Archive for the ‘host plant’ Tag

Capturing The Moment — It’s All About Timing!   16 comments

Aspen Loop July 2013

Aspen Loop July 2013

Aspen Loop July 2013

Aspen Loop July 2013

Aspen Loop July 2013Nais Metalmark Butterflies on Ceanithus Fenderli Bushes — Images by kenne

It’s all about timing, and this was the moment!

Yesterday, while hiking the Aspen Loop on Mount Lemmon, we came upon plants steaming with butterflies and quickly concluded that the bush was the caterpillar host for these butterflies. We discussed possible names. 

The butterflies are the nais metalmark and the host plant is the ceanithus fenderli. “Males perch and patrol near the host plant for females. Eggs are laid singly on leaves or flowers. Caterpillars rest in shelters of leaves tied together with silk and emerge to feed on leaves and fruits. Mature caterpillars hibernate in leaf litter.”

These scenes were very impressive!

Since I’m not a butterfly expert, I hope I have done my homework well.

kenne

Related articles

Posted July 9, 2013 by kenneturner in Capturing the Moment, Education, Information, Nature, Photography

Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Capturing The Moment — Sabino Canyon Snowbird Part II   Leave a comment

Ned's Nature Walk -- 01-1-09-13Female Phainopepla High In A Mesquite Tree — Image by kenne

The phainopepla’s main food while wintering in the Tucson basin are desert mistletoe berries.

When eaten, the hard seeds are then passed through while the phainopepla is perched on their favorite tree branch,

often in a mesquite tree.

Ned's Nature Walk -- 01-1-09-13Female Plainopela In A Tree with Desert Mistletoe — Image by kenne

The seeds are left on the branch where they can germinate and set up a root system within the host plant.

kenne

Related articles

 

Posted January 10, 2013 by kenneturner in Capturing the Moment, Education, Nature, Photography

Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , ,

%d bloggers like this: