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Showing posts from May, 2025

All About The Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia)

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A Flutter of Mystery: Discover the Largest Moth in North America! Imagine a creature that emerges under the cover of darkness, adorned with velvety wings spanning nearly six inches, bigger than some birds! The Cecropia Moth, North America's largest native moth, is a marvel of nature, fluttering silently through the night with striking red, white, and brown patterns that look almost hand painted. But its beauty is fleeting this mysterious insect lives only a couple of weeks as an adult, focused solely on one mission: to find a mate. No mouth, no meals, just a breathtaking dance of survival. Intrigued? There's so much more to discover about this nocturnal wonder! Common Name:  Cecropia Moth  Scientific Name:  Hyalophora cecropia Other Names:  Robin Moth or Cecropia Silkmoth  Genus:  Hyalophora Family:  Saturniidae (Giant Silk Moths)  Subfamily:  N/A Group Behaviour: The Cecropia Moth is generally a solitary creature, especially as adults with l...

All About The Spring Azure Butterfly (Celastrina ladon)

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A Tiny Winged Jewel: Discover the Magic of the Spring Azure Butterfly! With wings as delicate as a whisper and painted in shades of sky blue, the Spring Azure Butterfly is a tiny marvel of the natural world. Emerging with the warmth of spring, this butterfly flits through gardens and woodlands, its subtle beauty often overlooked. But behind its dainty wings lies a fascinating life cycle, filled with surprising transformations and hidden interactions with nature. How does such a small creature play a big role in the ecosystem? There’s so much more to uncover about this brilliant fluttering jewel! Common Name:  Spring Azure  Scientific Name:  Celastrina ladon Other Names:  Common Blue or Echo Blue Genus: Celastrina Family:  Gossamer - winged Butterflies Family  Subfamily:  Aphnaeinae Group Behaviour: As adult butterflies they exhibit both individual behaviour and group behaviour. Males patrol for mates individually, but they gather in groups around damp ...

Fritillary Butterflies Of Ontario

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Fritillary Butterflies Of Ontario: A Dance Of Gold In The Wild!  With their dazzling golden-orange wings patterned like delicate lace, Ontario’s fritillary butterflies flutter through meadows and forests, bringing a touch of magic to the landscape. These graceful pollinators are more than just a pretty sight—they play a crucial role in local ecosystems, interacting with wildflowers and supporting biodiversity. But there’s more to these butterflies than meets the eye! From their fascinating life cycle to their secret survival strategies, fritillaries have incredible stories to tell. Let’s uncover the hidden wonders of these golden-winged gems! Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia) Photo Credits: Bob Hurst Common Name:  Variegated Fritillary  Scientific Name: Euptoieta claudia Other Names:  Pansy Worm Butterfly  Genus:  Euptoieta Family:  The Brush - footed Butterflies Family  Group Behaviour:  nomadic behaviour  Body: A orange body ma...