Bradley Beach Elementary School- 6th Grade Art Class

Today I had the wonderful experience of going to the Bradley Beach Elementary School in Bradley Beach, NJ to teach 25 young artists how to draw a butterfly. I took my book, Mother Monarch with me. I read the book out loud to them and during the reading I had the original paintings and was able to hold them up for the children to see. I showed them how I drew the paintings and talked about all the research it took from raising the caterpillars and growing the milkweed. They learned what was involved in putting a book together and how I worked with my story to create each picture for the book. After the story was over I was able to use a digital visual projector named "Elmo" to draw a butterfly with the group. "Elmo" allowed me to draw a butterfly on a piece of paper while my hand was  under a camera. The camera enlarged the drawing and it projected it onto the wall so the students could draw with me step by step. It was loads of fun and everyone created a one of kind butterfly. Each one was unique!

 

Do you have a group of young artists that you would like a school presentation for? You can contact Mindy at Mlighthipe@mac.com for information on how you can have her visit your school too.

Mindy Lighthipe.m4v

Museum boosts sales of Mother Monarch during Butterfly Fest

I had the wonderful experience of participating in Butterfly Fest at the Museum of Natural History in Gainesville, Florida in October. It was a blast. There were over 6,000 visitors. They were all ages and sizes and many were wearing their butterfly wings. My solo show opened at the museum in conjunction with Butterfly Fest. I was able to do a book signing of my new book, Mother Monarch. Here are a few pics of my new friend Gwen Thompson and her band of merry butterflies passing my exhibit spreading joy and pollen through the museum!

American Lady Butterfly (Vanessa virginiensis)

Insect Art to promote insect growth and development

The American Lady is a member of the Brushfoot family (Nymphalidae) and the True Brushfoot (Nymphalinae) subfamily. Its range includes most of the USA and parts of northern Mexico and southern Canada, migrating north from its winter home in Florida or Mexico. In summer it can be seen as far north as Canada. American Ladies fly south again in the fall. Exhibiting a rapid, nervous flight pattern, it prefers open areas such as fields, meadows, and roadsides and is attracted to low-growing nectar and host plants, here depicted on Zinnia elegans. The caterpillars feed on Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea), Cudweeds (Gnaphalium), and Pussytoes (Antennaria plantaginifolia), pictured. The caterpillar binds several leaves together to form a silky nest and hiding place (as pictured here). The American Lady’s most striking distinguishing features are the two large blue-centered eyespots on its hind wings.

Artist: Mary Christiansen
E-mail: mary.christiansen@yahoo.com

Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)

 Insect Art to promote insect development.

The Cabbage White is found in every part of North America, from Northern Canada to Mexico, and in many other parts of the world. Originally an African and Eurasian species, it was introduced into Quebec Province in 1860. In a matter of decades, the butterfly had spread across the continent. The larvae of Cabbage Whites feed only on plants containing mustard oil, principally members of the Brassicaceae family. This characteristic makes them very unpopularwith farmers, since many brassicas are food plants for humans, as well. The mustard oil renders them unpalatable to birds, certainly a reason that these butterflies are so prolific. The adults nectar on a wide variety of flowers, including those of Asteraceae, Lamiaceae and Brassicaceae.The adults illustrated here are nectaring on Blazing Star (Liatris spicata).The larvae and a pupa are shown as observed on Tuscan Kale (Brassica oleracea).

Artist: Lanis Monfried
E-mail address: laniswm@optonline.net

Common Buckeye Butterfly

Common Buckeye (Junonia coeni)

Insect art to promote insect growth and development.

