Acrobat ant, Crematogaster cerasi (Fitch, 1855)

Acrobat ant, Crematogaster cerasi
In this mutualistic relationship, ants protect aphids from predators and in return, they harvest the honeydew excreted by aphids. This is similar to humans raising livestock, where care and protection are provided in exchange for resources. We saw these ants actively manage aphid populations, much like farmers manage their herds for optimal productivity.
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Authors
Suranga Basnagala
Kayla I. Perry
Jeni Filbrun
Paul Snyder
Invasives on the Brink: Amur Corktree
amur corktree with clusters of fruit
brown.2766@osu.edu Fri, 08/30/2024 - 14:00

 

A few years ago, I was on an early morning hike in a local Ohio hardwood forest. Surrounded by gigantic sugar maples and stately beech, I felt like I was being hugged by friendly giants. As I continued to meander up the trail, I came across a tree I didn’t recognize. With a relatively short & stocky trunk, large, broadly spreading branches, and a distinctly corky bark, the tree appeared to be taking advantage of a large gap in the canopy. I ambled over for a closer look.

 

I was thrown...

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Authors
Carrie Brown
‘Eat Wild!’ at 2024 Farm Science Review
ginseng, hops, mushrooms growing on log, pawpaws in a basket
brown.2766@osu.edu Wed, 08/28/2024 - 12:00
On Tuesday, September 17, Farm Science Review's Gwynne Conservation Area is teaming up with the North American Pawpaw Growers Association to bring you a fun-filled day packed with informational talks and demos focused on Eating Wild! From growing pawpaws and native hops to foraging safety and toxic plant identification, you’re sure to leave equipped with new knowledge and skills.  And be sure to join us at the Cabin at Noon for a pawpaw pulp processing demo and pawpaw ice cream social!
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Authors
Carrie Brown

Wheel Bugs are on the Hunt: Look but Don’t Touch!

Wheel Bug
Keep your eyes peeled for adult Wheel Bugs (Arilus cristatus, family Reduviidae) if you’re working among the branches of landscape trees and shrubs. The bugs are highly beneficial. They use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract the essence-of-insect from soft-bodied prey such as caterpillars and sawfly larvae. However, they may occasionally use their insecticidal equipment to deliver painful bites to people.
Published on
Authors
Joe Boggs
Kayla I. Perry
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