nature | Uconnladybug's Blog

April 25, 2024

Vernal Pools

Posted by uconnladybug under Amphibians, Animals, Environment, Nature, Nature Oddities, Wildlife | Tags: American toad, Amphibians, eft, eggs of amphibians, frogs, nature, polliwogs, red-spotted newt, salamanders, spotted salamander, spring, tadpoles, vernal pools, water insects, wildlife, wood frogs, woodland pools |
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It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see

–Henry David Thoreau

Vernal pools are unique wetlands that have a cycle of flooding and drying every year. They can occur in woodlands, open areas, swamps and even fields or other places where a depression allows water to collect over winter and spring and which will then dry out by late summer. Because we had record rainfall last year and, in the winter, many vernal pools retained water all year. Fish do not occupy these pools, but many creatures that are temporarily water dependent can be found in them.

Vernal pool April 2024- overflowing banks due to high water level

Vernal pools are rich breeding areas for many amphibians which begin their lives in fresh water. Salamanders, wood frogs, American toads, newts, and to some extent, spring peepers need to complete at least the early stages of their life cycle in the pools before reaching adulthood or a terrestrial stage. The same applies to many insects which are dependent upon still water for nymph or larva to develop. Frogs and other creatures developing in vernal pools must develop from tadpoles or nymph stages with gills in time to reach their terrestrial stage before the pools dry up.

Most amphibians that spend their early life stages in vernal pools are generally found in the surrounding woodlands not more than 600 yards away in their terrestrial stage. Many adults return to the same pool to breed the next year.

Very small salamnder found near a vernal pool

Wood frogs are among the first breeding animals to arrive at the vernal pool. Wood frogs lay eggs prolifically in vernal pools. The egg masses of wood frogs are usually attached to vegetation near the surface of the water and may almost cover the surface of the pool if wood frogs are in abundance. They can survive in pools that dry up by August as the tadpole stage typically is completed by mid- June to mid-July in Connecticut.

Salamanders can also be found in and near vernal pools. The spotted salamander develops from eggs masses that are within a clear or milky gelatinous cover. This helps to distinguish these eggs from those of any frog species. The aquatic form of this salamander can sometimes be mistaken for polliwogs by the casual observer. Their development into the terrestrial stage is faster the warmer the water is. After they move to land, they are seldom seen as they are of a nocturnal habit, dwelling in hardwood forests and swamps. This salamander depends upon vernal pools or wetlands where no fish are found that would feed on the eggs and larvae.

Clear gelatinous material coering spotted salamander egg mass

Milky gelatinous coating of spotted salamander eggs

Gilled stage of the spotted salamnder is similar to a tadpole

American toads lay their eggs in strings that float under the water. They are held together by a clear jelly- like material. Egg masses of the gray treefrog Hyla versicolor are loosely attached to vegetation at the water surface, and these masses do not have the gelatinous coating like those of the spotted salamander. Experience is needed to correctly identify amphibian eggs. Return trips to the vernal pools can help track the embryo development and to distinguish whether it is a tadpole or something else.

Eft forms of newts, such as the red- spotted newt, can spend their first spring in a vernal pool, then develop into a terrestrial stage where they will remain for several years. They then return to water as a gilled breeding newt. Red spotted newt efts may get discombobulated after a summer rain and end up in the lawn while hunting for arthropods.

Many insects also develop in vernal pools- caddisflies, dragonflies and damselflies, water striders, fairy shrimp, the notorious mosquitoes, predaceous diving beetles, water scavenger beetles, springtails, water boatmen. Midges, backswimmers, and many others. Caddisfly larvae will feed on salamander eggs. Damselfly and dragonfly nymphs eat lots of mosquito larvae and other arthropods.

Vernal pools are adversely affected by loss of trees or tree canopies around them, changes in water flow, and drought. Loss of trees that shade them results in increased evaporation of water as more sunlight can hit the water surface. Other naturally occurring changes in the water table and surface water flow can affect vernal pools, such as extended drought or even flooding.

Development that results in the filling of vernal pools is a very real threat. Sometimes they can be destroyed directly, or the land nearby can be altered which can affect the places where amphibians live when out of the water. Construction may take place late in summer where the pools have dried up and may not have been marked as a wetland to be careful of. With all that can go wrong, though, vernal pools can exist for decades in the same place if they and the land around them are undisturbed.

This vernal pool never dried up from spring 2023 through April 2024 dbecuase of record rainfall

As the pools dry up there will still be a lot going on around them. Sifting among leaf litter and looking under logs near vernal pools can be a landmine for salamander and newt hunters. Be aware that snakes can often be found lurking near the water awaiting any prey that can be found near the water. Have a look and see, as John Muir has experienced-“ In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”

Sneaky little snake near a vernal pool in late March

Ice patterns on the surface of a vernal pool made by cross winds after a sudden freeze during the warm winter of 2024

Pamm Cooper

March 14, 2024

March and April Flowers for Pollinators

Posted by uconnladybug under Bees, bulbs, Environment, Flowering bulbs, Garden Related Activities, Gardening, Moths, Native shrubs, Nature, Perennials, Plants, Pollinators, Shade plants, trees, Wildflowers | Tags: Bees, bloodroot, bluets wildflower, Gardening, japanese andromeda, native bees, Native plants, nature, Pieris, pollen, Pollinators, red maple flowers, Redbud, round lobed hepatica, skunk cabbage, Trailing arbutus, trillium, twinleaf |
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Native Eastern redbud *Cercis canadensis* flowers before leaves appear in early spring

Daffodils,
That come before the swallow dares, and take
The winds of March with beauty.”
— William Shakespeare

In late March there are signs that spring is here. Snow is usually gone, and although no leaves have appeared on our deciduous trees and shrubs, there may be flowers that will provide early bees with their first meal of the year. Red maples bloom early and provide food for many pollinators like flies, bees and beetles that are just emerging in the spring. While some native plants flowering coincides with native bee activity, there are also non- native plants that can be of great value to early pollinators.

