The Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly (Euphydryas phaeton) has been the state insect for Maryland since 1973. Named after the first Lord Baltimore because it exhibits the same orange and black colors found on the crest for the American Colonist as well as the Maryland state flag, the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly is described as possessing a 2 ½-inch dark brown body with wings that are spotted with the colors of orange and white. Possessing short hairy forelegs indicates that it this insect is apart of the family Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies). Such a characteristic prevents the creature from walking, suggesting that it is only mobile in the air. Generally it keeps a low flight range that is just above vegetation. The above and following information was acquired from the Maryland at Glance web page under the state symbols category.

The butterfly is found mostly in the north central and north eastern regions of the UnitedStates and thrives in a habitat that has wet meadows, ditches and abundant with the White Turtlehead (Chelone glabra) plant. The White Turtlehead is a member of the snapdragon family and is described as having a white pink rimmed flower. The Baltimore Checkerspot is dependent on this host plant as it provides nourishment and facilitates reproduction. The female butterfly will often lay several hundred eggs between late July and early August under the pedals of the creamy white pink rimmed flowers that grow on the Turtlehead. Over a course of a few weeks these eggs will hatch into orange and black caterpillars. The caterpillars will feed off the host plant during its period of growth until it emerges into an adult butterfly.

“Perilous Beauty”, an article written by Mary Battiata from the Washington Post informs of records from the 1930’s that show the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly having “large colonies in Rock Creek Park, and all over Prince George’s and Montgomery counties.” At present they appear to be experiencing an accelerating decline. Listed as a threatened species in 2002, Pat Durkin, a butterfly conservationist from the Baltimore Checkerspot Restoration Project of Maryland, claims that the insect is currently experiencing a regional decline because of “habitat change and degradation due to global warming.”

The Global Warming Action Alliance , whose mission is to educate about climate change, suggest that “warmer temperatures have forced about 80% of all Baltimore Checkerspot Butterflies northward up to 50 miles in the last 25 years.” Unfortunately, as the species migrates northward the host plant that it is dependent on will not, “depriving the Checkerspot of home, family and nutrition.”

Other more obvious reasons for the regional decline may be due to non-targeted exposure to insecticide applications and overconsumption of host plant. An increasing white-tailed deer population is over consuming the White Turtlehead. The butterfly utilizes this host plant as a dependable source for nourishment and reproduction.

TAGS: Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly, Nymphalidae, White Turtlehead,  

Act I: Beginning beekeeping 101

My interest began in the form of a 6-week course instruction on the basics of beekeeping, presented by the Montgomery County Beekeeper’s Association (MCBA).  The course completed with an on site field trip to visit the several hives situated at Brookside Gardens in Silver Spring, MD.  In late April, I then installed 2 nucleus hives on my suburban property in
Silver Spring.

The following images were taken shortly after installation in early May.

Bees hanging out on drawn comb.

Removing frames for inspection.

The makings of a new hive.

(more…)

I have become aware of the fact that Gypsy Moth treatments are to begin in Montgomery County as early as May 1st this year. Gypsy moths, not to be mistaken for the Eastern Tent Caterpillar, are part of the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s pest “suppression program” - a unique collaborative between state, local, and landowner jurisdiction to control potential widespread defoliation in our region.

To view the spray schedule in your area click here. (more…)

I received a call this afternoon from a Prince George’s county resident regarding a buzzing swarm of “buzy” bees, among at least a handful of other similar cases brought forth by concerned homeowners. Turns out, our Bowie client was fortunate (she may not agree) to discover a clustered swarm of honeybees clinging to a low-lying branch on a young tree in her own front yard, “too near to my car” she added. Tis the season! (more…)

Istanbul holds the distinction of being part in Asia and part in Europe. Out hotel was on the European side of the Bosporus and the consulate was on the Asian side. The Bosporus is the world’s narrowest strait used for international navigation, it connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara (which is connected by the Dardanelles to the Aegean Sea, and thereby to the Mediterranean Sea). It is approximately 20 miles long, with a maximum width of one mile at the northern entrance, and a minimum width of 800 yards. The depth varies from 150 to 400 feet in midstream. There is continual activity in and along the Bosporus. The locals fish from the shore and on the weekend it is difficult to find space along the bulkhead to put your line in the water. On the water there is a constant stream of ships of all sizes and shapes including ferry boats that deliver passengers back and forth. There are now two bridges over the Bosporus that rise high above the water so ships can easily pass below. And then there is the traffic in Istanbul. There is a general flow in some places like here where the traffic is heavy in one direction in the morning and the opposite direction in the afternoon. Then there are areas that seem to be near gridlock from early in the morning to late at night. The one thing we did notice is that fender benders and accidents in general do not disturb the flow of traffic much at all. Drivers ignore the situation and keep moving.

We did not have much spare time but did manage to visit the Grand Bazaar where merchants and shoppers have been haggling over prices for centuries. One of the class participants was from the embassy in the Turkish capitol of Ankara and knows Istanbul very well. He arranged a dinner one evening on the top floor of a hotel that overlooked the Blue Mosque and the Haghia Sophia, an early Christian church, later converted to a mosque and now a museum. The view was fantastic and the food was great. Matt and I went back later in the week and toured both buildings. They were equally as interesting on the inside!

TAGS: Pest Control, American Pest Management, Jay Nixon

After this brief discussion, we broke everyone up into groups and went on an insect hunting trip around the house.  We had handed out little gift bags to everyone which included vials for collecting insects.  The children had a great time turning over stones, looking under bushes, digging in mulch, and looking up and down trees for insects.  We collected several spiders, including two which had spider eggs attached to them.  We collected cave crickets, camel crickets, odorous-house ants, pavement ants, carpenter ants, sow bugs, and many other insects.  It was great to see how excited all of the children were to collect different insects and find “buried treasure” underneath rocks.  They had so much fun that it was hard to stop them from collecting the insects so that we could talk about what we had collected.

James and I then gathered the group together at the picnic table and we collected all of the samples so we could talk about what we found.  We then talked about each insect and briefly told the children a little story about each.  They had a number of questions which we answered.  I think they all had a good time which was confirmed by Diane at the end when she said we were, “right up there with the monkeys from a couple of years ago.”  James and I had a good time at Kevin’s party and I hope we can do this again.  It was great to see all of the kids smiling and having a good time, especially the birthday boy.

We gave Kevin a children’s insect book and an American Pest Management hat and inducted him as an honorary employee of American Pest Management.

Matt Nixon
CEO
American Pest Management

Tags: American Pest Management

Odorous house ants are tiny, about 3 mm in length, and are dark brown to black in color. This pest and can be easily identified by the coconut odor that is produced when their bodies are crushed. It is from this odor that they get their name, odorous house ants.

At American Pest Management our Term-A-Pest service is designed to control Odorous house ants on a year around basis. If you have Odorous house ants and live in the MD, VA, DC area please fill out our online form so that we can schedule a field inspector to perform a free inspection at your home. Appointment

Tags: Ants, American Pest Management, Pest Control, Odorous house ant

To read the article in its entirety visit:

http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/articles/070708/16bedbug.htm

TAGS: American Pest Management, US News & World Report, Matt Nixon, Adam Voiland, Pest Control, Bed Bugs

Now what’s getting into our house?  First we had the stink bug and now we have our annual parade of click beetles.  This common invader is especially attracted to the porch light, and enters easily as we go in and out.  They are slender, oval beetles around 0.25 to 0.75 of an inch long.  The adults feed on nectar from flowers and are harmless.  The larva or grubs are known as wire worms and can be a crop pest of corn.  When approached by a predator, the beetle flips over and makes a clicking sound that resembles a finger snap.  This can be a little startling if you have it wadded up in a tissue in your hand.  Although I have never seen one myself, some species have these wonderful eye-spots: