13-YEAR CICADAS ARE NOW EMERGING IN THE NORTHERN HALF OF GEORGIA

Apr24

       For the next 4-6 weeks, the sounds and sights of 13-year cicadas will dominate many backyards throughout the northern half of Georgia; this is particularly true if you live near a hardwood forest. These insects are members of Brood XIX.

       During this time as soon as soon as you step outside you are likely to hear a sound that could easily pass for the sounds made by aliens in a science fiction movie.  The males generate these calls. They are so loud, and high-pitched they can reach noise levels of 90-100 decibels. Some say they are as high as the sound levels reached by a jet taking off, or rock concerts.  Although these deafening calls may seem like noise to us, to a female cicada they are love songs.

       These insects are named 13-year cicadas because they emerge every 13 years.  During the rest of their lives, they live beneath the surface on the ground burrowing, eating and growing.

       During the year they are scheduled to leave their subterranean home, they begin emerging when the soil temperature reaches 64º F.  Their exit holes are about ½-inch in diameter.  Sometimes they feature an earth turret.

       Once they reach the surface of the ground, they seek vertical structures.  This may be a tree, building, shrub, vine, or garden tool. Once they have found the right place they climb upward and shed their skin (exoskeleton) for the final time.  It is fascinating to watch one break free from its tough outer covering.  It somehow fits its entire body through a tiny slit located behind its head.

       When it breaks free, it is now white and features eyes that look like tiny rubies.  The insects must then wait 4-6 days before they are ready to fly.  During this time, they change color.  Their head and body become black and its transparent wings will be fringed in orange.

       After mating, the males die. The females die after they have laid their eggs on tree branches.  Upon hatching, the nymphs fall to the ground and burrow into the soil. They will subsequently not see the light of day for 13 years.

       While the adults are flying about they are eaten by a wide variety of wildlife including squirrels, moles, foxes, spiders, turtles, tanagers, wild turkeys, grackles, robins, woodpeckers and blue jays.

       Fortunately, the 13-year cicadas are not poisonous, nor do they bite or sting.  In addition, they rarely cause damage to the trees on which they lay their eggs. However, it is possible for them to damage young trees.  This can be prevented by draping netting over the saplings.

       The emergence of the 13-year cicada is one of Mother Nature’s strangest events. Throughout the range of Brood XIX, literally trillions of cicadas will emerge this year.  It is estimated that in some places their numbers will reach a million or more per acre. Dr. James Larsen, an entomologist and assistant professor at the University of Kentucky describes this amazing event as, “the most macabre Mardi Gras that you’ve ever seen.”

       If you would like to see if the XIX brood’s known range includes your county, download the free app called Cicada Safari.  If you find that it has not yet been recorded there, you can document the occurrence of the insects in that county.

      

        

      

BACKYARD SECRET – GEORGIA IS HOME TO A DIVERSE POPULATION OF NATIVE BEES

Apr21

        When we think of native pollinators, it is only natural to think about moths, butterflies and hummingbirds.  However, some of our most important native pollinators are bees.  There are some 4,500 species of native bees in the United States; 500 of these species live in Georgia.

BLOGGER REPORTS MONARCHS NECTARING AT ENCORE AZALEAS

Apr17

        Native azaleas are nectar plants used by butterflies and other pollinators. However, such is not the case with ornamental azaleas.  While these showy exotic spring bloomers are beautiful, they are not known for their production of nectar.  However, a few years ago I was surprised to find that a hybrid known as Encore Azalea does indeed attract butterflies. 

       Since that discovery, I have witnessed eastern tiger swallowtails, cloudless sulphurs, painted ladies, ocolas, common buckeyes, and long-tailed skippers nectaring at Encore Azalea blossoms. 

       An April 13, 2024, post by an anonymous blogger stated that monarchs also nectar on the shrub.

       If you have noticed other butterflies nectaring on Encore Azaleas, please let me know.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU FIND WILDLIFE YOUNG?

Apr14

       Spring is a wonderful time to be outside and enjoying wildlife.  However, it is also a time when you are likely to encounter young wildlife.  If you ever come across young birds or mammals, do you know what you should do?

       When most folks find them, they quickly let look about to see if a parent is nearby.  When they don’t see one, it is natural to assume the youngster is an orphan.  According to Kaitlin Goode, wildlife biologist and program manager of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Urban Wildlife Program, “While it may appear that a young animal is alone, the adult animal is usually close by even though you may not be able to see it.  Adult animals, such as deer, spend most of the day away from their young to reduce the risking of a predator find the young.”

       Although it is only natural to think that your best course of action is to rescue it.  According to Goode, “Wildlife, even young animals, rarely need interference from humans.”  She goes not to say, “Taking wildlife out of their natural environment and bringing them home often takes away the animal’s ability to survive in the wild, where it belongs.”

       If that is true, what should you do?  The Georgia Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) recommends that you should walk away and leave the animal where you found them.  Then wait at least 24hours before returning.  Upon your return, if it is still there, contact your nearest WRD office for guidance at GeorgiaWildlife.com.about/contact.   For more information, visit GeorgiaWildlife.com/living-with-wildlife

 

THE FLOWER FANTASY

Apr10

       If you are looking for a great experience, you should consider attending The Flower Fantasy at Pineola Farm and Garden just outside Fort Valley.  The event will take place April 20 and 21.  The event is the brainchild of Fort Valley’s Magnolia Garden Club.

