The Five-spotted Hawkmoth Caterpillar - Nature 94

We observed a big caterpillar in one of our tomatoes plants this morning. The caterpillar eats a lot of the tomato plant’s leaves.

Image 1- A big caterpillar on tomato's leaves

The caterpillar is a quite big, the length size might be 3 inches or 7.6 cm. The color is green with stripes, and a black horn on the tail.

Based on the GoogleID, this caterpillar belongs to the five-spotted hawkmoth caterpillar or also called as a tomato hornworm.

It is said that the caterpillar is commonly seen in the garden. In addition to tomatoes. It loves peppers and potatoes leaves.

Unfortunately, this caterpillar might be a plant pest. It is because it could consume great number of leaves.

Image 2- A green stripes caterpillar

In case of tomatoes, the five-spotted hawkmoth caterpillars can also destroy tomato fruit by boring into the fruit.

Image 3- The caterpillar consumed a lot.

When getting larger and larger at last stage devolvement, the caterpillar could eat an entire tomato plant within minutes.

Image 4- A caterpillar is moving under tomato branches.

Have you ever seen this kind of caterpillar?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Purple Bell Peppers in the Farmer Market – Food 14

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Why are We Getting Obese Nowadays? - Part 2 – Healthy Life 20

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Why Passion Flowers could Attract Butterfly? – Science 13

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Mutant Genes in the Early Onset Familial Alzheimer's – Part 2 - Alzheimer's 6

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Could Avocado Reduce Metabolic Syndrome? - Part 1 – Healthy Life 21

Are Buff Orpington Chickens Excellent Pets? - Nature 93

 We posted a rooster on the run at our neighborhood:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : A Rooster on the Run - Nature 90

Image 1- A Buff Orpington hen

Many people have a Buff Orpington as a pet with some reasons, among them are its gentle temperament, low maintenance breeding and well survive in the variety of weather conditions.

Other reasons include:

1) Produce a quite number of eggs. The hen could produce up to 200 brown eggs per year. So, good choice for eggs in addition to the pet.

2) Beautiful chicken. It is good to add the bird to our backyard.  The Buff Orpington makes yard more beautiful.

they can add a touch of beauty to your backyard.

Image 2- A Buff Orpington loves to play.

We need to provide the hen with a coop and plenty of space to forage and roam. The Buff Orpington breeding needs high quality diet which contain high calcium and protein. 

Image 3- Chickens, just illustration

Do you know about the Buff Orpington breeding?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Diet of Rose breasted grosbeak in Nature – Nature 25

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Tea Made of Hibiscus Flowers

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Have You Tried to Consume Any Forms of Coconut Products?

- The Rainbow Before Evening : The Mutant Genes in the Early Onset Familial Alzheimer's – Part 1 - Alzheimer's 6

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Purple Bell Peppers in the Farmer Market – Food 14

The Patty Pan Squash Seasons - Food 43

The Patty Pan Squash includes in the family of Cucurbitaceae. Some of well known this family members are melons, zucchini and cucumbers.

Image 1- First patty pan squash of the season.

This vegetable has a round shape with scalloped edges, hence it is also called as a scallop squash.

We may see the colors of Patty pan squash could be white, green, yellow, orange and stripes in the commercial market.

In our areas, Baton Rouge, the Patty pan squash is a summer vegetable which has the best time to harvest from July to September, and even until October.

We love to buy the Patty pan squash in the nearby farmers markets during late August to early September, since the price pretty much lower.

Image 2- the Patty pan squash plant.

As you know that the Patty pan squash plant has a slightly sweet flavor and crunchy texture. It is a delicious vegetable, can be enjoyed in many different ways.

Image 3- The patty pan squash, sold in Walmart

Do you like the patty pan squash?

# Previous postings:

- Rainbow Evening : Do You Know American Native Ginseng?

- Rainbow Evening : Countries which Export Coconut to America

- Blue Mirror Flowers Blooming Twice in a Season – Nature 24

- Why are We Getting Obese Nowadays? - Part 1 – Healthy Life 20

- Diet of Rose breasted grosbeak in Nature – Nature 25

The Eastern Box Turtle Visited Our Yard - Nature 92

The name come from the habitat where turtle live, yes, habitat of this turtle is the eastern of United States, include our state Louisiana.

Image 1- The Eastern Box Turtle on the grass

The size of the turtle was about 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) in length. The carapace has brown color with markings. 

The scientific name of this critter is Terrapene carolina which is a terrestrial turtle. The Eastern box turtle may be found in habitats such as woodlands, meadows and forests (little forest).

We saw them have visited our yard several times. We gave them fruits, vegetables and fresh water. Actually, in nature, the Eastern Box turtles consume these foods in addition to worms and insects. 

