by Chris Earley

Inspired by a wildlife sighting (centre photo in the quiz), I have focused on some cool animal patterns in The Arboretum. Can you figure out what these close-ups are? All have been seen during the month of June in The Arboretum, so come out and start searching! The answers are at the bottom of the newsletter.  A printable version of the quiz is available here: http://www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum/Listservnewsletter/June_2019/printable_quiz_Animal_patterns_June_12_19.pdf

by Shelley Hunt

Building a boardwalk! After months of planning, the pieces are finally falling into place for reconstructing the main section of boardwalk through Wild Goose Woods. Depending on what Mother Nature decides to throw at us in terms of weather this summer, we should have a new boardwalk in place by mid-fall, and maybe sooner! If you’ve never had the pleasure of hiking the boardwalk, put it on your bucket list – this part of the Wild Goose Woods trail near The Arboretum’s campus entrance is raised up off the ground because the forest floor is underwater for a significant part of the year. In spring and early summer, the flooded conditions create habitat for all sorts of aquatic critters (and even waterfowl), making it a popular spot for school group pond studies. It is a hotspot for viewing birds and other wildlife. Only trees that don’t mind having their feet wet can survive here – a few decades ago, that was mostly American Elm, and now the area is dominated by Freeman’s Maple, a natural hybrid between Red and Silver Maple. The new boardwalk will be sturdy and long-lasting, with a gathering area and interpretive signage. The best part is that we are able to take on this project because of the generosity of Arboretum donors! And, there is still time to make a donation – contributions of $2000 or more will be recognized on signage in a prominent spot along the new boardwalk. Donations can even be made in memory of a loved one, or to recognize a birthday, anniversary, or other special life event. If you’re interested in being part of this project, you can contact me directly at [log in to unmask] or 519-824-4120 ext. 52356

Spring has brought a flurry of colour and activity to our Arboretum gardens and with it, a new gardening steward, as well! We'd like to take a moment to introduce you to our new Arboretum Gardener, Cael Wishart, who officially moved into the role in early May. Many of you will already recognize Cael, as he spent the past year at the Arboretum as our Horticultural Intern, and two previous summers as part of our Arboretum grounds crew. Aside from his time spent at The Arboretum, Cael is also an experienced gardener from the grounds around the Stratford Festival, and holds a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph. Needless to say, Cael has been making a very positive mark on The Arboretum, and brings a great deal of skill and talent to the position. Please join us in welcoming Cael to our Arboretum team!

by Kitty Lin

As the weather warms up and more critters start showing up again, there is a group of animals that I am particular happy to see out and about in the skies - the dragonflies. As a self-proclaimed bug lover, I want everyone to love insects as much as I do and have been known to spontaneously shout out bug facts without warning. Now, there’s a lot to love about dragonflies and you can talk for hours about the beauty in the delicate network of their wings or the brilliance of the colours on their bodies. The fact of the matter, however, is that I like dragonflies because they are strong and fast and kill things. I’ve always been one to root for the predator instead of the prey in nature documentaries, and the dragonfly may be one of the fiercest predators in the animal kingdom.



One of the things that make these animals such adept hunters is the wings that lend them their aerial prowess. Insects initially evolved wings that were permanently stretched out, and it wasn’t until much later that some evolved the complex mechanism to fold their wings over their body that is seen in most living winged insects today. Nowadays, the only surviving lineages of winged insects from before the origin of wing folding are the orders Ephemeroptera, the mayflies, and Odonata, the dragonflies and damselflies. This puts these groups at around 400 million years old, several times longer than mammals have been around!

Though it’s not just their outstretched wings that set them apart from other insects but also how they fly. Most flying insects, like butterflies and wasps, have front and hind wings that are latched onto each other and use muscles that contort their thorax to indirectly power their flight. Dragonflies, on the other hand, have front and hind wings that move independently of each other and use muscles at the base of the wing to directly power their flight. They also beat their wings more slowly than other insects with indirect flight, usually at around 30 beats per second compared to the 1000 beats per second of a fly. But new doesn’t always mean better because these “primitive winged” insects can actually hover, move in all directions, and reach speeds of up to 70 km/h! This is handy because these speed demons will typically hunt in the air, flying through the sky or darting out from their perch to scoop up insect prey.

Direct flight during upstroke and downstroke. Contracting muscles are illustrated in red. (“Insect Wings”, from www.amentsoc.org/insects/fact-files/wings.html, 1997).

Indirect flight muscles during upstroke and downstroke. Contracting muscles are illustrated in red. (“Insect Wings”, from www.amentsoc.org/insects/fact-files/wings.html, 1997).

Of course, finding their next victim is just as important as being able to catch it, and that’s where their amazing eyesight comes into play. Most insects have long antennae packed with chemical receptors that allow them great senses of smell, taste, and touch. Dragonflies, however, have puny antennae that would probably be embarrassing to show off at the playground at insect middle school. Fortunately, they make up for their tiny antennae with giant compound eyes made of up to 30 000 lenses, called ommatidia, that point in different directions and allow them an almost 360 degree field of view! I’d like to think that if I had the equivalent football helmet-sized eyes on my face, I definitely would have been the coolest kid in middle school. Though these huge eyes don’t see with as much detail as a human eye, they are extremely sensitive to movement and allow the dragonfly to effectively scope out flying insects to eat.

With their prey locked in sight, the dragonfly can then dart through the air and catch it either in their jaws or their legs. These efficient predators actually have a rotated thorax that directs their spiny legs forwards to form a net conveniently below their head. If you could just imagine a fancy flying basket zipping across the sky to scoop up mosquitoes, that is how the dragonfly lives its life.

So, the next time you’re walking through the Arboretum grounds and spot a Green Darner or a Twelve Spotted Skimmer flying by, definitely stop and take a look! I hope that after this article, you are now well equipped to point them out and impress all of your friends with your knowledge about these super cool insects. Trust me when I say that a chance to watch these lean, mean, flying machines in action will definitely be worth your time!

Reference:
Marshall, S. A. (2006). Insects: their natural history and biodiversity: with a photographic guide to insects of eastern North America (1st ed.). Buffalo, New York: Firefly Books Inc.

A downloadable version of this article is available here: http://www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum/Listservnewsletter/June_2019/June%202019%20Newsletter%20Article_Kitty_Lin.pdf

Back in April, we sent out our first ever e-newsletter for the Elm Recovery Project. In case you missed it, here is a link to view the newsletter online:

https://mailchi.mp/ee09214b40f6/elm-recovery-project-newsletter-april-111361?e=[UNIQID]

If you would like to sign up to receive future newsletters straight to your inbox, you can do so here:

https://uoguelph.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=bd3b8644fad6eae3e6baccb64&id=8145de6aea

Happy reading!

Photo: Rows of disease-tolerant trees growing in the Elm Recovery Project nursery at the Arboretum (photo by Sean Fox)

By Genevieve Rowe, Lead Biologist, Native Pollinator Initiative

About a third of North America’s bumble bee species are experiencing dramatic population declines. Through innovative research programs and the use of verified conservation and monitoring techniques such as captive breeding and field surveys, Wildlife Preservation Canada’s (WPC) Native Pollinator Initiative aims to conserve these important animals and protect them from extinction. Without native pollinators to maintain pollination services, the sustainability of natural ecosystems and of agricultural production in rural and urban areas may be at risk.

In 2019, WPC’s field team will continue conducting expert pollinator surveys at important sites like the University of Guelph’s Arboretum in an effort to locate rare and declining bumble bees in Ontario. By identifying the species present at sites across the province annually, WPC will continue to provide important information about their diversity, range, and abundance, and will gather information on their status, and ultimately facilitate an understanding of factors contributing to the rapid declines that have been observed in some species.


All 2018 field survey locations (n=103), the majority of which (including the University of Guelph’s Arboretum) will be re-surveyed in 2019.

During early spring surveys, the northern field team will also collect yellow-banded bumble bee (B. terricola, Special Concern, SARA 2018, COSSARO 2015) queens for use in WPC’s conservation breeding program, while the southern field team will search for the brown-belted bumble bee (B. griseocollis)—a common species that has been recorded several times each year in the University of Guelph’s Arboretum. Captive breeding is a recognized means of helping to bring a species back from the brink of extinction, and with assistance from heartier species like the brown-belted bumble bee, WPC is pioneering husbandry techniques that can be refined specifically for use on sensitive species, like the yellow-banded bumble bee. A program like this might one day come to the rescue of other at-risk bumble bee species and might be the only viable option for augmenting existing populations and reintroducing species to habitats where they were once abundant but have since disappeared.
                                                A yellow-banded bumble bee
                                                (B. terricola)  colony in WPC’s conservation
                                                breeding program.

To learn more about the work WPC’s Native Pollinator Initiative manages, visit https://wildlifepreservation.ca/native-pollinator-initiative/.

We have two great options available for guided walks on The Arboretum grounds.

Join Sally every Wednesday at 12:15 as she explores the grounds on a 50 minute hike. It is a wonderful way to explore as spring migrants return and life blooms on The Arboretum grounds. The walk is free and you should meet at the kiosk at the end of the promenade closest to campus if you are interested in participating.

On Wednesday evenings through to the end of August our Summer Interpretive Naturalists, Jenny or Kitty lead our Wednesday Evening Walk series. These programs take place each Wednesday evening from 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. beginning at the J.C. Taylor Centre. The cost is $2 per person with children under 5 free. Here are some of the upcoming walks:

Through the Grapevine - Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Communication is key, and that extends to our wildlife too! While not all animals will chirp, squeak, or chatter their thoughts aloud, they all have their ways of getting their point across. This Wednesday, we will be talking about the in and outs of different types of animal communication!

It’s Better Where It’s Wetter - Wednesday, June 26, 2019
It’s a whole new world under the water surface but the many critters that live there are well suited for the job! Leave your scuba gear at home but join us this Wednesday to discover the wacky animals that live underwater and how they do it!

Pest Fest - Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Some animals just don't seem to live up to their reputation...and thank goodness! Join us this Wednesday to learn about some common pest animals and how they may not be that bad after all.

What Sharp Teeth You Have - Wednesday, July 10, 2019
The Big Bad Wolf is not the only one with teeth and claws to catch his prey. Come out this Wednesday to meet some of the predators
that are roaming the Arboretum and learn all about how they hunt!

Are You Supposed To Be Here? - Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Once upon a time, in a land far far away, there lived some plants and animals that we see here today! How did they get here? How do they affect our ecosystem? Join us this Wednesday to learn about some invasive species and their impact!

The Sky's The Limit - Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Have you ever wanted to know what it feels like to fly? Or gotten lost watching the birds zip by above your head? Join us this Wednesday to explore different animals that can fly and discover the secrets that allow them to take to the skies!

What Happens Next - Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Death is an inevitable part of nature, but what about what's left? This Wednesday, we will be discussing the ins and outs of decomposition.

Mark your calendar for our annual Arb Expo (and Plant Sale). This year it is on Saturday, September 14, 2019. Watch this newsletter in the upcoming months for further details. The day will include our Plant Sale as well as other activities, displays and tours.

Check out our popular merchandise and publications .... biodiversity sheets, booklets, t-shirts, hats, buttons, window decals and calendars. You can order it all on line and have it shipped to you or stop in during business hours and pick it up yourself.

We recently did a facelift to The Arboretum Centre. Come and check out the new blinds, fresh paint and other improvements. We have 3 rooms that can accommodate from 2 - 225 people. Our exclusive rental of the rooms for wedding receptions and the West Lawn for the ceremony along with the use of the grounds for photos make us a unique and well loved location for weddings.

We also offer group tours and programs. Bring your group and enjoy a guided tour of the grounds, collections and gardens. Tours must be pre-arranged at least 2 weeks in advance.

For booking information please contact our Bookings Co-ordinator, Dawn Ann Webster at [log in to unmask] or 519-824-4120 ext. 54110.

 
Auditorium photos
photos by Chris Kingdon

Would you like to see more of what is happening at The Arboretum or read more nature related information? Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr and YouTube by searching @uogarboretum.

Moths, Butterflies, Dragonflies and Damselflies, Mushrooms, Planetarium Program, Shorebirds, Tree Identification and Shrub Identification workshops are approaching. The dates and registration deadlines can be found in our Coming Events listing in the column on the left side of this newsletter. A detailed description of each course is available on our website. Help us promote our programs… please forward this e-mail on to your friends and colleagues who may be interested. The more participants we have, the more programs we can offer.

Registering early is important for us because we need lead time to decide if there are enough people registered to run the workshop or not. To encourage registering before the deadline, we have an Early Bird Fee. You can still register after the deadline, but it will cost an extra $10, so why not register early?

Registration is available on-line, which allows you to register for our programs at anytime, not just during our regular business hours. A secure link is provided on our website for this easy registration process.

If you do not have internet access, registration can still be made by phone or in person at 519-824-4120 ext. 52358 as in the past. Please remember that a decision is made on the registration deadline as to whether the workshop will run or not, based on the minimum number of required registrants. You may still register after the deadline as long as the workshop is running and there is space.

Well, warm weather seems to be taking its time this year, but that hasn't stopped wildlife from providing some lovely sightings recently! During spring migration, the cold kept the birds down low (to find insects to eat) so observers could get amazing looks at normally high-in-the-treetops warblers such as the Bay-breasted Warbler. We also have some nesting birds attracting attention such as Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebirds and our nature centre pair of Eastern Phoebes. Other great sightings include White-tailed Deer, Gray Treefrogs, Monarch butterflies, Northern Brownsnake and Bold Jumping Spider. Our blooms have been very late this year and the continued cool weather meant our trilliums lasted longer than many of us can remember. The cool weather has slowed the numbers of some species, such as moths and dragonflies, but we hope the coming weeks will see the emergence of these fun and much-loved insects....as well as some of our more "fair-weathered" human visitors!

 
Bay-breasted Warbler                        Trilliums
photo by Brenda Doherty                    photo by Chris Earley

                        
                         Dandilions
                         photo by Chris Earley

 
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Your donation can be directed to The Arboretum online through the secure University of Guelph donation page: https://secure3.convio.net/uofg/site/Donation2?df_id=3321&mfc_pref=T&3321.donation=form1&single_designee=arboretum

If you prefer not to make an online donation, there are several other ways to provide your financial support. You can choose to donate by telephone, mail, fax, or in person:

UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH Attention Alumni Affairs 50 Stone Road East Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1 Tel: 1-888-266-3108 ext. 56934 Tel: 519-824-4120 ext. 56934 Fax: 519-822-2670 Email: [log in to unmask]

If you would like information on bequests and planned giving to The Arboretum please contact:

Amy Atkinson
Senior Development Manager, Ontario Agricultural College
at (519) 824-4120 ext. 58652 or by e-mail at [log in to unmask]