Fig Beetles are a flower scarab beetles found around much of the southwest during summer monsoons in July and August. They are colorful and seen in the daylight hours. The Fig Beetle name comes from them eating sap and fruit, which includes figs, along with prickly pear fruit. Here are some I saw on thistle… Read More FIG BEETLE
Skippers are butterflies with a slightly different look. Skippers go through metamorphosis like butterflies and moths. They have some similar characteristics of each as well, they fly by day and have antennae like other butterflies while they have thicker bodies like a moth and stronger wing muscles. Their colors are usually duller than traditional butterflies. Fiery Skippers… Read More FIERY SKIPPER
Painted ladies are probably the most widespread butterfly throughout the world, including North America, Africa, and Europe. They are salmon colored with black splotches on the top wings. A butterfly cycle includes egg, caterpillar(larva), chrysalis(pupa), and adult. The painted lady egg is single, barrel-shaped, and green. The caterpillar has purplish-black and yellow stripes. In chrysalis,… Read More PAINTED LADY
The Two-Tailed Swallowtail is the largest Western Tiger Swallowtail. They stand out because they are bright yellow and huge in size, with two tails on each hind wing. They are found in western North America from Canada south to Central America. The caterpillars are apple green with camouflage markings. They feed on willow, cherry and… Read More TWO-TAILED SWALLOWTAIL