       I will be presenting a colorful and informative program entitled A Collage of Color – Georgia’s Backyard Birds at 3 pm Sunday afternoon.  I hope to see you there.

       For more information on this special event click, the link found below.

       The Flower Fantasy — Pineola Farms & Gardens

BACKYARD SECRET – CAROLINA WRENS ARE PROLIFIC SONGSTERS

Apr7

       One of the things I enjoy most about spring is when I walk about my yard at this time of the year bird songs fill the air.  One of the most pleasant songs that floats across my yard is that of the Carolina Wren.  In fact, I hear Carolina wrens calling so frequently throughout a typical spring day; I have often wondered how frequently a male Carolina wren sings in a day.  If you have puzzled over this same question, here is the answer.
In one study, biologists recorded a male Carolina wren, housed in cage; sing three thousand times in a single day.

EASTERN COTTONTAIL RABBITS CAN HELP CONTROL DANDELIONS GROWING IN LAWNS

Apr3

      If you have an aversion to spraying herbicides on your lawn to control dandelions, the eastern cottontail rabbit just might help provide a more environmentally safe approach to weed control.

       It just so happens, that cottontails are fond of dandelions.  They eat the leaves, bright yellow blossoms and even the plant’s seeds.  This approach works for some homeowners. These individuals report that the rabbits cause little or no damage to ornamental and garden plants.  On the other side of the coin, many folks are afraid taking the risk cottontails might damage their cultivated plants.

       You might want to try this control technique.  If it does not help solve your problem, explore other approaches.  If it does, this member of the leporidae family might be the answer to an often-perplexing problem.  If you try it, you can tell your friends that you are controlling dandelions using a technique that has been around for a long time—weed control by leporidae.

FUNNEL WEAVER SPIDERS ARE ODD BACKYARD NEIGHBORS

Mar31

        I think it is safe to say, we went talk about our backyard wildlife neighbors butterflies, moths, bees, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians come to mind.  One reason for this is these are the wildlife we most commonly see.  However, in truth, they are but a small portion of the animals that inhabit our yards.  Once we begin noticing our “other” backyard neighbors, it quickly becomes clear that they are fascinating creatures and play a key role in the health of backyard environment.  One group of these critters is the funnel weaver spiders.

       One of the ways in which you can often tell a funnel weaver spider is close by is to take a look at their webs.  The webs of many of these spiders are horizontal instead of vertical.  Some of these spiders also place their webs above ground in shrubs and elsewhere.

       Regardless of where you find them, they all feature a funnel along the edge of the web.  These webs are often fairly large.  If you closely examine the web of a funnel weaver spider, you are likely to see a spider lurking at the entrance of its funnel (sometimes call a retreat). When an insect lands on its web, the spider darts out and capture it.

       My wife found the web of a funnel weaver spider in a camellia bush outside our garage.  The funnel was directly below an outside light.  If I was a funnel weaver spider, I would weaver my web there too.  I am sure insects drawn the light routinely fall or land in the web and thus provide this predator was a great source of food.

       If you look around your yard, I am sure you will find one or more funnel weaver spiders in your yard too.

BACKYARD SECRET – ARMADILLOS EAT FIRE ANTS

Mar27

     

       Some 50 percent of the armadillo’s diet consists of invertebrates such as ants, termites, beetles and the like.  In fact, ants are one of this odd creature’s favorite foods; an armadillo can consume 40,000 ants in a single day.

       However, many homeowners want to know if armadillos eat fire ants.  While many animals that consume ants shy away from eating fire ants, armadillos do dine on these dreaded imported pests. In fact, they will dig into mounds to reach the hidden insects.

       Some studies have shown that armadillos prefer to consume the defenseless broods that are often located near the top of a mound. Consequently, they do not eat the queens or enough of the members of the colony to destroy it.

 

ZEBRA SWALLOWTAILS ARE NOW FLYING

Mar24

      The zebra swallowtail (Eurytudes Marcellus) inhabits all of Georgia’s 159 counties.  It typically flies from late March into August; however, in my neck of the woods (middle Georgia), I see tiger swallowtails more often in early spring than at that at any other time of the year.

       The zebra swallowtail is easy to identify as it has a black and white stripes and long tails.  This handsome butterfly has a 2½-4” wingspan.  No other butterfly in Georgia looks anything like it.

      While this species prefers woodlands and shrubby areas, it will venture into backyards. This is particularly true if you live in suburban or rural areas.  Zebra swallowtails are less often seen in urban backyards. Most often, you will see a zebra swallowtail flying by close to the ground.  Much to our chagrin it will pass by without giving us a chance to enjoy its beauty.  However, there are ways in which you can enhance your chances of seeing one up close. 

       One of the best ways to accomplish this is to set out its host plant.   This butterfly’s caterpillar host is a small tree known as the pawpaw.

       You can also plant nectar plants. Zebra swallowtails prefer to feed at flowers that do not have long tubular throats.  They also seem to nectar most often at white flowers.

       The best way to lure male zebra swallowtails into your yard is to create a spot where they can stage a puddle party. This special habitat feature is a location where sand, soil, or gravel is wet.  Sometimes several males can be seen “puddling” at the same time.  They gather at such locations in search of salts and amino acids that are beneficial to their reproduction.