Missouri Conservationist June 2015

2015·5.1 MB·English

by  Missouri Department of Conservation

Missouri
C
onservationist
VOLUME 76, ISSUE 6, JUNE 2015 • SERVING NATURE & YOU
NOTE TO OUR READERS
Research Enhances Management of
Missouri’s Fish, Forest, and Wildlife
T
o learn and grow in knowledge should be a goal for each of us
throughout our lives. Your Department of Conservation is constantly
seeking new knowledge in fish, forest, and wildlife management.
The Department’s research staff is hellbenders to decline. As a conservation
exploring new innovations in technical department, we need to know more about
research that will build upon our current bats and better understand monarch but-
scientific foundation to manage Missouri’s terflies and specific factors causing their
natural resources into the future. decline. Continuing to build scientific
Technical research and learning new knowledge on prairie ecosystems, forest
scientific information is a cornerstone of ecosystems, paddlefish, and sturgeon are
any successful conservation program. Our just a few ongoing research projects.
world is changing! Invasive plant and animal Most of Missouri’s streams have been
species, changing land-use patterns, and a altered and degraded. Many of our state’s
growing population are just a few variables that impact our na- wetlands have been converted to other land uses. How do
tive natural resources. When you combine fish, forest, and wild- scientists ensure that Missouri’s wetlands maximize benefits
life management; protection; and public input with research, for all wetland species and maintain the correct stream flow
you have the highly successful Missouri Model of conservation. to maximize benefits for all stream species? These tough and
Current research includes evaluating survival, reproduc- complex research issues represent important projects Depart-
tion, habitat use, and movement patterns of whitetail deer and ment scientists are currently working on for a healthier future
wild turkey. Biologists are capturing and placing tracking de- for Missouri citizens and the state’s natural resources.
vices on deer in northwest Missouri and in the Ozarks. Wild A quality conservation program must have an engaged
turkeys are being studied and monitored in northeast Mis- citizenry. Missourians live in an ever-changing society with
souri. The research information will build a broader database new and multiple demands on our time. Together we must
and enable managers to refine science-based decisions on deer stay engaged, share ideas, and look for opportunities to im-
and turkey hunting seasons and harvest limits. prove conservation in Missouri. Last year research scientists
A five-year quail research project is underway in south- conducted surveys that reached almost 200,000 citizens ask-
west Missouri to test the difference between managing grass- ing them what they thought about a variety of outdoor issues.
land landscapes through managed burning and grazing in- Your opinion and thoughts are vitally important to Missouri
stead of the more traditional approach of annual food plots in conservation and the Department of Conservation wants to
producing quail. Department staff are trapping male and fe- hear from you!
male quail on several conservation areas and fitting them with Department research scientists have a long history of
radio collars. Quail are then tracked throughout the year and exploring natural resource questions, innovating research and
the data gathered will help determine many aspects of quail management solutions, and leading the nation in scientific
life history including survival, breeding status, habitat use, and discoveries. The Department’s research staff utilize adaptive
distance moved. learning, creative thinking, embrace technology, and are na-
The article on collared lizards in this issue is an excellent tional leaders in fish, forest, and wildlife research. Building on
example of how a species has benefitted from research and as- this world-class research with field management, protection,
sociated management activities. Science builds upon itself — and citizen engagement will improve Missouri’s natural re-
the more we learn, the more we want to know! sources, Missouri citizen’s quality of life, and continue to make
R
Biologists have learned how to raise hellbenders in cap- Missouri a great place to live. NE
N
O
tivity, which will help restoration efforts in our Ozark streams, D ST
but we need to better understand the factors that are causing Tim Ripperger, deputy director AVI
D
CONTENTS
June 2015, Volume 76, Issue 6
FEATURES
Cover: An eastern collared lizard basks in
the sun at Peck Ranch Conservation Area
10 The Rebound of the Eastern Collared Lizard near Winona, Missouri. Photograph by
story and photographs by Jeff Briggler Noppadol Paothong. Read more about this
Once a declining species in Missouri, the eastern collared lizard is lizard’s comeback starting on Page 10.
