GuideBruce Marlin / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.5)What Is That Loud Buzzing in the Trees? How to Identify Cicadas
That droning, pulsing hum on a hot summer afternoon is almost always a cicada. Learn to identify dog-day (annual) cicadas by sight and sound, tell them apart from periodical cicadas, and understand the harmless shells they leave behind.
GuideBruce Marlin / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)What Is Eating My Garden? How to Identify Japanese Beetles
Metallic-green beetles skeletonizing your roses and leaves in July? Learn to identify Japanese beetles, the grubs behind brown lawn patches, the native lookalikes they resemble, and what to do about them.
GuidePhoto by Scott Bauer. / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)How to Identify a Tick (and Know If It Might Be Dangerous)
Found a small dark bug latched onto your skin or crawling up your leg after a summer hike? Learn how to identify a tick, tell it apart from other bugs, recognize the main disease-carrying species, and understand the safe next steps.
GuideRhododendrites / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)What Is the Spotted Lanternfly? How to Identify and Report It
Identify the spotted lanternfly at every stage — the gray polka-dot wings, the red underwings, and the black-and-red nymphs — plus why this invasive pest matters and what to do if you find one.
GuideChristina Butler from Georgia, United States / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)What Is the Joro Spider? Identifying the Giant Yellow Spider Spreading East
Identify the Joro spider by its huge golden web and bright yellow-and-blue-black body — and learn why this large but harmless invasive spider is spreading across the Southeast.
GuideDidier Descouens / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)What Is the Spongy Moth? Identifying the Tree-Defoliating Invader
Identify the spongy moth (formerly gypsy moth) — its hairy caterpillars with blue and red dots, and its fuzzy tan egg masses — plus why it defoliates forests and what to do.
GuidePennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Forestry Archive / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0 us)What Is the Emerald Ash Borer? How to Spot the Beetle Killing Ash Trees
Identify the emerald ash borer — the metallic-green beetle and its D-shaped exit holes and S-shaped tunnels — plus why it has killed millions of ash trees and what to do.
GuideMaartenschrijft / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)What Is the Northern Giant Hornet ("Murder Hornet")? How to Identify It Safely
Identify the northern giant hornet — the huge orange head and striped body — tell it apart from harmless look-alikes, and learn why it made headlines and what to do.
GuideHectonichus / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)What Is the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug? Identifying the Shield-Shaped Home Invader
Identify the brown marmorated stink bug by its shield shape, mottled brown color, and white-banded antennae — plus why it invades homes in fall and what to do.
GuideSchurdl / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)What Is Kudzu? Identifying "The Vine That Ate the South"
Identify kudzu by its three-part leaves, hairy vines, and purple grape-scented flowers — and learn why this fast-growing invasive vine smothers everything in its path.
GuideLucas Kendall / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)What Is Giant Hogweed? Identifying the Plant Whose Sap Burns
Identify giant hogweed — the towering stems, huge umbrella flower heads, and blotchy purple stalks — and learn why its sap causes severe burns and what to do if you touch it.
GuideEduard Solà / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)What Is the Hammerhead Flatworm? Identifying the Invasive Predatory Worm
Identify the hammerhead flatworm by its shovel- or half-moon-shaped head and long flat body — and learn why this invasive predator harms earthworms and what to do.
GuideMatt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)What Is Spotted Knapweed? Identifying the Invasive Purple Wildflower
Identify spotted knapweed by its pink-purple thistle-like flowers and black-tipped bracts — and learn why this invasive weed takes over pastures and roadsides.
GuideEric Hunt / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)What Is This Plant? How to Identify Any Plant from a Photo
A step-by-step guide to identifying any plant from a photo — read the leaves, flowers, and growth habit, or just point your camera and get the species in seconds.
GuideWikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)How to Identify a Tree by Its Leaves, Bark, and Shape
Identify trees in the field by reading their leaves, bark, shape, and fruit — or snap a photo for an instant answer. Covers oaks, maples, pines, and more.
GuideRhododendrites / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)How to Identify a Bird: A Beginner's Field Guide
Learn to identify birds by size, shape, color, behavior, and habitat — the birder’s method — plus how to get an instant ID from a photo when a bird will not hold still.
GuideWilson44691 / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)How to Identify a Snake (and Tell If It Might Be Venomous)
A careful, safety-first guide to identifying snakes by pattern, head shape, and behavior — and how to get an ID from a photo without ever getting close.
GuidePhotographer: Dominik Stodulski Graphic Processing: User:MathKnight / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)What Is This Bug? How to Identify Insects and Spiders from a Photo
From the beetle on your porch to the spider in the garage — how to identify insects and spiders by their body, legs, and wings, or with an instant photo ID.
