tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40331592773959590692024-03-20T19:24:24.948-07:00Springfield PlateauSpringfield Plateau Chapter of the Missouri Master Naturalist™ is a community based natural resource education and volunteer program. Its purpose is to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the State of Missouri.Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comBlogger1486125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-1297556891300284762024-03-12T07:58:00.000-07:002024-03-12T08:00:31.303-07:00Ticks are here!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4hpEnfb-eGbV1y_SvawqkdeAd9JKUNVEPrvFLTKwvg86GWgCcBR9D4P3zNaeJOW7ypCxRdnTsBDvfKLcMVMcEDGNyUimnYUmxwazB2tZU_JxyTanDLCo3BbbZIIftA_ko5EdjruoJBhJgka6hQU22dtGE-5IUYpZnrtl8Bkw0XZedb-qS9GTYtrqkXA/s1105/20240312_074320.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="958" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4hpEnfb-eGbV1y_SvawqkdeAd9JKUNVEPrvFLTKwvg86GWgCcBR9D4P3zNaeJOW7ypCxRdnTsBDvfKLcMVMcEDGNyUimnYUmxwazB2tZU_JxyTanDLCo3BbbZIIftA_ko5EdjruoJBhJgka6hQU22dtGE-5IUYpZnrtl8Bkw0XZedb-qS9GTYtrqkXA/s320/20240312_074320.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>The MDC Conservation Nature Calendar said this weekend is when the ticks come out. Whether the ticks read the calendar to decide on their emergence is questionable, but it certainly was accurate. I came home with 3 first instar and one second instars digging in to private places. We now have our tick (scotch) tape out in the bathroom.<p></p><p>We have written before about winter ticks <a href="https://springfieldmn.blogspot.com/2022/03/winter-tick_6.html">in this blog</a> dating back to <a href="https://springfieldmn.blogspot.com/2011/03/first-tick-of-spring.html">a 2011 blog</a> so it was no real surprise.</p><p>I am posting this so you can hear one of our favorite Ozark musicians, Annie Shelton sing her song <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_DtVKUp4VI"><u>Tick Pickin Time in the Ozarks</u></a>. It was written by her grandmother and was performed this time with her dad Wayne on the porch at Shelton Hollow.</p><p></p><p>Now back to the tweezers............</p><p></p><p></p><p>More on Bull Creek ticks can be found in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_DtVKUp4VI">these past blogs.</a><br /></p><p></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-66854151025008035292024-01-31T09:57:00.000-08:002024-01-31T09:57:27.939-08:00Knowing Your Trees<p>Lois Zerrer reviews <u>Knowing the Trees: Discover the Forest From Seed to Snag</u> by Ken Keffer. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-WqLRF1eH5LTQ0fLIfOlUnMAMSF6bPJ7kJmUeww2GSZC1_yUmV0WpqthdA5Y2PR-2s_wkLrqfH7gpHDIZso8jGaR-9IORcKdzo6__Ylgm4ITwUUPebsSVYc8-KSJL_9M8T1cfElJO4VEqFZn8L3C-y71Qkink6xj1zUi0jLh6pxw9SH4eqtE7oWpnW8/s1672/content.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1672" data-original-width="1280" height="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-WqLRF1eH5LTQ0fLIfOlUnMAMSF6bPJ7kJmUeww2GSZC1_yUmV0WpqthdA5Y2PR-2s_wkLrqfH7gpHDIZso8jGaR-9IORcKdzo6__Ylgm4ITwUUPebsSVYc8-KSJL_9M8T1cfElJO4VEqFZn8L3C-y71Qkink6xj1zUi0jLh6pxw9SH4eqtE7oWpnW8/w310-h405/content.jpeg" width="310" /></a></div>I happened upon this book while perusing the “new arrivals” section of the Springfield Greene County Library. Being a self-proclaimed tree groupie, the title caught my eye. Thumbing through the book, it appeared to contain engaging information that might add to my knowledge of our trees. <p></p><p>After a brief introduction to the life cycle of the tree, the chapters are organized along the growth cycle of the tree – from seed and cone to the woody debris left behind at the end.
Each chapter highlights interesting information comparing and contrasting different aspects of the life stage. For example, distinctions between types of seed, the purpose of cones, or how a stage supports wildlife are included. Also, anecdotes with unusual facts or stories are included to keep the reading light and entertaining. <br /></p><p>This is neither a scholarly work nor a primer. The author has done a good job of combining scientific substance with a style making it accessible to the lay reader. Along with scientific importance and ecological benefits, the author includes cultural references and some facts and details that “tree groupies” might not know. Some terminology that was new to me: </p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> “doghair stands” – successional forests after old growth has been removed </li><li>“krummholz” - the natural pruning process that occurs in the area between the subalpine and alpine zones which results in shrubby tree forms and branches that grow in the direction of the prevailing winds. </li><li>“long leaf grass” - the seedlings of long leaf pine during their fire resistant growth phase </li><li>Last but not least, the New York Stock Exchange was formed by an agreement signed under a sycamore tree in 1792. The Buttonwood Agreement was so called because the wood of sycamores was used at that time to make buttons.
Author Ken Keffer is a naturalist and environmental educator. </li></ul><p>Knowing the Trees: Discover the Forest From Seed to Snag by Ken Keffer
Illustrations by Emily Walker Copyright 2023 Mountaineers
Books </p><p><i>Editor's note: It is available at the Library Center in Springfield.....after I return it.</i><br /></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-22199512739494844312024-01-25T14:23:00.000-08:002024-01-26T06:04:35.480-08:00Ode to a Hat-throwing Fungus<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRQrjgGNE6OGmOTT4jztdNL7o5bmDuIlRCgEy8hTEfCgsXo_GZ4yWPj21Yg3pKrE-9n23wBpv73YNzVva_e9QrMCLfuwFzjyEwySCdGAnxf_ZsxVNvSofqgyrXUNyA_qrjNgJtewZ5-lRRh7tUZFLNTnRZiY0O5xNJsjpsAuIeS3PAmbYjkUP4agE62M/s1280/Pilobolus%20chrystalinus%5E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRQrjgGNE6OGmOTT4jztdNL7o5bmDuIlRCgEy8hTEfCgsXo_GZ4yWPj21Yg3pKrE-9n23wBpv73YNzVva_e9QrMCLfuwFzjyEwySCdGAnxf_ZsxVNvSofqgyrXUNyA_qrjNgJtewZ5-lRRh7tUZFLNTnRZiY0O5xNJsjpsAuIeS3PAmbYjkUP4agE62M/w640-h480/Pilobolus%20chrystalinus%5E.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pilobolus crystallinus</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>A special guest blog from our favorite mycologist, Dr. Mark Bower. But first read his poem, a paen in the Poop to a fungus among-us. <br />=====================<br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"> <u>Fun with Da Dung Fungus</u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: left;">Searching for mushrooms is such a strain</div><div style="text-align: left;">As I sat for a while</div><div style="text-align: left;"> To relieve the pain</div><div style="text-align: left;"> I spot a brown pile </div><p><br />Lumpy it was and also quite stinky<br /> Into the mass I stuck my pinky<br /> As it happens, I shouldn’t have done that <br />For I quickly found out it was a pile of scat</p><p><br />Mycelia feeding<br /> But it’s had its fill<br /> Time to throw hats<br /> With the spores, if you will <br /><br />Pow, pow, pow!<br /> The sporangia explode! <br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"> Up to ten feet <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> The hats will be throw'd</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Out towards the sun </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Soaring like a bird</div><div style="text-align: left;"> Hoping to land</div><div style="text-align: left;"> On another deer turd<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">========</div><p>Back to Mark's story: <br /><br />I am always on the lookout for fuzzy poop, and was lucky to come upon this example at Bull Creek in September. I didn’t have my good camera with me, so the photos are of poor quality. Nevertheless, here is the story:<br />Pilobolus crystallinus, the hat-throwing fungus or dung cannon (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrKJAojmB1Y">seen in action here</a>) is a decomposer of the dung of various mammals, in this particular case, whitetail deer. Its mycelium feeds on fresh dung. When the nutrients are depleted, or if conditions otherwise dictate, the fungus forms its spore-containing fruiting bodies (sporangia). <br /><br />These sporangia consist of a fluid-filled globular structure sitting on a stalk. At the apex of the sporangium sits a black “hat” which encases the spores. <br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3T44vof4_aaFzkslVJBFjerJMgMy6nodheaKMVWNhga1-Qbp0RnJrm3S7q0J2-4TL3SrhB3RBRQk8L7cfQPvl1PuvF5xlTNciXD9LCeW3E1yEyJekq59Ddr1eaoD25dMQ8fn2pVKtiprq_uQCGBKG_A_py-goPZrBg22XJAGD9bRl0Z4PR5YGWPWTCg/s819/Pilobolus%20chrystalinus%5E%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="819" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3T44vof4_aaFzkslVJBFjerJMgMy6nodheaKMVWNhga1-Qbp0RnJrm3S7q0J2-4TL3SrhB3RBRQk8L7cfQPvl1PuvF5xlTNciXD9LCeW3E1yEyJekq59Ddr1eaoD25dMQ8fn2pVKtiprq_uQCGBKG_A_py-goPZrBg22XJAGD9bRl0Z4PR5YGWPWTCg/s320/Pilobolus%20chrystalinus%5E%20(1).jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sporangium- click to enlarge<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Somehow, the fungal spores must find fresh dung in which to germinate. It has devised an ingenious method of doing so. The sporangium builds up hydrostatic pressure until it finally explodes, and “throws” the black "hat" spore case as far as ten feet. After landing on a blade of grass or a fresh leaf, it may possibly be devoured by a passing deer. If so, the spores will pass through the digestive tract of the deer, then be deposited in a fresh pile of scat. Spore germination occurs, and the cycle is complete. <br /><br />But why does the hat-thrower go to such lengths to eject its spores? The reason for this is the following: deer, cattle and most mammals don’t like to browse near poop. By ejecting the spores far away, the probability of ingestion is increased. For the same reason, the fungal sporangia are phototropic, that is, the stalks orient themselves towards the sun. They only shoot their spores in the morning and evening when the sun is at an angle, which maximizes the distance they can achieve.<br /><br />As if that isn’t weird enough:<br /> Lungworms are parasites of various animals, and are commonly found in the lungs of deer. The adults can be as long as 3 inches. When the lungworms are ready to reproduce, they lay eggs in the lungs. When they hatch, the larvae infect the trachea and bronchi of the deer, causing a form of bronchitis. The deer cough up gobs of larva-containing phlegm and inevitably swallow some of it. The larvae are deposited in fresh dung where they feed and thrive. If the larvae are fortunate, the sporangia of Pilobolus will also be present in the dung. The larvae crawl up the stalk of the sporangium and curl up on the black spore case, awaiting lift off. As the spore case is ejected, the larvae get a free ride away from the dung pile. They are then ingested by a deer and enter the blood stream and lymphatics through the wall of the intestines. They then travel through the blood to be deposited in the lungs, to mature into the adult worms. These lungworms rely on Pilobolus to complete their life cycle. The fungus does not benefit and is not harmed by the association.</p><p>If you are ready for some more fungal-culture I would highly recommend this <a href="https://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/mar2006.html">poem by Tom Volk</a>.</p><p></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-15075596421992863892024-01-08T13:42:00.000-08:002024-01-08T15:55:51.929-08:00 Parasite of a Parasite<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxkKKeg4agUh8_tle8ZZFyBQE1O2IwkzEHc836aopCMIfsH6vQp4ehp6GYQG34ZT3pZyDyPPYayOnNkIXL1ETO35VwqOU98hgY8Qc_-pfvt_YgZi22V7KQwFwuAN-mTGZfyOPFE743QW6HfIBYGoIZBshU0mzPTfDOAT5_36IB0mh-mAm2BSEToLEnMU/s1182/Armillaria%20mellea%5E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1182" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxkKKeg4agUh8_tle8ZZFyBQE1O2IwkzEHc836aopCMIfsH6vQp4ehp6GYQG34ZT3pZyDyPPYayOnNkIXL1ETO35VwqOU98hgY8Qc_-pfvt_YgZi22V7KQwFwuAN-mTGZfyOPFE743QW6HfIBYGoIZBshU0mzPTfDOAT5_36IB0mh-mAm2BSEToLEnMU/w640-h520/Armillaria%20mellea%5E.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honey mushroom<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrGYS8zm3G6srcO4ASJYDZ4cJPtjWVn6ObERTT9iJqaAvD8dZPZBRGhJXb04AhEt3TLcwJ_aul5i6626q2YKuEszQr8sbe_hzjU7AIG2nwZi1UiDfYm1_FHcv5FgfC_fg5piIRqVZ7RoQu0k66X4zpOXpydruxLHDytgZQHBPk360pQQhrstxkgso_ng/s1031/IMG_0402.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1031" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrGYS8zm3G6srcO4ASJYDZ4cJPtjWVn6ObERTT9iJqaAvD8dZPZBRGhJXb04AhEt3TLcwJ_aul5i6626q2YKuEszQr8sbe_hzjU7AIG2nwZi1UiDfYm1_FHcv5FgfC_fg5piIRqVZ7RoQu0k66X4zpOXpydruxLHDytgZQHBPk360pQQhrstxkgso_ng/s320/IMG_0402.jpeg" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhizomorphs</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b><i>Mark Bower sent me these photos and facts which I have judiciously edited.</i></b></p><p>This honey mushroom (<i>Armillaria mellea)</i> can be found fruiting in large numbers at the base of hardwood trees in the Ozarks, exclusively in the fall (see photo). It is a parasite which attacks the roots and butt of the unfortunate tree. It also can spread under the bark of said tree or from tree to tree using rhizomorphs which look like tangled bootlaces.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeqACSKWM30thf5h3tsPzKK9RIbIlkkq7pdhwpGMCTPet86XOw7vFbl6POHpTDOPCq3wj5jUAOJPevN8kFk36A4UHZGb_X01AiVNPMpeOBL4w6PuKhb2rT_aSU2gIUK7dNf7T3vhN-K7gw7DmQ2aknRl5uqtfR-0-wcesOY1JIBtYaqZr4giB-kar_PY/s1269/Entoloma%20abortivum%5E%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1269" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeqACSKWM30thf5h3tsPzKK9RIbIlkkq7pdhwpGMCTPet86XOw7vFbl6POHpTDOPCq3wj5jUAOJPevN8kFk36A4UHZGb_X01AiVNPMpeOBL4w6PuKhb2rT_aSU2gIUK7dNf7T3vhN-K7gw7DmQ2aknRl5uqtfR-0-wcesOY1JIBtYaqZr4giB-kar_PY/s320/Entoloma%20abortivum%5E%20(1).jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Entoloma abortivum</i></td></tr></tbody></table>Honey mushrooms aren’t the only parasites in the woods, however. The rather homely appearing mushroom to the right is called <i>Entoloma abortivum</i>. It ordinarily is a decomposing fungus of leaf litter. However, its mycelium are capable of parasitizing the honey mushroom, parasitizing another parasite. When it invades the honey mushroom, it grows into a distorted mess called shrimp of the woods (see photo). <span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYMBzqtSWwQ6Qad1ZpiTNpNJxibFm795B8q970gjpU6N3ewupJEvsdnnTQjyhC-2L4C6VP1uDjF01tgHc2xgV41BprtpQDyVaEMxNz0Mly85xXIIgJ7SwwlYQuaeHEz_PsuPO_gOIygYBDLD0HUtlBLhSzTPH5DS1roL4lpC0MHPB7X73MsWd6YjEg4s/s1157/Entoloma%20abortivum%5EJC.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1157" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYMBzqtSWwQ6Qad1ZpiTNpNJxibFm795B8q970gjpU6N3ewupJEvsdnnTQjyhC-2L4C6VP1uDjF01tgHc2xgV41BprtpQDyVaEMxNz0Mly85xXIIgJ7SwwlYQuaeHEz_PsuPO_gOIygYBDLD0HUtlBLhSzTPH5DS1roL4lpC0MHPB7X73MsWd6YjEg4s/w640-h532/Entoloma%20abortivum%5EJC.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Shrimp of the woods"</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></p><p>Unbelievably, shrimp of the woods is considered a choice edible. Seriously? In addition to its homely appearance, it needs to be carefully identified to avoid poisoning by other lookalikes (as if there are others that are a less appalling / more appealing species.) As my mother used to say back in the 1940's, "There is no accounting for taste" said the woman as she kissed her cow!"<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />So now we have chicken of the woods, hen of the woods, shrimp of the woods and lobster mushrooms. What’s next? Mark has just identified this new species, the pig of the woods, <i>Swinus silvae-</i><i>bowerii</i>.<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><br /></i></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9UMcve8WXBPjh4NeRk2XNHfy1oudp2n5ddlbXcYvjzVYUoa0WQk2Ja8d49MJ98PXzPb04ZLewMjjbroYKujCC5FlLkrLF5wVC1KAtRQIndMicEjQvswr87o0Ti5mD1EFK9D5kZAjxeZamVCk4zKephkUp2qgGTDt25_TIKPXQAWRcJYnbF1elB_ArEU/s1280/YouDoodlePro.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="1280" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9UMcve8WXBPjh4NeRk2XNHfy1oudp2n5ddlbXcYvjzVYUoa0WQk2Ja8d49MJ98PXzPb04ZLewMjjbroYKujCC5FlLkrLF5wVC1KAtRQIndMicEjQvswr87o0Ti5mD1EFK9D5kZAjxeZamVCk4zKephkUp2qgGTDt25_TIKPXQAWRcJYnbF1elB_ArEU/w640-h446/YouDoodlePro.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pig of the woods - <i>Swinus arboritus bowerii</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Editor's note: Actually, this is not a Missouri fungus. Mark tells me this actually was <i>Fistulina hepatica</i>, the ox tongue fungus which he photographed in Tasmania. It was a young specimen and he added the features, like lipstick on a pig!<br /></p><p></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-56259165967602951052023-10-31T12:58:00.000-07:002023-10-31T12:58:01.201-07:00Losing a Neighbor<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzT9A5QSj0on05cXkbre-JfL7daaK8Ca1IJKPmdx1iHJG2R9rIb72-XfUOdYVt3lvva9fNVMpINj3-tcSA9IBfGIj5ZphcrEC3dpcYHDXjq61ZWyR2cUQDuPNfUovP0mwu4oRhuWQqebvPIDurztxjTxghl2laKHu4ZQF79YWnHNUoB6Fms8PXiFEhjR8/s4032/20230801_133339.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzT9A5QSj0on05cXkbre-JfL7daaK8Ca1IJKPmdx1iHJG2R9rIb72-XfUOdYVt3lvva9fNVMpINj3-tcSA9IBfGIj5ZphcrEC3dpcYHDXjq61ZWyR2cUQDuPNfUovP0mwu4oRhuWQqebvPIDurztxjTxghl2laKHu4ZQF79YWnHNUoB6Fms8PXiFEhjR8/w640-h480/20230801_133339.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>This year's big windstorm took down several large trees in our subdivision. I was saddened to lose this neighbor as it has provided oak acorns with acorn weevils to show WOLF students. They are a good example of another small lifecycle that goes on around us unnoticed. <br /></p><p>These <i>Curculio sp. </i>live out of sight. When our Master Naturalist Buck Keagy was collecting acorns to plant hundreds of oaks in the past, he would dump them in a bucket of water and plant only those that sank, knowing that the floaters had weevils or were otherwise damaged. I do the opposite, throwing out the sinkers to find acorns likely housing weevils. You can read about their life cycle and the weevil wasp <i>Cerceris halone </i>that depends on them <a href="https://springfieldmn.blogspot.com/2014/11/acorn-weevil.html">in this blog</a>.<br /></p><p>Estimating the tree's age based on its diameter at breast height, most tree sites would have called it around 110 years old.* In this case, by tree ring count it was 90 years old. The difference is that urban trees that are watered regularly and in open sun grow large faster.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AVuBfWfZq8RkN7agQ7RLk6BRaFXAr7q5Jzp9ZBI4E1XWrHlZq6G-KOQOQx16RzoLBonLICCLPe3bVKLuUrVu5gajItDBd7O-8jJaWMNYOyBy_1kDrvFZ0Ajh9PaI67tEmPAYBNthTnomU8y_kC0zGg2TLDNjUb4-IvgaxjP5Oga8Go4FKakBW0ZVv7U/s4032/20230801_133237.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AVuBfWfZq8RkN7agQ7RLk6BRaFXAr7q5Jzp9ZBI4E1XWrHlZq6G-KOQOQx16RzoLBonLICCLPe3bVKLuUrVu5gajItDBd7O-8jJaWMNYOyBy_1kDrvFZ0Ajh9PaI67tEmPAYBNthTnomU8y_kC0zGg2TLDNjUb4-IvgaxjP5Oga8Go4FKakBW0ZVv7U/w640-h480/20230801_133237.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>This giant broke off at the roots about 16" underground. Oaks in nature spend more of their energy in the first few years creating deep roots before t.heir growth spurt to height and diameter later. My forester professor Jim Gulden supported my theory that its shallow root system likely came from frequent urban lawn watering. If gets all that free water, why bother with deeper roots?</p><p>The only good news is that the trunk will be making someone good furniture. </p><p>* Estimating a standing trees age is explained at <a href="https://8billiontrees.com/trees/how-to-tell-how-old-a-tree-is/">this web site</a>.<br /></p><p></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-23982064020741952102023-10-23T09:24:00.000-07:002023-12-03T08:12:00.630-08:00Dining Out <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEUfisTHtKBEY_moYXDcM3jfuUiUuwnzcrksTgBY-NhRRZ5O9h96PBPwyiQqUcDRuKlnE6Ja550pNJU_3xo7wZ66TEYuRGJcNaIz0zpdRM40D7YW5ZvVCsLiWXJ74fg6eMWywtMLm4z6c8c2BFyyq0Q6GSEHOwRormdoOe4J-xRjLffz7YG6Yjbj_mjs/s4032/Cooper's%20Hawk.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEUfisTHtKBEY_moYXDcM3jfuUiUuwnzcrksTgBY-NhRRZ5O9h96PBPwyiQqUcDRuKlnE6Ja550pNJU_3xo7wZ66TEYuRGJcNaIz0zpdRM40D7YW5ZvVCsLiWXJ74fg6eMWywtMLm4z6c8c2BFyyq0Q6GSEHOwRormdoOe4J-xRjLffz7YG6Yjbj_mjs/w640-h480/Cooper's%20Hawk.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>We recently looked out our patio sliding glass door and saw this juvenile Cooper's hawk sitting on our bench 6 feet from us. It wasn't bothered by us, more intent on our bird feeders which had been hosting a bunch of English sparrows.</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSOpQZUWcktFTymsBxld0tfmobses9TGL8pJuAwiGKrfHfu12kuU1OJ5_Hkl7U4nJGJFOASlOsnelwJ3w-v91dwI1GDkyATcT9Ba1iAlzly3xHNR0vZ6HzD3eW5ihS6eQaLsBFvp7ROPhW5LgpqLkg-3GTo16lxQfO53lzkcz-Q-c_jXy0T6xV5Fuacs/s4032/Cooper's%20hawk%20-%20Cy.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSOpQZUWcktFTymsBxld0tfmobses9TGL8pJuAwiGKrfHfu12kuU1OJ5_Hkl7U4nJGJFOASlOsnelwJ3w-v91dwI1GDkyATcT9Ba1iAlzly3xHNR0vZ6HzD3eW5ihS6eQaLsBFvp7ROPhW5LgpqLkg-3GTo16lxQfO53lzkcz-Q-c_jXy0T6xV5Fuacs/w300-h400/Cooper's%20hawk%20-%20Cy.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooper selecting dinner<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>With Barb's 90+ species of native plants in 1/10th of an acre backyard, we have a wide variety of food choices for birds. In addition to the seeds of flowers and shrubs, there are all the pollinators, butterflies, bees, beetles and other insect species climbing on the flower heads. This and our bird-feeders provides a cafeteria for birds ranging from hummers to bluejays and mockingbirds. There are also chipmunks and skinks scurrying along the ground to catch the eye of our diligent hawk.<br /></p><p>Cooper's are model fathers, building the nest, feeding the female while nesting and then bringing baby food for the nestlings before they fledge the next month. What is not to love about a daddy like that!<br /></p><p>It's a bird-eat-bird world out there as seen in our neighbor Cyrus Taylor's <a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/GlSkVT_PX6E?feature=share ">backyard video</a><a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/GlSkVT_PX6E?feature=share "> </a>of the Cooper's dining alfresco, munching and spitting out the feathers of an unknown bird.<br /></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">We humans are the apex predator on our planet. Now we are faced with picking winners among the smaller species. By taking down our bird feeder we may slightly lessen songbird mortality. On the other hand, there are still the chipmunks and baby rabbits. A Cooper has a family to feed, hopefully choosing English sparrows. In the long run, it is still a bird-eat-bird world. </p><p></p>More on Cooper's Hawks at this <a href="https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/coopers-hawk">MDC Field Guide link</a>.<p>++++++++</p><p>An interesting side note, the name Cooper's Hawk is part of a debate in the birding world. <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/metro-state/2023/11/3/23944426/bird-names-changing-no-humans-birdwatchers-american-ornithological-society">As described here</a>, the American Ornithological Society is changing the names of several birds because the name is associated with Confederate officers and/or slave owners of the Civil War period. Who was Cooper?</p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">"He
