"If nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies."
~Author Unknown
Web designers: Courtney & Erik Honer
Copyright 2010 all rights reserved
INSECTS
* three body parts
* three pairs of legs
* exoskeleton
* some have wings
* antennae
What do you do with Tetrio Sphinx caterpillars?
Build caterpillar cities, of course!
Erik and I found these giant caterpillars on a neighbor's Plumeria tree. We had never seen caterpillars as big as these, so we did some research and found out that these are Tetrio Sphinx caterpillars. Tetrio Sphinx caterpillars are commonly found on Plumeria trees, and even though they eat lots and lots of leaves, the tree isn't damaged. After eating leaves for a few weeks, the caterpillars formed cocoons. Three weeks later moths emerged and we set them free.
Many moths form cocoons, while butterflies form a chrysalis.
Tetrio Sphinx Moths can fly up to 33 mph making them one of the fastest flying insects!
Roaches are insects. This is a Giant Cave Roach beside its molt. Insects have an exoskeleton that protects their bodies. When they grow they must shed their exoskeleton. The new exoskeleton is soft for a few days. This roach will darken in color as its exoskeleton hardens.
There are over a million species of insects. Some insects are helpful by decomposing organic matter, eating harmful insects, and pollinating food crops. Other insects are harmful by damaging plants and spreading disease. When pesticides are used on plants all insects are killed, even the insects that are important to our gardens and farms. I use only organic methods when working in my garden. I like to grow foods and herbs in living soil. Living soil is rich with microorganisms, arthropods, earthworms and more. Healthy soil grows healthy plants.
Howard Garrett has a great site on organic gardening that has many tips and information.
~Erik
Pesticides can't tell the difference from insects that help our gardens and insects that harm our gardens. A great book to read and learn more about helpful garden insects is
What About Ladybugs by Celia Godkin.
Insects, like bees, help pollinate gardens and fields! We would have no food, flowers, trees or any plants without pollination!
