The Six-legged: vegans and meat eaters

As insects, butterflies have three pairs of legs (making a total of six.) But, the Nymphalidae family has butterflies that often only stand on four legs. They curl their front two legs, making them difficult to see. This family includes species like Monarchs and Fritillaries.

While the adult form (butterfly) is a nectar eater, and most caterpillars eat plant matter, some caterpillars consume ants, other caterpillars and even animal waste.

At this time of year, the Dragonflies are all about. I filmed this one a couple of days ago as I was sitting waiting to film the Blue Grosbeaks that were feeding in a tall stand of weeds. I had never thought about it until I observed it, but dragonflies hunt other insects for a living. The species I have observed perch near the top of a stiff weed stem, waiting to spot potential prey. Then they flit off and usually return to the same twig with their catch. In this way, they behave very much like many of the flycatcher species of birds. It can make it quite easy to film them, as they are quite predictable in their action.