Skunk cabbages produce heat and appear through the snow in February

Skunk cabbages are our first native bloomers. They can arise in wetlands when snow still covers the ground. Honeybees, native bees, some moths and flies visit these putrid flowers as early as late February and then into March.

One of the first harbingers of spring is the appearance of native Colletes inaequalis ground-nesting bees which can be seen visiting the first flowers of spring. Look for them on native and non- native ornamental willow flowers in late March, and soon after that on native bloodroot.

Non-native Japanese andromeda shrubs, Pieris japonica, can bloom as early as late February and can be an important food source for bees that appear before native willows bloom. There are many varieties, some tall and others more compact and they may have white, red or bicolored, drooping, urnlike flowers. They do best in sunny locations with afternoon shade.

Red flower variety of Japanese andromeda

Native bloodroot can form small colonies on sunny woodland edges, and their bright white flowers are often the highlight of the still monochromatic landscape. Flowers open on sunny days and close by night.

Common bluets, commonly called Quaker ladies Houstonia caerulea, are small, blue native wildflowers with four petals and a distinctive yellow center. Many bee species, butterflies and syrphid and other flies visit these low- growing plants for nectar and pollen. They can appear as early as late March, depending upon the temperatures. Flowering can last into early July.

Native red or purple trillium Trillium erectum appears a little after bloodroot, and supports certain moths, bees and flies. Look for it in dry woodland areas with highly acidic soils where there is some sun, especially where there are mountain laurels. It often is found where there are ramps and bloodroot.

Trailing arbutus and round- lobed hepatica are native wildflowers of open woodlands. They are uncommon, or perhaps seem so because they are found in very small areas with specific soil and other site conditions. Pollinators are flies and specialist native bees.

Native twinleaf Jeffersonia diphylla produces its bloodroot-like white flowers as early as March and as late as June. A single flower arises on a leafless stalk above the peculiar joined leaves that resemble wings. These flowers attract bees, especially specialized foragers.

Currants, especially the extremely fragrant clove currant, plus josta berry, a cross between currant and gooseberry, are favorites of bumblebees and other native bees. The clove currant fragrance must be what the island of Zanzibar smalls like as travellers approach it by boat.

Dwarf ginseng Panax trifolius L. is a native woodland wildflower that is only 4-8 inches tall. The airy cluster of small flowers appear in early to late spring and since plants grow in the duff of woodlands, the flower heads, although very small, can help find these little plants.

Among the non-native flowering shrubs that support native pollinators is the Rhododendron mucronulatum ‘Cornell Pink’. This plant blooms in early April before the leaves appear. Many native bees including Osmia spp., Colletes inaequalis and Bombus spp. and wasps visit the flowers. Cornus mas, or Cornelian cherry, is a non-native shrub or small tree whose flowers line the branches before the leaves appear.

“Cornell Pink’ *Rhododendron muconulatum*

Ornamental plants like violas and pansies also attract spring pollinators, and dandelions have a great pollen source for spring and summer bees alike.

Native Amelanchier, also called shadbush and serviceberry blooms in April and attracts many bees and other pollinators. Its delicate racems of white flowers can be profuse and stand out as leaves are not fully expanded. Many specialized bees are supported by this small tree or multithemed shrub.

Star magnolias, Magnolia stellata, bloom in April before leaves are out. These trees support many pollinator species and butterflies like spring azures and tiger swallowtails that are out in early spring.

There are many other plants for pollinators in early spring- daffodils, crocus, currants to name a few. As I hike around at this time of year, I take note of which flowers the most pollinators are attracted to, and I may decide to add some of these to my own gardens. I also stop to enjoy all the new colors and textures coming into the landscape. I appreciate Algernon Charles Swinburne’s comment-

“Blossom by blossom the spring begins.”

Pamm Cooper

January 28, 2024

Bonsai for Beginners

Posted by uconnladybug under Bonsai, Horticultural Advice, Houseplants, Pruning | Tags: Beginner Tips, Bonsai, Gardening, Indoor Plants, nature, Potted Plants, pruning |
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As the winter weather intensifies this season and outdoor gardening tasks come to a close, you may be wanting to turn your attention indoors, to where you can care for plants in the warmth of your own home. Raising a bonsai tree is the perfect indoor hobby for anyone who enjoys connecting with nature or creative expression, and a great way to exercise your green thumb during the winter months. Since starting my first bonsai tree about a year ago, I have come to love the patience and calmness that this activity brings me. I hope to pass along some of the gardening tips I’ve learned, as well as motivation for anyone else interested in beginning a bonsai journey of their own.

So, what exactly is bonsai gardening? A bonsai plant can be any species of tree which is grown in a shallow container, and shaped to produce the miniature version of a tree in nature. Bonsai is a Japanese art form which was derived from ancient Chinese practices and influenced by Buddhist philosophy. The practice of bonsai is enjoyed by gardeners all over the world today, as a challenge to one’s skills and artistry and a symbol of peace and balance in nature. While some professionals take years to master the practice, anyone can get started as a beginner in bonsai and experiment with what the art form means to you.

Some impressive examples of bonsai art. Images from Wikimedia Commons.

For beginners looking to get started quickly with bonsai, buying nursery stock from a local nursery or bonsai shop is a simple way to achieve a successful tree. These young plants can be grown and shaped right away to start practicing with bonsai care. The professionals at a nursery or bonsai shop can also be a great resource for tips and advice to help beginners. Bonsai trees come in many different varieties, so it is important to choose which species is best for you and your environment. If you’re planning to grow a bonsai indoors, look for a sub-tropical tree species such as Ficus or Jade. For outdoor bonsai, some popular species are Juniper bonsai and Chinese elm.