was an American naturalist born in 1798 and one of the original officers
of The New York Academy of Sciences. He was a man of “exceeding
modesty,” according to a written history of the academy. “Over cautious
in naming new species, he generously permitted others to use his
material and sometimes to gain the credit that might have been his.”</div><p>As one member says, “I just find it a little bit excessive. It’s one thing to take down
statues of Southern Civil War generals and outright racists,” he said.</p><p>It gets even more complicated. The Audubon Society is named for John James Audubon, a well-known early American birdwatcher and a wildlife
artist during the 1800s who created “The Birds of America,” a collection
of 435 life-size prints of various bird species. </p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">"He also was a slave owner who opposed emancipation and was accused of
academic fraud and plagiarism, stealing human remains and sending human
skulls to “a colleague who used them to assert that whites were superior
to non-whites,” according to the <a class="Link" data-cms-ai="0" href="https://www.audubon.org/content/john-james-audubon" target="_blank">National Audubon Society</a>." <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/10/20/23925263/chicago-audubon-society-chicago-bird-alliance-john-james-audubon">Sun Times</a></p><p style="text-align: left;">This is all part of a slippery slope, acknowledging our past society sins without totally ignoring the achievements of the "sinners". To me, it raises the obvious question, "who is next?"</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UPjnHMl6ghUorBfdnZLs8DzFbksYfNhtcHpCJMNcm4O8abjHkHkd1zsGQtR2r2b-zLPK47jsDzblGntrJ6QbQ1d7hVXe3AbafRfA-ptGuxU4gVoX-wt8E_D9ET1_wFhaUN4wVnGlh9IOEZLvUioPBF3y3Q0rE8Q7zhhxMqqQ4Br4XEYpdfZrJ45z9e0/s1024/s-l1600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="1024" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UPjnHMl6ghUorBfdnZLs8DzFbksYfNhtcHpCJMNcm4O8abjHkHkd1zsGQtR2r2b-zLPK47jsDzblGntrJ6QbQ1d7hVXe3AbafRfA-ptGuxU4gVoX-wt8E_D9ET1_wFhaUN4wVnGlh9IOEZLvUioPBF3y3Q0rE8Q7zhhxMqqQ4Br4XEYpdfZrJ45z9e0/w640-h256/s-l1600.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-81588430739144752292023-10-09T15:27:00.002-07:002023-10-18T10:41:02.152-07:00Pollinator Island<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOr0dWpJswulAnJLqvWjlG6i0tlMYWUYiMNxBxTbc1AY5AW6GeW_pPsLYbb3n0YPzFNeZtfeX0Vjbcryh2y1YCjGMFISY_u6AQrIYdOGHKSrgK5RatzRVhDlD_1ecxDnbwlyPcLTYA4L7jG3KR5r_jx7AlRB97ImGLT02DJqnGxLj-zzyXGtcwM2tAZGI/s3379/20231009_131136%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1947" data-original-width="3379" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOr0dWpJswulAnJLqvWjlG6i0tlMYWUYiMNxBxTbc1AY5AW6GeW_pPsLYbb3n0YPzFNeZtfeX0Vjbcryh2y1YCjGMFISY_u6AQrIYdOGHKSrgK5RatzRVhDlD_1ecxDnbwlyPcLTYA4L7jG3KR5r_jx7AlRB97ImGLT02DJqnGxLj-zzyXGtcwM2tAZGI/w640-h368/20231009_131136%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6WkClrQK37icrKwhlZFmTo11Lfp-KYAQaRFZsb6Wi0Ku7vvh_7r45V3r1BSUtvVZ0HVO-NqFYMzXhpzRzT0bUUSUmSI8fFe0pGhyphenhyphenTc3v14cxKnLMhHMIrNfRbsT7CwChRlfmz6ybyUPxAXnlnM5msxfN3M3WNtdAGoG6L5lcdpRy0A6d12YKnALeeNw/s1246/20231009_155207.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1246" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6WkClrQK37icrKwhlZFmTo11Lfp-KYAQaRFZsb6Wi0Ku7vvh_7r45V3r1BSUtvVZ0HVO-NqFYMzXhpzRzT0bUUSUmSI8fFe0pGhyphenhyphenTc3v14cxKnLMhHMIrNfRbsT7CwChRlfmz6ybyUPxAXnlnM5msxfN3M3WNtdAGoG6L5lcdpRy0A6d12YKnALeeNw/s320/20231009_155207.jpg" width="320" /></a><p></p><p>Sitting in our backyard reading, my mind wandered off to the aromatic asters (<i>Symphyotrichum oblongifolium</i>) along the patio edge. Watching it closely over 5 minutes I counted over 25 species of
pollinators flitting from flower to flower, gathering food
in an urban desert. These range from a bumblebee and several butterflies to assorted skippers, syrphid (flower) flies, and unidentifiable others down to 3-5 mm long. <a href=" https://youtu.be/wwLi5xnRcwY ">This video</a> shows only a few in action.<br /></p><p>We are in a subdivision with close cropped lawns of turf grass and non-native plantings. As I watch the show there is the roar of a lawn service next door running a commercial lawnmower larger that a small car trimming the neighbors turf grass lawn to a smooth 2" putting green with no insects surviving.</p><p>My wife, Barb, has planted over 90 species of native plants on our 0.10 acre backyard. Over several years we have watched a variety of new creatures move in, ranging from skinks, lizards and box turtles to baby rabbits, chipmunks and birds. Caterpillars and other insects also draw in excited neighborhood children. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2cFU7xY3QuV46v7DnnxwjxgflqScmeoOgxJg4dGO1gMA3R3OBj1x_6kRy9bDFRes09evsOi7dAqIuB9D5i3QawAFw8QZ6aoEj0sTKSTSYFWvOiKaM4dOq5ZQftH4f_d2vBr_1kQNUStYcBn01Pz_vraJ6CYK5ygCZzjRbLM-YRiO2tmDrEkQFPOudZw/s2775/Yard%20Ethic%20Sign.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2775" data-original-width="2656" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2cFU7xY3QuV46v7DnnxwjxgflqScmeoOgxJg4dGO1gMA3R3OBj1x_6kRy9bDFRes09evsOi7dAqIuB9D5i3QawAFw8QZ6aoEj0sTKSTSYFWvOiKaM4dOq5ZQftH4f_d2vBr_1kQNUStYcBn01Pz_vraJ6CYK5ygCZzjRbLM-YRiO2tmDrEkQFPOudZw/s320/Yard%20Ethic%20Sign.jpeg" width="306" /></a></div>Our backyard opens onto a street, prompting lots of stares and occasional visitors wanting information. You can sample it in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQi6XDFDxGw&t=1s">this drone view</a>. There are lots of resources available to expand native plants in your yard. <a href="https://yardethic.com/residential/">Springfield Yard Ethic</a> has resources including advise, rebates and signage helping to explain your yard to neighbors and draw in two-legged visitors.<p></p><p>We would encourage you to consider native plants which are both beautiful, non-invasive and ecologically friendly.<br /></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-73929122289693546392023-10-01T10:21:00.001-07:002023-10-01T11:33:15.558-07:00Yellow Log<p></p><p><b>By our resident (<i>amateur</i>) mycologist, Mark Bower. </b><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="1280" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpes30dWwqUeLUKaSFklgfrU6IBq6mGQom9I13tDTjEbf7RzwUZnicqZLu0bbLWpdG60BoMaNPTFjEHpDOkOGmIG1DrBjGy7FbmFxZEzy96_d1XgPEQi-iqO4dEFAsT4gQi8qxEFY5MjzwktWu9T7_1UZgOctgPawQn6sG5cWx6sqDNcu4H2oyTAG5Ewg/w640-h356/IMG_0919.jpeg" width="640" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzkByiBq7TbifjXppu44Rkq1sXqSuBHaW1OmKk8DDD33jEPENJ0tPU0fRxnepsfFneL_L7uLpQAmblTj0ztx_NRBBPEbJ2d7gN3FeQ75cXviHtFkX9WEaqIbxn_gSWUCLIQzkHAH-UcBb-54hw-flhX1dVUnpfuckTF-3H9Uz5vo1WKoxB0uJMXiNqXI/s1280/sdjjjjjjj.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzkByiBq7TbifjXppu44Rkq1sXqSuBHaW1OmKk8DDD33jEPENJ0tPU0fRxnepsfFneL_L7uLpQAmblTj0ztx_NRBBPEbJ2d7gN3FeQ75cXviHtFkX9WEaqIbxn_gSWUCLIQzkHAH-UcBb-54hw-flhX1dVUnpfuckTF-3H9Uz5vo1WKoxB0uJMXiNqXI/w320-h213/sdjjjjjjj.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Click to enlarge</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>While hiking in the Bull Creek area I noticed a bright yellow log in the distance. I first thought it was a reflection of sunlight, but as I got closer, it was indeed yellow. I then thought that it may have been painted, but as I got closer, it was clear that this was a massive spore deposit.<br /><br />My suspicion was confirmed when I poked it with my hiking stick and a strip of bark fell off. Underneath the bark were the telltale structures of <i>Xanthoporia andersonii</i>, the canker rot of oak. <br /></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib22QbIkPZx-CC567IqTt7itwcLtYa_7zHGnvJgi-ZVBOjLD7aW3TvaS9DJxVnPjf5sOjT_2jfD0e9fZ-1AmWzN8CIe_Zw5ozlbwNJnTSQNT84410C1wr44nuzO6kv0AumIRTx2OGwi17LFFrUIMZGRMpiNgzsJQskM16FGwK7g9Szqd1hNtBcy2mlDGk/s1280/dftgyyyyyyy.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib22QbIkPZx-CC567IqTt7itwcLtYa_7zHGnvJgi-ZVBOjLD7aW3TvaS9DJxVnPjf5sOjT_2jfD0e9fZ-1AmWzN8CIe_Zw5ozlbwNJnTSQNT84410C1wr44nuzO6kv0AumIRTx2OGwi17LFFrUIMZGRMpiNgzsJQskM16FGwK7g9Szqd1hNtBcy2mlDGk/w640-h426/dftgyyyyyyy.jpeg" width="640" /></a></p><p>This fungus is a polypore which is a pathogen of oaks and sometimes hickories. Its spores enter a living tree through an injury of a branch stub or sometimes the trunk. The spores germinate and form the fungal hyphae, which grow into and infect the heartwood, causing white rot (i.e., preferentially digests lignin). As the infection progresses, it extends outward and eventually reaches the cambium and kills the tree, sort of a natural girdling. It then forms its tubular fruiting bodies and the yellow spores are shed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwlQQeXMvKsbTNaRwaBr1XAMzAoXyF__Tm531Ge8VjcGudSd1R_Orx1TSk9I1HXMpsO4RMdaazGwONex2kN43WFogPTQPSHE6_Vty_d1zCop_sxjLGRKZ6L-D47AL1hXs6MGqHLAgc7B8I3C9j3pXocZuPhOIhGAOvSDysYNFhKI5BjWXUrCB-7Cgwbs/s914/sdjjjjjjj%202.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="732" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwlQQeXMvKsbTNaRwaBr1XAMzAoXyF__Tm531Ge8VjcGudSd1R_Orx1TSk9I1HXMpsO4RMdaazGwONex2kN43WFogPTQPSHE6_Vty_d1zCop_sxjLGRKZ6L-D47AL1hXs6MGqHLAgc7B8I3C9j3pXocZuPhOIhGAOvSDysYNFhKI5BjWXUrCB-7Cgwbs/s320/sdjjjjjjj%202.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><p></p><p>Interestingly, peg-like fungal outgrowths are formed, which push out against the bark, causing it to detach from the tree, allowing the spores to escape. The display is brief as this fungus is short-lived, quickly turning dark brown, then black, leaving a log which appears to have been burned.</p><p>This is just one more example of the tiny creatures that are all around us in nature when native species are allowed to pursue their own life cycles.<br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-59618534367390925862023-09-28T08:24:00.002-07:002023-09-30T06:46:21.375-07:00Fall Fungi Flush<div class="separator"><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWqSOmIuNTvMxJwNtwUoA2xbX8ylpPrO1cWHJ0VmSUkavIK6i8lYhGS5An8jugEb66NBQ0ckRefzgpu1rZEIVL1DO_RCcDxDwK2pcDc5uRVo_peLvIHAza2gHbJJQpMHfnH1_i_8NDo_6mdxR1XWgHWam8RFzJT1ZDr3ooIpQci_YYR-ZEo7cPZWvnlM/s4032/Chicken%20of%20the%20Woods.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWqSOmIuNTvMxJwNtwUoA2xbX8ylpPrO1cWHJ0VmSUkavIK6i8lYhGS5An8jugEb66NBQ0ckRefzgpu1rZEIVL1DO_RCcDxDwK2pcDc5uRVo_peLvIHAza2gHbJJQpMHfnH1_i_8NDo_6mdxR1XWgHWam8RFzJT1ZDr3ooIpQci_YYR-ZEo7cPZWvnlM/w640-h480/Chicken%20of%20the%20Woods.jpeg" width="640" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvTmbVFoNan6FPpLCAJzUpDuUV0dwBV1c26a2fO5Ho_CZDJBQVKGQjzdTcbQs2b2xDtPHI1Axon-yoN5PcQffHNeVIN4WmvIi_TQl2DxH3Miyk2O8FJgaL-uafONwIU3YrQeyl8odgJYTcsi5S1IJjPjuBsS9b8z_Szkuui8y9iFvLxO1gg-7MMDfiac/s1280/0P4A3399.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="679" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvTmbVFoNan6FPpLCAJzUpDuUV0dwBV1c26a2fO5Ho_CZDJBQVKGQjzdTcbQs2b2xDtPHI1Axon-yoN5PcQffHNeVIN4WmvIi_TQl2DxH3Miyk2O8FJgaL-uafONwIU3YrQeyl8odgJYTcsi5S1IJjPjuBsS9b8z_Szkuui8y9iFvLxO1gg-7MMDfiac/s320/0P4A3399.jpeg" width="170" /></a></div></div><br />Mark Bower sent this report of the flush of fresh mushrooms he found September 23-25th above Bull Creek.We had had several inches of rain after a dry spell and the fungi were all ready to spread their spores before winter arrives. In addition to finding a tree covered with delicious Chicken of the Woods which stuffed our refrigerator to the bursting point, he reported a tremendous diversity of other species. <br /><p></p></div><p>"The final tally of species from the mornings of Sat, Sun and Mon was 127. These are the species I could put a name to. There were many others that I couldn't name, and these are not included in the list. Here is the link to my Flickr album, <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mbower/albums/72177720311542424">"Weekend at Bull Creek"</a>. It contains 36 species of fungi and slime molds, plus Ghost Pipe and Pinesap." </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpV1t91CPmDtELuCoF6UdNNCH6KlLj_zWjvhPwcTaQKe4zNOUitpt4HMWIZn_s29XpA_EvjW4muqFU6g4NOdkRAG3BREL8j1RjPfkWjla2yug06np8-ZOel4KMvg4qs-gPRb7fFQlnq-CzXYuxf7EZEV4vF8tuQrKKiNho2B0yx3pZNrxaDK09TsQSW4/s1171/ybttttttt.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1171" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpV1t91CPmDtELuCoF6UdNNCH6KlLj_zWjvhPwcTaQKe4zNOUitpt4HMWIZn_s29XpA_EvjW4muqFU6g4NOdkRAG3BREL8j1RjPfkWjla2yug06np8-ZOel4KMvg4qs-gPRb7fFQlnq-CzXYuxf7EZEV4vF8tuQrKKiNho2B0yx3pZNrxaDK09TsQSW4/w640-h526/ybttttttt.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The "Ghost Pipe and Pinesap" are actually plants that don't photosynthesize. They will be to topic of the next blog. Meanwhile, you can plunge in to all of Mark's Flicker albums at <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mbower/albums/with/72177720311542424">this link</a>.</p><p>So where were all these mushrooms hiding, and why. Margret Atwood has some deep thoughts in her poem <a href="https://lithub.com/september-mushrooms/">September Mushrooms</a>.<br /></p><p>"Chicken" recipes by Maxine Stone are <a href="https://mdc.mo.gov/magazines/conservationist/2010-10/fall-wild-mushrooms">here</a> with more in her book, <u><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/17190899">Missouri's Wild Mushrooms</a>.</u> <br /></p><p></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-21924913949418093002023-09-12T13:26:00.001-07:002023-09-12T13:26:42.412-07:00Leatherwings in Love<p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5UyWZb0jNKQRkg8S8mSgtR4Kl8StjBv6UZfqOCL1FMAiB8eCP3S_fXV2RYSvgOhqMnj79oe0EMOmwTk9TNOHDj6p1OBEH-0m-HqcqMQ69UkZB9clOCk3K_UK1cX_SeawyZXgQ3KdbwQ/s1600/Soldier+Pennsylvania+Leatherwings+mating.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5UyWZb0jNKQRkg8S8mSgtR4Kl8StjBv6UZfqOCL1FMAiB8eCP3S_fXV2RYSvgOhqMnj79oe0EMOmwTk9TNOHDj6p1OBEH-0m-HqcqMQ69UkZB9clOCk3K_UK1cX_SeawyZXgQ3KdbwQ/w640-h464/Soldier+Pennsylvania+Leatherwings+mating.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mating leatherwings - <i>Click to enlarge</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><p><b>In the fall, a young beetle's fancy turn to thoughts of....... making more beetles.</b><br />
</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1i3ZQRyP32YiEiDcLE4UKMXD3_PwUrWKamcNgcsNVDXO82KD6HZ3Xg2ue_9UdYc67nJPK6fj1igKoCJuJHe_aIeBYz7bpX5lGOZGPSseSjEXL2dGMNZPgCM0s2SOfCFitzhnNiBu5ugPZ87sn_wN4cagAsSdIW3NsjJiV4dXPgLb-78qdYLOuMOYKO0/s3200/Soldier%20Beetle%20-%20Pennsylvania%20Leatherwing%20(Chauliognathus%20pensylvanicus).JPG.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3200" data-original-width="2400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1i3ZQRyP32YiEiDcLE4UKMXD3_PwUrWKamcNgcsNVDXO82KD6HZ3Xg2ue_9UdYc67nJPK6fj1igKoCJuJHe_aIeBYz7bpX5lGOZGPSseSjEXL2dGMNZPgCM0s2SOfCFitzhnNiBu5ugPZ87sn_wN4cagAsSdIW3NsjJiV4dXPgLb-78qdYLOuMOYKO0/s320/Soldier%20Beetle%20-%20Pennsylvania%20Leatherwing%20(Chauliognathus%20pensylvanicus).JPG.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PL - <i>click to enlarge</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>We are seeing these soldier beetles on flowers in Barb's backyard. These are <a href="http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/casefile/insects/beetles/soldier/soldier.htm">Pennsylvania Leatherwings (<i>Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus</i>)</a>,
aka Goldenrod Soldier Beetles we will call PL. They are members of the
Cantharidae family of soldier beetles. The "soldier" label comes from
the coloration of this family which reminds some of uniform
decorations. The "leatherwing" refers to their front pair of wings
(elytra) which are hard in most beetles but flexible and leathery in PL.<p></p><p>Many
of them are linked as mating pairs, the female intent on eating and the
male on.....well you know what I mean. They seem to mate non-stop and
at times, finding a single is unusual. "Size matters" as males in a
breeding pair are usually larger than single males nearby.<br /></p><p>They
resemble fireflies without the electronic gear, and some sources
suggest that this coloration protects them from predators familiar with
the toxic secretions that fireflies produce. They also manufacture
their own brand of defensive chemical which they can release from their
abdomen.<br /></p><p>They are found in large numbers on flowers that bloom
from August through October. They seem to mate non-stop and at times,
finding a single PL is an exception. While feeding on pollen and
nectar, they are also opportunistic omnivores, snacking on small
insects and caterpillars for variety. They do not damage plants and
eat some less desirable insects like aphids. </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZAn1Q8NUBA8FX5XV9dqLvP65J0sUm9doUMtjhRtzoRm0Q84IOyzrftFOvuMzzOiIv9Qr_e3mtqhnrP7CAVb9AxytaWyybA0qg_KjHAvNEeRpGLe3JhcPezGp2QdV64taOMDEhBrRg5up0gyX9wGz1ln0M5jelyai8DqNiXUom_agMKG1kV9SkcJQXJA/s879/image-asset.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="879" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZAn1Q8NUBA8FX5XV9dqLvP65J0sUm9doUMtjhRtzoRm0Q84IOyzrftFOvuMzzOiIv9Qr_e3mtqhnrP7CAVb9AxytaWyybA0qg_KjHAvNEeRpGLe3JhcPezGp2QdV64taOMDEhBrRg5up0gyX9wGz1ln0M5jelyai8DqNiXUom_agMKG1kV9SkcJQXJA/w200-h197/image-asset.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://bugoftheweek.com/blog/2014/8/7/soggy-death-to-friendly-soldiers-soldier-beetles-ichauliognathus-pennsylvanicusi-and-their-deadly-fungus-ientomophthora-lampyridarumi">Michael Raupp</a> <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>"Adult females lay their eggs in clusters in the soil. The dark-colored,
long, slender, worm-like larvae are covered with tiny dense bristles,
giving a velvety appearance. They spend their time in the soil, where
they are are predators of other insects, eating grasshopper eggs, small
caterpillars and other soft-bodied insects." <a href="https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/goldenrod-soldier-beetle/">Wisconsin Horticulture</a><br />
</p><p><a href="https://bugoftheweek.com/blog/2014/8/7/soggy-death-to-friendly-soldiers-soldier-beetles-ichauliognathus-pennsylvanicusi-and-their-deadly-fungus-ientomophthora-lampyridarumi">Bug of the Week</a> has this interesting story of a zombie fungus attacking our leatherwings. </p><p>"A fungal pathogen called <em>Entomophthora lampyridarum</em> lurks in
the landscape waiting to infect soldier beetles when conditions are right.
