The luna moth (Actias luna) is a pale green, Nearctic Saturniid moth with a wingspan of up to 4.5 inches, making it one of the largest moth species in North America. As with all Saturniidae, luna moths emerge from their cocoons without mouth parts and as such do not eat. Their primary purpose, in the adult stage at least, is to mate, which means that they live only a week or so. Females lay 400-600 eggs, four to seven at a time, on the undersides of leaves, which then incubate for 8 to 13 days. The luna moth is unique to North America and wild populations are now threatened by light pollution, pesticides, and parasitic flies. Unfortunately, they are not listed by the IUCN or the EPA as endangered. Their larvae may be found on birch, sweetgum, hickory, and walnut trees, and the catepillars are a pale green with some bristles atop each segment. May we have the chance to see this stunning creature proliferate and continue its natural life cycles for generations to come!
American green tree frog
The American green tree frog (Hyla cinerea), also known as the "rain frog" due to its penchant for calling during damp weather, and the "cowbell frog" (as its call sometimes can sound bell-like from a distance) can be found all over the southeastern United States, its color ranging from dark green to bright yellow. Green tree frogs prefer wet or moist areas such as swamps, lake sides, and edges of streams. You may even find one in your backyard swimming pool! These little guys are insectivores, which means they are crucial in controlling insect populations, mosquitoes especially. As summer kicks in to high gear you can thank them for keeping the blood-sucking hordes at bay (though mosquitoes are just as important to the ecology and biodiversity of Alabama and beyond). Thanks to the rain frog, the cowbell frog, the green tree frog!
June Trail Team Work Day
Help get our trails ready for summer! Maybe you or someone you know enjoys getting outside and getting a little exercise and sun on your shoulders? Well, tomorrow is your chance to join us for our monthly Trail Team Workday! The Trail Team and interested volunteers will meet at 8:00 AM at the Ruffner Ball Park, 300 Ruffner Road in Irondale, to hike to the Overlook Trail to complete trail renovations. Additional projects TBD after completion. We hope to see you there!
Red Buckeye & the Asian Lady Beetle
Known locally as scarlet buckeye, woolly buckeye, or firecracker plant, the red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) plant is native to the southern and eastern U.S. and can reach a height of up to 26 feet. This perennial shrub absolutely covers the state of Alabama. Hanging out on one of the buckeye blooms is a multicolored Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis), an insect introduced from Asia into the United both accidentally many times and purposefully by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for classical biological control of arthropod pests. A crucial predator of aphids and scale insects, which may damage some plants, this tree-dwelling beetle is just one more contributor to the biodiversity of Ruffner Mountain. These two species, the native plant and the non-native insect, have evolved to harmoniously interact and flourish, both complementing and protecting one another.
Summer Camp with Fresh Air Family
Do you know about Ruffner summer camps? For the months of June and July, Ruffner Mountain in partnership with Fresh Air Family will present nature-inspired summer camps for ages 3-5 and grades 1-6. For more information see the flyer below or visit http://www.freshairfamily.org/#!ruffner-mountain-camps/c1jrw.
Spend the summer with Ruffner!
New and Improved: Irondale Trailhead
Here's another shot from our staff trail work day last Thursday. We cleared a whole lot of invasives like privet and wisteria, installed a new gravel pathway and raised bed for gardening, and soon, we will add three new insect condos built by the inimitable Jon Woolley (@littleforest_). If you happen to find yourself in Irondale, driving or cycling down Ruffner Road, be sure to check out the new trailhead. Our new design will reduce the impact of automobiles (call it the "tireprint") on the trailhead environment while promoting biodiversity of the native flora and fauna. Healthier wildlife means happier hiking!
Tomorrow! Night of the Fireflies
If you are a Ruffner or Sierra Club member and plan to attend, please fill out the form below. Non-members, scroll down to sign up!
Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 1, Ruffner Mountain members will have the chance to see one of the year's most spectacular outdoor phenomena, the annual synchronous firefly event. Every spring, in late-May to mid-June, fireflies biolumenesce as part of their regular mating ritual—the males flying and flashing as a display to the females, who remain stationary and flash. The resulting light show is unlike any other.
We will meet at Ruffner Ball Park entrance at 7PM. This event is open to all Ruffner Mountain Members.
