Latest news from science class

This little tree frog likes to sit in the vent pipe that leads to the courtyard - I'm guessing it's a warm spot on these chilly spring nights. Every once in a while we pull it out for a quick photo opportunity. Then back to the vent - we practice catch and release.

The second picture is a fully molted goldfinch. They are still regular visitors to the feeders, at least as long as the niger thistle seed hold out.

Parasitoid Invasion!

A few weeks ago Ms. Wemette brought in a large pupating moth for us to investigate. We were eagerly awaiting the emergence to see what kind of moth it was when I noticed a multitude of football shaped objects appeared overnight. Upon closer inspection, I realized that the little 'footballs' were pupating fly larvae which had invaded the moth as eggs, hatched, and consumed the pupating moth. The fly larvae then emerged from the moth pupa (note the hole) and pupated themselves. What a grisly story!

This is exactly the kind of interaction I studied last year on my Earthwatch expedition to New Orleans to study caterpillars and the parasitoids that occupy them! Now we are awaiting the emergence of the adult flies to see what species they are. My guess - tachinid flies. I'll keep you posted.

A bird rescue!

Tuesday's class proved quite exciting. Sarah noticed that something hit the window. When I went into the courtyard to investigate, this tiny goldfinch lay dazed and immobile on the ground. I picked it up, gave it some encouragement, and sent it on its way. But not before our photographers documented the event. Nice work Elizabeth and Sarah!

(Yes, we thoroughly washed our hands.)