November 19 , 2023
Grateful for Wildlife Gardeners Like You!
Across this adventurous class , gardeners sweep Central Texas welcomed us into their gardens and heartfelt journeys . Goals , style , and personality depart , but all divvy up one affair : a dedication to restore wildlife habitat . Over and over , we take heed , “ Thanks to what we ’re doing , we ’re seeing so many more butterflies , bee , lizards , and birds . We ’re so grateful . ”Sadly , though , we ’ve all detect diminished wildlife populations this year . So , I was thrilled and quite thankful to find six woolly bear caterpillars on my native desert willow ! I wonder how many hair styles these guy inspired?!There are several “ woolly bears , ” but I think these will grace us as oculus - catch giant leopard moths next year . For one thing , I see them in my garden and theWildflower Centernotes that desert willow is a host plant for white - wing moths . OnCTG ’s Facebook pageandInstagram , I read that people across Texas and indeed , the U.S , are seeing spate of them this year . I do n’t know what that signify , but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service post that these lilliputian “ bears ” will winter in leaves . In colder regions , they will in reality suspend and thaw out in spring to pupate into cocoon .
And there you go : another great reason to “ leave behind the leaves ! ” If on the lawn , rake them into beds and borders or around your trees ( away from the trunk ) to aliment your soil and protect plant stem and hunkering - down wildlife .
take note : there ’s no scientific data to bear the woolly bear ’s power to presage how cold-blooded winter will be ! Also , you may pet them if you like . They ’re quite well-disposed ! I ’ve even pick them up to move out of footpath risk . You DO want to void petting Naja haje , which are just as foggy wuzzy cute , butno touch modality on these sting caterpillars!Thanks to Julie Gilbert in Fate , Texas for share this one!And we ’re thankful for YOU ! HostJohn Hart Asherjoins all of us at CTG and Austin PBS to thank you for portion out this yr with us . Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families !
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