Category: Bug of the Week (Page 161 of 218)

Bug of the Week: Solar Butterflies

We went to the Desert Botanical Garden this week.

I didn’t find many insects, but there were some butterflies.

All were like this blue, sitting in the sun with their wings outstretched between bouts of flying.

This male queen butterfly was sunning in a mesquite tree.

The butterflies reminded me of solar collectors with their panels directed to catch the sun.

Bees like this honey bee have another strategy to keep warm on cold days. Do you know what it is?

This little guy was using the strategy of puffing up his fur to trap air inside.

Which strategies do you use to keep warm on a cold day?

Bug of the Week: Monarch Butterfly

While snow is falling elsewhere, we are having record high temperatures. That means some insects are still active, including this monarch butterfly on our desert milkweed plant.

She was fluttering around the plant and then landing here and there.

When she landed, she curled her abdomen. (I was taking the photographs from as far as way as possible with a doubler, so as not to disturb her.)

Any idea what she is doing?

This might give you a clue.

Yes, that white dot is an egg.

You can bet we’ll be watching our milkweed plant closely over the next few weeks to see what develops.

We planted our desert milkweeds for the butterflies. Do you have any butterfly plants in our yard?

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