Wildlife Species Library

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

Tailed Jay
Insects

Tailed Jay

Graphium agamemnon

With its striking electric-green spots and swift, shivering flight, the Tailed Jay is a jewel of the tropical garden....

Tansy Beetle
Insects

Tansy Beetle

Chrysolina graminis

Known as the 'Jewel of York,' this rare and radiant beetle is a masterpiece of natural iridescence. Discover how to s...

Tawny-edged Skipper
Insects

Tawny-edged Skipper

Polites themistocles

A pint-sized dynamo of the backyard, the Tawny-edged Skipper is a master of rapid flight and sun-drenched meadows. Lo...

Tawny Shears
Insects

Tawny Shears

Hadena perplexa

A master of camouflage and a specialist of the night, the Tawny Shears is a frequent visitor to moonlit gardens. Know...

terrapin scale
Insects

terrapin scale

Mesolecanium nigrofasciatum

Looking like miniature, ornate turtle shells stuck to a branch, the Terrapin scale is a master of camouflage and a co...

The Rustic
Insects

The Rustic

Hoplodrina blanda

A master of nighttime camouflage, The Rustic is the understated star of the midsummer garden. Look closely at its sil...

The Sallow
Insects

The Sallow

Xanthia icteritia

A golden gem of the autumn night, The Sallow moth perfectly mimics the falling leaves of the season. Its vibrant yell...

The Uncertain
Insects

The Uncertain

Hoplodrina octogenaria

A master of summer camouflage, The Uncertain is a frequent visitor to backyard light traps. While its name suggests m...

Thick-legged Flower Beetle
Insects

Thick-legged Flower Beetle

Oedemera nobilis

A shimmering emerald of the garden, the Thick-legged Flower Beetle is a sun-worshipping pollinator famous for its met...

Thisbe's Tarantula-hawk Wasp
Insects

Thisbe's Tarantula-hawk Wasp

Pepsis thisbe

A shimmering titan of the insect world, Thisbe's Tarantula-hawk Wasp is a master of the desert garden, blending strik...

Three-lined Potato Beetle
Insects

Three-lined Potato Beetle

Lema daturaphila

A striking visitor to the summer garden, the Three-lined Potato Beetle is known for its bold racing stripes and its u...

Tobacco Budworm Moth
Insects

Tobacco Budworm Moth

Chloridea virescens

A delicate visitor of the night, the Tobacco Budworm Moth features subtle green hues and elegant stripes. While often...

Tomentose Burying Beetle
Insects

Tomentose Burying Beetle

Nicrophorus tomentosus

The Tomentose Burying Beetle is the golden-haired undertaker of the forest floor. With its striking orange-on-black p...

Triangle Plume Moth
Insects

Triangle Plume Moth

Platyptilia gonodactyla

With wings like feathery fans and a silhouette like a tiny aircraft, the Triangle Plume Moth is one of the most archi...

Tricolored Bumble Bee
Insects

Tricolored Bumble Bee

Bombus ternarius

With its signature sunset-orange belt and industrious nature, the Tricolored Bumble Bee is one of the most striking p...

Triple-spotted Clay
Insects

Triple-spotted Clay

Xestia ditrapezium

A nocturnal gem of the Eurasian woodlands, the Triple-spotted Clay is prized by moth-watchers for its rich purplish h...

Tule Bluet
Insects

Tule Bluet

Enallagma carunculatum

The Tule Bluet is a dazzling splash of electric blue found dancing across North American wetlands. This resilient dam...

Tulip-tree Silkmoth
Insects

Tulip-tree Silkmoth

Callosamia angulifera

A nocturnal giant of the Eastern forests, the Tulip-tree Silkmoth is a master of camouflage and a spectacular find fo...

Tuliptree scale
Insects

Tuliptree scale

Toumeyella liriodendri

The Tuliptree scale is a master of the sedentary life, masquerading as a simple bump on a branch while supporting an ...

Turnip Sawfly
Insects

Turnip Sawfly

Athalia rosae

The Turnip Sawfly is a jewel-toned visitor to the summer garden, easily recognized by its glowing orange body and dar...

Twelve-spotted Skimmer
Insects

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Libellula pulchella

A master of aerial maneuvers, the Twelve-spotted Skimmer is easily recognized by its ornate, spotted wings and bold t...

Twin-spot Skipper
Insects

Twin-spot Skipper

Oligoria maculata

A small but striking resident of the Southeast, the Twin-spot Skipper is easily identified by the bright white dots t...

Twister
Insects

Twister

Tholymis tillarga

The ghost of the twilight garden, the Twister is a master of evening aerobatics. Known for its glowing white wing pat...

Two-lined Spittlebug
Insects

Two-lined Spittlebug

Prosapia bicincta

A striking master of disguise and jumping, the Two-lined Spittlebug brings a splash of racing-stripe color to Eastern...

Two-spotted Bumble Bee
Insects

Two-spotted Bumble Bee

Bombus bimaculatus

The Two-spotted Bumble Bee is the herald of spring, often the very first bee to visit your garden as the weather warm...

Two-spotted Lady Beetle
Insects

Two-spotted Lady Beetle

Adalia bipunctata

A pint-sized guardian of the garden, the Two-spotted Lady Beetle is a vibrant red ally in the fight against plant pes...

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