Finding Plots

I truly enjoyed skyping with you all today! I thought you all would enjoy a picture of what I really looked like during the process. Notice how I have not changed into a cat!

Sometimes we have to kayak to a plot. That means we cannot reach it by land. We find a site on the wetlands, then tie up our kayaks and then hike to the plot.

What would be the benefit of finding a plot by kayak rather then by foot?

Well, we are almost to the end of my caterpillar hunting trip. Great job scientists, I look forward to seeing you on Monday!

Stinging Caterpillars

Hi! Today when I was skyping with you all I got stung by a caterpillar in my nose! Everyone here thinks that is mighty funny!

The caterpillar at the bottom left is a saturnidae.

The one at the top left is a saddleback. It is the one I showed you today that had pupated overnight. It is also the one that stung me, even afte it had spun a cocoon!

The caterpillar in the very top center is a Io moth. It is the same one that you might see on the Lunesta commerical (but that is its adult form). The caterpillar to the right is an oak slug.

All four caterpillars are stinging caterpillars.

Look at them. Can you decide what might make them stinging caterpillars?

Try making a three ring venn diagram comparing and contrasting these caterpillars. A great level 4 opportunity would be to make a venn diagram comparing and contrasting these caterpillars to non-stinging ones!

Parasitoids

Tomorrow we will be talking more about our research and the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the caterpillars. We will also talk about parasitoids.


Here is a picture of a caterpillar (a Fall webworm) that has begun to spin a cocoon. In the science world that is called pupating.

Ask Ms. J to show you a picture of a caterpillar with parasitoids on it!

PS-Who can guess what I am going to dress up as for Halloween? I'll give you a hint, it has a connection to what I'm doing here in LA!

More Caterpillars

Hey! I had fun talking with you today!

Here are some more caterpillar pictures for you to draw. While you are drawing them, I want you to try and determine which ones are stinging caterpillars and which are not. I will give you a hint, two of these are stinging caterpillars. Both of the stinging caterpillars are very rare caterpillars, as well.

I also want you to try and label at least one caterpillar with their legs, prolegs, spiracles, and setae.

See you soon! Be good!

Plants and Soils of New Orleans

I am really proud of all my little scientists! You all are doing a great job!

Today I spent a lot of time identifying new plants and the caterpillars that lived on those plants.

We have a lot of the same plants in NC that they have here in Louisiana. However, I have seen alot more poision ivy!

Now that we are in the woods, I have seen a lot more topsoil and humus. I have also found a lot more decomposing plants and animals, which helps make up the fertile topsoil. Today I noticed a spot in the woods where there were no plants growing.

What do you think caused no plants to grow in that area, even though plants were growing all around it?

Today I counted the leaves on a few plants that are here in New Orleans and not in NC. For example, I found Tall Gallberry Holly today and we do not have that in NC.

Why do you think they might grow better here in Louisiana then in NC?

Last question.....

What do you think the difference between a parasite and a parasitoid is?

You all will be amazed when we talk on Thursday. We have found such cool stuff in our zoo today! Two of our caterpillars are spinning cocoons!

What is different about this Caterpillar?

Who can tell me what you notice about this caterpillar that makes it different from other ones you've seen or other ones in my pictures?

I think you will be amazed by the answer!!!!!!!!!

Cool Caterpillars

Just thought you all might want to see some pictures of some of the cool caterpillars I have collected! Get your questions ready, I'll talk to you Tuesday!