About RW Nature Notes
The authors of Red Wing Nature notes hope that by disscussing what is happening in the outdoor world at any given time we can bring a community of people with similar interests together.
The authors intend to comment on their current observations of the natural world. Readers are encouraged to join in by making comments. We also welcome any comments on the format and function of this website.
3/30/08 Many flocks of swans headed north passing over this day. First Grouse drumming heard last week Sat. before Easter, daughter and I tracked the Grouse, we think we found the drumming log. First turkey gobbles in our valley last Tuesday.
First Kestrel on a power line was spotted last Monday. Sharp Shinned Halk buzzing the bird feeder and surrounding trees last Tuesday, but missed his prey, we have seen him catch a meal on the wing. Red squirrels very active,almost annoying. Maple buds beginning to swell, tapping nears its end. The dog is digging, frost must be nearly gone, oh good!
GREAT SITE, VISIT OFTEN
Comment by Tom B. — March 30, 2008 @ 9:14 pm
Today our Mayor John Howe stopped by my house with an eyed click beetle, common name for members of the widespread beetle family Elateridae. Also called elater beetle, the click beetle has a hinge across the front of the body that allows it to flex, and a spine-and-groove arrangement on the underside of the body that provides a snapping mechanism. When a click beetle is turned on its back it cannot right itself by rolling onto its short legs. It arches its body upward so that only the ends touch the ground, then straightens suddenly, causing the spine to slide into the groove. This sends the beetle spinning through the air and produces a loud click. If the beetle lands on its back again it repeats the performance. A click beetle also snaps its body when it is picked up, which may cause the predator to drop it. The markings on its back appear to be two large eyes. Click beetles have long, flat bodies, generally rectangular, but curved at the ends. They range in length from 1/4 in. to 4 in. (6.4–102 mm); most are black or brown. Most adults are nocturnal leaf-eaters. The larvae, called wireworms, are destructive to a large variety of plants including corn and grains. Some tropical click beetles are brilliantly luminescent. Click beetles are classified in the phylum Arthropoda, class Insecta, order Coleoptera, family Elateridae. The eyed click beetle does not appear to normaly live in this area, so is this part of their natural area? If it is not normal the second question would be how did it get here?
Comment by Jason Jech — August 10, 2009 @ 10:05 pm