INSECTS
MONARCH BUTTERFLY (DANAUS PLEXIPPUS)
The monarch butterfly starts off as a green, black, and white striped caterpillar. It later becomes a green chrysalis. An orange and black butterfly emerges from the chrysalis. The monarch butterfly is poisonous and gives predators a bitter taste when eaten. Monarch butterfly larvae only eat milkweed, while adult monarch butterflies feast on a variety of nectars. Monarch butterflies migrate over great distances from the USA to Mexico to breed where there is milkweed. The monarch butterfly is California's state insect. It is categorized as "Near Threatened".
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red harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex barbatus)
There are 45 different species of ants in the California chaparral; the harvest ant is one of the most conspicuous. They have nests between shrubs and upon the blackened soil of burned chaparral. The ants may be up to one quarter of an inch long and are bright red with bristles on their legs and abdomen. Disturbing a nest will cause the ants inside to sting and bite the provoker. They may also crawl up human legs and sting, so it is unwise to stay near harvester ants for extended periods of time. They are most active during the mornings and afternoons when they search for seeds to eat. They are not active during winter.
CEANOTHUS SILKMOTH (HYLAPHORA EURYALUS)
The ceanothus silkmoth is one of the most common insects in the chaparral. They can be identified by their red to brownish wings. They have a wingspan of 3.5-5 inches. Their distribution ranges from Washington to Baja California (in terms of north and south) and British Columbia to Montana (in terms of west to east). Adults fly from January to July. They lay eggs, that caterpillars hatch from. After feeding on leaves for a while, caterpillars spin cocoons and lay dormant until they emerge as moths.
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