KABT BioBlog

Observations at a Volleyball Court, accompanied by an ID & Behavioral Challenge

While on holiday in Oklahoma this weekend, I happened by this volleyball court on the way to the pool.   My attention was immediately drawn to movements that I observed in my periphery.  Here is what I observed from sand level…

and close-up from above…

The species may be territorial.  While individuals came close to each other it appeared like there were brief chases and overall there was an emergent spatial pattern (I think you can see it in the first video) suggestive of territoriality.   I tried to follow the movement of a single individual but it was too difficult for me.

After spending more time, continuing to ignore my children swimming and doing flips of the side of the pool, I made these more detailed observations suggestive of territoriality as well.  In the first video, you will see interactions between numerous live individuals with a single dead individual of the same species…

Here is a close-up image of an instance of this behavior…

In the second video, you will see interactions of these hymenoptera with a mottled leaf…

Here is a close-up image of an instance of this behavior…

The fact that the colors of the leaf are similar to some of those found in the wasps themselves made me wonder if I could elicit the behavior with another leaf.  The leaf I chose to use, unlike the one I found them naturally interacting with, was entirely yellow.  What do you hypothesize will happen?

Around the periphery of the volleyball court, I noticed holes in the sand that were approximately the same diameter as the cylinder shape of the insect themselves (see below), although maybe a bit weathered.  I should have dug them up but didn’t think of it at the time.

I had noticed similar behavior in a much smaller number of cicada killers in a children’s sandbox, but had no idea what type of hymenoptera this species was.  Similar, I wondered, was this a mating swarm?  Where they recently emerged individuals?  What was the ratio of genders?  How long does this behavior persist?  What resources might they use to maintain their energy?

A few curious individuals did happen to come by while I was making my observations, and I received seemingly conflicting reports on their longevity.  One adult mentioned that they are there all the time, while a couple of kids arriving to play volleyball hadn’t noticed them there the day before.  In fact, later that night I saw, from afar, four people playing volleyball.  I might add, that to get some of the images and video, I walked in amongst the swarm.  I did so slowly but felt that they may have ignored me even if I had walked in at a normal pace.

So, here’s the challenge…

• What is the genus and/or species of this hymenoptera?  and
• What the heck are they doing?

As mentioned in response to Brad’s post on aphids, I think a collection of such videos and images could make an interesting series of ecological activities for students, and possibly a series of models for them to produce their own reports, blogs, etc… on interesting outdoor observations that can motivate learning of particular ecological principles.

For anyone that responds with the answers, unknown to me with any certainty, it would be nice, and potentially helpful in the future, for you to provide links to websites that helped in your identification.

Observations of tadpoles in a local pond

Two days ago, while driving my eldest daughter and a friend to morning swim practice, we ran across, but not over, a rather large snapping turtle crossing the road.  This happened just east of Mission Road on 71st Street in Shawnee Misson, Kansas (it appears that he may have grown up in Indian Hills County Club).  Although the turtle appears to have lived quite a productive live to that moment, we figured that we might increase its life span by moving him somewhere a little bit less populated.

Yesterday, my two younger children and I, released our find in a wetland area adjacent to the Blue River in southern Johnson County.  While there, I treated my kids to one of the ponds I frequent with students when I am teaching about amphibians.  Here is an interesting observation that we made…

A quick google search this morning suggests that field biologist may not fully understand this behavior, and not for lack of thoughtful consideration and experimentation.  I know that school is out and that critical observations and experimentation are dependent on the life cycle of an organism who doesn’t realize that, but I share this observation none-the-less, for its potential…

…and if you want to ID the tadpoles you can do that too…

George Pisani and Bill Busby are looking for help.  You, your students and other interested parties can help expand the knowledge of two Eastern Kansas snakes:  Red-bellied and Smooth Earth Snakes.  Note that these are some of the earliest snakes to show up in the spring (March).  Spread the word to others in your community.  If you want to participate you’ll need to get going. Here are the details:

Smooth Earth Snake and Redbelly Snake Population Survey

Kansas Biological Survey (KBS) is conducting a survey of these two Kansas snakes recognized as Threatened in the State. We are looking for new populations and ask that students and teachers in the eastern counties of Kansas be on the lookout for these species in your area, and report sightings to us using the report form available at http://people.ku.edu/~gpisani/SWGform.html. Sightings must be confirmed by us, either by a live specimen (which may be released at capture point after we confirm identification) and/or high-quality photograph. We also need detailed documentation of habitat in which you may find them! If you find either species, note the area well and contact us ASAP! We especially need people to help us in Linn and Anderson counties; email us as soon as possible if you can help.

Both species are cool-weather snakes, and are among the very earliest to emerge from hibernation. Look for them under cover objects (tin, rocks, wood) from early March on (depending upon temperature). A great way to locate these snakes is to distribute 2ftx4ft pieces of salvaged barn tin (the corrugated kind) in likely habitat, especially edge zones between woods and unmowed grass areas. Part of this effort is to determine just what sorts of habitat both species prefer, so don’t overlook pastures, woods , or whatever habitat is in your area.. Spread some tin [with landowner permission]; see what comes in! And don’t forget to remove the tin when done sampling an area..
For an overview of current Kansas records of these species, visit the Kansas Herpetofaunal Atlas pages from links on our web site (above).

To add incentive, we will award publications to people with the most confirmed sightings in new localities during 2010 as follows:

Most new localities reported: A copy of 2nd printing (1980) Autecology of the Copperhead 1960 by Henry S. Fitch and also a copy of 2nd printing (1991) Reproductive Cycles in Lizards and Snakes 1970 by Henry S. Fitch.
Second place, most new localities reported: CHOICE OF ONE OF THE FOLLOWING- a copy of 2nd printing (1980) Autecology of the Copperhead 1960 by Henry S. Fitch and also a copy of 2nd printing (1991) Reproductive Cycles in Lizards and Snakes 1970 by Henry S. Fitch.
Third place, most new localities reported:  A copy of Biology, status and management of the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus): A guide for conservation (1993), by William S. Brown.

George Pisani                                                Bill Busby
gpisani@ku.edu                                            wbusby@ku.edu

When it snows, I can hardly wait to get out to the woods or to other natural areas just to see the record left by different critters as tracks.  For instance, yesterday at the Overland Park Arboretum I was wishing I had my normal camera along to record some of the tracks.  I saw bobcat tracks trailing along downed logs, coyote tracks on the ice and countless deer tracks.

Here’s a challenge—I finally remembered that I had my iPhone camera with me and recorded some very unusual tracks that I’m going to put out as an i.d. challenge.  I apologize for the quality of the iPhone camera.  I will tell you that occasionally these tracks would dive below the snow and they seemed to go all over the place.  Also the width of the track groove was just over an inch.  If my i.d. is correct these tracks were found in an atypical habitat for this species—in an open woodland of large willow shingle and white oaks with flower beds.  Here’s the images—let’s have your analysis:

next photo

Final photo:

Blue Lawn weed

This is a very common, very early and very small  lawn weed/flower–one that I have never keyed out nor do I think I’ve every had anyone tell me what it is.   My point is that I actually don’t know what this common plant so I’m looking for help–but I’ll need convincing.  What is the name of this early harbinger of spring?  And what are the key identifying characters that lead you to that decision?  Here’s another view.

Second view

I feel I’m being a bit lazy by using the “ask the web community” strategy instead of just keying it out myself but thought you might like the challenge.

Too late—I couldn’t take it anymore.  I had to look this plant up and sure enough I had keyed this out years ago–just forgot.  At any rate the challenge is still on and now I can verify any entries.

Early spring

This is a warm-up….