After penetrating the surface of the hapless beetle, the fungus takes
control of its host and zombie-fies it. </p><p>The fungus causes beetles to march to the upper leaves of the plant,
clamp onto leaves with their jaws, and spread their wings in the final
act of death. This allows fruiting bodies to erupt from the upper
surface of the beetle and spew their spores into the environment where
they disperse and infect other victims. While we lament the loss of
beneficial soldier beetles to their disease, in the greater scheme of
things <em>Entomophthora</em> fungi are highly beneficial causing
epizootics that can decimate nasty pests like gypsy moths, house flies,
and locusts. Some entomologists believe that fungi are the primary
regulatory agents of insect outbreaks worldwide. Glad they infect bugs
and not us. " </p><p>Bug of the Week also has <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLT4uWPnUnQ&t=20s">this video of mating leatherwings </a>while the female is hard at work, supporting the male, something that my wife can relate to.<br /></p><p></p> More on soldier beetles in general at this <a href="https://www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/casefile/insects/beetles/soldier/soldier.htm">University of Kentucky site</a>.Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-90194141945036402142023-08-20T15:21:00.003-07:002023-10-01T09:23:40.272-07:00Hackberry Nipple Galls<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV142Dv937ht1XNsxLkPT50JQNDR92PSe3fLQvPWixyW_hraU8T3BNVVjAEIrZtvFwWU2vb3ibS8wsMJ_Xi_gMx0rHkv98G6llOlJ5jTNAT6HBPXFwb2MZQcj62ldqY3YZgt-_38KQaeXWp4U4-wZ8kYiP-MsU6ikzLNblYRxVPhiUcCs4h8jQs89Z5Q/s2131/20230818_144520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2111" data-original-width="2131" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV142Dv937ht1XNsxLkPT50JQNDR92PSe3fLQvPWixyW_hraU8T3BNVVjAEIrZtvFwWU2vb3ibS8wsMJ_Xi_gMx0rHkv98G6llOlJ5jTNAT6HBPXFwb2MZQcj62ldqY3YZgt-_38KQaeXWp4U4-wZ8kYiP-MsU6ikzLNblYRxVPhiUcCs4h8jQs89Z5Q/w640-h634/20230818_144520.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPe6NqF8NeQD6juaCtbCt857KPvKc1Svv9nqPxDQ_X14rxkUbTc4XdujpuJhLlDbQd7XNpH_xv9JdC7VyPkeDIzmY_PkWqOyiv5RtLTQjzrEGAz5gy2fHAWA-jBs4zr1WiXfdgDKIXyEIlqOwakB7WsTgPMKefp5F_831qZecuOXeyV36gOo7fOx-vw4/s3014/20230818_135428.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3014" data-original-width="2184" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPe6NqF8NeQD6juaCtbCt857KPvKc1Svv9nqPxDQ_X14rxkUbTc4XdujpuJhLlDbQd7XNpH_xv9JdC7VyPkeDIzmY_PkWqOyiv5RtLTQjzrEGAz5gy2fHAWA-jBs4zr1WiXfdgDKIXyEIlqOwakB7WsTgPMKefp5F_831qZecuOXeyV36gOo7fOx-vw4/w290-h400/20230818_135428.jpg" width="290" /></a>I visited our neighbor's big hackberry tree which stands 65 feet tall. Several of its lower branches are 4" in diameter and are covered with hackberry nipple galls. There are no galls on the higher branches or on the other side of the tree. While these galls are not uncommon, I had never seen them so prolific.</p><p>The galls are actually scar tissue produced by the leaf in response to a tiny psyllid insect larva chewing on the leaf. This tissue grows around the larva, protecting it while it goes through five successive instars before reaching maturity. The winged adults emerge in the fall and overwinter, mostly in the cracks in the hackberry bark, before mating and laying eggs, starting the annual cycle again.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAU7Y1lMLJnuIevvfWd0HFwffyFWYPVcipC2oBDSceiw3XNegXqBTGDMTmBVM93q4wM5s_TAymYdiqkVGnYf8AN9gNndFiFfBkGxAaWrIQ0fFgJUhGERuXCWKpK0MRoImTe1q_pO-ZVtTP-mTI-hjLbxoc6v6GvPN9Dr11mPvXJ1JQs6NCE8hMsTeUz8/s1502/20230820_161954.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="1502" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAU7Y1lMLJnuIevvfWd0HFwffyFWYPVcipC2oBDSceiw3XNegXqBTGDMTmBVM93q4wM5s_TAymYdiqkVGnYf8AN9gNndFiFfBkGxAaWrIQ0fFgJUhGERuXCWKpK0MRoImTe1q_pO-ZVtTP-mTI-hjLbxoc6v6GvPN9Dr11mPvXJ1JQs6NCE8hMsTeUz8/s320/20230820_161954.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I cut open several of the galls and found tiny larvae. The one <a href="https://youtu.be/czyhTzMv7no ">in this video</a> which I filmed with a hand-held digital microscope turned around in its cavity repeatedly, confused by the sight of a human looking in its home. When I knocked it out onto the cutting board, it scurried around faster that I could follow it. You can see here that my larva was the size of a comma in the New York Times!<br /><p></p><p>There are between 7-13 species in the US, all traditionally called a single species, <i>Pachtpsylla </i><i>celtidismamma. </i></p><p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHKqfY_HqKO_fSEHeIm5Rl2evFS2t4FFQG5b3-fDIIGyKlubJ7984v4tL45zhuCuapLwpTGP8Bb0lPKWa3H2chfp4Ba5PEoPI04tbbg3tDvEFJO8sDFXpn6I37e3x148y99vH9nLZ11gQhuMNeR2MailB45tgN0Xqsq-0P4S8OEWtOmM63teHKSVomOg/s2504/20230818_144556.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2251" data-original-width="2504" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHKqfY_HqKO_fSEHeIm5Rl2evFS2t4FFQG5b3-fDIIGyKlubJ7984v4tL45zhuCuapLwpTGP8Bb0lPKWa3H2chfp4Ba5PEoPI04tbbg3tDvEFJO8sDFXpn6I37e3x148y99vH9nLZ11gQhuMNeR2MailB45tgN0Xqsq-0P4S8OEWtOmM63teHKSVomOg/w200-h180/20230818_144556.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home sweet home<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The shape of their galls vary. "Some are like rounded cones or disks, some are like indented mushroom
caps, some are like pudgy doughnuts, some are knobby like nipples; and
the nipple galls may be hairy or glabrous (smooth). One type makes
inflated, blister-like pouches within the leaf."</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ieY-xKlQXuZdUGs4sj4t1uT96ooZbqbQ4nnvg5gQ3IM4g31uBcAtzW1xugfFHODwKW7VmRdHvM6j9jCphGXKrC3eRe97qDDD974d2KuqmE4mBCKaUzG70-6fNv3DxfQ3AD8EkE_xuMQAaDunvW563obIWuHSaV5ClyNm4UoEPHJAlZNnBw-vDxcJcKY/s643/Hackberry_Psillid_10-10-21.webp" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="643" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ieY-xKlQXuZdUGs4sj4t1uT96ooZbqbQ4nnvg5gQ3IM4g31uBcAtzW1xugfFHODwKW7VmRdHvM6j9jCphGXKrC3eRe97qDDD974d2KuqmE4mBCKaUzG70-6fNv3DxfQ3AD8EkE_xuMQAaDunvW563obIWuHSaV5ClyNm4UoEPHJAlZNnBw-vDxcJcKY/w320-h250/Hackberry_Psillid_10-10-21.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult on a window screen - MD</td></tr></tbody></table><p>These insects do not cause any significant harm to the tree. The <a href="https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/hackberry-psyllids-hackberry-nipple-gall-makers">MDC Discover Nature </a>site mentions that the winged adults may cover a window screen. Under magnification they resemble a microscopic cicada. You can see the first graduates of this years class of galls <a href=" https://youtu.be/xuRAq9mdXRI ">in this video</a>.<br /></p><p>These tiny psyllids (aka. jumping plant lice) are in the same suborder as aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, whiteflies, and the phylloxera insects. You would never know they exist unless you stumble across a hackberry tree that is hosting them over their summer vacation, hanging out in the sun.</p><p>More pictures are at <a href="https://ozarkbill.com/tag/plant-galls/">this OzarkBill link.</a><br /></p><p></p><p></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-92193446842424929982023-07-24T15:15:00.000-07:002023-07-24T15:15:06.132-07:00Life in a Socket Set<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGr7T3vCVGoGuSK4jMBrPEBDLkEBL6auKBiEDre3eS5h49UfXWQEzKUGnXZpn0kIERmOX0mQcQy8ZsqPuOT7s9EhHmasbT-rgahL6Je_vYBZLnYvtb1E2raqp-8kEBkRJk8wj_hxxiPu-Xi_Fa4SucY-4XYEWOoxiPqUs5kCigu_kGIWk2X48FZqjziSI/s1850/Wrench%20insects%20(9).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1850" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGr7T3vCVGoGuSK4jMBrPEBDLkEBL6auKBiEDre3eS5h49UfXWQEzKUGnXZpn0kIERmOX0mQcQy8ZsqPuOT7s9EhHmasbT-rgahL6Je_vYBZLnYvtb1E2raqp-8kEBkRJk8wj_hxxiPu-Xi_Fa4SucY-4XYEWOoxiPqUs5kCigu_kGIWk2X48FZqjziSI/w640-h316/Wrench%20insects%20(9).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwC0a3uhZG_c445ZWXexM4ggSmoD8AK7p0Dloz0Boy4sbdkzFbL7I5Uqr9dB23eAwv_uUApjvTOkcsy01ZwzW3aMPG3-Ga7tsj9cgQjHzg68ibgtr05Uc8KgFMEG-9yx-B5YU9rAoY388n7-25n-HSZBF8XiXE3wlVb0RZxDhM6HJtFL466hmcgI56tkY/s3698/Wrench%20insects%20(8).jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3698" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwC0a3uhZG_c445ZWXexM4ggSmoD8AK7p0Dloz0Boy4sbdkzFbL7I5Uqr9dB23eAwv_uUApjvTOkcsy01ZwzW3aMPG3-Ga7tsj9cgQjHzg68ibgtr05Uc8KgFMEG-9yx-B5YU9rAoY388n7-25n-HSZBF8XiXE3wlVb0RZxDhM6HJtFL466hmcgI56tkY/s320/Wrench%20insects%20(8).jpeg" width="262" /></a>I found these sets of small socket wrench heads on a shelf in our garage/workshop at Bull Mills. They had been undisturbed for over a year and now some were sealed off with a firm cap deposited by insects. The white material was chalk-like and firm but pulling each one out of the rubber holder revealed a variety of insect life both alive and now dead.<p></p><p>Removing a socket head from the rubber holder I was immediately faced with a larva coming out of its silken womb. I found a different one, darker and larger in another wrench head. They were very much alive and wanting to get away. I chased both around on our kitchen counter top, (I married the right woman!) filming it with a handheld microscope while trying to keep it in focus on the computer screen. You can see the chase in <a href=" https://youtu.be/W6ni3gY6Ocw ">this video</a>.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gNTJCGKGBq7moe28aanBUUxn6xhfCGnBY_9kZelDTXOI0Eq0wCSHZY0FcU6XGeBTl7w9Fe3e7eXG7oMn4Us1Cvubq7tSoGOSHsaylv3n-ppcENVzDKINp3tgrAkjpC0uSqZ5lRh9RyhqS4hTgU6DRKSCRAnQp4VGpblFLXuCWEYrpszy8sIwToZjvNs/s3881/Wrench%20insects%20(7).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1853" data-original-width="3881" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gNTJCGKGBq7moe28aanBUUxn6xhfCGnBY_9kZelDTXOI0Eq0wCSHZY0FcU6XGeBTl7w9Fe3e7eXG7oMn4Us1Cvubq7tSoGOSHsaylv3n-ppcENVzDKINp3tgrAkjpC0uSqZ5lRh9RyhqS4hTgU6DRKSCRAnQp4VGpblFLXuCWEYrpszy8sIwToZjvNs/w640-h306/Wrench%20insects%20(7).jpeg" width="640" /></a> </p><p>Next I opened several of the sealed chambers and found a variety of insects, all small. There were more larvae in their pupal cases, fighting for freedom. Other socket heads contained dead spiders with bodies less than a quarter inch long. I couldn't tell if they were all the same species. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KadGLfRXvbmslyVqARiyhqbqnLI0ve4zhym1ac3JwjAXnQuiEjCX2PRO47DYGHQtMDRXOzEcLcoEv41OvvqvXYUiN0YP1iYdgUnBo7EB8IiHYt_yzfE5tDjz25xFauVtEhUZLQWbf-Nl6C6m_bDa8Pd9fHmZucnC0Rj5L7z9zuE2XBpe1mFzBvTT7hA/s4032/Wrench%20insects%20(2).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KadGLfRXvbmslyVqARiyhqbqnLI0ve4zhym1ac3JwjAXnQuiEjCX2PRO47DYGHQtMDRXOzEcLcoEv41OvvqvXYUiN0YP1iYdgUnBo7EB8IiHYt_yzfE5tDjz25xFauVtEhUZLQWbf-Nl6C6m_bDa8Pd9fHmZucnC0Rj5L7z9zuE2XBpe1mFzBvTT7hA/w640-h480/Wrench%20insects%20(2).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgli_RewX8G6c5e2i6FiBbXl3aHCt_4b1HG7OGcQgu3EcJv0u0p5yK-1Yqj-rjYDHGw0yYlMJzMaaYqW7F7UmPU4zXRxGyAQ3pkuD_QXUE62CurtgbbEfPdxJATElfbP2JS4NiBd3Q2FQM8FSC4AyZsCdSUQIo2ChQTxxjtCS6vca_eJdbMmk8Mol93hQ0/s3504/Wrench%20insects%20(3).jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3504" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgli_RewX8G6c5e2i6FiBbXl3aHCt_4b1HG7OGcQgu3EcJv0u0p5yK-1Yqj-rjYDHGw0yYlMJzMaaYqW7F7UmPU4zXRxGyAQ3pkuD_QXUE62CurtgbbEfPdxJATElfbP2JS4NiBd3Q2FQM8FSC4AyZsCdSUQIo2ChQTxxjtCS6vca_eJdbMmk8Mol93hQ0/w276-h320/Wrench%20insects%20(3).jpeg" width="276" /></a>The best preserved spider shown here had a little life left, shown by an occasional twitch of a leg. INaturalist couldn't venture a reasonable guess and it will remain a mystery. </p><p>Finally there was a totally different spider in the last socket head I opened. I lifted it onto my hand with a fine paint brush and its legs spread out in a natural pose. You can see its size in comparison to my finger print.</p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oTkClfSR_TD95kWI3vglkwmVkzhVExm8sSpdv_Icm8cGLf69r73w1ePYIXozlAChvWW6Tn1IiINXCcZUkOQs47etflML2ML9MEWvETqva_afELf9M5rZeMN9pUA-zp3cwIegif8FpRuTf4h3MRPaH94EBYCsuswwMCAW5HxQCx-6_O5EI1nfYbcczO4/s2595/Wrench%20insects%20(5).jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2417" data-original-width="2595" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oTkClfSR_TD95kWI3vglkwmVkzhVExm8sSpdv_Icm8cGLf69r73w1ePYIXozlAChvWW6Tn1IiINXCcZUkOQs47etflML2ML9MEWvETqva_afELf9M5rZeMN9pUA-zp3cwIegif8FpRuTf4h3MRPaH94EBYCsuswwMCAW5HxQCx-6_O5EI1nfYbcczO4/s320/Wrench%20insects%20(5).jpeg" width="320" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The point of this is that there is a lot more life out there than we can ever know. In the words of the philosopher Forest Gump <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPopF49yJr8">in this clip</a>, "Life is like a box of chocolates......you never know what you are going to get."<br /></p><p><br /></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-70214034812674856942023-07-18T15:58:00.000-07:002023-07-18T15:58:30.997-07:00Snake Month at Bull Mills<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisqkccGktuuhs_kBg3LPrbinHRzXHVUZ6eM6IxzbTOHZ2totCOkqpUC0edokvabQSRkbYZb0HPYeP2903SnmhVvs_vOqKjA41ZvJdKq1GkkSm-BpYGZ60zlp_QvuOlNkyQA7BK9b_LaLkSNcF_3eXkccs79wQ82fr-hCfSJAIMr_3xk1FFKx0gAyN9L0/s4032/Ahva%20with%20Rat%20Snake.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisqkccGktuuhs_kBg3LPrbinHRzXHVUZ6eM6IxzbTOHZ2totCOkqpUC0edokvabQSRkbYZb0HPYeP2903SnmhVvs_vOqKjA41ZvJdKq1GkkSm-BpYGZ60zlp_QvuOlNkyQA7BK9b_LaLkSNcF_3eXkccs79wQ82fr-hCfSJAIMr_3xk1FFKx0gAyN9L0/w300-h400/Ahva%20with%20Rat%20Snake.jpeg" width="300" /></a>This has been snake month at our Bull Creek cabin. We were having dinner there when we suddenly heard three loud "snaps" in 5 seconds. Back in the closet with the water heater and well pump where pipes come up through the floor, we have frequent rodent visitors. In this case though it was a 5 foot black rat snake that got caught in three rat traps. Here it posed for pictures before moving to the barn where it will be hunting from now on.</p><p>Our next guests called us from across the creek reporting a snake with "Hershey Kisses" on the walk. They had stepped off the porch headed to the ATV but were stopped by the 24" copperhead curled up on the walk. Ordinarily I would use my snake grabber to transplant it but in this case if I missed it would crawl back under the porch steps and our guests probably wouldn't come out the door from a week. I was forced to execute it with a hoe.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQi2spnvESDVWeKQdf71A2kNW-HyCCB4gxr-MO-iK3FGQ-c8WbACo4qyQhjsxlpizpeKfl9xcPvcaAXNiLdkaAkMgrVQ3ZOqVMxJWli5_Im3jMAenkeyGETAIAB16HcU3ELVMvzIt3cn2w-0bhI2k76TZVUPWwdoGX41vLJ1gVQQVQgRTuLWKZgJiME5w/s3689/20230715_100006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="3689" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQi2spnvESDVWeKQdf71A2kNW-HyCCB4gxr-MO-iK3FGQ-c8WbACo4qyQhjsxlpizpeKfl9xcPvcaAXNiLdkaAkMgrVQ3ZOqVMxJWli5_Im3jMAenkeyGETAIAB16HcU3ELVMvzIt3cn2w-0bhI2k76TZVUPWwdoGX41vLJ1gVQQVQgRTuLWKZgJiME5w/w640-h130/20230715_100006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjET6D9PIrF8jotMaxD3n1uoxnWt989JDZXbyFofFD4EB5o9R057ZxvWBXJZIhBS4kLhci3aXczLmdrtbp9DB94JJVTy_mZVq8KsetX6e5hOvlCJrgACj6JWgwAf1UCtbjJSHbq1J3DqRTwLCPiH2WOE0VAPU8WizGJxPl6Mx7pvkWerKPxuGqjDqyauvE/s2440/20230708_112206_002.