A too-close encounter

While striking with green markings and a brown dot in the middle resembling a saddle, the saddleback caterpillar (Acharia stimulea) comes complete with a set of spiny horns fore and aft. Spines are also found along the body.

When prodded, the caterpillar arches in such a way so as to bring the maximum number of spines to bear on its attacker. And about these spines -  they are filled with venom both hemolytic (destroys tissue) and vesicating  (blistering) making the sting more painful than a wasp or a hornet.

Which is all to say if you accidentally grab one when putting your hand on a fence post, be prepared for a major “ouch” and a few hours with an ice pack.

 

A not so evil weevil

While some weevils are destructive, there are also ones that fit under the “benefical” category. Such is the Rhinocominus latipes or mile-a-minute weevil.

As the name indicates, the mile-a-minute weevil’s diet is mile-a-minute, an invasive weed  accidentally introduced in the 1930′s in York, PA and now found in 12 nearby states.

Although it doesn’t quite grow a mile a minute, this invasive weed can grow 6″ a day.  A single plant can produce 2,000 seeds and can quickly cover shrubs and small trees. You’ll know it by it’s light green triangular leaves and sharp barbs along the stem – which is why it is also known as tearthumb.

The Rhinocominus latipes weevil has been used to significantly decrease mile-a-minute cover and seed production. And it is host-specific (only affecting mile-a-minute vines).  A recent story in the Baltimore Sun describes how it is being used in Maryland.

So where can I get my hands on this handy bug?

 

It’s raining moths – Sycamore Tussock Moths to be precise

At least I knew what it was when it dropped out of nowhere onto on my arm and started marching upward towards my green “Christmas in April” t-shirt. I was sitting in the dining room at the farm minding my own business when this happened.  Sure enough, it was a Sycamore Tussock Moth, previously identified when it was making tracks along the top of the picnic table.

Perhaps it mistook the green of my shirt for it’s normal habitat- that being a Sycamore (or Linden) tree.

And when one dropped onto the book Ba was reading in the kitchen, she knew it wasn’t a bookworm but rather an outdoor type of critter that needed to be returned to it’s preferred dwelling. They are interesting bugs, don’t you think?

 

Where’s Mazie?

Dear dog walking down the street:

You don’t see me, do you? Because I’m hiding here in the liriope, blending in so well with the plants that I am well nigh invisible. But when you pass by I’ll pounce on you -  that’s just what I do.

 

It’s a sunflower tree

Taller than my Tupelo tree, this volunteer sunflower is almost 7′ 11 feet and still growing starting to bloom. It’s a giant, likely a Russian Giant that came from a nearby bird feeder.

Perhaps I’ll finally see my goldfinches again when the seeds develop – they’ve been missing from my backyard garden this year despite some nice nyjer thistle and a host of native plants popular with their kind.

 

Here’s to all the farmers!

I work out…side. Love this video!

 

The gardeners go over the mountain

It’s a rite of spring – the first trek of the season to OTM.

OTM  (Over the Mountain)  is our plant procurement place of choice. A nursery otherwise known as Harbaugh’s  near Sabillasville MD in the scenic Carroll Valley. They have six greenhouses (or maybe seven) and plants abound from small six packs at a very reasonable price to full baskets of blooms.

And later in the summer when the pickings are slim, OTM has a “free perennials” table. That’s worth a trip over the mountain!

This is where

This is why