Named for it distinctive eye spots on its wings, the Common Buckeye has a wingspan of 2 - 2.5 inches.  The Buckeye prefers open, sunny areas with some bare ground and low vegetation. It is shown here
with Common Lantana (Lantana camara). During the day males perch to watch for females, flying periodically to chase other flying insects. Females lay eggs singly on the topside of host plant leaves upon which the caterpillar feeds (Depicted here is the Common Broad-leaved Plaintain (Plantago major).The Buckeye is found throughout the southern United States and north along the coasts. Although the Buckeye flies in summer throughout much of North, it is not able to overwinter very far north. In the autumn along the East Coast, there are impressive southward migrations. In places such as Cape May, New Jersey, the October hordes of Buckeyes drifting southward rival those of Monarchs in number and spectacle.

Artist:  Douglas Nieters  
E-mail address:  doug.nieters@credit-suisse.com
Website: http://www.dougnieters.com

Tulip Tree Moth

Tulip-tree Silkmoth (Callosamia angulifera)

 

Insect art to promote insect growth and development.

The Tulip-tree Silkmoth, a member of the Giant Silkworm family (Saturniidae), is found in the woodlands and forests of eastern North America. Silkworm moths exist solely to mate. Having no mouths, they neither eat nor drink and live for only a week. They are nocturnal, with distant males responding to the female’s pheromones, and mate between dusk and midnight. At dusk the following  evening the female lays eggs, in rows of 4-10, on the leaves of the tulip tree. The eggs hatch in a week with young caterpillars feeding in groups. Older caterpillars do not eat the main vein of the leaf and are solitary creatures. In nature the caterpillar feeds only on the tulip tree, also called the yellow poplar, (Liriodendron tulipifera); its range matches that of the tree, shown here. The cocoon, in a curled tulip tree leaf, is not attached beyond the petiole and falls to the ground where it overwinters.
Artist: Elise Ross
E-mail address:  elisejr@optonline.net

American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)  

Insect art to promote insect growth and development.

  

                                       

American Copper is a common widespread little butterfly that ranges from Nova Scotia south to Georgia, Tennessee, and Arkansas; west across the Great Lakes to North Dakota. In the east it can be found in open or disturbed areas, including pastures, fields, and landfills. This small butterfly has a wing span of 7/8 to 1 3/8 inches. Males perch on grass or weeds to wait for receptive females. Females lay ribbed, pale green eggs singly on the stems or leaves of its host plant, sheep sorrel, (Rumex acetosella). The chrysalis overwinters in leaf litter. There are between two and three broods a year.  The caterpillar can be reddish to yellowish-green, possibly marked with red on the back or sides. It reaches an average length of 3/4 inch. Caterpillars feed on Rumex acetosella by chewing holes on the underside of the leaves. Adult butterflies drink nectar from many flowers including buttercup, white clover, and butterfly weed.

Artist: Beth Rhame

Contact Beth at: Banditboo2@aol.com

Cecropia Moth - Insect Art

Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia)

The adult Cecropia, a member of the Giant Silkworm family, do not have functioning mouthparts and do not feed. This characteristic has coevolved along with their pheromone mating system: the ability of females to attract distant males, and thus their characteristic feathery antennae. They range east of the Rocky Mountains and are found in a variety of open areas such as backyards and woodlands. The caterpillar eats the foliage of many trees and shrubs. This specimen was hand-reared on Black Cherry, Prunus serotina. It uses nearby foliage as a mold to start spinning its cocoon, producing a complex "cocoon within a cocoon" double structure. The inner cocoon is suspended within a network of loose silk resembling coarse steel wool.The caterpillar is capable of varying its silk color to match dried foliage or branches from which it is suspended. The cocoon over-winters and the moth emerges in May.

Artist: Kathie Miranda
E-mail address: kathiemiranda@me.com
Website: http://www.kathiemiranda.com

MotherMonarchSlideShow.mov

Atala Butterfly (Eumaeus atala)

Atala Butterfly (Eumaeus atala)
Insect art to promote insect growth and development.

The Atala Butterfly, once thought to be extinct, is native to Florida. The host plant is the Florida coontie (Zamia floridana), which is a cycad, a "living fossil," (a form of the primitive plant life from the dinosaur era). The Atala can tolerate the natural toxins in coonties and uses the accumulated toxins and its brilliant coloration as a defense against bird predators. The female lays her eggs, five to fifteen, usually, on coontie stalks (depicted here) or deposited on the apex of mature leaflets. Caterpillars are known to be cannibalistic. The butterfly emerges in the early morning, courts and mates in the late afternoon, and dies within ten days.The nectar plant depicted here is the White Indigo Berry (Randia aculeata), a member of the Rubiaceae family. It is a pineland shrub with white, salmon-blushed fruit, and white star-shaped flowers that are exuberantly fragrant.

Artist: Sarah Saltus Siddig

E-Mail Address: sarahsaltsid@comcast.net

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Insect art to promote insect growth and development.

 

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)

Two females are shown laying eggs on the leaves of Wild Black Cherry (Rosaceae prunus serotina), a preferred host plants. The branches are depicted as they appear in late spring (full blossom) and in late summer with ripe fruit.The Eastern tiger swallowtail reaches a wingspan of 4.8 to 5 inches. The female appears in two forms, a yellow form and a dark form, the latter being protective as it imitates the Pipevine Swallowtail which has a bitter taste.The eggs are laid on the top of the leaf and are among the very largest butterfly eggs (shown near each female.) The first instar of caterpillar resembles bird droppings. The final instar is a lovely green with lighter sides and large markings resembling eyes. It can measure up to 5.5 centimeters. The chrysalis usually hangs upright on a twig from a thread near the juncture of the thorax and abdomen.

Artist: Marsha Ra
marsha@marshara.com
Website: http://www.marshara.com

Mother Monarch makes a great gift for teachers

Teachers will love it!

 Purchase the book $19.95 + $4.95 USPS     

The school year is coming to close. Just a few more weeks and the days will be warm and it will be Schools Out for the summer. Yippee! Do you have a special teacher that you would like to give a gift to? This wonderful book is a fantastic way to say, " Thanks Teacher! I appreciate you!" 

Here is what people are saying about Mother Monarch:

"Your new book is WONDERFUL!  Every illustration is beautiful!  I am thrilled to have it in my possession!" Little Silver, New Jersey

"Our mouths were wide with wonder at the remarkable tale of these beautiful creatures. I learned so much and was left in awe of them."  Raleigh, North Carolina

Hummingbird Clearwing Moth

Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemeris thysbe)

Insect art to promote insect growth and development.

The Hummingbird Clearwing moth is a small dayflying moth. Often mistaken for a hummingbird, the
moth can be seen hovering over flowers, never landing on them, using its long proboscis to extract
nectar. Butterfly bushes, red bee balm and Casa Blanca lilies are their favorites in my garden. Eggs are
laid singly on the host plants of the Honeysuckle family, and it is not unusual to find several caterpillars
feeding on the same plant. The anal horn on the back of the caterpillar is red and very long when the
caterpillar is young, but turns blue just prior to pupation, depicted. Clearwings pupate in a weak
cocoon spun among fallen leaves. The “clear” wing appears as scales wear off soon after the moth
emerges. Scale of drawing is as follows: Clearwing moth is shown in actual size and five times
magnification. Caterpillars and pupas are shown in two times magnification.

Artist: April Flaherty
E-mail: April_Flaherty@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.aprillouisedesign.com

Zebra Longwing Butterfly

Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charitonius)
Insect art to promote insect growth and development.

The Zebra Longwing is common to Central and South America but also resides in southern Florida. It begins mating right after it emerges from its chrysalis. The female lays five to fifteen eggs on the leaves of passion flower vines. The caterpillar (depicted twice the size) has a white body with long black spines and a yellow/green head. It can go from egg to butterfly in a little over three weeks and continues this life cycle year round.The Passion flower depicted here is Passiflora incarnata,a species common to the southern USA.The Passion flower is named for the Passion of Christ on the cross. In the 15th century, Spanish Christian missionaries discovered it and adopted its unique structures as symbols of the Crucifixion.The 72 radial filaments (depicted 10 times actual size) represent the Crown of Thorns; the ten petals, the ten apostles; the top three stigmata, the three nails; and the lower five anthers, the five wounds.

Little Yellow

Little Yellow (Eurema lisa)

Insect art to promote insect growth and development.

The Little Yellow likes warm weather and can usually be seen on the eastern side of northern South America, the West Indies up to the Carolinas. In the last few decades, however, they have become more frequent visitors further north to the Great Lakes Regions and New England. The Little Yellow cannot
survive cold winters. Fresh immigrants arrive in the Northeast and Midwest every year, furnishing one to two more broods before the autumn chill kills them. Vast numbers of Little Yellows emigrate to the Caribbean and Atlantic. Little Yellows are small with a wingspan ranging between three to four centimeters. The mating pair in the foreground of this illustration are a bit more than twice their natural size. The female lays minute eggs usually on a legume such as Wild Senna or the Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata), illustrated here. Clovers (Trifolium) and Hog Peanuts (Amphicarpse) can also serve a host plants for Little Yellows.

Artist: Cindy Gilbane

If you would like to see more of Cindy's art go to:  http://www.artbygilbane.com

or e-mail her at: clgilbane@gmail.com

Great Spangled Fritillary

Great Spangled Fritillary  (Speyeria cybele)

Insect art to promote insect growth and development.
 

The Great Spangled Fritillary, named for the silvery “spangles” on the undersurface, is found throughout most of the eastern United States, central California, New Mexico, and central Arkansas. The caterpillars (larvae) of all Greater Fritillaries feed on a single host plant, violets (Viola spp.), pictured. However, adult butterflies nectar from many species of flowers including purple coneflower. (Echinacea purpurea) A member of the brush-footed (Nymphalidae) family, it has a wingspan of 2 to 4 inches. The lack of a black spot near the base of the forewing, as well as a wide, pale submarginal band on the hindwing, distinguishes it from Aphrodite and Atlantis. The Great Spangled exhibits a distinctive lifestyle. After mating, females seem to enter a rare state of summer dormancy (estivation). In early fall, eggs are laid in leaf litter near violets, but often not upon them. Emerging caterpillars do not feed, but go into hibernation until spring.

Artist: Nikki Giannini
Contact Nikki at: nikkigiannini@mac.com

Queen butterfly

Queen Butterfly - Monarch Butterfly MIMIC

 

The Queen belongs to the family of the Danaidae. The Danaidae are known as "Milkweed Butterflies" since they not only feed on milkweed, but also lay their eggs on it. The Queen butterfly nectars on a wide variety of plants, one of which is the Lantana camara portrayed in this image. It survives on the energy it gets from the sugar that the nectar contains, as well as on the nutrition it stored in its body as a caterpillar. The Queen butterfly is a fierce migrator and can travel distances from Southern Florida to Massachussetts. Most butterflies live for one to two weeks but the Queen can survive an entire winter season. As with other North American Danaus species, it is involved in mimicry with the Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) and Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) where the three co-occur. The diet of Milkweed makes all three unpalatable to predators.
  

Artist: Gusta Van Dobbenburgh

E-mail address:gusta@botanical.nl

Website: www.botanical.nl
Gusta has been planning to paint more butterflies and is continuously expanding on her botanical cards. Also, her first calendar is coming out this spring! All to be seen on her updated website soon!

Leonard's Skipper

Leonard’s Skipper
Insect art to promote insect growth and development.
 

Leonard’s Skipper (Hesperia leonardis), found in southern Canada and most of the eastern United States, is identified by the sharply defined white to yellow spots on the hind wing. The yellow felt inside the male’s stigma is also distinctive. A member of the Skipper (Hesperiidae) family, this is the only single brooded, fall-flying, resident butterfly in New England.


Its host plants are perennial grasses including Switch Grass, (Panicum virgatum) and Little Bluestem, (Schizachyrium scoparium). Eggs are laid singly on or near the host. Caterpillars feed on leaves and live in shelters of tied leaves. First-stage caterpillars hibernate.