An equally important decision to start your bonsai is selecting the right pot for planting. Traditional bonsai pots are wide and shallow, with holes for drainage and wiring to keep the tree in place. They are commonly made out of ceramic and come in a variety of colors and designs to suit your aesthetic. Bonsai trees also require the right soil mix for proper health and moisture. Look for a soil made for bonsai with the right mix of akadama, pumice, and lava rock for your tree species.

Now that you know how to start growing your own bonsai tree, let’s get into some basic plant care tips to keep in mind when practicing the art of bonsai. The first and most important step in bonsai care is watering. It’s best to water your tree as needed when you notice the soil is slightly dry, rather than sticking to a strict schedule. I like to water my miniature jade bonsai by submerging it in a container filled with water until the roots are fully soaked, then letting the excess water drain from the pot.

Another helpful tip to keep your bonsai healthy is fertilizing the soil regularly. Because bonsai trees are confined to small pots, it is important to replenish those soil nutrients for a happy bonsai tree. I use a fertilizer specific to tropical bonsai which can be found at a bonsai nursery, and apply a spoonful around the edges of the pot about once a month before watering. Be sure to follow the instructions listed on your bonsai fertilizer for proper use.

A crucial element to the practice of bonsai is pruning and shaping your tree to achieve that signature bonsai look. The way you choose to prune your tree can vary depending on the species and desired shape, but it may take some time to experiment with which techniques you like best. To me, the learning process of pruning is very therapeutic and one of the most fun aspects to growing a bonsai. There are plenty of online resources you can go to for help and inspiration in establishing your bonsai design. In general, here are some guidelines to follow when deciding how to shape your tree:

● A good time to prune your bonsai is about every 2 months when new growth is forming

● Use your fingers to pinch off unwanted leaves from your tree

● Use sharp bonsai scissors to trim or remove certain branches, including those that are too long, dead, crossing, growing upwards, or blocking the view of your tree’s design

● Make your branch cuts close to the main stem/trunk to help incision wounds heal quickly, but be careful to not damage the trunk

● Removing no more than 1/3 of your plant’s foliage will keep it healthy while promoting growth

● Consider the use of bonsai wiring to train and shape tree branches to fit your design. This step should be done with care to avoid damaging your bonsai.

Growing an indoor bonsai tree during the wintertime is a perfect way to bring life and color to your home, and with a bit of patience and care I hope you too will find this commitment to be very rewarding!

Laurel Humphrey, UConn Plant Diagnostic Lab

January 16, 2024

A Glimpse of Some Connecticut Lichens

Posted by uconnladybug under Environment, Fungi, hiking, Lichen, Nature, Nature Oddities | Tags: British soldier lichens, Caloplaca, cinder lichen, Cladonia, Cladonia lichens, Eastern candlewax lichen, firedot lichen, foliose lichens, fruticose lichens, goldspeck lichen, goldspeck lichens, Lichen, lichen covered bird nest, lichen disks, lichen-ecology, Lichens, lichens on plastic fence, nature, Photography, pink earth lichen, pixie cup lichens, Reindeer lichens, rim lichens, rock lichens, rock tripe lichen, toadskin lichen |
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Pink balls on a stalk- the apothecia (fruiting bodies) of the pink earth lichen *Dibaeis baeomyces*

“There is a low mist in the woods—
It is a good day to study lichens.”
― Henry David Thoreau

Most of the lichens in this blog will be those found on rocks and on the ground because right now they are the most interesting to me. Some are displaying interesting and colorful fruiting bodies now even though it is January, perhaps because of the warm weather an wet conditions.

Lichens are organisms whose general structure consists of layers of alga and a fungus. These symbiotic partners have different functions. The green alga (and sometimes a cyanobacteria as well) is the photosynthetic partner (photobiont) and is also the food factory of the lichen. The fungus provides an anchor to a substrate and provides reproductive capability through spore production. The composite body of the lichen is called the thallus.

These disks contain the fungal spores of this lichen

Lichens have distinct color variations when wet or dry. The color when dry is the color of the particular fungal component of that lichen. When wet, the fungal cells become transparent and the color of the algae beneath them can be seen, usually in variations of green.

These rock tripe lichens (*Umbilicaria sp) .*look a little green after a rain

The three most common lichen types are fruticose, foliose and crustose. Each has a distinctive appearance and structure. Squamulose lichens combine both the foliose and crustose thallus forms.

Fruticose lichens have a lobed thallus and appear leaf-like. They have an upper and lower layer. They can look like small shrubs as they may have branching. Some have a podetial, which are stalks, and these will produce fruiting bodies on their tops. Examples of this type of lichen include the British soldier lichen, reindeer lichens and the pixie-cup lichen.

Foliose lichens have a three-dimensional thallus with upright structures or a pendulous habit. They often have a leafy appearance. Rock tripe is a good example of a foliose lichen.

Foliose toadskin lichen *Lasillia papulosa* on a rock cliff

Thes foliose lichens on a tree branch appeared as sunlight became more available when the tree crown thinned out due to a loss of branches above.

Crustose lichens have a one- dimensional crust-like thallus. The lower surface adheres firmly to the substrate which is usually rocks or tree trunks and branches, so they are difficult to remove from whatever they are growing on. Some crustose lichens look like painted bands on tree trunks.

Crustose cinder lichen *Aspicilia cinerea* on sileceous rock in full sun

Spores are produced in a structure called an apotheciuim which may be a disk or cupped body with. asci on the exposed flat or concave surface. In pixie cup lichens, the apothecia appear on the edges of structures that look likelook like tiny goblets, Apothecia of other lichens resemble tiny balls on stalks. The most common forms are disks.

Pixie cup lichens have structures that look like tiny goblets

Spores from a lichen need to connect with the same cyanobacteria/algal partner of the original organism. Some lichens can replicate through breakage where both the fungal element and the photobiont element remain together. In many cases, mat-forming ground lichens can reproduce through breakage easier than lichens found on trees and rocks.

