Monday, March 29, 2010

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

Thursday, March 25, 2010

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

Monday, March 22, 2010

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.

Friday, March 19, 2010

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.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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!