The Elusive Clearwing Moth Synanthedon richardsi Explained

(This story originally ran in our email newsletter. Keep up to date with more wildlife sightings, programs, news, events, and more by signing up at the bottom of this page!)

 

On June 17, Education Associate Bridget Bradshaw spotted an odd insect. It had an oblong black body, long antennae, and clear wings. It looked like a wasp-moth hybrid, which turned out not to be far off! The insect Bridget saw was a Synanthedon richardsi, which is a rare member of the clearwing moth family Sesiidae.

We wanted to learn more about this beautiful and apparently rare moth so we contacted THE expert on these insects. William Taft is an aquatic entomologist who is one of few people studying the Sesiidae family in depth, and he was kind enough to speak with us more about these mysterious insects.

Synanthedon richardsi was first described in 1946. In 1988, more details were published on clearwing moths in a volume of the Moths of America North of Mexico. According to this publication, Synanthedon richardsi ranges from Maryland to Georgia and west to Ohio and Kansas, but it is rare and “nothing definite is known about its life history.”

A photo of Synanthedon richardsi with field marks for identification. Photo courtesy of William Taft.

Since 1988, not much more has been learned about this elusive insect, but Taft is determined to change that.

“People are interested in the family, but not that interested,” Taft said. “People are generally more interested in silk moths and hawk moths. But I collected those as a kid, so there weren’t any more mountains to climb there for me. As far as I know, I am the only person in the U.S. actively seeking these things by driving across the U.S. and trying to figure out when and where they emerge.”

Clearwing moths range from just five millimeters up to a wing length of 28 millimeters. They are accomplished mimics of wasps and bees mainly due to their clear wings, but some clearwing moths in the western U.S. have been observed mimicking wasp behavior to complete the illusion. Their caterpillars feed on herbaceous plants, including the trunk, crown, root, stems, seed pods, and even galls. They’re generally short-lived as adults, likely only surviving for a week after emerging. Many clearwings can pose a threat to agricultural plants (an infamous relative of Synanthedon richardsi is the Squash Vine Borer (Melittia cucurbitae)) but they also provide food for anything that includes insects in their diet.

Synanthedon richardsi seem to prefer viburnums as food plants. Our sighting was near a Blackhaw Viburnum, but Taft also described a sighting in South Carolina that was near Walter’s Viburnum.

Taft’s main focus is trying to locate and collect clearwing moths so he can sample their DNA and develop better genetic markers for distinguishing between species.

“If you have multiple species feeding on oak, which a lot of them do, and you want to know if they’re actually distinct species, well, a lot of them look very similar so the only way you can tell the difference is color, flight period, or which synthetic pheromones they come to,” Taft said.

Taft relies on help from users on websites like iNaturalist and Bug Guide to help him with his search. When someone posts a photo of a clearwing moth, Taft notes the date of the photo and the location it was taken, which will help him narrow down the best times and places to look for the insects he wants to collect.

“If no one looks, no one finds,” Taft said. “That’s always been an issue. There aren’t as many people these days, except hunters and fishermen, who are really out in the woods. If it doesn’t happen in their backyard or along a hiking trail, it gets missed. But that’s where people out taking pictures really come into their own.”

We think this is a great example of how much there is still to learn about the natural world, and how close to home these discoveries can happen! If you’re on iNaturalist, we encourage you to join our biodiversity inventory project and submit observations from the property. We have contributed four records of these rare moths so far!

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Young Scientists Research Experience Results

From June 27 to July 1, 2022, nine middle and high school students attended our fourth annual Young Scientists Research Experience. Over the course of a week, the students chose their own research questions, developed a study, did their own fieldwork, and then compiled their data and presented their findings. We’re incredibly proud of the work these students did, and we’re excited to share their results with you!

If you’d like to sign up for next year’s Young Scientist  Research Experience, you can subscribe to our email newsletter to be notified when registration opens.

Maggie asked: “Does the size and location of a log affect the number of insects and turtles basking on it?”

Maggie and Co-Director Eleanor Harris observe a log.

