Category: Invertebrates

National Moth Week, July 23rd through July 29th

Posted on by CWF

The first National Moth Week (2012) will occur this week, July 23-29! 

The purpose of National Moth Week is celebrate these amazing insects and bring people together to learn about their importance.  Groups and individuals from all over the world will spend some time during National Moth Week looking for moths and sharing what they’ve found.

With more than 10,000 species in North America, moths offer endless options for study, education, photography, and fun. Moths can be found everywhere from inner cities and suburban backyards, to the most wild and remote places. The diversity of moths is simply astounding. Their colors and patterns range from bright and dazzling, to so cryptic that they define camouflage. Moth shapes and sizes span the gamut, with some as small as a pinhead and others as large as a hand.

Most moths are nocturnal and need to be sought at night to be seen, but others fly during the day. Finding moths can be as simple as leaving a porch light on and checking it after dark. Serious moth aficionados use special lights and baits to attract them. Popular interest in moths is rapidly growing, as noted by recent publications and web-based resources. The new Peterson Field Guide to the Moths by David Beadle and Seabrooke Leckie, moth caterpillar guides by David Wagner,  and a vast number of moth-oriented Internet resources such as the Moth Photographers Group and BugGuide are just some examples of moth’s growing popularity. Moths are also featured widely in literature and art providing a different angle for enjoyment and study. “Moth Nights” are often held by nature groups, and provide an opportunity for either an introduction to the creatures, or a venue for more serious pursuits.

To date, National Moth Week has more than 160 events planned all over the world in 16 countries and 46 US States. Participating countries include Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Colombia, Czech Republic, French Guiana, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, the United Kingdom, and Venezuela.

National Moth Week was spearheaded by the Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission.  National Moth Week’s partners include Butterflies and Moths of North America, BugGuide, Discover Life, The Lepidopterists’ Society, the North American Moth Photographer’s Group, The Pollinator Partnership, Project Noah, What’s That Bug and Wild New Jersey.

Join CWF at the Allaire Nature Center for a Moth Night this Friday, July 27th at 8pm. 

For more information, call Charlene at 732-567-3675.

Extinct & Extirpated Species of New Jersey

Posted on by mikedavenport
NEW JERSEY’S LOST NATURAL HERITAGE

By Michael Davenport, Marine Species & GIS Programs Manager

The rusty-patched bumble bee, a species believed to be extirpated within New Jersey.

Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ (CWF) has just launched several new web pages devoted to those species which have been lost from New Jersey (and the world in some cases).  Ten species are profiled – five which are extinct and five which are extirpated from the state.   Although their stories are sad, they are also warnings for what may happen to other species which are currently struggling to survive within the state, especially those already on the state’s endangered species list.  CWF’s wildlife conservation projects attempt to avoid more species becoming extinct or extirpated in New Jersey.

CWF would like to thank Joseph Wotasek, a junior at Centenary College majoring in Graphic Design, who volunteered his time and skills in creating images of the ten profiled species for the new web pages.

To learn more about extinct and extirpated species, please visit CWF’s website at:  Extinct & Extirpated Species of NJ.

Observations of Rare Species Wanted!

Posted on by mikedavenport
NATURE WATCHING ISN’T JUST FUN, IT CAN BE USEFUL TOO

By Michael Davenport, Marine Species & GIS Programs Manager

Like many birdwatchers, although I still enjoy seeing the neighborhood cardinal in my yard, it’s the sightings of rarely encountered species, especially those classified as endangered, threatened, or special concern, which really keep my eyes scanning around during a hike.

Observations of Special Concern species, such as this Eastern Box Turtle, may be reported to the NJ Endangered Species Program. Photo by Mike Davenport.

