Duskywings Butterfly in the Southern States – Critter 23

Interestingly, there are contradict reports about the presents of Duskywings butterfly in Canada. One report said no recorded of Duskywings in Canada.

Fig 01- A Duskywings flies in the garden

I believe with reported from USGS (1999: Butterfly of North America), Duskywing was detected in the provinces of Manitoba and Ontario, Canada

However, yes, we may see this butterfly flies around from Northern to Southern states of the USA.

As reported by Mass Audubon (2022: Butterfly Atlas Species Accounts) that limit of duskywings distribution is “in extreme southern New Hampshire.”

I observed a quite number of duskywings during summer seasons when I visit gardens and parks in my city, Louisiana.

Image 2- A butterfly on the back of window

Image 3- A duskiwings on the flowers

They are abundant in the areas of Gulf of Mexico, parts of Louisiana and Mississippi states.

Duskiwings fly and have habitats in other southern states as well, include the states of:

- Texas

- Alabama

- Georgia

- and Florida

Erynnis sp is known duskywings genus. This genus has at least 17 species in the USA.

Do you know about duskywings butterfly? Do you see in your areas?

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Pollinators which Love Coleus Plants – Critter 22

I have seen different colors and shapes of Coleus plants in the gardens across our city.

Fight 01- Bright colors of Coleus plant.

I found some colors of Coleus plant leaves are:

- yellow

- pink

- green

- red

- purple, orange, etc

What make me wonder that from several sources that there is no blue color for Coleus leaves. I don’t know why.

Fig 02- Hummingbirds, a pollinator

Basically, the plants respond to light:

- more light cause darker colors

- less light makes plant brighter

Fig 03- Butterfly, a beautiful pollinator

The plant, actually, is including in mint family. They are great air purifiers as indoor plants.

Fig 04- A bee could interest to any blooming plants

In our states, Louisiana, the plant could “blooming” until late summer. The blooming time is quite longer compared to some other plants.

Fig 05- Dark colors of Coleus plant

Since plants can’t take cold, under F 50 (C 10) degrees. We might grow in the indoor pots under bright light.

Then bring plants outdoors in the spring when temperature warm enough (higher than F 50 or C 10 degrees).

The blooming Coleus plants are very attractive to pollinators:

- hummingbirds

- butterfly

- bees

- and other pollinators

Have you seen this plant?

If yes, what colors do you see?

A Gator in the Neighborhood’s Lake – Critter 21

I have talked about alligators in our state, Louisiana and in our neighborhood at several previous posts.

Fig 01- Young gator in the lake

You may read the previous posts:

- Have you Tasted Alligator Meat? - Part 1 - Sign 7 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Have you Tasted Alligator Meat? - Part 2 – Sgn 7 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Our Nearby Neighborhood was Visited by Alligators – Critters 4 | Tanza

Recently, our communities have seen an alligator swimming in the one of our neighbor lakes.

What is the problem?

Fig 02- A dog, seen play around the lake

The problem is that we saw the gator in the lake where we considered as a safe lake to play around.

Fig 03- Some gators are seen in this place

Sometimes, people let their dogs to swim in the lake. Hence, it is a warning to anyone who lets their dogs get in the “safe” lake.

Moreover, since gators are wild animals, the fines are huge for anyone who decides to get them.

Other problems concerning with wild alligators: there are more and more reported about their present in our lakes.

Unfortunately, the numbers of Wildlife and Fisheries employee and licensed alligator hunters are limited to remove gators from lakes, rivers or any sites.

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Do You Know that Your Cat Love you? - Part 1 - Critter 20

When I have several cats long long time ago, I love to watch their behaviors in responds to human being.

Fig 01- A kitten, black and white

Sure, there are many interesting signs of cats, however, I noticed several important signs that are:

- wagging their tail when they are approaching and following me

- curling their tails around my legs

- kissing or little biting on my finger's feet.

Fig 02- Cereus, blooming cacti

# You may read:

- A Little dog on the Street – Critters 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

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Fig 03- A black domestic cat

As I read from some resources and search through Google that meaning of above 3 signs are:

- to love

- to attract attention

- and eager to make friendship with their owners.

