Late Summer Observations at Museum of Life and Science Wetlands
The Museum of Life and Science's wetland exhibit, Explore the Wild: Wetland, is experiencing late summer biological activity. Persimmon trees are ripening, with fruit that falls into the water being consumed by resident slider turtles. The wetlands also feature swamp rose plants producing rose hips, typically eaten by birds. Several dragonfly species are present, including the eastern pondhawk, great blue skimmer, and blue dasher. An invasive plant, kudzu, is actively removed from the area despite its historical introduction from East Asia in 1876 for the Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia and its various potential uses. An invasive harlequin bug (Murgantia histrionic), originating from Central America, was observed in the Wander Away section; it feeds on numerous crops. While yellow-bellied sliders are the most common turtle, other species in the wetlands include red-eared sliders, eastern musk turtles, common snapping turtles, and eastern painted turtles. The content anticipates the arrival of fall.
Key facts
- Persimmon trees in the Explore the Wild: Wetland exhibit are ripening, with fallen fruit eaten by slider turtles.
- Swamp rose plants in the wetlands are producing rose hips, a food source for birds.
- Dragonfly species observed include eastern pondhawk, great blue skimmer, and blue dasher.
- Kudzu, an invasive plant introduced from East Asia in 1876, is removed from the wetlands despite potential uses.
- The harlequin bug (Murgantia histrionic), an invasive insect from Central America, was spotted in the Wander Away section.
- Yellow-bellied sliders are the most numerous turtle species in the wetlands.
- Other turtle species present are red-eared sliders, eastern musk turtles, common snapping turtles, and eastern painted turtles.
- The observations signal the approaching fall season.
Entities
Institutions
- Museum of Life and Science
Locations
- Philadelphia