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July 1998 Sightings

Monday, July 20: Male dog-day cicadas (Tibicen sp.)have started singing their loud, buzzing songs during the day (first heard on July 16). Dog-day cicadas are about 5 cm long with dark, greenish marked bodies and clear wings. Females lay their eggs in the twigs of trees but when the nymphs hatch they fall to the ground, and enter the soil where they remain for many years.

The first Northern True Katydids (Pterophylla camellifolia) were heard on the evening of July 18. Their loud, distinctive "katy did, katy didn't" song is common over much of the Northeastern US. In Ontario they can be heard only in the Carolinian region.

This is the start of the flight season for Underwing moths. Ilia, Woody and Ultronia Underwings are some of the first species to appear in July. Click here for information on how to attract these colourful insects.

Monday, July 13: More wildflowers are coming into bloom on the prairie. Virginia Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum virginianum, Gray-headed Coneflower Ratibida pinnata, Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta, Bergamot Monarda fistulosa, Culver's root Veronicastrum virginicum and Flowering Spurge Euphorbia collorataare conspicuous along trails through the nature reserve.. A few Dense Blazing Stars Liatris spicata, and Tall Ironweeds Vernonia gigantea are also beginning to bloom.

The first fall migrant, a Tennessee Warbler was recorded on July 9 at Ojibway by Fred Urie.

Monday, July 6: The Windsor butterfly count was held on Saturday, July 4th. Flight seasons are well advanced this year and many species typical of mid July such as Common Wood Nymph, Wild Indigo Duskywing, Mulberry Wing, Dion Skipper, and Duke's Skipper were recorded in good numbers. Butterflies more typical of June such as Meadow Fritillary, Silvery Checkerspot, European Skipper and Hobomok Skipper were found to be rare or absent. Morning rain and cloudy conditions also reduced the total count for swallowtails, whites/sulphurs and other common species. Click here for the complete results.

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