Reindeer lichens covering the ground and an exposed rock

Rim lichens, genus Lecanora are crusticose lichens named from two Greek words for small bowl and beauty. They are found on rocks or trees and the body (thallus) is granular like sugar. Disks are variant in color. Before the disks open, they look like small blobs.

Eastern candlewax *Ahtiana aurescens* surrounded by a *Lecanora sp*. rim lichen on a dead branch

Apothecia of this rim lichen, possibly bumpy rim-lichen *Lecanora hybocarpa*, are starting to open into disks

The best new lichen I found this January was the pink earth lichen Dibaeis baeomyces. They are found on disturbed soils like sand or clay with full sun, and can they cover the ground over time. The ones I found covered an area of 20 square feet on a power line right-of-way.

Crustose pink earth lichen with pink apothecia in January 2024

I also am enamored of the Cladonia pleurota red-fruited pixie cup lichens. They have splash cups that look like tiny goblets that will fill with rainwater to disperse the spores. The spore structures are red and arise along the edges of the cups. They occur on soils, bark, wood or rock in full sun to some shade. Often British soldier and wand lichens can be interspersed with pixie cups.

Groups of pixie cups *Cladonia sp*. on the ground among mosses in full sun

Reindeer lichens, Cladonia spp., resemble puffy, light green to gray foamy sage brushes. These prefer very sandy or thin soils or exposed bedrock, and they can easily be dislodged by foot traffic. In the right conditions, they can cover the ground with puffy mounds. A good consideration for a groundcover for areas with little to no traffic.

*Cladonia arbuscula* is one of several reindeer lichens found in Connecticut

Common goldspeck, Candelariella vitellina, is found on granite( check old rock walls) in full sun. This lichen has a chemical called calycin that acts as a sunscreen which helps regulate sun intensity as needed by the algal layer.

Common goldspeck *Candelariella vitellina* is extremely small- this is on an old stone wall

This may be a sulphur firedot *Caloplaca flavovirescens*

Concentric boulder lichen, Porpidia crustulata, is a pale gray-green crustose lichen found on rocks in full sun or in the shade. The dark brown disks can appear black, and run in uneven concentric circles within the thallus edges.

Concentric boulder lichen on an old stone wall

While lichens may be found on tree trunks and branches, they do not harm plants. Thay have the ability to fix nitrogen from the air which benefits nearby plants. They are also a food source and sheltering site for animals, especially the foliose lichens. They are also a nest construction for many including blue-gray gnatcatchers, vireos and ruby-throated hummingbirds.

A warbling vireo is sitiing in a nest she has covered with lichens to hide the nest

If you are inspired to discover the fascinating world of lichens, be sure to bring a good hand lens. The tiny reproductive disks of some lichens, especially the crustose ones found on rocks, can be easy to miss. Look up and down and all around for lichens- on the ground, trees, rocks and even on fences…

Lichens doing nicely on a fence along Horsebarn Hill by a UConn pasture

Pamm Cooper

January 4, 2024

Pretty Cape Primroses

Posted by uconnladybug under Gardening | Tags: Cape Primroses, Flowers, Gardening, Gesneriads, houseplants, nature, Plants |
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If I could only have one species of houseplant, I would pick the Cape Primrose, or Streps, as they are sometimes called. These are sometimes also referred to by their full scientific name, Streptocarpus, and are usually hybrids of a few different species. Interestingly, these plants are related to the familiar African Violet and are part of a large family of plants called Gesneriads (Family: Gesneriaceae). These are all beautiful plants that are grown mostly for their exquisite blooms, but a few have exceptional foliage as well. Most of the Strep hybrids offered for sale have elongated, green leaves. I did have one variety a long time ago that actually had variegated leaves. There are pure bred species of Streptocarpus for sale if you hunt, but these have much smaller, plain flowers that pale in comparison to the hybrids.

Although the care is similar to African Violets, I find Streps to be a lot more forgiving. They are not as prone to rotting and they grow a lot faster. In general, they are probably the most hardy Gesneriad I have kept. In addition to being easier to keep, they bloom profusely in the home. Their blooms are the best part of these plants as they are much larger than the flowers on African Violets. Although the plant will frequently put up a few blooms, with proper care, the plant will send up many and make quite the display! The trumpet-shaped flowers come in just about every color you can think of, as well as bicolors. Some of my favorites have one color on the outside of the flower, and different color on the inside. Flower petals may also be ruffled, and some even have splashes of other colors on the flower, making it look like someone threw paint on them. Their colors include red, blue, purple, black, white, yellow, and various combinations. They do not need much light, and a bright window or table lamp will provide them with all that they need. They thrive under fluorescent and/or LED lighting. This allows the grower to have a large collection of them.

A stunning two-toned Cape Primrose called ‘Deep Blue Vein’. Photo by mrl2023.

The only downside to Streps is that they do not like hot weather. They generally stop blooming during this time, and frequently need water. If allowed to dry too much, or with repeated drying, these plants may suffer greatly or die. But this disadvantage is also their advantage. They actually prefer cool, moist areas. In the summer, I like to put mine outside underneath a big mature tree where they thrive in the shade. Don’t forget to water them frequently in the warmer weather. They generally bloom profusely in this setting.

A blue Cape Primrose with purple veining. Photo by mrl2023.

Over the winter, when just about everything else outside is dormant, and even our regular houseplants are trying to get to the spring, these Cape Primroses are thriving. A cool, moist basement is their ideal growing condition, provided you give them some artificial light. Many other species of houseplants do not like a cold, drafty basement and can get a fungus and die. Cape Primroses are the opposite. Mine seem to be very happy and continue to bloom throughout the winter. They do occasionally take some short breaks between large blooming events at various times of the year, but these are not too frequent.

Although normally known for a large color palette, this is one of the author’s favorite Steptocarpus because it is all white with no other color present – not even in the throat. Photo by mrl2023.