Many birdwatchers, or nature enthusiasts of other species groups such as reptiles or butterflies, share their encounters with rare species on websites or bulletin boards.  In addition, several organizations, such as the Cornell Lab of Ornithology or NJ Audubon, recruit “citizen scientists” who collect species observation data and submit that data electronically via websites such as eBird.  That data is important for those organizations’ scientific research and assists scientists in analyzing population trends over years.  However, more often than not, it never finds its way to New Jersey’s state biologists nor the state regulators whose task it is to protect rare species habitat in the state.

The New Jersey Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) collects data for, not just rare birds, but all of the state’s endangered, threatened, and special concern species.  A Rare Wildlife Sighting Report Form is available on ENSP’s website for download as well as instructions for completing the form.  A complete list of all of the species tracked by the state can be downloaded here.

A map of the location of your observation, such as this one, should be sent with your Rare Wildlife Sighting Report Form.

Rare species data within the state’s database plays a critical role in wildlife and habitat conservation. It is the foundation of the NJ DEP’s Landscape Project, a GIS product that maps critical areas for imperiled species based upon species locations and land-use classifications. The resulting maps allow state, county, municipal, and private agencies to identify important wildlife habitats and protect them in a variety of ways. This information is used to regulate land-use within the state and assists in preserving endangered and threatened species habitat remaining in New Jersey.

Reporting your rare wildlife observation is easy.  Simply complete the form, attach a map of where the animal was observed, as well as any photographs taken, and then mail or e-mail the form and map to ENSP at the address provided on the form.  For more details about the state’s rare species mapping, please visit our webpage.

Freshwater Invertebrate Surveys

Posted on by mikedavenport
SEARCHING FOR FRESHWATER MUSSELS & CRAYFISH AT MANASQUAN RESERVOIR

By Michael J. Davenport, Marine Species & GIS Programs Manager

Searching for freshwater mussels and crayfish using a viewing scope. © Mike Davenport

New Jersey is home to at least 16 species of freshwater bivalves (freshwater mussels and clams), half of which are listed as endangered or threatened within the state.  The presence of freshwater mussels within a water body is an indication of water quality so determining where they occur is important for protecting water resources within the state.  In fact, the NJ DEP’s “Category One” (C1) designation for some state waterways is often based on the presence of some freshwater mussel species.  C1 waters are protected from any measurable change in water quality because of their exceptional ecological significance, exceptional recreational significance, exceptional water supply significance, or exceptional fisheries resources.

Last week, I accompanied the Endangered and Nongame Species Program’s freshwater mussel biologist, Jeanette Bowers-Altman, and another survey team member to conduct a preliminary survey of the Manasquan Reservoir in Monmouth County for both freshwater mussels and crayfish.  I had visited the reservoir several times before and had confirmed the presence of at least three bivalves: the Asian clam, eastern floater, and paper pondshell.  Of those three species, only the eastern floater is native to New Jersey.

We surveyed several areas around the perimeter of the reservoir.  We took readings of the water’s temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen as well as documenting the substrate type and GPS coodinates.  Unfortunately for our survey efforts, the water level was higher than ideal for locating mussels and the only species which we found was the paper pondshell.  However, the clarity of the water and the nature of the substrate indicate that future efforts, when the water level is lower, may be more productive.

A Chinese mystery snail (Cipangopaludina chinensis) found at Manasquan Reservoir. © Mike Davenport

One interesting find was a rather large (~2.5 inches) freshwater snail which I have never encountered previously.  Thanks the ID skills of Jay Cordeiro at the University of Massachusetts – Boston, the snail has been identified as the Chinese mystery snail (Cipangopaludina chinensis), a non-native species introduced to the U.S. via San Francisco in the late 1800’s.  It has since spread into at least 37 U.S. states and 4 Canadian provinces and was first documented in New Jersey in 1926.  According to Jay, the species has been “implicated in vegetation decline, competition with native species, and are hosts for certain parasites.  Current populations are spread through the aquarium trade or on ornamental aquatic plants.”

For more information regarding New Jersey’s rare mussel species, please visit CWF’s on-line field guide at:  http://www.conservewildlifenj.org/species/fieldguide/