You never know what you’re going to find inside a gob of spit in a meadow. If you’re lucky, it might be a young spittlebug. The “spit,” which is left over from feeding on plant sap, protects these harmless insects from predators and parasitic wasps.
Last Chance Dance in Plants
Flowers look so innocent. But just like humans, they can be manipulative and very picky about their mates, as illustrated by ladyslippers and irises, two common bumble-bee pollinated plants. (If you want to learn more, see Zink and Wheelwright, Amer. Midland Naturalist 137: 72-78.)
Color and Communication in Turtles
Animals like painted turtles use different parts of their bodies to send distinct messages. Backs and bellies are designed to mislead predators, while faces, with their fine details, advertise a turtle’s identity and quality to nearby competitors and mates.