1. Education

Know Your Butterflies

All butterflies belong to one of six families - swallowtails, brush-foots, whites and sulphurs, gossamer-wings, metalmarks, or skippers. Become familiar with each group's traits, and you'll have an easier time identifying these flying flowers.

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Insects Spotlight10

Bug of the Week - May 2, 2012

Wednesday May 2, 2012
Bug of the Week - May 2, 2012

This Bug of the Week may be a little tricky, so be sure to read the clues I've left for you in the forum. If you think you've identified it correctly, post your ID in a comment. Don't forget to come back next Wednesday to see if you were right, and to try another insect ID challenge. Good luck!

Last week's photo featured the eastern pondhawk dragonfly, Erythemis simplicicollis. This species is often described as an aggressive hunter with a penchant for eating butterflies.

Photo: © Debbie Hadley, WILD Jersey

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The Buzz - April 2012

Monday April 30, 2012

One last look at the new articles published this month on About Insects:

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Friday Fact - Why You Should Plant an Oak Tree for Arbor Day

Friday April 27, 2012

Did you know...

Happy Arbor Day! If you're planting a tree for Arbor Day today, consider planting an oak tree, please. Why? Because an oak tree probably supports more invertebrate life than any other tree. In his book Bringing Nature Home, entomologist Doug Tallamy notes that oak trees (genus Quercus) support no less than 534 different species of caterpillars. And that's just the Lepidoptera. Have you ever noticed how many galls you can find on an oak tree? Tallamy adds that oaks are favorite hangouts of all kinds of other insects, from stag beetles to stick insects. So please, do the bugs a solid - plant an oak for Arbor Day this year.

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Bug of the Week - April 25, 2012

Wednesday April 25, 2012
Bug of the Week - April 25, 2012

I've been finding lots of dragonflies and damselflies on the trail when I hike lately. It made me realize I haven't posted many odonates for Bug of the Week. So, here you go - can you identify this one? I've put a few clues in the forum. If you think you can, post your answer in a comment. Next week, I'll give you a shout out if you answered correctly.

Last week's mystery insect was the two-spotted stink bug (Perillus bioculatus). Though this species can very greatly in color, it has distinct markings that make it fairly easy to ID. Moni recognized it, and Chris agreed with her assessment. Perillus bioculatus is a predatory stink bug that preys most often on caterpillars and leaf-eating beetles, making it a truly beneficial insect in the garden.

Photo: Susan Ellis, Bugwood.org

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