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The red milkweed beetle is host-specific to milkweed. With their bright-red color interspersed with black spots, they are pretty obvious. The adults feed on leaf foliage while the larvae feed on roots. This species has a scientific name of Tetraopes tetrophthalmus; both the genus and species name translate to “four eyes.” The antenna socket bisects each compound eye, causing this beetle to have four compound eyes.

So far this summer, I’ve seen a fair number of monarch butterflies as well as some caterpillars of the same species. These numbers are certainly an improvement from a few summers ago when only … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 8/14/19

Are the Sulphur Mayflies back?

Though they’re extremely late, they are back, at least for this season. The hatches normally begin the second week of June. Sulphur mayfly hatches have been absent or limited in numbers from … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 8/14/19

Walking stick insects are known as phasmatodeans or ghost insects due to their highly effective natural camouflage that makes it difficult for predators to detect them. Resembling small twigs, this animal is herbivorous and blends easily into its leafy food sources.

Interesting insects

I happened to catch part of an interview on NPR recently with author Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson, whose newly-released book, “Buzz, Sting, Bite: Why We Need Insects,” is stirring up a swarm of … more

By SANDY LONG | 8/7/19

4-H families practice showing beef cattle in the arena following the other livestock shows over the weekend.

A fair future

The Wayne County Fair is happening this week, and with the food and festivities comes a week of work for 4-H kids and farm families. My wife works for Penn State Extension and oversees the livestock … more

By HUNTER HILL | 8/7/19

Harmful algal blooms and more

What's going on in your backyard August 1-7 more

7/31/19

A clump of dry didymo beside the Mararoa River in the Southland Region of New Zealand. Luckily, New York’s river water isn’t a great candidate for promoting major blooms of this algae.

The didymo dilemma

Didymo (Didymosphenia geminata), or rock snot as it is commonly known, has been found in several New York waters: both branches and the Main Stem of the Delaware River, Esopus Creek, Battenkill … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 7/31/19

The northern red salamander, a member of the Pseudotiton ruber, is a striking red color with small black spots covering a large part of the body. This species can be found in cool streams and shaded areas surrounding these habitats. This species is present in the region, but not seen as often as the other salamanders mentioned in this column.

Salamanders keeping their cool

The middle of July saw a warm spell, with temperatures getting into the 90s accompanied by high humidity that made it feel even hotter. The wildlife felt it too and hunkered down; deer spent a lot of … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 7/31/19

The spotted lanternfly feeds on more than 70 species of plants, and could devastate grape crops throughout the eastern U.S.

Invasive species mapping workshop and more

What's going on in your backyard July 25-31 more

7/24/19

Nothing like shredding a little water to beat the heat.

Whatever floats your boat

I hope this column reaches your eyes, but it might burn up in transit to your mailbox from this lovely 90-degree weather we’ve been having. I jest of course but, honestly, what a hot weekend. … more

By HUNTER HILL | 7/24/19

This female Promethea silkmoth displays her bright reddish wings with tan borders and well-delineated cell spots. Males have blackish wings with tan borders and pink shading near eyespots on the forewing tips.

Striking silk moths

The past two weeks have produced encounters with two beautiful female silk moths, both members of the family Saturniidae, which contains approximately 1,300 species. That beauty will be brief, as … more

By SANDY LONG | 7/24/19

TRR columnist Tony Bonavist perfecting his casting in his yard “with a pretty good loop!”

How’s my casting?

Fly casting is that part of fly fishing many of us take for granted, yet nothing is more important than for anglers to be able deliver their flies accurately under a variety of conditions. A long … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 7/17/19

This monarch butterfly, in flight, is probably looking for a milkweed plant. This is the time of year when female monarchs deposit their eggs on the bottom side of milkweed leaves. The hatching monarch caterpillars will only eat milkweed. They may also be on other plants to take nectar.

Colorful flyers of summer

One thing about looking for a particular plant or animal along a trail or stream is you are likely to see everything but the target species. It’s kind of like looking for a lost set of keys … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 7/17/19

Will you help sustain monarch populations?

I am willing to bet that most of you River Reporter readers have seen monarch butterflies flitting about your backyard. Monarchs migrate each fall to the mountain forests of Mexico to overwinter; … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 7/17/19

Dave Lounsbury, center, hands an incentive check to homeowner Cass Collins, right, as part of NYSERDA’s heat pump incentive program. Also pictured are Brandy Sconfienza and Christopher Lombardi.

State heat pump program still going

NARROWSBURG, NY — Cass Collins recently received a $4,500 ($4,000 for her home) check from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) program to help homeowners … more

By FRITZ MAYER | 7/17/19

What's going on in Sustainability July 18-24

What's going on in Sustainability July 18-24 more

7/17/19

Sustainability resources

www.bit.ly/poweringsc“Powering Sullivan” is a resource guide for energy efficiency for homes, small businesses and agriculture, published by the Sullivan County Office of Sustainable … more

Compiled by STEPHEN STUART | 7/17/19

Sondra Dunn, second from left, was the first woman to catch a fish during the first Women’s Introduction to Fly Fishing, sponsored by the Pike/Wayne Chapter of Trout Unlimited (PWTU) at Lukan’s Farm and Resort. Assisting with the catch was Butch Mulhellem, far right, while PWTU President Tony Capitano and attendee Linda Finochiaro look on.

Women tie into fly fishing

The Pike/Wayne Chapter of Trout Unlimited (PWTU) recently hosted an educational opportunity to introduce women from the Upper Delaware River region to the sport of fly fishing. I had the opportunity … more

By SANDY LONG | 7/10/19

River clean-up, guided hikes and more

What's going on outdoors July 11 to 18. more

7/10/19

Grandpa beams while telling my son about all of the tractors in the Pleasant Mount parade.

Flocking to the Fourth

Well, apparently, a few of you read “The Way Out Here” and actually found your way out here over the holiday weekend. I was at the Pleasant Mount Fourth of July parade with my family on … more

By HUNTER HILL | 7/10/19

The last hour

On Catskill Rivers, once the spring-fly hatches are over, much of the daytime fishing has ended. The evening fishing has begun: Pale Evening Duns, Sulphur Duns and Green and Brown Drake mayflies, … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 7/8/19

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