Explore the incredible life cycle of periodical cicadas! From their emergence from tiny holes to their transformation into noisy adults, this short video covers it all. Understand their underground hibernation, feeding habits, and the loud sounds they produce. Get ready for a captivating natural phenomenon!
Category Archives: insects
Common Buckeye
Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
- Butterfly that resides in Central and North America
- Wingspan is 1 5/8 inches – 2 3/4 inches (4.2 cm – 7 cm) in length
- They have eyespot patterns on its wings to deter predators
- Adults feed on nectar from plants like: aster, gumweed, knapweed and tickseed sunflower
- Buckeye caterpillar hosts on plants from the snapdragon family and the plantain family
- They prefer open, sunny areas with low vegetation with some bare ground
- Member of the Nymphalidae family
Atlas Moth
Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas)
- Has the largest surface area of all moths, up to 62 square inches (158 cm)
- Wings up to 12 inches (30 cm) long
- Lives in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia
- After emerging from their cocoon, they only live 1-2 weeks
- Said to be named “Atlas” because of the map-like images on its wings
- Conservation Status (IUCN): Vulnerable
Silkworm
Silkworm (Bombyx mori)
- Larva or caterpillar of the domesticated silkmoth
- Native to China
- Produce silk by spewing a substance called fibroin through holes in their jaws called spinnerets
- Silkworm’s preferred food is mulberry leaves
- Their cocoons are one continuous thread of fiber that can be up to 3000 feet (915 m) in length