Well, it is March, and the California Tortoiseshells are back. I just learned recently that they lay their eggs in ceanothus blossoms. I knew that they used ceanothus, but I had thought that it was the leaves. And right now, there are so many beautiful ceanothus in bloom. They are mostly blue, but the flowers can also be white or purple. This plant is also known as California lilac, although it really doesn't look like lilac to me. Anyway, many species are in full bloom now, just as the Torties need it for oviposition. I even saw one on a flower today, but I wasn't close enough to see if it was actually laying eggs. I am going to have to keep an eye on the flowers to see if I can find any caterpillars.

A friend gave me butterfly flags as a holiday gift. Aren't they pretty? Now anyone can find my house. Used to be I had an ordinary Berkeley Brown Shingle house. Now this is clearing the house of someone who loves butterflies. I no longer need an address. I can just tell people to come to the house with the butterfly flags!

Anyway, Obama is now president. I hope that is good for all the insects and other human and non-human organisms on the earth.

Gulf Fritillaries

Well, it is December, and not many butterflies are active, but the Gulf Fritillaries are still flying around. I saw some in my yard today, and the pics were taken a few days ago in a neighbor's yard. This tropical butterflies just have no concept of winter! I also have caterpillars in the kitchen; they are developing slowly because we keep the house so cold, but I expect to have butterflies next month. Pray for rain, we need it.

Crickets in December

I can hear no crickets tonight. But a few nights ago I was coming back from holiday shopping and heard them as I was walking home. Crickets in December! Will they come back this year?

The gulf fritillaries are still active. I have eggs and caterpillars in the house, and I saw the out gallivanting in the yard today. Usally they are around all year.

Well, the crickets were still singing last night. Wonder how long it will go on. I think it sounds most like the fall field cricket on this website.

http://www.musicofnature.com/songsofinsects/index.html

The snowy cricket sounds lovely, I wish we had those.

Well, the rains have paused and the crickets were back last night. I wonder how long they will last. The sound of crickets is familiar to most of us, but what about the sound of a courting medfly. For some interesting insect noises, try this link:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/pandp/docs.htm?docid=10919#anoplophora

crickets

I think of cricket songs as a summer event. But I have been noticing the last few years that they are definitely still singing in the fall. In fact, they were singing just a few days ago. But now that the rains have come, the songs are gone. It is sad, but we really need the rain, so i am welcoming fall.