She found that both damselflies and dragonflies prefer to perch on skinny logs than wide logs, even though wide logs would provide more surface area. She also found that in general damselflies are pickier about the locations where they are willing to perch than are dragonflies.

Liam asked: “What species of fish live in  ponds compared to creeks? And are there more fish in ponds or in creeks?”

Liam and Director Bert Harris use a seine net to capture fish in the pond.

 

Liam surveyed fish in our ponds and streams and found four types of fish: dace, darter, largemouth bass, and bluegill. The vast majority of the fish he found were dace. Liam caught more fish per sweep of the seine net in the creeks than in the ponds.

 

Sarah asked: “How do the parenting behaviors between Eastern Phoebes and Eastern Bluebirds differ?”

Sarah observes an Eastern Bluebird nest box.

Sarah found that Eastern Phoebes were more attentive parents than Eastern Bluebirds and in both species the males were actually more attentive than the females. Parents of both species were less active in the afternoon than in the morning.

Aurelia asked: “Where do fireflies go during the day?”

Aurelia and Co-Director Eleanor Harris identify fireflies.

Aurelia found five genera of fireflies in her daytime firefly surveys. Most of the fireflies she found were in the genus Photinus. Of the fireflies she found on trees, most of them were on redbuds, followed closely by walnuts and pawpaws.

 

 

Declan asked: “How far away from water do crayfish burrow? And does the distance from water affect how deep the burrow needs to be?”

Declan takes measurements of a crayfish hole.

Declan found crayfish holes at a wide variety of distances from standing water. A couple holes were over 20 meters from water! Surprisingly, there was no relationship between how deep a hole was and how far away from water it was.

Logan asked: “How does the length of birdsong vary between species? How does the time of day affect the length of the song?”

Logan uses his phone to record birdsong.

Logan found that, of Carolina Wrens, Common Yellowthroats, and Eastern Towhees, Carolina Wrens had the longest songs and that all three species had longer songs in the morning than in the afternoon.

 

Lane asked: “Does lichen diversity change as you get closer to water?”

Lane and Education Associate Bridget Bradshaw look for lichen on trees.

Lane found that there were slightly more species of lichens on trees closer to water than farther from water. Of the nine species of trees he found lichens on, Tulip Poplars had the most species of lichen.

 

Loreli asked: “Do frogs prefer still water or running water?”

Loreli catches frogs in the beaver pond.

Loreli found that there were more frogs in the ponds than in the creeks.

Elyssa asked: “Does the growth form of a mushroom make a difference in the number of bugs found on them?”

Elyssa and Education Associate Bridget Bradshaw look for mushrooms.

Elyssa found that there were more insects on gilled mushrooms than on any other growth form (after controlling for the weight of the mushroom).

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Clifton Institute To Deliver Meaningful Watershed Education Experience Training

Inspiring students to become future river stewards

Warrenton, Virginia (November 15, 2021) — We are pleased to announce our participation with the Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) on a grant FOR was awarded from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). The goal of their grant is to implement a sustainable Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) program over three years in Culpeper and Fauquier County Public Schools. The grant supports NOAA’s mission to expand environmental literacy through the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program. The Clifton Institute will participate by hosting a teacher-training workshop in summer 2022.

“Every year, hundreds of school children visit our property to learn about Virginia’s plants and animals, but we don’t usually get to spend a lot of time with their teachers,” says Dr. Eleanor Harris, Managing Director The Clifton Institute. “We’re excited to work with Friends of the Rappahannock to teach teachers about watershed conservation and about how to engage their students with this important issue.” 

FOR’s new Upper Rappahannock Educator Manager, April Harper, will be working with local partner organizations like Clifton Institute as well as teachers and public school staff to integrate MWEEs into the schools. For more information about the Upper Rappahannock B-WET program, you can email April Harper at april.harper@riverfriends.org. If you are interested in learning more about MWEE programs watershed wide, contact FOR’s education team education@riverfriends.org or visit riverfriends.org.

