the sphinx

moths can be pests (gypsy moth) or beneficial (major pollinators)...i am  not sure what category this waved sphinx moth falls into, but he landed on my television today so i took a photo! quite impressive markings, i would say!

power of pollinators

this summer had super hot 90°+ days for a really long time without rain. this prolonged dry heat resulted in a lack of pollinators...(did you know clustering flies are the most prolific pollinators? i did not). for example, my squash had a million blooms, but only four (delicious) actual squash,,,also no white squash moths...but now temperatures have dropped into the 80's...nights have also cooled...the sedum has bloomed and finally the bees have returned. and, yes: i have some baby squash developing!