making a comeback in the Ozarks due to habitat improvement 500mm lens • f/13 • 1/250 sec • ISO 200
16 Summertime Bow Fishing
by Tim Kjellesvik, photographs by David Stonner DEPARTMENTS
An exciting blend of hunting and fishing offers hot archery 2 Letters
action on the water 4 Hunting & Fishing Calendar
4 Agent Notes
22 Searching for Berry Treasure 5 Ask MDC
by Gladys J. Richter 6 News & Events
Missouri is ripe with berries during the spring and summer months 30 Plants & Animals
32 Places to Go
33 Discover Nature
What is it? Our photographers have been busy exploring the
intricacies of outdoor Missouri. See if you can guess this
month’s natural wonder. The answer is revealed on Page 8.
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June 2015  Missouri Conservationist 1
LETTERS
Submissions reflect readers’ opinions and may be edited for length and clarity.
More Bird’s-Eye Views warm. I don’t believe that dumping of aquarium customed to. To survive cold weather, an
Thanks for a wonderful magazine! My husband fish or other pets is ok, but let’s get our facts alligator sometimes excavates a burrow
and I love to watch the FalconCam [FalconCam straight and use realistic examples. in which it stays during colder periods. In
Gives Bird’s-Eye View of Peregrine Falcon Chicks; Also let’s find a solution to the Asian carp regard to piranhas, studies have shown
Page 6, April] each year. We also discovered an problem as it will ruin sport fishing, commercial piranhas can tolerate water temperatures
Eagle Cam located at dukefarms.org in New fishing, and boating. Follow Kentucky’s example down to 50 degrees F. If fish find a refu-
Jersey where my husband is from. Two baby and try commercial netting of those pests. gia spot (a place where a spring-fed inlet
eagles recently hatched. Tell your readers. Gary Meyers, via email keeps temperatures constant), aquarium
Donna Jablonski, via email fish might survive.
Author’s Note: The prevailing belief that However, even if species do not survive
No Dumping
aquarium and other warm-water aquatic winter, they can do considerable damage
What a disappointment I felt when I read this species can’t survive a Missouri winter to a habitat up until the time of their
article [No Dumping, May] by Francis Skalicky. isn’t always true. An American alligator’s demise. Aquarium nonnative species
The piranhas and the alligator are tropical chance of surviving a Missouri winter can also introduce diseases and parasites
and must have a water temperature above 75 is admittedly lower than in its natural into an ecosystem. The tropical host fish
degrees, so they would not survive a Missouri range (the southeastern U.S.), but this and amphibians (frogs, salamanders,
winter nor would nearly all aquarium fish, which reptile has been known to survive water etc.) may not survive, but the pathogens
are generally tropical in nature and must be kept temperatures much cooler than it’s ac- or parasites could survive to impact
Missouri’s native species.
In regard to Asian carp, they are
a classic example of how much of a
problem invasive species can be. The
Department promotes the harvest of all
Asian carp. There is no closed season or
daily size limits. Commercial fishing can
be used in an attempt to reduce their
number. For more information, visit the
Fishing Regulations on our site at mdc.
mo.gov/node/3104. —Francis Skalicky
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16 Missouri Conservationist  May 2015 May 2015  Missouri Conservationist 17
Randall Jackson of St. Joseph, Missouri, took this photo of a bluebird chick
Correction
leaving the nest for the first time. “For the past seven years, I have built,
placed, and monitored about 20 bluebird houses in rural Buchanan County,” In How to Bug a Bluegill [May], we incorrectly
said Jackson. “Not long after I set up to shoot some photos near this box, referred to bluegill as a “game fish.” Although
the adult female appeared and began chirping incessantly from the gate bluegill are an important sport fish, they are
post nearby. Soon, a little head poked out of the hole of the nest box and not defined as a game fish in the Wildlife Code
looked around.” Jackson said with the mother’s coaxing, the fledgling finally of Missouri. This is because bluegill and other
had enough courage to leave the nest. “The mother bluebird repeated this nongame fish can be used as live bait to catch
scenario for each one of her babies,” said Jackson. “The entire exodus took other species. In Missouri, no game fish may be
less than five minutes.” used for bait. Check area regulations for daily
limits for bluegill and special length limits.
