Monthly Archives: June 2015

Living With White Wings

Posted on June 30, 2015 by jjneal

The color patterns of wings of butterflies are created by a mosaic of scales, each with its own color. A scale is a modified hair, a secretion of the underlying cell. Some scales have structural colors that are produced by … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment, Taxonomy | 1 Comment

Living With Bed Bug Attractants

Posted on June 29, 2015 by jjneal

A group of scientists* have reported the discovery of a mix of chemicals that lure bed bugs into a trap. This discovery opens the possibility of detecting bed bug populations in the early stages of an infestation by strategic trap … Continue reading →

Posted in Bed Bugs, by jjneal, Pest Management | 2 Comments

Free To Travel

Posted on June 28, 2015 by jjneal

Butterflies are admired for their free and seemingly effortless flight. They are an inspiration to those who long to travel or embark on a life’s journey. Russian-born artist, Vladimir Kush captures the beauty, emotions and hope for the journey in … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, by jjneal | Leave a comment

Choosing a Host Plant

Posted on June 27, 2015 by jjneal

The Comma Butterfly, Polygonia c-album, is one of the most polyphagous butterfly species. Butterflies frequently lay eggs, grow and develop on only a small number of plant species. Butterflies typically find host plants through visual or olfactory cues. For a … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Environment | 1 Comment

Soaring Butterflies

Posted on June 26, 2015 by jjneal

An engineer asked me if butterflies can use thermals and air currents to help them fly. The answer is yes. Both the Monarch Butterfly, Danaus plexippus, and the Mourning Cloak Butterfly, Nyphalis antiopa, have been observed to gain altitude on … Continue reading →

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

Fossils of Florissant

Posted on June 25, 2015 by jjneal

The Florissant Fossil Bed National Monument near Florissant, Colorado is a destination for people interested in insect fossils. About 34 million years ago, a volcano in what is now Guffy, Colorado erupted spewing ash over the countryside to the east. … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment | 1 Comment

Living With Green Bottle Fly

Posted on June 24, 2015 by jjneal

The common green bottle fly, Lucilia sericata is known for its importance in forensic entomology and the use of the larvae in treatment of difficult to heal wounds. Lucilia sericata is also an important plant pollinator that visits flowers to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment