A Promethea Moth and the Awe-inspiring Power of Nature

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Mary Anne Borge

A few days ago, the Nature Conservancy sent an email asking,

”Have you had a chance meeting with an animal much bigger than you on the hiking trail, or been witness to the awe-inspiring power of nature?”

If I think about it, I have been lucky enough to witness the awe-inspiring power of nature many times, in so many ways. But when I read this question, the encounter that came to mind first was with an animal much smaller than I am. It was a Promethea Moth (Callosamia promethea), one of the beautiful large silk moths.

The story starts in the fall a few years ago when I was looking for Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly chrysalises. Spicebush Swallowtails survive the cold winters in northern climates in the pupa stage, in a chrysalis. I’ve often seen this beautiful butterfly as an adult,

Spicebush Swallowtail nectoring on Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

and as a caterpillar,

Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpiller

but I had never found a chrysalis.

Spicebush Swallowtails have evolved to depend on members of the laurel family as caterpillar food (host) plants. Where I live, this means Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), and Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) are the plants on which Spicebush Swallowtails rely for their species’ survival. So I went to a place that I know has a lot of Spicebush and Sassafras, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, to search for chrysalises. While I was unsuccessful in my hunt for a butterfly chrysalis, I did find this curious construction, which turned out to be a Promethea Moth cocoon.

Promethea Moth (Callosamia promethea) Cocoon

Promethea Moth caterpillars have the ability to spin an amazingly strong silk that they use to reinforce the attachment of a leaf stem to its branch and surround themselves with a protective silken cocoon, using the leaf as the outer covering. The result is a perfectly disguised shelter that looks like a dead leaf hanging from a branch. Here they stay all winter long, emerging in late May, unless they become a meal for a clever bird that isn’t fooled by the cocoon’s subterfuge.

I kept an eye on the cocoon throughout the winter and early spring, checking on it whenever I visited the preserve. I am a naturalist there, and often lead tour groups. I was leading a 2 p.m. walk one day in the third week of May, telling the group about Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies, Promethea Moths, the cocoon we were about to see, and the fact that the moth would be emerging soon. When we reached the Spicebush, a gorgeous adult Promethea Moth was clinging to the cocoon.

Newly Emerged Promethea Moth

While it posed waiting for its wings to harden, the members of my tour group were able to take photos. Eventually, we tore ourselves away and went on with the walk. We were surrounded by beautiful spring blossoms, but the Promethea Moth remained the highlight for us all.

When the walk ended, I left my group at the visitors center, went to my car to get my camera, and returned to the moth. Still there! I was able to take a few photos, then witnessed the moth move its wings, flutter them, release its grip on the cocoon and take off into the air above to seek a mate.

Prometha Moth, ready for take-off!

What a ‘one with the universe day’ kind of day!

Wonders of a Winter Walk – The Marsh

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Mary Anne Borge

Sunday was a beautiful winter day – cold, but not windy, sunny, with just a dusting of fresh snow that fell over night. So we decided to go to ‘the marsh’ to look for wintering birds.

Gadwall Pair

The marsh to us is the Abbott Marshlands, known until recently as the Hamilton-Trenton-Bordentown Marsh. We went to the access point called Spring Lake at Roebling Park in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. It’s a reliable refuge for ducks looking to spend the winter in a place where there is enough open water to swim and feed. As a result, it’s a reliable refuge for birders, too. Sunday was not a disappointment. Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintails, Gadwalls, Green-winged Teal, American Coots, and Mallards were all present. Gadwalls, shown below assembling in a large flock on the ice at Spring Lake, were the most common species. (It reminds me of some conventions I’ve attended!)

A large flock of Gadwalls, on ice at Spring Lake

We saw Gadwalls gathering in open water, sometimes in small groups like these, possibly two mated pairs, relaxing with members of their own species.

Gadwalls, possibly mated pairs

The Gadwalls fed in groups, sometimes joined by American Coots. Coots are known to snatch food away from other birds, but Gadwalls are among the species that reverse that role. Were the Gadwalls stealing from the Coots, or the Coots from the Gadwalls, or were they working together as a cooperative group?

Gadwalls with American Coots, feeding

We saw Northern Shovelers, feeding in swirling cells, circling around and around to stir up food sources they could filter through their bills.

Northern Shovelers feeding in rotating cell, with Gadwall

Later we watched Northern Shovelers, American Coots, and Gadwalls, and even Mute Swans all walking on thin ice.

Northern Shoveler, adult male

Northern Shoveler, female

American Coot, skating on thin ice

In the north marsh, Mallards, Northern Shovelers and Gadwalls took refuge together behind stalks of Swamp Rose Mallow.