Then, how do cats behaviors to show their love, attention and wish to make friendship with their owners (adopter)?

# To be continued to part 2

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Jersey Giant Roosters Look Like Hens – Critter 19

We have less than 10 of Jersey Giant breeding at our backyard, just for fun and for daily eggs supply.

Fig 01- Two Jersey Giant Roosters in yard

Then, we tried to add two more hens. By glance looking, we thought they are hens physically.

Unfortunately, after a while, we understand that they are not hens but roosters. Their age about 5 months old.

How do we know?

We have one rooster; this original rooster is not happy with two new roosters. He is chasing them constantly.

Fig 02- A black rooster

Fig 03- A brown rooster at yard

Fig 04- A rooster at fence

Since this happen every day, the original rooster and his hens are not happy, tend to stress.

Quite surprising for me that this stress condition leads to less and less egg production daily.

In case you don’t know, this breed is American domestic breed from state of New Jersey, one of the largest breeds in America. The breed may lay eggs until 200 eggs per year.

Have you known about Jersey Giant breed chicken?

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From Caterpillar to Monarch Butterfly – Critter 18

At our yards, I always see caterpillar eat our plant leaves “happily.” I noticed they disappear after a while.

Fig 01- Caterpillar on leaves.

Since they are never in great number, hence, our leaves and plants could “survive” very well.

In case you forget, just to remind all of us, the four stages of butterfly metamorphosis are:

1- eggs

2- caterpillar or larvae

3- pupae

4- butterfly

Fig 02- Butterfly on the flowers of a plant

Fig 03- Monarch butterfly, plant insides room

I took pictures just for fun. First photo, caterpillar crawling on the leave, may complete its cycle about 10 to 14 days.

Total four stages of Monarch butterfly life cycles take about 30 days. Then, the Monarch could live for about 9 months.

This kind of butterfly is common in our state of Louisiana. We may see them fly around in the park or garden during Spring to late Summer.

Unfortunately, Monarch population is decreasing, and enlisted as endangered species by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp in Our Neighborhood – Critter 17

I was stung by this insect when I visited a park long time ago. Unexpectedly, the insect was found on the ground (floor) near by our house recently.

Fig 01- Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp.

After searching through internet, the insect name is “Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp” with scientific name Sphecius speciosus.

Actually, the wasp comes from Eastern part of USA that why called as Eastern Wasps. They are abundant in the states such as:

- New Jersey

- Rhode Island

- Delaware

- and Connecticut

Fig 02- Wonder what happen to wasp

Fig 03- Wasp seems crawling on the floor

They migrate to Louisiana about at the end of summer (July to August). Since the insect is solitary, it is common to find this wasp fly alone.

Beneficial this predator to environment that it could control population of other insect called as cicadas.

Not because of its disturbing sound, but cicadas may cause plant damages in such ways:

- cicadas deposit their eggs, could be hundreds into weed’s or grass’s stems

- sap twigs of trees

Have you ever found this kind of wasp in nature?

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A Blonde Squirrel at Our Backyard – Critter 16

I never seen other than gray or “red brown” or brown squirrels at our backyard or neighborhoods. Commonly is brown fur.

Fig 01- A blonde squirrel climbs tree

In fact, there are only two species of squirrels in our city, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, they are:

- gray squirrel with scientific name Sciurus carolinensis.

- and fox squirrels, Sciurus niger.

Gray refers its color, gray or grey. Fox squirrel has “red brown” or brown fur. The brown might combine with white or black on nose and head.

So, what is species of blonde squirrel?

Fig 02- Myrtle trees at a corner

Fig 03- A fox squirrel at city park

I searched through internet, the result that this kind of “blonde” squirrel was found in some places such as in:

- North Central Austin, Texas

- Florida, Wisconsin and Michigan

Since our city, and even state has only two species of squirrel, so, blonde squirrel is not new species, no.

It is highly possibility that it is a new breed of mutant squirrel. The squirrels might be lack of some pigments.

Have you seen blonde or albino squirrels in nature?

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