After emergence in August, males patrol nectar-producing plants where females are likely to appear. Favorite nectar plants are pink to blue late season composites including New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae), Blazing Star (Liatris punctata), and Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium fistulosum). Aster novae-angliae, 'Purple Dome' Aster is depicted here. Its bloom time coincides with Leonard’s Skipper’s flight.

Artist: Susan Brand

Susan Brand has an upcoming exhibit of her work.  

Flora, Fauna, Feathers with Joy Yagid and Tricia Zimic

April 17 - May 16, 2010
1978 Arts Center
1978 Springfield Ave.
Maplewood, NJ
Artists' Reception:
Sunday, April 25th, 2-5pm
To find out more about her art and  exhibit:

http://www.susanbrand.com         E-mail address: Susan@susanbrand.com

Diane Frittilary & Viola pedata

Diana Fritillary (Speyeria diana)

Insect art to promote insect growth and development.
 

  

Artist: Jane Guttman © 2008

The beautiful Diana fritillary is a dimorphic member of the Brushfoot 

(Nymphalidae) family. Females mimic the Pipevine Swallowtail and are black with blue and lighter patches near the margin of the wing; males are orange with black veins and spots on the outer margin and black on the basal half. The wing span ranges from 3 to 4 inches. Dianas live predominantly in mountain forests. Home range is the southern Appalachians and the Ozark Mountains. There is one flight from June to September, with males emerging first. In the fall, females attach eggs to dead leaves and twigs on the forest floor. Without feeding, the caterpillars hatch and hibernate. In the spring, completely developed, they feed on violets, such as Viola pedata, pictured. The adults nectar at milkweed, ironweed, dung, red clover, and purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), pictured. Threats to this butterfly come mainly from pest control and logging.

The Viola pedata is a lovely little wildflower that most people find just about everywhere, mostly in the middle of their lawns. the problem is that it gets mowed down too often. If you find this lovely plant in the middle of the lawn, dig it up and move it to a safe spot. It tolerates transplanting and who knows...... maybe you will be feeding the next generation of the lovely Diana frittilary!

Artist: Jane Guttman
Jane is not only an artist but is a New York State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator specializing in turtles/tortoises. To find out more about Jane visit her website:  http://www.catsntorts.org or E-mail her at: catsntorts@gmail.com

These series of paintings are part of a traveling exhibit from the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, Greater NY Chapter. for more info about the GNSI visit: http://www.gnsi.org

Pipevine Swallowtail

The Pipevine Swallowtail

 Insect art to promote insect growth and development.

The Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) is a common butterfly of the USA. Its life cycle starts with the female laying small batches of orange eggs on the underside of the leaves of a native host plant, the Dutchman's Pipevine, Aristolochia macrophylla. The caterpillars feed in small groups when young, but become solitary when older.The caterpillars as well as thebutterflies are unpalatable to predators and many other species of butterflies mimic their appearance. The caterpillar forms a chrysalis that is attached near but not often on its host plant. In order to safely overwinter, the caterpillar makes a silk thread (depicted here two times the actual size.) which wraps around the twig and harnesses itself for stability. Adults are common in the garden and can be found nectaring on honeysuckle (shown here) as well as phlox, teasel, azaleas, lantana, petunias, verbenas,lupines, and butterfly bush.
Artist: Mindy Lighthipe


I purchased my Dutchman's Pipevine  Aristolochia macrophylla at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve.


It has been growing in my front yard for 3 years and I am hoping that the vine is big enough this year to produce flowers. It makes a gorgeous natural shade screen and should be supported to grow upright.

Now more than ever Plant Milkweed!!!

