The Gloworm

Volume 4: no.2

The fever has hit! I can tell for the smell of freshly turned earth and the urge to plant things is upon us. My potatoes still haven't come up, probably because it's too cold, but I planted corn and set out onions anyway. The tomatoes are still at Wal Mart though, I learned that lesson. I guess what I'm trying to say is that spring is here and if your `bug' collecting juices aren't turned on, then you need to break diapause and get outside for an hour or two even if it is still cool. There are some `rare' insects moving around, especially at night around lights. We have regularly visited the tennis courts and night baseball games with collecting kit in hand for years and always find new and unique insects to add to collections. The black light and sheet will draw some nice early emerging moths and beetles at this time of year as well.

Camp Report

Preparations are well underway for the 1996 edition of our Entomology Camp. Included in this issue is a flier and application for camp. Don't miss it. The camp will again offer all the basics of insect collecting and preservation, but this year we will also offer an advanced tract for the more serious entomological student who really wants to get into the subject of entomology. We also plan to have some career type presentations at camp. Most of the favorite counselors will be back with us this year and we will add a couple of other `fun' folks. If you plan to come to camp, please get your application in as soon as possible as time has a way of slipping up on us.

There are a number of other activities underway as well. We are planning to begin offering some different project ideas for 4-H in the coming months, and if you have ideas for projects let me know and we might be able to work them into our plan.

Spring Activities

Every spring people begin asking about what they can do to attract butterflies and moths to their area. There are a number of plants which we can plant which will attract butterflies and other insects. The table given below is reprinted from a previous Gloworm. Most of these plants would fit quite well into a garden setting. Some could be used to make up a wildflower plot. Dill and some of the other common plants also are hosts for the larvae to develop upon, so they would be good to plant to attract then raise moths and butterflies. Be sure that flowering types are staggered so that the plants will be attractive to insects during the full growing season.

BUTTERFLY PLANTS

B = BLUE, P = PINK, PU = PURPLE, R = RED, O = ORANGE, L = LAVENDER, W = WHITE.

This information was obtained from: Ortho Books - How to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. ISBN 0-8972-232-0.

These are only a few of the flowering plants which attract butterflies and moths. Also provide water and hiding places for them.

Renewal

This is the fourth year of production of the Gloworm, and it has been a lot of fun for me. Along the way, for one reason or another I have added people's names to the mailing list. It has grown! So it was suggested that we request that you the reader decide whether you still wanted to receive it. If you want to continue to receive the letter, write to me and let me know! Or you can e-mail me by clicking here. If you want a copy of the Renewal form, click here.

Happy Bugging,

MICHAEL R. WILLIAMS