Seeing the Changes 1215

In Bynea, Tormentil (Potentilla erecta) and Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) were flowering. In Loughor, Lords and ladies (Arum maculatum) was well in berry.

Species End

it's looking bad for biodiversity and the survival of ecosystems on the planet as the 6th mass extinction is reportedly well underway (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/10/earths-sixth-mass-extinction-event-already-underway-scientists-warn). Scientists have recorded that billions of regional and local populations have been lost and, of the mega species studied, around half have lost 80% or more of their range. The authors suggest that human over-population and activities (the Anthropocene era?) accounts for most of this event. In spite of this, many people seem to view the losses as an unfortunate side-effect (perhaps reducing the content matter of a new series of Life on Earth) rather than a real challenge to the viability of the planet's life in its present form (i suspect the bacteria will still be around so we wouldn't be starting from scratch).

Grubs Up!

A US study seems to have established that there is a direct link between a chemical produced to plants in response to grazing insects and cannibalism in caterpillars (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/10/when-very-hungry-caterpillars-turn-into-very-hungry-cannibals). The study was carried out using tomato plants and armyworm caterpillars. Plants sprayed with the chemical (methyl jasmonate) retained more of their leaves and a higher incidence of cannibalism. Methyl jasmonate apparently makes the plant less palatable but whether the chemical or hunger makes the caterpillars eat each other is debatable. Either way, the plant would benefit by reducing the feeding insects.

Don't Bite My Head Off!

It must be a bit disconcerting to awake to a crunching noise and to find yourself dragged about 12 feet from your sleeping bag (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/10/us-teenager-survives-bear-attack-after-waking-to-animal-crunching-on-his-head). This happened in Colorado to a US teenager who survived the event and drove off the Black bear in question. Bears are opportunistic omnivores and, I suspect, that the teenager was viewed as a potential carcass in a bag. Nothing personal!

Seeing the Changes 1214

A warm day in Bynea. Common fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica) was in flower and Gatekeeper butterflies (Pyronia tithonus) were much in evidence.

Seeing the Changes 1213

More flowers in Bynea with Musk mallow (Malva moschata) and Lovage (Levisticum officinale) prominant. The latter attracted mating Rhagonycha fulva beetles.

Seeing the Changes 1212

An alien Harlequin beetle (Harmonia axyridis) stalked my Loughor garden.