This is a mournfulthyrsi, a colorful, day-flying moth found in forests throughout the eastern US. As caterpillars, they feed only on the leaves ofgreenbrier (Smilax), a thorny vine that often irritates hikers. It’s fun to associate an attractive day-flying moth like this with the thorny plant that many curse.
We believe this is a Marasmius Siccus, though it may be a Marasmius Fulvoferrugineus. It is quite small in person. To see more of the mushrooms at Coal Creek, click here.
The Spangled Skimmer grows to nearly 2 inches long. Each of the 4 wings has a white spot beside a black spot on the outer leading edge. Males are blue with a dark head. Females are dark brown with lengthwise yellow stripes, and darkish wingtips. Ranging throughout eastern United States, this species can be found…
At Coal Creek we have respect for the old ways, but we also engage the latest farm science to achieve our goals. We like to think of it as eco-agriculture. It’s sustainable environmentally and financially. Here’s an article from AgDaily that outlines how we’re working to repair the land that had been clear-cut. Read more…
There are many robber flies. This one is common on tree trunks, where it perches, watching the skies for other insects to fly by. When it sees one, it flies out, grabs it, injects powerful venom, and then brings it back to its perch to suck the body fluids from the prey. Mini dramas abound…
Maybe your future home will be built with mushrooms? Mushrooms are helping architects and engineers solve one the world’s biggest crises: climate change. Fungi are durable, biodegradable, and are proving to be a good alternative to more polluting building materials. Oudemansiellais a genus of fungi in the family Physalacriaceae. The genus contains about 15 species…
The Red Imported Fire Ant is polymorphic, as workers appear in different shapes and sizes. The ant’s colors are red and somewhat yellowish with a brown or black gaster, but males are completely black. Red Imported Fire Ants are dominant in altered areas and live in a wide variety of habitats. They can be found…