2 Missouri Conservationist  June 2015
Missouri
SUBSCRIPTIONS C
onservationist
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Email: [email protected]
Conser vationist online services: Subscribe to the
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Don C. Bedell
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Deputy Director Thomas A. Draper
ASK MDC Deputy Director Tim D. Ripperger
Phone: [phone], ext. 3848 General Counsel Jennifer Frazier
Internal Auditor Lisa Wehmeyer
Address: Ask MDC, PO Box 180,
DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS
Jefferson City 65102-0180 DIVISION CHIEFS
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected] Administrative Services Margie Mueller
Address: PO Box 180, Design and Development Jacob Careaga
Jefferson City 65102-0180 EDITORIAL COMMENTS Fisheries Brian Canaday
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REGIONAL OFFICES
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Southwest/Springfield: 417-895-6880 Flickr: flickr.com/groups/mdc-readerphotos-2015
Northwest/St. Joseph: 816-271-3100 Email: [email protected] CONSERVATIONIST STAFF
St. Louis: 636-441-4554 Address: Missouri Conservationist, Reader Photo, Editor Angie Daly Morfeld
Art Director Cliff White
Ozark/West Plains: 417-256-7161 PO Box 180, Jefferson City 65102-0180
Associate Editor Bonnie Chasteen
Staff Writer Heather Feeler
Photographer Noppadol Paothong
MDC Online Discover more about nature and the outdoors through these sites. Photographer David Stonner
Designer Stephanie Thurber
Circulation Laura Scheuler
Blog: mdc.mo.gov/node/87 Missouri Conservationist: mdc.mo.gov/node/83
The Missouri Conservationist (ISSN 0026-6515) is the of-
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Instagram: instagram.com/moconservation Twitter: twitter.com/MDC_Online and Nature_Videos City, MO (Mailing address: PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO
Kids’ site: XplorMo.org YouTube: youtube.com/user/moconservation 65102.) Subscription free to adult Missouri residents; out
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Kids’ magazine Postmaster: Send correspondence to Circulation, PO Box
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Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from
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tion is available to all individuals without regard to
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June 2015  Missouri Conservationist 3
HUNTING & FISHING
CALENDAR
FISHING OPEN CLOSE
Black Bass from Ozark Streams 05/23/15 02/29/16
Bullfrogs and Green Frogs Sunset Midnight
06/30/15 10/31/15
Nongame Fish Gigging
Impounded Waters 02/01/15 01/31/16
Streams 09/15/15 01/31/16
Paddlefish on the Mississippi River 09/15/15 12/15/15
Trout Parks
Catch-and-Keep 03/01/15 10/31/15
HUNTING OPEN CLOSE
Coyote (restrictions apply during April, All year None
spring turkey season, and firearms
deer season)
Deer
Agent Notes Archery 09/15/15 11/13/15
11/25/15 01/15/16
Summertime Froggin’ Firearms
Urban Zones Portion 10/09/15 10/12/15
Early Youth Portion 10/31/15 11/01/15
DURING FROGGING SEASON,
November Portion 11/14/15 11/24/15
which runs from sunset June 30 through
Antlerless Portion (open areas only) 11/25/15 12/06/15
Oct. 31, I routinely receive this ques-
Alternative Methods Portion 12/19/15 12/29/15
tion: What permit is needed to pursue
Late Youth Portion 01/02/16 01/03/16
bullfrogs and green frogs? The answer
Groundhog (woodchuck) 05/11/15 12/15/15
depends on the method used to capture
Pheasant
your prey.
