Buterflies.
In doing research I went on line, put in butterfly eggs and was directed to a fertility clinic. Who would have
guessed that leap of logic.
I did learn that it is important for the right plants to be available to butterflies, we really must take care of the
land if we want to enjoy these colourful flying jewels.
There are about 28,000 known butterfly species throughout the world
Over 700 in N. America. They have four stages of life
• Egg
• Lava – caterpillar
• Pupa
• Butterfly
Butterflies rely on particular plants to produce the next generation of their species. If a caterpillar emerges
on the wrong plant it will starve rather than eat the leaves around it. Given the right conditions, when the caterpillar
emerges it is an eating machine and can grow to 27,000 times the size it was when it first emerged from its egg?
Compare that to our growth rate.
If a human baby weighed 9 pounds at birth and grew at the same rate
as
a caterpillar, it would weigh 243,000 pounds when fully grown.
Amazing wax detail
Butterfly eggs consist of a hard-ridged outer layer of shell, lined with a thin
coating of wax which prevents the egg from drying out before the larva has had time to fully develop. (How does a butterfly
produce wax and know just where to put it?).
Each egg contains a number of tiny funnel-shaped openings at one end, their
purpose is to allow sperm to enter and fertilize the egg.. In the larva stage, the egg hatches on the leaf and out comes a
caterpillar. In the pupa stage the caterpillar grows out of its skin, already wearing a new one. This phenomenon occurs
four or five times, after which the caterpillar begins to produce silk. With this silk, it attaches its body to a leaf
or twig and then sheds its furry skin for the last time.
Under the skin is a hard form called chrysalis. The caterpillar's body turns to a soft liquid, from which the wings,
legs and other body parts of the butterfly will form.
Six legs and Four wings
A newly emerged butterfly needs to spend some time 'inflating' its wings
with blood and letting them dry, during which time it is extremely vulnerable to predators.
No flying below 86 degrees.
Butterflies cannot fly if their body temperature is less than 86 degrees
No biting or chewing
Butterflies don't have mouths that allow them to bite or chew?
They, along
with most moths have a long straw like structure called a proboscis which they use to drink nectar and juices. When not in
use, the proboscis remains coiled like a garden hose
Radio Collars on butterflies?
Some butterflies live for more than a year and others live for just
a few weeks. Most live their entire life in one small area, but there are several kinds that migrate. In winter, they fly
south to warmer weather. They may fly hundreds or even thousands of miles. When spring comes, they fly back to their home!
Boggles my mind that something so delicate can fly vast distances, navigate and deal with the weather conditions.
I have no idea how scientists track butterflies, surely they don’t fit them with radio collars.
After bees, butterflies are the second largest group of pollinators So now you know a little about these amazing creatures.
Treasure and protect them. Do not use harmful sprays and don't worry about a few catterpillars in your garden,
they will not be there for long.
Largest and smallest.
Queen Alexandra's Birdwing 30cm (1 ft.) wingspan
The Western Pygmy blue wingspan of .62 inch (1.5 cm).
Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove California.
The butterflies form dense clusters with each one hanging with its wing down over the one below it to form a shingle
effect. This provides shelter from the rain and warmth for the group. The weight of the cluster help keeps it from whipping
in the wind and dislodging the butterflies.
Sir David Attenborough is now working with camera and sound techniques
that is giving scientists remarkable new
insights into insect behaviour.
3 Did You Know Quick Fact / Question
Two things we cannot do at the same time
Breathe and swallow, or sneeze with our eyes open.
Why do birds never sing on the ground-only when they are
safely perched above it?
4 Reader Feedback
From Janet Caen
Your DID YOU KNOW newsletter never fails to entertain and delight me and my family with fun
information. One of our favorites to date has been the photos spread of the egg to flight of the humming bird - that
was amazing! THANK YOU for your hard work and getting all these wonderful details to us!!
http://NewGrandma.com offering ideas for vacations with the kids; low cost and free prescription resources; Come visit your New Grandma
From Mary Rushing
Hi Evelyn,
You might change your mind about recommending 10-10-10 or whatever fertilizer
when you read the 2-page article at
www.endowmentmed.org- Go to the link 'common causes of all neurodegenerative diseases.'
Take care, Mary Rushing - LOVE this ezine!
From Alida Oenema
Loved the article about plastic/paper bags. For the past two years ( what took me so long?)
I've been buying cotton bags at Thrift Shops and the Dollar Store and have used them to bag my groceries and other shopping.
Some cashiers think it's great but others frown when they see me come 'cause it means a little bit more work for them. So,
I smile graciously and let them know that I want to reduce the plastic intake in my life.
Keep the newsletters coming.
I'm still thinking about something you can research for me and make it an editorial. Bless you for your work and getting so
many of us informed in a unique way!!!
From Coleen Tomjack
It's been very hot here, but we finally got some rain the past few days. We are very grateful
for it, as people were needing to sell their cattle, as there is no feed in the pastures for them.
Enjoyed
your newsletter, as always, I learn something new. I can tell that you put alot of time and effort into it.
It's always full of useful information. (Editor's note: I think Coleen means trivia)
Work-At-Home-Weekly Ezine
http://www.work-at-home-weekly.com
Please do write to me, with ideas, suggestions and comments.
5 Gardening Section
Dead head your flowers, it will lengthen the time the plant blooms.
Use
Rocks or garden art to create some shade for delicate plants.
Do not water in the heat of the day. Sun shining through
a water droplet
can burn the leaves. Run the hose directly to the base of the plant.
Sprinkers use massive
amounts of water and much of it evaporates. Only
a small percent reaches the roots of plants.
Set hanging baskets
in a big bowl when you water them. Let them soak up the water instead of most of it running on to the ground below.
If
you have not time to weed, at least pick off the flowers to prevent seeding the next crop.
Recycle pots. Perhaps
your local nursery could use them. Offer them to
keen gardeners you know.
Recommended Ezines and sites
Linda's newsletter is on hold for the summer but her site Stress Free Copy
is well worth a look at if " You
Positively Hate to Write! Writing Drives You Crazy! You Can Never Find the Right Words! You Just Don't have the
Time for It!
http://www.stress-freecopy.com/
Ryders Ranch Julie has partnered with several web sites and provides a variety of useful ideas, mini-video
demonstrations, audio sounds and information for "Leisure Escapes at your home". Take a look at her current
issue She has some good suggestions for summer gardening
http://www.rydersranch.ca
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