As stated above, they are related to African Violets, and have similar cultural requirements. The planting medium should have some extra perlite added to it to improve drainage. Soggy soil is the way to kill either of these plant species. Do not let the pot sit in the water that collects in the saucer for more than a half hour or so. Let the plants dry between waterings. Streps will actually start to wilt if they get too dry but perk up with prompt watering. Do not let this happen repeatedly as this can be a terrible stress on the plant and may reduce blooming. I like to fertilize each time I water with an African Violet fertilizer per package directions.

Note the elongated, trumpet-shaped flowers on this Streptocarpus ‘Strawberry Ice’. Photo by mrl2023.

One of the greatest joys of plant keeping is propagating them. Cape Primroses are rather easy to propagate. Simply take one of their elongated leaves and cut it into pieces. Dip one end into some rooting hormone (I prefer the powder type). Plant this shallowly in the same type of potting medium as used for the adult plants. Water well and place a small plastic bag upside down over the plant/pot to keep the humidity high as the plant does not have any roots to absorb water yet. If you are propagating a number of them, get a 1020 tray and cover it with one of the taller humidity domes. Keep the cutting watered, but not soggy. In no time, you will see new plantlets sprouting from the surface. I find these new plants to be extremely hardy. Pot up when the plant looks too big for the pot, but be careful not to rush this part. A good indicator is when the plant needs to be watered more than once a week.

Despite all of the perks to these plants, they are surprisingly hard to find. Many of our plant stores do not carry them, and I have never seen them in the big box stores. I think it is due to their lack of heat tolerance. Shipping temperatures are hard to control, and an extended period without water would be fatal. Fortunately, there are many online retailers that will ship these plants year-round. Another option, if you really like these plants, is to join a Gesneriad society or local plant group. This will allow you to trade varieties with other enthusiasts. Hopefully you are able to find some and give Cape Primroses a try!

Dr. Matt Lisy, UConn Adjunct Professor

August 2, 2023

Nature Finds and Happenings in the Summer of 2023

Posted by uconnladybug under Birds, Butterflies, Environment, Insects and Pests, Moths, Native shrubs, Nature, Nature Oddities, Plants, Weather, Wildflowers | Tags: aphid giving birth, Aphids, arrow spider, cacada killer, Connecticut flooding 2023, Crocosmia, fringed orchis, groundnut, katydid, microbursts, nature, orange fringed bog-orchid, Orange fringed orchid, outdoors, purple martin, snowberry clearwing, staghorn sumac, tobacco barn, tobacco groing, tornado damage, walking stick, weather |
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How strange that nature does not knock, and yet does not intrude!

–Emily Dickinson

This year, 2023, has been one for the record books. We have had smoky hazes from Canadian wildfires, rain events we could have used last year, and several microbursts just this week in late July in Connecticut. Plants have bloomed way early, achieved higher than normal heights in gardens and lots of butterflies have been noticeably absent, or have been very few until recently. That said, there are treasures to be found in our tiny dot on the globe.

White pines lost their tops in a recent microburst in Manchester

I was made aware by a fellow nature enthusiast that there was a spectacular native plant that I have never seen before blooming now in her neck of the woods. I checked it out, and I was not disappointed by her generous clue as to where to find these gems. The plant is the fringed yellow orchis, Platanthera ciliaris, also known as the orange-fringed bog- orchid. It is listed as extremely rare in Connecticut on the GoBotany website. Found in grassy bogs, this plant features racemes of yellow to orange flowers that have a showy fringed lip and a very long, slender spur. They are pollinated by butterflies, especially swallowtails.

Native orange fringed orchid- flowers can be yellow or orange

Cicada killers are making their presence known. These large wasps with amber colored wings dig nesting chambers deep in the soil, usually sandy or dry soils, and they can make a mess while doing so as sand is piled up in the lawn or garden. Females drag paralyzed cicadas into the chamber, lay an egg on the body and are done with that chamber. While females can sting, they are not aggressive, and they are only active in the digging phase for a couple of weeks.

On a recent visit to a nature center, I found a fabulous (for a spider) arrow spider Micrathena sagittata. They are small orb weavers, and they resemble a Gibson Flying V electric guitar.

Nearby was a snowberry clearwing moth, one of two clearwing sphinx moths that hover near flowers like a hummingbird. The caterpillar of the snowberry clearwing uses any honeysuckle as a host plant.

Caterpillar of the snowberry clearwing moth

At the same place were a number of walking sticks, a well-turned-out orange leaf footed bug nymph, and a female aphid giving birth to live young. She can have a family of a hundred in a few days, so that explains why aphids are hard to control.

In a butterfly- pollinator garden in a nearby town, the Crocosmia is blooming. The flowers of this variety were brilliant red, so they are likely the ‘Lucifer’ variety, around since 1966. Hummingbirds love this flower, as do many people. There was also a native vine called the groundnut, Apis americana, twining across goldenrods and Joe-pye in a field.

The Connecticut tobacco crop seems on schedule, some plants flowering now as would be expected. I have no idea if diseases or insects are worse than usual for this historical crop of the Connecticut River Valley. To my eye, as I zip by the tobacco fields in my car, it all looks green and healthy.

Tobacco plants in a field surround a tobacco barn used for drying the crop

With all the heavy rains of late, the field of crops along the Connecticut River were lucky to stay above the floodwaters. The Glastonbury ferry was closed due to strong currents and high water. Some towns had microbursts or tornadoes this week, causing some damage to trees and property. In my town, a rural development area had damage from some wind event that went down a few blocks, clipping off the tops of mature white pines and downing trees.

Flooded corn fields along the Connecticut river in the background

Native wild plants lie Clethra, Joe-pye weed and buttonbush bloomed much earlier this year. I guess the weather has discombobulated a lot of plants. Haze from wildfires lasted a couple of weeks and caused some plants to grow taller than normal as they reached upward for the sun. Fluctuations in temperatures and decreased sunlight has fooled some woody plants into early leaf color change, but they are not dropping these leaves yet.

