September 2022 – Discover-Nature

Forest Litter, Hand Lens Views

This week we take a look at one other group of species found in the forest litter, those that we can best observe using a hand lens. Springtails are tiny insects colored gray, brown, and white. They are wingless with a worm-like body, and are named for a unique abdominal structure that allows them to suddenly jump. They are extremely numerous, ranging from 500 to 50,000 individuals per square meter. Springtails may form dense groups that come out in winter on top of new fallen snow earning them the nickname “snow fleas.” They are an important species of decomposer feeding on fungi, decaying vegetation, and live vegetation.

Springtail, genus *Isotoma*, by Ryszard, Aug 2009

Springtails, aka Snow Fleas, by mwms1916, Mar 2015

Soil mites are members of the arachnid family, the same as spiders. When viewed up close, they may look like tiny spiders having four pairs of legs, and a rounded, glossy abdomen in a variety of dark earth tones. Soil mites are decomposers, as well as predators. They feed mostly on decaying vegetation, but also eat springtails, round worms, and fungi.

Red velvet soil mite, *Trombidium sp*, by Alexey Nikodimov, Apr 2018

Pseudoscorpions, also called false scorpions, look like real scorpions without the dagger-like abdomen. They carry no poison, but have two large claw-like appendages in front. They are predators of springtails, soil mites, and certain worm species. Pseudoscorpions have no eyes or ears, living in the dark soil just below the leaf litter. Almost as numerous as springtails and soil mites, they depend on scent and vibration to locate their prey.

Pseudoscorpion by Philippe Garcelon, Mar 2021

Pseudoscorpion by Philippe Garcelon, Oct 2018

Other animal species that can be observed with either your eyes or a hand lends include ants and beetles. These two groups are quite diverse and can be found in all habitats and soil types.

Eastern Bess beetle larva, by Katja Schultz, Jul 2014

Ground beetles by Bernard DuPont, Feb 2006

Beetles make up the largest order of insects with over 300,000 known species. They can be found under decaying logs, under loose bark, and in the leaf litter. They are especially attracted to light sources at night. The larval stage of a beetle is called a grub, often found in shallow soil layers both on the forest floor as well as in our own backyards. Beetles feed on decaying vegetation, live roots, and other plant parts. They are a major food source for a variety of birds, mammals, arachnids, and other predatory insects.

Ants in bark by Michael Jefferies, Mar 2010

Ants are another insect group, forming vast colonies organized into social castes. There is a single queen in each colony plus thousands of workers and soldiers. Each individual has an appointed job serving the colony. Ants provide several ecological functions in any habitat: predators, scavengers, pollinators, recyclers, and soil aerators. Ant species are split into four groups identified as carpenter ants, little black ants, red ants and fire ants.

Forests are stopping grounds for many migrating species of birds, mammals, and insects. Forest litter is an excellent layer of insulation, and many of the species we have reviewed are active throughout the year, providing food for migrators and ecological services to the other year-round inhabitants. I encourage you to get out and observe this exciting habitat as you hike the forest paths this autumn.

Forest Litter, Critters to See

Last week, we started to look at the forest floor and the litter covering it, composed of leaves, dead wood, animal carcasses and other organic waste. A complex community of organisms thrives in this habitat, working to return the nutrients from the litter back to the soil to be used again as food for green plants. The first layer of this community consists of decomposers. This week, we investigate several other layers.

Forest floor & rotten log by DonArnold, Sep2022

Many species can be spotted among the litter, but observing them takes patience. Carefully sorting through leaf litter is a skill learned through practice. Overturning decomposing logs and probing through rotting bark will yield great results if done slowly and without great disturbance to the animals present. Animals can be observed with your eyes, a hand lens, or a microscope.

Using your eyes, there are several species that like moist conditions and are easily found under decaying logs. Many are very active after an autumn rain. Some of the more abundant species are:

Slugs are a type of mollusk with a soft, slimy body that leave a slime trail wherever they go on their nighttime feeding excursions. They eat decomposing leaf litter and animal remains.

Snail, Maple Grove by DonArnold, Sep2022

Snails, another mollusk, are covered with a hard shell for protection from predators and to help retain moisture. They also eat decomposing vegetation and animal remains.

Isopods, also known as wood lice or pillbugs, must have moist conditions because they breathe using gills. Often found under logs after a rainfall, they move quickly using their 14 pairs of legs. There are several hundred species found in field and forest habitats.

Pillbug, *Armadillidium vulgare*, by Dann Thombs, Dec 2010

Millipedes are segmented and covered by an exoskeleton. Feeding on litter and animal remains, they can be found in any slightly wet area. Millipedes protect themselves when threatened by rolling up into a tight ball.

Millipede, Maple Grove by DonArnold, Sep2022 (3)

Millipede defense, Maple Grove by DonArnold, Sep2022

Several species can be found in any litter conditions. Many are predators, hunting and feeding on other animals. Some often found in our forests include:

Centipedes may look like millipedes, but are predators, eating many smaller insects. The first pair of legs by their head are modified into sharp, poisonous claws used to capture and stun their prey.

Spiders have four pairs of legs, no antenna, simple eyes, and powerful jaws with poison glands. The injected toxin liquifies the soft tissues inside the victim’s body, allowing the spider to suck them out. Many species, including the popular wolf spider, are ground dwelling, digging burrows and hunting by night.

Paperbark spider, *Maratus pavonis* by Jean&Fred Hort, Sep 2015

Harvestmen, also known as daddy long legs, are similar to spiders. They have four pairs of very long legs. When disturbed, they will wave the front two pair around to ward off another predator. They feed on small insects and decaying plants and tend to hunt in groups, mostly at night.

Harvestmen, *Phalangium opilio*, by Dann Thombs, Sep 2007

Next we will investigate what a hand lens can reveal about some of the most numerous inhabitants.

Forest Litter

Autumn is a time of year when many changes take place in forests in northern Illinois. Leaves change color and fall off the trees; numerous species start their annual migration; and other species get ready to overwinter here. The forest floor forms a rich habitat, covered with several layers of litter including fallen leaves, dead wood, plant debris, exposed roots, and other organic matter.

Forest leaf litter by DonArnold, Sep 2022

Very few of the leaves that grow in a forest during spring and summer are eaten before they fall off the trees. A majority of the forest biomass litters the forest floor in autumn, providing a large amount of potential food for bacteria, fungi, and other decomposers living in the forest litter.

The top layer of forest litter contains newly fallen leaves. At lower levels, leaves and other debris become wetter. Small holes appear in leaves and around their edges, made by minute insects and mites. These allow bacteria and fungi to enter the interior of the leaves and begin the process of decomposition. As vegetation breaks down it becomes darker in color, and surfaces feel slimy due to the large number of microorganisms living on them.

Leaf litter with holes by DonArnold, Sep 2022

Skeletonized leaf by DonArnold, Sep 2022

Deeper in the litter, leaves have lost much of their soft tissue, leaving only veins and petioles. In bottom layers, leave are often unrecognizable. The organic matter has changed into dark, gritty, moist humus. Complex organic matter, once living, has been broken down to simple, non-organic chemicals and nutrients that are absorbed into the soil. Calcium, potassium, nitrogen, phosphorous, magnesium, and sodium are recycled from decomposing vegetation and animal remains.

Various fungi on rotting log by DonArnold, Sep 2022

Fungi feed on organic matter. Fungi are often not visible, either living underground or are microscopic in size. They produce fruiting bodies in the form of mushrooms, mold, and yeast. Fungal fruits are at the peak of their showiness after autumn rains. Fungi reproduce from spores, grown in the fruit, and released by wind, water, or contact with passing animals, to be spread throughout their habitat.

The most recognized fruits are the many mushroom varieties that appear in autumn. Mushrooms are most often grouped by physical characteristics. Some found in our area include:

Gilled mushrooms are pale white to highly colorful. They tend to grow from the ground or from decomposing stumps and logs, and may be poisonous. They are important field and forest decomposers by DonArnold, Sep 2022

Fleshy pore mushrooms come in many varieties, all having close relationships with specific tree root systems. They have pores instead of gills, loaded with spores under the edges of their caps.

Bolete mushroom by Jon D. Anderson, Oct 2014

Stinkhorns are pale white to red and sharply pointed. They produce a rotten odor to attract beetles and other bugs to spread the spores. They are commonly found among wood chips and decaying vegetation.

