Butterfly on Butterfly
Here we have butterfly on butterfly – Monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterflies nectaring on this Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) as photographed yesterday and today. The Asclepias likely tipped you off to the fact that this is indeed a species of native milkweed plant. It is always attractive to our lepidoptera. Enjoy the orange on orange! Have you found your Monarchs yet? How about any eggs or caterpillars? Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreGreat Spangled Fritillary & Eastern Purple Coneflower
I am finally seeing more butterfly abundance and diversity as we enter July, and I could not be happier about that! I photographed this appropriately named Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) nectaring on a fresh Eastern Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) during the morning of Independence Day. These pollinator plants are gorgeous and great for attracting beneficial insects to your yard. On Sunday, July 3, I was thrilled to finally see my first of the year Monarch butterflies. What species have you spotted recently? Have you planted anything in your garden to help pollinators...
Read MoreSwamp Milkweed
The Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is on the way! These wonderfully helpful pollinator plants, beloved by the Monarch butterfly for feeding and egg laying, will be blooming soon enough. I am looking forward to seeing all sorts of butterflies and other insects enjoying the nectar this summer. Have you planted any beneficial and native pollinator plants in your yard? What are you hoping to spot feeding on them? Go see what you can find this weekend in the great outdoors… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreMonarch in Panama
I had to immediately share this little gem by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser photographed yesterday at the Biodiversity Museum of Panama. Yes, this is a Monarch (Danaus plexippus) that was feeding with a number of other butterfly species right outside the Museum in the natural gardens. Sean felt it was a great little reminder of North American biodiversity there in Panama, and it was especially terrific being at a museum that houses some of RTPI President Twan Leenders’ art! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreMonarch Beauty
We are winding down Monarch migration for the 2015 season, as individuals filtering through to the south now are in for a very difficult journey to Mexico. This late and beautiful butterfly was really in crisp and lovely shape, showing off the gorgeous Halloween colors while feeding. I hope he will be one of the lucky ones to make it all the way to the wintering grounds. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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