Fiorinia externa

A tiny traveler with a massive impact, the elongate hemlock scale hides on the underside of conifer needles, creating...

Emerald Cuckoo Wasp
Insects

Emerald Cuckoo Wasp

Stilbum cyanurum

Often called the 'Living Jewel,' the Emerald Cuckoo Wasp is a master of iridescence and a clever nest-invader. Watch ...

Essex Skipper
Insects

Essex Skipper

Thymelicus lineola

A shimmering golden dart of the summer meadow, the Essex Skipper is a master of the 'quick-skip' flight. Often hiding...

Eufala Skipper
Insects

Eufala Skipper

Lerodea eufala

The Eufala Skipper is a master of camouflage and a marathon traveler. Though it blends seamlessly into the grasses of...

Euglena sanguinea
Insects

Euglena sanguinea

Euglena sanguinea

Witness the microscopic magic that turns local ponds a brilliant shade of crimson. Euglena sanguinea is a shape-shift...

Euonymus Scale
Insects

Euonymus Scale

Unaspis euonymi

Tiny but transformative, the Euonymus Scale is a master of camouflage that can encrust entire garden shrubs. Discover...

European fire ant
Insects

European fire ant

Myrmica rubra

Fierce, social, and strikingly red, the European fire ant is a tiny powerhouse of the garden floor. While famous for ...

European Fruit Scale
Insects

European Fruit Scale

Parthenolecanium corni

A common yet cryptic resident of North American orchards, the European Fruit Scale is a master of disguise. These sap...

European Hornet
Insects

European Hornet

Vespa crabro

The largest true hornet in the West, the European Hornet is a masterful architect and a unique nocturnal hunter that ...

European Paper Wasp
Insects

European Paper Wasp

Polistes dominula

The European Paper Wasp is a master of suburban survival, known for its open-faced nests and striking yellow and blac...

European Red Mite
Insects

European Red Mite

Panonychus ulmi

Though tiny enough to fit on a pinhead, the European Red Mite is a vibrant, crimson powerhouse of the backyard ecosys...

European Rhinoceros Beetle
Insects

European Rhinoceros Beetle

Oryctes nasicornis

A prehistoric-looking titan of the undergrowth, the European Rhinoceros Beetle is one of the most impressive insects ...

European Rose Chafer
Insects

European Rose Chafer

Cetonia aurata

A shimmering emerald of the garden, the European Rose Chafer is a master of the sun. These iridescent pollinators are...

European Stag Beetle
Insects

European Stag Beetle

Lucanus cervus

The European Stag Beetle is the crown jewel of backyard insects, featuring the male's iconic antler-like mandibles. T...

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