Native staghorn sumac has fall color in late July

With all the wind and rainstorms, wildfire smoke effects and temperatures that have gone up and down like Duncan yo-yos, I am wondering what normal is and so are my plants. At least the insects are not so confused, and neither are the birds. I guess that is something at least the birds can crow about…

Purple martins, young and old, on the UConn campus outside the W.B. Young Building

Pamm Cooper

September 22, 2022

Things to See Outdoors in Late September

Posted by uconnladybug under Agriculture, Animals, Birds, Coastal planti, Fruit, Fungi, Nature, Nature Oddities, Salt tolerant plants, trees, Wildflowers, Wildlife | Tags: autumn, Bears head tooth fungi, bolete, Chester ferry, dragonfly, fall, full moon maple, Guillette castle, Harkness memorial State Park, Hricium fungi, monarch chrysalis, nature, peanut pumpkin, purple marting houses, salt marsh fleabane, September, stinkhorn fungi, tobacco barns, Virginia creeper, yellow crowned night heron |
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Full moon maples over 111 years old at Harkness Memorial State Park

“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne

The end of September is here- today marks the autumnal equinox- so we are past the point of no return as far as summer goes. To be sure, this summer was excessively hot and dry, and I am not going to miss it too much, but I do love the colors of flowers, foliage textures and bird and animal activity that make summer an especially lively time. A favorite place to visit for me is Harkness Memorial State Park- shoreline, marshes, gardens and interesting buildings and plants can be found here.

Salt marsh fleabane – a late summer bloomer in the salt marshes of Harkness memorial State Park

Recent rains have brought on the appearance of wild mushrooms and other fungi. On a recent hike in the deep woods, may sister and I came across several trees that had their trunks covered with icicle-like new fruiting bodies of some sort of toothed fungi. Perhaps they are the bear’s head tooth fungus Hericium americanum or the Hericium coralloides, also known as comb tooth or coral tooth fungus. Time will tell which ones they are when these fruiting bodies reach maturity. We will check on them periodically.

*Hericium* ssp. toothed fungus mass not yet mature on a living tree

Close-up of *Hericium* ssp. mushroom showing developing teeth

Boletes, that have pores rather than gills, and puffballs, which have neither structures, are good finds now. I bring a small mirror that I can slide under caps to see if the mushrooms have gills, pores or teeth. This is helpful when trying to identify most capped fungi.

Bolete showing yellow pores under cap and reticulated stalk where it joins the cap.

Tobacco is being harvested now, and the tobacco barns have opened boards on their sides that help the leaves to dry slowly. As the leaves dry and turn yellow, the smell of unlit cigars fills the air surrounding these barns, and it is actually not a pungent but rather a sweet aroma that almost makes me like cigars- long as they are not lit up.

While checking out one of my gardens last week, there was a not so sweet smell that led to the discovery of a stinkhorn fungus among some perennials. While they are distinctive looking and colorful those attributes cannot overcome the fetid aroma of these fungi.

One species of an aptly named stinkhorn fungus

In the same garden was a monarch chrysalis that should have a its butterfly emerge any day now. This is the first chrysalis I have found in any of my gardens although many monarch caterpillars have been here. They just pupate somewhere else, except for this fellow.

On a trip to Milford, there were quite a few yellow-crowned night herons, most of which were juveniles. Normally denizens of the Southern areas of the Atlantic coast, they do stray north as far as Minnesota. Also in the area was a Jetson- era- like apartment complex for purple martins, which by now have flown the coop.

Jetson era- like purple martin houses in Milford

Apples are abundant at farm and fruit stands, as are pumpkins, winter squash and other wonderful things. The peanut pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima ‘Galeux d’Eysine’) is an heirloom pumpkin easily identified by its outward appearance that looks as if peanuts have been glued on its pink-toned rind. These growths are caused by the excess sugar that has built up in its flesh. The peanut pumpkin is believed to be a cross between the Hubbard squash and an unknown variety.

Dragonflies that migrate will be gone as temperatures start to permanently drop. Day trips like going on the Chester ferry across the Connecticut River and seeing Gillette Castle on the hillside are fun. As foliage starts to change, hiking and country drives can get a little more interesting. Migrating birds give a little action to the landscape, especially where fruits and seeds are abundant. Soon it will be time for slowing down a little bit, but not yet.

Native Virginia creeper berries are a favorite of migrating birds

Gillette castle as seen from the Chester-Hadlyme ferry looks similar to a soupy sand castle

If you visit farms and farm stands, there may be some interesting signs- sometimes painted on an old pick-up truck.

Pamm Cooper

August 13, 2022

Identifying the Many Forms of Insect Feeding

Posted by uconnladybug under Caterpillars, Garden Related Activities, Gardening, Insects and Pests | Tags: Gardening, insects, nature |
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Gardeners are no strangers to insect pests. While typically a mild nuisance, insect damage can weaken plants and lead them to be more susceptible to disease. There are even times when insect feeding alone can damage a plant sufficiently to kill it, so noticing when insect feeding is occurring and the different types of insect feeding damage are important skills for gardeners to keep in their tool belt.

The Nibblers

We all know these. Nibblers cause the most obvious type of feeding damage – the holes and leaves munched away. Insects that commonly cause this type of damage are grasshoppers (order Odonata), caterpillars (order Lepidoptera), immature sawflies (order Hymenoptera), and others with mandibles (mouthparts) made for chewing. Usually, the most economic way to deal with these pests is to simply pick them off of your plants when you observe them.

Although many types of Lepidopteran pests simply chew through leaves, some remove leaves (and needles!) to form casings needed for pupation and metamorphosis, as is the case with these bagworms (likely *Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis*). Photo credit: Nick Goltz

The Borers and Miners

This subgroup of the nibblers are tougher to deal with. While they have similar chewing mouthparts, they are the usually found within their plant hosts. Borers are usually beetles that chew through woody plants (order Coleoptera), though sometimes caterpillars (order Lepidoptera) chew through herbaceous plants (such as the squash vine borer, Melittia cucurbitae). Leafminers may also be Lepidopterans, though most are immature flies (order Diptera). They are best managed by using a systemic insecticide – one that is taken up by the plant and distributed throughout. As with all insecticides, be sure to apply following label instructions and not while pollinators are visiting the plant.

