Prairie Cordgrass at Daughmer

Today I returned to Ohio newest State Nature Preserve, Daughmer Prairie. It is a good feeling to know that this prairie remnant will be protected for the future, and these gigantic Bur Oak trees which bore witness to Ohio's First Nations will survive.

A good day for the tree-huggers and weedpickers, indeed.

The morning haze was just rising off the grasses, as dragonflies dried their wings.

The Prairie Cordgrass, Spartina pectinata unfurled flowers waiting to be caressed by warm summer breeze- but a miniature pollinator crashes the party. It couldn't resist the invitation.

This hardy grass gets it name from the Greek: Spartina a grass used for cord and pectinate refers to the comb-like one sided branches of the panicle.

Grass that prefers it damp, Sloughgrass was another common name. Colonies form in dense mats where the ground remains soggy. The sharp leaves of this grass were also called "rip gut" and mule-train drivers soon learned to avoid these areas while crossing America's western prairies. Nothing could be worse than being axle deep in mud in hostile lands.

Remember Timmons, from Dances with Wolves? Even he would have known to avoid the Prairie Cordgrass.

Blue-footed... what?

Just when you thought you have seen it all, today we discovered an interesting feature on a caterpillar...
blue feet! What type of jumbo caterpillar has blue feet, and blue spines fitting for a punk rocker?

And look at his size. It was bigger around than my fingers and about 5-6 inches long. The luna green color, not uncommon for several of the giant silk moth caterpillars, and studded outer wear is the norm for this crowd. It was just a matter of matching up the specific colors and forms with the Wagner's Caterpillars of Eastern North America. If you have any interest in moths and butterflies this field guide is a "must have."

Cecropia Moth, Hyalopherra cecropia

Cecropias are one brooded in Ohio. Eggs hatch into larva in June, feed until August- and like this fat boy- they are now ready to construct a structure in which it will pass the winter. What is the difference between a butterfly's chrysalis and a moth's cocoon? A moth uses other materials to create the cocoon- whereas a chrysalis remains when a butterfly caterpillar sheds its last outer coat.

These larva deserve our respect, after all, very few make it this far. Most are eaten by birds, or chipmunks, squirrels, mice or any number of hungry creatures. This caterpillar would make a handsome meal once you got past the pointy parts.

Giants silk moths are, sadly, on the decline. They have suffered great losses to the parasitic tachinid fly, imported to kill Gypsy Moth. Unfortunately, the flies are not all that picky about their prey and 82% of the silk moths in one study were reported affected. Add to this the copious amounts of mosquito spray being used in suburban areas, and it is surprising we have any silk moths at all.

So three cheers for the blue-footed creatures; they are welcome to feed on my cherry trees!

Butterflies, finally!

Prairies are in peak condition in late July, and I planned to post from some of my recent prairie trips. However, since we have had so few butterflies to admire this year- this one especially caught my attention.


Can you name this butterfly?
It is doing none of the things I would expect this species to do. Honestly, I had to look twice before it made sense to me! This is not a butterfly I would look for in a prairie, and I have never seen them nectar on flowers, come to think of it.

It is a little easier to identify now that I caught a rare glimpse of its opened wings. This is a female Tawney Emperor, one of the three species of butterflies to use Hackberry trees exclusively as a host plant.

But how do I know it is female? First off, the color seemed a bit off to me. This female's color is a bit muted, but look at the red-rings around the eye spots on the hind wing- usually those just appear black. The shape of the wings are also a huge clue. In fact, the "fuller" shape of this voluptuous lady may be the other reason it required my second look. The hind wing is fuller and the fore wing is almost... squared off.

Tawney Emperor, a male doing all the things I would expect of a Tawney Emperor.

First, it was near a woods, not in an open field. Second, it is perched on a stump. Tawney Emperor are one of those species known to nectar on sap and dung; they are not generally the flower loving type. And finally, look at the inward curves on both the hind and fore wings. This the look with which I am most familiar.

But wasn't it fun seeing the differences of the male and female? I had never thought of Emperors as being dimorphic before. This is almost as good as sorting sparrows- or skippers!

Re-thinking Weeds

This past weekend was spent ping-ponging throughout the state, with lots of interesting, but not so botanical findings. However, I did find one "life-plant" which took me through the thrill of a new find, to the "aw-shucks" of "it is just another invasive weed."

As a Weedpicker, I just can't help myself. I am simply drawn to any vegetation that looks new or different to me. On a recent walk with my friends, Hugh and Judy...

Hairy Willow-herb, Epilobium hirsutum caught my eye. This lovely quarter-sized flower was blooming prolifically along a rocky man-made canal. My heart raced... what could it be? There was only one plant growing in this location. Could it be rare?

The long seed pods should have been a hint to its genus; it is a member of the herb-willows (or willow-herbs). Turns out, this is a newly emerging invasive plant on the prowl. Oh my, and it was so pretty- but such a disappointment.

The common names all get jumbled- but in Ohio we call this a Hairy Willow-herb. Seems simple enough and a good translation from the Latin name. However, one of my favorite reference tools, the USDA Plant Data Base calls it "codlins and cream." That may be my official vote for the craziest (and most worthless) common name ever!

Purple-leaved Willow-herb, Epilobium coloratum is a near-relative of the Hairy Willow-herb. It is very, very common in Ohio. Unfortunately you'll have to turn you head side-ways to see those similar seed pods, because the Blogger-gods refuse to post this photo in its correct orientation. The flower is four-petaled, like the more showy "Hairy" plant above, however they are minuscule and difficult to see on this Willow-herb. ( Pay no attention to the Queen-Anne's-Lace in the background. That just another invasive weed.)

Common Eveing-primrose, Oenothera biennis

Like the two willow-herbs above, Common Evening-primrose is another member of the family Onagraceae. This was the plant we originally went out to identify for my friends when I got so distracted by its showy pink (alien) cousin.

There are many forms of Evening-primrose in Ohio, both native and cultivated. However, this is the most common and weediest form. It was a staple in my flower gardens for many years, but I have been phasing it out, as it is an attractive to a major garden pest: Japanese beetles. Instead of powdering and poison insects, I find it easier and more environmental friendly to cease growing plants that attract non-native invasive insects.

It is all a matter of balance. Whether it is insects or plants, a few non-natives might be a beautiful addition, but they might be the beginning of an unwanted over-population. So chose your plants wisely.

A Habitat Hero

This is quite possibly my favorite story about Ohio habitats. It is the story of hope.

The Swamp Metalmark was a butterfly thought to be extirpated from Ohio. Since 1988 no one had seen this little creature, not much bigger than a copper colored penny.

One young man hadn't given up hope. Troy Shively was still looking for the metalmark, and his search took him to his own Grandfather's back yard. This swampy wetland had been untouched- and ironically, the last of Ohio's Swamp Metalmarks were hiding out in this fen.

A very special plant grows in that wetland beyond the Shively home. The Swamp Thistle is the only plant the Swamp Metalmark will lay their eggs upon and their caterpillars leave tell-tale signs in the leaves.

Swamp Thistle, Cirsium muticum is not a common plant. After all, nearly 95 percent of Ohio's wetlands have been drain; there just aren't that many swamps left for it to grow in.

Coral Hairstreak and Swamp Metalmark - photo by George Sydlowski

Nature photographer George Sydlowski captured these crisp images on our recent trip to visit the Swamp Metalmarks with the Ohio Lepidopterists Butterfly Observer's Group. Swamp Metalmark was a "life butterfly" for everyone in the group, except Troy!

Swamp Metalmark- photo by George Sydlowski

This story had a happy ending. Unfortunately, too many of our habitat stories do not. Hopefully our little copper beauties will live long and prosper- thanks to Grandpa Shively's wisdom for protecting their habitat.