Photos / Sounds
What
Camel Crickets, Cave Crickets, and Cave Wēta (Family Rhaphidophoridae)Observer
tracivestDescription
One a recent hike around the Lost Caverns in Lewisburg, West Virginia, I found this little critter scurrying across a stalagmite around the mid-section of the cavern around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday April 8, 2017. The cricket did not stay put for long, freezing long enough for us to admire his/her beauty and capture a few phone pictures. However, I was lucky enough to get a picture for observational purposes. After returning home and looking around on the internet for information on this insect, I located information that stated this cricket is part of the Rhaphidophoridae family, and that it is known as cave crickets, camel crickets, and spider crickets, among several other names. Cave crickets are primarily found in caves, cellars, and old mines. The crickets are known for their extremely long hind legs and antenna. The antenna are said to help the insect find its way around in the dark cavernous areas. And. I am guess the long legs are to provide stability as well as agility while moving around the very large and rocky areas of their habitat. I also read that very young cave crickets have a semi-translucent body, which may be the reason this particular cricket is not as dark as the photographed crickets I located on the internet. I would have to approximate this particular cricket, antenna and all, between 3 and 5 inches in length and 1-2 inches in width. The weather inside the cave was very moist, due a recent rainstorm, and the temperatures was a comfortable 52 degrees.
Photos / Sounds
What
American Cancer-Root (Conopholis americana)Observer
tracivestDescription
While watching woodpeckers in the woods behind my house in Patrick County, Virginia on the morning of April 9th at around 9:30 am, I came across this plant in a wooded area. This wooded areas is right off of the Blue Ridge Parkway near mile marker 163. The area is highly wooded with a number of different trees and animals that frequent the area on a regular basis. The location of this specimen was found growing from the ground, which was covered by a blanket of leaves that had fallen last fall. The areas is also surrounded by trees that are still bare, which allows the sun to shine down on the forest floor. After obtaining a picture, I began conducting research to learn more about the plant. I located information that led me to believe this plant is a Conopholis americana, and it is commonly referred to as bear corn or squawroot. It is said to be parasitic perennial that lacks chlorophyll, which is the cause of its yellow-ish appearance, and it attaches to the roots of oak trees to obtain nutrients. While the plant is said to be parasitic, it does not actually harm the host tree. This plant is found in wooded areas east of the Mississippi river, and it resembles a pine cone or a corn cob growing up out of the ground. This particular plant I found is rather small, measuring about 2 inches. The weather on 4/09/2017 was sunny and clear with a temperature of around 48 degrees.
