Last week’s Angelkeep Journals column highlighted ash trees that had suffered now for years and lost or were losing the battle against Emerald Ash Borer. This brought to mind a new Angelkeep discovery from last year that failed to get any recognition in this column simply because other events and nature personalities took precedence.
It happened every year. Summer and fall, though loaded with new discoveries and unique events, could not be contained within the number of days this column appeared during those seasons.
When winter hit, a large population of plants went dormant or died. A significant amount of critters died, burrowed, hibernated, flew south (or north depending on their preference,) or were locked in a stage as yet unavailable to show themselves for a nature-lover’s story. Winter allowed some of the previously forgotten to appear on The News-Banner opinion page.
So it went for Locust Borer. Some might have found locust borer a bug they were happy to be around. Others might have associated it with destruction of something more valuable.
Angelkeep remained on the fence. Good or bad, locust borer needed a chance to become a focus of attention. So with an open mind, meet Locust Borer, then make your decision.
Yay or nay, your opinion made no hay, that was to say, locust borer remained here to stay.
Angelkeep initially took a dim view of this insect. Its early sighting caused alarm. At a quick glance it appeared to be a yellow jacket (a wasp.) Angelkeep loathed them. They attacked. They stung. Repeatedly. They hid inside an open soda can. They could sting inside the mouth. That happened to a family member. It was bad. Stung in the wrong spot inside the mouth could kill you.
Even entomologists agreed. Adult locust borer resembled a wasp or hornet. Its bright yellow marks on a black background were enough to give any wasp hater instant hatred. If an observer took a good look, before zipping off in another direction in speedy flight, the reddish legs could be seen.
The most interesting, and tell-tale descriptive identifying characteristic of locust borer, was the stripe of yellow forming a “W.” That appeared across the wing covers, the outer shell-like parts scientifically called elytra. Adults grew to be approximately an inch in length, again very similar to the yellow jacket.
To toss in a Mark Miller-style digression, which Angelkeep fondly appreciates, the former Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp 1592, that built the park later called Ouabache, had sports teams using the mascot of yellow jackets. It didn’t last for some unknown reason. Maybe a team of tree workers stumbled on a yellow jacket ground nest and learned to hate them as much as Angelkeep. Regardless of the reason, the CCC Boys changed their mascot to Cardinals.
Angelkeep never heard of any professional or college team using locust borer as a mascot. Seems like a state like Wyoming, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, etc. could utilized the wing back yellow “W” an incentive to have it serve as mascot. Reverse the “W” by observing locust borer from the head end and you have an “M.” Michigan? Massachusetts? Maryland?
Angelkeep discovered this bug on a tall stalk of goldenrod bloom. It became a frequently visited wildflower utilized by locust borer even though at the adult stage the insect had no need for feeding itself. By observation, goldenrod became a mating heaven. Adults were very active flyers emerging in September when goldenrod takes an active role in making many allergy sufferers angry. Goldenrod got a bad rap for that from allergic people. Goldenrod did not irritate and worsen allergies, ragweed was the culprit.
Adult locust borers laid eggs in the fall which overwintered under shallow bark. Spring’s emerging larvae, all white and legless, began boring into heart wood or down the branches. They often preferred locust trees. They weaken branches until limbs fell off or their boring cut off water and nutrient supplies needed for tree growth.
Angelkeep had no locust tree to harm, so “live and let live” regarding the locust borer.
Perhaps Iowa should have change their mascot. Locust borer had lines making the “I,” “W,” and almost an “A.” It might be better than some Iowa hawk’s eye.
Now you can vote. Live or swat.
Mr. Daugherty is a Wells County resident who, along with his wife Gwen, enjoy their backyard and have named it “Angelkeep.”