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2009" data-original-width="2440" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjET6D9PIrF8jotMaxD3n1uoxnWt989JDZXbyFofFD4EB5o9R057ZxvWBXJZIhBS4kLhci3aXczLmdrtbp9DB94JJVTy_mZVq8KsetX6e5hOvlCJrgACj6JWgwAf1UCtbjJSHbq1J3DqRTwLCPiH2WOE0VAPU8WizGJxPl6Mx7pvkWerKPxuGqjDqyauvE/s320/20230708_112206_002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After cleaning it<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Not wanting it to die in vain, I cleaned it and prepared the skin for tanning. The hoe had damaged the skin but the remaining hide will demonstrate the appearance for future visitors. We tell the WOLF students about the "Hershey Kisses" you can see on their sides. We also explain that "if you look down and see the "hour glass" you know that it is a copperhead and you are way too close! We will see a lot more in the late summer when the cicadas emerge. These look like an M&M to a copperhead as we discussed <a href="https://springfieldmn.blogspot.com/search?q=cicada">in this blog</a>.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBv4GaQiElS5ypjBtx1JvSK9KhvNwge-EA4sTT9K-GrN1ohF0Ma8Cpm_52q6XM9Pwt6h5nxCo1SBgSEYt9kCc-Cl2OSuEJ7sccGLJM6Yigt0QFeZfm49IjmV4hU5lHL-dbuKPeARzjgSbG3WbfgoBGVOW0S6lIQQYH1xD8IHrwBWAK36WRZV5oae2JgW0/s4000/P5010060.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBv4GaQiElS5ypjBtx1JvSK9KhvNwge-EA4sTT9K-GrN1ohF0Ma8Cpm_52q6XM9Pwt6h5nxCo1SBgSEYt9kCc-Cl2OSuEJ7sccGLJM6Yigt0QFeZfm49IjmV4hU5lHL-dbuKPeARzjgSbG3WbfgoBGVOW0S6lIQQYH1xD8IHrwBWAK36WRZV5oae2JgW0/s320/P5010060.jpeg" width="320" /></a> </p><p>We get to see lots of other snakes each year. Pygmy rattlesnakes are cute if you don't try to pet them. This one was curled up on a rock crossing in the middle of the road and earned a free ride several hundred feet away in the woods. We also have timber rattlesnakes like one that staked out the center of our driveway and defied me until I transplanted it a quarter mile away in the woods. You can see it warning me <a href="http://here.">here.</a><br /></p><p> </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicH8v1HLcggDMwsyLh4RR5s8T_WwWfkX9ksmYu1ISRNzCH5J8ABof6jxf5f8MDhQeVJYqaPVeQ4LIIgcO8m8y7tLIWisC-EwOSsFGD1U9uiClXSPfOhSY_YmyHUF_sQ4hUMB_ujPl2fOldwVbIghZA5kBNY0TiKhGUOXZiEOBoAifjntZS8GLFSMuY8T8/s2560/Northern%20Watersnake.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicH8v1HLcggDMwsyLh4RR5s8T_WwWfkX9ksmYu1ISRNzCH5J8ABof6jxf5f8MDhQeVJYqaPVeQ4LIIgcO8m8y7tLIWisC-EwOSsFGD1U9uiClXSPfOhSY_YmyHUF_sQ4hUMB_ujPl2fOldwVbIghZA5kBNY0TiKhGUOXZiEOBoAifjntZS8GLFSMuY8T8/s320/Northern%20Watersnake.jpeg" width="320" /></a>One of my favorites are the northern watersnakes. We have had a lot of sightings this year including four gathered at one sitting on a downed sycamore. They congregate in our swimming hole, frequently sunning themselves on the bank. We have even found one on our deck 15 feet above the creek. Our biggest one was over 5 feet long and was killed by a visitor who thought it was a cottonmouth, a species none of us have found on Bull Creek. I saw the one below just starting to dine on a perch. By the time I got back with a camera it was almost down the hatch.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvysgLsFu2Zk6I7vuphDO2nERa-uyrEfFB1lp8hvM_KXlLtICU9O8vMtqhxLSWG9WcMcKPrqGuKXSiFGVa3J_kj34Num4H8flkBm7oU87ARyd35hrRynMxh8lPK25VCv1NTQnLbFJLAKIYcMQZJ-Im8GXZ-GlcijO41V2nnrBx-xK5oEGRX5Lq0-KVdWE/s3461/Northern%20Water%20Snake-%20Perch%20-%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1842" data-original-width="3461" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvysgLsFu2Zk6I7vuphDO2nERa-uyrEfFB1lp8hvM_KXlLtICU9O8vMtqhxLSWG9WcMcKPrqGuKXSiFGVa3J_kj34Num4H8flkBm7oU87ARyd35hrRynMxh8lPK25VCv1NTQnLbFJLAKIYcMQZJ-Im8GXZ-GlcijO41V2nnrBx-xK5oEGRX5Lq0-KVdWE/w640-h340/Northern%20Water%20Snake-%20Perch%20-%201.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Finally, it is important to know your snakes as one of our guests learned a few years ago. After watching the watersnake swimming around with its head above water, he decided to catch it, not recognizing the whole body was on top of the water and it had little kisses on its side. You can see the whole episode recorded by his friends who encouraged him to "go ahead, pick it up!" Watch it here in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh-q0wPsS0c&t=4s">this 2 minute video</a>. It ended with $25,000 of antivenom and two days in the ICU. The final lessons we tell the WOLF students:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Know your snakes</li><li>Don't let buddies get you to do dumb things.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxewP7M8OXltMsTcqSbrwkkwOUyBqAzGoaFdNdNrZfExD2Cqx7Hb441Gx5Ih5TW_01TLlPVzpvwo40KSyOo_FqnOlnTBY1DnA-8WYGv6zeS331CYILhTD40l8tmQMvfv-6WFRZuFwkO6N35ibczF2NSaimSGUfD5CmplozZpRO3BL-MDt5WvNO6WsF6zY/s3031/Jon%20snake%20bite-%20Cox%20-%203.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1308" data-original-width="3031" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxewP7M8OXltMsTcqSbrwkkwOUyBqAzGoaFdNdNrZfExD2Cqx7Hb441Gx5Ih5TW_01TLlPVzpvwo40KSyOo_FqnOlnTBY1DnA-8WYGv6zeS331CYILhTD40l8tmQMvfv-6WFRZuFwkO6N35ibczF2NSaimSGUfD5CmplozZpRO3BL-MDt5WvNO6WsF6zY/w640-h276/Jon%20snake%20bite-%20Cox%20-%203.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-1190432150545014692023-07-05T14:44:00.001-07:002023-07-05T14:44:25.166-07:00Flying Ghost<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZi_BrDPAC-WBkEwehk65Jh_9ARmOUHircfhmwZL6brPtOLKdWCAvVs0LzfBCGXW_3LBGE0VNk1_ZMOpgop5e53FQncMNndrn-VHf3BGnNf63ARvGuKKkU_Kr6rW71Bohil33bIwcW5FmhVtULBS-84QK75jpQFTzDxVcsnrbk56uv7SnsMmxGzfl9rjs/s4007/20230701_175348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2766" data-original-width="4007" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZi_BrDPAC-WBkEwehk65Jh_9ARmOUHircfhmwZL6brPtOLKdWCAvVs0LzfBCGXW_3LBGE0VNk1_ZMOpgop5e53FQncMNndrn-VHf3BGnNf63ARvGuKKkU_Kr6rW71Bohil33bIwcW5FmhVtULBS-84QK75jpQFTzDxVcsnrbk56uv7SnsMmxGzfl9rjs/w640-h442/20230701_175348.jpg" width="640" /></a> </p><p>Sitting on the deck above Bull Creek while staring into space I saw a tiny white thing slowly "flying" past. I grabbed it by the tail and studied it for several minutes before I determined that it was lifeless and had been drifting in the still air. Holding the tail with forceps, it seemed to sway in spite of the absence of wind like a little ghost. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRJjiuCmjW4Q6QRjLJSDmgh4cPrgQlIhKYoZXD3uILoXM5_WyE221DsPVK81pDzDxk2rYdXkZJy3YJi1rocrdOEP4wb_4NPLy8d1tz3GkJU6Qm7EgbZcdJhN16_HUx4Wo8A_bmwaA2w841HWD8LgEGNIqB_ffQRvoxrVkrkTXfJ_pkoK_nflolHwHE4M/s4032/20230701_180328.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRJjiuCmjW4Q6QRjLJSDmgh4cPrgQlIhKYoZXD3uILoXM5_WyE221DsPVK81pDzDxk2rYdXkZJy3YJi1rocrdOEP4wb_4NPLy8d1tz3GkJU6Qm7EgbZcdJhN16_HUx4Wo8A_bmwaA2w841HWD8LgEGNIqB_ffQRvoxrVkrkTXfJ_pkoK_nflolHwHE4M/s320/20230701_180328.jpg" width="240" /></a>I took a lot of pictures and sent them to my insect guru, Chris Barnhart. He identified it as a stonefly exuvium. An exuvium is the cast off outer covering (exoskeleton) of an animal after moulting (think of a snake skin). The body and the tail each measured 7 mm long. <br /></p><p>Stoneflies are in the order <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plecoptera">Plecoptera</a>. They live underwater as larvae for up to two years before crawling out of water and moulting into the winged adult. As with many winged adult species of insects, this is the beginning of the end as they mate, lay eggs and die in a final burst of glory after fulfilling their biological imperative.</p><p>So how did this cast off skin manage to drift by me as I sat 15 feet above the bank where it would have emerged? Although there was no discernible breeze, there must have been just enough air moving to carry it up and drift in by my face.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9Dg1fkLi1JTwnlKaT1OEklgIbQfcA8zVqc4wzIpxTRkQ0Or1w4FMksxKJiHms6PGJU8qSl4oJZBYHTgNQ-aY-ZlB_tpKof56HyhUCrz5VIOX0OICghxg8pY8-TPubjOXCCIeEcwH5c6-PR2EmfqIXgmDSN3tl4nj8DTAWN5d0pS5R9BwjRLTQPEMXS0/s3008/SteinfliegenLarve2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9Dg1fkLi1JTwnlKaT1OEklgIbQfcA8zVqc4wzIpxTRkQ0Or1w4FMksxKJiHms6PGJU8qSl4oJZBYHTgNQ-aY-ZlB_tpKof56HyhUCrz5VIOX0OICghxg8pY8-TPubjOXCCIeEcwH5c6-PR2EmfqIXgmDSN3tl4nj8DTAWN5d0pS5R9BwjRLTQPEMXS0/w640-h426/SteinfliegenLarve2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stonefly nymph - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plecoptera#/media/File:SteinfliegenLarve2.JPG">Wikimedia</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGORN1JAHuricOi0NDvIiQzjBfZJuKMjZRZz1QXQFFs50XDB2YJwlaWsDuYMkbxjtN9yE4GEcKnCWy1cHl08cnHMLkymVj2OrPjicLE5uDN-9lFUL9PI-TwQaMTTAgirJOXM-nWddzAKehU259_Di0R96-U6NsgHSSJ8wGlTXB67FfNtIMZ3Y39LbxC8g/s2631/20230701_180438.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2631" data-original-width="2604" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGORN1JAHuricOi0NDvIiQzjBfZJuKMjZRZz1QXQFFs50XDB2YJwlaWsDuYMkbxjtN9yE4GEcKnCWy1cHl08cnHMLkymVj2OrPjicLE5uDN-9lFUL9PI-TwQaMTTAgirJOXM-nWddzAKehU259_Di0R96-U6NsgHSSJ8wGlTXB67FfNtIMZ3Y39LbxC8g/s320/20230701_180438.jpg" width="317" /></a>Here you can see an example of a stonefly nymph. In its final stage it will develop the wings which will expand after its final molt just like a butterfly does. You can see the brown skin on the exuvia that covered the nascent wings which wait patiently to expand as they come into the air.<br /></p><p>After having achieved this moment of fame, I released it out on the deck and it drifted away, a silent traveler on a windless morning. It like all life will be recycled, returning to the soil to feed the cycle of life like all species do eventually.<br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>You can learn more about our Missouri stoneflies by Googling "stonefly MDC" - a trick that works for most of our plant and animal species. (Or simply click on <a href="https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/stoneflies">this link</a>.) <br /></p><p></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-70995564872766332482023-06-30T08:48:00.001-07:002023-07-01T14:53:53.591-07:00Tiny Bison?<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXc1FIOtzpZOBrviW82BoJRjflgOE0mas4qYUWboChmzFhxPzbvzIOaWGyDxXXvx5mcLQYR1e4iwWF0a5FAJShT5c53Fg4paPMWn14C2WQq8TGpsPoD_dh8EMDBEgMKunFfLWGtvcsBtTZHTA40kHxQFcIgRkfstXg-P_ESOy_06SZ9EvgVeuAOHbS/s2610/Enchenopa%20binotata%20-%20Nymph%20final%20stage.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1509" data-original-width="2610" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXc1FIOtzpZOBrviW82BoJRjflgOE0mas4qYUWboChmzFhxPzbvzIOaWGyDxXXvx5mcLQYR1e4iwWF0a5FAJShT5c53Fg4paPMWn14C2WQq8TGpsPoD_dh8EMDBEgMKunFfLWGtvcsBtTZHTA40kHxQFcIgRkfstXg-P_ESOy_06SZ9EvgVeuAOHbS/w640-h370/Enchenopa%20binotata%20-%20Nymph%20final%20stage.jpeg" width="640" /></a> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNV8pfnk-_EmwAeYWaYcRzcq4tPPDVluiOkn3vYR1Rc9UTLyHbcDpypQgYgWHTBSHsg1BPnueOiPzsnberZYbdfaCi_GVZhfATuTvkg3e5vOl56KVX6eaCxRYcleYrIPxewHIhyK2oHjiy7xJcADUA1lOjUUwOYAtxBoyHTZvSJ0vV51_OlhqonyBfx-M/s777/Two-marked_Treehopper_(Enchenopa_binotata)_-_Guelph,_Ontario.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="776" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNV8pfnk-_EmwAeYWaYcRzcq4tPPDVluiOkn3vYR1Rc9UTLyHbcDpypQgYgWHTBSHsg1BPnueOiPzsnberZYbdfaCi_GVZhfATuTvkg3e5vOl56KVX6eaCxRYcleYrIPxewHIhyK2oHjiy7xJcADUA1lOjUUwOYAtxBoyHTZvSJ0vV51_OlhqonyBfx-M/s320/Two-marked_Treehopper_(Enchenopa_binotata)_-_Guelph,_Ontario.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two-marked treehopper - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enchenopa_binotata_complex#/media/File:Two-marked_Treehopper_(Enchenopa_binotata)_-_Guelph,_Ontario.jpg">Wikimedia</a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>While looking for leaf galls I noticed a small 5mm white speck on the under surface of a tree leaf, apparently dried up and dead. Under magnification it resembled a tiny white bison, frozen in time. With a plunge into INaturalist and Google I came up with an answer. This is the final nymph of a twomarked treehopper, <span><i>Enchenopa binotata</i> (EB). EB is a species complex made up of multiple species, often identified by their host plants. </span><span>The adult is only 7-9 mm long. As usual, a deep dive into the tiny critter's life reveals interesting quirks.</span> </p><p>Like many tiny insects that we overlook, EB is mainly discussed as a minor pest. Most websites focus on the minor cosmetic damage they cause to a tree in our yard. </p><p></p>"Twomarked treehoppers cause damage to hop tree or wafer ash, <i>Ptelea trifoliata</i>, black walnut, butternut, black locust, viburnum, redbud and bittersweet." A more broadminded nature site says "This insect rarely causes enough damage to warrant control, even though the insect itself is abundant."<p></p><p>The nymphs sucking up the sap go through 5 instars before reaching the "white bison" stage if found. The feeding results in honeydew which
allows the fungus sooty mold (mycelium is black) to grow and turn the
plant blackish. This in turn draws ants and other insects that lap up the sweet honeydew, all part of the food web. Egg laying may cause minor slits in the bark.</p><div class="attributelabels"> </div><div class="attributelabels">The <a href="https://web.extension.illinois.edu/hortanswers/detailProblem.cfm?PathogenID=90">University of Illinois Urbana</a> describes its life cycle.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDvegtU0sg29MekmKUmwVunj5ANHchcSg5g6tt3lHtarpuiivoF4UufcouOIfGTkbRfYDT2fEky7dMPAybcVdZ1lM50J_VVzeTkgXd6CrcucNPOlQkpaCM88ykZj7DSN0QZxIV4sGf-Bj2Ld5Z1mYqnVofWoXh82UcPf2NRhkOJsdNtA2tP4HQqWI/s781/Enchenopa-binotata-nymphs.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="385" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDvegtU0sg29MekmKUmwVunj5ANHchcSg5g6tt3lHtarpuiivoF4UufcouOIfGTkbRfYDT2fEky7dMPAybcVdZ1lM50J_VVzeTkgXd6CrcucNPOlQkpaCM88ykZj7DSN0QZxIV4sGf-Bj2Ld5Z1mYqnVofWoXh82UcPf2NRhkOJsdNtA2tP4HQqWI/s320/Enchenopa-binotata-nymphs.jpg" width="158" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Enchenopa-binotata-nymphs.jpg">Nymph stages</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p></p><blockquote><p>
"The twomarked treehopper will overwinter
as an egg under bark. Newly hatched nymphs move to the tips of the new
shoots where they extract plant sap in mass. The nymphs are brown to
dark gray. After a little more than a month, the twomarked treehopper
becomes an adult. </p><p>As adults, they often line up in a row on the new
shoot. Females lay eggs until August. However once egg laying starts,
it will continue till the adult is frost killed. The female treehopper
has a saw like ovipositor. She uses this to make a small cut in the twig.
The eggs are forced through the narrow cut so that they are left under
the bark. Once the egg laying for the individual cut is completed, the
adult female seals the cut." </p></blockquote><p><span>Males hookup with females by seismic communication, "</span>substrate-borne vibrations on the stems, petioles, and leaves of their host plants that travel throughout the plant." It is hard to imagine this tiny creature shaking a stem to make a sound but you can here it in <a href=" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enchenopa_binotata_complex#">this Wikipedia link</a>. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSbgA5DBFsFQkexNLGhFgjL37XdyUJdXfm4VR-nym3uwhCDA56OVOiBKzQwzg5ZeBzCihUNg-WtJ3QXClwVK1ZkCJBocWXKsRMtWms8DBRxzL2iqBE4UqVhkiJYXTcqcToNZmDabbWPrsAeOxevTsZDUDx1qp8Q-xrjtSRY9t6CqzcYIOaW55FxYO7co/s1280/L%20Williams.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSbgA5DBFsFQkexNLGhFgjL37XdyUJdXfm4VR-nym3uwhCDA56OVOiBKzQwzg5ZeBzCihUNg-WtJ3QXClwVK1ZkCJBocWXKsRMtWms8DBRxzL2iqBE4UqVhkiJYXTcqcToNZmDabbWPrsAeOxevTsZDUDx1qp8Q-xrjtSRY9t6CqzcYIOaW55FxYO7co/w640-h480/L%20Williams.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before and after - Linda Williams MN<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>For more on our Missouri treehoppers, check out<a href="https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/treehoppers"> this MDC link</a>.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-38647326014344685302023-06-22T12:49:00.003-07:002023-06-23T08:32:12.988-07:00At Home in the Dung<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRecyx-PousVksocxMGmD0dqa0_l5sGRH8fl3uiJNOB_Be5tew_rtsa0Sok1tp_mxqvlo6yNEeuj4IpqQ5kGLu8-MAzRGxkYoOXYYKATw4rbm7Sf-cMLWsI_G40RHvS1qxLry5JmByyn82aS6aXfZcVcgznx3e2ATHilMzfI-yYtMMLm4cV_jvgGo_NC8/s2993/20230603_144842.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2131" data-original-width="2993" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRecyx-PousVksocxMGmD0dqa0_l5sGRH8fl3uiJNOB_Be5tew_rtsa0Sok1tp_mxqvlo6yNEeuj4IpqQ5kGLu8-MAzRGxkYoOXYYKATw4rbm7Sf-cMLWsI_G40RHvS1qxLry5JmByyn82aS6aXfZcVcgznx3e2ATHilMzfI-yYtMMLm4cV_jvgGo_NC8/w640-h456/20230603_144842.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>On the Missouri Prairie Foundation Bioblitz, "<a href="http://bugeric.blogspot.com/">Bug Eric</a>" Eaton was leading an insect identification session when I found this 6mm firm lump on a leaf. Eric identified it as a beetle egg protected by material the female beetle deposited over it. </p><p>I cornered Doug LeDoux of the Missouri Department of Agriculture who was leading the leaf beetle walk and he gave me more information.</p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rF6LYldaYQVUio9I-ECKdVFksm1_HWByttuJaTxEmk6mZ1ST1JUd4YokYsZgOapEK2zU7LY0iYvb6joNoaEJWCEa7mm1PdWerDsCLGzY90fg1sn91RwT2JfWB5XhPhUul_xQjpVkMlhNGCf_O2ITYOTsqApnluO0zOGkyxH71wuBlQRwaV1Y0DaMCiA/s4032/20230604_164523.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rF6LYldaYQVUio9I-ECKdVFksm1_HWByttuJaTxEmk6mZ1ST1JUd4YokYsZgOapEK2zU7LY0iYvb6joNoaEJWCEa7mm1PdWerDsCLGzY90fg1sn91RwT2JfWB5XhPhUul_xQjpVkMlhNGCf_O2ITYOTsqApnluO0zOGkyxH71wuBlQRwaV1Y0DaMCiA/s320/20230604_164523.jpeg" width="320" /></a>"It is some sort of a Chlamisine beetle in the Chrysomelidae, possibly <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neochlamisus">Neochlamisus</a>.</i> They refer to this group as the case-bearing case makers. The case is actually poop that is deposited around the developing larva to protect it from predation and to hide it while it feeds and develops. I see these fairly often when sampling."</p><p>This may sound like child abuse but remember it is a bug eat bug world they live in. Looking like nothing edible has survival value. Imagine how this delicious naked larva would look to any predator.....delicious! </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlfQRfno1A--o8SFC-1frpL93MJYJfxEyBNMYpPL85Vlu3iNgMV36SN0NduVRQnyYitwYpxRU2ffEcJPDe5I7gd3icuDW5KHt37Q52Pu_c2qJCNkQZJzq3J4Yv4VXxA1s8LzbNF4SFOCEd7ki3FbSYzf2lcwBgdfqmnv2c7t7Sjvi1EKTTQ8lz9bim7s/s1465/2560px-Neochlamisus_larva.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1465" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlfQRfno1A--o8SFC-1frpL93MJYJfxEyBNMYpPL85Vlu3iNgMV36SN0NduVRQnyYitwYpxRU2ffEcJPDe5I7gd3icuDW5KHt37Q52Pu_c2qJCNkQZJzq3J4Yv4VXxA1s8LzbNF4SFOCEd7ki3FbSYzf2lcwBgdfqmnv2c7t7Sjvi1EKTTQ8lz9bim7s/s320/2560px-Neochlamisus_larva.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Neochalmisus</i> <i>sp</i> -<span class="mw-mmv-source-author"><span class="mw-mmv-author"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Polinizador" title="User:Polinizador"> Beatriz Moisset</a></span> </span></td></tr></tbody></table>Now the larva lives and eats inside the case, using its own excrement to enlarge the case as it grows. Here is how Wikipedia describes it.<p></p><p>"The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larva" title="Larva">larvae</a> remain on the natal host plant and add to and enlarge their <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fecal_case" title="Fecal case">fecal cases</a> as they grow. Case enlargement in <i>Neochlamisus</i>
is an elaborate process that larvae perform regularly until the case is
sealed to the substrate prior to pupation. During this stage of the
life cycle, beetles are immobile and are particularly vulnerable to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predation" title="Predation">predation</a>."</p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PBkXpkXP7Vx1szhAwe6kblsY9bFw3UkG5PGCuZksuJvWZ53M9C_xLOB6Wll5kzlu81eLU6TTaLZ-R8MiR0lkGTzt0JjjHHil0Js7MyjMERMzB40Xg8Lf42LXeudyGEpT5wpGytJHenYxOia8qdtTEOBS6kXkJpkfgsEXURNrMBaWKHGsjNeHYSodSzI/s2520/Nbebbianaewillowhostform.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1720" data-original-width="2520" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PBkXpkXP7Vx1szhAwe6kblsY9bFw3UkG5PGCuZksuJvWZ53M9C_xLOB6Wll5kzlu81eLU6TTaLZ-R8MiR0lkGTzt0JjjHHil0Js7MyjMERMzB40Xg8Lf42LXeudyGEpT5wpGytJHenYxOia8qdtTEOBS6kXkJpkfgsEXURNrMBaWKHGsjNeHYSodSzI/s320/Nbebbianaewillowhostform.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neochlamisus"><i>Neochlamisus</i></a> - Wikimedia<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> This is just one example of a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neochlamisus"><i>Neochlamisus</i>.<i>sp</i>.</a> in Wikipedia. There is a whole tribe, if not subfamily, of casebearing leaf beetles. The warty beetles are pretty tiny compared to the larval case we found. It isn't just another pretty face, but before you make judgements about its appearance, take into account its rough childhood. <br /></p><p></p><p>This is just one of the many fascinating finds from the annual Missouri Prairie Foundation bioblitz. You can follow MPF and join up for the fun at <a href="https://moprairie.org/">https://moprairie.org/</a>.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-83345914625873097042023-06-09T15:25:00.000-07:002023-06-09T15:25:32.265-07:00Cute Little Fungus<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFu97lCvSJFf7ZfSTDiSAWP_3Nx4kXhTK3uIbSEWLKJ1suhjOG99rXOmps8Fp0VtMiflUMltiryhcl7o2udTgfa3OwlpXOfRnft5BceuQuRmXdqXoiBT4DcKIVtwRWRxppRRjljJNkpi1ZOTK8e1sdQ0Whg6XZfjnOb1RdWxdK-PdHQZIK9wteFgi/s3354/20230608_115119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2153" data-original-width="3354" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFu97lCvSJFf7ZfSTDiSAWP_3Nx4kXhTK3uIbSEWLKJ1suhjOG99rXOmps8Fp0VtMiflUMltiryhcl7o2udTgfa3OwlpXOfRnft5BceuQuRmXdqXoiBT4DcKIVtwRWRxppRRjljJNkpi1ZOTK8e1sdQ0Whg6XZfjnOb1RdWxdK-PdHQZIK9wteFgi/w640-h410/20230608_115119.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrFIWID7KIq2v54HOPpSRvrKjdouBLrq8F93Jwrw0c-Vm8CPO8kigDUyAc9AvWzE9YUMjtELbVOqkgGecMU8GoiwDEmIjvRpTubKjJtOMepgxNm2PrIZQKoGxUAHejKowuVBZ7XyMFQV5gKB0jl8Nnshix2849kE8BVP0zBcPRAwWZ5tfWhHKaE3Q/s2075/20230608_114555.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2075" data-original-width="1987" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrFIWID7KIq2v54HOPpSRvrKjdouBLrq8F93Jwrw0c-Vm8CPO8kigDUyAc9AvWzE9YUMjtELbVOqkgGecMU8GoiwDEmIjvRpTubKjJtOMepgxNm2PrIZQKoGxUAHejKowuVBZ7XyMFQV5gKB0jl8Nnshix2849kE8BVP0zBcPRAwWZ5tfWhHKaE3Q/w191-h200/20230608_114555.jpg" width="191" /></a>While searching the woods for plant galls I came across these beauties on the leaves and petioles of <i>Clematis virginiana</i>. On the petioles they curled into various shapes and it was obvious they weren't galls. Measuring less than half an inch long, it required magnification to appreciate the tiny orange cups that covers the surface. Tiny round ones were on the underside of the leaves and the vines didn't seem damaged otherwise.<p></p><p> </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDRvFfqko_qQ4rg1KRbeIGF8M8Y9eJPE2hJYs7ONE5w5Z0EJw_pFOgagYPgCszMu6mdmym0YzRWFl5sPskB0mjigESlS4jLJ2G9dwEs9bbxUY1lp22vwn0v7Txf8XExuBCY1pdiwH6D8yyp0ByB1_082W1QSAPbD6nNmldlgmJhi7FK5FDJ_mVbUn/s3395/20230608_115306.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2109" data-original-width="3395" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDRvFfqko_qQ4rg1KRbeIGF8M8Y9eJPE2hJYs7ONE5w5Z0EJw_pFOgagYPgCszMu6mdmym0YzRWFl5sPskB0mjigESlS4jLJ2G9dwEs9bbxUY1lp22vwn0v7Txf8XExuBCY1pdiwH6D8yyp0ByB1_082W1QSAPbD6nNmldlgmJhi7FK5FDJ_mVbUn/w640-h398/20230608_115306.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gY6r39IyZdGuoNBhk1f2bW-HEt8ZZv0qTxQzAVhkkgiRiad63W24jhfdqgT69yaXvuvEDiu5llAzt74taH535oqwBDQyr6m7efl-ccDPDLKvAe50Ent5IO1sYq3AKrMUF7zk6KD4X7WHR8qOQCeq1bWRUuoTK1wAD9cEpeEX58O6MI_H-YC7zi1S/s1965/20230608_160655.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1418" data-original-width="1965" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gY6r39IyZdGuoNBhk1f2bW-HEt8ZZv0qTxQzAVhkkgiRiad63W24jhfdqgT69yaXvuvEDiu5llAzt74taH535oqwBDQyr6m7efl-ccDPDLKvAe50Ent5IO1sYq3AKrMUF7zk6KD4X7WHR8qOQCeq1bWRUuoTK1wAD9cEpeEX58O6MI_H-YC7zi1S/s320/20230608_160655.jpg" width="320" /></a>The knobs under the leaves were just miniature versions of the petiole growths and with magnification they too were covered with the little cups. Some sources refer to them as pustules but that seems to be a harsh judgement to me. Another term is a rust fungus, not much kinder name.</p><p>I think this is <i>Puccinia recondita</i> also refered to a wheat leaf rust, a fungal disease that is a major problem for farmers. </p><p>Gardeners consider it a disease on clematis but to me it is just another interesting small feature of nature, a mushroom on a leaf. In the words of Bill Bryson, "Life just wants to be, but it doesn't want to be much."<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobjw77Qw4AajZ7hqrG0-_eCH9G0hcsRoBwvoviHoMYulOdIEW7WcafmhAM7DhqUlD8LaIZOUWkNad3byet-U9r-loFA-OciSkJXJmC-U4tYzqFbt6OkwCGbhlDm-MRwFQYycO-yzMks8rgYsdOw6XZvv_57ZpWNn2ufMSsd7zZtoFouSJCUKeYbxb/s4032/20230608_115042.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobjw77Qw4AajZ7hqrG0-_eCH9G0hcsRoBwvoviHoMYulOdIEW7WcafmhAM7DhqUlD8LaIZOUWkNad3byet-U9r-loFA-OciSkJXJmC-U4tYzqFbt6OkwCGbhlDm-MRwFQYycO-yzMks8rgYsdOw6XZvv_57ZpWNn2ufMSsd7zZtoFouSJCUKeYbxb/w640-h480/20230608_115042.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-26366809454652716042023-06-01T07:05:00.000-07:002023-06-01T07:05:35.822-07:00Flying Lint<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKT-12NIwBVLQgYDURvFcpfecDGMaK7UurJHhXOadcxrD9DC2xrNnmq8upEqWbT6AY5Xvvz5qDC_RzBQhaSzLtJQU7vxpnGorsywBj0fYfCVJ7wb2YHLuUJSYr8gi1Sadi6xGp_E0JStw/s1600/Wooly+aphids-+Bower+-+07.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKT-12NIwBVLQgYDURvFcpfecDGMaK7UurJHhXOadcxrD9DC2xrNnmq8upEqWbT6AY5Xvvz5qDC_RzBQhaSzLtJQU7vxpnGorsywBj0fYfCVJ7wb2YHLuUJSYr8gi1Sadi6xGp_E0JStw/s640/Wooly+aphids-+Bower+-+07.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woolly aphid - <i>Mark Bower</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The last few days we have been seeing tiny white fluff drifting through the air. Watching closely you can see it gradually change altitude or direction. These are woolly aphids, members of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eriosomatinae">Eriosomatinae subfamily</a>.
In flight they have been likened to "flying mice" and
are given nicknames like "angel flies," "fluff bugs,""fairy flies,"and "ash bugs." My favorite is "flying lint."<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC84cEskHG3LWXuH6ERrDSioiMGBCN51xDL_WifA-vvaiY2pG2SVUvH0NjFklutqK4Bbdg2yYxHIPW4IDq2koAtu-q2kQXuY0s7t1QCgG6ZhWx8OBGqeeP3V8ciwfCmQdKuR8bwZgskmA/s1600/Wooly+aphids-+Bower+-+01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC84cEskHG3LWXuH6ERrDSioiMGBCN51xDL_WifA-vvaiY2pG2SVUvH0NjFklutqK4Bbdg2yYxHIPW4IDq2koAtu-q2kQXuY0s7t1QCgG6ZhWx8OBGqeeP3V8ciwfCmQdKuR8bwZgskmA/s640/Wooly+aphids-+Bower+-+01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woolly aphids on a log - <i>Mark Bower</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSpBfuYW-E07MsLwaLbACMzQaUV_3EYg-pwUEbNuTrccR8cQ9bCfkMpVbZR9dP0EqD5S3EtbfIEL2dDAqsE06SCuSbUAvIDea0aRiTsbIi4c8YG5hRvu9BmhnG8ZnlzyE368ugM2X0mc/s1600/Wooly+aphids-+Bower+-+04.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSpBfuYW-E07MsLwaLbACMzQaUV_3EYg-pwUEbNuTrccR8cQ9bCfkMpVbZR9dP0EqD5S3EtbfIEL2dDAqsE06SCuSbUAvIDea0aRiTsbIi4c8YG5hRvu9BmhnG8ZnlzyE368ugM2X0mc/s320/Wooly+aphids-+Bower+-+04.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for take-off - <i>Mark Bower</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mark Bower introduced me to them years ago when he found a log with clusters of tiny 2 mm light blue
winged insects. Looking closely they even appeared to be covered in
powder. He nailed the diagnosis of woolly aphids before I could even get
back to my computer. <br />
<br />
Woolly aphids (WA) are members of <br />
Eriosomatinae subfamily, a branch of the aphid family, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphididae" title="">Aphididae</a>. According to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eriosomatinae">Wikipedia</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Woolly aphids are sucking insects that live on plant sap
and produce a filamentous waxy white covering which resembles cotton or
wool. The adults are winged and move to new locations where they lay
egg masses. The nymphs often form large cottony masses on twigs, for
protection from predators." </blockquote>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXGXVkksiO7q9E0lmUTaQ06mgzB6QlzwLxJvN_BrP5VR8iYMFM2Tj6Z9mxg9AcsgoWfraQDrcCjDobKh2peAuEUuZ1ND-5sp0vhCuWMyQ3mhalpSK5zynZ5BsYCGXqXfAGkCzP5-o_bY/s1600/P6110024.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1395" data-original-width="1600" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXGXVkksiO7q9E0lmUTaQ06mgzB6QlzwLxJvN_BrP5VR8iYMFM2Tj6Z9mxg9AcsgoWfraQDrcCjDobKh2peAuEUuZ1ND-5sp0vhCuWMyQ3mhalpSK5zynZ5BsYCGXqXfAGkCzP5-o_bY/s320/P6110024.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naked WA - REK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I caught this one by hand and by the time I transferred it to a bug box, its wax had rubbed off and it couldn't take off, making it willing to pose. This one was also 2mm long although it looked larger when it had all its wax. You can see <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avj_uVzwXG4">a video here</a> of another one under the microscope as I wiped off some of its wax.<br />
<br />
Some WA specialize on one
variety of plants while others may lay eggs for their larvae on a
different species than the ones adults feed upon.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0X1HACojKMcQ8zb9585fKWD5zQjrFHXTt37udnXZg_zoeLTdk71ufw5ORj63U4yZDT4chyphenhyphenaaSgsIgWoWunBDqGCVoKKreDsD_s1s0LvVwiyF8-qhi6Mt7ftRKuyYSSB6PQuK7TbTtnE/s1600/Wooly+aphids-+Bower+-+09.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0X1HACojKMcQ8zb9585fKWD5zQjrFHXTt37udnXZg_zoeLTdk71ufw5ORj63U4yZDT4chyphenhyphenaaSgsIgWoWunBDqGCVoKKreDsD_s1s0LvVwiyF8-qhi6Mt7ftRKuyYSSB6PQuK7TbTtnE/s1600/Wooly+aphids-+Bower+-+09.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insect trash talk - <i>Mark Bower</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The woolly apple aphid is a major economic pest in orchards. Like the <a href="http://springfieldmn.blogspot.com/2010/04/cedar-apple-rust-gall.html">cedar apple rust galls</a>
that depend on cedar and apple trees in close proximity to support
their two year life cycle, the apple aphid requires elm trees for the
egg and larval feeding phase while the adults attack apple trees. Woolly
aphids have a needle-like stylet mouth which they use to penetrate
buds, bark, leaves and roots to suck up sap. Many produce a sticky
honeydew which then can support the growth of a sooty mold on the fruit.<br />
<br />
Many woolly aphid species are accidentally introduced invasive species. An example is the hackberry wooly aphid, <i><a href="http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74111.html">Shivaphis celti</a></i><i>,</i> which was found in the south in the 1990's and is now also a problem in California. <i> </i>Although it doesn't damage the tree significantly, it is a pest because its copious honeydew excretions create a
sticky mess which in turn feeds a blackish sooty mold on leaves and
anything under infested trees.. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSj_qWEqiEFlrMDPcY5N65xQCsrCoVO-To2MVmjqmSofM-m9f22Jf9hS7KDI-v8ZS77yqcSygaSKlP9weirTpN0itUOUC_KWmgFZGMJnI-wTJcNSzWK7ohBEfj5_hV4oq6tzA_OjYVxc/s3024/Woolly+Aphids+-+Courtney.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2203" data-original-width="3024" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSj_qWEqiEFlrMDPcY5N65xQCsrCoVO-To2MVmjqmSofM-m9f22Jf9hS7KDI-v8ZS77yqcSygaSKlP9weirTpN0itUOUC_KWmgFZGMJnI-wTJcNSzWK7ohBEfj5_hV4oq6tzA_OjYVxc/w640-h466/Woolly+Aphids+-+Courtney.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woolly aphids- Courtney Reece<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />
The reproductive cycle of these woolly aphids which use two host plant species is complex, as explained by this <a href="http://bugtracks.wordpress.com/2011/11/13/woolly-aphids/">Bugtracks</a>
article. Most species emerge as all females in the spring and
reproduce by parthenogenesis (without mating between the male and female).
They give live birth (no eggs) several times in the spring and summer on
the primary host plant. Winged forms then fly to the secondary host
plant, reproduce again and eventually give birth to winged males and
females which fly off to a primary host plant and mate, starting the
whole process. If you think this confuses you, imagine being the aphid
figuring out your family history.<br />
<br />
Not all woolly aphids are warm fuzzy creatures. The larvae of the <a href="http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/running-ponies/2012/09/05/dancing-woolly-aphids-will-probably-stab-you/">woolly beach blight aphids</a>
gather together when disturbed and poke their posteriors in the air, an
aphid version of "mooning." It looks like dancing as seen in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdIqdepyynw" target="_blank">this video</a>.
