Wavy-lined

October 14, 20254

Melissa tends to keep the back door to the porch open to help provide a breeze and keep down the humidity for the succulents. If the air conditioner is not running, she will often keep the house door open as well. This provides a breeze for us and allows the kids to roam freely in and out of the house without having to get up every time they hear a noise or want to go outside. While this is convenient, it allows house flies (Musca domestica), moths (order, Lepidoptera), and other flying insects (and occasional birds) to fly enter both the porch and the main house. I have tried to combat this by placing a bug-zapper next to the doorway. The blue light is not visible during the day but does attract moths at night. When it is time for a final constitutional, Loki will wait at the door for Melissa or I to go first to “protect” him from the sounds of the moths hitting the zapper. When I got up yesterday, I noticed one of the moths had avoided the zapper and was attached to the wall above the kitchen sink. When I looked closer the moth’s coloration was “wavy-lined”.

When I went online, I found the wavy-lined emerald moth (Synchlora aerate), or camouflaged looper, is a species of moth of the family Geometridae. The species is found in the US and Canada and was described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1798. There are dozens of species in the subfamily of emeralds in North America. Most look incredibly similar, being green (sometimes tan) and typically resting with their wide wings spread out to the sides. The key identifying features for the species are the mildly wavy white lines that run across the wings, a pale green fringe on the wings, and a long, thin white stripe running the whole length of the abdomen. The adult wingspan is about 0.67 inches (17 mm). The caterpillar of this species is an inchworm (looper) that camouflages itself from predators with small clippings from flower petals they are feeding on. The wavy-lined is a common moth that has two or three broods a year and overwinters as a partially grown larva.

The wavy-lined emerald moth is an important food for birds and other predators. While some insects use camouflage or mimicry to outwit predators, the wavy-lined caterpillar blends these two defenses. Insect camouflage often refers to creatures like stick bugs (order, Phasmatodea) that have evolved to look like their surroundings. Mimicry means looking like a completely different creature, like the less toxic Viceroy Butterfly (Limenitis archippus) which looks like the toxic Monarch (Danaus plexippus). The wavy-lined larva will attach bits of the plant material on which it is feeding to its back with bits of silk to blend into its host plant and avoid detection. When it feeds on a different plant it will “wear” the appropriate foliage. These fragments start off colorful (to blend in with the flower) and then dry out to look like a chunk of debris. It also seems to detach and replace the parts as they wilt, keeping the larvae covered in fresh adornments that match its meal. While it is essentially using camouflage, the insect is an active participant in the process, mimicking whatever flower it feeds on.

THOUGHTS: While I have no problem swatting the flies and mosquitoes (family, Culicidae) that invade my house, I did not feel threatened or bothered by the wavy-lined emerald moth. It spent the entire day resting on the wall as Melissa and I came and went around the sink, allowing me to admire its delicate lines many times. When I got up this morning the moth was gone. Hopefully it made it past the bug zapper on its way outside. Most insects tend to go about their business and do not seek out humans. Flies and mosquitoes are an exception and use humans as a source of food (dead skin, blood), water (sweat), and salt. The fact that the moths are aesthetically pleasing is another plus. Sometimes I need to remind myself that every creature has a role to play in the larger biome. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Trails

October 10, 2025

We had decided to take our second trip out in our newly acquired RV just as the US government decided it was not in their (our?) best interest in keeping the government operational. While many of the National Parks are at least partially open, we learned the Corp of Engineers location we planned to visit was shut down. We have some neighbors who were also planning on the same trip and learned they had booked a private location about an hour away. We already had two events scheduled for the week and thankfully these were both centrally located to the RV Park. Melissa made reservations and we took off Tuesday morning. The park described itself as “rustic”, and when our neighbors arrived, they called to make sure we were comfortable with what that meant. Melissa and I both thought the unpaved location along the Mulberry River was going to be perfect. There was even a trail/road that led back along the river that was perfect (and away from other campers) for walking the kids. The trail provided a moderate walk that wound through the trees and wildflowers.

