A sweet fuzzy Phidippus californicus, California jumping spider, watching the world from a patch of Swiss chard. Private commission for @halffizzbin. I love these cute little teddy bears so much 馃挆
I remember as a kid in the 80s that these iconic large butterflies were everywhere in our garden, along with swallowtails of several species. It's been so disheartening to see an insect that was so plentiful be on the brink of extinction just a few decades later.
Individually we can only do so much about the effects of anthropogenic climate change, but here are a few things you can do to help monarch butterflies if you're in their range:
--No pesticides! These chemicals don't discriminate, and will harm all sorts of insects, not just the intended targets. In fact, the fewer yard chemicals you use, the better for your local ecosystem.
--Plant milkweed that is native to your area; even a few plants in pots count! Live Monarch (US), Monarch Watch (US), and Little Wings (Canada) all have free native milkweed seeds on a limited basis--and they appreciate donations of funds to help pay for more, too. Be aware that a lot of the milkweed on the general market consists of non-native tropical species that host parasites and also bloom late enough that they may cause monarchs to stop migrating south to overwintering grounds.
--Put out a watering station consisting of a shallow dish with a layer of rocks on the bottom and just enough water to not quite cover them so the butterflies can land and safely drink water without falling in.
--Support organizations like the ones mentioned above, and the Xerces Society of Invertebrate Conservation, which all help to protect monarch butterflies and other invertebrates.
if you're someone who says "kill it with fire" or "step on it" whenever you see a post online appreciating an insect, you need to stop and think about what the hell is wrong with you? a compulsion to publically describe how you want to kill an animal upon seeing it is fucking weird, btw
imagine if you posted your cat and a horde of people swooped in to discuss how they want to run over it with a car or set it on fire?? like. if you think its creepy just scroll past it?