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Found in the Mierlose forests, which fungus is this?
Fran Linnenbank came across a fungus in the Mierlose forests on August 24. Zee wonders which fungus it is. I think this is the fruiting body of the bacon rind fungus, but in an early stage. You often miss this fungus, because the fruiting bodies very often occur on badly rotten stumps, especially at the bottom of lying trunks of deciduous trees. Although you sometimes also see them on coniferous trees. Bacon rind fungi sometimes attack the reeds on thatched roofs. They are clearly saprophytes, those bacon rind fungi. When a fruiting body has formed, you will initially see a kind of crust on the wood, as in Fran’s photo.
Later, the fruiting body folds over the top, forming hat-like ridges. You will then see translucent pale pink to orangey caps, which also have deep folds and wrinkles. With a little imagination this is reminiscent of bacon. But despite that name, the fruiting bodies of the bacon rind mushroom are not edible.
Which wasp regularly came out from under the canopy?
Marc saw a kind of wasp on August 24 in his garden and under the roof. He would like to know what it is. I think this is a block-headed wasp. But I don’t know which one it is exactly. In any case, they are not an ordinary wasp, but a digger wasp. They are very recognizable by their large, block-shaped heads. If you can also see the front of the head, you will see a striking shiny stripe. This is indicated by ‘mustache’. By the way, these digger wasps do not dig a hole in the ground for their nest, but in dead or rotten wood. Females of the block-head wasps look for dead trees, old thick branches, fallen trees and tree stumps, but also worn wood, for example in canopies. Their nest ultimately contains up to ten offspring along with the captured food for those animals.
This captured food consists of all kinds of insects, especially hoverflies and other flies. These prey are paralyzed with a sting. Hover flies in particular are hunted. It appears that block-headed wasps are attracted to the scent of hoverflies.
Which inconspicuous caterpillar is hiding among the snack tomatoes?
On August 26, Jan Baartmans saw a caterpillar on his snack tomato plant. He wonders which well-camouflaged caterpillar this is. I think this is the caterpillar of an orange tip. Females of the orange tip prefer host plants that grow in sunny, sheltered places such as in ditches or in hay meadows near shrubs or forest edges. Large, striking plants with many flower heads that do not or hardly bloom are mainly used. The females land on suitable flower buds, extend their antennae straight forward and arch their abdomens. Then one egg is deposited just below the bud on the flower stem. After this, they usually fly to a nearby plant to rest or drink nectar.
The eggs secrete a substance that prevents other females from laying another egg on that plant. The reason is that, for example, one Pentecost flower usually does not provide enough food for more than one caterpillar. In addition, the caterpillars are cannibalistic. Eggs that are later deposited on an occupied plant therefore have little chance of survival.
The caterpillar that hatches from such an egg first eats the egg shell in the early morning. The caterpillar then feeds on the caterpillars. When the stems are gone, the flower stems and leaves are removed. Sometimes that is not enough, the caterpillar then looks for a new plant. When the caterpillars have eaten enough and molted, they will pupate. They then leave their host plants. They then climb up all kinds of plants and move from one plant to the next, swaying. Eventually they find a spot on a tree, shrub or stem and make their own cocoon/chrysalis there with silk.
Beautiful photos section
In the beautiful photos section, this time a photo taken by Rinus Mesman. He found this beautiful moth with his daughter. The name of the moth is agate butterfly.
Nature tip
On Saturday, November 1, you can participate in the national Nature Work Day at the Assisi country park in Biezenmortel. Participants will work there on clearing trees. You can help between nine in the morning and half past two in the afternoon.
Trees gone
Black alder trees in particular have spread enormously in a place that the Assisi country park would like to preserve as an open nature reserve. Mowing these trees is a shame, so they are given a new purpose. After a short welcome, the participants get to work in this large area. Many alder trees have started to grow there, as well as young willows, poplars and birches. These should be pulled out by the roots or carefully dug out with a spade.
Trees get a good home
The tree planner takes them to food forests, schoolyards, backyards, farmers and other places where more greenery is desired. These saplings will be collected for free later in the day by interested parties. What is left is taken to the tree hub and distributed at another time.
Location and registration
Participants gather at nine o’clock in the morning at parking lot 1 on the Hazenpad. Volunteers from Meer Bomen Nu and IVN are ready for this. From that point we start walking to the water retention area.
It is best to register online site of Meer Bomen Nu. Search for the date and area there. You can also do this one use link from Alder Harvesting Assisi Country Park if you read this digitally.