CBA picnic reminder (and gypsys)

[jhimmel at comcast.net]

Hi Diane - While the gypsy moths are eclosing, it's NOTHING compared to what
we were in store for had we not gotten all this rain earlier in the season.
You've probably noticed all the dead larvae folded back on themselves all
over the trees.  The rain activated a fungus that parasitises the gyspy
larvae as they migrate up and down the trees.  Had this been another dry
season, like last year, the trees throughout our area would have been
seriously defoliated.

Having said that, though, the larvae are pretty much done now, so it sure
would be nice if it stopped raining....!

John
www.connecticutmoths.com


<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
John Himmelman
Killingworth, CT
jhimmel at comcast.net
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Discovering Amphibians, Frogs and Salamanders of the Northeast"
Go to: https://secure.downeast.com/deb/product_info.php/products_id/1171

Visit my other websites at:
  www.johnhimmelman.com
  www.connecticutmoths.com
  www.ctamphibians.com


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-ctleps-l at lists.yale.edu
[mailto:owner-ctleps-l at lists.yale.edu]On Behalf Of
ButterflyPR at comcast.net
Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2006 9:01 AM
To: CT LEPS
Subject: CBA picnic reminder


Well, I'm hoping that today's weather means it's going to be a gorgeous
weekend!  Don't forget--Saturday July 8, 10 AM, meet at Chaffinch Island
Park for picnic and field trip!  More info at ctbutterfly.org.

Is it just me, or are there gypsy moths EVERYWHERE?  We saw our first
females yesterday--a male was circling a tree, then a squirrel jumped into
the tree and scared him off, but we looked up and saw three females hanging
out.

Also, in the milkweed patch, one very tattered great spangled fritillary.

Diane
in Chester