Maryland Biodiversity Project's Journal

What are those white patches? Are they another fungal pathogen attacking these lovely insects? Nope! This time, it's a feature, not a bug (um, on the bug).

This is a female Broad-headed Sharpshooter (Oncometopia orbona) and those white patches are brochosomes. These waxy patches contain proteins and can be applied to their eggs to prevent them from drying out. Many leafhoppers also "wax" their "integument" (i.e., skin, exoskeleton) to retain that fancy, polished sharpshooter look (and very useful water resistance)! Amazing!

On brochosomes at Wikipedia: "After each molt, most leafhopper species release droplets of the brochosome-containing fluid through the anus and actively spread them over the newly formed integument.[11][12][13] This behavior is called anointing.[12]" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brochosome)

On integument at Wikipedia: "In arthropods, the integument, or external "skin", consists of a single layer of epithelial ectoderm from which arises the cuticle,[3] an outer covering of chitin the rigidity of which varies as per its chemical composition.It is present in ovule and also work in it with nucelleus." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integument)

Photo courtesy of Judy Gallagher. More at Maryland Biodiversity Project: https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/10381

Flypoison (Amianthium muscitoxicum) is a beautiful native plant species that is ranked "S2" (state rare) in Maryland. This means there are less than 20 known extant populations in the state. Like many of our rare and striking native plant species, damage by White-tailed Deer browse is a primary challenge to conservation.

MBP coordinates with Maryland DNR's Natural Heritage Program (NHP) to keep our MBP tags in sync with updates. We also share data to assist with their reviews and plans. In some cases the MBP community has discovered enough new populations to downgrade listing, allowing the program to free up resources for higher conservation priorities!

You can see tags like S1, S2, S3, Threatened, Endangered, Non-native, Invasive, Exotic, and many others next to the species name. You can also click the tags to view a checklist of other species with that tag.

Flypoison at Maryland Biodiversity Project:
https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/1776

Beautiful photos courtesy of Jim Brighton (above, with surrounding habitat in Frederick Co., Maryland) and Bonnie Ott (below, with dark background, in Howard Co., Maryland).

Bill

After years of steadily mounting evidence, we have very clear nesting confirmation this year in Rockville, Montgomery Co., Maryland. (Other nesting locations are likely.) Here's a photo of a Mississippi Kite on its nest in Montgomery Co., Maryland courtesy of Tim Frye via iNaturalist. (c) Tim Frye, some rights reserved.

This rare but increasing spring migrant is now expected on favorable raptor migration days late April and May. As it increased as a breeder in the northeastern U.S., it became clear that nesting in Maryland was all but certain. They have a special affinity for hunting dragonflies on the wing and are certainly benefiting regionally from the periodical cicada (Magicicada) emergence.

And let's always remember why abundant insect biomass and biodiversity are important to MIKIs (great banding code) and other birds. Their incredible migrations require huge amounts of fuel and summer food supplies to fly from distant wintering grounds. That's why MBP is kicking off more targeted data collection efforts such as the Turkey Point Bird Count and new Summer Nocturnal Insect Surveys. We need a LOT more data to ensure we can protect the world's biodiversity and great natural spectacles.

And where will these Mississippi Kites go after breeding in Rockville or Oklahoma or Georgia? Why, all the way to central South America! Switch this eBird map filter from year-round to June-July and then to December-February to see reports focused around Paraguay and northern Argentina.

Amazing! Neotropical migrants aren't OUR birds that "fly south for the winter." They're tropical birds that visit for a bountiful breeding season, and that bounty is, for most species, insects! Let's ensure these epic migrations remain worth their while! Birds need biodiversity.

Thankfully, all insect eaters are pretty much covered every 17 years thanks to our region's Magicicada emergence and overwhelming protein extravaganza.

Here's to everyone having any easy summer after this last year!

More at Maryland Biodiversity Project:
https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/1002

Bill

Here is one of the reasons the Northern Snakehead has been so successful in expanding its range in our region. Shown here is a parent actively protecting its recently hatched larvae in Montgomery Co., Maryland. Photo courtesy of MBP contributor and iNaturalist user @drennack.

"Female snakeheads average about 40,000 eggs but can release up to 100,000 eggs and can spawn multiple times per year. Newly hatched larvae are protected by one or both parents until they reach the juvenile stage. Sexual maturity is reached in two years when the total body length is about 12 inches." (MD DNR)

"In 2002, a reproducing population of northern snakeheads was discovered in a pond in Crofton, Maryland. The snakeheads were exterminated and subsequently assigned injurious wildlife status under the Federal Lacey Act which prohibits import and interstate transport. A mid-Atlantic Aquatic Nuisance Species council was formed and a management plan for northern snakeheads was drafted. Despite intense media and political attention, increased awareness did not serve to prevent further introductions. In 2004, northern snakeheads were found in the Potomac River near the nation's capitol and have since established a reproducing population." (MD DNR)

The species continues to expand in our area.

Northern Snakehead at Maryland Biodiversity Project:
https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/275

Bill