next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects
Index of Subjects
Hi Steve & All, Aug 4, 2010
With regard to snails on milkweed I paste the following---
START OF PASTE\\\\\\
Dear All, Aug 22, 2005
While out for a short walk we happened to notice snails on Milkweed
leaves; both under and upper sides with up to 10 snails per plant being
not uncommon. I could see no evidence of feeding.
These snails were <1 cm-long and the last whorl represented about
98% of the volume.
END OF PASTE\\\\\\\\\\
These were tentatively identified by Derek Davis (Sept 5 e-mail) as
Cochlicopa lubrica; firm ID pending receipt of sample. So I collected some
on Sept 9, 2005 (S40) and left a sample at the museum Aug 16, 2006. But have
not heard back.
Yt, Dave Webster, Kentville
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Shaw" <srshaw@dal.ca>
To: <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 3:31 PM
Subject: Re: [NatureNS] Monarchs Emerge
> Hi Larry,
> Related to this, we were out u-picking high bush blueberries in the
> valley (up near you, Cambridge) ~3 days ago, at the end of which I
> checked out the long 'hedge' side of the farmer's field, looking for
> insects. Along this entire waste stretch there were just two isolated
> smallish milkweed plants growing together (no pods) one of which had
> two Monarch caterpillars on it, each about 3 cm long. Not sure how big
> they get. On the way back, about 1 km away on the same side road, was
> an apparently unused grassy field the edge of which was being invaded
> by a large stand (~300) of more mature-looking milkweed plants, many
> with pods, some of which had burst. We spent about 10 minutes scouting
> this patch but saw no caterpillars or signs of leaf-eating at all.
> Perhaps the Monarch adults only lay eggs on youngish, unpodded milkweed
> plants which perhaps form a better food source? Or perhaps just pot
> luck in finding any caterpillars at all, from what you say?
>
> The only thing we did see on this patch of milkweed plants quite
> commonly were snails ~1cm long, immobile on the leaves, on either
> surface. This would have been about 6 PM and it looked as if they
> were living there on the leaves in the daytime and so presumably were
> eating them. Does anyone know if there is a snail species that is
> able to feed on this plant and whether it uses the alkaloids for
> defence, or can simply withstand them, or metabolize them into
> something harmless? These were small pale brown snails -- they showed
> no warning colours that might advertize the use of such toxins by the
> snail to potential predators.
> Steve
> (Halifax)
>
> On 4-Aug-10, at 11:14 AM, Larry Bogan wrote:
>
>> We have two new Monarchs out of their chrysalises this week.
>>
>> We have an additional five other caterpillars that may become
>> Monarches plus three pupae. Our search of the Common Milkweed in our
>> field revealed very few caterpillars or eggs. This year we have a huge
>> population of spiders, lady-bird beetles, ants, and earwigs in the
>> milkweed that I think had been predating the eggs etc.
>>
>> Because of this we have been protecting the eggs, and feeding the
>> resultant caterpillars until they pupate.
>>
>> We have had, at most, three breeding Monarchs at any one time but have
>> seen them mating at least twice. Since the milkweed is a noctious weed
>> we have to control its spread. The milkweed is producing seed pods at
>> the moment and we need to stop seed from spreading so have had to mow
>> the field, keeping only small patches for food.
>> Has anyone else seen Monarch emerging?
>>
>> Larry Bogan
>> Cambridge, Kings Co.
>>
>>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.851 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3049 - Release Date: 08/03/10
11:22:00
next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects