Backyard Orchard News
Where's the Praying Mantis?
It's one of the most recognizable of all insects--if you can find it. Ever had someone poke you...
Where's the praying mantis? Look closely on the milkweed and you'll find it. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Time to climb. A praying mantis looking for prey on a milkweed. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A good spot to hang out. A praying mantis hanging upside down on a milkweed. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey
A praying mantis engages in a little grooming as it nears the top of a milkweed. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
On top of the world--on top of a milkweed. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Seeing Yellow: Why? Outbreak of Alfalfa Butterflies
If you've been driving near alfalfa fields in Yolo County and other Central California counties...
Alfalfa butterfly trapped in a spider web and doused by a sprinkler. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Alfalfa butterfly nectaring on a Mexican sunflower (Tithonia). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Gotta Love Those 'Cats
You gotta love those 'cats. Gulf Fritillary caterpillars (Agraulis vanillae) are always hungry....
Mirror image--Two Gulf Fritillary caterpillars crawl along a Passiflora stem, looking for food. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Always hungry, the Gulf Fritillary caterpillar is not one to turn down food. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Here we go! Wonder how much food is over there? (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
When you're out of leaves, no worries. Next, eat the flower buds. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
If Gulf Fritillary caterpillars keep eating and manage to evade predators and diseases, they'll turn into spectacular orangish-reddish butterflies with silver-spangled underwings. This one is landing on a Passiflora blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Sex. Passion. And a Butterfly and Passiflora
Sex. Passion. Passionflower vine. And by--what else--the "passion butterflies," Gulf...
Gulf Fritillary butterflies (Agraulis vanillae) mating. In the background (at left) is a Gulf Frit caterpillar. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
When they're mating, Gulf Fritillaries look like two different spcies. It's an orangish-reddish butterfly with silver-spangled underwings. It is as spectacular as it is showy. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Mating Gulf Fritillary butterflies spreading their wings. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The Joy of Rearing Monarchs Is Releasing Them
Oh, the joy of rearing monarchs...from an egg to a caterpillar to a chrysalis to an...
This newly eclosed female monarch just wants to linger. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A newly released monarch nectaring on a Mexican sunflower (Tithonia) next to a bird house, a replica of a barn. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A monarch butterfly has its choice of Mexican sunflowers (Tithonia). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Close-up of a newly released monarch nectaring on a Mexican sunflower (Tithonia). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)