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★★★★☆

4.2

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Description

As described by Edward O. Wilson — perhaps the best known American biologist, researcher, naturalist and author — invertebrates are "The Little Things That Run the World." And indeed they do, in so many ways. In terms of numbers — while most invertebrates are pretty small, the sheer number of them is astounding. Together, they have more biomass than any other animal on earth.Learn more about the fascinating creatures that run the world, with Bug Bytes from the Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium.

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Bug Bytes podcast

Northern Scorpion

2025/10/15

But be honest …how many of you thought of North Dakota, Montana, or southern Canada? Then you’ve probably never heard of the Northern Scorpion.

Bombardier Beetles

2025/10/06

If any beetle was said to have an “explosive personality”, it would have to be the bombardier beetle.

The Spotted Lantern Fly

2025/09/22

As long as the weather is favorable, you can walk out your door and find some amazing insects to observe almost anytime.

Titan Beetles

2025/09/15

There are over 400,000 known species of beetles in the world. So when you’re considered one of the largest, that’s really saying something.

At 3 inches in length, Giant Salmonflies are hard to miss

2025/08/04

If you’ve ever been along a river, and fortunate to catch the peak of the Giant Salmonfly hatch, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

A dragonfly can experience gravitational forces of up to 9-Gs!

2025/07/28

But their speed, agility, and tendency for in-flight dining come with some worrisome risks. But it’s nothing to lose their heads over …or is it?

Orchid Bees

2025/07/21

A male Orchid Bee can’t rely on his good looks when looking for a mate. For success, he depends on his own brand of home-made perfume.

Bullet Ants

2025/06/13

Introducing, the Bullet Ant, so named because its sting is supposedly as painful as being shot. It’s considered to have the most painful of all insect stings.

Atlas Moth

2025/06/06

In addition to their impressive size, Atlas Moths are known for their extraordinary wing markings, especially at their wingtips. Incredibly, the patterns mimic the profile of a cobra’s head, a way to fool predators into thinking they are anything but an easy meal.

Giraffe Weevil

2025/05/30

Using their necks like a long lever, males will battle other males over a female. But rather than simply engaging in neck-to-neck combat, males will perform elaborate dances, involving the swaying of their necks. The female acts like a referee, closely observing the fight. If she approves of the winner, she’ll allow him to mate.

Golden Dung Fly

2025/05/23

While the females are pretty dull in color, the appearance of the males might not exactly be what you’d expect from an animal that spends its entire life in and around animal poop. They are stunning – bright golden-yellow with orange-yellow fur on their front legs.

Trapdoor Spider

2025/05/16

Trapdoor spiders build tube-like tunnels into the ground. In order to hide the opening of their home, they construct a lid (hinged on one side) that’s made of spider silk mixed in with the soil and vegetation surrounding the burrow, creating a perfectly camouflaged cover.

Camouflaged Looper

2025/05/03

Without coloration or a body shape that helps them blend into their environment, these caterpillars have developed an ingenious way to try and disappear. They decorate themselves with carefully cut pieces of the plant (typically the flowers) they are living on.

Acorn Weevil

2024/11/09

Fuzzy, light brown in color, and with a snout looking like Pinocchio went on a fibbing spree, the Acorn Weevil has a comical appearance.

Bumblebees

2024/11/02

For most insects, getting a meal relies on their foraging or hunting abilities. Bumblebees certainly fall into that category. However, while they might not be able to grow their own food, they’ve found a way to force their food to grow.