Monthly Archives: May 2012

Speed Oviposition

Posted on May 24, 2012 by jjneal

Egg laying can be a dangerous task for parasitoids and parasites. Potential hosts often fight back with a kick of the legs or a snap of the mandibles that can stun or kill the parasitoid. In most species, time is … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment | Leave a comment

Taking Flight

Posted on May 23, 2012 by jjneal

In art, butterflies frequently symbolize freedom, flying away from our earthly cares and gliding effortlessly through the sunny skies. The sculpture “Taking Flight” in front of a shelter for women in Boise, Idaho is an example of the symbolism. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, by jjneal, News | Leave a comment

Thrips In Fossil Evidence

Posted on May 22, 2012 by jjneal

Amber is a hard resinous material made from tree sap. I have discussed its formation in a previous post. In 2009, amber deposited around 100 million years ago was found in the North Coast “Basque” area of Spain. The amber … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment | Leave a comment

Tulip Tree Scale

Posted on May 21, 2012 by jjneal

The State Tree of Indiana is the Tulip Tree. Although it feeds on tulip trees, the Tulip Tree Scale is NOT the state insect. Scale insects have sucking mouthparts that drill into tissue for feeding. The Tulip Tree Scale taps … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment, News, Pest Management | Leave a comment

Red Admiral Migration

Posted on May 20, 2012 by jjneal

The Red Admiral Butterflies have been out in large flocks this spring, not only here in Tippecanoe County, Indiana but across the northeastern US and into Canada. In the fall, the Red Admiral Butterflies migrate south for their winter generation. … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment | 1 Comment

Malaria Fighting Fashion

Posted on May 19, 2012 by jjneal

Clothing treated with insect repellent or insecticide has been available for a number of years. In the US, mosquito repellent clothing is popular with hunters and primarily available in styles that are popular with outdoorsmen. There is no reason why … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, by jjneal, Health, Pest Management | Leave a comment

Friday Cat-erpillar Blogging: Butterflies as Botanists

Posted on May 18, 2012 by jjneal

In 1884, Fritz Muller wrote a letter to the Journal Nature with the title, “Butterflies as Botanists.” The letter concerned the classification of a plant genus, Brunfelsia which for many years had been assigned to the snapdragon family. Muller noted … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Caterpillar Blogging, Environment | Leave a comment