Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from VA-MD-DE Bugs > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Thursday, September 2 at 08:31 AM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Woodcock,©Julie Zickefoose

02 Sep Re:attachment [Alex Netherton ] 02 Sep Re:attachment [Alex Netherton ] 01 Sep Re: attachment [Bob Moul ] 31 Aug attachment [Bonnie Ott ] 31 Aug ID confirm please [Bonnie Ott ] 31 Aug Re: Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended Consequences) [] 31 Aug RE: Slide presentation and hike on Serpentine Barrens Butterflies to be held at Soldiers Delight, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010, 1:00-4:00 p.m. ["Smith, Richard H." ] 31 Aug Re: Slide presentation and hike on Serpentine Barrens Butterflies to be held at Soldiers Delight, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010, 1:00-4:00 p.m. [Mona Miller ] 31 Aug Slide presentation and hike on Serpentine Barrens Butterflies to be held at Soldiers Delight, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010, 1:00-4:00 p.m. ["Smith, Richard H." ] 31 Aug Re: Yard butterflies 8/29/10 Lanham [Lynette Fullerton ] 30 Aug Re: Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended Consequences [Mona Miller ] 30 Aug Re: Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended Consequences [lance biechele ] 30 Aug Re: Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended Consequences [Mona Miller ] 30 Aug Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended Consequences [lance biechele ] 30 Aug Re: Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended Consequences) [Mona Miller ] 30 Aug Re: Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended Consequences) [Rick Borchelt ] 30 Aug Re: Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended Consequences) ["ialm AT erols.com" ] 30 Aug Re: Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended Consequences) ["rborchelt" ] 30 Aug Re: Yard butterflies 8/29/10 Lanham [Rochelle Bartolomei ] 29 Aug Yard butterflies 8/29/10 Lanham [Lynette Fullerton ] 29 Aug Lake Artemesia Saturday Aug 28 [Rick Borchelt ] 28 Aug Re: Friends [Mona Miller ] 28 Aug Re: Friends [Rochelle Bartolomei ] 28 Aug Friends [Bob Moul ] 28 Aug Re: Digest Number 1827 [] 27 Aug Re: a Carolina Mantis McLean, VA [Mona Miller ] 27 Aug a Carolina Mantis McLean, VA ["Kessler, Clyde" ] 27 Aug Thanks! [Bonnie Ott ] 26 Aug Lake Artemesia (College Park, PG Co.) LepTrek on Saturday [Rick Borchelt ] 26 Aug Re: resources [Mona Miller ] 26 Aug Re: resources ["ALDEN HINCKLEY" ] 26 Aug Re: resources ["Arthur V. Evans" ] 26 Aug Re: resources [Bob Moul ] 26 Aug Re: resources ["Beth" ] 26 Aug Re: resources [] 26 Aug RE: resources ["Frank Boyle" ] 26 Aug resources [Bonnie Ott ] 25 Aug RFI: NJ Pine Barrens [Scott Baron ] 25 Aug Re: Re: Somatochlora and some butterflies [Hal White ] 25 Aug Re: Somatochlora and some butterflies ["paul" ] 24 Aug Re: ID help needed for lepidopteran [Alex Netherton ] 24 Aug Re: Somatochlora and some butterflies [Hal White ] 23 Aug Re: Re: ID help needed for lepidopteran [Mona Miller ] 23 Aug Somatochlora and some butterflies ["paul" ] 23 Aug Re: ID help needed for lepidopteran [Alex Netherton ] 23 Aug Sad news about Tom Allen ["Smith, Richard H." ] 22 Aug 8-22-10: Butterflies at the National Arboretum before the Rain ["Tom Stock" ] 22 Aug Elliott Island Road, Dorchester Co MD, 2010 August 20 [] 22 Aug Lake Artemesia Aug 22 [] 22 Aug Re: ID help needed for lepidopteran [June Tveekrem ] 21 Aug 8-21-10: Butterflies at Lake Artemesia, PG County, Md. ["Tom Stock" ] 21 Aug Re: ID help needed for lepidopteran [Garrett ] 21 Aug Re: ID help needed for lepidopteran [Garrett ] 21 Aug Re: ID help needed for lepidopteran [Mona Miller ] 21 Aug Re: ID help needed for lepidopteran [Bob Moul ] 21 Aug ID help needed for lepidopteran [June Tveekrem ] 20 Aug 8-20-10: Butterflies at the National Arboretum ["Tom Stock" ] 20 Aug Blue Mash Nature Trail bugs (Thursday), Mont Co. ["Rob Garriock" ] 20 Aug Monarch Butterfly Conservation Day [Mona Miller ] 16 Aug ChirpID - Orthopteran Testers Needed for I-Phone App [Sam Droege ] 16 Aug Butterflies in Radford VA, 15 August 2010 ["Kessler, Clyde" ] 14 Aug Tramea calverti (Striped Saddlbags) new for Delaware [Hal White ] 14 Aug Biocontrol for Native Ecosystems in the Eastern United States ["Marc Imlay" ] 12 Aug Mourning Cloaks Producing Honeydew ? [Mona Miller ] 11 Aug RE: Doing the Math ["Marc Imlay" ] 10 Aug Re: Doing the Math [] 10 Aug Re: Re: Unintended Consequences [Louisa Rogoff Thompson ] 10 Aug Re: Common Wood Nymph [Mona Miller ] 10 Aug Re: sightings this week [Rochelle Bartolomei ] 09 Aug Common Wood Nymph ["Rob Garriock" ] 09 Aug sightings this week ["Rob Garriock" ] 9 Aug RE: Re: Unintended Consequences ["Marc Imlay" ] 9 Aug FW: Gynandromorph Eastern Tiger Swallowtail ["Smith, Richard H." ] 8 Aug Giant Swallowtail [] 8 Aug Re: Loudon Count [Mona Miller ] 8 Aug Re: Loudon Count logistics [Mona Miller ] Subject: Re:attachment From: Alex Netherton <danetherton AT charter.net> Date: Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:29:20 -0400 That is a wonderful photo. VERY well done!!! -- Alex Netherton Asheville, NC danetherton AT charter.net http://blueridgediscovery.com Subject: Re:attachment From: Alex Netherton <danetherton AT charter.net> Date: Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:26:31 -0400 I know it is difficult for Zoologists, but the plant being munched on can often be a big help in identification, especially if there are cryptic sibling species. I have known a few Entomologists, and many were pretty good at plant ID, but some could have benefited from a course in Plant Taxonomy or Local Flora... If you ever have a plant you want identified, you can e-mail me a picture, preferably with flowers or fruit; I studied Botany before I went nuts and became a Jack-of-all-trades, and have been fairly good in the past at plant ID. -- Alex Netherton Asheville, NC danetherton AT charter.net http://blueridgediscovery.com Subject: Re: attachment From: Bob Moul <n8urepix AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:11:24 -0400 Bonnie, Great find and an excellent photo. It sure looks like you nailed the ID also. Best, Bob Bob Moul (N8urePix AT Comcast.net) Adams County, PA USA "PROTECTING NATURE THROUGH EDUCATION" Photo Galleries: http://www.PBase.com/rcm1840 http://bob.moul.oiseaux.net/index.en.html On 8/31/2010 8:24 PM, Bonnie Ott wrote: > It appears that the picture did not attach. > Hopefully this should link to the picture. > > http://flic.kr/p/8wXQrw > > Bonnie > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > Subject: attachment From: Bonnie Ott <bonnieott AT ymail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:24:31 -0700 (PDT) It appears that the picture did not attach. Hopefully this should link to the picture. http://flic.kr/p/8wXQrw Bonnie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: ID confirm please From: Bonnie Ott <bonnieott AT ymail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:19:06 -0700 (PDT) I have taken a variety of new bug pictures and am trying to sort them out. I believe I found a Black-Blotched Schizura....but am not 100 percent certain. Thanks! Bonnie Ott Ellicott City, MD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended Consequences) From: RestoreHabitat AT aol.com Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:13:04 -0400 (EDT) In a message dated 8/30/2010 2:44:40 PM Eastern Standard Time, rborchelt AT gmail.com writes: > Completely unexpected. > So, it seems that we can comfortably draw several conclusions about Biocontrols. First, we understand that there is a general consensus in the scientific community, regarding Biocontrols, that establishes the following 3-part premise: 1....there is an unpredictable level of control (of Biocontrols); 2....there is an uncertain "non-target" effect of Biocontrols in the ecosystem; and 3....Biocontrols are irreversible (once established). This is where the human behavior becomes amusing, or tragic- whichever your emotional bent. The above accepted 3-part premise is enough to stop most clear-thinking, rational, well-intentioned humans among us from futher serious consideration of such audacious biological tampering. Another human element of the subject of Biocontrols is that there are, among us, those that are perfectly willing to accept a 3% failure rate (translated, this means an unexpected non-target non-host interaction with a native species which usually does not turn out well) of the Biocontrols, without really understanding or defining what the greater risks are (including the number of native species defining "acceptable collateral damage"). In the previous discussion, we showed from published scientific research (and a little additional biological calculation) that there is an example extant which is just ONE instance of the "failure" of ONE introduced species that threatens, with great risk, the continued existence of 22 native plant species and, subsequently, 660 native species in the first iteration of the "probability pool of collateral damage to native species". In the fourth iteration of that "probability pool" of threatened native species, the calculations indicate that "pool" to contain 17,820,000 native species. Because, you see, in the earlier discussion, the example only showed the first wave of threat to native species. If the projected/possible outcomes are realized, then the exponential increase of threat to native species becomes truly frightening. This is the extinction vortex. In the next iteration, the probability pool increases to more than half a billion threatened native species. Remember, these calculations are simply dealing with the probability of impact from JUST ONE failed biocontrol. But, the Biocontrol Proponents bravely press on. We've shown a 20-year lag between the release of the Biocontrol and the first recognition by humans of the unexpected damage to native flora and fauna that begins to be made manifest. Still, they press onward. We've shown that other pressures, completely unrelated to Biocontrols, are currently causing the extinction of tens of thousands of native species each year globally. We won't even mention the generally agreed upon threshhold of 350 ppm of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (in order to maintain a functioning system) and the fact that we are currently living in a global society surrounded by an atmosphere with 392 ppm of carbon dioxide increasing annually by 2 ppm. So, perhaps, our Biocontrol Proponents are really high-stakes gamblers and a "20-year spread" is good enough to remove them from the threat to their lives. But what about the lives of their offspring? Or their offspring's offspring? What about the rest of us? Are these questions relevant to the questions posed earlier? Maybe we need to deal with the complexity of this issue and understand that it includes both a biological, non-human element and a very relevant human behavioral element about which we cannot be cavalier. Randy Pheobus, President Native Grassland Conservancy [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Slide presentation and hike on Serpentine Barrens Butterflies to be held at Soldiers Delight, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010, 1:00-4:00 p.m. From: "Smith, Richard H." <Richard.Smith AT jhuapl.edu> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:38:27 -0400 There is no fee for this program. Soldiers Delight is public and managed under the Maryland State Park system; however, it is a special natural environment area with several studies going on there and requiring ongoing extra procedures to protect the habitat from invasive trees and vines, so they do gladly accept donations at the Visitor's Center desk. Dick -----Original Message----- From: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Mona Miller Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 9:24 AM To: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [VA-MD-DE-Bugs] Slide presentation and hike on Serpentine Barrens Butterflies to be held at Soldiers Delight, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Is there a fee for the presentation? On Tue, Aug 31, 2010 at 9:19 AM, Smith, Richard H. wrote: > > > All, > > The subject talk, starting at 1:00 p.m. and taking about 20 minutes, will > be held at the Soldiers Delight Visitor's Center on Deer Park Rd. in Owings > Mills, MD. A one to two mile hike to look for barrens butterflies will > follow the talk. Several Leonard's Skipper butterflies are usually seen at > the barrens during this regular late summer program. More on the Soldiers > Delight Serpentine Barrens (located in western Baltimore County, MD) and its > birds, wildflowers, and butterflies can be found at > http://home.comcast.net/~soldiersdelight/sdci_heritage.html#4%20) > > Dick Smith > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > -- Mona Miller Herndon, VA (USA) }i{ }i{ }i{ "Man should be good stewards of nature." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links Subject: Re: Slide presentation and hike on Serpentine Barrens Butterflies to be held at Soldiers Delight, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010, 1:00-4:00 p.m. From: Mona Miller <runmede AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:24:29 -0400 Is there a fee for the presentation? On Tue, Aug 31, 2010 at 9:19 AM, Smith, Richard H. wrote: > > > All, > > The subject talk, starting at 1:00 p.m. and taking about 20 minutes, will > be held at the Soldiers Delight Visitor's Center on Deer Park Rd. in Owings > Mills, MD. A one to two mile hike to look for barrens butterflies will > follow the talk. Several Leonard's Skipper butterflies are usually seen at > the barrens during this regular late summer program. More on the Soldiers > Delight Serpentine Barrens (located in western Baltimore County, MD) and its > birds, wildflowers, and butterflies can be found at > http://home.comcast.net/~soldiersdelight/sdci_heritage.html#4%20) > > Dick Smith > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > -- Mona Miller Herndon, VA (USA) }i{ }i{ }i{ "Man should be good stewards of nature." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-digest AT yahoogroups.com VA-MD-DE-Bugs-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Slide presentation and hike on Serpentine Barrens Butterflies to be held at Soldiers Delight, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010, 1:00-4:00 p.m. From: "Smith, Richard H." <Richard.Smith AT jhuapl.edu> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:19:03 -0400 All, The subject talk, starting at 1:00 p.m. and taking about 20 minutes, will be held at the Soldiers Delight Visitor's Center on Deer Park Rd. in Owings Mills, MD. A one to two mile hike to look for barrens butterflies will follow the talk. Several Leonard's Skipper butterflies are usually seen at the barrens during this regular late summer program. More on the Soldiers Delight Serpentine Barrens (located in western Baltimore County, MD) and its birds, wildflowers, and butterflies can be found at http://home.comcast.net/~soldiersdelight/sdci_heritage.html#4%20) Dick Smith [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Yard butterflies 8/29/10 Lanham From: Lynette Fullerton <l_fullerton_1999 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 05:41:35 -0700 (PDT) Hi Rochelle!  Thanks for your offer - how many do you think you could take?  I don't mean to sound desparate but I suddenly seem to be.  The grounds people, who until today (or last night) had been mowing to within about a foot of 'my' milkweed came and mowed it all down, sometime between 5:00 last night (when I collected some right before I left work) and 8:00 this morning.  You should have heard me out there cussing like a soldier...I salvaged whatever I could (which was quite a bit, but there's no telling how well it will keep in water) but I'm going to have to go to my backup milkweed patches to feed the cats now...I could drop them off tonight - contact me offlist.   Still fuming, Lynette l_fullerton_1999 AT yahoo.com "The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware--joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware." --Henry Miller --- On Mon, 8/30/10, Rochelle Bartolomei wrote: From: Rochelle Bartolomei Subject: Re: [VA-MD-DE-Bugs] Yard butterflies 8/29/10 Lanham To: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, August 30, 2010, 8:28 AM   Hi Lynette. I live in Silver Spring and could take some of your cats. I've raised them too and have lots and lots of milkweed. Rochelle ________________________________ From: Lynette Fullerton To: bugs ; Washington Butterflies Sent: Sun, August 29, 2010 5:23:00 PM Subject: [VA-MD-DE-Bugs] Yard butterflies 8/29/10 Lanham We spent most of the day working in the yard, and were rewarded with good looks at the following: Red-Spotted Purples (or one really active one), with some egg-laying activity going on; also found larvae on cherry trees Eastern Tailed-Blues--dozens and dozens Clouded Sulphur--1 Common Buckeye--2 (and the best for last) Sleepy Orange--1; I saw the first ones in my life YESTERDAY at Lake Artemesia, so it was fun to see one today and know that it was something to take a closer look at. On another note, I have around 30 4th instar monarch cats, 20 or so 3rd instars, and another 20 2nd instars. Unfortunately I'm going on vacation soon and may need a cat-sitter (with a really good milkweed source). Any takers? The 4th instars I can handle, because they'll be pupating in the next few days...but the rest I'm going to need help with. I'll drive them out to people either on Tuesday or Thursday night, or even Wednesday if it's nearby. Lynette Fullerton in Lanham-Seabrook, MD "The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware--joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware." --Henry Miller [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended Consequences From: Mona Miller <runmede AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:12:30 -0400 Lance, But, you inferred that it was Rick's science. Rick didn't release anything. He was making a comment about biocontrols. We don't have any choices. The scientists who do this don't ask our opinion before they make these releases. If they did, those releases would not take place. On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 10:04 PM, lance biechele wrote: > > > Hi Mona, > AND SO AM I! > Lance > > > --- On Mon, 8/30/10, Mona Miller > > wrote: > > From: Mona Miller > > Subject: Re: [VA-MD-DE-Bugs] Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended > Consequences > To: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com > Date: Monday, August 30, 2010, 10:01 PM > > > It isn't Rick's science. He was just making a comment. > > On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 9:57 PM, lance biechele > > wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > Hi Folks, > > Rick Borchelt wrote: > > "it's very hard to predict all the possible outcomes of a species > > introduction into a new environment, especially over generations." > > Sorry, I don't agree with your "science." I am just as certain of your > > results as it was with the beekeepers who greedily wiped out their own > > livelihood with parasites and diseases of the honey bee. > > Maybe the scientists studying biocontrols can take-up geology or > > something, and stay away from completely eridicating the environment. > > With all due respect, > > Sincerely, > > Lance > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > -- > Mona Miller > Herndon, VA (USA) }i{ }i{ }i{ > "Man should be good stewards of nature." > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > -- Mona Miller Herndon, VA (USA) }i{ }i{ }i{ "Man should be good stewards of nature." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-digest AT yahoogroups.com VA-MD-DE-Bugs-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Re: Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended Consequences From: lance biechele <ltb0076 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:04:58 -0700 (PDT) Hi Mona,   AND SO AM I! Lance     --- On Mon, 8/30/10, Mona Miller wrote: From: Mona Miller Subject: Re: [VA-MD-DE-Bugs] Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended Consequences To: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, August 30, 2010, 10:01 PM It isn't Rick's science.  He was just making a comment. On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 9:57 PM, lance biechele wrote: > > > > > Hi Folks, > Rick Borchelt wrote: > "it's very hard to predict all the possible outcomes of a species > introduction into a new environment, especially over generations." >    Sorry, I don't agree with your "science." I am just as certain of your > results as it was with the beekeepers who greedily wiped out their own > livelihood with parasites and diseases of the honey bee. >    Maybe the scientists studying biocontrols can take-up geology or > something, and stay away from completely eridicating the environment. > With all due respect, > Sincerely, > Lance > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > -- Mona Miller Herndon, VA (USA) }i{ }i{ }i{ "Man should be good stewards of nature." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended Consequences From: Mona Miller <runmede AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:01:16 -0400 It isn't Rick's science. He was just making a comment. On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 9:57 PM, lance biechele wrote: > > > > > Hi Folks, > Rick Borchelt wrote: > "it's very hard to predict all the possible outcomes of a species > introduction into a new environment, especially over generations." > Sorry, I don't agree with your "science." I am just as certain of your > results as it was with the beekeepers who greedily wiped out their own > livelihood with parasites and diseases of the honey bee. > Maybe the scientists studying biocontrols can take-up geology or > something, and stay away from completely eridicating the environment. > With all due respect, > Sincerely, > Lance > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > -- Mona Miller Herndon, VA (USA) }i{ }i{ }i{ "Man should be good stewards of nature." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-digest AT yahoogroups.com VA-MD-DE-Bugs-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended Consequences From: lance biechele <ltb0076 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:57:46 -0700 (PDT) Hi Folks, Rick Borchelt wrote: "it's very hard to predict all the possible outcomes of a species introduction into a new environment, especially over generations."    Sorry, I don't agree with your "science." I am just as certain of your results as it was with the beekeepers who greedily wiped out their own livelihood with parasites and diseases of the honey bee.     Maybe the scientists studying biocontrols can take-up geology or something, and stay away from completely eridicating the environment. With all due respect, Sincerely, Lance [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended Consequences) From: Mona Miller <runmede AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:06:13 -0400 I actually remember reading something about that very project. They go through a lot of testing, BUT after years of release in a different environment WHO can predict what they will do. On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 3:44 PM, rborchelt wrote: > > > Here's a followup to our discussion a few weeks ago about the likelihood of > inadvertent consequences from use of biocontrols released to managed pest > species. Seems that's exactly what was announced this week in Texas -- > despite much testing and research up front. A beetle introduced to help > control saltcedar apparently has decided it will also feed on athel: also > introduced, but not an invasive like saltcedar. Completely unexpected. > > --- In VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com , > Mona Miller wrote: > > > > Several years ago I attended a Stakeholders meeting for permits for > > biocontrols, butterflies, etc. at the USDA/APHIS in Maryland, the > > biocontrols that are released now go through a lot of testing/research > > before they let them go. But, that wasn't the case in the past. > > > > On Tue, Aug 3, 2010 at 12:29 PM, wrote: > > > > > > AgriLife Extension expert advises on controlling saltcedar leaf beetle > on athel > > August 27, 2010 > Writer(s): > Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576,s-byrns AT tamu.edu > > Contact(s):Dr. Mark Muegge, 432-336-8585, mmuegge AT ag.tamu.eduOR > Dr. Allen Knutson, 972-952-9222, a-knutson AT tamu.edu > > PRESIDIO--A beetle used as a biological control of saltcedar is jumping > to another tree, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service > entomologist. > > Though one tree is hated and the other loved, the one thing they have > in common is a small imported beetle that feeds on both, said Dr. Mark > Muegge, AgriLife Extension entomologist at Fort Stockton. > > Saltcedar is a shrub or small tree introduced into the U.S. more than a > century ago for erosion control. Athel is a popular non-native shade > tree in southwestern Texas that's kin to saltcedar. According to > Muegge, the beetles feed only on saltcedar and athel. If either of these > plants are not present, the beetles die. > > Saltcedar has become a major pest along waterways throughout the West, > so to control it, scientists introduced saltcedar leaf beetles, its > natural enemy from its native land, said Muegge. > > "The beetles are very effective in controlling saltcedar," Muegge > said. "Unfortunately they can also feed on athel. Athel is not well > known outside southwestern Texas, because the tree is not cold > tolerant." > > Muegge said research has shown that the beetles do not prefer athel > over saltcedar, but will feed on athel when beetle numbers are high. > > He said the beetles chew away the leaf's surface, causing them to > turn brown and fall off. But even though the tree is bare of leaves, > it's not dead. > > "Trees defoliated by leaf beetles will grow new leaves once beetle > numbers decline," he said. "It takes several complete defoliations > to actually kill the tree." > > Both adult beetles and larvae feed on the trees, Muegge said. Adult > beetles are about one-quarter inch long and can be yellow, brownish > green or even almost black. Small larvae are black. Larger larvae have a > light yellow stripe along each side of the body. > > "The beetles do best on saltcedar, not athel," Muegge said. "As > the beetles continue to feed on saltcedar, the shrub infestations will > dwindle and so will the beetles." > > Muegge said there are two control strategies; rescue treatments for > athel trees already hit by the beetles and preventive measures for those > not yet affected. > > If larvae and adults are found on the athel trees, he recommends > spraying the foliage now. Products such as carbaryl (Sevin), > gamma-cyhalothrin (Spectricide Triazicide Insect Killer Concentrate), > imidacloprid (Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insect Control, Ferti-lome > Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Granules or Drench, Ortho Max Tree and > Shrub Insect Control), permethrin (Green Light Conquest Insecticide > Concentrate), and Green Light Tree and Shrub Insect Control with Safari. > > For homeowners who want to use organic control products like EcoExempt > IC2, spinosad (Ferti-lome Borer, Bagworm, Tent Caterpillar and Leafminer > Spray, Green Light Lawn and Garden Spray with Spinosad, and azadirachtin > (Azatin, Azatrol) are viable options. > > Since the beetles will persist until late October or November, repeated > treatments may be necessary. Special high pressure sprayers may be > needed to reach the top branches of large athel trees. > > "Preventive control next spring is probably the best way for > homeowners to protect their trees, because no special equipment is > needed and a single application will last all season," he said. > "Preventive control insecticides include products with imidacloprid > or Safari. They are applied to the soil near the tree trunk and watered > in so the tree's roots can absorb and circulate the insecticide > throughout the entire tree. > > "Saltcedar has become a huge problem, so we sure don't want to lose > the beetle, but homeowners don't want to lose their athel trees > either. By controlling the beetles on athel trees we should be able to > have the best of both worlds." > > For more information call Muegge at 432-336-8585 or Dr. Allen Knutson, > AgriLife Extension entomologist at Dallas, 972-952-9222. > > -30- > > > -- Mona Miller Herndon, VA (USA) }i{ }i{ }i{ "Man should be good stewards of nature." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-digest AT yahoogroups.com VA-MD-DE-Bugs-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Re: Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended Consequences) From: Rick Borchelt <rborchelt AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:18:06 -0400 Hard to say without reviewing the research, which I have not yet done. But either way the difficulty is the same -- it's very hard to predict all the possible outcomes of a species introduction into a new environment, especially over generations. You futurecast the best you can, weigh it against the damage caused by the target organism, and make your best educated guess. But understand it isn't a sure thing, and any scientist who tells you it is, is lying or fooling her/himself. Science seldom deals in absolutes. On 8/30/10, ialm AT erols.com wrote: > Is then unexpected impact on a non-native because the tests were conducted > on native species? > > Marc > > Original Message: > ----------------- > From: rborchelt rborchelt AT gmail.com > Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:44:26 -0000 > To: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [VA-MD-DE-Bugs] Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended > Consequences) > > > Here's a followup to our discussion a few weeks ago about the likelihood of > inadvertent consequences from use of biocontrols released to managed pest > species. Seems that's exactly what was announced this week in Texas -- > despite much testing and research up front. A beetle introduced to help > control saltcedar apparently has decided it will also feed on athel: also > introduced, but not an invasive like saltcedar. Completely unexpected. > > > > --- In VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com, Mona Miller wrote: >> >> Several years ago I attended a Stakeholders meeting for permits for >> biocontrols, butterflies, etc. at the USDA/APHIS in Maryland, the >> biocontrols that are released now go through a lot of testing/research >> before they let them go. But, that wasn't the case in the past. >> >> On Tue, Aug 3, 2010 at 12:29 PM, wrote: >> >> > > AgriLife Extension expert advises on controlling saltcedar leaf beetle > on athel > > August 27, 2010 > Writer(s): > Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576,s-byrns AT tamu.edu > > Contact(s):Dr. Mark Muegge, 432-336-8585, mmuegge AT ag.tamu.edu OR > Dr. Allen Knutson, 972-952-9222, a-knutson AT tamu.edu > > PRESIDIO--A beetle used as a biological control of saltcedar is jumping > to another tree, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service > entomologist. > > Though one tree is hated and the other loved, the one thing they have > in common is a small imported beetle that feeds on both, said Dr. Mark > Muegge, AgriLife Extension entomologist at Fort Stockton. > > Saltcedar is a shrub or small tree introduced into the U.S. more than a > century ago for erosion control. Athel is a popular non-native shade > tree in southwestern Texas that's kin to saltcedar. According to > Muegge, the beetles feed only on saltcedar and athel. If either of these > plants are not present, the beetles die. > > Saltcedar has become a major pest along waterways throughout the West, > so to control it, scientists introduced saltcedar leaf beetles, its > natural enemy from its native land, said Muegge. > > "The beetles are very effective in controlling saltcedar," Muegge > said. "Unfortunately they can also feed on athel. Athel is not well > known outside southwestern Texas, because the tree is not cold > tolerant." > > Muegge said research has shown that the beetles do not prefer athel > over saltcedar, but will feed on athel when beetle numbers are high. > > He said the beetles chew away the leaf's surface, causing them to > turn brown and fall off. But even though the tree is bare of leaves, > it's not dead. > > "Trees defoliated by leaf beetles will grow new leaves once beetle > numbers decline," he said. "It takes several complete defoliations > to actually kill the tree." > > Both adult beetles and larvae feed on the trees, Muegge said. Adult > beetles are about one-quarter inch long and can be yellow, brownish > green or even almost black. Small larvae are black. Larger larvae have a > light yellow stripe along each side of the body. > > "The beetles do best on saltcedar, not athel," Muegge said. "As > the beetles continue to feed on saltcedar, the shrub infestations will > dwindle and so will the beetles." > > Muegge said there are two control strategies; rescue treatments for > athel trees already hit by the beetles and preventive measures for those > not yet affected. > > If larvae and adults are found on the athel trees, he recommends > spraying the foliage now. Products such as carbaryl (Sevin), > gamma-cyhalothrin (Spectricide Triazicide Insect Killer Concentrate), > imidacloprid (Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insect Control, Ferti-lome > Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Granules or Drench, Ortho Max Tree and > Shrub Insect Control), permethrin (Green Light Conquest Insecticide > Concentrate), and Green Light Tree and Shrub Insect Control with Safari. > > > For homeowners who want to use organic control products like EcoExempt > IC2, spinosad (Ferti-lome Borer, Bagworm, Tent Caterpillar and Leafminer > Spray, Green Light Lawn and Garden Spray with Spinosad, and azadirachtin > (Azatin, Azatrol) are viable options. > > Since the beetles will persist until late October or November, repeated > treatments may be necessary. Special high pressure sprayers may be > needed to reach the top branches of large athel trees. > > "Preventive control next spring is probably the best way for > homeowners to protect their trees, because no special equipment is > needed and a single application will last all season," he said. > "Preventive control insecticides include products with imidacloprid > or Safari. They are applied to the soil near the tree trunk and watered > in so the tree's roots can absorb and circulate the insecticide > throughout the entire tree. > > "Saltcedar has become a huge problem, so we sure don't want to lose > the beetle, but homeowners don't want to lose their athel trees > either. By controlling the beetles on athel trees we should be able to > have the best of both worlds." > > For more information call Muegge at 432-336-8585 or Dr. Allen Knutson, > AgriLife Extension entomologist at Dallas, 972-952-9222. > > -30- > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------- > mail2web - Check your email from the web at > http://link.mail2web.com/mail2web > > > -- Rick Borchelt Director of Communication USDA Research, Education, and Economics preferred personal email: rickb |AT| nasw |DOT| org Subject: Re: Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended Consequences) From: "ialm AT erols.com" <ialm@erols.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:22:26 -0400 Is then unexpected impact on a non-native because the tests were conducted on native species? Marc Original Message: ----------------- From: rborchelt rborchelt AT gmail.com Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:44:26 -0000 To: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [VA-MD-DE-Bugs] Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended Consequences) Here's a followup to our discussion a few weeks ago about the likelihood of inadvertent consequences from use of biocontrols released to managed pest species. Seems that's exactly what was announced this week in Texas -- despite much testing and research up front. A beetle introduced to help control saltcedar apparently has decided it will also feed on athel: also introduced, but not an invasive like saltcedar. Completely unexpected. --- In VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com, Mona Miller wrote: > > Several years ago I attended a Stakeholders meeting for permits for > biocontrols, butterflies, etc. at the USDA/APHIS in Maryland, the > biocontrols that are released now go through a lot of testing/research > before they let them go. But, that wasn't the case in the past. > > On Tue, Aug 3, 2010 at 12:29 PM, wrote: > > AgriLife Extension expert advises on controlling saltcedar leaf beetle on athel August 27, 2010 Writer(s): Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576,s-byrns AT tamu.edu Contact(s):Dr. Mark Muegge, 432-336-8585, mmuegge AT ag.tamu.edu OR Dr. Allen Knutson, 972-952-9222, a-knutson AT tamu.edu PRESIDIO--A beetle used as a biological control of saltcedar is jumping to another tree, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service entomologist. Though one tree is hated and the other loved, the one thing they have in common is a small imported beetle that feeds on both, said Dr. Mark Muegge, AgriLife Extension entomologist at Fort Stockton. Saltcedar is a shrub or small tree introduced into the U.S. more than a century ago for erosion control. Athel is a popular non-native shade tree in southwestern Texas that's kin to saltcedar. According to Muegge, the beetles feed only on saltcedar and athel. If either of these plants are not present, the beetles die. Saltcedar has become a major pest along waterways throughout the West, so to control it, scientists introduced saltcedar leaf beetles, its natural enemy from its native land, said Muegge. "The beetles are very effective in controlling saltcedar," Muegge said. "Unfortunately they can also feed on athel. Athel is not well known outside southwestern Texas, because the tree is not cold tolerant." Muegge said research has shown that the beetles do not prefer athel over saltcedar, but will feed on athel when beetle numbers are high. He said the beetles chew away the leaf's surface, causing them to turn brown and fall off. But even though the tree is bare of leaves, it's not dead. "Trees defoliated by leaf beetles will grow new leaves once beetle numbers decline," he said. "It takes several complete defoliations to actually kill the tree." Both adult beetles and larvae feed on the trees, Muegge said. Adult beetles are about one-quarter inch long and can be yellow, brownish green or even almost black. Small larvae are black. Larger larvae have a light yellow stripe along each side of the body. "The beetles do best on saltcedar, not athel," Muegge said. "As the beetles continue to feed on saltcedar, the shrub infestations will dwindle and so will the beetles." Muegge said there are two control strategies; rescue treatments for athel trees already hit by the beetles and preventive measures for those not yet affected. If larvae and adults are found on the athel trees, he recommends spraying the foliage now. Products such as carbaryl (Sevin), gamma-cyhalothrin (Spectricide Triazicide Insect Killer Concentrate), imidacloprid (Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insect Control, Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Granules or Drench, Ortho Max Tree and Shrub Insect Control), permethrin (Green Light Conquest Insecticide Concentrate), and Green Light Tree and Shrub Insect Control with Safari. For homeowners who want to use organic control products like EcoExempt IC2, spinosad (Ferti-lome Borer, Bagworm, Tent Caterpillar and Leafminer Spray, Green Light Lawn and Garden Spray with Spinosad, and azadirachtin (Azatin, Azatrol) are viable options. Since the beetles will persist until late October or November, repeated treatments may be necessary. Special high pressure sprayers may be needed to reach the top branches of large athel trees. "Preventive control next spring is probably the best way for homeowners to protect their trees, because no special equipment is needed and a single application will last all season," he said. "Preventive control insecticides include products with imidacloprid or Safari. They are applied to the soil near the tree trunk and watered in so the tree's roots can absorb and circulate the insecticide throughout the entire tree. "Saltcedar has become a huge problem, so we sure don't want to lose the beetle, but homeowners don't want to lose their athel trees either. By controlling the beetles on athel trees we should be able to have the best of both worlds." For more information call Muegge at 432-336-8585 or Dr. Allen Knutson, AgriLife Extension entomologist at Dallas, 972-952-9222. -30- ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://link.mail2web.com/mail2web Subject: Re: Biocontrol problem (WAS Unintended Consequences) From: "rborchelt" <rborchelt AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:44:26 -0000 Here's a followup to our discussion a few weeks ago about the likelihood of inadvertent consequences from use of biocontrols released to managed pest species. Seems that's exactly what was announced this week in Texas -- despite much testing and research up front. A beetle introduced to help control saltcedar apparently has decided it will also feed on athel: also introduced, but not an invasive like saltcedar. Completely unexpected. --- In VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com, Mona Miller wrote: > > Several years ago I attended a Stakeholders meeting for permits for > biocontrols, butterflies, etc. at the USDA/APHIS in Maryland, the > biocontrols that are released now go through a lot of testing/research > before they let them go. But, that wasn't the case in the past. > > On Tue, Aug 3, 2010 at 12:29 PM, wrote: > > AgriLife Extension expert advises on controlling saltcedar leaf beetle on athel August 27, 2010 Writer(s): Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576,s-byrns AT tamu.edu Contact(s):Dr. Mark Muegge, 432-336-8585, mmuegge AT ag.tamu.edu OR Dr. Allen Knutson, 972-952-9222, a-knutson AT tamu.edu PRESIDIO--A beetle used as a biological control of saltcedar is jumping to another tree, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service entomologist. Though one tree is hated and the other loved, the one thing they have in common is a small imported beetle that feeds on both, said Dr. Mark Muegge, AgriLife Extension entomologist at Fort Stockton. Saltcedar is a shrub or small tree introduced into the U.S. more than a century ago for erosion control. Athel is a popular non-native shade tree in southwestern Texas that's kin to saltcedar. According to Muegge, the beetles feed only on saltcedar and athel. If either of these plants are not present, the beetles die. Saltcedar has become a major pest along waterways throughout the West, so to control it, scientists introduced saltcedar leaf beetles, its natural enemy from its native land, said Muegge. "The beetles are very effective in controlling saltcedar," Muegge said. "Unfortunately they can also feed on athel. Athel is not well known outside southwestern Texas, because the tree is not cold tolerant." Muegge said research has shown that the beetles do not prefer athel over saltcedar, but will feed on athel when beetle numbers are high. He said the beetles chew away the leaf's surface, causing them to turn brown and fall off. But even though the tree is bare of leaves, it's not dead. "Trees defoliated by leaf beetles will grow new leaves once beetle numbers decline," he said. "It takes several complete defoliations to actually kill the tree." Both adult beetles and larvae feed on the trees, Muegge said. Adult beetles are about one-quarter inch long and can be yellow, brownish green or even almost black. Small larvae are black. Larger larvae have a light yellow stripe along each side of the body. "The beetles do best on saltcedar, not athel," Muegge said. "As the beetles continue to feed on saltcedar, the shrub infestations will dwindle and so will the beetles." Muegge said there are two control strategies; rescue treatments for athel trees already hit by the beetles and preventive measures for those not yet affected. If larvae and adults are found on the athel trees, he recommends spraying the foliage now. Products such as carbaryl (Sevin), gamma-cyhalothrin (Spectricide Triazicide Insect Killer Concentrate), imidacloprid (Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insect Control, Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Granules or Drench, Ortho Max Tree and Shrub Insect Control), permethrin (Green Light Conquest Insecticide Concentrate), and Green Light Tree and Shrub Insect Control with Safari. For homeowners who want to use organic control products like EcoExempt IC2, spinosad (Ferti-lome Borer, Bagworm, Tent Caterpillar and Leafminer Spray, Green Light Lawn and Garden Spray with Spinosad, and azadirachtin (Azatin, Azatrol) are viable options. Since the beetles will persist until late October or November, repeated treatments may be necessary. Special high pressure sprayers may be needed to reach the top branches of large athel trees. "Preventive control next spring is probably the best way for homeowners to protect their trees, because no special equipment is needed and a single application will last all season," he said. "Preventive control insecticides include products with imidacloprid or Safari. They are applied to the soil near the tree trunk and watered in so the tree's roots can absorb and circulate the insecticide throughout the entire tree. "Saltcedar has become a huge problem, so we sure don't want to lose the beetle, but homeowners don't want to lose their athel trees either. By controlling the beetles on athel trees we should be able to have the best of both worlds." For more information call Muegge at 432-336-8585 or Dr. Allen Knutson, AgriLife Extension entomologist at Dallas, 972-952-9222. -30- Subject: Re: Yard butterflies 8/29/10 Lanham From: Rochelle Bartolomei <rockypandora AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 05:28:26 -0700 (PDT) Hi Lynette. I live in Silver Spring and could take some of your cats. I've raised them too and have lots and lots of milkweed. Rochelle ________________________________ From: Lynette Fullerton To: bugs ; Washington Butterflies Sent: Sun, August 29, 2010 5:23:00 PM Subject: [VA-MD-DE-Bugs] Yard butterflies 8/29/10 Lanham We spent most of the day working in the yard, and were rewarded with good looks at the following: Red-Spotted Purples (or one really active one), with some egg-laying activity going on; also found larvae on cherry trees Eastern Tailed-Blues--dozens and dozens Clouded Sulphur--1 Common Buckeye--2 (and the best for last) Sleepy Orange--1; I saw the first ones in my life YESTERDAY at Lake Artemesia, so it was fun to see one today and know that it was something to take a closer look at. On another note, I have around 30 4th instar monarch cats, 20 or so 3rd instars, and another 20 2nd instars. Unfortunately I'm going on vacation soon and may need a cat-sitter (with a really good milkweed source). Any takers? The 4th instars I can handle, because they'll be pupating in the next few days...but the rest I'm going to need help with. I'll drive them out to people either on Tuesday or Thursday night, or even Wednesday if it's nearby. Lynette Fullerton in Lanham-Seabrook, MD "The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware--joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware." --Henry Miller [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Yard butterflies 8/29/10 Lanham From: Lynette Fullerton <l_fullerton_1999 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 14:23:00 -0700 (PDT) We spent most of the day working in the yard, and were rewarded with good looks at the following: Red-Spotted Purples (or one really active one), with some egg-laying activity going on; also found larvae on cherry trees Eastern Tailed-Blues--dozens and dozens Clouded Sulphur--1 Common Buckeye--2 (and the best for last) Sleepy Orange--1; I saw the first ones in my life YESTERDAY at Lake Artemesia, so it was fun to see one today and know that it was something to take a closer look at. On another note, I have around 30 4th instar monarch cats, 20 or so 3rd instars, and another 20 2nd instars. Unfortunately I'm going on vacation soon and may need a cat-sitter (with a really good milkweed source). Any takers? The 4th instars I can handle, because they'll be pupating in the next few days...but the rest I'm going to need help with. I'll drive them out to people either on Tuesday or Thursday night, or even Wednesday if it's nearby. Lynette Fullerton in Lanham-Seabrook, MD "The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware--joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware." --Henry Miller Subject: Lake Artemesia Saturday Aug 28 From: Rick Borchelt <rborchelt AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 16:47:54 -0400 Could not have asked for better weather for the eight of us who trekked out to Lake Artemesia in College Park yesterday. We spent about 3 hours walking the circuit around both lake areas, with both good butterflies and good botany to be had. Only disappointment was not being able to relocate any of the broad-winged skippers Tom and I had (independently) there last week. Pickerel weed is rather scant now, so the season may be winding down for them. But good looks at crossline skippers and the infinitely bewildering variety of hordes of sachems. We also had one quite spectacular female tiger swallowtail intermediate between dark and yellow forms. Full list and details on LepLog at http://leplog.wordpress.com/2010/08/28/lake-artemesia-leptrek/ -- Rick Borchelt Director of Communication USDA Research, Education, and Economics preferred personal email: rickb |AT| nasw |DOT| org Subject: Re: Friends From: Mona Miller <runmede AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 22:11:56 -0400 Glad to see the moth is not in the toads mouth. On Sat, Aug 28, 2010 at 8:08 PM, Rochelle Bartolomei wrote: > > > Nice catch and a great pic. > > ________________________________ > From: Bob Moul > > To: PaLepsOdes >; > VA-MD-DE-Bugs > > > Sent: Sat, August 28, 2010 7:26:27 PM > Subject: [VA-MD-DE-Bugs] Friends > > > Overnight temps in the mid 50s resulted in few moths this morning but I > had to laugh to myself when I saw this pair. > > http://www.pbase.com/image/127900020 > -- > > Best, > Bob > > Bob Moul (N8urePix AT Comcast.net ) > Adams County, PA USA > > "PROTECTING NATURE THROUGH EDUCATION" > Photo Galleries: > http://www.PBase.com/rcm1840 > http://bob.moul.oiseaux.net/index.en.html > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > -- Mona Miller Herndon, VA (USA) }i{ }i{ }i{ "Man should be good stewards of nature." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-digest AT yahoogroups.com VA-MD-DE-Bugs-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Re: Friends From: Rochelle Bartolomei <rockypandora AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:08:12 -0700 (PDT) Nice catch and a great pic. ________________________________ From: Bob Moul To: PaLepsOdes ; VA-MD-DE-Bugs Sent: Sat, August 28, 2010 7:26:27 PM Subject: [VA-MD-DE-Bugs] Friends Overnight temps in the mid 50s resulted in few moths this morning but I had to laugh to myself when I saw this pair. http://www.pbase.com/image/127900020 -- Best, Bob Bob Moul (N8urePix AT Comcast.net) Adams County, PA USA "PROTECTING NATURE THROUGH EDUCATION" Photo Galleries: http://www.PBase.com/rcm1840 http://bob.moul.oiseaux.net/index.en.html [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Friends From: Bob Moul <n8urepix AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 19:26:27 -0400 Overnight temps in the mid 50s resulted in few moths this morning but I had to laugh to myself when I saw this pair. http://www.pbase.com/image/127900020 -- Best, Bob Bob Moul (N8urePix AT Comcast.net) Adams County, PA USA "PROTECTING NATURE THROUGH EDUCATION" Photo Galleries: http://www.PBase.com/rcm1840 http://bob.moul.oiseaux.net/index.en.html Subject: Re: Digest Number 1827 From: Guineabird AT aol.com Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 09:25:34 EDT In a message dated 8/28/2010 6:34:51 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com writes: I saw one (Carolina Mantis) last week at my house in Herndon, Virginia. I transferred it four houses down to my neighbor's yard. They eat way too many butterflies. They eat way too many caterpillars too. By the time I decided (with the help of a BUGS member) to put down a Chinese Praying Mantis beast (green, 4" long) in our yard, he had consumed 4 Monarch caterpillars of varying sizes. Gail Frantz Old Hanover Rd Reisterstown, MD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: a Carolina Mantis McLean, VA From: Mona Miller <runmede AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:20:32 -0400 I saw one last week at my house in Herndon, Virginia. I transferred it four houses down to my neighbor's yard. They eat way too many butterflies. On Fri, Aug 27, 2010 at 6:26 AM, Kessler, Clyde wrote: > > > Greetings, > > Monday evening, August 23, I saw a Carolina Mantis in a driveway in the > Chesterbrook subdivision in McLean. It's the first I have seen ever, so it > was a special delight to see. I live in southwestern Virginia where this > species doesn't occur. > > Best, > > Clyde Kessler > Radford, VA > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > -- Mona Miller Herndon, VA (USA) }i{ }i{ }i{ "Man should be good stewards of nature." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-digest AT yahoogroups.com VA-MD-DE-Bugs-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: a Carolina Mantis McLean, VA From: "Kessler, Clyde" <ckessler AT vt.edu> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 06:26:53 -0400 Greetings, Monday evening, August 23, I saw a Carolina Mantis in a driveway in the Chesterbrook subdivision in McLean. It's the first I have seen ever, so it was a special delight to see. I live in southwestern Virginia where this species doesn't occur. Best, Clyde Kessler Radford, VA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Thanks! From: Bonnie Ott <bonnieott AT ymail.com> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 01:43:14 -0700 (PDT) Thanks to everyone for their resource suggestions and ID help. I was very excited yesterday to have found what I think is a "Monkey Slug"? at the Howard Conservancy. (among many other things)! http://flic.kr/p/8vKiFX Bonnie Ott [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lake Artemesia (College Park, PG Co.) LepTrek on Saturday From: Rick Borchelt <rborchelt AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:51:08 -0400 The weather Saturday looks perfect for our impromptu LepTrek to Lake Artemesia, where Tom Stock in particular recently found a really nice diversity and high numbers of late-season butterflies. This informal butterfly walk will begin at 10 am in the Lake Artemesia parking lot (there is only one) and the troop will proceed around the lake counterclockwise (that is, beginning along the western shore with the abelia). We'll finish up by 1 pm and folks are welcome to decamp with me after to a local eatery (probably Bagel Place in College Park but happy to take alternate suggestions at the time). Should be continuing good nectar sources available, with goldenrod coming on as well the swamp milkweed, passionflower, pickerel weed, abelia, clovers, and various composites. (Note: Birders might want to come early and bird the lake first using the Luther Goldman birding trail, recently written up in collegepark.patch.com: http://collegepark.patch.com/articles/trail-heads-birds-of-a-feather-walk-lake- artemesia-together) For those who don't know it, Lake Artemesia is an artificial lake area managed by MNCPPC that was created as soil was removed for construction of Greenbelt Metro. It adjoins the confluence of Paint Branch and Indian Creek. It also happens to be one of the very best butterfly spots inside the Beltway. DIRECTIONS TO LAKE ARTEMESIA: From the Capital Beltway (I-95), take Kenilworth Avenue (Rte. 201) south and inside the Capital Beltway for 0.5 mile. Turn right on Greenbelt Road (Rte 193) following it 0.75 miles. Turn right on Branchville Rd. after Beltway Plaza (see sign for Lake Artemesia) following it for 0.7 miles. The road will bear left and left again crossing under Greenbelt Road where it changes its name to Balew Avenue. Just after the stop sign at Berwyn Road, turn left into the parking lot for Lake Artemesia. The lake, not visible from the parking lot, is about two blocks further down Balew Avenue. Look for the black Prius with RNGRIK plates. An RSVP would be appreciated but not strictly necessary, but if the weather turns dicey or there's any other problem I'll post a cancellation note to LepLog (www.leplog.wordpress.com) and email anyone who has expressed an interest. Cell phone is 202.812.7101 if there are any last-minutes questions. -- Rick Borchelt Director of Communication USDA Research, Education, and Economics preferred personal email: rickb |AT| nasw |DOT| org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: resources From: Mona Miller <runmede AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:50:18 -0400 These are some on line identification websites: http://leplog.wordpress.com/washington-area-butterfly-club/local-and-regional-lists-and-info/butterflies-occurring-in-the-dc-area/ Butterflies Occurring in the DC Area (This website has flight times for most species occurring in our area). http://www.gardenswithwings.com/identify-butterflies.html This website is a good review for beginners. http://www.rkwalton.com/skip.html Someone just alerted me to this online video of identifying skippers, too. http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/ Butterflies of North America http://www.rlephoto.com/ Butterflies of the Carolinas and Virginias http://wisconsinbutterflies.org/butterfly Wisconsin Butterflies http://www.nhm.ac.uk/jdsml/research-curation/research/projects/hostplants/index.dsml Caterpillar host plant database, you can put the plant or butterfly in and get what plants it uses. Must use latin names. If it doesn't come up with complete name listed, just take a few letters off the end and keep searching. http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/common-comparisons.asp MA Butterflies you can do side-by-side comparisons http://www.ncwings.com/butterflies/butterflies.html North Carolina Butterflies http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/butterfly/ This is the garden forum, butterflies. People from all over even some foreign locations. You can post pictures for identication, too. I like trying to see if I can identify what people post. On Thu, Aug 26, 2010 at 11:45 AM, ALDEN HINCKLEY wrote: > > > Hi Bonnie, > > Took a look at your caterpillar. It matches the American Dagger Moth, > Acronicta americana, > p 324 of David Wagner's "Caterpillars of Eastern N. America." > > Aloha, > > Dex > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Frank Boyle> > > To: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com > > > Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2010 7:28 AM > Subject: RE: [VA-MD-DE-Bugs] resources > > Hi Bonnie! > > I know you from the MD Osprey list! > > I have some great resources for you, mostly butterflies but also a few > tried-and-true insect guides. > > Caterpillars of Eastern North America > > David Wagner > > Princeton University Press > > This is by far THE BEST caterpillar guide for butterflies and moths > anywhere! > > A Field Guide to the Beetles > > Peterson Field Guides > > Hasn't been updated in many years, but still an excellent resource > > Butterflies of North America: A Natural History and Field Guide > > James A. Scott > > Stanford University Press > > Also hasn't been revised in years, but this is my butterfly "bible"! I keep > it in the car as it is really heavy, even in paperback. > > Eastern Moths > > (formerly) Peterson Field Guide series, now printed/published by the > Virginia Museum of Natural History > > If ya like moths, Charlie Covell's masterpiece is still the ONLY good moth > field guide for the East. Ditto on not being revised (since the 1980s). > > Butterflies of Delmarva > > Elton N. Woodbury > > Tidewater Publishers > > This odd little guide (he refused to cover Skippers) has excellent > photographs, > > And, of course, Butterflies through Binoculars: The East > > Jeffrey Glassberg > > Oxford University Press > > Whether or not you espouse the ideals of NABA (North American Butterfly > Association) this field guide has introduced millions to the joy of > watching > butterflies! > > There's a few, I have many more arcane insect guides but it would take > hours > to list them! I also have to go to work, unfortunately J > > Frank Boyle > > Rohrersville, MD > > From: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com > > > [mailto:VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com > >] > > > On Behalf Of Bonnie Ott > Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2010 6:36 AM > To: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com > > > > > Subject: [VA-MD-DE-Bugs] resources > > Hi, I'm new to the list and to insect identification. I have been birding > for 30 > years. I recently acquired a little camera which has allowed to to take > pictures > of what I find and sort (or try) them out at home. > > I have an assortment of small Peterson and Golden guides. I mainly use > "Butterflies through Binoculars East" and I just purchased Kaufman's > butterflies. I also have "Caterpillars of Eastern North America" and > Kaufman's > insects. I am interested in recommendations for books that would help me > with > identification. > > I do almost all my hiking in Howard County, Md. I went the the Middle > Patuxent > Environmental Area yesterday and found this gorgeous caterpillar which I > have > not matched up. (not the only one of course)! > It was very striking! > > http://flic.kr/p/8vut5Y > > > Bonnie Ott > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > -- Mona Miller Herndon, VA (USA) }i{ }i{ }i{ "Man should be good stewards of nature." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-digest AT yahoogroups.com VA-MD-DE-Bugs-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Re: resources From: "ALDEN HINCKLEY" <ecologist123 AT msn.com> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:45:35 -0400 Hi Bonnie, Took a look at your caterpillar. It matches the American Dagger Moth, Acronicta americana, p 324 of David Wagner's "Caterpillars of Eastern N. America." Aloha, Dex ----- Original Message ----- From: Frank Boyle To: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2010 7:28 AM Subject: RE: [VA-MD-DE-Bugs] resources Hi Bonnie! I know you from the MD Osprey list! I have some great resources for you, mostly butterflies but also a few tried-and-true insect guides. Caterpillars of Eastern North America David Wagner Princeton University Press This is by far THE BEST caterpillar guide for butterflies and moths anywhere! A Field Guide to the Beetles Peterson Field Guides Hasn't been updated in many years, but still an excellent resource Butterflies of North America: A Natural History and Field Guide James A. Scott Stanford University Press Also hasn't been revised in years, but this is my butterfly "bible"! I keep it in the car as it is really heavy, even in paperback. Eastern Moths (formerly) Peterson Field Guide series, now printed/published by the Virginia Museum of Natural History If ya like moths, Charlie Covell's masterpiece is still the ONLY good moth field guide for the East. Ditto on not being revised (since the 1980s). Butterflies of Delmarva Elton N. Woodbury Tidewater Publishers This odd little guide (he refused to cover Skippers) has excellent photographs, And, of course, Butterflies through Binoculars: The East Jeffrey Glassberg Oxford University Press Whether or not you espouse the ideals of NABA (North American Butterfly Association) this field guide has introduced millions to the joy of watching butterflies! There's a few, I have many more arcane insect guides but it would take hours to list them! I also have to go to work, unfortunately J Frank Boyle Rohrersville, MD From: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Bonnie Ott Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2010 6:36 AM To: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [VA-MD-DE-Bugs] resources Hi, I'm new to the list and to insect identification. I have been birding for 30 years. I recently acquired a little camera which has allowed to to take pictures of what I find and sort (or try) them out at home. I have an assortment of small Peterson and Golden guides. I mainly use "Butterflies through Binoculars East" and I just purchased Kaufman's butterflies. I also have "Caterpillars of Eastern North America" and Kaufman's insects. I am interested in recommendations for books that would help me with identification. I do almost all my hiking in Howard County, Md. I went the the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area yesterday and found this gorgeous caterpillar which I have not matched up. (not the only one of course)! It was very striking! http://flic.kr/p/8vut5Y Bonnie Ott [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: resources From: "Arthur V. Evans" <arthurevans AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:20:52 -0400 Hello Bonnie! This list below will help you get started. All of this information and more is included in my book, National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Insects and Spiders of North America , which I think compliments the Eaton/Kaufman insect guide very nicely. General insect identification Capinera, J.L., R.D. Scott, and T.J. Walker. 2004. Grasshoppers, Katydids, Crickets of the United States. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY. 249 pp. Cranshaw, W. 2004. Garden Insects of North America. The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Bugs. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ. 656 pp. Eaton, E.R. and K. Kaufmann. 2007. Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America. Houghton Mifflin Co., New York, NY. 391 pp. Elliott, L. and W. Hershberger. 2007. The Songs of Insects. Houghton Mifflin Co., New York, NY. 227 pp. (includes CD) Evans, A.V. 2007. National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Insects and Spiders of North America. Sterling, New York, NY. 497 pp. Marshall, S.A. 2006. Insects: Their Natural History and Diversity; With a Photographic Guide to the Insects of Eastern North America. Firefly Books, Buffalo, NY. 718 pp. Butterflies and moths Allen, T.J., J.P. Brock, and J. Glassberg. 2005. Caterpillars in the Field and Garden. A Field Guide to the Butterfly Caterpillars of North America. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. 232 pp. Brock, J.P. and K. Kaufman. 2003. Butterflies of North America. Houghton Mifflin Co., New York, NY. 383 pp. Covell, C.V. 2005. A Field Guide to the Moths of Eastern North America. Virginia Museum of Natural History, Martinsville, VA. 496 pp. Glassberg, J. 1999. Butterflies Through Binoculars. The east: a field guide to the butterflies of Eastern North America. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. 242 pp. Opler, P.A. and V. Malikul. 1998. Eastern Butterflies. Houghton Mifflin Co., New York, NY. 486 pp. Wagner, D.L. 2005. Caterpillars of Eastern North America. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ. 512 pp. Dragonflies and damselflies Beaton, G. 2007. Dragonflies and Damselflies of Georgia and the Southeast. The University of Georgia Press, Athens, GA. 355 pp. Dunkle, S.W. 2000. Dragonflies Through Binoculars. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. 266 pp. Lam, E. 2004. Damselflies of the Northeast. Biodiversity Books, Forest Hills, NY. 96 pp. Spiders Howell, W.M. and R.L. Jenkins. 2004. Spiders of the Eastern United States. Pearson Education, Boston, MA. 363 pp. Selected web sites On-line field guide and insect identification resources on the internet http://www.bugguide.net Cheers, ART EVANS Arthur V. Evans, D.Sc. 1600 Nottoway Ave. Richmond, VA 23227 804.264.0488 arthurevans AT verizon.net http://arthurevans.wordpress.com Research Associate: Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC Department of Recent Invertebrates, Virginia Museum of Natural History, Martinsville, VA Life Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA What's Bugging You? http://arthurevans.wordpress.com Checklist of the New World Chafers http://www.museum.unl.edu/research/entomology/SSSA/nwmelos.htm Become a fan of "Dr. Art Evans, entomologist" on Facebook to find out about upcoming lectures, books, and other insect events [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: resources From: Bob Moul <n8urepix AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:01:12 -0400 Bonnie, Your caterpillar is a Spotted Apatelodes ( Apatelodes torrefacta) Compare to this one from BugGuide. http://bugguide.net/node/view/212526 Best, Bob Bob Moul (N8urePix AT Comcast.net) Adams County, PA USA "PROTECTING NATURE THROUGH EDUCATION" Photo Galleries: http://www.PBase.com/rcm1840 http://bob.moul.oiseaux.net/index.en.html Bonnie Ott wrote: > Hi, I'm new to the list and to insect identification. I have been birding for 30 > years. I recently acquired a little camera which has allowed to to take pictures > of what I find and sort (or try) them out at home. > > I have an assortment of small Peterson and Golden guides. I mainly use > "Butterflies through Binoculars East" and I just purchased Kaufman's > butterflies. I also have "Caterpillars of Eastern North America" and Kaufman's > insects. I am interested in recommendations for books that would help me with > identification. > > I do almost all my hiking in Howard County, Md. I went the the Middle Patuxent > Environmental Area yesterday and found this gorgeous caterpillar which I have > not matched up. (not the only one of course)! > It was very striking! > > http://flic.kr/p/8vut5Y > > Bonnie Ott > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > Subject: Re: resources From: "Beth" <bajohnsonjohnson AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:37:49 -0000 Bonnie, MY favorite general insect resource is Bugguide.net. It is a gigantic - and growing - database of photos and information contributed by individuals. Since you're adept with the camera (nice shots & a cute caterpillar!), you might try posting a photo there for i.d. request. See the "Help" tab for instructions. The caterpillar looks close to a tiger / tussock moth to me, but the "hair" is longer than on any of those that I've seen. I paged quickly through the tribe Arctini caterpillar photos & did not find a match. Have fun, Beth Johnson Subject: Re: resources From: odonata457 AT comcast.net Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:33:11 +0000 (UTC) Bonnie, Welcome to the list. Yellow form of the American Dagger Moth Acronicta americana . Richard ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bonnie Ott" To: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2010 6:36:26 AM Subject: [VA-MD-DE-Bugs] resources   Hi, I'm new to the list and to insect identification. I have been birding for 30 years. I recently acquired a little camera which has allowed to to take pictures of what I find and sort (or try) them out at home. I have an assortment of small Peterson and Golden guides. I mainly use "Butterflies through Binoculars East" and I just purchased Kaufman's butterflies. I also have "Caterpillars of Eastern North America" and Kaufman's insects. I am interested in recommendations for books that would help me with identification. I do almost all my hiking in Howard County, Md. I went the the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area yesterday and found this gorgeous caterpillar which I have not matched up. (not the only one of course)! It was very striking! http://flic.kr/p/8vut5Y Bonnie Ott [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: resources From: "Frank Boyle" <ravenfrank AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:28:20 -0400 Hi Bonnie! I know you from the MD Osprey list! I have some great resources for you, mostly butterflies but also a few tried-and-true insect guides. Caterpillars of Eastern North America David Wagner Princeton University Press This is by far THE BEST caterpillar guide for butterflies and moths anywhere! A Field Guide to the Beetles Peterson Field Guides Hasn't been updated in many years, but still an excellent resource Butterflies of North America: A Natural History and Field Guide James A. Scott Stanford University Press Also hasn't been revised in years, but this is my butterfly "bible"! I keep it in the car as it is really heavy, even in paperback. Eastern Moths (formerly) Peterson Field Guide series, now printed/published by the Virginia Museum of Natural History If ya like moths, Charlie Covell's masterpiece is still the ONLY good moth field guide for the East. Ditto on not being revised (since the 1980s). Butterflies of Delmarva Elton N. Woodbury Tidewater Publishers This odd little guide (he refused to cover Skippers) has excellent photographs, And, of course, Butterflies through Binoculars: The East Jeffrey Glassberg Oxford University Press Whether or not you espouse the ideals of NABA (North American Butterfly Association) this field guide has introduced millions to the joy of watching butterflies! There's a few, I have many more arcane insect guides but it would take hours to list them! I also have to go to work, unfortunately J Frank Boyle Rohrersville, MD From: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Bonnie Ott Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2010 6:36 AM To: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [VA-MD-DE-Bugs] resources Hi, I'm new to the list and to insect identification. I have been birding for 30 years. I recently acquired a little camera which has allowed to to take pictures of what I find and sort (or try) them out at home. I have an assortment of small Peterson and Golden guides. I mainly use "Butterflies through Binoculars East" and I just purchased Kaufman's butterflies. I also have "Caterpillars of Eastern North America" and Kaufman's insects. I am interested in recommendations for books that would help me with identification. I do almost all my hiking in Howard County, Md. I went the the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area yesterday and found this gorgeous caterpillar which I have not matched up. (not the only one of course)! It was very striking! http://flic.kr/p/8vut5Y Bonnie Ott [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: resources From: Bonnie Ott <bonnieott AT ymail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 03:36:26 -0700 (PDT) Hi, I'm new to the list and to insect identification. I have been birding for 30 years. I recently acquired a little camera which has allowed to to take pictures of what I find and sort (or try) them out at home. I have an assortment of small Peterson and Golden guides. I mainly use "Butterflies through Binoculars East" and I just purchased Kaufman's butterflies. I also have "Caterpillars of Eastern North America" and Kaufman's insects. I am interested in recommendations for books that would help me with identification. I do almost all my hiking in Howard County, Md. I went the the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area yesterday and found this gorgeous caterpillar which I have not matched up. (not the only one of course)! It was very striking! http://flic.kr/p/8vut5Y Bonnie Ott [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RFI: NJ Pine Barrens From: Scott Baron <brnpelican AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:14:40 -0700 (PDT) Hi, Does anyone out there have info on good locations for butterflying in the New Jersey Pine Barrens in late summer? Please contact me at the email address below. Thanks in advance. Scott Baron Fairfax, Va. brnpelican AT yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Re: Somatochlora and some butterflies From: Hal White <halwhite AT udel.edu> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:38:45 -0400 Paul, I don't know the locations in Wicomico or Worcester Counties, but I suspect the habitat would be somewhere in the bottom lands associated with the Pocomoke River or Nassawango Creek. The recently emerged Coppery Emerald found by Dam Bogar earlier this summer in Caroline Co. had come from a mucky flood plain pool. Rick Cheicante would have to provide the particulars of his discovery last week. Happy hunting. Hal paul wrote: > > > Hal, > > Wow, what habitat are you finding them in, and what time of day? I think > there is only one known site in Virginia (Frank Carle's old record in > the Piedmont). Remember we had them at the NH regional DSA meeting last > year in the evening as they hunted over a baseball field! > > Paul > > --- In VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com > , Hal White wrote: > > > > Paul, Be on the look out for Somatochlora georgiana. Rick Cheicante > > found them in two more Delmarva counties last Friday. Hal > > > > paul wrote: > > > > > > > > > Today I took a walk in Pocahontas SP, Chesterfield Co., VA to look for > > > some dragonflies along a small forest stream. I saw at least 6, and > > > caught and released one Mocha Emerald (Somatochlora linearis)along a > > > stream that was mostly dry with a few pools and some trickles. > > > > > > I saw a few leps as I walked along the forest road: > > > > > > Tawny-edged Skipper > > > C. Roadside-Skipper > > > Sachem > > > N. Broken-dash > > > S. Cloudywing > > > Harvester > > > C. Buckeye > > > C. Wood-Nymph > > > Carolina Satyr > > > Sleepy Orange > > > > > > Paul Bedell > > > Richmond Subject: Re: Somatochlora and some butterflies From: "paul" <pbedell AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:07:18 -0000 Hal, Wow, what habitat are you finding them in, and what time of day? I think there is only one known site in Virginia (Frank Carle's old record in the Piedmont). Remember we had them at the NH regional DSA meeting last year in the evening as they hunted over a baseball field! Paul --- In VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com, Hal White wrote: > > Paul, Be on the look out for Somatochlora georgiana. Rick Cheicanti > found them in two more Delmarva counties last Friday. Hal > > paul wrote: > > > > > > Today I took a walk in Pocahontas SP, Chesterfield Co., VA to look for > > some dragonflies along a small forest stream. I saw at least 6, and > > caught and released one Mocha Emerald (Somatochlora linearis)along a > > stream that was mostly dry with a few pools and some trickles. > > > > I saw a few leps as I walked along the forest road: > > > > Tawny-edged Skipper > > C. Roadside-Skipper > > Sachem > > N. Broken-dash > > S. Cloudywing > > Harvester > > C. Buckeye > > C. Wood-Nymph > > Carolina Satyr > > Sleepy Orange > > > > Paul Bedell > > Richmond > > > > > Subject: Re: ID help needed for lepidopteran From: Alex Netherton <danetherton AT charter.net> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:53:07 -0400 > Well what is the technique? Sorry. Wrong word; when suffering a migraine, I often get wrong words. Maybe characteristics would be better. This is snipped from Covell, 1984 "Eastern Moths", a Peterson Guide (AFAIK, no longer in print): No italics, as I think this group does not allow HTML mail (why not??). Begin quote: Promethea Moth or Spicebush Silkmoth /Callosamia promethea/ (Dru.) *Identification:* /Wings blackish/ in male, except for whitish pm. line, pale tan terminal border, and pink shading around apical spot. /Female bright reddish to dark brown/, usually with well-developed reniform spots. Wingspan 7.5-9.5 cm. Tulip Tree Silk Moth /Callosamia angulifera/ (Wlk) *Identification:* Usually slightly /larger/ than Promethea Moth (above). /Wings dark brown/, not blackish in male; whitish pm. line, terminal area and reniform spots more distinct. Wings /yellowish to orangish brown in female, with no reddish tint; FW reniform spot usually large/. Wingspan 8-11 cm. End of quote. Clear as mud, and I have had trouble in the past with these too... -- Alex Netherton Asheville, NC danetherton AT charter.net http://blueridgediscovery.com Subject: Re: Somatochlora and some butterflies From: Hal White <halwhite AT udel.edu> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 08:17:54 -0400 Paul, Be on the look out for Somatochlora georgiana. Rick Cheicanti found them in two more Delmarva counties last Friday. Hal paul wrote: > > > Today I took a walk in Pocahontas SP, Chesterfield Co., VA to look for > some dragonflies along a small forest stream. I saw at least 6, and > caught and released one Mocha Emerald (Somatochlora linearis)along a > stream that was mostly dry with a few pools and some trickles. > > I saw a few leps as I walked along the forest road: > > Tawny-edged Skipper > C. Roadside-Skipper > Sachem > N. Broken-dash > S. Cloudywing > Harvester > C. Buckeye > C. Wood-Nymph > Carolina Satyr > Sleepy Orange > > Paul Bedell > Richmond > > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-digest AT yahoogroups.com VA-MD-DE-Bugs-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Re: Re: ID help needed for lepidopteran From: Mona Miller <runmede AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:07:44 -0400 Well what is the technique? This is a side by side comparison. One half of the picture is C. promethea and the other half is C. augulifera. http://bugguide.net/node/view/316294 A comparison of Callosamia promethea vs. Callosamia angulifera I think its Callosamia angulifera - Tulip-tree Silkmoth. On Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 6:12 PM, Alex Netherton wrote: > > I've had lots of responses to my ID request. Most people said > > Promethea Silkmoth, Callosamia promethea. Tulip-tree Silkmoth, > > Callosamia angulifera, was also mentioned a few times. Looking at > > photos of both, it's not obvious to me how to tell the difference. > > Worse yet, it turns out these two species have been known to > > hybridize! Well at least I know it's in the genus Callosamia. > > > > Thank you all, > > > > June > HAHA! As the Apple commercial says, "you have just come to a sad > realization". I never could tell the difference, but Covell (Peterson's > Guide) has a technique for it. > > -- > Alex Netherton > Asheville, NC > danetherton AT charter.net > http://blueridgediscovery.com > > -- Mona Miller Herndon, VA (USA) }i{ }i{ }i{ "Man should be good stewards of nature." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Somatochlora and some butterflies From: "paul" <pbedell AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:46:21 -0000 Today I took a walk in Pocahontas SP, Chesterfield Co., VA to look for some dragonflies along a small forest stream. I saw at least 6, and caught and released one Mocha Emerald (Somatochlora linearis)along a stream that was mostly dry with a few pools and some trickles. I saw a few leps as I walked along the forest road: Tawny-edged Skipper C. Roadside-Skipper Sachem N. Broken-dash S. Cloudywing Harvester C. Buckeye C. Wood-Nymph Carolina Satyr Sleepy Orange Paul Bedell Richmond Subject: Re: ID help needed for lepidopteran From: Alex Netherton <danetherton AT charter.net> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:12:45 -0400 > > I've had lots of responses to my ID request. Most people said > Promethea Silkmoth, Callosamia promethea. Tulip-tree Silkmoth, > Callosamia angulifera, was also mentioned a few times. Looking at > photos of both, it's not obvious to me how to tell the difference. > Worse yet, it turns out these two species have been known to > hybridize! Well at least I know it's in the genus Callosamia. > > Thank you all, > > June HAHA! As the Apple commercial says, "you have just come to a sad realization". I never could tell the difference, but Covell (Peterson's Guide) has a technique for it. -- Alex Netherton Asheville, NC danetherton AT charter.net http://blueridgediscovery.com Subject: Sad news about Tom Allen From: "Smith, Richard H." <Richard.Smith AT jhuapl.edu> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:50:17 -0400 All, Tom Allen, author of The Butterflies Of West Virginia and their Caterpillars and coordinator of butterfly records for West Virginia for the past USGS-sponsored Butterflies and Moths of North America website, passed away on August 9, 2010. Jane Whitaker, member of the Brooks Bird Club of WV, informed me of his passing; and Fran Pope, of Oakland, MD, was kind enough to find and send me his obituary, which is attached. Dick Smith P.S. Some of the listservs do no allow attachments, so let me know if you would like me to e-mail the obituary to you. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: 8-22-10: Butterflies at the National Arboretum before the Rain From: "Tom Stock" <altomomatic AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 22:48:07 -0400 I got out all too briefly (1.25 hours) at the National Arboretum in D.C. today before rain (and some thunder) chased me away. Highlights: a grand total of 11 Little Yellows; a lone male Fiery Skipper - this species has been scarce this year - just a few in my yard where in years past they have been common; plenty of Silvery Checkerspots, including a mating pair; and a Sleepy Orange hanging around the senna Bob Speaker planted in the Washington Youth Garden - thanks Bob! My list: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (13) Spicebush Swallowtail (9) Cabbage White (1) Orange Sulphur (3 Cloudless Sulphur (6) Little Yellow (11) Sleepy Orange (1) Gray Hairstreak (3) Red-banded Hairstreak (1) Eastern Tailed Blue (10) Summer Azure (1) Variegated Fritillary (1) Silvery Checkerspot (7) Pearl Crescent (14) Question Mark (1) Common Buckeye (17) Monarch (9) Silver-spotted Skipper (6) Hayhurst's Scallopwing (7) Least Skipper (5) Fiery Skipper (1) Peck's Skipper (3) Tawny-edged Skipper (1) Cross Line Skipper (4) Little Glassywing (1) Sachem (est. 85) Zabulon Skipper (2) Dun Skipper (1) ****** Tom Stock Silver Spring, Md. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Elliott Island Road, Dorchester Co MD, 2010 August 20 From: rborchelt AT gmail.com Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 23:21:43 +0000 Skipped work on Friday to take advantage of the nice weather and head down to the Eastern Shore around Bestpitch and Blackwater NWR. While nectar sources were few, where nectar was available the numbers were VERY high (even tho diversity was rather low, as you might expect in mostly salt marsh territory). The big story of the day was the amazing concentration of gray hairstreaks on a patch of white clover at the intersection of Elliott Island Road and Kraft Neck Road -- easily more than a hundred in a rather modest half acre or so. Good numbers of salt marsh skipper and broad winged skippers in the vicinity of the "yellow house" farther down Elliott Island Road, well known to birders who haunt the area for calls of black rail and location of a couple good patches of salt marsh fleabane. Here's the list using the NABA BIS database (where the alpha codes are s=superabundant >100, a=abundant 21-100, c=common 11-20) (==| Field Trip |==- Date: 08/20/2010 Number of Species: 13 Number of Individuals: 630 Location: Elliott Island Road, Vienna, MD MD , USA 21869 Notes: Driving along Elliott Island Road from Vienna to the bay (about 20 miles). Warm (upper 80's F.), sunny. In the field 12 noon - 3 pm. Few nectar sources for the most part; one extensive patch of white clover in a weedy soybean field verge at the intersection with Kraft Neck Road was especially productive. Salt marsh fleabane was about the only nectar source in the marsh proper. -==| List of Sightings for this Field Trip |==- Common Name Scientific Name Life Stage Number Seen Notes Black Swallowtail Papilio polyxenes Adult 1 Orange Sulphur Colias eurytheme Adult A several white form females Gray Hairstreak Strymon melinus Adult S amazing concentration on clover at Kraft Neck Rd, well over 100 Eastern Tailed-Blue Everes comyntas Adult A Pearl Crescent Phyciodes tharos Adult A Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Adult 1 Common Buckeye Junonia coenia Adult S Monarch Danaus plexippus Adult 1 Silver-spotted Skipper Epargyreus clarus Adult 1 Common Checkered-Skipper Pyrgus communis Adult 1 Least Skipper Ancyloxypha numitor Adult C Broad-winged Skipper Poanes viator Adult C on salt marsh fleabane in the vicinity of the "yellow house" Salt Marsh Skipper Panoquina panoquin Adult C on salt marsh fleabane in the vicinity of the "yellow house" = [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lake Artemesia Aug 22 From: rborchelt AT gmail.com Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 23:12:22 +0000 Following in Tom Stock's footprints to Lake Artemesia in College Park this afternoon after the storms moved on, there was still a lot of butterfly action around the lakeside trail at Lake Artemesia. The hopping nectar source was the several banks of abelia along the west side of the lake; in the first 10 minutes there I counted 50 each of Eastern tiger swallowtails and sachems before I stopped counting. And I picked up Tom's broad-winged skipper as well, nectaring (as it was for him) on pickerel weed. Other nectar sources included a second flush of porcelain berry, some sumac, a few swamp milkweeds, and various composites. For those who don't know it, Lake Artemesia is an artificial lake area managed by MNCPPC that was created as soil was removed for construction of Greenbelt Metro. It adjoins the confluence of Paint Branch and Indian Creek. It also happens to be one of the very best butterfly spots inside the Beltway. NEXT SATURDAY, weather permitting, I'd be glad of company for a couple hours of walking around the lake and adjoining lands. This informal LepTrek will begin at 10 am in the Lake Artemesia parking lot (there is only one) and the troop will proceed around the lake counterclockwise (that is, beginning along the western shore with the abelia). We'll finish up by 1 pm and folks are welcome to decamp with me after to a local eatery (probably Bagel Place in College Park but happy to take alternate suggestions at the time). Should be continuing good nectar sources available, with goldenrod coming on as well. (Note: Birders might want to come early and bird the lake first using the Luther Goldman birding trail, recently written up in collegepark.patch.com: http://collegepark.patch.com/articles/trail-heads-birds-of-a-feather-walk-lake-artemesia-together) DIRECTIONS TO LAKE ARTEMESIA: From the Capital Beltway (I-95), take Kenilworth Avenue (Rte. 201) south and inside the Capital Beltway for 0.5 mile. Turn right on Greenbelt Road (Rte 193) following it 0.75 miles. Turn right on Branchville Rd. after Beltway Plaza (see sign for Lake Artemesia) following it for 0.7 miles. The road will bear left and left again crossing under Greenbelt Road where it changes its name to Balew Avenue. Just after the stop sign at Berwyn Road, turn left into the parking lot for Lake Artemesia. The lake, not visible from the parking lot, is about two blocks further down Balew Avenue. Look for the black Prius with RNGRIK plates. No need to RSVP, but if the weather is dicey or there's any other problem I'll post a cancellation note to LepLog (www.leplog.wordpress.com) and email anyone who has expressed an interest. Here's my count for today (where the alpha codes are from the NABA site; s=superabundant >100, a=abundant 21-100, c=common 11-20) Date: 08/22/2010 Number of Species: 19 Number of Individuals: 666 Location: Lake Artemesia, College Park MD , USA 20740 Notes: Late afternoon (3 pm-5pm), partly cloudy, warm (upper 80's F) and very humid following rains earlier in the day. Abundant nectar sources: swamp milkweed, Mikania (climbing hempweed), pickerel weed, and several rows of planted Abelia. -==| List of Sightings for this Field Trip |==- Common Name Scientific Name Life Stage Number Seen Notes Black Swallowtail Papilio polyxenes Adult 1 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Papilio glaucus Adult S well over a hundred on the Abelia alone Spicebush Swallowtail Papilio troilus Adult 3 Orange Sulphur Colias eurytheme Adult 4 Cloudless Sulphur Phoebis sennae Adult 1 Sleepy Orange Eurema nicippe Adult 1 Gray Hairstreak Strymon melinus Adult 2 on Mikania Eastern Tailed-Blue Everes comyntas Adult 7 Variegated Fritillary Euptoieta claudia Adult 1 Pearl Crescent Phyciodes tharos Adult A Common Buckeye Junonia coenia Adult A Red-spotted Purple Limenitis arthemis astyanax Adult 2 Viceroy Limenitis archippus Adult 1 Monarch Danaus plexippus Adult A Silver-spotted Skipper Epargyreus clarus Adult A Crossline Skipper Polites origenes Adult 1 Sachem Atalopedes campestris Adult S Zabulon Skipper Poanes zabulon Adult 1 female Broad-winged Skipper Poanes viator Adult 1 nectaring on pickerel weed [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: ID help needed for lepidopteran From: June Tveekrem <damselfly AT southernspreadwing.com> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 11:15:08 -0400 I've had lots of responses to my ID request. Most people said Promethea Silkmoth, Callosamia promethea. Tulip-tree Silkmoth, Callosamia angulifera, was also mentioned a few times. Looking at photos of both, it's not obvious to me how to tell the difference. Worse yet, it turns out these two species have been known to hybridize! Well at least I know it's in the genus Callosamia. Thank you all, June -- June Tveekrem Columbia, MD, U.S. damselfly|AT|southernspreadwing.com http://SouthernSpreadwing.com Subject: 8-21-10: Butterflies at Lake Artemesia, PG County, Md. From: "Tom Stock" <altomomatic AT verizon.net> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 23:11:24 -0400 Spent three hours today at Lake Artemesia and found 26 species of butterflies, and some amazing numbers -- 79 Tiger Swallowtails, 53 Monarchs, 62 Buckeyes, and a host of Sachems. Also found two Broad-winged Skippers, that seemed out of place. Here's my list: Zebra Swallowtail (1) Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (79) Spicebush Swallowtail (8) Cabbage White (2) Clouded Sulphur (2) Orange Sulphur (23) Cloudless Sulphur (1) Eastern Tailed Blue (13) Summer Azure (2) Variegated Fritillary (1) Pearl Crescent (55) Painted Lady (3) Common Buckeye (62) Red-spotted Purple (1) Viceroy (1) Tawny Emperor (1) Monarch (53) Silver-spotted Skipper (15) Least Skipper (2) Peck's Skipper (9) Cross Line Skipper (10) Little Glassywing (3) Sachem (500) conservative estimate Zabulon Skipper (11) Broad-winged Skipper (2) Dun Skipper (1) ***** Tom Stock Silver Spring, Md. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: ID help needed for lepidopteran From: Garrett <froglipp AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 23:00:29 -0400 I stand corrected. It is more likely the promethea silk moth. Lisa Garrett On Sat, Aug 21, 2010 at 10:59 PM, Garrett wrote: > Looks to be a cynthia moth. Like a cecropia but its host is trumpet creeper > if I am not mistaken. Neat pics by the way. > Lisa Garrett > > On Sat, Aug 21, 2010 at 1:41 PM, June Tveekrem < > damselfly AT southernspreadwing.com> wrote: > >> >> >> On August 17 I was walking on the shore of Liberty Reservoir in >> Carroll County, MD, and saw all 4 wings of a lepidopteran on the >> trail. The body was gone; evidently something had eaten it and left >> the wings. I arranged the wings to show the upperside and underside >> and took photos. It doesn't look like any butterfly I've ever seen, >> so I'm guessing it's a moth. Photos posted at >> http://junetvee.smugmug.com/Nature/Mystery-Lep/13429365 >> >> June >> >> -- >> June Tveekrem >> Columbia, MD, U.S. >> damselfly|AT|southernspreadwing.com >> http://SouthernSpreadwing.com >> >> >> > > > > -- > Lisa R Bierer-Garrett > North Beach, MD > froglipp AT gmail.com > -- Lisa R Bierer-Garrett North Beach, MD froglipp AT gmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-digest AT yahoogroups.com VA-MD-DE-Bugs-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Re: ID help needed for lepidopteran From: Garrett <froglipp AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 22:59:16 -0400 Looks to be a cynthia moth. Like a cecropia but its host is trumpet creeper if I am not mistaken. Neat pics by the way. Lisa Garrett On Sat, Aug 21, 2010 at 1:41 PM, June Tveekrem < damselfly AT southernspreadwing.com> wrote: > > > On August 17 I was walking on the shore of Liberty Reservoir in > Carroll County, MD, and saw all 4 wings of a lepidopteran on the > trail. The body was gone; evidently something had eaten it and left > the wings. I arranged the wings to show the upperside and underside > and took photos. It doesn't look like any butterfly I've ever seen, > so I'm guessing it's a moth. Photos posted at > http://junetvee.smugmug.com/Nature/Mystery-Lep/13429365 > > June > > -- > June Tveekrem > Columbia, MD, U.S. > damselfly|AT|southernspreadwing.com > http://SouthernSpreadwing.com > > > -- Lisa R Bierer-Garrett North Beach, MD froglipp AT gmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-digest AT yahoogroups.com VA-MD-DE-Bugs-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Re: ID help needed for lepidopteran From: Mona Miller <runmede AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 21:21:29 -0400 *http://bugguide.net/node/view/316294* A comparison of *Callosamia promethea* vs. *Callosamia angulifera* I think its Callosamia angulifera - Tulip-tree Silkmoth. On Sat, Aug 21, 2010 at 8:26 PM, Bob Moul wrote: > > > June, > > The wings in your photos are from a Promethea Moth. > > http://www.pbase.com/rcm1840/image/126699082 > > Best, > Bob > > Bob Moul (N8urePix AT Comcast.net ) > Adams County, PA USA > > "PROTECTING NATURE THROUGH EDUCATION" > Photo Galleries: > http://www.PBase.com/rcm1840 > http://bob.moul.oiseaux.net/index.en.html > > > June Tveekrem wrote: > > On August 17 I was walking on the shore of Liberty Reservoir in > > Carroll County, MD, and saw all 4 wings of a lepidopteran on the > > trail. The body was gone; evidently something had eaten it and left > > the wings. I arranged the wings to show the upperside and underside > > and took photos. It doesn't look like any butterfly I've ever seen, > > so I'm guessing it's a moth. Photos posted at > > http://junetvee.smugmug.com/Nature/Mystery-Lep/13429365 > > > > June > > > > -- Mona Miller Herndon, VA (USA) }i{ }i{ }i{ "Man should be good stewards of nature." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: ID help needed for lepidopteran From: Bob Moul <n8urepix AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 20:26:08 -0400 June, The wings in your photos are from a Promethea Moth. http://www.pbase.com/rcm1840/image/126699082 Best, Bob Bob Moul (N8urePix AT Comcast.net) Adams County, PA USA "PROTECTING NATURE THROUGH EDUCATION" Photo Galleries: http://www.PBase.com/rcm1840 http://bob.moul.oiseaux.net/index.en.html June Tveekrem wrote: > On August 17 I was walking on the shore of Liberty Reservoir in > Carroll County, MD, and saw all 4 wings of a lepidopteran on the > trail. The body was gone; evidently something had eaten it and left > the wings. I arranged the wings to show the upperside and underside > and took photos. It doesn't look like any butterfly I've ever seen, > so I'm guessing it's a moth. Photos posted at > http://junetvee.smugmug.com/Nature/Mystery-Lep/13429365 > > June > Subject: ID help needed for lepidopteran From: June Tveekrem <damselfly AT southernspreadwing.com> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 13:41:18 -0400 On August 17 I was walking on the shore of Liberty Reservoir in Carroll County, MD, and saw all 4 wings of a lepidopteran on the trail. The body was gone; evidently something had eaten it and left the wings. I arranged the wings to show the upperside and underside and took photos. It doesn't look like any butterfly I've ever seen, so I'm guessing it's a moth. Photos posted at http://junetvee.smugmug.com/Nature/Mystery-Lep/13429365 June -- June Tveekrem Columbia, MD, U.S. damselfly|AT|southernspreadwing.com http://SouthernSpreadwing.com Subject: 8-20-10: Butterflies at the National Arboretum From: "Tom Stock" <altomomatic AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 22:09:27 -0400 I got out today to the National Arboretum in Washington, DC, and tallied 30 species. Highlights were eight Silvery Checkerspots, a species not recorded in DC until earlier this year, and a Little Yellow. Here's my list: Black Swallowtail (4) Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (16) Spicebush Swallowtail (1) Cabbage White (1) Orange Sulphur (2) Cloudless Sulphur (11) Little Yellow (1) Sleepy Orange (2) Gray Hairstreak (5) Red-banded Hairstreak (1) Eastern Tailed Blue (23) Silvery Checkerspot (8) Pearl Crescent (6) Question Mark (1) American Lady (2) Red Admiral (2) Common Buckeye (19) Tawny Emperor (1) Common Wood Nymph (3) Monarch (14) Silver-spotted Skipper (3) Hayhurst's Scallopwing (8) Horace's Duskywing (2) Wild Indigo Duskywing (1) Common Sootywing (1) Least Skipper (6) Cross Line Skipper (5) Little Glassywing (1) Sachem (180) conservative estimate Zabulon Skipper (1) ***** Tom Stock Silver Spring, Md. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Blue Mash Nature Trail bugs (Thursday), Mont Co. From: "Rob Garriock" <rgarriock AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:45:42 -0000 Blue Mash has ponds, fields and tree shrub areas providing diverse habitat. However, only the following were seen. Black Swallowtail (1 male) Spice bush swallowtail (1 male) Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (20-30) with over half of females dark form. Cabbage white (10+) Orange sulphur (20+) Clouded sulphur (20+) Eastern Tailed-blue Great Spangled Fritillary (3, one male two females) Pearl crescent (30+) Common Buckeye (50+) Red Admiral (1) Appalachien brown (2) Wood Nymph (10+) Monarch (6) numerous cats on milkweed. Red-spotted purple (3) skippers were numerous but difficult to id(really didn't spend close attention as i was carrying my son on my shoulders,also skippers were washed and worn from the rain. Zabulon Pecks Sachem Cloudy wing sp. Least Moths hummingbird clearwing (1) The dragonflies were impressive however my interest in them has not yet got to the point of looking species up. reptiles- eastern painted turtles birds- house wren, eastern towhee, common mockingbird, common yellowthroat, cardinal, field sparrow, green heron, wood duck, red-shouldered hawk, black and turkey vulture, northern roughwing swallow, indigo bunting, goldfinches. Cheers, Rob garriock kensington md Subject: Monarch Butterfly Conservation Day From: Mona Miller <runmede AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:40:40 -0400 *Monarch Butterfly Conservation Day* Saturday, September 4, 10am - 3pm Black Hills Regional Park, Boyds, Maryland http://www.montgomeryparks.org/nature_centers/blackhill/hours_directions.shtm Directions Join us to celebrate monarch butterflies and to explore their amazing annual migration to and from Mexico! All programs are free and first-come, first-served. *AT THE MONARCH WAYSTATION MEADOW* Tour of a Monarch Waystation Meadow 11 am – Noon. Ages 10 – adult The Monarch Watch program helps monarchs by encouraging people to plant nectar and host plants. Visit our waystation meadow, created by Montgomery County Master Gardeners, and learn how to create a Monarch Waystation at your home, school, church or local park. All participants take home a free monarch nectar/host plant. Meet at Monarch Waystation gravel parking lot off of Clarksburg Road (route 121). Look for the large monarch butterfly or call us before Sept. 4 for directions. *IN THE VISITOR CENTER AUDITORIUM* 10:30, 12:30, 2:30. Monarch Movie: “The Monarch King” All ages Learn about year in the life of a monarch butterfly in this film for kids from the Monarch Watch educational outreach program. Monarch Videos: “Monarchs Survived Winter in Mexico” 10am & Noon. Ages 8 and up Short videos of the 2009-10 winter season in the Mexican mountains. *ON THE BACK DECK OF THE VISITOR CENTER* Monarch Crafts On-going 10am – 3pm. Ages 4 and up with an adult Join volunteers for a make-and-take craft session. Make a caterpillar, monarch stamp art, and other fun creations. *ON THE SIDEWALK BY THE VISITOR CENTER ENTRANCE* Monarch Garden Plants Raffle Tickets for Sale On-going 10am – 3pm. All ages Our Friends of Black Hill Nature Programs gardener volunteers will be raffling off a complete garden of native perennial plants for monarchs and other butterflies (a value of $300) for just $5 a ticket. All proceeds will be donated to The Monarch Butterfly Fund for their project of planting oyamel fir trees in the Mexican Monarch Sanctuaries; see monarchbutterflyfund.org and click on reforestation projects. Please bring $5 to support this worthwhile cause. You just might win!! *IN THE VISITOR CENTER LOBBY* Monarch Life Cycle Exhibit On-going 10 am – 3 pm. All ages Explore a self-guiding exhibit featuring monarch eggs, caterpillars, chrysalides and adult butterflies. Monarch Migration Stations On-going 10am – 3pm. All ages How do delicate monarch butterflies make it to Mexico and back? Play our “Monarch Migration” game and discover for yourself what obstacles these amazing insects face on their epic journey. In/around Visitor Center. Friends of Black Hill Nature Programs: Display Table and Sale On-going 10 am – 3 pm. All ages. Stop by and find out the benefits of becoming a member. Buy monarch munchies and souvenirs. In addition to the FOBH, there will be other vendors selling butterfly related items, photographs, t-shirts and other original art. Monarch Resources Room for Teachers On-going 10 am – 2 pm. Adults. Browse our books, posters, videos, catalog, games, crafts and other resources that are available for teaching a butterfly unit or curriculum. Also, the Friends of Black Hill Nature Programs will be there with their hands-on discovery nature boxes on butterflies which teachers may use with their classes when visiting the park. *ON THE VISITOR CENTER LAWN* Monarch Storytime for Families Ongoing 10am – 3pm. Ages 3-7 Enjoy reading one of our many monarch storybooks to your children or ask a volunteer to read it for them. In the shade of the birdfeeder area Monarch Migration Tagging and Release On-going 11am – 3 pm. All ages Volunteer Mona Miller will tag and release migrating monarchs every 10 minutes. Hear about the monarchs’ journey. In the tent. Monarch Photo Opportunity On-going 10 am – 3 pm. All ages Bring your own camera and take photos of your kids as they peer out from behind a people-sized monarch butterfly and caterpillar. Monarch Music 1:30-2:00pm (All ages) Join volunteer musicians in a show and sing-along of monarch butterfly songs. Bring your own folding chair or blanket. Meet in front of the canopy in the lawn. Vendors of Nature On-going 10am – 3pm. Bring some spending money to purchase a butterfly t-shirt, photograph, original artwork or items for your butterfly and bird gardens. -- Mona Miller Herndon, VA (USA) }i{ }i{ }i{ "Man should be good stewards of nature." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-digest AT yahoogroups.com VA-MD-DE-Bugs-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: ChirpID - Orthopteran Testers Needed for I-Phone App From: Sam Droege <sdroege AT usgs.gov> Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:18:38 -0400 All: Bruce Martin has graciously volunteered his programming talents to create and i-Phone app that allows the user to learn selected Cricket and Katydid calls. Currently the list is restricted only to a few common species of the East, but once the technology is proven this can readily be expanded. Tom Walker graciously permitted his sound files to be used for this project. iPhone (and iPod Touch) users using the latest operating system (iOS4) can download the free app at: chirpid.com This app also has a feature that permits the geolocation of your detections of crickets and katydids. The app is fairly intuitive to use, but you can also see a quick video on the software at: See a video here: http://www.martinduo.com/martinsoft/chirpid_demo.swf. So Bruce needs some feedback on how this works so he can work out the bugs (or crickets) before he leaves on vacation in a couple of weeks. So if you could give this a try that would be wonderful. Any feedback on usability, sound quality, accuracy of the geolocations etc. would be very worthwhile. If useful this may be something we can use to gather information over large areas. Send Bruce your feedback at bruce.martinduo AT gmail.com Many thanks. sam Sam Droege sdroege AT usgs.gov w 301-497-5840 h 301-390-7759 fax 301-497-5624 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center BARC-EAST, BLDG 308, RM 124 10300 Balt. Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705 Http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov ?We believe that it requires great enthusiasms to deal accurately with little things; and that it is, consequently, impossible to meet with a reasonable or sober entomologist.? Edinburgh Review, 1822 (Found in the preface to The Thermal Warriors: strategies of insect survival, by Bernd Heinrich.) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Butterflies in Radford VA, 15 August 2010 From: "Kessler, Clyde" <ckessler AT vt.edu> Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 06:44:18 -0400 Yesterday afternoon (15 August 2010 from 1205 to 1405) in Radford's Wildwood Park: Silver-spotted Skipper 3 Horace's Duskywing 1 Wild Indigo Duskywing 11 Swarthy Skipper 2 Clouded Skipper 1 female Least Skipper 2 Fiery Skipper 2 males Sachem 10 (4 females, 6 males) Peck's Skipper 16 (mostly males) Tawny-edged Skipper 6 (one mating pair) Little Glassywing 1 female Zabulon Skipper 3 males Dun Skipper 2 Black Swallowtail 2 males Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 6 (2 males, 4 females) Spicebush Swallowtail 2 (1 female, 1 male) Cabbage White 21 Clouded Sulphur 1 Orange Sulphur 6+ Sleepy Orange 1 Eastern Tailed-Blue 6 Summer Azure 20+ Great Spangled Fritillary 2 females Silvery Checkerspot 16 Pearl Crescent 5 Common Buckeye 4 Common Wood-Nymph 1 Monarch 2 Best, Clyde Kessler Radford, VA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Tramea calverti (Striped Saddlbags) new for Delaware From: Hal White <halwhite AT udel.edu> Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 14:30:37 -0400 Jim White photographed a Striped Saddlebags, Tramea calverti, dragonfly along Route 9 near Woodland Beach in Kent County Delaware on August 11. This is the first Delaware record for this species and the second Delmarva record. The previous Delmarva record is from near Ocean City, Maryland, in 1976. Interestingly, today on the Odonata listserve came the announcement that Tramea calverti was also photographed this past week in New Hampshire for the first state record there and the northernmost record for this species. The Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens, is now being recorded commonly in northern New England and even Nova Scotia. Perhaps the steamy tropical weather we have been enduring will bring additional southern species and coastal migrants into our area. Keep your eyes open for Miathyria marcella (Hyacinth Glider), Orthemis ferruginea (Roseate Skimmer), Sympetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk), and Macrodiplax balteata (Marl Pennant) along the coast. Hal White Newark, DE ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-digest AT yahoogroups.com VA-MD-DE-Bugs-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Biocontrol for Native Ecosystems in the Eastern United States From: "Marc Imlay" <ialm AT erols.com> Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 05:49:42 -0400 BIOSOLUTIONS FOR BIOPOLLUTIONS 2010 August 19, 2010 The MAEPPC Board of Directors regrets to inform you that the Biosolutions for Biopollutions workshop has been canceled due to low registration numbers. The board will work to post biocontrol information on this website in September. www.ma-eppc.org _____ From: Marc Imlay [mailto:ialm AT erols.com] Sent: Monday, July 12, 2010 5:33 AM To: 'Marc Imlay'; 'Karyn Molines'; 'Albert Hartley'; 'Beth A. Johnson'; 'Brady Hartley'; 'Carole Bergmann'; 'Carolyn Fulton'; 'Cris Fleming'; 'Gary Steele'; 'Ginny/Bob Yacovissi'; 'Glen Rice'; 'Iris Mars'; 'Jim & Teresa Gallion'; 'Kirsten Johnson'; 'Linda Keenan'; 'Marney Bruce'; 'MarneyB'; 'Mary Pat Rowan'; 'Matt Cohen'; 'Matthew Bazar'; 'Melanie Choukas-Bradley'; 'Melanie Choukas-Bradley'; 'Rob Mardiney'; 'Rod Simmons'; 'Carol Jelich'; 'Leslie Cario'; 'Joe Metzger'; 'Lou Aronica' Subject: Biocontrol for Native Ecosystems in the Eastern United States Hi to everyone interested in preserving biological diversity in the Eastern United States, Several important conferences and workshops are coming soon that will focus on biological control of the non-native invasive plants species that are rapidly reducing our native biological diversity. Many more species now have insects and fungi present in the Eastern United States that are controlling such invasive plants as Mile-a-Minute Vine, Japanese Stiltgrass, Tree of Heaven, and Multiflora Rose than was the case 10 years ago. Some of these have been intentionally introduced. Others have just appeared on their own and many are native. Others are still in research stage. Goals we have include 1. Providing land managers practical up-to date information on how to obtain bio-controls, 2. Obtaining the latest information on current distribution of bio-controls and success of the bio-controls in controlling target non-native invasive plants at the established sites. 3. Potential or actual impact on non-target plants at these sites. Thanks! Marc Imlay, PhD Conservation biologist, 301-283-0808) Board member of the Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council, Hui o Laka at Kokee State Park, Hawaii Vice president of the Maryland Native Plant Society, Chair of the Biodiversity and Habitat Stewardship Committee for the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club. Please mark your calendars for the Stiltgrass Summit August 11-12, 2010, Carbondale, Illinois, which will focus on fungal biocontrol. See attachment. Check www.rtrcwma.org/stiltgrass for conference updates. The Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council is pleased to announce its biennial workshop....Biosolutions for Biopollutions 2010. The workshop will be held August 18-19, 2010, in Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, Pennsylvania. Come learn about the latest in biocontrols available for some of our most common invasive species pests including Japanese Knotweed, Mile-a-minute and Tree-of-Heaven. Full Agenda and mail-in Registration available, www.ma-eppc.org (online registration/pay pal coming soon). A nominal fee for the workshop includes MA-EPPC membership and subscription to Wildland Weeds ( http://www.fleppc.org/publications/Papers.htm). In addition to the species covered in the announcement information on these and other species will appear in hand outs and will be topics for discussion: Burning Bush Canada Thistle Garlic Mustard goats Japanese Knotweed Japanese Stiltgrass Kudzu Mile-a-Minute Mimosa, Silktree Multiflora Rose Phragmites Purple Loosestrife Tree of Heaven water hyacinth Announcement of an International Meeting on "Biological Control for the Protection of Native Ecosystems" To be held October 3-7, 2010, in Northampton, MA, with sponsorship of the University of MA, the University of CA, USDA Forest Service, USDA-ARS, US Department of Fish and Wildlife and the US National Park Service. The meeting's purpose is to explore the benefits of classical biological control to native forests, and associated habitats including wetlands, grasslands, deserts, and oceanic islands. The meeting is intended increase mutual understanding between the disciplines of biological control and conservation biology and examine how biological control contributes to the restoration of species and communities damaged by invasive plants and insects. The meeting website can be found at "biocontrolfornature.org" and here we attached the scientific program. The venue for the meeting is a classic small New England city, with most architecture dating from the 1890s, amply opportunities for tourism, dining and live music all within walking distance. The meeting takes place just prior to peak color for fall foliage. The meeting site is an historic hotel located in downtown Northampton, less than a block from vibrant street life, shops and restaurants. The meeting will include a one day field trip to view locally important invasive species, some of which are current or developing targets of biological control (hemlock woolly adelgid, Japanese knotweed, swallowwort, garlic mustard), as well as to appreciate views of the fall landscape and some cultural points. For more information consult the website or email/call Roy Van Driesche at UMASS (413-545-1061, vandries AT nre.umass.edu).(See attached file: meeting program-draft 1-june [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Mourning Cloaks Producing Honeydew ? From: Mona Miller <runmede AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 08:09:44 -0400 Recently, I noted that Mourning Cloaks appear to make a sappy substance when they are caterpillars and I am thinking they are feeding the ants that are on the willow. I actually saw droplets on the outside of their bodies and am finding the sappy substance down on the lower leaves. I am thinking that it is advantageous for them to befriend the ants for protection. Does anyone know anything about this? -- Mona Miller Herndon, VA (USA) }i{ }i{ }i{ "Man should be good stewards of nature." Subject: RE: Doing the Math From: "Marc Imlay" <ialm AT erols.com> Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:29:09 -0400 Hey Randy, The current guidelines applied to the mile-a-minute bio-control did not determine any species to be of no significant value. No other species was eaten by the weevils during the through testing. Purple Loosestrife bio-controls was one of the first released under the new guidelines. What is the impact on non-target plants? Marc -----Original Message----- From: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of RestoreHabitat AT aol.com Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 10:37 PM To: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [VA-MD-DE-Bugs] Doing the Math In a message dated 8/10/2010 12:36:20 PM Eastern Standard Time, louisagardener AT verizon.net writes: > But I agree that we have to make > decisions based on comparative probabilities. Louisa, So, what are the comparative probabilities? Have you done the math? (By the way, Marc, I searched high and low for a study or mention of the statistics that you mention and cannot find anything to corroborate it. Do you have a reference?) Let's suppose that Marc's statistics are accurate. If, of the 3% of "acceptable" non-target non-host interactions with native species and the Biocontrol that must be assumed, just one of those Biocontrols interacts with 22 non-target native species. The Louda study shows precisely that. One species of well-researched Biocontrol attacking 22 non-target native species (mainly biennials). It seems that releaser of that Biocontrol was aware of the possibility of expansion to non-target native species but deemed those species of no significant value. The Forest Service has said that "...Extinction of a single plant species may result in the disappearance of up to 30 other species of plants and wildlife." So, back to the earlier example: One species of seed-eating weevil Biocontrol potentially bringing about the direct demise of 22 native plants multiplied by the Forest Service's estimate of indirect impact which adds up to 660 species under threat because 3% failure is acceptable. And that is just one failed Biocontrol. The great potential exists for any number of the remainder since we have demonstrated (including recent research, Louda, 2002) that the current "tests cannot be relied upon to predict the "ecological" host range or impact on populations of less-preferred but accepted native species". And, since we have demonstrated "that even the most rigorous development of the host-specificity data will not provide the information required to predict patterns of host use and population growth in the field, especially outside the initial habitat." (Louda, Arnett, Rand, Russell 2002) Finally, since Biocontrols are not the ONLY possible solution, we've created a false dichotomy in suggesting that the above described threat is "acceptable". How comfortable are you with those probabilities? Randy Pheobus, President Native Grassland Conservancy [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/ Individual Email | Traditional http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/join (Yahoo! ID required) VA-MD-DE-Bugs-digest AT yahoogroups.com VA-MD-DE-Bugs-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com VA-MD-DE-Bugs-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Doing the Math From: RestoreHabitat AT aol.com Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:36:40 -0400 (EDT) In a message dated 8/10/2010 12:36:20 PM Eastern Standard Time, louisagardener AT verizon.net writes: > But I agree that we have to make > decisions based on comparative probabilities. Louisa, So, what are the comparative probabilities? Have you done the math? (By the way, Marc, I searched high and low for a study or mention of the statistics that you mention and cannot find anything to corroborate it. Do you have a reference?) Let's suppose that Marc's statistics are accurate. If, of the 3% of "acceptable" non-target non-host interactions with native species and the Biocontrol that must be assumed, just one of those Biocontrols interacts with 22 non-target native species. The Louda study shows precisely that. One species of well-researched Biocontrol attacking 22 non-target native species (mainly biennials). It seems that releaser of that Biocontrol was aware of the possibility of expansion to non-target native species but deemed those species of no significant value. The Forest Service has said that "...Extinction of a single plant species may result in the disappearance of up to 30 other species of plants and wildlife." So, back to the earlier example: One species of seed-eating weevil Biocontrol potentially bringing about the direct demise of 22 native plants multiplied by the Forest Service's estimate of indirect impact which adds up to 660 species under threat because 3% failure is acceptable. And that is just one failed Biocontrol. The great potential exists for any number of the remainder since we have demonstrated (including recent research, Louda, 2002) that the current "tests cannot be relied upon to predict the "ecological" host range or impact on populations of less-preferred but accepted native species". And, since we have demonstrated "that even the most rigorous development of the host-specificity data will not provide the information required to predict patterns of host use and population growth in the field, especially outside the initial habitat." (Louda, Arnett, Rand, Russell 2002) Finally, since Biocontrols are not the ONLY possible solution, we've created a false dichotomy in suggesting that the above described threat is "acceptable". How comfortable are you with those probabilities? Randy Pheobus, President Native Grassland Conservancy [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Re: Unintended Consequences From: Louisa Rogoff Thompson <louisagardener AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:35:58 -0400 Marc, Thank you for this information. I remain somewhat concerned about introducing non-native bio-controls, because they may always evolve to target natives, just as the apparently native rose rosette disease has evolved to feed upon multiflora. But I agree that we have to make decisions based on comparative probabilities. Is anyone doing research on breeding native bio-controls - i.e., searching for insects or pathogens that feed on plants related to the worst invasives and occasionally appear on the invasives, then breeding them with the intention of creating races (is that the right term? breeds? something similar to "cultivars") that can target the invasives? Louisa On 8/9/2010 2:09 PM, Marc Imlay wrote: > > Several years ago I attended the monthly meeting of FICMNEW (Federal > Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds). A > very detailed presentation of a research study of the behavior of released > bio-controls that passed the current tests for host specificity showed a > dramatic 97% drop in quantity of impact on non-target organisms > compared to > releases prior to the new standards. It is clear to me that the > cost/benefit > ratio favors their release for Class 1 invasive plants such as Japanese > Stilt Grass. I am still opposed to release for Class 3 invasive plants > such > as Chinese Day Lilly. Notice the Regal Fritillary is doing well at Fort > Indiantown Gap. Is this because we only release host specific bio-controls > such as the weevils for Mile-a-Minute? Check www.ma-eppc.org for the > agenda, > maps, registration forms etc. for August 18-19. We are also covering > bio-controls that have just popped up and appear to be native. Rose > rosette > Disease, for example, is reasonably effective on Multiflora rose but does > not harm the species of native rose tested. > > Marc Imlay, PhD > > Conservation biologist, > > (301-4425657cell, 301-283-0808) > > Board member of the Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council, > > Hui o Laka at Kokee State Park, Hawaii > > Vice president of the Maryland Native Plant Society, > > Chair of the Biodiversity and Habitat Stewardship Committee > > for the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club. > > -----Original Message----- > From: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com > > [mailto:VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com > ] > On Behalf Of Mona Miller > Sent: Friday, August 06, 2010 10:34 PM > To: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [VA-MD-DE-Bugs] Re: Unintended Consequences > > I posted a fact. It is a fact that scientists used to let whatever go > > to try to combat alien fauna and flora, but now they do research. > > Judge for yourself. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Five years > > isn't a lot of time to see how an alien species is going to react. > > People who are watching non-targeted fauna and flora disappear from > > past releases think its a bad thing. > > http://www.monarch.org.nz/monarch/forum/topic/white-butterfly-wasp-parasite- > also-attacks-monarchs > > Example of an earlier biocontrol that is still doing damage. These > > are in the United States, too. > > I raise many butterfly/moth species for conservation and I'm having to > > deal with predation from these very releases. > > BTW, it's not just insects: > > http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/biocontrol/ > > -- > > Mona Miller > > Herndon, VA (USA) }i{ }i{ }i{ > > "Man should be good stewards of nature." > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/ > > Individual Email | Traditional > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/join > > (Yahoo! ID required) > > VA-MD-DE-Bugs-digest AT yahoogroups.com > > > VA-MD-DE-Bugs-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com > > > VA-MD-DE-Bugs-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com > > > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-digest AT yahoogroups.com VA-MD-DE-Bugs-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: VA-MD-DE-Bugs-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Re: Common Wood Nymph From: Mona Miller <runmede AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:22:23 -0400 http://www.naba.org/pubs/ab141/ab141wood_nymph_ID.pdf "Go Get Set on Your Mark Wood Nymphs" Unfortunately, the whole article is not shown. http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/construct-species-page.asp?sp=Cercyonis-pegala Images from Mass Butterflies http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1857 *"Identification:* Geographically variable. Wings are brown. Upperside of forewing has 2 large yellow-ringed eyespots. Lowerside of hindwinghas a variable number of small eyespots. Southern and coastal butterflies are larger and have a yellow or yellow-orange patch on the outer part of the forewing. Inland butterflies are smaller and have the yellow forewing patch reduced or absent." "*Life history* * :* Males patrol for females with a dipping flightthrough the vegetation. In late summer, females lay eggs singly on host plant leaves. Caterpillars hatch but do not feed, instead hibernating until spring." When seen in grassy area males may be searching for females and females may be laying. I've seen Wood Nymphs in the grassy area of Claude Moore Park in Sterling, VA. They were also in the woodlands there, too. On Mon, Aug 9, 2010 at 4:10 PM, Rob Garriock wrote: > I was wondering if someone could clarify the species status of the southern > variety of the common wood nymph. > > I have seen this species in California, Ontario (Canada) and now here. > Although the nymphs i observed in California and Ontario were essentially > identical in behavior and appearance i cannot make that claim for you local > wood nymphs. > > In California they inhabit shrubby/grassy areas and fly very low to the > ground and essentially do not perch on trees. The same is true for ones in > Ontario Canada. I could not recognize your beautiful variety as it perches > in trees, is huge and beautifully marked. In fact, I could not find nymphs > in grassy/shrubby habitat that I might have expected to see them in other > locations. > > I thank anyone ahead of time who has some insight. I have read that > apparently intermediate marked specimens exist north of Columbus, OH. > > cheers rob garriock, kensington MD > -- Mona Miller Herndon, VA (USA) }i{ }i{ }i{ "Man should be good stewards of nature." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: sightings this week From: Rochelle Bartolomei <rockypandora AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 06:07:48 -0700 (PDT) congrats on the great finds, esp. the polyphemus moths, that must have been exciting. I live quite close to you so I'm inspired to be more vigilant in my area. Thanks for sharing and for bringing your son along to learn about the flying wonders. Rochelle ________________________________ From: Rob Garriock To: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Mon, August 9, 2010 3:55:20 PM Subject: [VA-MD-DE-Bugs] sightings this week all with my three year old son, here and there. Polyphemus moths and Red-banded hairstreak Today at Capital view park in Kensington, MD we found a coupled pair of Polyphemus moths under a maple tree. Butterflies species numbers were very low with the best lep being a Red-banded hairstreak. Friday i walked some unused train tracks around a "Kids drop zone" near Gainsville, MD. Butterflies included... E. Tiger Swallowtail (adults and cats) Spice bush swallowtail Cabbage White E. tailed blue Pearl crescent Viceroy Red-spotted purple monarch S. Common Wood-Nymph Appalachian Brown (large flight near marshy regions along side the tracks) silver-spotted skipper Erynnis sp skipper (wild indigo duskywing?) zabulon skipper several dark Poanes sp skippers i yet to id. -also found a pair of shed white tailed deer antlers and a common snapping turtle. later that day i headed to Patuxent river park Patuxent ponds on patuxent rd (son was asleep so bugs near the car park) -Common Buckeye (largest flight of buckeyes i have ever seen with 30-40 around the ponds). -Little yellow Bragers rd/patuxent rd intersection -viceroy -great spangled fritillary -zabulon skipper -pearl crescent -orange sulphur -silver-spotted skipper (no buckeyes although it is a few hundred feet away from the patuxent ponds). also, pond had eastern painted turtles and a northern water snake. cheers rob garriock, kensington md [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Common Wood Nymph From: "Rob Garriock" <rgarriock AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2010 20:10:13 -0000 I was wondering if someone could clarify the species status of the southern variety of the common wood nymph. I have seen this species in California, Ontario (Canada) and now here. Although the nymphs i observed in California and Ontario were essentially identical in behavior and appearance i cannot make that claim for you local wood nymphs. In California they inhabit shrubby/grassy areas and fly very low to the ground and essentially do not perch on trees. The same is true for ones in Ontario Canada. I could not recognize your beautiful variety as it perches in trees, is huge and beautifully marked. In fact, I could not find nymphs in grassy/shrubby habitat that I might have expected to see them in other locations. I thank anyone ahead of time who has some insight. I have read that apparently intermediate marked specimens exist north of Columbus, OH. cheers rob garriock, kensington MD Subject: sightings this week From: "Rob Garriock" <rgarriock AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:55:20 -0000 all with my three year old son, here and there. Polyphemus moths and Red-banded hairstreak Today at Capital view park in Kensington, MD we found a coupled pair of Polyphemus moths under a maple tree. Butterflies species numbers were very low with the best lep being a Red-banded hairstreak. Friday i walked some unused train tracks around a "Kids drop zone" near Gainsville, MD. Butterflies included... E. Tiger Swallowtail (adults and cats) Spice bush swallowtail Cabbage White E. tailed blue Pearl crescent Viceroy Red-spotted purple monarch S. Common Wood-Nymph Appalachian Brown (large flight near marshy regions along side the tracks) silver-spotted skipper Erynnis sp skipper (wild indigo duskywing?) zabulon skipper several dark Poanes sp skippers i yet to id. -also found a pair of shed white tailed deer antlers and a common snapping turtle. later that day i headed to Patuxent river park Patuxent ponds on patuxent rd (son was asleep so bugs near the car park) -Common Buckeye (largest flight of buckeyes i have ever seen with 30-40 around the ponds). -Little yellow Bragers rd/patuxent rd intersection -viceroy -great spangled fritillary -zabulon skipper -pearl crescent -orange sulphur -silver-spotted skipper (no buckeyes although it is a few hundred feet away from the patuxent ponds). also, pond had eastern painted turtles and a northern water snake. cheers rob garriock, kensington md Subject: RE: Re: Unintended Consequences From: "Marc Imlay" <ialm AT erols.com> Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 14:09:03 -0400 Several years ago I attended the monthly meeting of FICMNEW (Federal Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds). A very detailed presentation of a research study of the behavior of released bio-controls that passed the current tests for host specificity showed a dramatic 97% drop in quantity of impact on non-target organisms compared to releases prior to the new standards. It is clear to me that the cost/benefit ratio favors their release for Class 1 invasive plants such as Japanese Stilt Grass. I am still opposed to release for Class 3 invasive plants such as Chinese Day Lilly. Notice the Regal Fritillary is doing well at Fort Indiantown Gap. Is this because we only release host specific bio-controls such as the weevils for Mile-a-Minute? Check www.ma-eppc.org for the agenda, maps, registration forms etc. for August 18-19. We are also covering bio-controls that have just popped up and appear to be native. Rose rosette Disease, for example, is reasonably effective on Multiflora rose but does not harm the species of native rose tested. Marc Imlay, PhD Conservation biologist, (301-4425657cell, 301-283-0808) Board member of the Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council, Hui o Laka at Kokee State Park, Hawaii Vice president of the Maryland Native Plant Society, Chair of the Biodiversity and Habitat Stewardship Committee for the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club. -----Original Message----- From: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Mona Miller Sent: Friday, August 06, 2010 10:34 PM To: VA-MD-DE-Bugs AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [VA-MD-DE-Bugs] Re: Unintended Consequences I posted a fact. It is a fact that scientists used to let whatever go to try to combat alien fauna and flora, but now they do research. Judge for yourself. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Five years isn't a lot of time to see how an alien species is going to react. People who are watching non-targeted fauna and flora disappear from past releases think its a bad thing. http://www.monarch.org.nz/monarch/forum/topic/white-butterfly-wasp-parasite- also-attacks-monarchs Example of an earlier biocontrol that is still doing damage. These are in the United States, too. I raise many butterfly/moth species for conservation and I'm having to deal with predation from these very releases. BTW, it's not just insects: http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/biocontrol/ -- Mona Miller Herndon, VA (USA) }i{ }i{ }i{ "Man should be good stewards of nature." ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/ Individual Email | Traditional http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/join (Yahoo! ID required) VA-MD-DE-Bugs-digest AT yahoogroups.com VA-MD-DE-Bugs-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com VA-MD-DE-Bugs-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: FW: Gynandromorph Eastern Tiger Swallowtail From: "Smith, Richard H." <Richard.Smith AT jhuapl.edu> Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 09:36:43 -0400 Hi gang. Check out the flickr link below; you don't see many of these - a good reason to give all those clusters of Tiger Swallowtails on the Joe-Pye some second looks! - Dick Smith From: owner-leps-l AT lists.yale.edu [mailto:owner-leps-l AT lists.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Neil Jones Sent: Sunday, August 08, 2010 10:34 AM To: Carolinaleps; leps-l AT lists.yale.edu; Entomology Discussion List; uk-leps AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: Gynandromorph ETS Richard Stickney wrote: Hi all, First, an addition to our Forsyth County list from Monday: 7 Common Sootywings. Then, early this week, a friend of the Museum, Wilson Lamb, who lives in Hillsborough, sent us a photo of a nearly complete bilateral gynandromorph Tiger Swallowtail, made more dramatic by the fact that the female half was black WOW! that is a spectacular find. I am copying this to some other lists so that others can see it. Here is a direct link http://www.flickr.com/photos/rstickney/4867405545/ Neil; Jones neil AT nwjones.demon.co.uk [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Giant Swallowtail From: RestoreHabitat AT aol.com Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2010 20:18:22 -0400 (EDT) My apologies for not posting this last Sunday: Observed one Giant Swallowtail nectaring on Cirsium in Seneca, Montgomery County, Maryland, on August 1st, 2010. Randy Pheobus Native Grassland Conservancy [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Loudon Count From: Mona Miller <runmede AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2010 19:00:02 -0400 We had 44 species on our list alone. http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturebuggin/sets/72157624675580244/with/4869810511/ Here's some pictures taken by Gary Myers. He's with Fairfax Audubon. I was thankful to have another person who knew butterflies for verification. The Swarthy is on the pink thistle. He also got a few pictures of the American Copper. -- Mona Miller Herndon, VA (USA) }i{ }i{ }i{ "Man should be good stewards of nature." Subject: Re: Loudon Count logistics From: Mona Miller <runmede AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2010 11:55:38 -0400 If you don't hear from the organizers, then email them. Remember they have many people/places they have to organize. I'm not excusing the late notice, but I did email them asking about when we were going to receive the information. There's always next year. On Sun, Aug 8, 2010 at 11:49 AM, Rick Borchelt wrote: > Well, as I observed in response to your note on WashButterflies, I > stand corrected -- it went out at midnight on the day before the > count.  Have to say I wasn't watching email at the time. > Realistically, most people would not have seen this email until 24 > hours or less before the count.  If, like me, you don't hover over > your personal email, you might not have seen it until the count was > underway. > > As I observed to another one of the listserv members who emailed > offline to commiserate about the late notice, it's one of the first > things I learned as a volunteer community organizer (or in my current > incarnation as a manager in the civil service, which amounts to much > the same thing):  you have to give people multiple notice, starting > early on, give them every advantage to participate, and never assume > they're reading email in the instant you send it out.  We used to do > notification by snail mail, you know, and plans had to be final a week > before.  Or we'd pick up a phone and call/leave messages. The apparent > (but often illusory) instantaneous nature of email is no excuse to > foreshorten proper planning of a public event. > > But as I also noted on WashButterflies, we are talking volunteer > labor, so I applaud the work and offer constructive advice to not wait > until the day before to send details to participants. > > > On 8/8/10, Mona Miller wrote: >> Actually, the email for the Loudoun County went out at 12:30 AM on >> Friday morning.  We must have seen 50 Northern Pearl Eyes at MacDowell >> Property.  I don't know which team you were scheduled to walk with. >> >> On Sat, Aug 7, 2010 at 11:10 PM, Rick Borchelt wrote: >>> After finishing up just before the gates closed at 5:30 at Lilypons, I >>> headed down the road to the bridge over the Monocacy River on Rt 28 >>> and the trailhead for a number of paths through the Monocacy Natural >>> Resources Management Area near Dickerson. >>> >>> It was already getting pretty dim on the trail, which is mostly >>> heavily shaded, by the time I got on the trail at 6 pm.  But I quickly >>> spotted first one, then a dogfight of three or four, Northern >>> pearly-eyes — quite fresh, very dark, and with impressively large >>> eyespots.  All the pearly-eyes I saw (8 total) were in the first >>> quarter mile or so of the trail. >>> >>> In most places, the trail is single-file and crowded on both sides >>> with the introduced invasive Japanese stiltgrass, Microstegium >>> vimineum.  Two females farthest down the trail were both fluttering >>> mothlike in the gathering twilight in the stiltgrass, and I watched >>> both oviposit multiple times on the wide blades.  Most of the eggs >>> were in clusters; the one I examined most closely was a cluster of >>> four, greenish eggs laid singly but touching each other on the >>> underside of the leaf. >>> >>> Similar behavior has been noticed before along the Potomac by Robert >>> Robbins. >>> >>> -- >>> Rick Borchelt >>> Director of  Communication >>> USDA Research, Education, and Economics >>> preferred personal email:  rickb |AT| nasw |DOT| org >>> >>> >>> ------------------------------------ >>> >>> Yahoo! Groups Links >>> >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> Mona Miller >> Herndon, VA (USA) }i{ }i{ }i{ >> "Man should be good stewards of nature." >> >> >> ------------------------------------ >> >> Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> >> > > > -- > Rick Borchelt > Director of  Communication > USDA Research, Education, and Economics > preferred personal email:  rickb |AT| nasw |DOT| org > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > -- Mona Miller Herndon, VA (USA) }i{ }i{ }i{ "Man should be good stewards of nature." ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VA-MD-DE-Bugs/join (Yahoo! 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