Category Archives: Environment

Enhancing Pollinators With Landscape Management

Posted on July 22, 2017 by jjneal

Bees collect pollen to feed to their brood. Without pollen, the brood starves and the bees are eliminated. In their native habitats, bees encounter a variety of plants with differing phenologies. Some flower early, some midseason and some flower late. … Continue reading →

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Eastern Tailed Blue

Posted on July 14, 2017 by jjneal

The Eastern Tailed Blue, Cupido comyntas, is a common butterfly in Indiana summers. The Eastern Tailed blue feeds on a variety of legumes including clovers. The larvae often feed on the flowers and seeds of their host plant. Flowers and … Continue reading →

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The Eyes Have It

Posted on July 13, 2017 by jjneal

Many species of butterfly, especially in the family Nymphalidae have markings on the wings that resemble eyes. For humans, eyes, or images resembling eyes attract the attention of our brains. Movements of the face and eyes are important visual cues … Continue reading →

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On the Right Road

Posted on July 11, 2017 by jjneal

A number of states are adopting mowing practices along the edges of roads (the right of way) that are designed to allow diverse vegetation as habitat for butterflies and other animals. These practices have been supported by lobbying from conservation … Continue reading →

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Posted on July 10, 2017 by jjneal

The Nettle Tree Butterfly is a snout butterfly that ranges across Europe, Africa and Asia. Obtaining an accurate count of butterflies with humans standing on the ground is problematic. Could a drone (UAV) provide better counts? A group of scientists … Continue reading →

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Maintaining Flight Stability

Posted on July 3, 2017 by jjneal

Insects face dangers that can damage their locomotor appendages. Any hope of successful reproduction requires compensation for loss of an appendage. Damselflies that lose one of their hind wings are not crippled.  They are still capable of flight, flying in … Continue reading →

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Euphyes vestris

Posted on July 1, 2017 by jjneal

The Dun Skipper, Euphyes vestris, is small with brown wings and does not possess many distinguishing marks. The head and the thorax have a golden tinge. The larvae feed on sedges and are common in wetlands and along waterways. The … Continue reading →

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