The kids were at the park today, and my grandson, who has an eye for spotting treasures, saw this beauty laying in the sand. It wasn’t moving, so it may well be at the end of its life cycle. Has you ever seen such a beautiful moth?
It’s called the Rosy Maple Moth, species Dryocampa rubicunda, native to the eastern U.S. and Canada, but found as far west as Texas to Minnesota. It is the smallest of the silk moths. As its name suggests, its caterpillars prefer munching on maples — especially red and sugar maples, but also box elders and oaks.
While this type of moth is not endangered, it is “of special concern” due to pesticide use and deforestation of its habitat. It’s apparently pretty rare to see one. Leave it to T. to be the one.
Like T., I like bugs. I still have a Luna Moth I found in the Meijer parking lot, and a Cecropia that was laying open on the grass in the backyard. I started growing milkweed to attract Monarch Butterflies after one flew directly into my face following the death of a beloved dog. I wanted to believe (and still do) that that was her in a new form, flying free.
I have spotted Monarch caterpillars for a couple of years now, eating the milkweed leaves. I hope it does a little bit to help their comeback.
I don’t care for spiders nearly as much, but I have been known to let one or two winter in the basement. They would die if I put them outside, and I try not to kill anything.
Get the texture and spices right, and you’d swear you were eating your favorite meat dish. Without the guilt. And we can all use a little less guilt in our lives, n’est-ce pas?
And yes, I’ve been considering returning to a vegetarian, maybe even a vegan, lifestyle. I was vegan for a year and a half a decade ago, not eating anything “that had a face.” It’s not as difficult as you might think.
I’ll keep cutting back on the little meat I still eat and see how it goes.
YSM | ink 
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