Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Mandaumin Woods Nature Reserve!

We've made a few visits to Mandaumin Woods recently which is owned by Lambton Wildlife. The 25 acre woodlot was purchased in 1972. It is designated as a Significant Natural Area in the Lambton County Official Plan. The following pictures show some of our discoveries in this Carolinian Woodlot.

The Spotted Apatelodes is a professional "bluffer". Its wild, hairy appearance is designed to mimic much more dangerous, stinging caterpillars. By looking like a painful snack, it tricks birds and other predators into leaving it alone.

https://plantiary.com/insect/apatelodes-torrefacta_898.html

Confused Woodgrain Moth caterpillar

Elegant Tailed Slug Moth caterpillar: Instead of the usual peg-like prolegs that most moth caterpillars have, slug caterpillars have suckers, which gives them a gliding, sluglike movement, inspiring the common name. We have become quite intrigued with this group of moth caterpillars and have been carefully turning over leaves looking for these tiny forms of life. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack, but we've had a bit of success. As the caterpillars grow larger in the next few weeks, they should be easier to see.

https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/slug-caterpillar-moths

Red-crossed Button Slug Moth

Dolichomitus irritator: When someone discovers a new species, they often get to choose its scientific name. This species name made me laugh. I bet the person who named the species was somehow irritated by it!

This Northern Walkingstick likely would not have been noticed if it hadn't moved. Walkingsticks are perfectly camouflaged for a life in trees and shrubs. They not only look like twigs but also sway their bodies to mimic the motion of branches in a breeze!

https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/northern-walkingstick

Clavaire couronnee, commonly called Crown Coral. Fungi have an important role in the ecosystem by decomposing things that have died, thus returning the nutrients to the soil to help with new growth. And they can be beautiful as well!!