Lost Pines Master Natualist Archives and Older Articles

Beetles of the Lost Pines

After teaching the entomology class to our class on May 11, 2009, Mike Quinn set up a mercury vapor light outside the refectory for a couple hours to see what might come in. He recorded about 60 species of beetles plus a few other odds and ends including a pseudoscorpion. Mike's photos from Bastrop County are at: http://picasaweb.google.com/entomike/BastropCo#

Mike notes that Tabor and Fleenor (Insects of the Lost Pines, 2003) only treat about 70 beetle species in their book on Bastrop State Park. No doubt due to the high diversity of beetles, there was almost NO OVERLAP in what Mike found and what they report.

With the assistance of others such as Dr. Donald S. Chandler, Dr. Charles O'Brien, and Vassili Belov, most of the 60 beetle species Mike photographed have been ID'ed. Some of the more noteworthy species include the following four not previously photographed beetles (at least not as live bugs):

Lignyodes varius - Variegated Weevil: http://bugguide.net/node/view/275291

The above colorful weevil was described by LeConte over 130 years ago and has apparently never been photographed save for the Type specimen in the Museum of Comparative Zoology.

Acanthinus scitulus - Antlike Flower Beetle: http://bugguide.net/node/view/274990

Mike is apparently the only person to have photographed five of the seven Acanthinus spp. All shot since March 7, 2009. http://bugguide.net/node/view/61254/bgpage

Epuraea umbrosa - Sap-feeding Beetle: http://bugguide.net/node/view/275006

Aulonium ferrugineum - Cylindrical Bark Beetle: http://bugguide.net/node/view/275481

Finally, this cool beetle represents a "life family" for Mike: Hydrocanthus sp. - Burrowing Water Beetle: http://bugguide.net/node/view/275017

On May 16, Mike and Brush Freeman did some collecting at McKinney Roughs, which resulted in another interesting assortment of critters: http://picasaweb.google.com/entomike/BastropCo#

See also Mike's photos of beetles from the Camp Swift area: http://picasaweb.google.com/entomike/Swift#

In the news...

The Lost Pines Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist Program was featured in a recent article by Denis McGinness in the "Smithville Times". Read the article here.

2009 Master Naturalist Class

Congratulations to the 2009 Lost Pines Master Naturalist Training Class for completion of their initial Master Naturalist training. Class members-
Back row: Al Hoerig, Gene Moulden, Mike Turner, Dave Radke, Chris Contreras, Jim Baker
Third Row: Angie Morrison, Wendy Sera, Paulette Boudreaux, Lisa King, Mona Greenlee
Second Row: Judy Turner, Debbie Radke, Liz Pullman, Mary Ann Melton, Martha Mobley, Peggy Olson
Front row: Nancy Newell, Tina Pereboom, Lori Fraser, Joan Baker, Susan Crone, Tim Watson
Not pictured: Lauren Bilbe, Karl Kincer, Jeanne McConnell, Dara Rehm, Dale Tilson, Rue Toovey

Master Naturalist Class of 2007

Congratulations to the 2007 Lost Pines Master Naturalist Training Class for completion of their initial Master Naturalist training. Class members-
Back row: Chris Smith, Danne Absher, Larry Diamond, Debbie Seward, Brett Finch, Ronnie Lanier, Walt Elson
Middle Row: Dale Morrison, Nicholas Rendulic, Megan Lowery, Karen Sterling, Erin Barker, Carole O'Toole, Emily Hewitt, Denis McGinnis, Marcus Sivek
Front row: Kristen Rendulic, Patricia Rendulic, Sarah Blackmon, Judy Walker, Pamela Hohman, Jamaica Moers.
Not pictured: Sue Arcy, Brenda De Simone, Lyn Favocia, Lorna Lambert, Brett Mosely, Jenny Rahn.

Texas Master Naturalists Win National Award

September, 2005: AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Master Naturalist program has won a Take Pride In America award to be presented Sept. 30 at the White House's Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C.

Take Pride in America is a U.S. Department of the Interior national partnership program that supports and recognizes volunteers who work to improve public parks, forests, grasslands, reservoirs, wildlife refuges, cultural and historic sites, local playgrounds, and other recreation areas. Each year, awards program winners are selected by a panel of judges from hundreds of qualified nominations representing outstanding examples of stewardship across the United States. This year, there are 25 National Award winners, representing projects and events in more than 15 states. There are 11 categories of Take Pride in America Awards. The Texas Master Naturalist program and Take Pride Florida both won in the State category.

Useful Information...

Entomology for Master Gardeners is an introduction to insect identification and management in and around the home. This two-CD set was originally developed for Master Gardeners, but can be used by teachers, or anyone interested in the fascinating world of insects.

Topics include: Introduction to Entomology, Insect Structure and Function, Putting Order Into the Insect World, Insect Collecting and Preservation, IPM - Concepts for Urban Living, Biological Control of Pests in Home, Gardens and Landscapes, Pesticide Technology, Insecticide Resistance, Urban Pests, Landscape Pests, Pests of Vegetables, Fruit Insect Pests, Pests of Nut Trees, Fire Ant Management.

The set costs $25 (make checks payable to TEXAS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION). The order form is available here for printing. For more information, call Extension Entomology at 979-845-7026.

Here's a tip from Carol Brown about Oak Leaf Rollers:

"If my acreage is any indication, this is a banner year for Oak Leaf Rollers. My oak trees are COVERED and it took me a while to ID the culprit. Thought I would share the info to save you the search.

Attached is a file from TAMU concerning Rollers and their control.

PS: Thuricide (BT) is available at Kimas Nursery."

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