Friends of Murphys Point Park

The Virginia Ctenucha (Ctenucha virginica), a species of moth, is this week’s #SpeciesOfTheWeek! With its black wings, metallic blue body, and orange head, the Virginia Ctenucha is certainly a sight to behold. However, the name (the leading ‘C’ in Ctenucha is silent) is misleading, as it is most abundant in the Northern United States and Southern Canada, as opposed to Virginia. Two generations of this moth occur each year during the months of May and July. The adults drink nectar from flowers and are therefore most commonly found in flowery fields. As a pollinator, this and many other species of diurnal moths, are important pollinators. This little guy was found close to our very own Lally Homestead.

This week’s #SpeciesOfTheWeek is the Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus). There is significant sexual dimorphism between the males and females of this species: males are black, white and red, whereas the females are streaked brown and white with a prominent white eyebrow. As might be expected, the females’ more camouflaged appearance helps protect the nest and young from inquisitive predators. Their preferred breeding habitat includes moist deciduous forest, mixed deciduous-coniferous forest, thickets and edge habitats. The diet of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak primarily consists of insects, seeds and fruits. Common nest predators of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks include Blue Jays and Common Grackles whereas the adults are predated by various hawks. Murphys Point Provincial Park is a great place to observe Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, just like this male featured here!