APRIL 2016 • NEBRASKAland 31
The Little Things
The further you look into the seemingly
mundane parts of nature, the more
surprised you may find yourself at how
rich and complicated it can be. By all
means, enjoy the big mammals, birds,
trees and other natural giants around us.
Just be aware that you may be missing out
on some of the most interesting parts of
life that take place right under our noses.
After all, it's the little things in life that
mean the most.
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Alex Wiles is an animal care specialist
at Fontenelle Forest near Bellevue while
he pursues a career in conservation
photography. This is his first appearance in
NEBRASKAland Magazine.
This group of insects shows a
colony of large milkweed bugs
(Oncopeltus fasciatus) at various
stages of development. The young
are called nymphs and are smaller
versions of the adults, gradually
turning darker red and black as they
age.
Caterpillars come in a wide range
of appearances, some of which
can easily be seen as comical. This
banded tussock moth caterpillar
(Halysidota tessellaris) does not
have to hide its gaudy appearance
because, like many caterpillars,
it eats toxic plants that make it
dangerous to eat.
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