Ask the Experts

Summer plants that monarchs love, hummingbird habits and more!

Q How do hummingbirds spend their time when they aren’t at a feeder? David Worrell ROCKVILLE, VIRGINIA Kenn and Kimberly: Even in a yard that is well-stocked with sugar-water feeders, hummingbirds will regularly visit any flowers that are available and catch tiny insects to supplement their diet. In the breeding season, the females are extremely busy with building a nest, incubating eggs and feeding their young. Male hummingbirds don’t take any part in nesting or chick-rearing duties. Instead, they spend most of their spare time chasing away rival males or watching for females so they can resume courtship activities. Q I found milkweed tiger caterpillars on my milkweed plants. Can they harm monarchs? Karen Funk HILLMAN, MICHIGAN Kenn and Kimberly: The milkweed tiger or milkweed tussock moth (Euchaetes egle) looks most interesting in its larval…

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Birds & Blooms (Digital) - 1 Issue, August/September 2022

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