Monthly Archives: August 2012

Friday Cat-erpillar Blogging: Invasive species

Posted on August 31, 2012 by jjneal

The Cabbage White Butterfly, Pieris rapae, and its larva (aka: Imported Cabbage Worm) is a pest of cabbages and other crops in the cabbage family. The Cabbage White is an invasive exotic (Native to Europe and not to North America) … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Caterpillar Blogging, Environment, Invasive Species, Pest Management | 1 Comment

Mosquito Mating Plugs

Posted on August 30, 2012 by jjneal

Insects are known for transferring many substances during the mating process in addition to the sperm. Male insects can transfer nutrients, toxins, hormones and other substances that have physiological effects. In 1956, MT Gillies described a substance in Anopheles mosquitos … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomaterials, by jjneal, Health | Leave a comment

Pests Invade Florida

Posted on August 29, 2012 by jjneal

No, I am not referring to the politicians who air those annoying ads on TV. The “Treasure Coast” area of Florida (On the Atlantic Ocean surrounding Palm Beach) is suffering from an invasive whitefly, the Rugose Spiraling Whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus. … Continue reading →

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

Living With Ancient Amber

Posted on August 28, 2012 by jjneal

Amber is fossilized tree resin. Sap from trees falls on the ground, is covered and preserved. Tiny insects and other tiny animals can become fossils if they are trapped in the sticky resin. The movie and novel, Jurassic Park, popularized … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment, Taxonomy | 3 Comments

Living With Dainty Sulfurs

Posted on August 27, 2012 by jjneal

The Dainty Sulfur Butterfly, Nathalis iole, is the smallest of the sulfur butterflies. This beautiful yellow butterfly with distinctive black marings lives up to its “Dainty” moniker in appearance and behavior. The Dainty sulfurs are active and fliers and flit … Continue reading →

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Living With Pinned Insects

Posted on August 26, 2012 by jjneal

Preserving insects for study by mounting them on n insect pins is a practice instituted centuries ago. The pin provides a convenient “handle” to hold an insect. The pin allows information labels to be attached to the insect. The pin … Continue reading →

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Living With Euonymous Scale

Posted on August 25, 2012 by jjneal

Euonymous is an ornamental plant commonly planted in the Midwest. The “Burning Bush” varieties are especially popular for their brilliant red foliage in Autumn. Euonymous plants have a few insect pests. One of them is the Euonymous Scale, a tiny … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Environment | Leave a comment