Tag: Butterfly
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Bacillus thuringiensis: the James Bond of biological pest control
In the microscopic world of bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a gram-positive, soil-dwelling microbe is the go-to secret agent for farmers and gardeners worldwide, thanks to its uncanny ability to produce crystal-clear killers. From Silkworms to Superbugs Our story begins in 1902 when Japanese sericultural engineer Ishiwatari Shigetane stumbled upon a mysterious ailment causing silkworms to…
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The Ant and the Caterpillar
As an Ant of his talents superiorly vain,Was trotting with consequence over the plain;A Worm, in his progress remarkably slow,Cry’d ‘Bless your good worship, wherever you go!‘I hope your great mightiness won’t take it ill,‘I pay my respects from an hearty good will.’With a look of contempt and ineffable pride,‘Begone! you vile reptile, his Antship…
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Plutus opal butterflies and black cocktail ants
Chrysoritis plutus, the Plutus opal, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae found only in South Africa. The wingspan is 24–28 mm for males and 26–35 mm for females. Flight period is two broods from August to December and January to April. Larvae feed on the Thesium species. Thesium is a genus of flowering plants in the family Santalaceae, sandalwoods, a widely distributed family of flowering plants (including small trees, shrubs, perennial herbs, and epiphytic climbers) which,…
