Journal archives for August 2022

28 August, 2022

Sep. 3: NYC Labor Day Leafminer Walk

You're invited:

Join us from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, September 3, for a Labor Day Leafminer Walk in the Central Park Ramble. We'll start out at Belvedere Castle.

Above, mines created by the moth Chrysoesthia sexguttella in a leaf of common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album).

Leafminers are the larvae of moths, flies, beetles, and sawflies that live in between the cellular layers of leaves. This lifestyle offers them them protection from predators and a rich food source. These larvae create distinctive, visible patterns as they feed on cells inside the leaves. Well over 100 species of insects mine leaves in Manhattan, and more are being recorded each month—they are sorely overlooked by most naturalists, and many discoveries still await us.

All you really need to bring is your curiosity, but you can bring your smartphone or another camera if you want to take pictures of the leaf mines we find. We'll go over tips for photographing the mines and how to identify them. Plants are a big part of the story, too—most leafminers can only live on a few plant species. Other optional things you can consider:
—A small flashlight to light the mines from behind while you take a picture
—A magnifying glass or hand lens
—A notepad if you like making handwritten field notes
—Join the Leafminers of North America project: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/leafminers-of-north-america
—Check out Charley Eiseman's digital leafminer guidebook here: http://charleyeiseman.com/leafminers/

We'll see you Saturday, September 3, at 2 p.m. starting at Belvedere Castle. RSVP with a comment below or a DM to me!

The first iNaturalist New York City record of mines created by the moth Phyllonorycter basistrigella on northern red oak (Quercus rubra), August 2022.

The mine of a fly larva, Ophiomyia parda, in an aster leaf (Symphyotrichum sp.).

Tagging a few of you who might possibly be interested, and please spread the word to others—all are welcome! @aberkov @ansel_oommen @applejaxs @ariolimax @arman_ @beniiiii @blkvulture @cathyweiner @cverwaal @dawnvla @elevine @elizajsyh @feathered @jfmantis @jholmes @jjadams @jrdnyc @kasimac @kenchaya @klodonnell @mattparr @mugglelissa @nycbirder @nycnatureobserver @pawelp @sadawolk @spritelink @steven-cyclist @susanhewitt @ursulamitra @xris @zahnerphoto @zihaowang @zitserm

Posted on 28 August, 2022 19:34 by djringer djringer | 5 comments | Leave a comment

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