Insects of Prairie Creek
Click on an image to find out more about the insect.
If visitors have photos of animals or plants taken at Prairie Creek WMA, please share them with Craig Koester.
Butterflies at Prairie Creek
The American Lady, or Vanessa virginiensis, may not be able to survive a harsh winter. Butterfly experts are not sure whether southern migrants annually replenish this species' population in the east. (Spotted 5/9/2015)
American Lady
Black Swallowtail
Monarch Caterpillar
The Red Admiral, or Vanessa atalanta, winters from October-March in South Texas and spends March-October in the north. One of the environments to which it is especially attracted is the moist field; Prairie Creek certainly fits this description. (Spotted 5/16/2015)
Red Admiral
Ant Species at Prairie Creek
In Spring 2016, Carleton College students were able to find and identify four different ant species at Prairie Creek: Camponotus Americanus, Formica Obscuripes, Tetramorium Caespitum, and Crematogaster Cerasi.
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There may be over a dozen ant species at Prairie Creek. Further research should be conducted to assess the total ant species diversity present at Prairie Creek.
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Camponotus Americanus
This is a species of carpenter ant, found at the top of the big hill across from the house. These ants typically nest in soil.
Tetramorium Caespitum
This ant species is typically found near rocks so it is not unusual that this ant was found near the rocks on the big hill at Prairie Creek.
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Formica Obscuripes
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This species of ant was found in large mounds also on top of the big hill across from the house. This was unsurprising because this ant usually forms large mounds of dirt and plant material.
Crematogaster Cerasi
This species of ant, typically found in soil, has the ability to use its abdomen to sting prey. This ant was found on the smaller hill further away.
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