When I went online, I found a trail, also known as a path or track, is an unpaved lane or small paved road generally not intended for usage by motorized vehicles, and usually passing through a natural area. However, it is sometimes applied to highways in North America. In the UK and Ireland, a path or footpath is the preferred term for a pedestrian lane or hiking trail. In the US historically, the term was used for a route into or through wild territory used by explorers and migrants (i.e., the Oregon Trail). A “trace” is sometimes used as a synonym for trail (i.e., the Natchez Trace). Some trails are restricted to only walkers, or cyclists, or horses (equestrians). During the winter these same trails can be used for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Others, like the bridleways in the UK, are shared and are jointly used by walkers, cyclists, and equestrians. Although most trails ban motorized use, there are unpaved trails used by dirt bikes, quad bikes, and other off-road ehicles. This is especially true for extreme sports and rally races. In places like the mountainous Europe (Alps), trails are also used by alpine agrarian communities for moving cattle and other livestock.

Over the last several days I have been walking the trail along the river marveling at the amazing views. The track passes above the river and in places rises on the bluffs that overlook the water. Being an avid fisherperson, this has given me pause to dream of climbing down the slope and fishing the fast water and pools that dot the river’s course. Several days I did exactly that, although I did so by following the rocks at th e water’s edge. My other pleasure has been seeing the patches of Tatarian Aster (Aster tararicus) and goldenrod (genus, Solidago) that line the trail. This is the freedom and escape we had hoped to find when we decided to start RVing.

THOUGHTS: Following most modern-day trails is a far cry from the trails that cut through the thick forests and lush grassland that filled North America when the European explorers and settlers first arrived. These trails possessed unseen dangers (animals and nature) along with the impressive beauty. Still, I can get a glimpse of the wonder of days gone by. We need to work hard, an together, to preserve those areas that still exist for future generations to enjoy. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Jumper

October 01, 2025

When I opened my mailbox this morning to retrieve my newspaper, I was surprised by something jumping out of the mail. The mail itself was covered by a fine gauze-like webbing. I figured this was some sort of spider that had decided to take up residence in the dark confines of my closed mailbox. This did not strike me as unusual as many spiders are on the move at this time of year seeking a place to overwinter. I was surprised by the distance the spider had jumped. It had shot off my paper and onto the ground several feet away. When I Goggled a picture of the spider, I found it was aptly named a Bold jumper.

When I went online, I found the bold jumper (Phidippus audax), also known as the daring jumping spider, is a common species of spider belonging to the genus Phidippus. This group of jumping spiders easily identified by their large eyes and their iridescent mouth parts (chelicerae). They are typically black with a distinct white triangle on their abdomen. Like all jumping spiders, they have excellent stereoscopic vision that aids them in stalking prey and facilitates visual communication with potential mates during courting. The species are native to North America and have been introduced to Hawaii, Nicobar Islands, Azores, and the Netherlands. The Bold jumper is a solitary carnivore that uses their highly specialized eyesight to actively hunt and stalk a variety of insects and non-insect terrestrial arthropods such as caterpillars (order Lepidoptera), dragonflies (infraorder Anisoptera), grasshoppers (suborder Caelifera), and other spiders (order Araneae). They are one of the most common spiders found in agricultural areas and have been studied to determine their impact on crop pest populations. New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed the HB 318 bill on June 11, 2021, designating the bold jumper as the state spider following a campaign by a class in Hollis, New Hampshire.

The bold jumper is often found living near humans. Bites are rare but may occur if they feel threatened or are mishandled. Bites are often described as mildly painful and are not considered dangerous. Symptoms often include localized redness, itching, and swelling for one to two days, if at all. Medical attention is only advised if symptoms worsen or abnormal symptoms arise. If bitten, you should wash the area with water and a mild soap. A cold compress may be used to treat swelling and aspirin, and acetaminophen may be used for pain. As a major predator of crop pests, they have been studied to determine their impact on pest insect populations. However, in addition to eating pests, they also eat beneficial insects such as pollinators. My jumper went to the ground and then calmly stayed in place as I maneuvered my camera to take a photo. It obviously did not consider me a threat and having been around them frequently I did not consider it a threat either. Unlike most spiders, the bold jumper does not build webs to catch prey.

THOUGHTS: I found it curious that the bold jumper does not build a web to catch prey, yet there was an obvious webbing on my newspaper. This was the start of the thin sheet of silk that would become the nest for an egg-sac. This is usually built in hidden areas under rocks, bark, or leaves, but the inside of my mailbox seemed to serve. The jumper was preparing to create a secluded nest to provide for the next generation in the spring, but my mailbox was not the secluded location she sought. Humans find similar radical shifts in environment. A site along the ocean seems perfect, until the storm surge from a hurricane washes out the foundation and sweeps the house into the sea. Building needs to take potential environmental shifts into account. Both for weather impact and the impact of encroaching on fragile ecosystems. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Hornet

September 22, 2025

I found an article on yahoo!news about an innovative approach toward eradicating an invasive species in England. British scientists are attaching miniature tracking devices to the invasive insects which allow teams to locate and destroy their hidden nests within an hour instead of several days. Time is critical as the nest can reproduce within seven days. Inspectors capture individuals near bait stations, secure hair-thin transmitters around their bodies, and follow them straight to their colonies. According to The Guardian, Britain’s Animal and Plant Health Agency found 64 nests through August 2025, setting a seasonal record. Public participation drives much of the success for the eradication program. Citizens use the Asian Hornet Watch app to submit thousands of sightings and enabling rapid response teams to investigate reports near ports where the species often arrive hidden in shipments of wine, produce, or building materials. The invasion started when a single Asian Hornet female likely arrived in France aboard a pottery shipment from China back in 2004.

When I went online, I found the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), also known as the yellow-legged hornet, Asian predatory wasp, or murder hornet, is a species indigenous to Southeast Asia. This is significantly smaller than the European hornet, with queens 1.2 inches (30 mm), males about 0.94 inches (24 mm), and workers about 0.79 inches (20 mm) in length. The species has distinctive yellow legs (tarsi), a velvety brown or black mid-section (thorax), and a brown abdomen. Each abdominal segment has a narrow posterior yellow border, except for an orange fourth segment. The hornet has a black head and a yellow face. The coloration of the species can vary regionally which causes difficulty in classification and resulted in several subspecies to have been identified and later rejected. The most recent taxonomic revision of the genus treats all subspecific names in the genus Vespa as synonyms, effectively relegating them to no more than informal names for regional color forms. The Asian hornet is an invasive species of concern in most of Europe.

The Guardian reported the Asian hornet feasts on honeybees (genus, Apis) and other pollinators that enable the production of approximately one-third of the crop humans consume. A single colony of hornets consumes about 24 pounds (10.9 kg) of insects during one season, putting pressure on the bee populations already struggling with habitat loss. Testing shows Britain has prevented permanent colonies from establishing, with only three of 24 nests last year originating from females that survived winter in England. While government teams fight Asian hornets with high-tech solutions, homeowners can help in their own yards with intelligent landscaping choices. Replacing portions of traditional lawns with native plants can create a refuge for local pollinators. Native plants also demand less water and maintenance than non-native species, which cuts both utility bills and maintenance. These plants support local bee populations naturally by providing the nectar and pollen sources these insects evolved to use.

THOUGHTS: The Asian hornet was declared eradicated by the US Department of Agriculture in December of 2024. Eradicated means there has not been a sighting in three years. Even without the threat of this hornet, we have taken two steps to assist pollinators in our yard. The wildflower bed in the front draws both bees and butterflies while also providing cover from any predators. The side yard has a bird bath that I fill every time I water the vegetables. This has a half brick in the middle to allow bees to cling to the brick and take a drink. It took little effort for either of these features and the result has provided food and water for countless pollinators. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Crayfish

September 10, 2025

An article in my MSN browser referenced a report published by the Michigan State University Extension by Michigan Sea Grant (MSG). MSG is a cooperative program focused on conservation and use of resources in the Great Lakes. The Grant makes the case that foraging could help reduce the negative impact of invasive species on the environment and perhaps prevent the need for harmful chemical methods of pest control. Plants and animals introduced to new areas often become problems to the ecosystem by outcompeting native species that keep things balanced. One study found invasives cause nearly US$20 billion in damage in the US every year, with agriculture being the most severely impacted sector. One solution comes from programs to bring these species to our menus. Some restaurants have been introducing wild boar to Americans with the help of their providers and with the inspection facilities of the Department of Agriculture to ensure the safety of the product. MSG calls out red swamp crayfish for their aggressiveness and role in potentially spreading disease and parasites to other creatures but also notes they are a delicious component in recipes such as gumbo and bisque.

When I went online, I found the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), also called the Louisiana crawfish or mudbug, is a species of the cambarid family of crayfish native to freshwater bodies of northern Mexico, and southern and southeastern US. It has also been introduced elsewhere in both North America and other continents where it is often an invasive pest. The red swamp is typically dark red, with long claws and head, small or no spines on the sides of its upper section of the shell (carapace) just below the head, and rows of bright red bumps on the front and side of the first leg. The native range is from northern Mexico and far southeastern New Mexico, through the Gulf States to the Florida Panhandle, as well as inland north through the Mississippi Basin to southern Illinois. It has also been introduced outside its natural range to countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Individuals are reported to cross many miles of relatively dry ground, especially in wet seasons, although the aquarium trade and anglers may have hastened the spread in some areas.

The red swamp crayfish is eaten in China, Cambodia, Thailand, Europe, Africa, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the Caribbean. In the US, crayfish are particularly popular in Louisiana, where crawfish boils are popular social gatherings centered around eating the crustaceans. Louisiana crawfish are usually boiled in a large pot with heavy seasoning (salt, cayenne pepper, lemon, garlic, bay leaf, etc. – I usually use Old Bay Crawfish Boil) along with items such as potatoes and corn on the cob. In 1990, Louisiana produced 90% of the crayfish in the world and consumed 70% locally. As early as 2003, Asian fish farms and fisheries produced more and continued to outpace production in any other part of the world. By 2018, crayfish production in the Americas represented just 4% of total global supply and 93% of the US crayfish farms were in Louisiana.

THOUGHTS: As a boy in Kansas, I would use a seine to catch the abundant crayfish to use as an inexpensive fish bait. I never considered these crustaceans more than bait until I went to the Crawdad Festival in Isleton, California. The red swamp crayfish has invaded the California waters and the three native species of crayfish (sooty crayfish – Pacifastacus nigrescens, Pilose crayfish – Pacufastacys gambelii, and Shasta crayfish – Pacifastacus fortis) have nearly disappeared. Isleton is in the Sacramento delta and was forced to fly in mudbugs from Louisiana. Crayfish is an acquired taste but once I got beyond the bait aspect, I found I loved them. “Pinch the tail and suck the heads!” Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Invasion

August 22, 2025

@Elijah Nouvelage, Reuters

Inside the back section of my local newspaper was a USA Today article on and invasion taking place in the San Jaquin Valley, California. This month’s newsletter by the Almond Board of California said the infestation has impacted more than 100,000 acres of almond trees and caused US$109 million to US$311 million in losses from damage to equipment and crops over a year. The valley is one of the world’s top agricultural regions. The invasion started last fall and took growers by surprise. Now they are still scrambling to figure out how to repel the intruders, often turning to Roger Baldwin, a rodent expert with the University of California, Davis, where he is a cooperative extension professor. Baldwin used to get fewer than one inquiry a year, but he said, “There are inquiries and questions about doing interviews on rat control and giving seminars on rat control, and can I write articles about this.” His phone buzzes with requests from farmers, journalists, and others seeking expertise on how to control the rat invasion on the state’s US$4.7 billion almond industry.

When I went online, I found the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), also known as the common rat, street rat, sewer rat, wharf rat, Hanover rat, Norway rat, and Norwegian rat, is a widespread species of common rat known to create periodic invasions in other parts of the world. The island of Taukihepa (Maori) or Big South Cape Island (European) is an offshore island of New Zealand to the west of the southern tip of Rakiura or Stewart Island. The island has no permanent inhabitants but is visited by Maori hunters (muttonbirders) in search of sooty shearwaters (Ardenna grisea), known in New Zealand as “muttonbirds”, that came to nest on the island in the spring. The muttonbirders arrived in March 1964 to find the island devastated by rats. Previously free of mammalian predators, the ecology of the island was overwhelmed in a matter of years. Many endemic species of bird (some flightless) were driven to extinction and the surviving insect and bird life heavily reduced. An eradication program was initiated to rid the island of rats, and the island was rat-free again in 2006.

The exact cause of the California rat invasion is unclear, but it may have been spurred by abandoned fields. California accounts for more than 75% of the global almond production and exports 70% of its output to 100-plus countries, with India as the leading customer. Rats have always been a bigger problem at citrus orchards but have now developed a taste for nut trees. Baldwin and others say the shift comes from three contributing factors. A protracted drought and diminishing water supplies in the early 2020’s left over half a million acres (202,343 ha) in California unplanted. That also meant there was no pest control in those fields. The drought ended in the winter of 2022-23 and began a three-year spell of at least average rainfall bringing vegetation growth and an abundance of food resources. State restrictions on pesticides have also limited the means growers have for getting rid of rodents. The rats are joined by five species of squirrels (family, Sciuridae), deer mice (genus, Peromyscus), and others, but rats have by far been the most destructive. Some farmers say they have spent hundreds and even thousands of US dollars per acre on rat control over the last year.