GuideDidier Descouens / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)How to Identify Rocks, Minerals, and Crystals
A beginner-friendly guide to identifying rocks and minerals by color, luster, hardness, and shape — plus how to get an instant ID from a photo of your find.
GuideOnderwijsgek / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0 nl)Is This Mushroom Poisonous? How to Check Before You Touch
A safety-first guide to telling whether a wild mushroom is poisonous — the features that matter, the dangerous lookalikes, and why you should never trust an app alone.
GuideDidier Descouens / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)How to Identify a Spider (and Whether It's Dangerous)
Identify common spiders by body shape, markings, and web — and learn which few are genuinely worth caution — plus how to get a safe ID from a photo.
GuideSuperior National Forest / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)How to Identify a Leaf: A Simple Visual Guide
Identify a leaf — and the tree or plant it came from — by its shape, edges, veins, and arrangement. A clear beginner guide, plus instant photo identification.
GuideTony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)How to Identify Animal Tracks and Prints
Read animal tracks like a naturalist — count the toes, measure the print, and note the gait to tell deer, dogs, cats, raccoons, and more apart. Plus photo ID tips.
GuideAlessio Sbarbaro User_talk:Yoggysot / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.5)How to Identify Seashells on the Beach
Identify seashells by shape, spiral, and surface — from scallops and cowries to whelks and conchs — and get an instant ID from a photo of your beachcombing finds.
GuideGonzalo Devia / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)How to Identify a Gemstone or Crystal
Identify a gemstone or crystal by color, hardness, luster, and crystal shape — a practical beginner guide for rockhounds — plus instant photo identification.
GuideFamartin / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)How to Identify Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac
Learn to recognize poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac by their leaves and growth — the "leaves of three" rule and its limits — plus how to check a photo safely.
GuideIvar Leidus / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Is This Berry Safe to Eat? How to Identify Wild Berries
How to identify common wild berries and tell edible from toxic — the features that matter, dangerous lookalikes, and why you must never eat one on an app’s say-so.
GuideNo machine-readable author provided. MPF assumed (based on copyright claims). / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)How to Identify a Fern
Identify ferns by their fronds, leaflets, and spore patterns — a clear beginner guide to one of the oldest plant groups — plus instant photo identification.
GuideAdolphe Millot (1857-1921) (ill.); Gothance 14:26, 3 December 2007 (UTC) (scanné par) / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)How to Identify a Feather You Found
Found a feather? Learn to identify which bird it came from by size, shape, color, and pattern — plus how a photo can help and a note on the law.
GuideThomas Bresson / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)How to Identify a Caterpillar (and What It Becomes)
Identify caterpillars by color, markings, spines, and host plant — and find out which butterfly or moth they turn into — plus instant photo identification.
GuideThomas Bresson / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)Moth vs Butterfly: How to Tell the Difference
Moth or butterfly? Learn the simple tells — antennae, resting posture, body shape, and timing — and how to identify the exact species from a photo.
ComparisonKrzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)The Best PictureThis Alternative for Hikers Who Need More Than Plants
PictureThis is a great plant identification app — but it only identifies plants. Hikers encounter animals, fungi, rocks, and more. Here is what to use instead.
ComparisonRhododendrites / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Beyond Birds: Why Hikers Need More Than Merlin Bird ID
Merlin Bird ID from Cornell is exceptional for birds — and completely free. But birds are only part of what you encounter on the trail. Here is how to fill the gap.
ComparisonClaudiaTen / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)iNaturalist Alternative: When You Need Answers Now, Not Tomorrow
iNaturalist is incredible for citizen science. But when you are standing next to an unknown mushroom on the trail, you cannot wait for community volunteers to respond. Here is the difference.
GuideReddishClover / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)How to Identify Wild Mushrooms Safely (And When to Walk Away)
A practical guide to mushroom identification in the field. Key features to examine, common edible species, dangerous lookalikes, and why no single source — including any app — should be your only check.
RoundupIvar Leidus / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Best Nature Identification Apps for Hikers (2025 Guide)
A balanced roundup of the best nature identification apps for hikers, backpackers, and outdoor enthusiasts. What to look for, and which apps are best for which use cases.
GuideCheongweei Gan / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)How to Identify Wildflowers on the Trail: A Practical Guide
A practical guide to wildflower identification for hikers. The four key things to observe, how to take photos that improve accuracy, regional overview, and how to build your knowledge over time.
Ready to Identify on the Trail?
Plants, animals, fungi, and rocks — all from a single photo. Free to start on iOS and Android.