Canadian Nature Blog
Lepidoptera – Order of insects, which include Canadian butterflies and moths. They may be distinguished from the other insects by both pairs of scale-covered wings, which are often brightly colour, especially in several butterflies. Lepidopterans experience entire metamorphosis: eggs are laid, larvae hatched, following a pupal stage, during which the ultimate adult shape forms. Butterflies are slender-bodied daytime mites.… Read More
1 CommentFor Canadians, nature watching has gained more interest and its popularity continues to increase. Bird watching has been a significant recreational activity for a long time.
Now, there is increasing interest in butterfly watching, those who might be interested in photographing, filming, watching, or studying butterflies, but don’t want to undertake the more conventional way of starting a big collection.
Observing butterflies with the naked eye is possible most of the time, but it can also be frustrating. Butterfly watching may take incredible patience and be at the right place and the right time, especially for the smaller and … Read More
Leave a CommentVisitors to Canada can spot butterflies in various locations as tens of thousands of butterflies rest here on their migration south. These are monarch butterflies, their unique orange and black coloring making them among the well-known species of butterfly – and an attractive one. The butterflies can be seen throughout the US and Southern Canada throughout the summer, where individual butterflies create a gorgeous sight in sunlight.
Nevertheless, these butterflies are recognized for having one of the widest migrations in the universe- from Southern Canada all the way to Mexico. The migration takes place every autumn and visitors gather at … Read More
Leave a CommentThe monarch butterfly migration is one of the most enchanting spectacles in the natural world. These large butterflies head up to Canada for the summer where locals can marvel at their beauty before it is time for them to head back to Mexico. The ongoing risks to insect and pollinators in the world means a growing desire to monitor and protect species. The last thing that we want is to see this migration end. That is why citizens and gardeners need to act now to play their part to save these beautiful butterflies.
These … Read More
Leave a CommentTechnology has played a vital role in human lives – it makes our lives easier and better to live in. Researchers, inventors, experts, scientists, and hobbyists have relied on technology to advance their studies. With its rapid evolvement, new technology can now help them to gather more data and achieve more accurate results. UAV or drones are now equipped with lightweight cameras to record butterflies on the move! Previously, butterflies were filmed with cameras on a track, or hand-held, now videos can be shot using a camera drone.
For documentation, camera drones or the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has … Read More
Leave a CommentCanada is a country best known for its expensive wilderness and animals such as the grizzly bear, the polar bear, beaver, porcupine, the moose and the shaggy bison just to mention a few. However, Canada is also home to a wide range of insect species including butterflies.
Butterflies fall under the classification of Lepidoptera. Their defining features include four(4) wings covered with flat scales which give them their color and even their patterns. The wings also play a huge role when it comes to the process of identifying butterflies. According to lepidopterists (butterfly watchers), butterflies are identified using features … Read More
Leave a CommentButterfly watching may not sound like a fun activity to everyone. Most often those who call it “boring” have never tried it for themselves. There are so many different species to be found in North America and the whole family can enjoy finding and watching beautiful insects in their natural environment.
Butterfly spotting can be fun, educational, and relaxing. Taking time to learn a little bit about when and where to spot butterflies can make this hobby much more successful too.
The right butterfly spotting gear will make a huge difference in how easily … Read More
Leave a CommentThe last several years have caused concern among scientists who focus their studies on Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies). Monarch butterflies had been rapidly shrinking in numbers as adverse weather and immediately diminishing habitats threatened their natural migration.
Last year new hope presented itself in Mexico for the Monarchs. As the numbers of overwintering butterflies were significantly higher than in the years before.
The World Wildlife Fund announced the Monarchs took up ten acres of park land in Mexico. Which is three times as much land as last year?
These orange … Read More
1 CommentThere are a few items everyone should have while attempting some Butterfly spotting. They should have a pen and notebook, a hat for shade, and a trusted pair of binoculars to get an up-close look without disturbing the butterflies.
Those who regularly go butterfly watching know already that butterflies do most of their flying when it’s hot outside. It is a good to have a portable air conditioner on hand in case the insect spotter needs to cool down while on the chase for the sometimes elusive winged beauties.
Chances are anyone … Read More
Leave a CommentOne of the most magnificent wonders of the animal kingdom occurs every year and only in North America. It is the famous Monarch butterfly migration! They are the only insects on the planet known to leave their homes in Autumn. Once temperatures drop and head South until the weather at their home warms up again. Some of the butterflies fly all the way from Canada to Mexico to spend the Winter there before returning home.
Sadly, twenty years ago no one had to plan out visiting a location to see plenty … Read More
Leave a CommentButterfly and moth watching can be relaxing and fun.
Before Sir David Attenborough heads into the wilderness to do some butterfly spotting, I bet he makes sure he has the right gear. He will need his hat to keep the sun out of his eyes, sunscreen, and a notebook, and pens. So he can keep track of the insects he observes.
He will also need to pack ample food supplies and drinking water, his camera and charger, binoculars, and portable solar generators for recharging cameras and cell phones (like the … Read More
Leave a CommentThe Monarch butterfly is perhaps the most easily recognized type of butterfly in North America. People who have a hobby of watching butterflies are likely already aware that Monarch populations are dying out quickly; the population has decreased ninety percent over the last twenty years.
This sad phenomenon relates to problems that they are now facing during their flight from Canada to Mexico. Monarchs are the only species of butterflies to complete a two-way migration. It means they leave their homes up North for warmer climates down South. When the seasons change … Read More
Leave a CommentOne of the best examples of structural colour is seen while viewing the monarch butterfly wings. Butterfly wings have nanostructured chitin that refracts and reflects light, giving off a captivating iridescent colour.
Now scientists are adding carbon nanotubes to their sides to convert these nanostructures into an infrared/thermal imaging sensor (learn more about IR imaging at http://thermalcameras.guide).
As of right now, thermal imaging systems have mainly been used to check for electrical problems behind walls or to see in the dark. Doing so required the use of an often expensive infrared camera. This … Read More
Leave a CommentThe Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival held on October 21st and 22nd in San Antonio. This unforgettable event is strategically planned to coincide with the week. That Monarch migration predicted to its highest in Texas.
The event organized by Texas Butterfly Ranch and will be a celebration of the beauty of nature. The wondrous journey of the Monarch butterflies from Canada to Mexico and can be seen in action every year around the same time.
The National Wildlife Federation has named San Antonio America’s first and only Monarch Champion … Read More
Leave a CommentA group of 200 academics is showing just how much they care about preserving the Monarch butterfly. This distinguished group which includes scientists, artists, and activists from all over the globe. They are petitioning all three North American governments to make an additional effort to save the butterflies.
Reliable figures stand together in this alliance, co-authoring an open letter sent to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, American President Barack Obama, and Mexican President Enrique Pena-Nieto.
Authors of this letter urging the national leaders to help maintain the Monarch migration. They are environmental activist Robert Kennedy Jr., … Read More
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