THOUGHTS: Invasive plants and animals can quickly expand to the level of an invasion if left unchecked. Humans have tried to control the invasion using biological and pesticide controls. The biological fixes have a record of resulting in an invasion of their own. Globalization has brought an influx of goods and services to every corner of the earth. It has also resulted in the destruction of ecosystems in these same areas. While we may never reverse these effects, we can be vigilant in choosing what to purposefully spread and curtailing any negative aspects that may result. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Digger

August 21, 2025

Following my disappointment fishing while at the coast last week I decided to walk through the beach community and see if I could spot some birds that were not yet on my list. I took the road through the community first to try and spot land birds. I was able to see two species I already recorded, an American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and a flock of house sparrows (Passer domesticus). It was not until I returned along the beach that I picked out several forms of gulls (California gull, Larus californicus; western gull, Larus occidentalis; short-billed gull, Larus brachyrhynchus) and a flock of white-winged scoter (Melanitta deglandi) ducks. The beaches along the Puget Sound tend to be small well-worn rock rather than the sand I associat with other coasts. This is harder to walk on, and it took me a while to get back to the house. When I arrived, my daughter-in-law showed me a picture of the unusual wasp they had encountered on their beach walk (other direction). It was a large golden digger sand wasp.

When I went online, I found the golden digger sand wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus), or great golden digger wasp or great golden sand digger, is a wasp in the family Sphecidae. The wasp’s name comes from the Greek word for “tracker,” and is most well-known for its parasitic nesting behavior. It is identified by the golden pubescence on its head and thorax (chest), its reddish orange legs, and partly reddish orange body. Golden hairs cover the head and thorax (hence “golden”). The digger has a long, slender waist (petiole). Their hind region (metasoma) is black with the first couple of segments a brilliant orange-red that matches their legs. Size varies from 1/2 to over 1 inch (1-1/4 to 2.5+ cm) long. This wasp is native to the Western Hemisphere, from Canada to South America, and provisions its young with various types of paralyzed Orthoptera (grasshoppers and crickets).

From May through August, great golden digger wasp females build their nests in sandy soils. These consist of a descending shaft and side chambers for the young at right angles. This makes it difficult to pull prey into a brood chamber without getting stuck and is one possible reason why the wasp always checks to ensure the path is clear before pulling its prey down by its antennae. Female wasps commonly build their burrows nearby those of other females of their species and may even share a nest. However, they will fight other wasps if they encounter them inside their burrow during prey retrieval. By inspecting the unattended nest, the wasp avoids risking an encounter with another wasp while carrying its prey. The digger will track and hunt their prey (i.e., tracker) and sting it with a paralyzing venom that keeps it alive, then flies (or drags) the prey to the nest. At the nest the digger wasp lays down their paralyzed prey and enters her tunnel and checks to ensure that all is well. Then she brings the prey down into a side chamber, lays an egg on the prey, and seals the chamber. When the egg hatches it feeds on the prey through the winter, and the new wasp emerges from its side chamber in the spring and begins the cycle again.

THOUGHTS: The golden digger sand wasp is like the cicada killer (Sphecius speciosus) I saw last week in Arkansas. Both are large, solitary, build nests in the ground, are harmless to humans, and do not defend their nest or behave aggressively. While they have stingers, they rarely sting humans unless they are stepped on. The digger is a pollinator that preys on insects that are harmful and are helpful to have around your garden (or beach house!). These are possibly the only wasps known to be attacked by birds. House sparrows and American robins (Turdus migratorius) will attack to force the digger to drop its prey for the bird to eat. I guess both the young and the birds are looking for an easy meal. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Sea Lion

August 17, 2025

One of the joys of visiting family is being able to spend time on the ocean coast. My sister lives in Maine and we always take time to visit the ocean for at least one day during the trip. My son’s family lives near Seattle and has a beach house near the Tulalip Tribe’s reservation. This weekend we were able to go to Seattle and spend two days on the coast. The first day my young grandson took me fishing on the rock beach behind their house. He made two casts and immediately caught a 6-inch (15 cm) sculpin (Hemilepidotus spinosus). After two more casts, he offered the pole to me. I took several casts and did not get a bite. My grandson seemed to get bored and went back to play at the house. I kept casting for another 10 minutes and did not get a bite the entire time. I gave up and went to sit on the deck and watch the beautiful sunset. After several minutes my daughter-in-law noticed a sea lion had ventured into our part of the bay and was bobbing up and down in the channel.

When I went online, I found the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) is a coastal eared seal native to western North America. It is one of six species of sea lions. It has a natural habitat range from southeast Alaska to central Mexico, including the Gulf of California. California sea lions are sexually dimorphic with the males being larger than females. Males have a thicker neck and a protruding ridge of bone lengthwise along the top of the skull (sagittal crest). The animals will mainly haul out on sandy or rocky beaches, but they also frequent manmade environments such as marinas and wharves. Sea lions feed on several species of fish and squid and are preyed on by orcas and great white sharks. The sea lions have a polygynous (multiple partners) breeding pattern. Males establish territories from May to August and try to attract females to mate. Females are free to move between territories and are not coerced by males. Mothers nurse their pups in between foraging trips. California sea lions use many vocalizations, but most notably barks and mother-pup contact calls. Outside breeding season, California sea lions spend much of their time at sea but come to shore to molt. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the species as Least Concern due to its abundance. Oregon and Washington states engage in annual kill quota to protect the fish.

When I woke up the following morning, I decided I would try my luck with fishing again. When I fished yesterday it had been high tide (the best time to catch fish on this beach). Now it was low tide. Undeterred, I took the poll and strode to the water’s edge and began to cast once more. I found out why it is best to fish at high tide almost immediately. On nearly every cast I fouled my hook in the lush beds of eel grass (Zostera marina) that covered the bottom of the channel. Besides providing excellent forage for the California sea lions, the sea grass meadows provide food and shelter for juvenile fish, Dungeness crabs (Metacarcinus magister), the Pink (Chlamys rubida) and Spiny Scallops (Chlamys hastata). and other marine life. They serve as a food source for herbivores during the growing season and for things that feed on the decomposing grass (detritivores). The seagrasses absorb carbon dioxide, filter polluted runoff, absorb excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), stabilize sediments, and improve water flow.

THOUGHTS: One of the questions I was frequently asked after moving from California’s Bay Area to southcentral Kansas was if it was any different where I used to live. I rented a house at a marina on the bay with a boat slip out my back door. My stock answer was, “well, I have not been greeted by the sound of a sea lion when I wake up in the morning.” While not getting any bites the second day, I spotted a sea lion pup and mother foraging nearby. It was good to know I was in a healthy ecosystem. We need to do what we can to keep them that way. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Outburst

August 16, 2025

A USA Today article reported how water from a melting glacier has caused a river near Alaska’s capital city of Juneau to swell to historic levels. As of August 13th, emergency barriers protecting Juneau appear are holding. The risk from summer glacial flooding is on the rise as climate change increases temperatures, causing more ice to melt. Lakes form behind the unsteady dams made of ice and when these dams fail, the water rushes out, often resulting in catastrophic downstream flooding. The ice dam lake near Juneau ice is called Suicide Basin, which is part of the Mendenhall Glacier. If it collapses from summer heat it will release the water in a short period of time. Aaron Jacobs, a hydrologist at the National Weather Service office in Juneau, said as these events continue to unfold, scientists need to continue to improve their understanding of these glacial systems, especially as the climate continues to change and warm throughout Alaska. Glacial lake outburst flooding is produced by the quick, unexpected release of water from a glacial lake.

When I went online, I found a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) is a type of outburst flood caused by the failure of a dam containing a glacial lake. A similar event where the ice melts and overflows the glacier is called a jökulhlaup. The dam can consist of glacier ice or previous glacial deposits (moraine). Failure can happen due to erosion, buildup of water pressure, an avalanche of rock or heavy snow, an earthquake, or by a sudden cracking action in frozen soil or rock saturated with water or ice (cryoseism), volcanic eruptions under the ice, or massive displacement of water in a glacial lake when a large portion of an adjacent glacier collapses into it. Increasing glacial melting because of climate change along with melting of the permafrost means regions with glaciers are likely to see increased flooding risks from GLOFs. This is especially true in the Himalayas where geologies are more active. A 2023 study found 15 million people at risk from this hazard, mostly in China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Peru.