Image 2- The antique car, just for illustration.

Just to let you know, it is illegal to remove or capture the wild Eastern box turtle in our state, Louisiana. However, we may buy them as a pet from certified breeding or legal pet shops.

Image 3- The turtle moving away.

Is it legal to capture terrestrial wild turtle in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- Rainbow Evening : Summer is a Perfect Time to Ride a Motorbike

- Rose breasted grosbeak Comes to Our Neighborhood – Nature 23

- GUTSY WOMEN of Hillary and Chelsea – Part 2 – Reading 10

- Local Property Tax for Funding Our City Transport System

- Rainbow Evening : Do You Know American Native Ginseng?

The Wildflower at the Corner - Nature 91

We have the tomatoes plants, and we saw a kind of wildflowers grow between them. Suddenly, the flowers blooming during the hot summer.

Image 1- The red wildflower, blooming

GoogleID has identified this wildflower as a Common zinnia, a scientific name for the flower is Zinnia elegans.

Yes, our neighborhoods have zinnia (The Rainbow Before Evening : Zinnia Flowers Grow Well in the Neighborhood – Nature 80), but we never planted this kind of zinnia.   

We believed that zinnia seed carried by wild birds, animals (raccoons or squirrels) or blown by the wind from nearby neighborhood, then voluntarily grown in the small garden. It is possible that zinnia will grow at other part of the yards.

Image 2 - Two wild zinnias in the garden

Actually, Zinnia elegans is one of the popular ornamental plant grown for its colorful flowers (red, yellow, orange, pink, purple and white). Blooming from summer to fall seasons.

Image 3 - Three wild zinnias in the garden.

Do you know about common zinnia?

# Previous postings:

- The Rainbow Before Evening : What kinds of foods are Consumed by Crowned Night Heron? - Nature 22

- The Rainbow Before Evening : What are Health Benefit of Eating Mango? - Part 2 – Health Life 19

- The Rainbow Before Evening : In what chromosomes are the gene mutation related to Alzheimer's Disease? - Part 2 - Alzheimer's 5

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Differences of Shale Oil, Crude Oil and Fracking – Science 12

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Summer is a Perfect Time to Ride a Motorbike

A Rooster on the Run - Nature 90

 We saw a beautiful rooster at the corner of our area this morning. Actually, he was moving from one spot to another.

Image 1- A roster at the roadside.

Just to let you know that our city, Baton Rouge allows for raising chickens, but depending on property sizes.

In case of properties smaller than an acre (4,047 square meters), we are allowed to have up to 3 hens only, and roosters are prohibited at all.

It is because roosters make noise quite loud, they are very vocal, especially in the early morning. 

The roosters may crow as early as 4.00 am, so who lives in a close-knit neighborhood will complain.

Image 2- Flowering, just for illustration.

If we have more than one acre land, we may ask a permit from city to have more hens and a rooster. Some people said that raising roosters may be a rewarding experience.

Image 3 - A rooster at the same spot

Have you experienced raising chickens?

# Previous postings:

- In what chromosomes are the gene mutation related to Alzheimer's Disease? - Part 1 - Alzheimer's 5

- Weekly Farmer Market at Our Neighborhood

- GUTSY WOMEN of Hillary and Chelsea – Part 1 – Reading 10

- CATS Transport System in Our City Baton Rouge, LA

- What kinds of foods are Consumed by Crowned Night Heron? - Nature 22

Have you Seen and Tasted Okra Flowers? - Food 42

I believe that almost all of you have tasted Okra, but you might never see and tasted Okra flowers. 

Image 1- Okra flower, look pretty.

The flower looks trumpet-shaped with color of light yellow. Okra flowers have 5 petals with size of 4 to 8 cm (1.5 to 3 inches) in diameter.

They do self-fertilize which means the flowers no need pollinators for pollinating. In our area, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the blooming in summer months since its warm season crop.

In the August month when temperature average is about 84* F (29* C), hence, a perfect time for Okra flowering. Okra flowers are edible, and could be mixed with soups, salads and other local dishes.

Image 2- Okra vegetable, sold in Walmart.

Okra flowers are known as a good source of vitamins such as vitamins A and C, and contains antioxidants to protect our body against damage from free radicals.

Image 3- The Okra flower, light yellow

Have you Seen and Tasted Okra Flowers?

# Previous postings:

- Crowned Heron Crawfishing Near Our Neighborhood – Part 1 – Nature 20

- What are Health Benefit of Eating Mango? - Part 1 – Health Life 19

- Rainbow Before Evening : Colorful Flowers in the Spring – Nature 21

- Parks for Dogs in My City Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Part 2

- In what chromosomes are the gene mutation related to Alzheimer's Disease? - Part 1 - Alzheimer's 5