Week 13 Observations
3.26.25
Charadra dispulsa
I couldn’t find a common name for this noctuid moth. Observed 3.26.25 at Galveston Island State Park. Its native range extends from Texas to San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
The adults show up from March to May and through July in South Texas.
They have an average wing size of 34 mm. Though nothing is known of the larval stages and the plants they feed on it is thought that the larvae might be oak feeders.
I could find very little on this species and that spot on its thorax may be a bald spot.
It may also be a female indicated by the refined antennae.
#charadradispulsa #noctuidmoth #citizenscience #moth #insect #native #nature #outdoors #march #march26 #2025 #picoftheday #project365 #day85
3.27.25
Eastern Mud Turtle
Kinosternon subrubrum
Observed 3.27.25 at Galveston Island State Park. This species is native and endemic to this area and eastern United States.
Though they prefer slow moving freshwater areas with heavy vegetation, they have adapted to coastal life by tolerating brackish waters.
In Texas this species is considered secure but habitat loss and road mortality contributes to its decline.
They dig under sand or dry leaves to hibernate from September to May. Not sure why this guy was out today.
They are omnivores, feeding on insects, aquatic plants, carrion, and more.
They are not strong swimmers and will walk along the bottom of the water and their nostrils are positioned so that they can breathe with most of their body submerged.
#easternmudturtle #Kinosternonsubrubrum #citizenscience #turtle #reptile #native #endemic #nature #outdoors #march #march27 #2025 #picoftheday #project365 #day86
3.28.25
Scarlet Pimpernel
Lysimachia/Anagallis arvensis
Observed 3.28.25 at Galveston Island State Park. It originates from North Africa, Europe, & Western Asia. It’s a widely distributed (by humans) nonnative, noninvasive annual.
The flowers will close when cloudy or stormy, earning it the nickname Shepherd’s weather glass & opens in the sunshine.
It produces very small, brown seeds to reproduce with each plant having the potential to produce thousands.
The plant contains toxins and can poison people and livestock if eaten in large enough quantities.
It has been used as the symbol for the hero in the novel turned musical, “The Scarlet Pimpernel” by Baroness Emmuska Orczy.
#scarletpimpernel #lysimachiaarvensis #anagallisarvensis #citizenscience #flora #nonnative #noninvasive #nature #outdoors #march #march28 #2025 #picoftheday #project365 #day87
3.29.25
Little Brown Skink
Scincella lateralis
Observed 3.26.25 at Galveston Island State Park. Their native range is most of the Eastern US & Northern Mexico. It is fairly common in its range and is at Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
This is one of North America’s smallest reptiles. It is fossorial, meaning they spend most of their time under leaf litter. I had to boot this one out of the restroom.
It is diurnal but can be active at night as well. They spend the coldest months hibernating.
When threatened they will hide or run away. As a last resort they can drop their tail, growing it back later.
They are insectivores and use their tongue to sense chemicals from prey by flicking the air.
They live 2-4 years with young becoming reproductively mature at 1 year. Both males and females have many mates. They may lay more than one clutch per year with 1-6 eggs in each. After 1-2 months the babies hatch and are self sufficient. (I’m about 470 months old and I still struggling with self sufficiency 😅)
#littlebrownskink #scincellalateralis #citizenscience #reptile #lizard #native #nature #outdoors #march #march29 #2025 #picoftheday #project365 #day88
3.30.25
Common Gold-dust
Chrysothrix xanthina
Observed on tree bark at Galveston Island State Park on 3.28.25. It thrives in dry shaded areas on bark, dead wood and sometimes rocks. It is considered cosmopolitan meaning it is found everywhere except Antarctica.
It gets its name from its yellow color and the granular powdery structure of growth. These granules are called soredia, tiny reproductive units. These soredias spread by wind, animals, and even water.
Like all lichen, it is made up of fungi (for structure) and algae (for food) growing symbiotically. it is also a good environmental indicator, growing more abundantly in less polluted areas.
Commongolddust #Chrysothrixxanthina #citizenscience #lichen #nature #outdoors #march #march30 #2025 #picoftheday #project365 #day89
3.31.25
Tangerine Beauty Crossvine
Bignonia capreolata
Observed at a friend’s on Galveston Island on 3.31.25. It is native to the central and southern US. Though it is a vigorous climber, it is not invasive like other vine species.
They can bloom from spring to fall (this was her first big bloom of the season). It is low maintenance and thrives in full sun and can tolerate partially shaded areas.
It is a great pollinator attractor for butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.
Historically, Native Americans used parts of the crossvine for medicinal purposes, treating maladies like edema, diphtheria, rheumatism and headaches. On the flip side of that, it is not considered edible and has harmful elements that can cause allergic reactions and gastrointestinal issues.
#tangerinebeautycrossvine #bignoniacapreolata #citizenscience #flora #native #nature #outdoors #march #march31 #2025 #picoftheday #project365 #day90
4.1.25
Violet Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa violacea
Observed at a friend’s on Galveston Island 3.31.25. It is native to Asia and Europe.
They appear to be all black until the sun catches the blue & purple hues in their wings.
They visit a wide variety of flowers for pollen and nectar making them important pollinators. They can also use their size and weight to steal nectar from long, tubular flowers without pollinating.
They hibernate over the winter and start emerging around April-May. Their nature predators include some mammals and birds, including woodpeckers.
They create their nests by boring into decaying or dead wood which is where the “carpenter” part of their name comes from.
#violetcarpenterbee #xylocopaviolacea #citizenscience #nonnative #insect #nature #outdoors #april #april1 #2025 #picoftheday #project365 #day91
