Observations from Meadowood: September

Photo: Meadowood Recreation Area, Rusty Moran

During the pandemic we’ve had to cancel our regular wildlife surveys but some long-time participants are going out individually on an ad hoc basis to continue collecting data. Judy Gallagher is one of those folks who also captures photos of what she sees, in particular the less common species. Here are two observations from her most recent survey.

In an example of convergent evolution, Monarchs and Milkweed Tussock Moth caterpillars have both evolved to be able to eat and process the toxins in Milkweed leaves. They sequester the toxins which gives them some protection from being eaten by birds. Although both caterpillars are fairly common, they aren't usually seen munching on the same leaf. Yet, here they are together at Meadowood's Pollinator Garden, competing for food.

Milkweed Tussock Moth and Monarch Caterpillars, Judy Gallagher

 This beautiful insect is a Velvet Ant, so called because of its dense hair. It isn't really an ant, and you wouldn't want to pet its velvet coat. It's a female Mutillid wasp, seen recently at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Its other common name is "Cow Killer" as its sting is reputed to be bad enough to kill a cow. While the adult females don't have wings, the males do and look so different from the females that entomologists didn't realize that they were the same species until they saw the wasps mating. 

Velvet Ant, Judy Gallagher

Observations from Meadowood: August

Photo: Meadowood Recreation Area, Rusty Moran

During the pandemic we’ve had to cancel our regular wildlife surveys but some long-time participants are going out individually on an ad hoc basis to continue collecting data. Judy Gallagher is one of those folks who also captures photos of what she sees, in particular the less common species. Here are two observations from her recent survey.

This Sand-loving Wasp excavates a burrow in the ground for each egg she will lay. She then captures a Grasshopper (or occasionally a Katydid) for each burrow, paralyzing it with her venom, drags the grasshopper into the burrow by its antennae and lays an egg on the grasshopper's breast. The grasshopper serves as live food for the wasp larva. 

Sand-loving Wasp, Judy Gallagher

Green Tree Frogs are important for mosquito control, but they will eat any insect they can catch. Hundreds of tree frog males gather near ponds, lakes and streams and call out to catch the attention of females. Each female lays approximately 400 eggs. The eggs hatch after 5 days, then it takes 8 to 10 weeks for the tadpoles to become frogs. Adults can live for up to 6 years. Look for these beautiful creatures near bodies of water after a rainstorm.

Green Tree Frog, Judy Gallagher

Observations from Meadowood: July

Photo: Meadowood Recreation Area, Rusty Moran

During the pandemic we’ve had to cancel our regular wildlife surveys but some long-time participants are going out individually on an ad hoc basis to continue collecting data. Judy Gallagher is one of those folks who also captures photos of what she sees, in particular the less common species. Here are two observations from her recent survey.

Peck's Skipper is nectaring on Common Milkweed at West Meadowood in southern Fairfax County.  Many butterfly caterpillars require a specific plant for food.  Peck's Skipper caterpillars feed on native grasses such as Little Bluestem, but have also adapted to feed on Kentucky Bluegrass, a non-native species.  They are therefore relatively abundant as they can use lawns, power-line cuts and other disturbed areas as habitat.

Peck’s Skipper, Judy Gallagher

 This immature Northern Walkingstick is about 1 1/2 inches long, but will grow to be at least 3 inches long.  The mature insect is brown and looks like a twig.  Although they are insects, they don't have wings.  They eat the leaves of deciduous trees such as Oaks, American Hazel and Black Locust.

Northern Walkingstick, Judy Gallagher