Glacial lake volumes vary but may hold millions (35,314,666+ cubic feet) to hundreds of millions of cubic meters (3,531,466,600+ cubic feet) of water. Catastrophic failure of the ice or glacial sediment containing the water can be released over periods of minutes to days. Peak flows as high as 529,720 cubic feet (15,000 cubic meters) per second have been recorded in such events. This suggests the v-shaped canyon of a normally small mountain stream could suddenly develop an extremely turbulent and fast-moving torrent of water some 160 feet (50 m) deep. Glacial Lake Outburst Floods are often compounded by a massive riverbed erosion in the steep moraine valleys resulting in flood peaks increasing as they flow downstream until the sediment deposits. On a downstream floodplain, it suggests a somewhat slower inundation spreading as much as 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) wide. Both scenarios are significant threats to life, property and infrastructure.

THOUGHTS: The glacial outburst in Alaska is not a new phenomenon and has occurred annually in Suicide Basin since 2011. What is new in the last few years is the amount of water being released all at once during these events. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information Alaska has warmed twice as fast over the last several decades Information compared to the rest of the US. Its average annual temperature has risen 3.1F (-16.0C) in the past century. Since 1990, humans have been the primary cause of melting glaciers worldwide due to rising temperatures from the burning of greenhouse gases and land-use changes. Such an outburst can be prevented. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Mite

August 13, 2025

It was only fitting after blogging on the cicada-killer wasp (Sphecius speciosus) that I found another species that attacks the broods as they emerge. Buried in the back section of my local newspaper was an article about a mite that attacks the periodical egg nests of cicadas. The species commonly feeds on the larvae of midges (various Suborders of Diptera) or flies and form an abnormal outgrowth (gall) as a reaction to both the insects and the mites feeding on them on the edges of pin oak (Quercus palustris) leaves. Once their development is complete, they drop from the tree and can land on, and subsequently bite, humans and animals. According to Penn State Extension, the bite can cause an itchy rash, redness of the skin, and a small, raised pimple-like bump. They usually bite humans while searching for other food sources.

When I went online, I found oak leaf itch mite (Pyemotes herfsi), also known as the oak leaf gall mite, was first identified in Europe and subsequently found in India, Asia, and the US. The mites live on the surface of the host’s skin (ectoparasitic) feeding on blood or skin cells. The mite is barely visible, measuring about 0.008 to 0.03 inches (0.2 to 0.8 mm). Newly emerged and mated females inject a neurotoxin-containing saliva into their hosts, which paralyzes the host and enables the pregnant (gravid) female to feed on the host’s body fluid (hemolymph). The posterior portion (opisthosoma) of the female enlarges as its young develops inside, and after several days up to 250 adult mites emerge, of which 92% were females. Males emerge before the females, position themselves around the mother’s genital opening, and mate with emerging females. The mated females then disperse to find new hosts. The mites are often dispersed by wind, and when they land on vertebrate hosts, they attempt to feed, resulting in the bites. Their great reproductive potential, small size, and high capacity for dispersal by wind make them difficult to control or avoid.

Humans are most likely to get bites while doing yard work or outdoor activities under trees that may be infected. The University of Maryland Extension recommends you avoid scratching the bite as this may lead to a secondary infection. Instead, use an itch relief product. If the itchiness or redness persists or signs of infection appear you should consult a doctor. The best way to avoid bites is to limit time underneath potentially infected trees and to immediately remove and wash clothing once coming inside. While that may be good advice, it does not seem like I would remember to do either. The mite is most active for a four-to-six-week period surrounding cicada brood hatches. Studies have shown in some cases the mite can survive mild winters in protected areas. A suggested preventive measure is the application of DEET before outdoor activity. However, anecdotal reports suggest DEET might not provide complete protection.

THOUGHTS: The oak leaf itch mite was first recognized in the US with an outbreak in Kansas which affected around 19,000 people in 2004. The mite was also linked to a 2007 outbreak of rashes in Chicago where they were feeding on the eggs of the 17-year cicada. The double brood hatch in 2025 again brought the mite back in force. I have noticed a proliferation of YouTube videos depicting humans assisting other animals in removing parasites or other things that have overwhelmed a larger animal (perhaps because I watched one and it is now on my feed radar?). Even at the top of the food chain it does not keep humans from becoming food themselves. Being wary of your surroundings can help keep you safe, but living in fear restricts your appreciation of the beauty of nature. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.