All That Glitters
Monarch chrysalides are arguably the most beautiful of all the lepidoptera. But those golden accents aren’t purely decorative– they’re optical […]
Pollinators
Puddle Muddle
We recently spotted a group of meadow fritillaries (Boloria bellona)“puddling” in the habitat. Butterflies land on wet sand, mud, or
Hunt and Peck’s
One of our participants captured this lovely shot of a Peck’s skipper (Polites peckius) during last weekend’s Bioblitz. This perky
Let’s Hear it for the Boys
It’s easy to joke about how male bees are only good for one thing. But on this Father’s Day, let’s
It seems almost unbelievable on a frigid winter’s day, but some butterflies in central PA endure the winter as adults.
The Very Secret Caterpillar
Many insects successfully pass the winter as immature larvae. The great spangled fritillary (Speyeria cybele) spends the winter as a
Are You Sleeping?
Most of us are familiar with the story of the monarch butterfly’s epic journey to Mexico each fall. But what
Delayed Journey
In December 2025, the Associated Press reported that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) moved the monarch butterfly’s Endangered
Holly Jolly
Nothing stands out in the winter landscape like a branch of glossy green holly with bright red berries. Ilex is
There’s a New Tag in Town
For the first time, scientists are able to track the migration of monarch butterflies across much of North America in
Give Thanks for Pollinators
Love pumpkin pie? Thank a squash bee! Our native cucurbits, pumpkin and squash, rely on native squash bees for pollination.
Digging In
Colder temperatures make us all feel the need for cozy winter quarters–even if you’re a bee! And the beautiful bicolored
Go for the Gold
As we transition to autumn, many gardens take on a more muted palette, and goldenrod provides a welcome pop of
Tag, You’re It!
It was a beautiful day for The Magic of Monarch Migration at the SBG last Saturday. In partnership with Monarch
Monarch Migration 2025
The 2025 monarch migration has begun, with observers in Minnesota and Michigan reporting relatively high numbers compared to recent years.
A Cup of Gold
Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum) is hard to miss, growing up to 9 feet tall. At the SBG, it can be
Keep Calm and Carrot On
It’s easy to confuse the spicebush swallowtail with the black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes), as both species have dark forewings and
A Little Prickly?
Prickly ash (Zanthoxylum parvum), currently blooming in the Woodland Garden, is an aromatic, spiny, thicket-forming deciduous shrub or small tree
Blaze of Glory
For a dramatic vertical accent in the summer pollinator garden, you can’t go wrong with blazing star. There are over
Wild for Wild Senna
The distinctive foliage of wild senna (Senna hebecarpa) is topped with racemes of bright yellow flowers which are attractive to
Humming Along
Hummingbird clearwing moth (Hemaris thysbe) The common name of this member of the sphinx moth family is no mystery. As
Super Fly
Look there, on that coneflower…Is it a bee? Is it a wasp? It’s… a hover fly! With their yellow and
Bee Magnet
What’s that attractive, low shrub that’s just covered with visiting bees? Why, it’s shrubby St John’s wort (Hypericum prolificum). One
Guiding Lights
The tall white spires of beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) lend a graceful air to the late spring pollinator garden, and provide
Cutting Up
What’s eating my (redbud, rosebush, azalea, etc)? Homeowners observing this particular type of damage to trees and shrubs may assume
Golden Opportunity
The lovely yellow blooms of Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) fill the gap during that awkward period in late spring/early summer,
Up the Ladder
It’s spring ephemeral time at the SBG! and Jacob’s Ladder is currently blooming in the Woodland Garden. This member of
Spice it Up
At the SBG, spring means spicebush! Lindera benzoin, a member of the Lauraceae family, is currently blooming in all its
Popular Populus
The fuzzy catkins of aspen are unfurling throughout Tudek Park this week, and can serve as a reminder of the
Pining for You
With most of our native trees standing stark and bare at this time of year, evergreens like hemlock and pine
Making it Official
The monarch butterfly just might be the most recognizable insect in America. At the SBG, we often refer to it
Layer Up!
These cold winter days are a great time to plan your 2025 pollinator garden. It’s tempting to dive right into
Pollinator Puzzle
When poinsettias appear in the stores, it’s a sure sign that the festive season is upon us. But why are
Love Pumpkin? Thank a Squash Bee!
Our native cucurbits, pumpkin and squash, rely on native squash bees for pollination. Ground-nesting, solitary squash bees (two different genera:
Monarch Migration 2024
First reports are in…and they’re not great. According to the World Wildlife Federation, the eastern migratory monarch population shows a
Milkweed Loves Monarchs
That’s right–not only do monarchs need milkweed to survive, but some ecologists believe that milkweeds may rely on monarchs as
King of the Meadow
Growing anywhere from 2 to 10 feet tall, it’s no wonder that another common name for tall meadow rue (Thalictrum
No Sweat
The beautiful bright, shiny coloration of this little bee may make it one of the easiest bees in the garden
Prairie Powerhouse
The bright yellow flowers of prairie coneflower (Ratibida spp) feature heavily drooping petals that flutter in the slightest breeze, grouped
Smell of Success
“Its flowers are very fragrant and when in season, they fill the woods with their sweet exhalations and make it
Way Down Yonder….
Pawpaw (Asiminia triloba) could once be found growing all over the eastern half of the US, especially favoring the rich
Spice it Up
We crave the bright colors of spring after a long, grey winter, and native plants are always happy to oblige!
Eggs-citing
The Easter Bunny isn’t the only one who brings colorful eggs! Many butterflies and moths lay beautiful, jewel-like eggs, either
Double Duty
At the SBG, amsonia is one of our favorite double-duty native perennials, with its lovely blue spring flowers and brilliant
Back-to-School Edition
Since 2010, the SBG has been installing ‘satellite gardens’ at schools throughout the Centre region–more than 20 to date! Master
Regular Joe
Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp ) is in full bloom at the SBG, and pollinators are taking full advantage of
Parsley Worms?
Gardeners know: Those colorful swallowtails munching away on your dill, fennel or parsley can eat the entire herb down to
Wanna-Bees
Bees: these pollinator super-stars are great garden friends who are enjoying increasing popularity among gardeners who realize their value. But
The Admirable Red Admiral
The gorgeous red admiral butterfly can be found worldwide, including at the SBG! Adults are easily identified by the bright
Let’s Hear it for the Boys
It’s easy to joke about how male bees are only good for one thing. But on this Father’s Day, let’s
Mind the Gap
Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) is an easy-going native that should be in every pollinator garden. Its blooms fill the gap
Hi, Neighbor!
Finding the capped-off tunnels of native cavity-nesting bees is always a thrill for us at the SBG. Whether spotted in
Blast from the Past
Over 70% of native bees are ground nesting, with the females digging and provisioning their own individual nests in the
Any questions?
Question mark butterflies (Polygonia interrogationis) can be found throughout the eastern U.S., most often in open woods or woodland edges,
Super bee Sunday
Bumble bees (Bombus spp) are superstars of the pollinator world. Their long work day, efficient pollen-transport structures, and ability to
Love is in the air
Valentine’s Day may have passed, but love is in the air at the El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in