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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

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

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

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

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

The eagles celebrate the fourth

As you read this, we are celebrating our nation’s Independence Day, and no doubt, there are ongoing fireworks displays, picnics, or other outdoor events to celebrate the occasion. The holiday … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 7/8/19

A panoramic view of the Delaware Water Gap and Pennsylvania’s Mount Minsi. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area incorporates 40 miles of the Middle Delaware National and Scenic Recreation River and offers more than a hundred miles of hiking trails, 28 miles of the Appalachian Trail, a state forest and state wildlife management areas.

Photographer captures water gap beauty

Established in 1965, the park preserves historical sites predating English settlement in the New World as well as evidence of Native American activity that occurred there 13,000 years ago. more

By SANDY LONG | 7/3/19

TRR photos by Scott Rando An eagle is a majestic study of flight, capable of efficient soaring and fast and nimble flight for catching prey, defending nesting territory, or stealing the occasional fish from an osprey. A breeding pair will stay together for life, so long as both are healthy.

The eagle or the turkey

In determining our national symbol, there was some rumored debate among our founding fathers. After the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin was purported to have been involved in the … more

SCOTT RANDO | 6/19/19

The remains of a raccoon along the Delaware River.

Expressions of impermanence

The natural world offers endless expressions of wonder, many of which we share here with TRR readers. Learning about the lives of the flora and fauna we coexist with in the Upper Delaware River … more

SANDY LONG | 6/12/19

TRR photos by Scott Rando Northern watersnakes are commonly seen around lakes and ponds as they bask in the sun and hunt for frogs, toads and smaller fish. This species has a brighter pattern when young, which gets dark when older. This individual was close to a yard long.

Snakes alive

Warmer days came with the month of May—so has something else. The timber rattlesnake is considered a pit viper; it has small pits forward of the eyes, which are used to detect body heat from … more

SCOTT RANDO | 6/5/19

TRR photos by Sandy Long Ticks like this American dog tick move relatively slowly, and if not embedded, can be easily removed. They cannot jump up from the ground or leap down from a higher perch, but instead gain access to potential hosts by crawling up grasses and shrubbery to wait patiently for an animal or human to brush past.&nbsp;

Tick travails

I embrace the belief that every life form exists for a reason, even if I’m unable to discern what that is. When it comes to ticks, however (and probably also mosquitos), it is challenging to … more

SANDY LONG | 5/29/19

TRR photos by Scott Rando Fawns begin to appear this time of year. It takes several hours after they are born for them to be able to walk. If you find them alone and lying down, as this one is, leave it be. The mother might be nearby waiting for you to leave so she can attend to her fawn.

Babes in the woods

With spring in full bloom, fields and forests are alive with life. Plants are flowering and bees, butterflies and other pollinators are gathering nectar. Birds have started their breeding, and, in … more

SCOTT RANDO | 5/22/19

TRR photos by Sandy Long A grandmother and her grandchildren explore the lowland area and its wetland, where we spotted amphibians, insects and a host of spring ephemeral wildflowers and ferns.

Capturing the confluence

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy hosted an educational walk last weekend focused on native plants at the Milford Experimental Forest, a 1,191-acre property in Milford, PA. Amanda Subjin of the … more

SANDY LONG | 5/15/19

TRR photos by Scott Rando This immature red-spotted newt is commonly called a &ldquo;red eft.&rdquo; A few appear on shaded forest floors in late April, but many more come out during the first part of May. This species spends a few years in their immature stage on land before changing to a green color, growing a keel on their tails and returning to a pond as adults.

Spring’s clock is ticking

Now that May is here, the weather promises to be milder. By now, it is usually safe to put the more tender plants out without danger of frost. In fact, over the last week of April at lower … more

SCOTT RANDO | 5/8/19

TRR photos by Sandy Long Jan Lucciola of the Delaware Valley Raptor Center holds aloft a bald eagle, the largest raptor shown during the Pike/Wayne Envirothon on April 25. &nbsp;

Envirothon’s lasting impression

The other day, I passed the still form of a large raptor in the center of a local roadway. Having recently attended a presentation by the Delaware Valley Raptor Center (DVRC) featuring birds of prey, … more

SANDY LONG | 5/1/19

&nbsp;TRR photos by Scott Rando This loon is a study of intricate patterning as it spreads its wings next to my kayak on Walker Lake in Shohola, PA in early May. Its red eyes stand out even though it was cloudy with intermittent rain.

Loons: just passing through

One May afternoon, I happened to be working in the yard when I thought I heard the mournful call of a loon. I was almost done with my work, and when I was finished, I headed down to Walker Lake with … more

SCOTT RANDO | 4/24/19

TRR photo by Sandy Long The McDade Recreational Trail ranges through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and features gravel pathways for hiking and bicycling, views of the Delaware River, farm fields and forests.

A trail to try

Spring has finally sprung, beckoning us outside with its beguiling charms. Taking to a trail is a wonderful way to connect with what’s happening as temperatures climb and daylight lengthens. … more

SANDY LONG | 4/17/19

TRR photos by Scott Rando One of the frogs, which was likely feeling the effects of its recent emergence, is seen sitting on the ice for a period of time. Amphibians become somewhat torpid at very low temperatures, making them very vulnerable to predation, but I did not see any attempts by crows or other birds.

Frogs on ice

This time of the year I get into the habit of checking for the first signs and sounds of the spring peepers and wood frogs in local ponds. In our region, the last week of March through the first week … more

SCOTT RANDO | 4/10/19

TRR photos by Sandy Long Lighten your spirits with a good laugh at the creatures we share our lives with&mdash;even those who, at times, test our patience! &nbsp;

A dose of delight

By the time this column goes to press, the few lingering lumps of crusty snow-ice in my yard will hopefully have seeped into the soggy earth. The transition from winter’s slow fade to … more

SANDY LONG | 4/3/19

TRR photos by Scott Rando Spring peepers can be heard in wetlands and ponds and may be seen nearby on grass or roads. Their scientific name, Pseudacris crucifer, describes the cross pattern on the spring peeper&rsquo;s back. Where one spring peeper is heard, you will hear many more. Male spring peepers call for several weeks during the breeding season.

Amphibians on the move

Over the past few weeks, you may have seen notices in social media and newspapers (including The River Reporter) regarding certain roads being closed down some nights in the Delaware Water Gap … more

SCOTT RANDO | 3/27/19

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Currently viewing stories posted within the past year.
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