The caterpillar of the Spicebush Swallowtail Buttefly is one of the best mimics in nature. During its later instar stages it resembles a snake to let predators know it should be avoided.
The gardens at the Blue Spruce Park Lakeside Center at maintained by the Penn State Master Gardeners. The volunteer group does an outstanding job of keeping things looking good for our park visitors to enjoy.
Monarch butterfly populations have reached such a low number that they are being considered for endangered species status. Loss of habitat, use of pesticides, changing farming practices that no longer allow for milkweed patches and the logging of their winter habitat in forests of Mexico are all reasons for their decline. While we can raise Monarchs in laboratories or greenhouses the annual migration of the Monarch is what is at risk.