I belong to the North American Butterfly Association. I am lucky enough to live about 20 minutes  from the National headquarters in Morristown, NJ. They meet monthly and have wonderful information on everything about butterflies. They do butterfly counts and are very concerned about the health of butterfly populations. I just received an update on the Monarch Butterfly Migration from Mexico and it is not looking good. It seems that there was some severe cold weather that effected the population killing 50% or more of the population that was overwintering in Mexico. To read more about this please go to:


http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/03/18/2051354/monarch-butterflies-making-trek.html


In the meantime...... what can you do to help????


PLANT LOTS OF MILKWEED and lets get fat juicy caterpillars this summer!


Spread the word.

Milkweed is the Host Plant

It is that time of year when everyone is tired of winter. E-mails and catalogs arrive on a daily basis filled with seeds and plants to buy for the upcoming growing season. Butterfly gardening has become popular. Plant companies sell plants that attract butterflies. What most gardeners do not know is that these plants are nectar plants. Butterflies feed on nectar which converts to energy so they can fly and reproduce. Nectar can come from 100's of flowers but there is something greatly missing ........ and that is......... The HOST PLANT!

Host plants are what the butterfly lays her eggs on. Unlike nectar plants, host plants are very species specific. Each kind of butterfly requires a specific type of plant for the larval caterpillar.  When the caterpillar hatches it has an instant meal. The plant it hatches on is the plant it thrives on. It would be nearly impossible for a tiny caterpillar to crawl in search of food. This is where the gardener can really help. Native plants are being pushed out by invasive and hybridized species. It is difficult for butterflies to find suitable and plentiful host plants.

Milkweed is the host plant for the Monarch Butterfly. Here are some facts and info about Milkweed from Butterfly Encounters:

Milkweed is the common name for a group of plants that belong to the Asclepias genus. This genus of plants is named after Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing in ancient Greek mythology.

The monarch larva consumes the milkweed leaves while ingesting cardiac glycosides. This makes the monarch toxic to predators.

There are over 100 species of milkweed in North America and the diversity of foliage and flower color is quite amazing. See the  Milkweed Photo Gallery. All milkweeds are herbaceous perennials, meaning they live for more than two years.  Some milkweeds can't handle freezing temperatures, there are two classifications:

1. Hardy Perennial - These milkweed species can survive below freezing temperatures in any zone in the United States. They go dormant in the winter months and return each spring.
2. Frost Tender Perennial - Some milkweeds fall into this category. You can grow them anywhere in the US. If you live in a zone that falls between 1 and 9, the plants die in the winter and you will have to replant from seed in the spring. In zones 10 - 11, they will grow year round.

You can purchase milkweed seeds or plants from Butterfly Encounters. Happy planting!

 

Mother Monarch available March 9, 2010

$19.95 + $4.95 shipping

Mother Monarch is my new book from Schiffer Publishing. About 2 years ago I attended a conference for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. I had several ideas for books, but no publisher. I went to the conference to see if there was any possible way that I might get into the industry. It was a great conference and I came away with lots of useful information. I needed to find a publisher but I was nervous, not because I didn't think I'd find one ( although that thought did cross my mind) I was afraid that I would loose control. I was afraid that the publisher, editor and designer would take my book and it would become something that was not what I envisioned. I researched a lot of companies, looked at lots of children's books for subject matter, printing quality etc. I submitted proposals to a few places......... but no luck.

In 2008 I had been included in a book by Cora Marcus & Libby Kyer, Today's Botanical Artists, a Schiffer Book. The book highlights 65 artists and I was lucky enough to be included as well as make the back cover. I saw that Schiffer published children's books, so I sent them a proposal and viola! ..... I got my first book contract. 9 months after I submitted all the art and text I received my first copy of Mother Monarch. I couldn't be happier. The color and quality of the book is beautiful. The designer even made the text PURPLE. She didn't know it was my favorite color so it was a pleasant surprise. My fears of losing the creative control over my book is gone. Schiffer has done a fabulous job with the book. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

The book will be available on or about March 9, 2010.

If you are interested in purchasing the book go to the Buy the Book tab. There are some special goodies that go along with the purchase of this book that you can not get anywhere else! Check it out!