NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS
August 5, 2024
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**The details on this Wednesday’s evening Nature
Moncton walk to the very popular Clancy woodlot is below:
AUGUST 7th WEDNESDAY EVENING WALK
Location: 356 Steeves Settlement Rd
The start time is 6:00 pm
We will be hosted by Trevor and Elaine Clancy, at
their Steeves Settlement property, a beautiful 60+ acres of mostly old-growth
forest.
Trevor and Elaine’s woods are easily accessed by a
network of mowed walking trails. Trevor enjoys having folks walk his trails and
is looking forward to our visit. There are water features scattered
around the property, and we will enjoy seeing many different tree species,
flowering plants, and various bird species.
Directions:
Trevor and Elaine’s property is located at 356 Steeves Settlement Road.
Steeves Settlement is behind Killams Mills, between Petitcodiac and Salisbury.
Elaine suggests the Trans-Canada Highway to the Havelock exit # 414,
then from the exit ramp turn right onto Route 885, then the first right
on to Beckwith Road (Kinnear Sett. Church is at that corner). Travel up
the Beckwith Road approximately 5 km … past Harvey Cross Rd., past Wilson Rd.,
the 3rd road on the right is the Steeves Settlement Rd. Your destination
is the first driveway on the right: #356. Their phone
number, if lost or need help getting there, is 506-756-8267. If cell
phone assistance is needed, use 506-866-2752
For those meeting up for carpooling, the Coliseum is
approximately 30 minutes drive from Steeves Settlement. Meet at the Coliseum parking lot at 5:15 if possible for a 5:30 departure.
Bug control is always a good idea. Everyone is
welcome, Nature Moncton member or not!
Don’t forget your name tag!
**Katie Girvan got an excellent photograph of the Spongy
moth (formerly known as the Gypsy moth) showing both hind and forewing. As
mentioned yesterday, the male moth is erratically flying about during the day
looking very much like a butterfly and numerous at the moment. If one tries to
net this moth for a closer look, good luck!
**John Inman in Harvey had a group of Great Blue Herons drop into the backyard trees for a quick rest and one in the cedars by his home (a bit of a surprise to John’s expected entourage!).
John also comments his Monarch
Butterfly caterpillars are getting to be good size, appearing like
some of the first crucial instars have been completed making that big trip to
Mexico more likely.
**Tony Thomas shares an excellent photo of a pest all
of us who feed birds should take note of carefully.
Tony reports a local store has dry animal food in
open bins. These foodstuffs were infested with Indian Meal Moths. They
are difficult to control as they do not want to use insecticides on the
food. Tony bought some white millet a few days ago and now he has a couple of
adult Indian Meal moths in his garage. They are native to South America
but are now worldwide. Larvae are found in stored food products;
adults are found indoors wherever food products are stored. In warmer
environments, they may be encountered outside where they likely feed on waste orchard
fruits and seeds.
The moth is quite attractive although only about 7 mm long.
(Editor’s note: bear in mind, this insect is not hard to identify
but as Tony points out the size is a mere 7 mm.
The editor has had two experiences with these annoying
pests. A local feed store contacted me that they had 6 X 50 lb bags of birdseed
contaminated with Indian Meal moths they had to get rid of and pleased to be
asked if I were interested. The timing was ideal as it was midwinter and all
was necessary was to leave the bags in freezing temperatures for several days
which killed the meal moths to make for some very content birds and the
editor's wallet content as well. I cannot say for certain freezing does kill
the eggs but the infestation did not reappear and am assuming it did as had a
similar experience in midsummer when placing material in a freezer for several
days gave the same results.)
Nature
Moncton
