The onset of winter weather means that the outdoor search for bugs (at least in Colorado) is pretty much done for the year. Snow, freezing temps and shorter days have essentially driven most into either hibernation or my basement. Luckily, we have a wonderful facility close by in the form of the Westminster Butterfly Pavilion, where I can continue to search and practice. Known for its incredible collection of free-flying butterflies and moths, the Pavilion is also home to some smaller critters that most folks tend to overlook; including ants, fruit flies and other little beasties that make their homes among the plants.
Some lesser owl butterfly eggs (we think). I found these on the remains of a palm branch. The resulting caterpillars are extremely damaging to the host plant, causing quite a bit of harm to some difficult to replace plants in the atrium.
While not the most focused image I have made, this does provide an excellent view of the rather fuzzy head of a recently emerged owl butterfly caterpillar. This little fellow was found on a ginger plant.
An extreme closeup of a fully mature owl butterfly, showing that the adults take "furry" to a whole new level. Unfortunately, the photo only hints at the incredible iridescent colors.
A very nice closeup of a butterfly proboscis, showing that not all butterflies eat flower nectar. Some of them, as with this example, happily munch on pollen grains.
I was fortunate enough to spot this gang of ants enjoying a Sunday morning meal of butterfly eggs...now if they can just find some bacon and toast!
Some of the fruit flies that hang around the rotting bananas.
Not sure of the species, but the colors really caught my eye as I wondered through the pavilion. At some point, it would be cool to learn more about what I am photographing!
