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Northwest Salamander Tadpole Sightings

6/17/2014

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No egg masses counted, but several salamander tadpoles in various stages of their aqueous metamorphosis were seen yesterday.

That means that our 2014 volunteer work as WDF&W Amphibian Egg Mass Monitors at the Arboretum has concluded. Thank you Stephanie, for your knowledge, good humor, and leadership!

This year's Woodland Pond counts were far below our findings of 2013 for both Pacific Tree frog and the NW salamander. One thing that was different was that we only counted monthly rather than bi-weekly, so it's possible that we missed some of the action. Also, our May count was next to nothing, with murky water and flooded conditions from the rain and run-off. Worrisome.

We felt hopeful yesterday after our salamander tadpole sightings. In addition, Steph scooped some healthy-looking pond water full of tiny creatures. Good luck little guys...see you next year!



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NYMPHS

6/17/2014

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What we found, whilst Amphibian Egg Mass Monitoring, at the upper Woodland Pond of the UW Arboretum yesterday, were these lovely Odonata larvae; the larger is a dragonfly nymph and the smaller a damselfly.

Dragonflies have been on the earth for over 300 million years, and at one time had wingspans of up to 75cm!

Our modern-day dragonflies spend most of their lives as nymphs and molt 6-15 times before reaching adulthood, and this takes between two to six years.

Cool fact: 80% of a dragonfly's brain is used to process visual information; their compound eyes are huge, with almost 28,000 individual units, and they can see 360°. Plus, they are both fast and agile, with flight speeds up to 35 mph.

Read more about Odonata at UCMP Berkeley.

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currant clearwing moth

6/13/2014

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otherwise known as Synanthedon tipuliformis.

Our treasured Marisa Hendron, of Chrysalis Garden Care, is the fastest entomologist on the hill; she ID'ed this little guy as a Synanthedon, and was speculating perhaps bibionipennis? (as we've got beach strawberries).

Now pointed in the right direction (not hymenoptera), I found a bug that was an identical match! (and funny, found in England, Wales, and parts of Scotland...)

Before getting too excited about discovering a new species in the US,  I checked BugGuide.net,  and learned that this same Synanthedon tibuliformis has been spotted in Oregon, Washington, and BC.

Marisa will receive one of my "Celebrate Urban Birds" posters for her sleuthing efforts;
Thank you Marisa!

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Mystery Insect 

6/9/2014

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This gorgeous unfamiliar-looking insect was hanging out in my kitchen window. I took photos and then let the little fly-fishing bug go.  Perusing my "Field Guide to Insects of North America" and the online BugGuide.net...I could not figure out an ID. Size was about 2cm long and it was a hopper.

I showed the photos to my science colleagues at school, and nope-nobody had seen anything like this before...but "Hey, what a cool-looking hymenoptera!"

Has anybody out there got any idea who this little fellow is? Perhaps I've discovered a new species?
We are referring to it as the Bottle-brush Booty Bug...


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    Author

    Tracey Byrne~

    I taught K-12 students from north of the Arctic Circle to the Puget Sound Ecoregion, garnering  40 years of experience as a classroom teacher, learning mentor, and private tutor. 

    I spent most of the 1980s and 90s in Alaska flying airplanes, floating wild rivers, winter camping, teaching, parenting, and living off the grid. 

    Here in Seattle, I am an advocate for environmental stewardship, place-based education, and outdoor play. I share my enthusiasm for birds, bugs, and backyards and have been a featured writer and photographer for Pacific Horticulture. 
    ​

    All photographs © T. Byrne unless otherwise noted.

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