Archive | March 2024

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.

COMMON BLUE VIOLET — A GREAT CONTAINER PLANT FOR WILDLIFE AND BEAUTY

Mar20

       Container gardening for wildlife is gaining popularity across the Peach State.  It offers gardeners the opportunity to bring wildlife onto their decks and patios while at the same time enhancing the beauty of their home landscape.  One plant that does well in such settings is the Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia).

       This Georgia native grows throughout the state. This small beauty grows only 5-7 inches tall.  It produces stunning asymmetrical flowers from late winter into summer that range from dark blue, pink and white. In addition, its heart-shaped leaves remain attractive well after it ceases blooming.

Unfortunately, it is a little-known fact that the plant is a source of pollen and nectar for many pollinators.  In addition, it provides these insects with food in late winter and spring with it is scarce. The insect pollinators that visit the plant range in size from petite syrphid flies (they are especially fond to the violet’s pollen) to butterflies. 

       Violets also serve as host plants for both the Diana and variegated fritillaries. In fact, throughout its range at least 27 other species of moths and butterflies also use this violet as a host.

       After the flowers shrivel and die, several species of birds eat the violet’s seeds.

       I think that if you find a place for the common blue violet in your container garden, you will enjoy it beauty and be amazed at how much wildlife you will attract and enjoy just a few feet outside your backdoor.

       If you would like more information about the Container Gardening For Wildlife for initiative sponsored by the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division, The Garden Club of Georgia and The Environmental Resources Network (TERN), contact Melissa Hayes at melissahayes@dnr.ga.gov

 

 

BACKYARD SECRET – THERE IS A CONNECTION BETWEEN RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS AND DANDELIONS

Mar17

      We are familiar with the dandelion. In fact, each year homeowners spend millions of dollars to eradicate them in an effort to make their lawns perfect.  However, it is a little-known fact that dandelions provide nesting material for ruby-throated hummingbirds.

       Dandelions produce spherical seed heads.  Many people call them blowballs for the simple reason children and adults alike enjoy blowing on them and watching the seeds blow away in the wind.

       Well, as it turns out ruby-throated hummingbirds take a fancy to these delicate seed heads too. Instead of watching the seeds drift through the spring sky, they use the fine fibers that enable the seeds to drift to points unknown as building material for their tiny, delicate nests.

BLOGGER HAS BEEN HOSTING A CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD ALL WINTER

Mar13

       Each winter, dedicated hummingbird enthusiasts maintain hummingbird feeders throughout the winter in hopes they will attract a wintering hummingbird.  Very few of us are successful in this pursuit.  However, since November a blogger that lives in the Atlanta area has been hosting one of the rarest hummingbirds ever seen in Georgia. This bird is a female calliope.

       Here is what hummingbird’s host has to say about this experience, “I have been hosting a calliope in my backyard since November 11 although she may have arrived earlier.  At the time, I had an abundance of late blooming nectar sources but immediately fired up my sugar water and put out a feeder for her.  During the artic blast we had a few weeks ago, I was able to keep the sugar water from freezing with rotations and hand warmers but have now purchased a heated hummingbird feeder should she somehow come back next year.”

       As late as a couple of days ago, the bird was still patrolling her backyard.

       The calliope is the smallest breeding bird in the United States and Canada. In addition, it is also one of the smallest birds in the entire world.  It weighs about as much as a ping-pong ball (1/10 of an ounce) and is only three inches long.

       The calliope hummingbird nests in the western United States and the southwestern corner of Canada.  The tiny migrant winters in southern Mexico.  Each year the calliope travels some 5,000 miles from its breeding grounds to its winter home and back again.  Occasionally some birds will winter in Georgia and other states.

       I think it is safe to say, the lucky blogger that has been hosting this fascinating hummingbird is one of the BIG winners in the annual Georgia Wintering Hummingbird Lottery.  Congratulations!

BACKYARD SECRET – BIRDS EAT REDBUD BLOSSOMS

Mar10

   The blossoms of the redbud tree are a valuable source of nutrition for pollinators in early spring.  However, it is a little-known fact that a number of species of birds also dine on the redbud tree’s pink flowers.  Three of the species that eat the beautiful flowers are the dark-eyed junco, cedar waxwing, and northern cardinal.

   Have you ever seen birds eating these early spring flowers?  If so, what were they?

BACKYARD SECRET – RUBYTHROATS MIGRATE MOSTLY DURING THE DAYLIGHT HOURS

Mar7

      Now that we know the ruby-throated hummingbirds are winging their way back to Georgia, it is hard not to ponder how these amazing little birds are capable of making this arduous journey from its wintering grounds that extend from southern Mexico southward to Panama.

       We do, however, know ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate during the light of day.  The only hummers that fly at night are those that fly across the Gulf of Mexico to reach their winter home.  It is impossible them to make such a flight without flying during the night.

       However, some ruby-throated hummingbirds do not cross the gulf to and from their summer home. Instead, they follow the coastline extending from Florida, to Texas to Mexico.  This eliminates the need to traverse vast stretches of the Gulf of Mexico.

BLOGGER QUESTIONS USE OF BUTTERFLY BUSH

Mar3

      Recently I posted a blog advising that this is a good time to prune butterfly bushes (Buddleia davidii). In response a The blogger’s posted a response that simply stated that since butterfly bush has the reputation of sometimes being invasive, gardeners should plant native plants as an alternative to this non-native. I am glad the blogger brought up this important issue.

       Butterfly bush is native to China.  It is one of the many ornamentals that have been brought to North America throughout our history.  Unfortunately, some of these plants have proven to be invasive and usurp habitats populated by native species and cause problems for native wildlife.

       In the case of butterfly bush, several states have placed it on their invasive species list.  However, to date, the Georgia Invasive Plant Council has not done so in the Peach State. This does not mean it is not a problem in some areas in the state. If it has, I am not aware of it.  My wife and I live in Middle Georgia and have planted butterfly bush for years.  To date, we have never found any evidence that butterfly bush has escaped confines of our yard.

    It is true that an exotic such as butterfly bush can occupy a spot where a native plant can grow.  In fact, many Georgia homeowners are converting their property to strictly natives.  I think this is a great idea.  Others, on the other hand, are just beginning to realize the value of native plants and are methodically adding more natives to their yard each year.  In the meantime, they can continue to enjoy the beauty of zinnias, glossy abelia, and non-natives that are not invasive.

       There are a number of native plants that you can crow instead of butterfly bush.  This list includes joe-pye-weed, goldenrod, blazing star, purple coneflower, buttonbush, and Georgia mint.

       If you harbor any concern that butterfly bush is an invasive in your part of the state, contact your County University of Georgia Cooperative Extension office.  They can advise you whether butterfly bush is a problem in your locale. If you find that it is, please let me know.

       I want to thank the blogger that brought up this issue.  Deciding what we plant on our property can have huge implications on our environment.  When it comes to invasive plants, we do not want to be part of the problem.