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The Clifton Institute is a Northern Virginia-based non-profit whose mission is to inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation of nature, to study the ecology of our region, to restore habitat, and to conserve native biodiversity. We provide environmental education to people of all ages, carry out ecological research, and restore habitat for native plants and animals. Our 900-acre property in central Fauquier County, which is permanently protected under a conservation easement, provides a beautiful and easily accessible environment for our programs. For more information, visit cliftoninstitute.org, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. 

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Clifton Institute Offers Expanded Array of Fall Programs 

Clifton Institute Offers Expanded Array of Fall Programs

There’s something for everyone at Clifton Institute.

Warrenton, Virginia (October 12, 2021) — Clifton Institute offers an expanded and diverse array of Fall programs for all ages. Each environmental education program is designed to be fun, engaging, and educational so that everyone leaves knowing a little bit more about the amazing plants and animals that call the Virginia Piedmont home.

Children can attend biweekly Nature School classes, Afterschool Adventures (new this year!), become a member of Nature Club, Piedmont Polliwogs, or come on a class trip with their schools. Adults and families can look forward to attending talks, walks, and workshops about wildflowers, native plants, raptors, nature journaling, and more.

  • After-school Adventures is the newest program being offered to students in grades 3-8 on the third Tuesday of each month. Activities will vary each month but will include science projects, art projects, and lessons in outdoor skills.

  • Nature Club meets on the first Saturday of each month and is especially designed for students in grades 6-12. Students will explore Clifton’s 900-acre field station, learn about local plants and animals, all while making new friends with others who love nature.

Monthly Hikes with a Naturalist, Family Nature Walks, and Bird Walks will appeal to adults and families alike. You can even zoom into one of the “OctoBIRD Fest” online discussions to learn about winter bird identification and the physics of bird songs. Many programs are free; others have a small fee with discounts offered to “Friends of the Clifton Institute,” which you can become with an annual donation of just $40.

Clifton Institute staff and volunteers work hard throughout the year, but especially in the fall and  winter. Volunteers are always welcome to help teach, remove invasive species, cut back overgrown vegetation, and conduct prescribed burns. In October, there’s something going on every Saturday for anyone who wants to help. You might see migratory birds as well as all sorts of native plants in their autumn colors. Anyone interested in participating in one of the many events or in becoming a volunteer can sign up at cliftoninstitute.org/events.

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The Clifton Institute is a Northern Virginia-based non-profit whose mission is to inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation of nature, to study the ecology of our region, to restore habitat, and to conserve native biodiversity. We provide environmental education to people of all ages, carry out ecological research, and restore habitat for native plants and animals. Our 900-acre property in central Fauquier County, which is permanently protected under a conservation easement, provides a beautiful and easily accessible environment for our programs. For more information, visit cliftoninstitute.org, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.

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Clifton Institute to Plant Nearly 1000 Trees

New trees will improve environmental health and provide critical wildlife habitat

Warrenton, Virginia | April 10, 2021

This spring, Clifton Institute staff and volunteers will plant nearly 1000 trees at the organization’s field station in Warrenton, Virginia. The trees will be planted along creeks in a 100-acre grassland to create riparian buffers that will prevent soil erosion and improve water quality. In addition, the new trees will provide critical wildlife habitat, including shrubs for bird nest sites and tall trees for raptor perches. Many oaks and birches will be planted, which are important host plants for moth and butterfly caterpillars that provide great food for baby birds. The species of trees to be planted include:

  • Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)
  • River Birch (Betula nigra)
  • Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
  • Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum)
  • Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)

“This work will improve the quality of the habitat on our field station and will help us teach our community about the importance of native plants and riparian buffers,” said Bert Harris, Executive Director of the Clifton Institute. “We are so grateful for the help of our dedicated volunteers! We couldn’t do this without them.”

In all, the project will require 350 volunteer hours to complete. Throughout the year, the Clifton Institute provides many other nature-based volunteer opportunities, including bird box maintenance and monitoring, biodiversity surveys, education assistance, and more. Anyone interested in participating in tree planting or other volunteer events can sign up at cliftoninstitute.org/events.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Clifton Institute, click here.

