Interesting Gardening Oddities, Common & Otherwise
June Pest Eruptions
Just like Old Faithful erupts “on schedule” (well, on average, every 91 minutes), green June beetle flights predictably erupt in Kansas.
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| Larva Stage of Jnne Beetle |
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| Adult Green June Beetle --- Image courtesy of Susan Ellis, www.insectimages.org |
They look scary but Green June Beetles are harmless. Why do folks run from them? Probably because of their dark appearance, large size, and very loud buzzing noise. The noise actually comes from the rapid beat of their wings. People hear that and think a stinging insect is nearby. They also fly erratically and quickly which causes people to be hit by them when in flight. They don't bite nor are capable of stinging so no worries there.
They can also be victims of mistaken identity because they look so much like Japanese beetles which are destructive to our gardens and ornamental plants. June beetles do not damage flowers or foliage as do Japanese beetles, but June beetles have been known to cluster on ripe fruit such as peaches or grapes. Read more about it at this site: http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/green-june-beetle. To tell the difference, June Beetles are much larger, have distinctive color differences. If you have Japanese beetles in your garden, head for the garden center and buy beetle bags. I have seen success with them in a large area. See more Japanese beetle details at extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/PB946.
A Rare Sighting
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| Luna Moth |
On another note, my cousin Ron sent these photos in June taken at his home. Pretty amazing if you've never seen one of these giant moths face to face.
The Luna moth (Actias luna) was on his front porch one morning. Once very common, they are now considered somewhat endangered. They fly at night and lay up to 200 eggs in batches on Black Walnut leaves. They eat the leaves from other common trees and shrubs.
The Luna moth (Actias luna) was on his front porch one morning. Once very common, they are now considered somewhat endangered. They fly at night and lay up to 200 eggs in batches on Black Walnut leaves. They eat the leaves from other common trees and shrubs.
The moth is one of the largest in North America & has a wing
span over 4 1/2 inches. The adult moth has no mouth and so can't eat. It only has a life expectancy of 7
to 10 days. It's only purpose is to reproduce and die. Read more about it at http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/luna_moth.htm. Thanks Ron for the great photos.
The Exploding Tree Phenomenon
This photo was printed in a recent
newspaper in northwest Arkansas. I think it was the Times Record. I was fascinated by this byline:
Anna Albers stands next to the remains of a red oak tree on her property. Shortly before 1pm the tree exploded at a residence north of Alma. The homeowners said there was no lightning, no thunder, and no rain at the time. The bark was stripped from the trunk and fell within a 200-foot radius. The tree had a 112-inch circumference and they thought it to be about 140 years old.
There are records of lightening causing trees to explode but this seems to be a mystery. Submitted by hutchgaudygardener.
The Exploding Tree Phenomenon
newspaper in northwest Arkansas. I think it was the Times Record. I was fascinated by this byline:
Anna Albers stands next to the remains of a red oak tree on her property. Shortly before 1pm the tree exploded at a residence north of Alma. The homeowners said there was no lightning, no thunder, and no rain at the time. The bark was stripped from the trunk and fell within a 200-foot radius. The tree had a 112-inch circumference and they thought it to be about 140 years old.
There are records of lightening causing trees to explode but this seems to be a mystery. Submitted by hutchgaudygardener.
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