Beetles have bored through this wood. Some species burrow deeply into the plant’s vascular tissue while others burrow along the bark, forming tunnels called “galleries”. Both types of damage can be seen on this log in the Sonoma forest. Photo credit: Nick Goltz

The Piercing-suckers

These insect pests have a modified mouthpart called a stylet, which works like a straw. Piercing-sucking pests use their stylets to suck plant “juices” from soft tissue, stunting growth and causing leaf distortion, spotting, and reduced vigor. Common insects that cause this type of damage are aphids and whiteflies (both are order Hemiptera). Insects in this group are more likely to transmit viruses than those in most other orders.

Aphids (order Hemiptera, family Aphididae) are the bane of many a gardener! They reproduce quickly and often target young, supple tissue like new leaves and flower buds. Above is a photograph of aphids feeding on my roses earlier this year. Photo credit: Nick Goltz

The Gall-makers

Some insects, such as thrips (order Thysanoptera) can cause some similar disfigurement damage as those mentioned above, but may also cause the formation of galls, a type of unusual growth on plant tissue caused by insect feeding and/or the production of unusual plant growth hormones by the insects. The larvae of some wasps (order Hymenoptera) can cause the production of really interesting galls. There are non-insect pests, such as mites (class Arachnida), and certain types of fungi and bacteria that can also cause galling. Most of the time, the production of these galls do not seriously injure the plant and are only an aesthetic issue, but be sure to keep an eye out for any reduced vigor associated with these galls.

Plant galls take many different shapes, sizes, and forms! Often, an insect will lay her egg on/in a leaf, and the feeding young larva will cause the gall to form around it, providing necessary nutrients and protection from predators. Some insects only lay one egg on a leaf. This was obviously not the case in the above photo. Photo credit: Nick Goltz

…and (Nearly) Everyone Else

It’s important to remember that most of the insects we encounter in the garden are harmless or beneficial – pollinating our plants, eating pests and keeping the insect community diverse and healthy. Be sure to only apply insecticides as a last resort and only when pollinators and other beneficial critters aren’t present. The best time of day to apply insecticides (to minimize sun injury and contact with pollinators) is in the evening when plants are dry unless otherwise specified on your product label. Not sure what insect is visiting your garden? Contact the folks at the UConn Home & Garden Education Center by emailing ladybug@uconn.edu for advice and identification services. If you’re dealing with a plant disease, ask to have your sample forwarded to the UConn Plant Diagnostic Laboratory instead. The UConn PDL is funded, in part, by the state of Connecticut and the USDA through IPM Extension Implementation and National Plant Diagnostic Network grants.

Ladybird beetles (order Coleoptera, family Coccinellidae) happily ate the aphids on my rose bush, making my job much easier and helped my plant really shine this June! Photo Credit: Nick Goltz

Nick Goltz, DPM

August 14, 2020

Outdoors in August 2020

Posted by uconnladybug under Birds, Butterflies, Caterpillars, Environment, Gardening, hiking, Native shrubs, Nature, Nature Oddities, Perennials, Plants, Pollinators, trees, Wildflowers | Tags: Bees, box turtle, braod leaf tobacco, Butterfly, butternut, great egret, hyssop, Ironweed, monkey flower, mountain mint, nature, Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary, pearl crescent, red-headed bush cricket, Sabatia, spicebush swallowtail, Spotted-joe pye, tall garden phlox, tiger swallowtail, Tobacco, wild senna |
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August is ripening grain in the fields blowing hot and sunny, the scent of tree-ripened peaches, of hot buttered sweet corn on the cob. Vivid dahlias fling huge tousled blossoms through gardens and joe-pye-weed dusts the meadow purple.

-Jean Hersey

Eastern tiger swallowtail on tall garden phlox

August arrived this year with the same intensity of heat and drought that so far has ruled the summer. Added to that, the damage inflicted to trees and other plants by the storm Isaias was another blow to gardeners, nature enthusiasts and homeowners alike. But despite these natural assaults, there has still been a cheerful reminder that nature does still carry on, bringing enjoyable encounters wherever we may go.

Butternut trees in Wickham Park in Manchester- East Hartford

The tiny red-headed bush cricket with its ‘boxing glove’ palps

Butterflies of all species have been few and far between, but in the past couple of weeks, more are now out and about. Eastern tiger swallowtails were more abundant than other swallowtails, while hairstreaks and brushfoots have been scarce so far. Red-spotted purples and monarchs are putting in appearances, as well as the diminutive pearl crescents. Tall garden phlox, spotted joe-pye weed, obedient plant, mountain mint coneflowers and butterfly bush are just a few favorites of many butterflies and bees.

Pearl crescent butterfly and great golden digger wasp shon mountain mint

Eastern tiger swallowtail on New York ironweed

Bumblebee visiting hyssop skullcap flower

Bumblebee and wild senna flowers

Great egrets sometimes stray from the shore and are one of our more elegant shorebirds. This bird is almost the size of a great blue heron and has a distinctive pair of black legs and a yellow bill. They can be seen in shallow water hunting for fish, frogs and small aquatic animals.

Great egret hunting on the banks of the Connecticut River near the Glastonbury ferry-August 2020

After summer rains, box turtles may often be seen during the day in open areas as they travel across roads and driveways or places near woods with low vegetation. Patterns on their shells can be ornate and are usually a dark yellow.

box turtle crossed road day after rain 5-30-16 Pamm Cooper photo

Large box turtle just after crossing road

another box turtle after crossing a driveway bordered by woods

Broadleaf tobacco is being harvested now in Glastonbury, where soils along the Connecticut River provide ideal growing conditions for this crop. Unlike shade tobacco, broadleaf leaves are thicker, sweeter and earthy. Because it is grown in the sun, broadleaf tobacco has more oils that produce more flavor than tobacco grown in the shade.

