originally posted: September 3, 2003 | by chelsie

The atlas (Attacus atlas Linnaeus) is a very large moth in a family of large moths, the Saturniidae or silkworms. Atlas moths are native to Asia with the greatest number found in the Southeast and the nearby Oceanic islands. The caterpillars are polyphagous or generalists feeding on a number of trees--citrus, cinnamon, avocado, guava, starfruit, willow, and many others. The caterpillars are sometimes considered pests as a number of them can strip the foliage from a tree. [Click here to read more...]

originally posted: August 27, 2003 | by chelsie

Two diverse groups of animals are known for their ability to produce silk, the caterpillars of moths (the cocoon spun around the chrysalis) and spiders (various 'webs'). The best known silk, used in the weaving of fine cloth, is the product of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. And most people have had a close, and probably uncomfortable, encounter with a spider's silk. Silk is a protein, fibroin, a polymer of amino acids--glycine, alanine, and serine, but the 'formula' varies depending upon the species and even the individual's diet. [Click here to read more...]

originally posted: August 20, 2003 | by chelsie

There are five species of widow spiders (genus: Latrodectus) in America north of Mexico, a total of forty described species worldwide. For the most part, widow spiders are secretive and nocturnal and seldom bite unless physically contacted and feeling threatened. [Click here to read more...]

originally posted: August 13, 2003 | by chelsie

The red widow (Latrodectus bishopi Kaston) is one of five species of widow spiders in North America. It is endemic (limited in its range) to the scrub habitats along the central Florida peninsula. The red widow was not even discovered and named until 1938. [Click here to read more...]

originally posted: August 6, 2003 | by chelsie

Woolly locoweed (Astragalus mollissimus Torrey) is native to the western U.S. ranging from South Dakota to Texas and across to Nevada. Woolly loco is not particularly palatable to cattle, horses, and sheep. But it is one of the first to emerge from winter dormancy and one of the last to die down when other plants have withered. With few other plants for forage, range animals will eat woolly loco. Once herbivores have eaten it, they are habituated to the plant. They will seek it out and refuse other foods if the plant is available. [Click here to read more...]

originally posted: July 30, 2003 | by chelsie

Lycaenidae are the gossamer wing butterflies. The gossamer wings derive their beautiful coloring from two distinctive types of scales: scales with pigments--browns, oranges, and grays--and scales that refract light--iridescent greens, blues, purples, and coppery-oranges. It is estimated that there are five to seven thousand species worldwide. About one hundred species (or species and subspecies) are present in North America. (National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Butterflies, Robert M. Pyle, Alfred A. Knopf, 1981) [Click here to read more...]

originally posted: July 23, 2003 | by chelsie

One can draw a line across North America at the thirty-sixth parallel, south of this line with few exceptions, the great spangled fritillary (Speyeria cybele Fabricius) is sporadic and rare; north of this line with few exceptions, the butterfly is common. The butterfly is at home in open, moist meadows, pastures, and woodlands. [Click here to read more...]

originally posted: July 16, 2003 | by chelsie

The yellow prairie violet (Viola nuttallii Pursh) is a cool temperate plant. Native to western Canada and the U.S., it ranges as far south as New Mexico. But in the warmer regions, it is found growing only in upper elevations. The violet depends on ants like the black sub-alpine ant (Formica podzolica Francoeur). [Click here to read more...]

originally posted: July 9, 2003 | by chelsie

White or Dutch clover (Trifolium repens Linnaeus) is native to Europe; the highly nutritious plant has been introduced worldwide as forage for pasture animals. The tiny white clover flowers or florets are borne on dense spikes giving the appearance of globular heads. The inflorescence may have anywhere from fifty to two hundred-fifty florets, but only ten or twelve are open and attracting bees at anyone time. [Click here to read more...]

originally posted: July 2, 2003 | by chelsie

The fragrant white waterlily (Nymphaea odorata Aiton) is native to lakes and slow moving streams in eastern North America ranging from the temperate to tropical zones. The flowers are only open for a few hours in the early morning. Each flower has a lifespan of three days and a strategy to prevent self-pollination or 'selfing'. The beautiful flowers are not designed for butterflies or bees, but to attract beetles. [Click here to read more...]