Ecology and Gardening

[Phytophilia]

After the swallowwort visit, I got back to the office to learn that the Emerald Ash Borer has been found in 2 other counties in the state (bringing the total up to 3). They were caught in purple traps, which I have heard tend to not catch them unless their numbers are pretty high. The bug has been declared unstoppable, though its spread can be slowed and two new biocontrol agents are now undergoing testing. A ground-dwelling wasp is also being used for biosurveillance to detect the EAB when infestations are new and the bug is in low concentrations. The problem there is finding the wasp colonies. The kinds of soils they need are not the soils typically found around here.

Anyway, hearing this news was far more depressing than dealing with the swallowwort. I am not looking forward to losing so many ash trees across the landscape, but it's inevitable.

[Phytophilia]

In my back yard right now...

[Theo]

Awww

[pixie]

So, I had resolved to appreciate the crepe myrtle trees all over my neighborhood this year, since they're so common they're easy to overlook.
I went out walking with my camera, unfortunately I only lasted 40 minutes before I was sick from the heat and sunburned. Oh well - I did get a lot of pictures. Here's a few:



Whoops! Apparently that resizing didn't work besides the first one. Sorry 'bout that!

[pixie]

...And then there was this too, I don't know what it is, but I thought the purple flowers were lovely. I'll ask the lady who lives there next time.

[Phytophilia]

Beautiful! Thank you for posting them!

[pixie]

Thanks, Phy.

It's so funny, once you start to notice something how it's everywhere.
I took at least 80 pictures of these trees, within a few blocks, and that was only half of them - no idea there was so many until I started really looking!

[Dirtracer]

Well, it's Shark Week.

I am watching a show about Greenland Sharks, what fascinating creatures. They are big but have tiny needle-like teeth. When pulled from the freezing water they do not thrash or fight but rather lie there, lethargic.

I learned there are only 8 species of shark that live within the Arctic Circle.

[Phytophilia]

I got to see some images of shark week at the gym. I was listening to music instead of the program, though.




The emerald ash borer was found in two additional counties this week: Greene and Livingston, for a total of five counties with confirmed infestations.

One of these infestations is in the Catskill Forest Preserve. This is really bad news, since trying to stop its spread there by cutting infested trees down and creating "trap trees" will (to my understanding) challenge the state constitution.

I would not be surprised if it's in the region I work in. I find myself compulsively checking ash trees.

[Dirtracer]

I watched a documentary last night on public television about Edward O. Wilson, the visionary entomologist. I must say he is one of the coolest people alive.