Summer Wildlife in the Park

July 09, 2020 • Madison Square Park Conservancy

As a managed green space, Madison Square Park is a vital source of food and shelter for native and migrating fauna throughout the year. This summer, we highlight a few flying fauna that utilize the Park for their essentials during the summer season.

Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica)
Xylocopa virginica poking its head into a blooming Carolina Silverbell flower.

At first glance, one might confuse the eastern carpenter bee for the more well-known bumble bee, but look again and notice Xylocopa virginica is slightly larger and boasts an almost completely black abdomen that is shinier and less fuzzy than a bumble bee. Eastern carpenter bees nest over during the winter months with their sisters, typically living for over two years. Starting in April, the eldest sisters take charge by foraging for food, mating, and maintaining the nest, while the youngest sisters and male bees protect the nest from intruders. The second generation bees will begin senescence in July. During this time, the older bees will more frequently rest on flowers and eventually die off. The following spring, it is believed that the younger sisters will assume the role left by their elders, and begin the cycle again.

Bar-Winged Skimmer (Libellula axilena)
An elusive bar-winged skimmer dragonfly resting by the reflecting pool.

Libellula axilena is a dragonfly species that belongs to the genus of chasers and skimmers, distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere. They are well-known, large dragonflies, and can often be seen flying around the Reflecting Pool during the summer. The bar-winged skimmers, pictured above, are especially charismatic due to their stylistic wing and body patterns. Like other dragonflies, bar-winged skimmers play a vital predatorial role in the ecosystem. They will chase down and snatch many different types and sizes of prey including mosquitos with great efficiency. This is great for all of us that enjoy sitting by the Reflecting Pool!

Common Eastern Firefly (Photinus pyralis)
A female P. pyralis beetle seeking a suitor on the Oval Lawn

What’s a summer night without a light show? Photinus pyralis is the most common firefly in North America, and despite its common name, is actually a type of beetle. During the summer days, adult fireflies will find refuge in the plant beds and bushes, and like other fireflies, P. pyralis use their bioluminescent abdomens to attract mates during summer nights. If you are in the Park after sundown, keep an eye out for a hovering light show by Oval, Elm, Sol Lewitt, and Magnolia lawns.

Posted on 09 de julho de 2020, 04:10 PM by