Stinkhorn by Yooperann, Jul 2012

Brackets grow by attaching to decomposing logs or tree trunks. They are dark red to deep brown and may grow singly or in clusters. They are hard and woody allowing them to a long time. Brackets by DonArnold, Sep 2022

Puffballs are round and light tan, tending to explode into a cloud of spores when hit by raindrops or falling debris.

Puffball by DonArnold, Sep 2022

Water-cup mushroom by Peter Stevens, Oct 2015

Orange-peel fungus by John Munt, Oct 2014

Cup fungi are brightly colored with upturned edges or deep furrows, such as morel.

Coral fungi grow mostly on logs and stumps. These appear as many branching structures with spores located in each branch.

Coral mushroom by Jim Bahn, Nov 2011

Chanterelles are light colored with wavy, upturned edges holding their spore.

Chanterelle by Sandra Cohen-Rose, Aug 2007

Jelly fungi are brightly colored, pale white to red. Although they appear to be shiny and slimy, they have a dry surface and a rubbery texture. They look like a clump of jelly or laid out in ribbons on branches and logs. Following a wetting from rain, spores appear on the surface to be lifted away by the wind.

On your next forest walk, be sure to watch for mushrooms along the trail, on fallen logs, and on tree trunks and branches. Next week we will take a closer look at what else may be living in the rich habitat beneath your boots!

Autumn Seed Collecting

As the growing season winds down, plants are producing millions of seeds. Some of these seeds are collected every year and used in a variety of ways.

Collected seeds can be spread into areas that are not covered through natural seed dispersion. Seeding can add diversity to a habitat to improve the quality of the area, or provide new habitat for rare and endangered plants. Seeds add new species into disturbed ecosystems and help to establish plant diversity to overcome invasive species. New plant species provide host food sources for insects and structure for building nests and other shelters.

Purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea by DonArnold, Sep 2022

Wild colombine, Aquilegia canadensis by DonArnold, Sep 2022

The amount of seed collected depends on how much seed is available. General guidelines are to harvest no more than half of all seed, less if the plants are only found in small populations. To avoid adversely affecting existing habitat, seeds are collected from several locations across different days. Seeds are usually collected in sites that are geologically and climatologically similar or connected to the site where the seed is to be dispersed.

Cardinal flower, Lobelia cardenalis by DonArnold, Sep 2022

Seeds can be immediately sown by hand into a new or adjacent area, but many seeds are stored for later use. Seeds are dried on racks or in paper bags to prevent mold. If possible, the stems and leaves, known as chaff, are separated from the seeds. Large seeds encased in hard outer shells are broken open using a hammer mill.

Prairie dropseed, Sporobolus heterolepsis by DonArnold, Sep 2022

Seeds in nature are exposed to many environmental conditions that play a role in determining when they will germinate. Some seeds must be exposed to freezing, thawing, fire, moistness, or a combination of these factors in order to sprout. Legumes require scarification, making small cuts across the skin of the seed. Fall grasses can be stored in large quantities provided they are kept dry, whereas spring ephemerals with fleshy, moist fruits must not be allowed to dry out, and are stored in cool, moist conditions.

Butterfly wed, Asclepias tuberosa by DonArnold, Sep 2022

Green dragon, Arisaema dracontium by DonArnold, Sep 2022

Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta by DonArnold, Sep 2022

Seeds are often prepared in mixed batches by habitat type such as dry, wet, savanna, woodland, and wetland. Seeds can be planted late in fall prior to the ground freezing, over winter on top of snow or frozen ground, or in spring after the first thaw. For seeds that require freezing, plant in early winter and let nature do the work. If a burn is likely in the area, consider dispersing the seed after the burn.

Grey-headed coneflower, Ratabida pinnata by DonArnold, Sep 2022

Smooth Solomon’s seal, Polygonatum biflorum by DonArnold, Sep 2022

Stewards in charge of seed collecting keep extensive records of all activities. This helps with the selection of desired seeds in the future. Information collected may include GPS locations of seed collection sites, dates and species picked, weight of seeds after processing, and the processing methods applied to each seed species. In addition, the species included in each seed mix and the date and location where each mix is planted can provide information for assessment in subsequent seasons.

The gallery below includes a sampling of the many seeds that are available at summer’s end including Big bluestem, Andropogon gerardii; Butterfly weed, Asclepias tuberosa; Black-eyed susan, Rudbeckia hirta; Buttonbush, Cephelanthus occidentalis; Common ironweed, Vernonia fasciculata; Common milkweed; Asclepias syriaca; Golden Alexanders, Zizia aurea; Green dragon, Arisaema dracontium; Grey headed coneflower, Ratibida pinnata; Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum; Smooth Solomon’s seal, Polygonatum biflorum; Prairie dropseed, Sporobolus heterolepsis; Shooting star, Dodecatheon meadia; Purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea; Wild colombine, Aquilegia canadensis.

Illinois State Symbols, pt.2

Last week, we learned about state symbols covering many of the natural wonders found in Illinois. The following paragraphs describe the state symbols for the animals that have earned recognition.

In the early 1900s, the first forest preserves in the nation were in Chicago setting aside rare habitats that would protect animal and plant diversity. Over 94% of Illinois land areas are considered rural, including 1.4 million acres of wetlands. The Illinois State Fish, the Bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, is found in lakes and ponds and was selected by schoolchildren in 1986. Also known as bream or brim, the name refers to the bright blue gill covers sported by the male.

Eastern tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum, by John P Clare, Apr 2013

The State Amphibian is the Eastern Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum, the largest terrestrial salamander in Illinois. This State Amphibian and State Reptile were voted on by citizens in 2004 and approved by the Illinois General Assembly in 2005. It has a large head and dark body with irregular yellow blotches. It can be found everywhere in the state, although it is uncommon in large agricultural areas.

Painted turtle by Victoria Pickering, May 2020

Eastern Milk Snake, Lampropeltis triangulum, by Peter Paplanus, May 2019

There are two reptiles recognized in Illinois. The State Reptile is the Painted Turtle, Chrysemys picta, a species found in all aquatic habitats in Illinois. It is dark olive with yellow, red, or orange markings covering the plastron, forelegs, and both sides of the head. In addition, we have a State Snake, the Eastern Milk Snake, Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum. Its body is gray covered with large brown blotches with black borders. Milk snakes average 24″-43″ long, and live in fields, woodlands, and rocky areas. When agitated, the snake will vibrate its tail and hiss before striking. They are constrictors that feed on small mammals.

Monarch, Danaus plexippus, on swamp milkweed by Anita Gould, Aug 2005

Pollinator species are important to the agricultural industry. Plants of all kinds require pollination in order to set seed. Insects are one of the most important groups of pollinators. Butterflies, bees, wasps, flies, ants, beetles and many more all feed on nectar offered by plants. In the process, they collect pollen on their bodies, sometimes to eat and other times inadvertently as they push through the flower to obtain nectar. Pollen is then transferred to other plants the insect visits. The State Insect is the Monarch Butterfly, Danaus plexippus, chosen by schoolchildren in 1975. Monarchs lay eggs and feed on many of the state’s native milkweed species. The butterfly’s orange coloring is a warning to predators not to attempt to eat a monarch which consumes, processes, and stores toxins from milkweed plants for its own defense.

Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinals, by Marcel Milliard, Dec 2020

White-tailed deer in corn, Matthew Paulson, Jul 2014

The State Bird is the Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis. Selected by schoolchildren in 1929, the cardinal beat out several other choices including bluebird, meadowlark, bobwhite, and oriole. The cardinal, a medium-sized songbird, is known for the males’ bright red feathers. It prefers the forest edge where it can enjoy both prairie and woodland resources for hunting and shelter, but is often seen in backyards. The State Animal, White-tailed Deer, Odocoileus virginianus, also enjoys living along the forest edge. Selected in 1980, deer have some amazing abilities. They are able to run at 40 miles per hour and jump over a 9-foot high fence. They are excellent swimmers, traveling 13 miles-per-hour in the water. Native Americans and settlers both heavily relied on deer for buckskin clothing and food.

State symbols are representative of items and species that are present in our state. Take the opportunity to observe these natural wonders on your next outdoor adventure.