This is no hollow threat as they are shown under the microscope to stab
predators with their stylet mouth parts that are usually reserved for
penetrating wood to sip sap. I guess if you usually drill into beach
trees with your mouth, penetrating a predatory moth larva is a piece of
cake.<br />
<br />
<i>The very complete source of information on aphids is <a href="http://www.aphidsonworldsplants.info/" target="_blank">aphidsonworldsplants.</a></i>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-40678066649617954982023-05-29T13:40:00.005-07:002023-06-03T08:01:43.722-07:00Finger Gall Inquiliines<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxLrcooNYOqE3d9xrFXiZQdn_1d_SBozmoUPJdcIn3-jF3E98efGLCtTdB-wKz5y5WFXlbEU0Y9b9cXsrlHdF9XHtMxWNt72bpvuse2gU1Tjs0VtBkjhPZ1fQmwF4MzBelZr09TQ-zlo6yZmi5s14fvyA1XSKWGZa0vMS8b2g8qnWJjPGzenuNvN4/s2634/Elm%20leaf%20finger%20gall.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1762" data-original-width="2634" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxLrcooNYOqE3d9xrFXiZQdn_1d_SBozmoUPJdcIn3-jF3E98efGLCtTdB-wKz5y5WFXlbEU0Y9b9cXsrlHdF9XHtMxWNt72bpvuse2gU1Tjs0VtBkjhPZ1fQmwF4MzBelZr09TQ-zlo6yZmi5s14fvyA1XSKWGZa0vMS8b2g8qnWJjPGzenuNvN4/w640-h428/Elm%20leaf%20finger%20gall.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>We found some of these elm leaf finger galls on a tree beside our deck measuring up to 15 mm long. With a magnifier I could see that each had an exit hole. so I cut into a few to see their internal structure. Under magnification I was surprised to find tiny creatures visible only under magnification, living in the hollowed galls. These are either inquilines or new inhabitants using the structures that have been deserted by the original occupants. </p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaFNOu26UEa0_NGEbkn-SWKkMt-uPFJQN4KEQzb2BQ09Wtd17Zx0RcXWdni7p7JavoPBp3z9R8v0dJ5qm2DqcfvLdDklY6oUyhGvSoKvBvtAwDP_tu3HCNBSW5_rSgAj4EXg0LCzqwbfUFkNyJHYPrwkEDcyLkGjcULGqTHozniQQxUQrxa56dBlX/s1280/Elm%20leaf%20finger%20gall%20inquiline%201mm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaFNOu26UEa0_NGEbkn-SWKkMt-uPFJQN4KEQzb2BQ09Wtd17Zx0RcXWdni7p7JavoPBp3z9R8v0dJ5qm2DqcfvLdDklY6oUyhGvSoKvBvtAwDP_tu3HCNBSW5_rSgAj4EXg0LCzqwbfUFkNyJHYPrwkEDcyLkGjcULGqTHozniQQxUQrxa56dBlX/w640-h360/Elm%20leaf%20finger%20gall%20inquiline%201mm.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>This little 1mm critter was inside a gall and I couldn't tell if it was an eriophyid mite that caused the gall or another visitor. It wiggled its butt but didn't crawl around.</p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mWHAM28CRo0i9jkJmiFgdBc3697vWoY0KTHmMo4h-oozvp4wIbR0UQLqzOtsn8bgcd54Dwx0roJ7_zr29ont5mwIclxVI_oVZSqUGBTFhdixTe8QJ0iWRge64p6e70rp6nhW0jmi6SZo2aTGwer6E05_C4PCHgZJomg-OkLplBqMvumKSXmCiUCJ/s1280/Elm%20leaf%20finger%20gall%20inquiline.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mWHAM28CRo0i9jkJmiFgdBc3697vWoY0KTHmMo4h-oozvp4wIbR0UQLqzOtsn8bgcd54Dwx0roJ7_zr29ont5mwIclxVI_oVZSqUGBTFhdixTe8QJ0iWRge64p6e70rp6nhW0jmi6SZo2aTGwer6E05_C4PCHgZJomg-OkLplBqMvumKSXmCiUCJ/w640-h360/Elm%20leaf%20finger%20gall%20inquiline.jpg" width="640" /></a></p>This 3mm beetle had found a home in another finger gall. You can compare it to the dark stained exit hole on the bottom of the gall. I always wonder what they might find to eat.<br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTLk8xlZglB0Z-ArTKNq8LpyWPPDCwgfHXR6kJHGcCThjnRm6Wc4IeZbOfwQjMhfkGnNLK3fxu1Pn7gbdyCEuYcJHBhZG-6ASpKTiwf4XybwDfBQKXvShJ7R-XcwbjSXQvD5vHiMSfzNVMX3GLhC6W78Gj5iwDPYChpSe3HSLPckUhIZcxwt19mY3/s1794/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-24%20at%205.09.43%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="1794" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTLk8xlZglB0Z-ArTKNq8LpyWPPDCwgfHXR6kJHGcCThjnRm6Wc4IeZbOfwQjMhfkGnNLK3fxu1Pn7gbdyCEuYcJHBhZG-6ASpKTiwf4XybwDfBQKXvShJ7R-XcwbjSXQvD5vHiMSfzNVMX3GLhC6W78Gj5iwDPYChpSe3HSLPckUhIZcxwt19mY3/w640-h346/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-24%20at%205.09.43%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>You can see these two 3mm flies were crawling around, not particularly disturbed by having their home cut open. They never did fly away and were still near the gall an hour later moving around at <a href=" https://youtu.be/n5TM5U881pk ">this Youtube link</a> that I filmed with a Celestron MicroCapture Pro digital microscope. </p><p>There are two takeaway lessons in this: </p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Looking closely you can find lots of life in small spaces. To quote Dee Morgan, "<span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">Big fleas have little fleas upon their backs to bite them, and little fleas have lesser fleas, and so ad infinitum."</span></span></li><li><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">I have way too much time on my hands. </span></span></li></ol><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">There is more on elm leaf finger galls <a href="https://springfieldmn.blogspot.com/2016/06/elm-leaf-finger-galls.html">at this link</a>.<br /></span></span>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-9369585377288159782023-05-14T08:48:00.001-07:002023-06-03T07:53:52.876-07:00Exploring a Little Gem<p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11vN6EO3WyXsF53j5vCm2z-uZJQLdRRqhtXGEMjmlZA1jJdKEIZRgyPw7vhy5l1d8MCfAyGIASw_ShOdW7d9dHorORu21YzY2AOtjr-NhA2DBgQ17ja8v6fHiTeYj5qnB18YIkFW1USk/s2048/Gall+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1795" data-original-width="2048" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11vN6EO3WyXsF53j5vCm2z-uZJQLdRRqhtXGEMjmlZA1jJdKEIZRgyPw7vhy5l1d8MCfAyGIASw_ShOdW7d9dHorORu21YzY2AOtjr-NhA2DBgQ17ja8v6fHiTeYj5qnB18YIkFW1USk/w640-h560/Gall+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a> </p><p>The 5th grade WOLF class explored La Petite Gemme Prairie last week with their usual vigor. We found lots of the usual suspects and some great new finds. One of my favorites was the beauty above that was on the prairie roses in great numbers. These occurred in small 1-3 foot clumps scattered across the prairie. This is Carolina rose, <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosa_carolina">Rosa carolina</a>. </i> This prairie rose is found across the US, ranging from <span class="aCOpRe"><span>glades, open woods, prairies, to wet soils along streams and swamps and low areas. We commonly find these colorful leaf galls decorating them on the prairie.<br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUwwkshwvpHC4cieM1CvOmPZNd7kZJ1y1rkP4gGqihYCXQp0eZ_UAWvi7CL947r9ezMN6XiIrb101Zkny5p8DUMSiGE159F1v4nG-a6bO1xYVmfwwaFhtdzL7i4unmxUdIUEUf054AbE/s1208/Screen+Shot+2021-05-17+at+3.02.27+PM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUwwkshwvpHC4cieM1CvOmPZNd7kZJ1y1rkP4gGqihYCXQp0eZ_UAWvi7CL947r9ezMN6XiIrb101Zkny5p8DUMSiGE159F1v4nG-a6bO1xYVmfwwaFhtdzL7i4unmxUdIUEUf054AbE/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-17+at+3.02.27+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>These spiky balls were galls created by the spiny rose wasp gall - <i><a href="https://bugguide.net/node/view/361098">Diplolepis bicolor</a>. </i>I split one open during the WOLF field trip in 2021 and it revealed a lively larva that was constantly jumping and impossible to photograph. I had to settle for a frame grab from my <a href=" https://youtu.be/l_CG5pFcRf4 ">shaky video seen here.</a> This year I was more organized and brought some home to open under the microscope. This one laid dormant until I used a single hair from our dog, Duke, to touch it lightly <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66fuOjCwNQU&t=7s">as seen here</a>, setting it off on a twitching spasm which lasted 5 minutes!<br /><p>Much of what is written about rose galls<i> </i>focuses on how to get rid of these "pests." Apparently a rose-growing purist doesn't see the same beauty as my 5th grade colleagues did on the prairie. There are roughly 50 <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplolepis_(wasp)">Diplolepis sp</a>. </i>which are in the Cynipid wasp family. Their larvae induce galls on wild roses, and rarely on domestic roses.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekbahkWAmKBVU08xV9SFY7FlnlY2S0LYvQxbF_9U-Ajs2ty6ld6qPevpHcbvQ7J8IYYY3mkhTMZHbDEBB-7FfnZvbOcLe7M3Vo8oJil-iBMdjR32WFkMsDo-vRGJ4-2B9VRVsTMzgXwY/s560/Gall+Wasp.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="560" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekbahkWAmKBVU08xV9SFY7FlnlY2S0LYvQxbF_9U-Ajs2ty6ld6qPevpHcbvQ7J8IYYY3mkhTMZHbDEBB-7FfnZvbOcLe7M3Vo8oJil-iBMdjR32WFkMsDo-vRGJ4-2B9VRVsTMzgXwY/s320/Gall+Wasp.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Diplolepis sp</i> - <a href="https://bugguide.net/node/view/675825/bgimage">Charley Eiseman</a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The insect overwinters as a larva in the gall. In early spring the
adult wasp matures and chews out through the gall, just as the first cells of leaf tissue appear. After mating it looks for
fresh expanding leaf tissue to lay eggs on. The eggs attach to 1-2 plant cells and this induces gall formation. Once hatched, the larva feeding stimulates gall growth even more. This provides food and shelter until the next spring. There is only one generation
per year.</p><p>Diving deeper, <i>Diplolepis sp. </i>have their own special problems. While safely hiding in the gall, there are interlopers that can move in with them. Most <i>Diplolepis</i> galls are known to host <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inquiline" title="Inquiline">inquilines</a>
- species that invade and occupy a gall but do not feed on the larva. They may however harm the larva by competing for their resources like a hungry roommate.</p><p>As if life wasn't tough enough, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplolepis_(wasp)"><i>Diplolepis</i> species</a> and their inquilines can be attacked by a wide variety of parasitoid wasp species. With this complex intra-gall food chain, I no longer feel bad about opening mine up. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3lcyYOvsMBJDSlvp5flcUN8uWF7CuXn0gjf3XYHE7ImZTyGTfdkzbVJeldIwklwslW1JVHDvkcCTCDTgMmqUO8dA0ftOum_MI0Zc5nEr6TP4_nCgi7m4Xg9s9eWS7bilmm6a3yxqeqYAhrXiM4xK0FZ1RqKTn-lTGd6FGq2u7WeYOaeAeWynpo1N/s2280/20230513_181823.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1708" data-original-width="2280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3lcyYOvsMBJDSlvp5flcUN8uWF7CuXn0gjf3XYHE7ImZTyGTfdkzbVJeldIwklwslW1JVHDvkcCTCDTgMmqUO8dA0ftOum_MI0Zc5nEr6TP4_nCgi7m4Xg9s9eWS7bilmm6a3yxqeqYAhrXiM4xK0FZ1RqKTn-lTGd6FGq2u7WeYOaeAeWynpo1N/w640-h480/20230513_181823.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prairie Crayfish<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />This year we had several other personal firsts. In the classroom we had talked about the p<a href="https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/grassland-crayfish-prairie-crayfish">rairie crayfish</a> which burrow tunnels down to water level sometimes as far as 6 feet below the surface. Three different student teams found dead crayfish on the ground around their deserted burrows.<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyW7nzL8TMUBy5Tscek_7ghIMc7sP9oXeAbsYaH9ZEdCnscaCjZwmmiyuxY6PFUqD_NErM3H_WrNC-7zFKT2yT1Boj5tHLYS09g8LAf3c__ysyYZNoAGCneHftu6a6C5FuirQxcZRhObu_AcOP-PzXO1yqvYx8eBaI0pjbpaic_a9cZ-trS_WxX38/s750/Oblong-Winged_Katydid_Pink_form_6-22-20.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyW7nzL8TMUBy5Tscek_7ghIMc7sP9oXeAbsYaH9ZEdCnscaCjZwmmiyuxY6PFUqD_NErM3H_WrNC-7zFKT2yT1Boj5tHLYS09g8LAf3c__ysyYZNoAGCneHftu6a6C5FuirQxcZRhObu_AcOP-PzXO1yqvYx8eBaI0pjbpaic_a9cZ-trS_WxX38/w640-h426/Oblong-Winged_Katydid_Pink_form_6-22-20.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oblonged-winged Katydid - MDC<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p><p>My personal highlight was a pink katydid. I have read about them for years but it took sharp-eyed WOLF students (who are incidentally built lower to the ground) to actually capture one. We commonly find the green form and the pink-yellow-orange variants are common in prairies but are thought to be eaten by predators because of their lack of camouflage as explained by <a href="https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/oblong-winged-katydid">MDC here.</a> We couldn't get good pictures through a plastic bug box and all living finds are returned to the prairie unharmed.<br /></p><p>Finally, a popular if not rare find was this ornate box turtle seen <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz64jEKEJo8">in this video</a> plowing through the dense vegetation which must feel like a forest to it. It is either looking for insects and an occasional berry for dinner or possibly looking for love. <br /></p><p>Barb and I are privileged to go on a field trip with young eyes. They see more and are more inquisitive, leading us to see a fresh view of a prairie. More on the WOLF School is at <a href="https://wondersofwildlife.org/education/wolf-school/">this link</a>. <a href="https://moprairie.org/project/la-petite-gemme/">La Petite Gemme Prairie</a> is owned and protected by the <a href="https://moprairie.org/about/">Missouri Prairie Foundation</a>, one of 32 protected prairie remnants. More past prairie adventures <a href="https://springfieldmn.blogspot.com/search?q=prairie">in these blogs</a>.<br /></p><p></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-13827005340445664652023-05-09T15:22:00.000-07:002023-05-09T15:22:36.190-07:00Micromoths of May<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5p95LhYtqQQFBFcgcaVB3pXbP1Yv60tsifl_NVYDTXm0ZP7snuEtaUswNIsZsTDUCsA3lnwhabFP2ydDXRO-F9C0ezZIymmyk_Zpmois6Ml4Qc5R1pM3qTh0JV50JLc8GfSIr5_HjADQcvONl8X4KlPhg3nM2CtKdgjYUy-_enZ5palntHv8XaSUl" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="1665" data-original-width="2959" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5p95LhYtqQQFBFcgcaVB3pXbP1Yv60tsifl_NVYDTXm0ZP7snuEtaUswNIsZsTDUCsA3lnwhabFP2ydDXRO-F9C0ezZIymmyk_Zpmois6Ml4Qc5R1pM3qTh0JV50JLc8GfSIr5_HjADQcvONl8X4KlPhg3nM2CtKdgjYUy-_enZ5palntHv8XaSUl=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umber moth- <i>Hypomecis umbrosaria</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>May is the start of moth season on Bull Creek. Leaving the porch light on Sunday night called in a haul of micromoths. My definition is a moth less that an inch long. The umber moth above is a good example, common, underappreciated and with little information the lifecycle. It is in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometer_moth">Geometridae family</a> whose name come from the inchworm larvae that seem to measure the earth as they crawl along. <span style="font-weight: normal;">T</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">here </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">is another similar moth more
common to the north which requires dissection to differentiate, so this
is good enough for me.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiggWnG5zalWniJ9eNu0mLskXDU19YHOOHXaAWy-EWTZ2lAH6ht8ekJ7yGf_l2sDA_Ulgl7saeUXIjPCSHFB0mio0xvf0aphTpv3GjTkZYKhHvzaTuYZFFctsxbPB1_dNFLGZwepEmE7sv4w8LBwAPexbM7jLmLVQn4fplZuxYmscHLAHTnOn5rpi0t" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2256" data-original-width="3254" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiggWnG5zalWniJ9eNu0mLskXDU19YHOOHXaAWy-EWTZ2lAH6ht8ekJ7yGf_l2sDA_Ulgl7saeUXIjPCSHFB0mio0xvf0aphTpv3GjTkZYKhHvzaTuYZFFctsxbPB1_dNFLGZwepEmE7sv4w8LBwAPexbM7jLmLVQn4fplZuxYmscHLAHTnOn5rpi0t" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curved-lined angle moth</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The curved-lined angle moth,<i> Digrammia continuata,</i> is another geometrid moth. This one has larvae feasting on our eastern red cedar<i>s. </i>This is another common find on the wall of our deck. Its larva grows to 29mm, virtually an "inch-worm" before pupating in the soil over winter. Soon they will be laying eggs on cedar trees, preparing for another year.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuO9i_41gCMHaT5WHsWOxxh9XXkO9UJZghKlavXjhH2LM4J4Esvy_yS2i2luKIzMzsu6Zom81ICuCGNVWG1jKJGL7qHmJNNQzLA4ltQu3JBSnh5KOQhly-agHaj4RYKEQ46rl3VsoX0ZhmzqGRXNoI37TVZztt2b5E2tDwrGiKuseiQVUF3WJi1idq/s2964/Small%20Necklace%20Moth-%20%20Hypsoropha%20hormos.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2964" data-original-width="2020" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuO9i_41gCMHaT5WHsWOxxh9XXkO9UJZghKlavXjhH2LM4J4Esvy_yS2i2luKIzMzsu6Zom81ICuCGNVWG1jKJGL7qHmJNNQzLA4ltQu3JBSnh5KOQhly-agHaj4RYKEQ46rl3VsoX0ZhmzqGRXNoI37TVZztt2b5E2tDwrGiKuseiQVUF3WJi1idq/s320/Small%20Necklace%20Moth-%20%20Hypsoropha%20hormos.jpeg" width="218" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Necklace Moth<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The small necklace moth, <i>Hypsoropha hormos,</i> is distinctive but like many of these micromoths, there isn't much on them easily available. For me, the thrill is in the chase through INaturalist and other resources. With a deep dive I found that their host plant is sassafras.<br /></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> <br /></p><p>Below is it's cousin, the large necklace moth, <i>Hypsoropha monilis.</i></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1E2KzCz7eE6FoRLviVZ5UqOF74Q38bbCHIpJ9kWKGiD45Y3xNCdqmCKIHCwrwZAb19Ur-Eye5OnNs5I3Bbohgsf25Vd0QqEVbfeu3uQtOx6wXGFFhnABnTWO5jkATYf3IUcV3ISViCzh6aC8z9GTLOo0LWWGrknMGLaTOBPrQZAJWXJ_xMB03veXH/s2639/Large%20Necklace%20Moth%20Hypsoropha%20monilis.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1720" data-original-width="2639" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1E2KzCz7eE6FoRLviVZ5UqOF74Q38bbCHIpJ9kWKGiD45Y3xNCdqmCKIHCwrwZAb19Ur-Eye5OnNs5I3Bbohgsf25Vd0QqEVbfeu3uQtOx6wXGFFhnABnTWO5jkATYf3IUcV3ISViCzh6aC8z9GTLOo0LWWGrknMGLaTOBPrQZAJWXJ_xMB03veXH/w640-h418/Large%20Necklace%20Moth%20Hypsoropha%20monilis.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Necklace Moth<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY2H_nC2MhbB9yYeIGNJRP8plAFU1XWj2MbO5u7dtZI9A_qm0NKbz0g1axxlKscjeCu6hGLZZE9dxGkBU5sxJeeDjNNZL9j3N_r5UlChtjKiijZfG1C7N8uzGkeUXnNwRAQRsQQJnqc4_HncPStCIgQlgL_Wcs7asW7F0bMmQJe4FRCpcnf36DB1b1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="2549" data-original-width="2382" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY2H_nC2MhbB9yYeIGNJRP8plAFU1XWj2MbO5u7dtZI9A_qm0NKbz0g1axxlKscjeCu6hGLZZE9dxGkBU5sxJeeDjNNZL9j3N_r5UlChtjKiijZfG1C7N8uzGkeUXnNwRAQRsQQJnqc4_HncPStCIgQlgL_Wcs7asW7F0bMmQJe4FRCpcnf36DB1b1=w187-h200" width="187" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banded tiger moth </td></tr></tbody></table></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This banded tiger moth,</span> <a href="https://bugguide.net/node/view/10559"><i style="font-weight: normal;">Apantesis vittata, </i></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">is a common find this time of year. It is a beauty and we will be seeing them over several months. They feed on a variety of herbs including dandelion. </span></span>Their bright aposematic colors help them ward off predators by signaling that they might have a bitter taste, (although no entomologist has reported tasting them).<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span><p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cKFxaFdzyuI-yuyJh0fAaUacN816WQAYvEeQ-SNS6XALOki-3-wgN88MdnRnAqhLWXMpgcOSJmSSdQYQe9Opz7hgDpmnWJR82dzZcHUOZjdRMRCkcd9RPDWNAhc3XcHeZM6tSuOsIGc7dmXrPMMQWobQTgOyppDFUc4Wtag9Vx5lvwdOIOQRHKWM/s2704/Speckled%20Lactura%20Enaemia%20subfervens.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2704" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cKFxaFdzyuI-yuyJh0fAaUacN816WQAYvEeQ-SNS6XALOki-3-wgN88MdnRnAqhLWXMpgcOSJmSSdQYQe9Opz7hgDpmnWJR82dzZcHUOZjdRMRCkcd9RPDWNAhc3XcHeZM6tSuOsIGc7dmXrPMMQWobQTgOyppDFUc4Wtag9Vx5lvwdOIOQRHKWM/w640-h500/Speckled%20Lactura%20Enaemia%20subfervens.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spcekled Lactura<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Finally we have the <span class="SplitTaxon taxon species Insecta has-com-name parens" style="font-weight: normal;" title="Speckled Lactura (Enaemia subfervens)"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="comname display-name" target="_self">speckled lactura,</span> <span class="sciname species secondary-name" target="_self"><i>Enaemia subfervens. </i></span></span></span>They feed on bumelia and are very common visitors on our porch.</p><p>There were several other species higher up that I couldn't get good photographs of. You might try leaving your porch light on to see what comes in. We also find occasional wing fragments on the ground suggesting that we are feeding other wildlife.<br /></p><p></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-46931293972454616642023-05-01T08:51:00.003-07:002023-05-06T15:12:31.008-07:00Derecho<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVYrAMMWEEEXCZhFcJcaD-kFpLGaPr9JCGU3EBPy7c78tfPGULKZncUkP-aEVUC3vFnfL0O1P97uGqn9ogwuz1JdCroSAW4FFXF-jQX3shWnQucWWt4neFhoT6sGx0xzCVtbfDYM-nJLY434kPdAN4XJnB-TnYXqEzB1bCKWC0mwSqyx7nlZ8WFCV/s3488/Dericho%20Wind%20Storm%205-8-09%20-%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2616" data-original-width="3488" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVYrAMMWEEEXCZhFcJcaD-kFpLGaPr9JCGU3EBPy7c78tfPGULKZncUkP-aEVUC3vFnfL0O1P97uGqn9ogwuz1JdCroSAW4FFXF-jQX3shWnQucWWt4neFhoT6sGx0xzCVtbfDYM-nJLY434kPdAN4XJnB-TnYXqEzB1bCKWC0mwSqyx7nlZ8WFCV/w640-h480/Dericho%20Wind%20Storm%205-8-09%20-%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bull Mills derecho - May 8, 2009<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Our own Master Naturalist and retired Springfield meteorologist, Drew Albert, offers a series of monthly columns in the Springfield Daily Citizen on weather trends in the Ozarks. This month's column gives a great description of derechos and how they develop at<a href="Retired Springfield meteorologist Drew Albert offers a series of monthly columns on weather trends in the Ozarks."> this link</a>. The National Weather Service defines them here.</p><p></p><blockquote>"A derecho (pronounced similar to "deh-REY-cho") is a widespread,
