Nature Strollers

The mission of the Nature Strollers is to support parents and grandparents in their role as primary interpreters of nature for their families; to provide opportunities for families to enjoy unstructured time outdoors; to familiarize families with local trails, refuges, sanctuaries and preserves; and to develop networks among families with a common interest in nature.

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Goosepond Mountain Created Wetlands, 01 October 2008

WOW!!!! It's fall, and sometimes we think that everything good in terms of being outside is over... after all, winter is coming. BUT, today, we had two of our most exciting finds. We've seen the Woolly Alder Aphids before... white cottony puffs congregating on the branches of the alder near the last pond. We paused on our way to check on them... puffing some ready puffballs and doing some "Jewelweed pops." Today, though, as we checked out the aphids, we noticed what looked like a much larger and bald aphid... and realized it was the larvae of the Harvester Butterfly! These butterflies lay their eggs in the midst of woolly aphids. Their larvae hatch and eat the aphids. This caterpillar is the only carnivorous caterpillar in North America. We could clearly see two larvae feasting on the aphids. The butterflies, with their short proboscis, pierce the bodies of aphids and drink their juices. How amazing to be in the right place at the right time to see these caterpillars!



As we marveled at this find, I happened to look down and see a bunch of bright stripes on the branch of what looked like a white Ironweed plant. As my eyes focused I noticed it was a caterpillar... and a marvelous one at that! Yellow, black, white, and orange were the colors of this caterpillar, which was about the same size as our girls' largest finger. We took turns photographing it, and then the girls (who were waiting patientl) took turns gently "petting" it. Laurel looked it up at home. This caterpillar becomes the Brown Hooded Owlet Moth. We hope this individual can beat the frost... it's coming sooner than we think.


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