Black Swallowtail Butterfly
Here’s a Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) shot from this summer to add a little to the mood of our Halloween week. These delightfully bold butterflies have such a terrific contrast to them. While I have not seen any of them recently, I certainly have seen many other butterfly species still on the wing thanks to such a warm October. These include still sizable numbers of Painted Lady, Monarch, Common Buckeye, Orange Sulphur, and more. Do you still have any butterflies in your yard? Any flower you can find now is going to attract them! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach...
Read MoreRTPI Protecting Pollinators
How many Monarchs have you seen this year? Anecdotal reports that I have heard- along with my own personal experiences – seem to indicate this was an improved season for one of our favorite butterflies. RTPI’s partnership and collaborative work at Audubon Connecticut at Stratford Point with Audubon Connecticut plus Sacred Heart University and the Connecticut Butterfly Association continues to aid our pollinators with expanded gardens and grasslands fueling or hosting dozens and dozens of species each day. I will show you more of our 2017 accomplishments soon, but for now please...
Read MoreSoggy HWA Survey
Our first two Hemlock Woolly Adelgid surveys have been successful in the fact that we haven’t found any evidence of the little invasive pests! However, this past week’s survey was rather wet due to the massive amount of rain and snow melt Chautauqua County has experienced. As you can see it looks as though the salamanders should be coming out soon and checking out these pools, but hopefully this wacky weather won’t wake them up quite yet!
Read MoreMonarch Butterfly on Butterfly
Here is a look back to this summer at a butterfly on butterfly – in this case it is the Monarch (Danaus plexippus) on a Butterfly Bush (Buddleia). Look at all the glorious details on this stunning individual! Bask in the warm glow of the hot sun on the beautiful orange wings. Do you feel less cold yet? Butterfly bushes are a difficult subject. On the one hand, they are non-native, and it seems that in certain areas and regions they can readily spread and exclude some of our native vegetation. Native plants also often do provide more nutrition for native species of insects, birds, and...
Read MorePitbull Katydid
While we head into winter we will be bringing you more green scenes and wildlife – occasionally at the same time – from the tropics, as is tradition here at RTPI. Our staff carries out several active research and education initiatives in Central America. Our partners and affiliates conduct some fantastic and important conservation work there as well. We always end up with some terrific media that showcases the splendid variety of life these nations hold. This is the Pitbull Katydid as photographed a few years back by RTPI President Twan Leenders while in Panama. As Twan said they...
Read More