Friday Fun Fact – Blue Tiger Butterfly
A new species we are introducing over the coming weeks is the Blue Tiger Butterfly –Tirumala Hamata. The butterflies of this group (subfamily Danianae) are the longest lived of all species. They feed mostly on toxic plants, fly slowly and spend long periods resting in sheltered areas during winter. Their pupa is fresh green and […]
Butterfly Camouflage – is it a leaf or a butterfly?
Butterfly Camouflage – is it a leaf or a butterfly? Sometimes it’s hard to tell! Butterflies have a range of tricks up their sleeve (wing?) to hide from predators. Sometimes they simply hide under leaves, but that’s not always practical and they are forced to hide in more open areas. In this instance, they will […]
Can butterflies hear?
Can butterflies hear? It has been long assumed that they can’t; in fact, many associations and charities for deaf and hearing impaired people use the butterfly as their symbol for this reason. Some, however, can hear! Many Nymphalidae butterflies have ears and scientists have confirmed hearing in several species using neuroanatomical and neurophysiological methods. Ears are mostly […]
Greater Wax Moth
The greater wax moth has the best hearing of any animal in the world – a discovery which has the potential to revolutionise microphone technology in everything from mobile phones to hearing aids. Researchers at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow have just discovered that the insect is capable of hearing sound frequencies of up […]