Bugs in the Garden

Insects are Incredible!

Insects are everywhere! Because they are so numerous, insects are involved in the lives of every land, and water plant, and animal. Here at the Garden we have a wide variety of insects crawling, jumping and flying around. See if you can spot any of these creatures as you walk through the Garden.

Thanks to Laurel Woodley for all the delightful pictures!

Praying Mantis in the garden! The Praying Mantis is a predatory insect. Larger species have been known to prey on lizards, frogs, birds, snakes, and even rodents. The majority are ambush predators, laying in wait for prey to stray too near. They are also masters of camouflage, blending in to their environment.

Phoebis sennae
	Cloudless Sulphur Caterpillar (Senna Sulphur)

The Cloudless Sulphur caterpillar is either yellow or green depending on what
it is eating on the host plant. Host plants provides the food that particular
caterpillar needs to become a butterfly. Host plants for the Cloudless Sulphur
(Senna Sulphur) caterpillar are the cassia or senna plants. The larvae are green
when eating the leaves. Once the plant blooms and the larvae eat the yellow
flowers they are yellow!

Phoebis sennae - Cloudless Sulphur - yellow

Phoebis sennae - Cloudless Sulphur - green

Phoebis sennae - Cloudless Sulphur - yellow

Cloudless Sulphur (Senna Sulphur) adult butterflies favor pentas, azaleas, autumn sage, Mexican sage and golden dewdrop as sources of nectar. They are large butterflies with fast, powerful flight. Males are virtually sold yellow. Females may be yellow, orange-yellow, or white with a faint dark border on the upper surface of their wings.