long-lived wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving
showers or thunderstorms. Although a derecho can produce destruction
similar to the strength of tornadoes, the damage typically is directed
in one direction along a relatively straight swath. As a result, the
term "straight-line wind damage" sometimes is used to describe derecho
damage. By definition, if the wind damage swath extends more than 240
miles (about 400 kilometers) and includes wind gusts of at least 58 mph
(93 km/h) or greater along most of its length, then the event may be
classified as a derecho."</blockquote><p></p><p>Some of you may recall the major derecho that swept through the Ozarks on May 8, 2009 which is written up on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_2009_Southern_Midwest_derecho">here on Wikipedia</a>. Here is his description of the storm when it moved east into the Springfield area. The pictures here are from our forest above Bull Creek at that time. </p><blockquote><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNI19pxoHryBkcdfPilfE8Rj1FHnEuKQ7iwV4RwxQNn1vSpSVYesAp1u-uA2l7SW7_NC7eYz4aPYb2isrDym-O8Zz8tiBPU6ZJ3U4FEcuDfRQzADWBBL7HVgw-WwFim81u60wXvPGZqC0LebI-Nj0FYKInkFzU26omXrYV-maO304ii221URzRRWH/s3488/Dericho%20Wind%20Storm%205-8-09%20-%204.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2616" data-original-width="3488" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNI19pxoHryBkcdfPilfE8Rj1FHnEuKQ7iwV4RwxQNn1vSpSVYesAp1u-uA2l7SW7_NC7eYz4aPYb2isrDym-O8Zz8tiBPU6ZJ3U4FEcuDfRQzADWBBL7HVgw-WwFim81u60wXvPGZqC0LebI-Nj0FYKInkFzU26omXrYV-maO304ii221URzRRWH/s320/Dericho%20Wind%20Storm%205-8-09%20-%204.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Root wad 6' tall<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>"Storms shifted east into the Springfield area by around 8 a.m. with
continued fury. In addition to the wind gusts up to 90 mph along the
leading edge of the storms, a small-scale circulation known as a
mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) developed, which aided in producing
additional intense storm activity including strong winds, large hail,
and tornadoes. This feature prolonged the period of damaging winds by an
hour in some cases. Like the Joplin area, damage to homes was common,
and widespread power outages occurred." <br /><p></p></blockquote><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFR7R-bksxUL5KEIZqgzT0lQrqCOeC0f2lXpkDs5GbbgCoy0vN5mbusJ_0FRM-_jQXYoQvdu7x7iVR9T-1CWmhNb0yqQ-dTVwzlZRHj_iJ5fBO_zH6RfhFgdRGQJJsuOFxcGvYXg4birmZw40Z6xwbD2k2Nu4LIlr8AWrMOzWWIaUS-gI5d5IuuA3k/s3488/Dericho%20Wind%20Storm%205-8-09%20-%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2616" data-original-width="3488" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFR7R-bksxUL5KEIZqgzT0lQrqCOeC0f2lXpkDs5GbbgCoy0vN5mbusJ_0FRM-_jQXYoQvdu7x7iVR9T-1CWmhNb0yqQ-dTVwzlZRHj_iJ5fBO_zH6RfhFgdRGQJJsuOFxcGvYXg4birmZw40Z6xwbD2k2Nu4LIlr8AWrMOzWWIaUS-gI5d5IuuA3k/w640-h480/Dericho%20Wind%20Storm%205-8-09%20-%205.jpg" width="640" /></a> </p><p>We had major damage, especially to large trees on the ridges. A striking feature is whether trees were broken trunks or uprooted, they all fell in exactly the same direction. There were over 60 trees downed that were 12" or greater in diameter. Younger trees with diameters less that 10" tended to survive the straight line winds, protected by their taller neighbors. It was difficult to walk through the forest and my chainsaw and tractor worked there for several years simply clearing the trails.<b> </b> <br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0f4WuATFPLzGan-1n7euPqvkjfNzY-mTl23pzzzbtzuMftmOQas4BcGCxradjkwgPOp2yeFqRu9PLD-iu0j9akDhguZUhqbh_tl9T-imfheEdDFEpzEjp9sNX0U6cIdxHlc3W6gqY-kZJqFdJEOwmoHszxDn8BLX3oBThpm2ND4ZqpX1XEtb4FbU/s3488/Dericho%20Wind%20Storm%205-8-09%20-%209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2616" data-original-width="3488" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0f4WuATFPLzGan-1n7euPqvkjfNzY-mTl23pzzzbtzuMftmOQas4BcGCxradjkwgPOp2yeFqRu9PLD-iu0j9akDhguZUhqbh_tl9T-imfheEdDFEpzEjp9sNX0U6cIdxHlc3W6gqY-kZJqFdJEOwmoHszxDn8BLX3oBThpm2ND4ZqpX1XEtb4FbU/w640-h480/Dericho%20Wind%20Storm%205-8-09%20-%209.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><u><span style="font-size: medium;">"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."</span></u></p><p>Five years later in 2014, I contacted Frances Main, our MDC forester, looking for some way of
using the downed wood. Most of it was a half mile up a rather steep
trail, a challenge to most vehicles. She got me in touch with Ed
Hultgren and a crew of volunteer wood cutters which does charity wood
harvests.<br />
<br />
They would donate their time to cut, split and deliver firewood to families that heat with wood but have neither the source or the financial
resources to obtain fuel at the present. They had been collecting our
downed wood now for several years. This year he and Steve Prine planned a big
charity harvest and coincidentally there was a sudden shortage of propane for heating throughout the area.</p><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcJtN50vRh5-bvkLpkJdrph7Ibn0Utb1ERYUMsku5eRuQHvh2ayOQBAiDfHo0JxlHmWMGgORQ3RQUaJvDDVGWgd-e8Wdg-GIPwpOntleDkX6FiL2pEcJgsRVnCvI0NfTNWYl1Lr8IglI/s1600/Charity+Firewood+Cut+-+43.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcJtN50vRh5-bvkLpkJdrph7Ibn0Utb1ERYUMsku5eRuQHvh2ayOQBAiDfHo0JxlHmWMGgORQ3RQUaJvDDVGWgd-e8Wdg-GIPwpOntleDkX6FiL2pEcJgsRVnCvI0NfTNWYl1Lr8IglI/s1600/Charity+Firewood+Cut+-+43.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young work horse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Saturday was the big day, with around 14 wood cutters arriving from
Cabool, Carthage, Arkansas, Mississippi, and four "Okies from Muskogee,"
many of whom were professional timbermen. I use the term Okies with the greatest respect as they were great guys, big, strong and especially because all of them were holding chainsaws<i>. </i>
They brought four powerful wood splitters, a UTV with a power dump
back, and an unbelievable collection of chain saws. Four of them
brought their kids who worked hard hauling wood to the splitters and
moving the split wood onto the six big trailers Ed had borrowed.<br />
<p></p><p>
</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mTl0XoTmjLco4cgm8kKIBwsc1UMP0D2CxbXby8XEBes5Nl1Deyqwwwsvir_UHsyO7GykqRWW_0p32wBfCxF7IK3vHhgEyBG4HaD_-7lO3eLMryAKhWBz6GOsTHg_mlgH3NKbsWJ7PoE/s1600/Charity+Firewood+Cut+-+59.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mTl0XoTmjLco4cgm8kKIBwsc1UMP0D2CxbXby8XEBes5Nl1Deyqwwwsvir_UHsyO7GykqRWW_0p32wBfCxF7IK3vHhgEyBG4HaD_-7lO3eLMryAKhWBz6GOsTHg_mlgH3NKbsWJ7PoE/s1600/Charity+Firewood+Cut+-+59.jpg" width="200" /></a>When Steve said he would bring a "collection of saws," Barb said he just
meant backup saws as "no one would collect chainsaws." Knowing "men
and boys and the price of their toys" in a world where Harbor Freight
acts as an adult Toys-R-Us, I respectfully disagreed. It turns out
that for once I was right. Steve alone has over 90, most of which are
operational. Almost everyone there collected chainsaws to some degree and all had
several brands on hand, both modern and historic, switching between
them just for fun.<br />
<br />
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGMHFrt9IR9EfqbejvPTYwsnqZsxxlhyDH8ELi3mG335NymL8koXgtk_T7mPYU0fHx5Fg3PLU7QJ3x3Pj-BpWAVzo-InKOJN05OcczJYC-mJYquAj5RvLanLwZHDvjt2AvTBi_7e1eow/s1600/Charity+Firewood+Cut+-+77.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGMHFrt9IR9EfqbejvPTYwsnqZsxxlhyDH8ELi3mG335NymL8koXgtk_T7mPYU0fHx5Fg3PLU7QJ3x3Pj-BpWAVzo-InKOJN05OcczJYC-mJYquAj5RvLanLwZHDvjt2AvTBi_7e1eow/s1600/Charity+Firewood+Cut+-+77.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A real man's chainsaw</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We had a lot of logs previously hauled out of the woods by tractor,
enough to keep them busy I thought. This backlog lasted until about 11
AM and from then on we were dragging logs out as crews plunged into the
woods with abandon. Several dead trees were felled, always leaving
lots standing as future housing for wildlife.<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
They harvested 7 huge trailers full of split firewood as well as other
large piles which would be loaded onto the trailers once they are
emptied. By late afternoon several loads had been delivered to
families which heat with wood but don't have the resources to obtain
wood or buy it. With a sudden shortage of propane, the timing couldn't
be better. For that reason, to my surprise, KY3 showed up to film the
event, arranged for by the organizers of the cut, Steve Prine and Ed
Hultgren.<br />
<p></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tXkj-qB-P9fmtNvJjJIz-B4hcaYzzoNp_efRBCNWmvEht8h6bqSgPBHQ4BeuM_ZyBp-tbBrV4wz3MyBp2E26GS4vi_qjNRxjqiPbwzMnACIvJpbaqgwjrPvwIjqRHOwaMAP_lhlpDfA/s1600/Charity+Firewood+Cut+-+66.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tXkj-qB-P9fmtNvJjJIz-B4hcaYzzoNp_efRBCNWmvEht8h6bqSgPBHQ4BeuM_ZyBp-tbBrV4wz3MyBp2E26GS4vi_qjNRxjqiPbwzMnACIvJpbaqgwjrPvwIjqRHOwaMAP_lhlpDfA/s1600/Charity+Firewood+Cut+-+66.jpg" width="200" /></a>Ordinarily
I enjoy running a chainsaw and cutting up logs but that Saturday my role was
as the greeter, photographer, and chief log-dragger using my tractor to
back into the woods and drag out logs to the cutters and splitters.
Besides, I was a little embarrassed displaying my "little" Stihl 260
saws which looked like they were made by Mattel compared to their
monsters.<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaSaATfyaMV5NKeb4v5FVxP7Cc6Q0YtklGMnXfj3brD2xevl6uoQcTmH5J_RMqJJ7lQIfCUQa5HpSFJHyiqi1r-9VPTrvfJDJBD8KOxPniUnpIMQ70EdyzvJdXrPnikkjlrrs_QJWiSs/s1600/Charity+Firewood+Cut+-+44.jpg" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade splitter</td></tr>
</tbody></table><p>The boys were cute and hard working, hauling cut logs that I would find
intimidating. Each had his dad's work ethic with a little mischief
thrown in. There were undoubtedly a lot of snoring kids headed toward
Muskogee and Cabool that night.<br />
<br />
By Tuesday morning, 8 loads had been delivered to families in need, and
the wood pictured below is some of the next loads which are being
scheduled. Ed's crews have delivered 693 pickup truck loads in the last
5 years as the program has grown and I can't guess at how many they
packaged that Saturday.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCfeBgjMNtqboyZqQtEr8657TFjmCL8C8VFSch159iHWF1-12I9mXhShi6J44lVXDAWJ2ryVPfhb3l75xbF3rVMR-67-Y2J2g6AnVOzmwzfupkQUWKO5CIHVN7Zc-s-PlMZ0qzV49_3I/s1600/P1110510.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCfeBgjMNtqboyZqQtEr8657TFjmCL8C8VFSch159iHWF1-12I9mXhShi6J44lVXDAWJ2ryVPfhb3l75xbF3rVMR-67-Y2J2g6AnVOzmwzfupkQUWKO5CIHVN7Zc-s-PlMZ0qzV49_3I/w200-h150/P1110510.jpg" width="200" /></a><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsdKFRuSJAADzK673pynE9ANbLqVOuly2-PHpPs5uaoMwuCIu5mjaNKyJF0Pqp39xj2Sf14Nx4ea3gHLp0Nz__utIzpegGZ3cEKnwFrKPOdY_0AzkfLfSlVlWAScnzcX-_qB59gCxLwo/s1600/P1110513.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsdKFRuSJAADzK673pynE9ANbLqVOuly2-PHpPs5uaoMwuCIu5mjaNKyJF0Pqp39xj2Sf14Nx4ea3gHLp0Nz__utIzpegGZ3cEKnwFrKPOdY_0AzkfLfSlVlWAScnzcX-_qB59gCxLwo/w200-h150/P1110513.jpg" width="200" /></a>You can see more on the 2014 firewood harvest in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7G1SWg9JxI">this KY3 video</a> news report. There is one error in the video- no firewood was sold, only delivered by volunteers to those in need.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5MLpRFre4dDiRJqwqqfICx4WqSU_lVMTXyeE2PIwP3htkpeUrDPa4VoqRfzymBhAUntJMV-V6nQZ2N510it4yMau93X-mIOPHNOU_uPgZ3OJivdceLvMgxoUygUMXGqqbXZvKFurhIw/s1600/P1110517.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5MLpRFre4dDiRJqwqqfICx4WqSU_lVMTXyeE2PIwP3htkpeUrDPa4VoqRfzymBhAUntJMV-V6nQZ2N510it4yMau93X-mIOPHNOU_uPgZ3OJivdceLvMgxoUygUMXGqqbXZvKFurhIw/w640-h480/P1110517.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is Drew Albert's personal <span style="font-size: small;">story </span>on the 2009 storm. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"I was home on a day off on Friday morning. I had worked an overnight shift the morning before. Because my sleep schedule was off, I got up at 5AM and watched this storm roll in. When I saw the wind reports at Joplin I filled the tub and large containers with water and moved the car to an open spot away from trees. <br /></div>We were lucky because our house sits in some lower terrain, we had no roof damage. All our neighbors had at least some. No power until sometime the next day. The bad news was three large trees fell and blocked our way out to the road. Chain saws came out, but it took until afternoon before we and our two neighbors could get out."</blockquote><p>If you didn't read Drew's Springfield Daily Citizen column on derechos and how they form at the start of this blog, here is the link again. <a href="Retired Springfield meteorologist Drew Albert offers a series of monthly columns on weather trends in the Ozarks.">SDC link</a>.</p><p>-----------------------------</p>More on the subject at these links from Drew. <br /><br />Good video from an eye witness: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SLEeVKrL-U">Derecho Tales - Logger Larry May survives tornado - YouTube</a><br />And an excellent article here: <a href="https://foresthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2013_Derecho_Vaughn.pdf">(foresthistory.org)</a><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><p></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-61496943430426960482023-04-13T13:34:00.002-07:002023-04-14T11:48:47.914-07:00Callery Cedar<div class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRLVK6YRpDZ0chFUicbWGgKIIEtzS9syQZ_9NXjpSpoBHICJ7YZPPyObHHr64rRYK63-lUZgkNV1uz69lV8LL5bH0v4oHU_iV_6YM1tdH52PjceXOGazujvE2Ce4HWjMDIW_auBqoWyI/s1600/P4050004.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRLVK6YRpDZ0chFUicbWGgKIIEtzS9syQZ_9NXjpSpoBHICJ7YZPPyObHHr64rRYK63-lUZgkNV1uz69lV8LL5bH0v4oHU_iV_6YM1tdH52PjceXOGazujvE2Ce4HWjMDIW_auBqoWyI/s640/P4050004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Note: This is an update to a blog story started in 2018 with a chance find of a callery pear tree growing out of a eastern red cedar.</b></div><div class="tr_bq"> </div><div class="tr_bq">2018: </div><div class="tr_bq">Barb called me a few weeks ago to tell me that she had found a Callery pear tree (think Bradford) next door that was growing out of the trunk of an eastern red cedar. I won't go on to say what I thought at the time as she edits this blog. As I trust her fully I only said, "Oh?"</div><div class="tr_bq"> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7IrltOGbcFh4xAAmGCj8IDX_teMt5R96CRA3jAxlq7_5iKZ_PSCWfhS8xy8GgxF5BpJGGmQkQRAuCc6fDaNYBaQ8A9zxvDQwBOAqVBKHecrjaWVgwgK1htSzkAP1vjjDG1fmL7aYAigc/s1600/P4050007.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7IrltOGbcFh4xAAmGCj8IDX_teMt5R96CRA3jAxlq7_5iKZ_PSCWfhS8xy8GgxF5BpJGGmQkQRAuCc6fDaNYBaQ8A9zxvDQwBOAqVBKHecrjaWVgwgK1htSzkAP1vjjDG1fmL7aYAigc/s640/P4050007.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pear above junction with the parent cedar.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I got home I went out to see it for myself. Indeed, there is a Callery pear tree, <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrus_calleryana">Pyrus calleryana</a>,</i> 2.5" in diameter emerging from the cedar's trunk three feet above the ground! It is healthy and happy, approximately 12' tall and in full bloom. The cedar appears healthy and is the same height as its mates along the line.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObJO3TA68miG959EO0zKwa9mwGtO6UUpKNwLE8AKLXqwAyr00A4whAd0zBhraYZDgPExlxYAVn9Njo6XTd8XVdLFSrAkmWc9LZ-fzWohdO8jjWYrKmky72gn7rQkQOat8YbOvOd1Foks/s1600/Callery+above+cedar+trim+scar+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObJO3TA68miG959EO0zKwa9mwGtO6UUpKNwLE8AKLXqwAyr00A4whAd0zBhraYZDgPExlxYAVn9Njo6XTd8XVdLFSrAkmWc9LZ-fzWohdO8jjWYrKmky72gn7rQkQOat8YbOvOd1Foks/s640/Callery+above+cedar+trim+scar+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar limb scar with Callery pear exiting above - <i>Click to enlarge</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3gwKlhrf8qYzo9C3DPJmmnk1rCHRFyozndYbufqk8VstKFFcn28bRSjnV1SWQCRsxv9o_HYos2wi-Wpeq4-QqqcKbNSY0CQfjzbrgsP2FXngnoKZJDR-4h-aXv73sK5Tj4FEGfZlsRk/s1600/P4050008.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3gwKlhrf8qYzo9C3DPJmmnk1rCHRFyozndYbufqk8VstKFFcn28bRSjnV1SWQCRsxv9o_HYos2wi-Wpeq4-QqqcKbNSY0CQfjzbrgsP2FXngnoKZJDR-4h-aXv73sK5Tj4FEGfZlsRk/s320/P4050008.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Base of pear - <i>Click to enlarge</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><p>Close up you can see that a branch was sawed off years ago. The Callery emerges from the top edge of the scar, which is 3" in diameter, on a 9" DBH (diameter at breast height) cedar. There is no visible opening to suggest a cavity where a seed might have fallen in the past. <br />
<br />
The first thought might be that it was
grafted. Bradford pears like all other flowering broad-leaf trees are
angiosperms and <a href="http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/2007-12/1197592003.Bt.r.html">can't be grafted onto gymnosperms</a> such as junipers and pines. (Technically, our "eastern red cedars" are not cedars, they are junipers, <i><a href="https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/eastern-red-cedar">Juniperus virginica</a>.)</i><br />
<br />
The
current consensus** of several forestry people is that some time in the past fifteen or so years a bird passed a seed onto the branch and it landed in a
crack in it. Perhaps the bird's feces provided it a little
nutrition and a break in the cedar bark allowed some water to collect.
A big question remains - does its roots extend to the ground or is it getting its nutrition from the cedar itself? I hope to protect it until someone can study its vascular connection to either the cedar or roots extending into the ground. Regardless of the details it certainly was a one in a million
occurrence.<br />
<br />
Callery pear trees <a href="https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article/57/11/956/234351">were brought to the US in 1916</a> from China to combat fire blight in the common fruit pear (<i>Pyrus communis</i>). Once they were found to be relatively resistant, 100 pounds of seeds were imported to develop a resistant genotype. Over the years more seeds from across China, Japan and Korea were collected and made available to nurseries.<br />
<br />
In 1952, the ornamental possibilities of one particular vigorous,
thornless tree were recognized, and cuttings of it were grafted onto <i>P. calleryana</i> seedlings. After 8 years of successful testing in nearby neighborhoods they were named "Bradford." They are unable to self-pollinate, therefore the trees, by themselves, couldn't set fruit. Their vigor was described by USDA plant explorer Frank Meyer in 1918 who had first collected the seeds. <br />
</p><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Pyrus calleryana</i> is simply a marvel. One finds it growing under
all sorts of conditions; one time on dry, sterile mountain slopes; then
again with its roots in standing water at the edge of a pond; sometimes
in open pine forest, then again among scrub on blue-stone ledges in the
burning sun; sometimes in low bamboo-jungle...and then again along the
course of a fast flowing mountain stream or on the occasionally
burned-over slope of a pebbly hill." </blockquote>
When a species is described as thriving in any condition, tolerating all enemies, and like Superman "able to leap over tall buildings in a single bound" you are describing an invasive species. Soon there were several cultivars produced across the country and when they were planted together as my dad would have said, "up jumped the devil."<br />
<br />
A cultivar with striking leaf color in Oregon became Autumn Blaze. Aristocrat, from seedlings growing at a nursery near Independence, Kentucky, had a strong central leader with horizontal branches
and an early pyramidal form, more sturdy that the somewhat fragile Bradford. Chanticleer, cloned from a street tree in Cleveland, Ohio, was named the 2005 Urban Tree of the Year by the Society of Municipal Arborists.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijU68ajhOy9RL_0ai_TEPQMr01AArycAC9QNWeaD4RQNtD_US93lH3_jn5GxBh8wN8nN2cq8feI9L03W7Wrq-MPVMYX4aarxSG03XRX4nkpHC700LVuayv2L5Wb5EHzr0I_4wiasWOM4A/s1600/P4050006.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijU68ajhOy9RL_0ai_TEPQMr01AArycAC9QNWeaD4RQNtD_US93lH3_jn5GxBh8wN8nN2cq8feI9L03W7Wrq-MPVMYX4aarxSG03XRX4nkpHC700LVuayv2L5Wb5EHzr0I_4wiasWOM4A/s320/P4050006.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Callery in a Cedar Tree" - <i>Click to enlarge</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This was all well and good as they weren't self-pollinating but soon innocent insect species began moving pollen between different cultivars planted a few hundred feet apart. Their offspring began creating their own hybrids that <u>could</u> reproduce. It was as though the individual varieties that had occurred natively in China had all moved into the same neighborhood and had a giant angiosperm orgy.<br /><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdk8v6j2N23aZesVAEICAVe1kWFXak-nMnnKacPZBdcjqKpRuv1At7-xoakjfcNKxUgkPEypTdjZY5-40sOi3VXD9kMruoEAs5t-tT6cT78O-a5J0fkBJnzc_j6QBuB5h2vxD1Ctnsg6E/s2048/P6090012.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdk8v6j2N23aZesVAEICAVe1kWFXak-nMnnKacPZBdcjqKpRuv1At7-xoakjfcNKxUgkPEypTdjZY5-40sOi3VXD9kMruoEAs5t-tT6cT78O-a5J0fkBJnzc_j6QBuB5h2vxD1Ctnsg6E/s320/P6090012.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>3 new branches 2020 - Click to enlarge</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>I would nominate Callery pears as our most invasive plant species, pending the discovery of garlic mustard growing on the back of a zebra mussel. I am proposing naming this Callery/cedar tree shown above, <i>Juniperus calleryana var. Barbarae,</i> in honor of the discoverer. <br />
==========<br />
</p><p></p><p> </p><p><u>Update 2020</u></p><p></p><p><br />Now two years later there are three branches growing out the other side of the trunk as well. The cedar is otherwise healthy looking.</p><p><span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqECpoH0CUMF1zTGWYmNk9x8t1RoW085kKQPSlrJPjJsIYrhzdMMQSrz1LoSVPmNNGyY2PW4smuGSMeTOiot21lrqYBC4vYlp66hJ6_2bNuatZooAEcGP1WtOSfvydkfYw722QJLhK-lA/s2048/Callery+Shoot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1305" data-original-width="2048" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqECpoH0CUMF1zTGWYmNk9x8t1RoW085kKQPSlrJPjJsIYrhzdMMQSrz1LoSVPmNNGyY2PW4smuGSMeTOiot21lrqYBC4vYlp66hJ6_2bNuatZooAEcGP1WtOSfvydkfYw722QJLhK-lA/w640-h408/Callery+Shoot.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>New Callery growth 12" from the cedar base</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span>Update September 2021 </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1-Wa9mpjxhTZJ9mq0BXt0FbXVqVlBGeOJSfkPtauSmli90jCx-w25wx6Fj9lX625PLz4cLLO7OBRz_BoKk4YRADZPcweC-IeTs9n5YNnIjyAQzmlmak8H5OOGS2Z6DlyK8bbo69padA/s2048/Callary+Cedar+2021.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1-Wa9mpjxhTZJ9mq0BXt0FbXVqVlBGeOJSfkPtauSmli90jCx-w25wx6Fj9lX625PLz4cLLO7OBRz_BoKk4YRADZPcweC-IeTs9n5YNnIjyAQzmlmak8H5OOGS2Z6DlyK8bbo69padA/w300-h400/Callary+Cedar+2021.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New growth -<i>Click to enlarge<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span>Continued growth of all the original branches (red arrow) with two new small branches growing out of the bottom two feet of trunk on the other side. Also, a new growth with leaves coming out of the soil one foot from the base of the tree (lower right arrow). While that could be a separate seedling there aren't any others in the surrounding area. This would seem to settle the question of nutrition as the Callery now has roots in the ground through the cedar trunk!</span></p><p><span>There are now 26 cultivars of Callery pears. Twelve of these are currently being sold. The Missouri Invasive Plant Council will be making an effort to cease the sale. <br /></span></p><p></p><p><span>======================== </span><br /><u>Update-- April 10, 2023</u><br /><br />This report is from a site visit by Dr. James Guldin.* <br /></p><p>"That Callery pear growing from a knothole in the eastern red cedar is a fine demonstration of adaptive physiology on the part of the pear. It takes some imagination to describe how the pear can coexist with the red cedar. It also takes some thought to account for how the pear tree gets enough nutrients and water to develop into a 3” diameter stem growing out of that knothole in the red cedar that is 4 ft above the ground. <br /><br />The availability of nutrients is the easier question. When rain flows down the stem of a tree, the water in the stem flow is enriched by nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and the micro-nutrients that a tree needs to survive, no doubt by leaching those nutrients from the bark. That flow of nutrient-enriched rainwater down the stem of the red cedar finds its way into the holes, nooks, and crannies into the dark interior of the host tree. The roots of the pear got their start in those nooks and crannies, and by now have developed to utilize the macro- and micro-nutrients that the pear needs to grow. <br /><br />But to me, the availability of water is the larger question. How do the twigs of a Callery pear stem look vigorous today, and flowering today, without any apparent contact with the ground to provide the water that the above ground stem needs to grow and thrive? There are two possible answers. <br /><br />One, the roots of the Callery pear are also 3-4 feet above the ground, embedded in the decayed core of the red cedar, and the stem flow of water into the nooks and crannies into the punky decayed core of the red-cedar may provide all the water the pear stem requires. In the spring, I can buy into that hypothesis. But in the summer, even the decayed wood in the red cedar will become dry as dust, and I doubt the stem of the pear could drink up the water it needs on a daily basis from dry punky rotten wood. The stem would have died before we saw it today. <br /><br />Two, more likely I think, is this—the roots of the Callery pear have wiggled, writhed, slithered, and otherwise grown downward through the decayed center of the decayed stem of the red cedar into the soil, below the root collar of the red cedar. If this is the case, the pear would be able to suck up the water it needs from the soil below and around its red cedar nurse tree. It might even continue to grow and thrive into, well, maybe a 3” diameter stem that’s flowering and showing twig elongation—as this stem is doing. <br /><br />If this tree is ever cut for some residential purpose, a close look at the stem analysis would show whether the roots of the pear have made grown into the soil at the bottom of the stem of the red cedar." </p><p>Dr. James Guldin is a recently retired forest scientist (University of Arkansas and US Forest service). He serves on the board of the <a href="https://ladfoundation.org/">L-A-D Foundation</a>.<br />=============<br /></p><p>Callery pears and their 'Bradford' kin are now spreading wild and are
considered possibly the greatest invasive plant species threat in
Missouri. In the words of Nathan Muenks* of MDC:<i> </i><br />
</p><blockquote>
"It’s difficult to truly determine which invasive species is most
impactful, but Callery pear sure ranks up there with bush honeysuckle,
sericea lespedeza, spotted knapweed, feral hogs and a few others. The
reason being that it I would consider it an “ecosystem changer.” Given
its ability to invade many of Missouri’s habitat types (whether open or
wooded) and the fact that it forms such dense thickets, it has the
ability to drastically out-compete native flora and drive away native
fauna by creating unusable space for them. It not only grows dense, it
also grows quickly. In addition, it’s a tree, vs. bush honeysuckle and
others, so it can tower into the upper mid-story – what hope do our
native, slower growing trees have in competing for resources and
regenerating our native forests and woodlands?<br />
<br />
There is no doubt bush honeysuckle and other invasives are much more
widely distributed and affecting more natural communities at this time,
but there is a strong fear that Callery pear is on a very similar
trajectory. While in St. Louis yesterday, I noticed that bush
honeysuckle and Callery pear tended to do just fine growing together,
with honeysuckle dominating the low under-story and the Callery pear
towering above it – SCARY! Is this the future of Missouri’s landscape?
It could very well be if we don’t halt the invasion and join in this
fight together!"</blockquote><p>*Nathan Muenks is the Habitat Management Coordinator with the Missouri
Department of Conservation. This includes coordinating the Department’s
terrestrial invasive species management efforts. <br /></p><p><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #202124; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-68631754848893621052023-04-04T15:37:00.001-07:002023-04-04T15:37:55.163-07:00Dragonhunter<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobggNfzvfiLLu1vii72VO1Lr7FdPqPkA4CODgiSQlV-iJ_vfEdp_v_rAkxvTebjD7-W26LdgvbfGsAuOht4hZf4Y17J_5I-zMg79wU2_bEEt_kG6qMgs_ITGphdPrQqojo0Ips7A0KHKe7iJRZ9MNoZUWdc91cDtg1sbJgNqh82e6r-RAA2qutT8b/s1487/image0.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="1487" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobggNfzvfiLLu1vii72VO1Lr7FdPqPkA4CODgiSQlV-iJ_vfEdp_v_rAkxvTebjD7-W26LdgvbfGsAuOht4hZf4Y17J_5I-zMg79wU2_bEEt_kG6qMgs_ITGphdPrQqojo0Ips7A0KHKe7iJRZ9MNoZUWdc91cDtg1sbJgNqh82e6r-RAA2qutT8b/w640-h450/image0.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Gala Keller sent us this photograph of a huge dragonhunter larva she found on their stream. It was left "high and dry" on their creek path when the flood water receded. This <a href="https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/dragonfly-larvae">MDC Field Guide</a> has lots of information on dragonfly larvae but lets look at a few of the highlights.<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClvzqIAEKPVJJ5pjs47HMD15iqAYjkECARISrCkNsNZpqH8g4J7J7l6Rmfwe9ucUQRlf8Bp8lZxg4qcg_P4aGpr37AJFUrcdbMVF3_9Jp9cK8WSC3uJi_C9EPUOcjPAEobxg7xtc4ImsTSwop71y49Eq9dpBcN62U7Iu6xWPRgJHWtya7SOHl5W12/s1773/Dragonhunter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1489" data-original-width="1773" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClvzqIAEKPVJJ5pjs47HMD15iqAYjkECARISrCkNsNZpqH8g4J7J7l6Rmfwe9ucUQRlf8Bp8lZxg4qcg_P4aGpr37AJFUrcdbMVF3_9Jp9cK8WSC3uJi_C9EPUOcjPAEobxg7xtc4ImsTSwop71y49Eq9dpBcN62U7Iu6xWPRgJHWtya7SOHl5W12/w640-h538/Dragonhunter.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult dragonhunter - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonhunter#/media/File:Dragonhunter.jpg">Donald Lake on Wikimedia</a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The dragonhunter, <i>Hagenius brevistylus,</i> is the largest of the clubtail dragonflies in the US<i> </i>and the only member of that genus. Adults feed on large insects including other dragonflies and darners. They are known to feed on monarch butterflies, eating the thorax and abdomen first to avoid the greatest concentration of the toxins acquired from feeding on milkweeds. <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dnswIE0L0qfIJ5_MGy6x1y0-0kXb4jBoG6mzUqNPuSSZ51j_4jKNeGMHeMo6aNw3sZq3p_9_1joRYnHnGtjgh2Hf5_J-f1xmG5IeLvnQAvmQgAs6J0VO-qHRzM6Uz8gMYlAA29RmZKe4VGPMT8e-XgPFmORlZE_m-kZtDCMSZUuptI4Wbhn4-Zo3/s643/Dragonfly_Larva_2-22-16.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="643" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dnswIE0L0qfIJ5_MGy6x1y0-0kXb4jBoG6mzUqNPuSSZ51j_4jKNeGMHeMo6aNw3sZq3p_9_1joRYnHnGtjgh2Hf5_J-f1xmG5IeLvnQAvmQgAs6J0VO-qHRzM6Uz8gMYlAA29RmZKe4VGPMT8e-XgPFmORlZE_m-kZtDCMSZUuptI4Wbhn4-Zo3/w640-h498/Dragonfly_Larva_2-22-16.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical dragonfly nymph - MDC<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Now about dragonfly larvae aka nymphs in general, and a few "fun facts."<i> Note to self- spending too much time talking with 5th grade WOLF Students!</i><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The larvae are all aquatic and live in the stream bed until they molt into flying adults.</li><li>They are ambush predators of small aquatic animals, using their lower scoop like jaw which covers most of the bottom part of their heads.</li><li>They have a chunky body with large eyes.</li><li>"Gills are located inside the rectum (unlike those of damselflies, which
extend from the hind end like 3 leaf like tails). They breathe by drawing
water in and out of their hind end. <i>talk about bad breath! </i>By forcefully expelling this water,
the animal can also move quickly in a form of jet propulsion." You can see it "exhale" at the last of this video by our own Linda Bower. <i>Now wasn't that fun? <br /></i></li><li><i> </i>The nymphs undergo several molts which can occur over several years. They finally crawl out of the water to a safe place, shed their skin, and emerge as a
young adult. In the next days or week, they complete their maturation.</li></ul><p>For more on Dragonfly and damselfly action check out our Linda Bower's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0vgJUW82ZU&list=PLzr0J2sWC1QjGkKF_-_uyxnzb9BLYl3rJ&index=3">Nature in Motion videos</a>. <br /></p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033159277395959069.post-30717747390046244132023-04-01T09:13:00.002-07:002023-04-01T09:20:55.213-07:00Backyard Heron<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8n5jYmEB4YTty4mCGmaW_Na69SYMNWXl0ouRHL4hcqQaz48ei7iEBW3oMx0wDmc2Q2wsVijr4xnX6-KlhmA0eJKCmoZax7eTk1y3zYDO6ybYTtTqIxKrgsTiPn2P0GehsEnksbxjGI4REDl2_MwUId2sWIZj_b-mD0ar195ILk536bW6Lim2yuV3P/s4032/20230330_120053.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8n5jYmEB4YTty4mCGmaW_Na69SYMNWXl0ouRHL4hcqQaz48ei7iEBW3oMx0wDmc2Q2wsVijr4xnX6-KlhmA0eJKCmoZax7eTk1y3zYDO6ybYTtTqIxKrgsTiPn2P0GehsEnksbxjGI4REDl2_MwUId2sWIZj_b-mD0ar195ILk536bW6Lim2yuV3P/s320/20230330_120053.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Our fellow Master Naturalist Jean Parker sent us this story of a blue heron in her backyard.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>_____________________________________ <br /></b></span></p><p></p><p>I saw a blue heron in my backyard today. He was at my pond. Again! Last year he emptied my pond of 13 fish, including some 5-7 inch ones! He did it all in ONE afternoon when I was out. I did some research back then and found they LOVE backyard ponds. Makes their job so much easier...like shooting fish in a barrel... <br /> </p><p>I live in the middle of a suburb and find it curious that this huge bird flies our city skies. </p><p><br /> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzscB2cxLa5mSOpP6Wvs4xKS-TaMvyCsrhg2ohhKNe-NJ1IrCRs87osimDgOzJemdR8wqRrHL69PaXwWDrU_khdNpm9xUQlOf5pyy6X8lQ5ewn9-0YBoRK8g5vtrdscvzK1ZiinovkTRff2E5-75GLPve7nUikRV2jOn_JB1OYhAnyqhcKCFQ_iWge/s2844/20230330_120119.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzscB2cxLa5mSOpP6Wvs4xKS-TaMvyCsrhg2ohhKNe-NJ1IrCRs87osimDgOzJemdR8wqRrHL69PaXwWDrU_khdNpm9xUQlOf5pyy6X8lQ5ewn9-0YBoRK8g5vtrdscvzK1ZiinovkTRff2E5-75GLPve7nUikRV2jOn_JB1OYhAnyqhcKCFQ_iWge/w251-h400/20230330_120119.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jean's pond<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p> </p><p>I restocked the pond and placed some old netting I had over the pond. No more fatalities! But he returns without fail, just in case. This time I shooshed him away and he flew to the top of my shed and stayed there for about half an hour. No matter what I did he ignored me. He knew my feeble earthbound limits. <br /> <br />Their feeding habits are described in <a href="http://abcbirds.org">abcbirds.org</a>: <br /><br />"The Great Blue Heron will eat whatever it can catch with its formidable bill: fish, crustaceans, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, and birds — especially ducklings. It usually forages alone, locating food by sight. Once a Great Blue Heron spots a meal, it strikes quickly, straightening its long, powerful neck and grabbing its quarry with its spear-like bill, then swallowing it whole. Excellent night vision allows this versatile wading bird to hunt in darkness as well as in daylight." <br /><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Stj7W0SRd6fnhLBvs4DDua2GE39y3LVeSzOYfFUZzAR1phPoRCULXce0aFCUM_oXhDi_RYgmmT2MoFsfaJyDLOQGAwAa_Xf3lY9-At8DUpdyncPpzB9_mrKfYiL-wuH4tKFP-zySVhG_HFlmrBXOst2TKTnnKKSeRw1d3xGybpI7EphLu68fglrN/s1000/080502_gb%20heron%20&%20rodent_5837-proj%20Motto.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Stj7W0SRd6fnhLBvs4DDua2GE39y3LVeSzOYfFUZzAR1phPoRCULXce0aFCUM_oXhDi_RYgmmT2MoFsfaJyDLOQGAwAa_Xf3lY9-At8DUpdyncPpzB9_mrKfYiL-wuH4tKFP-zySVhG_HFlmrBXOst2TKTnnKKSeRw1d3xGybpI7EphLu68fglrN/s320/080502_gb%20heron%20&%20rodent_5837-proj%20Motto.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a fish! - Joe Motto<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>According to North American Native tradition, the Blue Heron brings messages of self-determination and self-reliance. They represent an ability to progress and evolve. The long thin legs of the heron reflect that an individual doesn't need great massive pillars to remain stable, but must be able to stand on one's own.<br /> <br /><b>Editor's note:</b><br />The description of GBH feeding is right on. Some years ago I pulled up to our Bull Creek crossing and saw a great blue heron at the end of our swimming hole. I rolled down the truck window, zoomed in with my telephoto, and snapped five quick shots. I was surprised with my luck capturing <a href=" https://youtu.be/Ej0irKj6R9Y">this series</a>. <br /><br />Regarding their broad range of food choices, my bird photographer friend Joe Motto captured the one above choosing a red meat diet. Swallowed whole, that must have been one interesting poop! <br /> </p>Bob and Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734648003161032938noreply@blogger.com