Another Roadside Distraction
What are those mystery boxes hanging in the trees?
A mystery box hanging from a tree along the Russel Turnpike. Yep you got that right – A Dirt Turnpike. At least there are no toll booths on it 
For a while people were wondering but news reports clued us in that they were survey traps for the Emerald Ash Borer. The USDA is keeping an eye out for these Ash tree killing beetles in the north country. None have been reported in the area yet but like many invasive species it’s only a matter of time before they arrive.
The traps are basically large ‘fly paper’ contraptions.
Getting a closer look you can see most of the victims are flies. Sadly a lone butterfly became stuck on this trap.
|
I’m glad I stopped to photograph this trap. Opening the photos on the computer let me read the ‘fine print’ that was on the bottom of the trap. Here’s the link the tag provides so you can get more info if interested. |
I’m happy I can’t provide a photo of the beetle myself.
You’ll just have to use the link if you want to see what they look like.
I stopped again in Pierrpont to see the ‘wildlife’.
And another sudden stop for the Turkey Crossing.
There were actually 2 hens with chicks but they didn’t stand still long enough to photograph.
The chicks had grown to a fairly large size and while not quite as cautions as the adults they still didn’t like my hungry look.
When I tried to get closer I was surprised to learn these chicks were able to fly and that ended my roadside distractions of the day.
- Birds , Cows , Insects
- Comments(6)
6 Responses
Leave a Comment
Comment Feed
You might want to see my response to the stuff people throw in the box
Subscribe in a reader
July 7th, 2009 at 2:07 am
We have those traps around our town too. But for a different bug. Ours are bright yellow.
The turkeys are really cute(-: I haven’t seen mine in a while. I hope nothing killed them)-:
July 7th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Hi WiseAcre! What an interesting place you live in! There are so many things that are hanging around, crossing your way, growing along the roads, flying nearby…
Or, maybe, you just have a good eye to notice everything!
July 7th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Sadly, here in MI we have the EAB. SE MI is the worst, but it has made it’s way north.
Grand Rapids cut down thousands of ash last year to try to halt the spread, but at best it slowed it.
July 7th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
PS… I think it made its US debut in Monroe or Washtenau County, MI
July 7th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
PPS- sorry… I guess I’m not too focused. When I was working in Ann Arbor, I shared a lab for a while with a researcher from MSU who had boxes full of the little marauders all over the counters. They clicked against the plastic boxes all day… rather disconcerting. They were trying to find a way to disrupt their reproduction. I left before the experiments were completed, so I don’t know what they found.
July 8th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
What great photos! I’m surprised you were able to get that close to the turkeys and their chicks… but I’m glad you did. They’re really cute!