Saturday, January 12, 2013

Working Together...!

I've said before that mankind could take a lesson from Mother Nature in getting along. Here is a good example of what I'm talking about!

Unlikely Mates



Amazing Fact: Red Ants and Large Blue Butterflies work together

Large Blue caterpillars feed on wild Thyme or Marjoram flowers for the first few days of development. Afterwards, they seek out the nests of a specific species of red ant, and hibernate inside their tunnels. The caterpillar will spend a further 3 weeks transforming into the Large Blue butterfly adult. After its change from caterpillar to butterfly, the insect emerges from its chrysalis and leaves the red ant nest to find a mate. Usually, red ants will escort the newly emerged butterfly to the surface, taking it to a low plant or shrub nearby. The red ants will encircle the butterfly and ward off any predators that attempt to attack the butterfly as it dries out. After the butterfly is ready to fly away, the ants will retreat back into their nest.

To make itself less of an intruder to the red ants, Large Blue caterpillars will adopt the red ant’s scent and mimic the ant’s sounds, in addition to providing the ants with honeydew. Once the caterpillar is inside its chrysalis, it will rub its head against the chrysalis walls to make a scraping sound that the red ants make. Failure to complete any of these disguises will often lead to the caterpillar being eaten by the red ants.


I figure that if ants and butterflies can do it, then those of us that claim to be human and more advanced should be able to follow that example. See what I mean?

Let's have our coffee out on the patio this morning. I'll share my coconut macaroons!

8 comments:

chinasyndrome said...

Wow! Didn't know that one!

China
III

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Learn something new all the time here, HJ, and yes it would be nice if humans adapted some fab the habits of the insects and animal world.

Momlady said...

Too bad we can't follow the example.

linda m said...

Learned something new today - guess I 'm not too old. Humans should take this as an example on how to get along with each other. Have a great weekend.

JO said...

Now that is cool. Always happy to be here and learn new things.

Glad it's warm enough on your patio we went down to 24 degrees last night and will for about 5 nights. Did someone transport me to another place? Pass the pot please this is going to take lots of coffee. I should bring some extra.

Phyllis (N/W Jersey) said...

Now who would ever think that ants are good for something? Butterflies are beautiful to watch - we get a lot here in the summertime.
Macaroons are one of my favorites. (I'll bring my extra large plate) Very foggy here this morning and 38 degrees.

HermitJim said...

Hey China...
You just never know what you may find here at the Hermit's! Hope you always find it interesting!

Thanks, buddy, for coming by this morning!


Hey Beatrice...
Glad you found it interesting. I guess that Man thinks he has nothing to learn from nature. That's really sad...and arrogant!

No wonder we are in trouble!

Thanks for dropping by today!


Hey Momlady...
Isn't that the truth? We just never seem to learn!

Thanks for the visit this morning!


Hey Linda...
None of us are ever too old to learn something new. I try and learn a new thing daily!

Trouble is, I have trouble remembering it, know what I mean?

Thanks for coming over!


Hey Jo...
Already in the 70's here at 9:00! Crazy weather, that's for sure!

I thought it was always warm at your place!

Thanks, sweetie, for coming over today!


Hey Phyllis...
Looks like you could use some of our Texas warm without the humidity!

I'm fond of all kinds of cookies (as you can tell) but macaroons are one of my favorites as well!

Many thanks for dropping in today!

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