UW Student Hunts, Finds Elusive ‘Ice Crawler’ Insect in Yellowstone

UW student finds ice crawler

University of Wyoming junior Will Anderson found the rare ice crawler insect in Yellowstone National Park three times during the summer of 2026, after failing to find any in 2025.

Key points UW student finds ice crawler
  1. University of Wyoming junior Will Anderson found the rare ice crawler insect in Yellowstone National Park three times during the summer of 2026, after failing to find any in 2025.
  2. The insect, Grylloblattodea, is one of the rarest orders in the world with only 35 described species, and had never been recorded in Wyoming before.
  3. Anderson found two near Antler Peak and a third near Grey Peak while helping doctoral student Audrey Lindsteadt survey rock glaciers.
  4. The discovery could help scientists better understand alpine ecosystems, and Anderson will present the results at a national entomology meeting in November.
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Albany County, WY

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