A Look Into a Prairie : Bombarded by Bugs

Field Observations:

August 19, 2013

Walking into my prairie today I couldn't help but wonder, where has summer gone? Perhaps this is a reflection of my mindset as this session of classes come to an end, but I think there are greater forces at work. It was a sunny day with temperatures barely creeping into the eighties, which for some would mean the epitome of the summer season. I however could only see the change happening all around me. The Gray-headed Coneflower which had so beautifully covered the landscape with its yellow drooping petals had shed its skirt of color, leaving only its brown center to dot the prairie. Below foot I could feel the crisp crunch of plant life that had dried out for the season, preparing itself to overwinter.

Looking across the prairie I had the sudden realization that something was missing, which I had not noticed in my previous visit. The Cabbage White butterflies, which were so prolific when I first began visiting the prairie, were no longer present. One lone Cabbage White fluttered along the tree line, a small speck of white in what seemed to be a sea of yellow. Even the grass that was going to seed around me seemed to be following suit in maintaining this color theme.

As in all trends that are set, there has to be the individual who breaks the mold, and my prairie was no exception. Within this world of all things yellow, I happened to hear the whispered promise of the presence of blue. The Indigo Bunting, perched in the shrubs, questioned the status quo here. Although his call of "Fire fire, here here, where where, see it see it" may be seen as a continuation of this monochromatic scene, I knew his true colors, even if he remained hidden.

Species Identification:

Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus)

This almost mustard colored beetle can easily be distinguished the two black oval spots that adorn its outer wings, and a single spot on its pronotum. The extended abdomen of this species is yellow and black striped. Atop its head are very long antennae. The length of this beetle is 9-12 mm.

It is no surprise that I have not encountered this beetle until now seeing as they are found in their adult stage from August until September. The adult lays their eggs in soil or leaf litter. Early in the spring pupation will occur.

Another common name for this beetle is the Goldenrod Leatherwing. Its almost leathery color may be partial explanation for this name, but its habitat being one where goldenrod is located also explains its name. Although this particular organism was not found on a goldenrod plant it is known to feed on the pollen and nectar of other plants as well.

"Species Chauliognathus pensylvanicus."BugGuide. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Aug. 2013. <bugguide.net/node/view/438>.

Male

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)

This species is a member of a family that gains its name from the distinctive tails on the lower portion of its wings. The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail has a wing span of 2 1/2 -4 1/2 inches. The name most likely comes from the fact that this butterfly is yellow with black tiger stripes. The female can be distinguished from the male by the presence of an iridescent blue along the lower edges of the interior hind wings. A black version of the female also exists.

Female

The host plant of this species can be wild, cherry, sweet bay, basswood, tulip tree, birch, ash, cottonwood, or willow. Nearby forests most likely provide this area for adult butterflies to lay their eggs. The chrysalids of this species will overwinter. The adult will feed from a variety of flower's nectar although favorites may include Milkweed and Joe-pye Weed. Although the latter has not been identified in my prairie the presence of the first in this prairie along with the many other flowering plants make it a suitable habitat.

"Attributes of Papilio glaucus ." Butterflies and Moths of North America. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Aug. 2013. <www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Papilio-glaucus>.

European Mantid (Mantis religisoa)

This large insect has a length of 50-75 mm, which includes its wing length. The slight presence of a black dot on its arms made me believe it was a member of this particular species. The name of this species roughly translates to "religious" which most likely refers to the organisms tendency to clasp its forelegs together looking much like it is praying.

This species is widespread across the United States. Gardens and agricultural areas make a great habitat for mantis since it is sunny and contains plenty of insects to serve as a food source. They like to live in areas with shrubbery or herbaceous plants therefor the prairie would definitely fall into this category. Any insect that is out during the day is a prime target to become a meal.

"Praying Mantis - Mantis religiosa - Overview - Encyclopedia of Life."Encyclopedia of Life - Animals - Plants - Pictures & Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Aug. 2013. <http://eol.org/pages/487055/overview>.

Aphids (Aphididae Uroleucon)

These tiny insects are well known by many farmers since they are considered a common pesk problem. With their ability to reproduce asexually they can increase in numbers fairly quickly forming a huge colony that is feeding on the plants. This particular group can be recognized by its red bodies. They are known to feed on plant species in the aster family which includes the Cup Plant leaf that they can be seen on in this picture. Other members of the Asteraceae include the Black-eyed Susan, Yarrow, and Gray-headed Coneflower that are all found in this particular prairie meaning lots of potential food sources are present here.

"Genus Uroleucon." BugGuide. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Aug. 2013. <bugguide.net/node/view/111222>.

A Second to Consider Climate Change:

Global climate change has become a hot button topic that many people are concerned about. Within the scientific community much research is being done to determine what change might look like across a large scale, and more in-depth research is being done in other areas as to how this change will affect particular organisms and unique balances nature has created. It is projected that the global climate change will mean an overall increase in temperature as well as increased precipitation during particular periods followed by times of drought.

The question then becomes, what could that mean for this particular prairie. As I have discovered in my previous studies many of the prairie plants rely on their production of seeds to further their species. These seeds are designed to overwinter before they are then ready to germinate. If overall temperatures during the winter drop then these seeds may not go through this necessary process meaning they would no longer be viable.

Prairie plants are well adapted to deal with dry conditions that may come with droughts, but the change in rainfall may become a potential problem. If increased rain creates more wet conditions other species may be able to out-compete those found in the prairie currently. In general changing conditions will mean this change in where plants are able to survive which could change the makeup of plant life in areas also affecting the other life that is reliant on these plants.

"Midwest | Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States 2009 Report." Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States 2009 Report | U.S. Global Change Research Program. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Aug. 2013. <http://nca2009.globalchange.gov/midwest>.

Creative Contribution: