Tag Archives: gardening

Buggy Book Reviews

The Moth Book: A Timeless Classic of Natural History

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The Moth Book by W.J. Holland, first published in 1903, remains a remarkable and foundational work in the study of North American moths. While many scientific texts from that era have become obsolete, Holland’s masterpiece endures as a testament to his passion for the subject and his skill as both a scientist and a writer. It’s a book that masterfully combines scientific rigor with an accessible, engaging style, making it a true classic for both professional entomologists and amateur naturalists alike.

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Lepidoptera Life Cycles

The Elusive Compton Tortoiseshell: A Harbinger of Spring and Autumn

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Soaring with powerful, rapid flights through the boreal and temperate forests of the Northern Hemisphere, Nymphalis vaualbum, commonly known as the Compton Tortoiseshell, is a striking and often elusive butterfly. Renowned for its jagged wing margins, mottled camouflage, and its unique life cycle that involves both summer aestivation and winter hibernation, this species is a fascinating example of adaptation to fluctuating seasonal conditions.

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Species Spotlight

The Enigmatic Question Mark: Unraveling the Secrets of Polygonia interrogationis

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Dancing through sun-dappled woodlands and urban gardens across eastern North America flits a butterfly of curious markings and intriguing habits – the question mark, scientifically known as Polygonia interrogationis. Its scalloped wing edges and the distinctive silver mark on its hindwing, resembling its namesake punctuation, make it a readily identifiable and endlessly fascinating member of the brush-footed butterfly family.  

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Saturniidae

The Enigmatic Beauty of the Tulip-tree Silkmoth: Callosamia angulifera

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Callosamia angulifera, commonly known as the Tulip-tree Silkmoth or Giant Silkmoth, is a captivating member of the Saturniidae family, a group renowned for their large size and striking wing patterns. This magnificent moth graces the woodlands of eastern North America, its life cycle intricately linked with the elegant tulip tree.  

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Buggy Book Reviews

Buzzworthy Blooms: A Northern Gardener’s Delight!

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“A Northern Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants and Pollinators” by Lorraine Johnson and Sheila Colla is a truly invaluable resource for anyone looking to cultivate a thriving, ecologically beneficial garden in northern climates. This book goes far beyond simply listing plants; it’s a comprehensive guide that fosters a deep understanding of the vital relationship between native flora and their pollinator partners.

What immediately impressed me was the book’s accessibility. Even for a novice gardener, the information is presented clearly and engagingly. Johnson and Colla masterfully weave scientific insights with practical gardening advice, making complex ecological concepts easy to grasp. The focus on the specific needs of northern ecosystems is particularly welcome, as many gardening books cater to broader, warmer regions.

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Buggy Book Reviews, Butterfly Gardening

Beyond Beginner: Mastering Northeast Natives with Uli Lorimer’s Primer

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“The Northeast Native Plant Primer” by Uli Lorimer is not just a book; it’s an invitation to rediscover the wild beauty and ecological richness of the northeastern United States, right in your own backyard. Lorimer masterfully bridges the gap between scientific knowledge and practical gardening, crafting a guide that is both informative and inspiring. From the moment you open the cover, you’re drawn into a world where native plants are not just ornamental additions, but vital components of a thriving ecosystem.

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Butterfly Gardening, Conservation, Pipevine swallowtails, Raising butterflies

BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION IN RHODE ISLAND – PART 1: The Pipevine Swallowtail

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I have had a lifelong fascination with lepidoptera, the study of butterflies and moths. Ever since I received a kit for Christmas for collecting them when I was seven, I have been hooked. As a child I have many great memories of being out with my net collecting various species of local butterflies. Then, at night, I would be out again checking out the local street lights seeing what moths were attracted and wondering why, if moths only flew at night, were they were so attracted to lights? As the years went on I started to notice a pattern. The places where I used to collect were no longer available as they had been renovated for new houses, shopping centers and condominiums. I also noticed something else…the numbers of wild species flying around were not there anymore! It was obvious that this habitat destruction was taking its toll. This was when my attitude towards butterflies and moths changed. Even as a child it was obvious we were hurting the environment.

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