Butterflies That Look Like Monarchs A Guide to Mimics and Relatives Monarch butterflies are one of the most iconic and easily recognizable butterflies in North America. With their bright orange wings framed in thick black borders and delicate white spots monarchs stand out wherever they are spotted fluttering among flowers. However, several other butterfly species … Read more
Agricultural environments have long presented an opportunity to study evolution in action, and genomic approaches are opening doors for testing hypotheses about adaptation to crops, pesticides, and fertilizers. Here, we begin to develop the cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae) as a system to test questions about adaptation to novel, agricultural environments. We focus on a … Read more
The Mystical Meaning of Black and White Butterflies Butterflies have long captured the human imagination with their colorful wings and delicate nature. But even among the over 18,000 butterfly species worldwide, the black and white butterfly holds special meaning These contrasting colors represent the perfect balance of dark and light, yin and yang, found throughout … Read more
The Striking Beauty of Vivid Red Caterpillars Red caterpillars stand out against the green foliage, their vivid coloration acting as a warning to predators. While many people consider caterpillars to be plain and dull, there exist over 350 species of red caterpillars in North America alone. Ranging from bright crimson to deep maroon, these little … Read more
As the desert heats up, scorpions — including the notorious Arizona bark scorpions — become more active, leading to more frequent sightings not only outdoors but in homes and other buildings. These venomous arachnids are adept climbers and can be found in various habitats, including desert scrubland, urban areas and suburban neighborhoods. While bark scorpions … Read more
When it comes to pests, whitefly is one of the most common and most damaging to plants. Whitefly populations can explode quickly and cause serious infestations. Once they have taken hold, whiteflies can be tough to eliminate, so it’s important to recognize the early signs of infestation and apply the necessary treatment to get them … Read more
Millions Billions of people are freaked out by bugs. The thought that they might be crawling all over your body while you sleep is even more frightening. Add biting to this nightmare and it’s enough to make most of us squirm. You’ve probably heard scary statistics about how many bugs people eat in their sleep … Read more
South Carolina is home to a diverse array of caterpillars. These crawling creatures may seem small and insignificant, but they play a vital role in the state’s ecosystems. Learning about South Carolina’s caterpillars provides a glimpse into the natural wonders found in the Palmetto State. A caterpillar is the larval stage of a moth or … Read more
Special resemblance of animals to natural objects such as leaves provides a representative example of evolutionary adaptation. The existence of such sophisticated features challenges our understanding of how complex adaptive phenotypes evolved. Leaf mimicry typically consists of several pattern elements, the spatial arrangement of which generates the leaf venation-like appearance. However, the process by which … Read more
Arizona is home to a diverse range of spider species. From tiny jumping spiders to intimidating tarantulas, spiders in Arizona can be found in backyard gardens, creeping across sandy deserts, and even inside your home. While most spiders are harmless, some species can deliver a painful and potentially dangerous bite. This guide covers 27 of … Read more