As the Program and Tour Coordinator at Tyler Arboretum, every week I look forward to preparing my weekly report for our volunteer educators.

I draw upon my training as a PA Master Naturalist to highlight the plants, insects, animals and other natural phenomena I’ve recently observed on Tyler’s grounds. I include photos (and some videos) along with educational tidbits our volunteers can share with our visitors.

My colleagues have encouraged me to compile my reports into an occasional blog for you. I’d love to hear from you about your observations too! Please email me anytime at tmallon@tylerarboretum.org.

Report: Week of Nov. 5, 2024

Another unseasonably warm, dry week at the Arboretum. Trees seemed to reach peak color last week and now the bursts of color are underfoot. If you leave the leaves in your garden, they will make a cozy home for overwintering insects.

Autumn sky

Orange sulphur (Colias eurytheme)

Bush katydid

Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)

Saffron crocus

Report: Week of Nov. 16, 2024

I’ve been enjoying the blue skies and cooler temperatures. I noticed the first frost this week. Winter is just around the corner!

Ootheca of Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina)

Several types of praying mantises can be found in our area, including the Asian, European, and Carolina mantis. The Asian mantis is a large species, typically bright green, with a short thorax and long body. The European mantis is identifiable by a bullseye mark on the inside of each front leg. In contrast, the Carolina mantis is smaller, with a long thorax and short body. Unfortunately, the non-native Asian and European mantises prey on the native Carolina mantis, and compete with it for food, contributing to its population decline.

Females of all three species deposit their eggs in an egg case known as an ootheca. The Asian mantis ootheca is particularly large and bulbous, while those of the European and Carolina mantises are smaller and flat. The Carolina mantis ootheca has distinctive dark stripes, as shown in the image. I was happy to find this in the north field.

Striped Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata)

This native plant can be found under the large beech tree just past the pond. It sends up a shoot in the spring, with small, nodding white flowers blooming in June.

Ginkgo Tree behind Lachford Hall

Kentucky Coffeetree

The Kentucky coffee tree near the Goblin Shack lost a large limb. Unfortunately, this was the limb at eye level that provided an excellent view of its flowers when they bloomed in May. Now, we will have to admire the flowers from a distance.