That is a lot of mosquitoes! Once in Wyoming we aborted our camping trip because there were too many to handle…definitely type 4 fun.
The tiny mosquito can have a huge impact on any outdoor experience you have. Here are 7 mosquito facts, such as why they bite and where they live. Continue reading
A ladybug is one of the common insects of the Rocky Mountains.
The common insects of the Rocky Mountains include a large variety of creatures. Here are 10 common insects you are likely to see when you explore the Rockies. Continue reading
Have you seen or heard a cicada recently?
Among other cicada facts, is the fact that cicadas are very loud insects that can be found throughout the world. Here are 7 cool facts about these insects that you may see, but more likely hear near you soon. Continue reading
Look at this beautiful adult Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly.
A butterfly lifecycle and moth lifecycle are mostly the same, but there are a few key differences. Here is an overview of both lifecycles, including a nice diagram, and the main similarities and differences. Continue reading
A Painted Lady Butterfly is a common insects of the Rocky Mountains.
The Painted Lady Butterfly is one of the most common butterflies of the Rocky Mountains that you are likely to see. Here are 8 fun nature facts about this beautiful winged insect or butterfly. Continue reading
Look at this beautiful Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly.
The Western Tiger Swallowtail is a common butterfly of the Rocky Mountains that you have likely seen at some point. Here are 5 fun Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly facts that you are sure to enjoy and, hopefully, learn something new. Continue reading
This is a beautiful butterfly…or is it?
If you see a tiny winged insect do you know if it’s a butterfly or moth? Butterflies and moths have a number of similarities and differences. Here are a five simple ways that you can tell a butterfly or moth apart. Continue reading
How long does this house fly live?
Have you ever wondered how long an ordinary house fly lives? Surprisingly, at least to me, is that a house fly lives on average 30 days and even up to 60! Continue reading
Look at those wings…cool.
Here are 5 dragonfly facts that will reveal to you how truly special these flying invertebrates (insects) are. This common bug of the Rocky Mountains possesses some unique skills.
I love seeing dragonflies flying around whenever I am up in the mountains. Sometimes I see them skimming along the shoreline as I am at a lake fishing or skipping rocks. Other times I notice them in unusual places that are far from water. I find them mesmerizing as they zoom around through the air. I hope that after you read these facts you will truly appreciate what special flyers they are.
5 Dragonfly FactsThis is an aquatic insect similar to a mayfly or caddisfly. This means that it lives part of its life underwater as a nymph or larva and then part of its life as a winged insect. Just to remind you – this happens because it undergoes metamorphosis.
The number one, coolest thing about a dragonfly has to be how it flies. This winged insect has two sets of wings that can operate independently of each other. This structure means that it can fly in any direction it chooses. It can fly forwards, backwards, up, down, or any which way! It is able to stop and change direction in midair.
This bug not only looks cool, but it is a tremendous predator. When you see a dragonfly flying all around the air it is doing that for a reason. It is looking for and eating food. It catches and eats other bugs while flying in the air. They eat a lot of mosquitoes, black flies, and other small insects.
Look at those giant compound eyes.
Dragonflies have compound eyes. These eyes help them to see and pick up motion, which is important for them since they are trying to catch and eat flying insects. In fact, dragonflies compound eyes are huge for their head and are made up of an enormous number of ‘tiny eyes’.
Interesting fact – dragonflies make up one of two major groups within the order of dragonflies within the class of insects. The other major group within this order is damselflies. They look very similar, but are different. You can read this other post to remind you about how life is ordered to clarify the class, and order.
Many forms of life go into a state of dormancy to survive the cold, snowy winters of the Rocky Mountains. Do you know what these different types of dormancy are for different animals, such as torpor, hibernation, and diapause? Continue reading