Wintering Ducks – Northern Shovelers, Mallards, Gadwalls

My husband got my favorite shot of the day.

Gadwall in flight over Spring Lake

Resources:

Birds of Lake, Pond and Marsh, 1999, John Eastman

The Stokes Field Guide to the Birds, 2010, Donald & Lillian Stokes

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Gadwall/lifehistory

http://cmboviewfromthecape.blogspot.com/2012/12/when-is-female-northern-shoveler-not.html

Life in Dead Wood

Posted on January 6, 2013 by Mary Anne Borge

‘Getting rid of dead wood’ or ‘Cutting out the dead wood’ are phrases that are so commonly used that they have become ubiquitous when referring to a ‘reduction in force’ in the corporate world. These phrases have their origin in advice for maintaining landscaping. In a formal setting where neatness is desired, or where a dead tree or branch poses a threat to people, property or power lines (why don’t they bury those power lines, anyway?), removing dead wood is certainly a prudent thing to do.

But is ‘getting rid of dead wood’ always a good idea? Does dead wood have any function or benefit in a less formal or a natural setting?

Well, let’s think about it. On the plus side, dead wood does provide a home for many species of fungi, some of which are eaten by insects, mammals (including people!) and other critters.

Mushrooms on dead wood

Some insects even develop inside mushrooms, like the puffballs pictured below.

Puffballs

At first glance these snails seem to be using the mushrooms as a sun deck, but a closer look shows that they are feeding here.

Snails feeding on mushrooms

The young edges of the colorful Chicken of the Woods mushroom are edible, and taste like, well, chicken.

Chicken of the Woods

Many insect species, including ants, wasps, bees, beetles and even butterflies make dead wood their home for at least part of their life cycle.

Eastern Commas, Question Marks and Mourning Cloaks survive the cold northern winter as adults, often taking shelter in a woodpile or underneath loose bark.

Eastern Comma

Mourning Cloak

Some species of solitary bees may make their nests in dead wood, like the sweat bee pictured below sipping nectar in the company of a Gray Hairstreak butterfly. This little sweat bee and other solitary bees are important pollinators, many providing free pollination services for food crops. Some of our native bees are more efficient pollinators than Honey Bees, because the native bees are a better anatomical match for the plants with which they evolved. Providing habitat for native bees can reduce the need to pay to truck in Honey Bees, the migrant workers of the insect world. It may also increase pollination rates and crop yield.

Sweat Bee and Gray Hairstreak on Indian Hemp (Apocynum cannabinum)

Most wasps are predators of other insects, helping to keep their populations in balance. Mason wasps, for example, provision their nests with caterpillars on which their larvae feed as they develop. They usually nest in borings made in dead wood by other insects like beetles or bees.

Mason Wasp (Monobia quadridens) on Hoary Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum incanum)

There are ant species that make their homes in rotting wood. Ants don’t cause wood to rot, and they don’t eat the wood. They excavate spaces for their nests in wood that is already soft, moist, and decaying. Ants are important seed dispersers for many plants, including violets, trilliums, Dutchman’s Breeches, Spring Beauty, and many more.

Ant with Canada Violet (Viola canadensis)

Ants and wood boring beetle larvae are favorite foods of many woodpeckers. Among them are the largest woodpeckers in North America, the Pileated Woodpecker. Have you have ever had a Pileated Woodpecker attack the siding of your home? If so, it’s because the bird has detected the presence of a delectable meal of carpenter ants there, which would only be present if you had rotting wood. So think of it as a free consultation, courtesy of nature, to let you know that you have some maintenance to do. Replace, paint or otherwise seal the wood to prevent moisture from getting in, and your problems with ants and woodpeckers will go away. They’ll go back to feeding on insects in the naturally rotting wood found in nature.

Pileated Woodpecker feeding on insects in dead tree

In the photo below a Pileated Woodpecker is peeking out from his nest hole. Can you tell what type of tree this is?

Pileated Woodpecker looking out of nest hole

If you said ‘dead’, you’re correct! In addition to providing a bountiful source of insect protein, dead wood offers real estate for homes for many birds, including Downy, Hairy, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and Flickers. Even Chickadees excavate holes in very soft, rotting wood for their nests. Titmice, White- and Red-breasted Nuthatches, Carolina and House Wrens all nest in holes in dead or living trees, sometimes using abandoned woodpecker holes. All of these birds also forage for insect protein, a bounty of which is available in or on dead wood.

Carolina Chickadee

Eastern Gray Squirrels are among the small mammals that may make their homes in hollows in dead or living wood. Their diet depends heavily on tree nuts, but it also includes insects and fungi, as does that of Eastern Chipmunks.

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Chipmunks often dig underground burrows, but they also use tree cavities for shelter. Larger mammals, like Red Fox or even Black Bear may use fallen or hollowed out trees as a shelter.

Eastern Chipmunk peeking out of tree stump

The chipmunks and squirrels may become a meal for a Red Fox …

Red Fox, hunting

or a Red-tailed Hawk …

Red-Tailed Hawk

… or a Great Horned Owl. Dead broken trees, called snags, are a favorite nesting place for these large predators.

Great Horned Owl in snag

All of this activity contributes to the breakdown and decomposition of the wood, which provides valuable nutrients to the soil. This makes a new generation of plants possible, keeping the cycle of life going.

Tree stump with mushrooms, mosses, ferns and Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense)

Dead wood provides shelter and food for insects and other arthropods, birds, and large and small mammals, including people. With the assistance of all of the inhabitants who avail themselves of these services, dead wood gradually breaks down, enhancing the soil for a new generation of plants.

Dead wood also helps to divert and slow the flow of water in heavy rainstorms, allowing the water to slowly penetrate into the soil where it falls, rather than rapidly running off into creeks, rivers, streams and storm sewer systems, contributing to flash flooding along the way.

So, what do you think, should we ‘get rid of the dead wood’?

Resources:

http://www.carnegiemnh.org/mollusks/palandsnails/ecology-diet.html

http://bugguide.net/node/view/5345

Cech, Rick; Tudor, Guy. Butterflies of the East Coast. 2005.

Eastman, John. Birds of Forest, Yard, & Thicket. 1997.

Eiseman, Charley; Charney, Noah. Tracks & Sign of Insects and Other Invertebrates. 2010.

Elbroch, Mark; Rinehart, Kurt. Behavior of North American Mammals. 2011.

Eaton, Eric R.; Kauffman, Ken. Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America. 2007.

Harrison, Hal H. Eastern Birds’ Nests. 1975

Mader, Eric; Shepherd, Matthew; Vaughan, Mace; Black, Scott Hoffman; LeBuhn, Gretchen. Attracting Native Pollinators: Protecting North America’s Bees and Butterflies. 2011.

A Winter Garden Can be a Wildlife Habitat

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Mary Anne Borge

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Thinking about ‘cleaning up’ your garden for the winter? You might want to reconsider. You may be disturbing the winter homes of many of the creatures you enjoy seeing during the warmer months.

For example, butterflies may be present in our yards and gardens in some life cycle stage year-round. Except for species that migrate or live in more hospitable climates, butterflies will need to find a safe haven to survive the cold winter months in northern locations. Fortunately, providing winter butterfly habitat may be less work than you think.

Swallowtail Chrysalis

Leaving leaf litter is one of the most beneficial things you can do, for both the plants in your garden and the critters that live there. Great Spangled Fritillaries and Baltimores are among the many butterfly species that spend the winter in or under this free, natural insulation and rich fertilizer. A mulch that’s automatically replenished by nature every year, leaf litter helps to minimize the need for watering your garden, while protecting soil from erosion, and controlling weeds. As the leaves gradually break down, they replenish the soil with essential nutrients plants need to survive and flourish. Leaf litter is the best, most cost effective mulch you can use for your plants, and provides important habitat for insects and birds.

Wild Senna (Senna hebecarpa)

Hoary Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum incanum)

Many perennials and grasses have lovely forms in winter, while providing food and shelter for insects, birds and other critters, so it’s best to leave them standing as much as possible. Pictured here are just a few of the many plants that provide visual interest in winter. Butterflies that use some of these as food plants will often spend the winter in leaf litter below them, or on the plant itself. Some skipper caterpillars may make a winter shelter in grass leaves, while overwintering Eastern-tailed Blue caterpillars may take refuge in a seed pod.

Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis)

For those lucky enough to have a meadow, maintenance recommendations include mowing to a height of 12-16 inches in late winter, but it’s best not to mow more than a third of a site in a given year. Although some overwintering butterflies and other beneficial insects will be lost as a result of mowing, the height helps to minimize harm to those whose shelters are at ground level or just above. The timing offers winter food and cover for birds. Mowing only a partial site enables the area to be repopulated by residents from the unaffected portions of the meadow.

Brush piles, logs, standing dead trees, tree cavities and loose bark may also provide overwintering sites, so preserve or make these available if you can. Eastern Commas, Question Marks, and Mourning Cloaks are some of the last butterflies active in late fall, and the first to emerge in spring. They spend the winter as adults, and are among the species that may use these winter shelters. Butterflies that overwinter in other life cycle stages may also take refuge here.

Eastern Comma

Birds may visit some of these plants for their seeds, like the Chipping Sparrow pictured here, feeding on Indian Grass. Hungry foragers like Chickadees and Goldfinches are likely to visit the mints and coneflowers. Birds may also find and feed on insects sheltering among these plants, including some of the overwintering butterflies. But to make up for it, they will feed on insects that may otherwise parasitize the butterflies. So over all, birds help keep the insect population in a healthy balance.

Chipping Sparrow eating Indian Grass seeds

I like the look of nature in winter. It’s fun to search for signs of critters, like a butterfly chrysalis attached to a tree or shrub branch. A few leaves of grass tied together with silk may be a winter haven for one of the skippers. With birds foraging for seeds, fruits or insects, that’s all I need to keep me interested. That’s a good thing, because the more we can leave their habitat in a natural state, the more good we will do for the insects and birds we enjoy so much.

Goldfinch in winter plumage

Asters Yield A Treasure Trove!

Posted on October 24, 2012 by Mary Anne Borge

Orange Sulphur on New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

A few days ago the weather was beautiful, with temperatures in the mid-60s, cloudless blue skies and a bit of a breeze, so we went for a walk at a wildlife management area in West Amwell, New Jersey. We were looking for birds, fall fruit and foliage, and any other interesting critters that happened to present themselves.

We didn’t expect to see a lot in the way of butterflies because of the cool temperatures, and because it’s so late in the season. We didn’t see many butterflies, but those we did see were pretty spectacular. Orange Sulphurs were out and about, which was to be expected, since they are among the species that stay active as late as November in this area. But the surprises were a Fiery Skipper and an American Snout, both of which are fairly rare in New Jersey, especially in late October. All were nectaring on various species of asters, or other aster family members, the goldenrods.

American Snout

Fiery Skipper on New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

Asters family members are the primary source of food for late season pollinators. They are prolific in their long bloom period, often continuing into November. Their flowering structure reflects a very clever strategy, and suggests this plant family’s alternate name, ‘composite’. What looks to us like a single flower is actually a cluster of tiny flowers, potentially of two different types, ray flowers and disk flowers.

Blue Wood Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium)

The photograph above of Blue Wood Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) shows the classic flower heads of the Aster family: a circle of ray flowers that look like petals, pale blue in this species, surrounding a cluster of tiny tubular disk flowers in the center of the head. If you look carefully at the disk flowers in this photo, you can see that the outer rows are open and blooming, while those in the center of the cluster are still in bud. This gradual bloom habit supports a long period of flowering, offering nectar to fall pollinators for many weeks. The disk flowers of this plant are a pale yellow in bud and when they first open, then turning pink or magenta as they age. This color change is thought to be a signal to pollinators, directing them to the receptive yellow flowers which are not yet pollinated and that will reward them with nectar, and steering them away from those blossoms that are already satisfactorily pollinated. (Plants are so clever!) Notice the pink and magenta disk flowers in some of the flower heads in this photo.

As soon as the temperature gets into the low 50s on these crisp late October mornings, the Bumble Bees begin foraging on billowing clouds of luminous Blue Wood Asters outside my windows, soon joined by other tiny bees and flies. Large dense clusters of bright pale blue flowers top the heart-leaved covered stalks of this woodland beauty. The shape of the leaves is reflected in the species name, cordifolium, and also gives this plant another commonly used name, Heart-leaved Aster. Pair Blue Wood Aster with White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricata) and Wreath (Bluestem) Goldenrod (Solidago caesia) or Zigzag Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis) for a spectacular late season shade garden display.

New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

Favorites for a sunny garden or meadow include New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), which is also seen blooming in many spots along roadsides, and Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium), whose intense blue flowers are irresistible to insects and humans alike.

Following are more asters and their visitors. You never know what treasures asters will yield!

Flower or Hover Fly, Helophilus sp, on Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)

Orange Sulphur on Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)

Orange Sulphur on Awl Aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum)

Hover or Flower Fly, likely Toxomerus geminatus, on Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)

Blue Wood Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) with Bumble Bee

Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) with Common Buckeye

Common Checkered Skipper on Aster

Mating Bees on Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)

The Natural Web

Exploring Nature's Connections

Tag Archives: nature

A Promethea Moth and the Awe-inspiring Power of Nature

Wonders of a Winter Walk – The Marsh

Life in Dead Wood

A Winter Garden Can be a Wildlife Habitat

Asters Yield A Treasure Trove!

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