Moths & Butterflies

[Brenda]

I finally got him! I couldn't believe how cooperative he was being, so I kept inching closer and I put my hand in front of him and he climbed right on (for a few seconds)!

Black Swallowtail (male):

[Brenda]

I suspected as much. Here's the one that we visited in Houston: http://www.hmns.org/see_do/butterfly_center.asp Is the one in Ontario as large? I wonder if the one at Strong is native species? It would be cool if there was one in our area that focused on that. Hmm... something to suggest to perhaps the Ithaca Science Center or Cayuga Nature Center.

[Matt]

I can't tell if it's any bigger. They have 10 or so less species.

[Brenda]

I discovered an exhibit of native species here: http://www.adkvic.org/butterfly_ps.html

[konapug]

check out www. butterflies and moths of north america

[Brenda]

Did you perhaps mean this site? http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/ This is one of the online field guides that I use to help with identifying unknown species. The only thing that I would say about it is that if you're using the map feature, don't narrow the results any farther than NY state, because I've had species here that don't show in my county.

[ShanaD]

While I was house-sitting in Syracuse over the weekend, I had to take care of the pool. It was too hot to do during the day so I waited until night. I turned on the back light without even thinking about all the bugs it was going to attract. I am very not into bugs at all, any kind, especially big ones with fat bodies that fly. (I did not go in the butterfly conservatory with Matt as I had a bad experience the last time we went.) ANYWAYS, while I was taking care of the pool a bug, probably as big as the palm of my hand, flew towards the light, smacked into it and fell on the ground. And I thought to myself, what a stupid bug. It was wiggling around by my foot, which was in a sandal, and I just couldn’t bear to squish it. So I just stared at it and made sure my dog didn’t eat it, walked around it and went back into the house until it was safe to return outside. It looked like it had wings like a dragonfly, but bigger and not translucent, and a really big fuzzy body. (Which I knew would make a big crunchy sound, maybe even pop if I stepped on it, which is another reason for stepping around it.) It was off-white/creamy in color. Does anyone know what kind of bug this is? I am just curious.

[Matt]

If they had a "wall of shame" at the butterfly conservatory, she'd be on it.