Growing With Science Blog

We have some large, unusual looking  insects in the Western United States:

But not many people see them because they are under the soil or under rocks.

They have a number of common names, but usually are called Jerusalem crickets (Family Stenopelmatidae). They are not true crickets, but have a similar lifestyle. They feed on decaying plant material in the soil, or possibly roots depending on the species.

This one was hiding under a rock.

Ready to guess? Last week’s plant grows throughout the United States and this one does too.

Are you ready to find out what the mystery seed of the week6 was?

It is the seed pod of butterfly weed, Asclepias tuberosa.

The plant is a member of the milkweed family and has typical milkweed flowers.

The lovely, colorful flowers are a favorite of butterflies, hence the name.