Certainly Toxicodendron radicans is very familiar to all of you I’m sure. So if the scientific name isn’t, the common name will be… Poison Ivy. Moreover it is a plant that I have been monitoring for friends. Ok, my non-human friends. LOL.
Back in 2012, a fantastic caterpillar year I might add, I found this beauty on Poison Ivy. It was the Light Marathyssa (Marathyssa basalis)! And this was the only time I have ever seen it. There are three species in the genus and their range includes Texas. The other two species’ caterpillars are not as colorful. Of course now every time I pass Poison Ivy I look.
On rare occasions I have found moss and lichens on the vines.
One of my favorite Poison Ivy plants here at home climbs a Hackberry. In 2022, I found a fruit fly (Tephritidae) and Eastern Tent caterpillar climbing it. Why is it my favorite? Well because it climbs the tree and I can easily and carefully look under the leaves without touching it. LOL.
Furthermore you never know what species of friends you will find like these Leaf-footed Bugs (Coreidae) nymphs (2023).
Yesterday a spider was hiding in the leaf in my favorite poison ivy plant.
Ahh, a folded leaf. Anyone home?
Then I saw a larva! Not the Light Marathyssa, but still another larva. It was tucked in the leaf with webbing over itself.
Carefully using a twig, I opened the leaf for a better view.
And yesterday afternoon while showing the cat to Jim, I found three more of the Dimorphic Macalla (Epipaschia superatalis).
Now should I raise one? Maybe I will. So I hope they like sumac which is in the same family as Poison Ivy. Of course that would be less risky for me. 🙂
Ok, I brought it back to the house. I’m committed now. LOL.
However after consulting with David L. Wagner (author of several caterpillar books), Poison Ivy is the plant they like. So I will be very careful and hope for the best. 🙂
I’m in awe of your intrepid scientific curiosity! I’ll have to learn vicariously through you about the poison ivy ecosystem. I’ve had too many close encounters and they always turn out poorly for me LOL.
That’s some dangerous and tricky explorations!
That light marathyssa is different. Never seen one. And kangaroo rats are so very cute and fun to watch.
I have never seen a live kangaroo rat. 😲
Everyone’s favorite – poison ivy! Of course it’s fascinating in its own right. Great article on the southern grasslands.
A few people are not allergic to it. Unfortunately I am not one of those people. But can be washed off.
I’m in awe of your intrepid scientific curiosity! I’ll have to learn vicariously through you about the poison ivy ecosystem. I’ve had too many close encounters and they always turn out poorly for me LOL.
I have had a few bouts with it but haven’t need to go get a shot yet. Knock on wood. 😊
Living on the edge… good luck!!