Friday, May 4, 2012

Butterfly of the Week

Southern Cloudywing

Thorybes bathyllus (Smith 1797)
Status: Infrequent breeding resident
Flight: Most likely three broods, with adults flying from early May to mid August. It appears to be most often encountered in early May, from mid June to early July, and in mid August.
Distinguishing features: This species and T. pylades are quite similar. Both are brown with white spots on the upper fore wing and have a series of dark brown markings on the lower hind wing. In T. bathyllus, the dorsal white spots are larger and shaped like an hourglass, the wing fringes tend to be paler, and the dark brown hind-wings bands appear solid rather than hollow. Additionally, males lack the costal fold. Wingspan: 3.5-4 cm.
Distribution and habitat: Map 47. The Southern Cloudywing has been observed sporadically across the southern two-thirds of Iowa, with outlying populations also occurring in the Paleozoic Plateau. It is most frequently encountered in xeric grasslands, including Loess Hills prairies, sand prairies, limestone and sandstone glades, and occasionally in old fields.
Natural history: The larvae of this species favor wild beans and goat's rue, which are most often found in dry, open, and sandy places. One of the most impressive Southern Cloudywing populations occurs on the state's largest goat's-rue population at the Big Sand Preserve in Louisa County. Goat's-rue is quite uncommon in the state and essentially limited to the southeast so it is likely that wild bean constitutes the more frequent larval host.
Questions: How often do T. bathyllus and T. pylades coexist? When both wild bean and goat's-rue are present, which is the preferred larval host?


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Plant of the Week


Swamp milkweed
Asclepias incarnata L.
other common names: rose milkweed, silkweed, water nerve root, white Indian hemp
Asclepias: from the name of the Greek god of healing and medicine
Incarnata: from Latin, for “flesh,” referring to the flesh-colored flowers
Milkweed family: Asclepiadaceae

Photograph by Thomas Rosburg, Wildflowers of the Tallgrass Prairie: The Upper Midwest, Second Edition

Monday, April 30, 2012

Finding Projectile Points



Collecting artifacts is an enjoyable hobby; follow these common-sense guidelines provided by the Office of the State Archeologist at the University of Iowa. Always get landowner permission before collecting. It is illegal to collect on public lands without a permit. Surface collect; do not try to excavate a site. Identify, catalog, and label your finds and record site locations with the OSA. The OSA can help you document, process, manage, and care for your collection. DO not collect human remains. All prehistoric and modern cemeteries and burial sites in Iowa are protected by state and federal law. Report any human remains or burial sites you encounter with the OSA. Avoid buying and selling artifacts. This activity encourages looting and the loss of our nonrenewable cultural heritage. Many items on the market today are recently made copies.


by Joseph Tiffanyphotographs by Christian A. Driver