Broadleaf tobacco growing in Glastonbury

In August there are several wildflowers that are lending some color to the landscape in moist areas and along pond and stream edges. An unusual one is the Allegheny monkey flower, mimulus ringens, whose genus names comes from the Latin word meaning a mimic as the flower is said to resemble a monkey’s face. Sabatia sp. flowers are a stunning pink on long stems that stand out against a backdrop of green cattails. They can be seen on the edge of a pond at the Norcross wildlife Sanctuary in Wales, Massachusetts.

Sabatia large marsh pink possibly s amethystinum

Sabatia in flower along a pond bank at Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary in Wales, Massachusetts

Tiny syrphid fly visits a monkey flower

Summer will go on for a while yet, with fruits and vegetables to harvest and enjoy, and with timely rains, I hope. There are still a few flowers that have yet to bloom and clouds and skies that should provide compelling views. Nature will never cease to provide things of interest for the most casual of viewers and to those who search carefully for its wonders. I do take time to smell the roses as I run by…

Spicebush swallowtail butterfly caterpillars are found by those who know to look inside a spicebush or sassafras leaf folded lengthwise

Pamm Cooper

July 13, 2020

Encountering Nature in the Home Landscape- July 2020

Posted by uconnladybug under Amphibians, Animals, Birds, Butterflies, Environment, Garden Related Activities, Gardening, Nature, Wildlife | Tags: Bees, bird bath, birds nest, Butterflies, chipping sparrow, Gardening, hummingbird feeder, lady beetle, landscape, lasdybeetle, lizard beetle, Long-horned bee, mydas fly, nature, rainbow, red shouldered hawk, spicebush swallowtail, tiger swallowtail, toad, tree frog, welcome sign |
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Tiger Swallowtail butterfly on butterfly bush

“My wish is to stay always like this, living quietly in a corner of nature.” Claude Monet

Any wise gardener knows that it is a good thing to walk around your own property as often as possible often to keep alert to pests, pruning needs, vegetables that can be harvested, plants in trouble or simply to enjoy the rewards of one’s labor. I am a firm believer that gardening is not for sissies nor is it uninteresting. The excitement never ends. A trip around my property this week gave a little insight as to how much activity is going on in such a small area.

Welcome rock by the front step

Swamp milkweed flowers are great for insects, among them the Mydas fly, Mydas clavats, a large wasp mimic which was on mine. This fly is recognizable by its metallic blue color and broad orange band on the abdomen. They have clubbed antennal tips, much like butterflies, and a stout sponging mouthpart which it uses to obtain nectar from flowers.

Mydus fly visiting swamp milkweed flowers

I was surprised to find a male Melissodes subillata, a rather unknown genus of the long-horned bees, tribe Eucerini, in my front garden. Males have very long antennae, and the subillata ‘s are reddish brown. Males are distinguished by these antennae, a yellow dot on each side of the mandibles and thorax hairs that are both light and dark. Females pollinate Asteraceae family flowers including wild chicory, plus milkweed and thistles. There was also a golden fronted bumblebee in the same garden.

Male Melissodes long horned bee

Acropteroxys gracilis, the slender lizard beetle, is a member of the Erotylidae family of beetles that includes the pleasing fungus beetles. It is reported to feed on ragweed and other agricultural weeds

Acropterroxys gracillis lizard beetle Bush Hill Road early July 2020

Acropterroxys gracilis slender lizard beetle

There seem to be few butterflies around so far, but recently there was a great spangled fritillary on an invasive spotted knapweed flower nearby. A few skipper species have been around as well as a monarch and tiger swallowtails.

Great spangled fritillary

Spicebush swallowtail on Coreopsis

Hippodamia variegate, small ladybeetles that are found especially where asters and Queen Anne’s lace occur in the wild have been studied for use as agricultural pest predators of certain aphids. The reproductive performance of these diminutive beetles is increased with the availability of Brassica and Sonchus (Asteraceae) flowers for pollen and nectar sources. Males and females have different markings on the thorax.

Hippodamia variegata lady beetles

Because of continued hot days and drought conditions, it is important to keep birdbaths full of fresh water. Dark colored birdbaths should be kept out of afternoon sun, as should metal ones as water will get hot. A red-shouldered hawk was enjoying a very long bath in my neighbor’s cement birdbath last evening.

red shouldered hawk in neighbor's bird bath

Red shouldered hawk taking a bath

Trimming certain hedges now may get exciting if there are paper wasp nests hidden among the branches. Tap bushes with a long handled rake before trimming to see if there is any wasp activity. At least you will know what areas to skip for the time being. Sometimes a bird’s nest may be found there, and if eggs or young are in it, leave the nest there until young bird have fledged.

chipping sparrow nest in boxwood hedge 7-9-2020

Chipping sparrow nest found when trimming a hedge

Deer, rabbits and woodchucks or other animals may be eating plants, but squirrels at my place, or at least one nutty one, are the only animal problem so far. The hummingbird feeder is drained daily – had to get a metal one because they chewed through the plastic one. Of course, this meant war, and the solution was to use string as a maze around the branches surrounding the feeder to deny access. So far, so good.

There are dozens of small frogs, toads and tree frogs all over the lawn and gardens. They seemed to appear within days of each other. There must be plenty of insects for them to eat and I am hoping they are partial to earwigs!

Tiny American toad

Gray tree frog on a petunia

Here’s hoping that soon there will come an end to the heat and drought, a rainbow in the afternoon and cool evenings for a pleasant sleep. Also, that woodchucks will not like the taste of any of the garden plants and squirrels will lose their sweet tooth. I am indeed a dreamer…

Rainbow over the back yard

Pamm Cooper

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