Wednesday, 1 March 2017

Nature Fact

Most Insects lie dormant in Winter, buried in whatever nook or cranny offers them the best protection from cold and predators.   Many Moths and Butterflies overwinter as pupae, though some adults, such as those of Brimstone and Tortoiseshell butterflies, also overwinter successfully.   The key to the survival of many so-called ‘cold hardy’ insects lies in the conversion of blood sugar to glycerol, which acts as a dilute anti-freeze, protecting vital tissues against prolonged sub-zero temperatures.