Monday, September 04, 2017

Chicory and Pelecinid Wasp

 My goal is to identify every species of living thing on my land.  It's an unreachable goal since  I find all sorts of new things every year. On the walk today I cut through the area my nephew plants to bring in deer and was surprised to find chicory in bloom.  I'd never seen them before.  They are in the next county south and the seeds will grow in disturbed soil so maybe they blew in.  They can be invasive.  I'll probably go  and see if I can thin them out at least.  Also found a Pelecinid Wasp.  It's rare to see these guys (or girl in this instance).  They usually keep to grass level.  They look vicious with that two inch long slender abdomen ending in a stinger but the adults drink necter. That long stinger is used to reach underground and lay eggs in grubs.  So today I found two new things - one bad, one good - and I'm just a little closer to my goal.

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