Youth 10/24/15 10/25/15
With a fishing permit, frogs may be taken by hand,
Regular 11/01/15 01/15/16
hand net, atlatl, gig, bow, trotline, throw line, limbline, bank
Quail
line, jug line, snagging, snaring, grabbing, or pole and line.
Youth 10/24/15 10/25/15
With a small game hunting permit, frogs may be taken by
Regular 11/01/15 01/15/16
hand or hand net, with a .22-caliber or smaller rimfire rifle
Rabbit 10/01/15 02/15/16
or pistol, pellet gun, bow, crossbow, or atlatl. Any person
Squirrel 05/23/15 02/15/16
15 or younger may take frogs without a permit — subject to
Turkey
hunter education requirements if using hunting methods.
Archery 09/15/15 11/13/15
The daily limit for bullfrogs and green frogs is eight, with a
11/25/15 01/15/16
possession limit of 16 total at any one time. An artificial light
Firearms
may be used.
Fall 10/01/15 10/31/15
You can find frogs around ponds, lakes, rivers, and
Waterfowl see the Waterfowl Hunting Digest or mdc.mo.gov/node/3830
streams — just listen for the sounds of croaking. Be sure to
obtain permission if you will be frogging on private property. For complete information about seasons, limits, methods, and
This summer when you are looking for a fun family restrictions, consult the Wildlife Code and the current summaries
activity, give frogging a try. It’s a great way to introduce kids of Missouri Hunting and Trapping Regulations and Missouri Fishing
to the outdoors. They will enjoy trying to chase and catch Regulations, The Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information,
jumping frogs. the Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information, the
Waterfowl Hunting Digest, and the Migratory Bird Hunting Digest. For
more information, visit mdc.mo.gov/node/130 or permit vendors.
Jason Eikermann is the conservation agent for Gasconade County.
If you would like to contact the agent for your county, phone your
regional conservation office listed on Page 3.
4 Missouri Conservationist  June 2015
Ask MDC
Address: PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 Cedar-apple rust
Phone: [phone], ext. 3848 Email: [email protected]
I found this “thing” on a
cedar tree next to my yard.
I have never before seen
anything like it! What is it
and how did it get there?
Is it dangerous? Can it
or will it transfer to other
plants or trees nearby?
It is a gall (a swollen growth similar to a
wart) of a fungal disease called cedar-ap-
ple rust. The fungus is so named because
it requires two hosts to complete its life
cycle: eastern red cedar trees and apple
trees. The fungus overwinters inside the
galls on cedar trees, then spring rains
cause worm-like tentacles (called telia)
to extrude from the galls. As the telia
absorb moisture, they become jelly-like
Greater bee fly
and swollen and eventually produce
spores that are discharged into the
I came across this bug and mountain lion and was air. The spores that land on apple trees
took this picture while taken near Ava, Missouri. or crab apple trees grow to produce an
hiking at Castor River This is a hoax. This photo has been mak- orange blemish or “rust” on apple leaves
Conservation Area. What is ing the rounds on the Internet for some and fruit.
PH it? A bee? A moth? A fly? time, and various people claimed to The life cycle continues one or two
OL
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N It’s a type of fly called a greater bee have taken it in their state. It is a photo months later when the rust produces
A
NIKI R fly. It’s named this because it mimics a of a black leopard and was probably another fungal structure (called aecia)
D BY bumblebee with its yellowish and brown taken in Africa or Asia, where leopards on the underside of the leaf or on the
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VI furry body and buzzing sound it makes are found. The black color is called fruit. Different spores are produced and
O
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UST P when flying. Bee flies have only two melanism and is caused by a recessive released into the air in late summer. The
R R wings instead of four (like bees), large gene that affects pigment. While this spores that land on young leaves of ce-
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APPLE CE aeynetes,n snkaien.n Thy leoyn agr lee gfass, ta anndd v sekryil lsfhuol rt cnool oreractoirodne do cecvuidrse ninc ele oofp aa rbdlasc, kth ceorue gisa r dgaalrl st.r eThese t ghaelnls g geernmeirnaalltye taankde ftowrom y meaorrse
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ME fliers and use their long, stiff tongues or mountain lion in North America. to mature.
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A SC (proboscis) to probe into flowers for Missouri does have confirmed cases of The disease does not generally kill
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D nectar. They aid pollination because mountain lions, red cedar trees, but can significantly
N
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D BY S pollen sticks to their furry coats, and but no evidence blemish apple leaves and fruit, eventually
DE they transport it to other flowers. of a breeding weakening highly susceptible trees. You
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ATER BEE FLY PR FI saacweb tohoisk p, thhoet op eorns on mmpodoprcue.m liantoif.oogn,o v.v Fi/soitr citniab ntleh m ea pasppnrlaeign tegr ec oeersd babryy- apapplappnlleyti irnnuggs rtf euosnnisg tsiaucnsidtc eesp -
RE claims it is a black node/3505. varieties of apple trees.
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June 2015  Missouri Conservationist 5
NEWS & EVENTS
by Heather Feeler
Decades ago, Department Fisheries biologists
took action to prevent lake sturgeon from disap-
pearing in Missouri rivers. In 1974, the Department
listed the species as a state endangered fish and
banned their harvest. In 1984, staff began to raise
them in Department hatcheries and release finger-
lings into Missouri rivers.
For more than three decades, Fisheries staff
have looked for signs that the fish were on their
way back through natural breeding in these riv-
ers. They got a sign in mid-April in the form of
a video shot by Sam Hardy of St. Peters. While
snagging for paddlefish near West Alton on the
Mississippi River, Hardy saw what he thought
were lake sturgeon spawning. He and Kristin
Biagioli, also of St. Peters, captured smartphone
video of the behavior.
“I was excited because I’m an avid angler and
outdoorsman and just to see something like
that,” recalled Hardy, who had never seen a lake
sturgeon in the wild. “I was just like a little kid. It
blew my mind.”
Fisheries staff confirmed from the video that
the fish were lake sturgeon and the behavior
was consistent with spawning activity. They
also examined the site where Hardy shot his
video and discovered fertilized eggs. Fisheries
staff collected 200 eggs to hatch in a lab and
confirmed the species as lake sturgeon. They
then returned to the site near West Alton and
observed recently hatched sturgeon in the river.
This final piece of evidence confirmed lake stur-
geon were once again reproducing naturally in
the Mississippi River.
Lake sturgeon
“Lake sturgeon typically spawn from April to
May,” explained Fisheries Management Biologist
Travis Moore, who leads the Department’s Lake
Department Confirms Lake Sturgeon
Sturgeon Recovery Team. “As spawning begins,
Now Reproducing in Mississippi River several males join a single female near a rocky
shoreline and begin thrashing in the water. This
activity mixes the eggs from the female and milt
Three decades of lake sturgeon restoration ef- within the past 50 years. They were once common from the males, and the fertilized eggs then stick
forts by the Missouri Department of Conserva- in our big rivers, but overharvest and river habitat to rocks until they hatch within about a week.”
tion came to fruition recently when Department degradation caused their decline by the 1970s. Fisheries biologists began noticing other
Fisheries staff confirmed that the nearly extinct These river giants can reach lengths of 8 signs in mid-April suggestive of spring spawning.
fish are once again naturally reproducing in the feet, weigh as much as 300 pounds, and live for A small number of fish previously implanted with
G
Mississippi River near St. Louis. more than 100 years. The fish reach reproductive ultrasonic transmitters were tracked moving to ON
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This ancient species, which has been around maturity in 25–30 years, but have a slow rate of locations favorable for spawning. One lake stur- AOT
for more than 150 million years and has outlived reproduction, making them even more vulner- geon was also captured on video in Dardenne DOL P
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the dinosaurs, was nearly brought to extinction able to population declines. Creek, a tributary to the Mississippi River in OPP
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6 Missouri Conservationist  June 2015
Milkweed for Monarchs:
St. Charles County. Biologists interpreted this Its predators include hawks, raccoons, foxes, and
Get Planting!
movement as a search for spawning opportunity. coyotes. A healthy bobwhite population in an
Another angler-submitted video during this time area is an indicator of a healthy ecosystem. The distinctive orange and black wings of the
also showed lake sturgeon spawning. The field day will include four tours of field op- monarch butterfly have been a summer staple
“We’ve been stocking lake sturgeon for 30 erations reflecting best management techniques. in Missouri for many generations. The annual
years, and our highest priority was to establish Tours will include information on prescribed migration of North America’s monarch butterfly
a self-sustaining population,” said Department burning, managing field edges for wildlife, crop is an amazing journey across the United States,
River Systems Ecologist Quinton Phelps. “This field management for pollinators and wildlife, including Missouri, and then down south to
confirmation is at least the beginning of a self- and conservation habitat management tech- overwinter in Mexico. In fact, some monarchs fly
sustaining population.” niques. A classroom session on Quail 101 will in- as far as 3,000 miles to reach their winter home,
Phelps added that he and other Fisheries ex- clude experts discussing basic habitat to promote with thousands clustering together to stay warm
perts view sturgeon reproduction in the wild as a quail, followed by a question-and-answer period along the way.
landmark event, likening it to the historic success for participants. If it’s been awhile since you’ve spotted a mon-
of bringing back deer and turkey to Missouri. “In The event will be followed by a demonstration arch in large groups or just one, there is a good
the fish world, this is big, big news,” he said. on how to prepare Asian carp, an invasive fish spe- reason. The migratory population of the mon-
To learn more about lake sturgeon, go online cies that is displacing native fish in the Mississippi arch butterfly has recently declined to danger-
to mdc.mo.gov/node/1003 or youtube.com/ and Missouri river basins. Lunch will be available at ously low levels. Since the monarch travels long
watch?v=mDAQ2mQ467s. no cost for those who complete a program evalua- distances, several factors are contributing to the
tion. The event is free and requires no registration. decline. These include habitat loss in their over-
Field Day Focuses on Enhancing
For more information on bobwhite quail manage- wintering territory in Mexico, as well as the rise
Habitats for Bobwhite Quail
ment, go online to mdc.mo.gov/node/3678. of herbicide-resistant crops in the Midwest that
Bobwhite quail numbers are declining in the
Midwest, but landowners can play a critical part
in improving habitat to help increase popula-
CONSERVATION
tions. The Missouri Department of Conservation,
University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, COMMISSION ACTIONS
Food and Natural Resources, MU Extension, Mis-
souri Soybean Association, and the USDA Natural
Resources Conservation Service are sponsoring a The April Commission meeting featured presentations and discussions regarding FY16
free field day event on June 27 from 8 a.m.–noon expenditure plan proposals, wetland planning initiative, waterfowl regulations schedule
at the Bradford Research Center, east of Colum- update, grazing for conservation, activities associated with chronic wasting disease efforts, re-
bia. The event will showcase best management cent deer open house meetings, deer management, and connecting urban residents to forest,
practices and techniques that landowners and fish, and wildlife resources. A summary of actions taken during the April 15–17 meeting for the
farmers can use to improve quail habitat and benefit and protection of forests, fish, and wildlife, and the citizens who enjoy them includes:
increase populations on their property. » Approved amendments to the Wildlife Code of Missouri that clarify special restrictions for
“The goal of the field day is to demonstrate the use of single projectile firearms on Lake Girardeau Conservation Area (CA).
practices that integrate wildlife diversity on a » Approved the sale of 1,146,073 board feet of timber located on 393 acres of Compartment 1
property,” said Department Private Land Ser- of Indian Trail CA in Dent County.
vices Division Chief Bill White. “Quail habitat can » Approved the purchase of approximately 89 acres in Howell County as an addition to
easily be integrated with ongoing agricultural or White Ranch CA.
forestry objectives whether it’s a crop or livestock » Approved the conveyance of 0.88 acre of Fiddlers Ford Access in Dade County to Dade
producer, forest land, or property used for recre- County for a bridge replacement project and to grant Dade County a temporary construc-
ation activities. Some of the best experts in quail tion easement on an additional 0.6 acre until the project is complete.
and quail habitat will be there to present.” » Approved the conveyance of 1.77 acres of Platte Falls CA in Platte County to the Platte
Bobwhite quail are small game birds weigh- City Special Road District for improvements to Interurban Road and to grant the Platte
ing only 5 to 6 ounces that can fly short distances. City Special Road District a drainage easement and temporary construction easement on
Bobwhite populations have suffered since the an additional 0.49 acre and 0.4 acre, respectively, of Platte Falls CA.
1950s from extreme weather events and habitat
loss. Bobwhites are an important part of the The next Conservation Commission meeting is July 9 and 10. For more information, visit
food chain, eating insects harmful to agriculture. mdc.mo.gov/node/3430 or call your regional Conservation office (phone numbers on Page 3).
June 2015  Missouri Conservationist 7
[ ]
NEWS & EVENTS
(continued from Page 7)
has improved the ability of farmers to eradicate
weeds, including milkweeds that are a critical
food source for monarchs.
Monarch larvae feed on a variety of milk-
weeds, which contain cardiac glycosides. These
chemicals are stored in the monarch’s body and
render it unpalatable and toxic to many preda-
tors. The bright color patterns of both larvae and
adults cleverly advertise their toxicity to would-
be predators. To conserve the monarch, we must
allow milkweeds to grow.
The Department actively manages approxi-
mately 28,000 acres of grassland and 21,000 acres
of glade, savanna, and woodland natural com-
munities with a rich diversity of native plants,
including milkweeds and nectar plants, such
as New England aster, that are important to
monarchs. While every acre helps, there are mil-
lions of acres of Missouri land where milkweed
planting could have a big impact on the monarch
population. Even relatively small milkweed
plantings, such as in gardens or landscapes, can
provide sufficient habitat for monarch caterpil-
lars. In 2014, the Department partnered with the
Missouri Prairie Foundation to distribute more
than 4,000 milkweed and other nectar plants
free of charge to citizens across the state. The
response was overwhelming, and the program
will be repeated again in late summer.
You can help the monarchs by planting
more milkweed and other nectar plants in
your outdoor space, whether big or small. Go to
GrowNative! at grownative.org to learn more
about milkweed varieties, including butterfly
milkweed, common milkweed, marsh/swamp
milkweed, and other native plants. For more on
WHAT IS IT?
the monarch butterfly, visit our field guide at
mdc.mo.gov/node/3419.
Giant Ichnuemon | Megarhyssa atrata
Stay in Touch With Conservation
The giant ichneumon (ick-NEW-mon) is a rare find in Missouri. Including its long, thin “tail,” the
ichneumon is more than 6 inches long. Although it looks dangerous, the ichneumon is harmful Learn more about a variety of conservation
only to the larvae of other wasps, which ichneumon larvae eat. The giant ichneumon can be topics through our email news or texts de-
found in large tracts of old, deciduous forests throughout the eastern United States. Missouri, livered right to your inbox or phone. You can
with few old forests, is at the western limit of its range. Ichneumon larvae feed upon larvae of tailor the deliveries to receive only the topics
the pigeon horntail, another kind of wasp that lays its eggs in dead wood. Giant ichneumons that interest you, from regional news in your
appear May through July. The female locates pigeon horntail larvae in dead wood, then weaves own backyard, statewide news, weekly fishing
her long egg tube into the nest, depositing an egg. When the egg hatches, the larva feeds on reports, nature center newsletters, and more.
the pigeon horntail larvae. —photograph by Noppadol Paothong Subscribe at tinyurl.com/pp6w48a. You can
also keep up with conservation through social
8 Missouri Conservationist  June 2015