Spectacular butterflies

The Mime

The common Mobmon

DESPITE their small size, butterflies and moths are some of the world’s most wondrous animals. Their beauty, seemingly miraculous metamorphosis, and apparently carefree flight all spark our imaginations.

They are beautiful, flying insects with large scaly wings. Like all insects, they have six jointed legs, three body parts, a pair of antennae, compound eyes, and an exoskeleton. The three body parts are the head, thorax (the chest), and abdomen (the tail end).

The butterfly’s body is covered by tiny sensory hairs. The four wings and the six legs of the butterfly are attached to the thorax. The thorax contains the muscles that make the legs and wings move.

The Plains Cupid

The Grey Panst

There are a large variety of butterflies found all over the world. Some species are endemic to some parts of the world. There are around 244 species of butterflies in Sri Lanka, of which about 20 are endemic. Their habitats range from the hottest areas in the arid zones to the coolest areas in the forested hills. Some butterflies can be seen all year round while others are seasonal.

One of our readers, S. Jayawardena was able to capture these spectacular butterfly moves in his garden in Colombo.

Choosing appropriate parrot cages

ONE of the hardest things that new parrot owners come across in the early stages of ownership is choosing the right parrot cage for their parrots. There are so many parrot cages out there on the market so you have to make sure you choose wisely.

If you only have one small parrot, then the type of parrot cages you should be looking for are ones that can easily be carried by anyone. Do not go out and buy a super large aviary if your intentions are to just own one or two small budgerigars. This would make no sense.

Instead stick to the smaller more compact parrot cages that can easily be moved around the house. This way you can take the cage outside whenever necessary to give your pet parrot or parrots some vital fresh air.

If however you are a more experienced handler and your intentions are to own many magnificent parrots, then the type of parrot cages you should be looking for will be much larger.

For people looking to purchase such particular parrots such as amazons or grey parrots, then it is recommended that you look for a medium sized cage.

Eventually though most people who own these types of birds generally aim to train them well enough so that the cage becomes unnecessary in time.

But for the first few months while the parrot is still young it is recommended to keep it in a medium sized cage, big enough so it does not feel like it is in a jail cell.

The next step up of course is an aviary. Aviaries take up a lot of space so before you go out and purchase one you better make sure there is enough space in your back yard! Also instead of buying an aviary, why not build one?

It will save you a lot of money and will also be a lot of fun for you and the kids. Plus when you have finished you can show it off to the neighbours and tell them that it was you who did it. I am sure they will be impressed.

Whatever type of parrot owner you wish to be, there are always a large variety of parrot cages out there on the market to choose from. Get down to the local pet shop and take a look at some and remember to take into consideration how many parrots and which particular types are you wishing to own.

Extend the season with a Greenhouse

OUTDOOR garden enthusiasts marvel greenhouses, which come in a variety of sizes, from the big commercial greenhouses, to home walk in greenhouse, to small hobby greenhouses that fit on your deck.

Benefits:

Are you considering a Greenhouse? If so, the benefits are many.

* Frost protection.

* Wind protection - This is really beneficial for young seedlings.

* Controlled environment- including pollination control.

* Attractive - a greenhouse really spruces up the appearance of your yard. It shouts “an avid gardener lives here!”

* The simple fun of it - to an enthusiastic gardener, greenhouses are also a garden toy. It’s something to putter and play with.

* Keeps out animals - no more bunnies and dogs munching on your favourite flower or vegetable.

* Keeps out insects - keeping the greenhouse closed will keep out harmful insects like squash vine borers. But note, it can also harbour insects that may sneak in while the greenhouse is left open.

Things to watch out for:

Your greenhouse provides you with many benefits. But there are a couple of things to be watchful of in this enclosed environment.

* First on the list is high humidity - adding a little humidity may be beneficial, but it can also promote plant disease.

* High temperatures can cook your plants - left tightly closed on a sunny day, the temperature in your greenhouse can reach levels high enough to kill your plants.

* Harbouring insects - as mentioned earlier, there is a good and a bad here. A closed environment may keep insects out. But those that sneak in, find a cozy shelter and thrive.

* Soil dries out more quickly - this is especially true in a raised bed greenhouse system. Easily rectified, just plan to water more frequently.