To learn more about the Clifton Institute, visit cliftoninstitute.org.

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The Clifton Institute is a Northern Virginia-based non-profit whose mission is to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards, learn about the ecology of the northern Virginia Piedmont, and conserve native biodiversity. We accomplish this mission by providing environmental education to people of all ages, carrying out ecological research, and restoring habitat for native plants and animals. Our 900-acre property in central Fauquier County, which is permanently protected under a conservation easement, provides a beautiful and easily accessible environment for our programs. For more information, visit cliftoninstitute.org, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.

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Scholarships Available for Nature-Based Summer Camp Programs at Fauquier County Non-Profit

The Clifton Institute offers financial assistance to families for nature camp programs

Warrenton, Virginia | March 8, 2021

This summer, the Clifton Institute is offering scholarships for environmental summer camp programs to families with children interested in spending time outdoors and learning about nature. These scholarships cover the full cost of tuition except for a $50 nonrefundable deposit per child and are currently available for two summer camp programs:

  • Young Scientists Research Experience — Students engage in inquiry-based, hands-on learning as they develop their own research questions, collect and analyze data, and present their results, all under the guidance of an experienced mentor. This program is available to youth and young adults ages 13 to 18 and will take place June 21-25.
  • Young Explorers — Naturalists at the Clifton Institute help children explore the organization’s field station to learn about the plants and animals that live in the northern Virginia Piedmont. This program is geared toward youth ages 7 to 12 and has two one-week sessions available during the month of July.

“Environmental stewardship is critical for the health of future generations, and that stewardship begins when children and young adults have opportunities to engage with nature,” says Alison Zak, education associate for the Clifton Institute. “The Clifton Institute is committed to bringing outdoor experiences to all people in hopes of creating a stronger and more diverse generation of conservation advocates.”

Summer camp scholarship applications will be accepted until June 1, 2021. In addition to these camps, the Clifton Institute provides many free educational programs monthly for people of all ages, including Piedmont Polliwogs, a pre-K program that includes an outdoor story time and short nature walk; Walk With a Naturalist, a guided nature walk for people ages 12 and older; and Mindful Naturalists, a program series for adults created to inspire mindful observation and nature appreciation; among many others. To see a full list of Clifton Institute events, click here.

To read more about the summer camp scholarship opportunities, click here.

To learn more about the Clifton Institute, visit cliftoninstitute.org.

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The Clifton Institute is a Northern-Virginia based nonprofit dedicated to inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards, learning about the ecology of the northern Virginia Piedmont, and conserving native biodiversity. We accomplish this mission by providing environmental education to people of all ages, carrying out ecological research, and restoring habitat for native plants and animals. Our 900-acre property in central Fauquier County, which is permanently protected under a conservation easement, provides a beautiful and easily accessible environment for our programs. For more information, visit cliftoninstitute.org, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram

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New Study Examines How Urbanization Is Negatively Impacting Spotted Salamanders

Land management practices can help protect salamanders and other amphibians

Warrenton, Virginia | February 1, 2021

Increasing urbanization is threatening Spotted Salamanders and other amphibians, according to a newly released report from the Clifton Institute. Spotted Salamanders live in deciduous forests and rely on vernal pool habitats for breeding. Human activity such as urbanization is adversely impacting these key Spotted Salamander habitats in the following ways:

  • Deforestation decreases the amount of habitat available to Spotted Salamanders.
  • Forest fragmentation cuts off Spotted Salamander populations from each other, leading to inbreeding.
  • Roads crossing through Spotted Salamander habitat make them vulnerable to vehicle traffic.
  • Spotted Salamanders absorb chemicals through their skin more easily than other animals, making them especially vulnerable to pollutants and changes in water acidity.

“Spotted Salamanders are a special part of our local ecosystem. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for them to find places to breed in areas that are too developed,” said Eleanor Harris, managing director of the Clifton Institute. “The good news is that there are a few simple actions we can all take to create and protect their habitat so that Spotted Salamanders can continue to find a home in Northern Virginia.”

The study finds that once 30 percent of the land within 250 meters of a vernal pool has been developed, Spotted Salamander were no longer able to breed. Actions that land managers, developers and others can take to help protect Spotted Salamanders and their habitat include:

  • Protecting land through conservation easements
  • Directing traffic in key areas to help salamanders cross roads safely
  • Constructing vernal pools to provide Spotted Salamanders with breeding habitat
  • Promoting healthy Spotted Salamander habitat by leaving woody debris

The Clifton Institute offers a variety land management resources that are available for free to assist landowners in cultivating healthy habitats where both people and wildlife can thrive. To view the Clifton Institute’s full list of land management resources, click here.

To view the full report, click here.

To learn more about the Clifton Institute, visit cliftoninstitute.org.

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The Clifton Institute is a Northern-Virginia based nonprofit dedicated to inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards, learning about the ecology of the northern Virginia Piedmont, and conserving native biodiversity. We accomplish this mission by providing environmental education to people of all ages, carrying out ecological research, and restoring habitat for native plants and animals. Our 900-acre property in central Fauquier County, which is permanently protected under a conservation easement, provides a beautiful and easily accessible environment for our programs. For more information, visit cliftoninstitute.org, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.

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Record Number of Bird Species Observed in 21st Annual Bird Survey

Clifton Institute data will help determine the state of bird populations across North America

Warrenton, Virginia | January 5, 2021

The Clifton Institute, with the help of 24 volunteers, counted 104 species of birds and 24,447 total birds within a 15-mile-diameter circle as part of the National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count initiative. This is the most species ever observed in this circle, which has been surveyed annually for 21 years, thanks to the high number of volunteers and the cold weather bringing birds out to forage. The data submitted by the Clifton Institute will be compiled with information collected from community scientists across the country to develop a snapshot of the state of bird populations across North America. Some of the most interesting bird species observed by participants of the Clifton Institute event included:

  • Palm Warbler (a first for the count)
  • House Wren (a first for the count)
  • Sandhill Crane
  • Rusty Blackbird
  • Greater Scaup
  • Short-eared Owl

The Christmas Bird Count is the country’s longest-running community science bird project, and the data collected from this initiative over the past 120 years illustrates how bird populations across the continent have changed throughout 12 decades. For example, in a recent study published in the journal Science, scientists analyzed data from Christmas Bird Counts and found that human activity has caused a loss of nearly three billion North American birds over the past 50 years, primarily because of habitat loss. Current data contributed by the Clifton Institute from the Warrenton region will help researchers continue to study the long-term health and status of bird populations and habitats, as well as develop conservation strategies.

“The Christmas Bird Count is one of the most important and longest-running biodiversity surveys in the world. It shows how volunteer birdwatchers can collect high quality data across the continent,” said Bert Harris, executive director of the Clifton Institute. “The Clifton Institute is proud to take part and contribute information that will be used to figure out how to protect the birds of North America.”

The Clifton Institute hosts many birding programs throughout the year, including bi-monthly bird walks that provide both novice and experienced birders the opportunity to discover many species of birds across various habitats at the Clifton Institute’s 900-acre field station. Past birding events have included Octobird Fest, a program for participants to learn winter bird identification techniques, and Warbler Song Boot Camp, to teach people how to identify warblers in spring migration. This February they are offering Birding Like Buddha, part of the Mindful Naturalists program series created to inspire mindful observation and nature appreciation.

To learn more about events at the Clifton Institute, click here.

To learn more about the Clifton Institute, visit cliftoninstitute.org.

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The Clifton Institute is a Northern Virginia-based nonprofit dedicated to inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards, learning about the ecology of the northern Virginia Piedmont, and conserving native biodiversity. We accomplish this mission by providing environmental education to people of all ages, carrying out ecological research, and restoring habitat for native plants and animals. Our 900-acre property in central Fauquier County, which is permanently protected under a conservation easement, provides a beautiful and easily accessible environment for our programs. For more information, visit cliftoninstitute.org, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.

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