Tag Archives: introduced

Puncture vines are awful

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I thought I’d write a post about puncture vines (Tribulus terrestris) in case anyone out there is wondering what to do about them. By way of introduction, below is a photograph of the bottom of one of my shoes after a short run in Madras, Oregon. Those are puncture vine burrs (91 of them, counting both shoes), all picked up during the approximately 10 seconds when I ran through a segment of Cowden Park.

The spined fruit functions like a caltrop (or tribulus), a barbed, stationary weapon that can pierce footwear. The spines can lodge in dog paws and puncture bike tires. Below is a close-up.

The plant itself looks harmless, but if you see it on your property you should kill it on sight. It can produce hundreds of seeds per year.

In Oregon, you should report an infestation to the Oregon Invasive Species Online Hotline. You can also search the associated database to see where the weed has already been reported and whether state or local officials came and dealt with it. And if you live in Madras, Oregon, they have a website devoted to the weed, and apparently can fine residents $500 (per day) for allowing the plant to grow unchecked. If you live in a town that has the species but that doesn’t have a group working to fight it, start one.

How to control

According to message boards on the topic, it takes about three years of killing puncture vines to achieve success, so stick with it even if it seems futile. When you walk around your property, always take a tool that can pop the plant out along with most of the tap root (they come out very easily). For weeds like that I really like to use a long-handled puller, the kind with two angled tines at the tip. I also have a smaller version.

In addition to getting rid of the plants, you might also want to get rid of as many seeds as possible. For that, you might invest in a contraption called the Goathead Roller ($295). Per photographs online, small kids can easily push it around. More extensive options for larger properties can be found at stickerburrroller.com. A cheaper option is to attach pool noodles at the end of a paint-roller arm. Or attach the noodle to a chair frame (see on YouTube). For small areas some people have good luck laying down a cheap carpet and then walking around on it, then throwing it away. You can also suck them up with a cordless vacuum (YouTube).

If you live in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, or Utah, you might try to procure some puncture vine seed weevils (Microlarinus lareynii) or puncture vine stem weevils (Microlarinus lypriformis), species that were introduced from abroad for biocontrol. Arbico used to sell them but apparently no longer, so interested parties should contact their respective state department of agriculture to find a source.

My 2 cents

This plant is a master at using shoes to disperse to new areas, so I think more parks with infestations should install benches with signs that say, “Please take a minute to de-burr your shoes before leaving so that puncture vines don’t spread.” And there should be two pairs of pliers attached to each end of the bench with cables, just like those pens at the bank.

Spotted lanternfly photographs

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I’ve posted a few pics of the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) on Instagram but thought I’d feature my full collection in a post. The insect is extremely photogenic but it’s also good to let people know what different stages look like so that everyone can kill them. I still need some early-instar pics as well as some showing spotted lanternflies being consumed by parasites and fungi.

Adult showing colorful underwings. Presumably to advertise toxicity to predators. Binky Lee Preserve, Chester Springs, PA.
Gravid female. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Tinicum, PA.
Egg mass on a tree. The surface is a waxy substance that covers several rows of eggs. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Tinicum, PA.
Third-instar nymph. Goshen Trail, Newtown Square, PA.
Three adults on a tree. Trees can have thousands. Binky Lee Preserve, Chester Springs, PA.
Sap oozing from feeding site wound. Ailanthus tree. Rose Tree Park, Media, PA.
Slick at base of Ailanthus tree caused by dripping honeydew (sugary excrement). Rose Tree Park, Media, PA.
Adult caught in spider web. Hildacy Preserve, Media, PA.

Below is a map showing the distribution of spotted lanternflies in North America as of October 3rd, 2019. Here’s a current map. To add a sighting, please sign up for iNaturalist (free) and post a photograph.

Here’s what the distribution is likely to be in the future (per Wakie et al. 2019):

Greenhouse camel crickets (Tachycines asynamorus)

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Here are some photographs of greenhouse camel crickets (Tachycines asynamorus) that I recently found in and around my house. It’s called the greenhouse camel cricket because when it (and related T. japanica) first came to Europe from Asia it was a common insect in conservatories. I’m not positive, but I think before that invasion the name “camel cricket” was more commonly applied to the praying mantis (mantids have long necks just like camels).

Note that the Latin name for this species used to be Diestrammena asynamora. Full details are in Qin et al. 2018. Nobody seems to use the new name except iNaturalist. But I use iNaturalist a lot so I’m going to give the new name a try.

Juvenile greenhouse camel cricket (Tachycines asynamorus) in bathroom sink

This is a juvenile that I found in my bathroom sink. I think they go through 10 instars and I’m guessing this is a 3rd instar male (lacks an ovipositor). It was pretty cute.

Female greenhouse camel cricket (Tachycines asynamorus) in cat litter

Camel crickets love to eat cat feces (don’t judge) so it’s pretty common to find them lurking here, sometimes in large groups. I don’t think the females lay eggs in cat litter but I’ve always been curious. Not curious enough to examine more closely, though.

Female greenhouse camel cricket (Tachycines asynamorus) in cat litter

This is the same individual as above but shows the ovipositor and impressive length of the antennae. The antennae apparently have the ability to sense heat. That’s probably a fact most people don’t want to know.

Female greenhouse camel cricket (Tachycines asynamorus) on stacked firewood

This female was in the woodpile near my garage. It was a cold day so she didn’t immediately launch herself away. They often seem to jump at you, a behavior that doesn’t endear them to folks who think the crickets are actually spiders. I think their jump can max out at 1 1/2 meters, which is pretty impressive. They can’t fly, though, because they lack wings (and are thus silent). Note that placing woodpiles near your house is one way people inadvertently introduce camel crickets into their houses.

Greenhouse camel cricket (Tachycines asynamorus) frass on wall

These three gooey splotches are frass. If you have a large population of camel crickets your wall will become darkened with this spots. I’ve been trying to figure out why they are liquid but haven’t come up with any explanations yet.

If you’re fascinated by greenhouse camel crickets there’s a great article at Your Wild Life that describes how different species are invading the United States. If you just want to kill them I have a few ideas.

More photographs: