Ever Wondered Where Insects Go in the Winter?

Summer days seem to be filled with millions of insects of all different varieties.  They thrive in the warm temperatures that spring and summer bring.  Then autumn comes and there numbers start to decline.

These insects are not simply dying off.  They have developed many different strategies for staying alive during the cold winter months.  Generally speaking, insects are not able to function when temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.  You may notice that when temperatures start dipping into the lower 50’s or upper 40’s, your house begins to look a little more like the outdoors.

Ladybugs are the main thing people see coming inside when autumn comes around.  Sometimes these little critters seem to be infesting houses by the thousands.  I know they have become a sure sign that winter is not too far away. 

Before humans built hibernation spots for ladybugs (ladybird beetles), they would overwinter in leaf litter, tree holes, and under rocks and logs.  These are common hibernation spots for all adult insects.  Some other insects that hibernate as adults are elm leaf beetles, cluster flies, boxelder bugs, honey bees, and Morning Cloak Butterflies.  These insects commonly reduce their water content and build up a substance which acts as antifreeze called glycerol.  This substance helps prevent them from freezing.  Honey bees can actually raise the temperature in their hives by vibrating their wing muscles.

Other insects will migrate to warmer temperatures in the winter.  A good example of these are Monarch Butterflies.  These butterflies will actually fly to locations in the United States and Canada during the summer and return to Mexico and Southern California in the winter.

Some insects will lay eggs before winter which survive until the spring.  Not as many insects use this method.  Some that do are Corn Rootworms and Praying Mantids.  Other insects will lay eggs that hatch before winter and the pupae or larvae will go into hibernation until the spring.  Some moths employ this method.

Despite how it may look at this point, some insects actually remain active in the winter.  These insects remain in their nymph stage during cold weather and live in water that does not freeze completely.  They remain active, and grow through the winter, emerging as adults in the spring.  Dragonflies and mayflies are good examples.

Next time you visit a Virginia State Park during the winter, remember that the insects are still all around you.  Nature is truly breathtaking and demands admiration.  This admiration may come to you a little easier while these insects are not flying around your face.
 

Local Employees Take a Charitable Day Off

A special "volunteer hug" goes out to a group of volunteers from Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.  Finance Division who spent a beautiful fall day at Pocahontas State Park.  The group volunteered to do several tasks including raking and blowing leaves.  Group Leader Richard Snead said this volunteer effort was part of a Hamilton Beach environmental initiative.  Hamilton Beach employees were given the opportunity to participate in a “Charitable Day Off” to volunteer at a location of their choice.  The park staff at Pocahontas greatly appreciated all their volunteer efforts.   

On Beach Camping Temporarily Suspended at False Cape State Park

They finally got the barge full of hazardous material containers pulled away from the Sandbridge shore near Little Island City Park, but all is not right with the beach at False Cape State Park.

The November nor'easter (they really should name those because it was as bad as many hurricanes we have faced) really took a bite out of the beach.

Before:

After:


For those of you that have never camped at False Cape State Park, campers who rent the ocean side sites (sites 4-9) at Barbour Hill and False Cape Landing are generally allowed to either use the established sites on the west side of the dunes, or camp out on the beach next to the dunes.

You might also be unaware that there is some vehicular traffic on the beach. In addition to park staff, residents of the northernmost part of North Carolina down to near Corolla Light were grandfathered access to Virginia Beach via the beach when the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge was formed. Coincidentally, my sister is married to one of those grandfathered residents. These folks drive on the beach between North Carolina and Sandbridge.

Usually as long as campers stay close to the dunes, even at high tide there is no problem with the traffic. But given what is left of the beach, we have now ruled that the beach camping is too dangerous. We hope this is just temporary but I have no projections on how long the prohibition will last. Camping in the established sites west of the dunes is still allowed.

I'd hate for my sister to run over a camper!

Fall Wedding on the Lake

Another visitor contributed story, this one about a Virginia State Parks wedding

By Jessica Hilbish, Roanoke, Virginia

Steve and I were married on a beautiful autumn afternoon in October at Smith Mountain Lake State Park. We planned an outdoor ceremony down by the water, but had a back up plan in case it rained. Thank goodness, the weather was wonderful. We had about 75 people - all family and close friends and children were dressed up really cute and running around everywhere, really enjoying themselves as the adults helped themselves to ham biscuits and sparkling punch. The leaves on the trees were changing colors and it was just about the peak season for fall foliage. Our photographs are absolutely beautiful. I would not have wanted a "commercial" style wedding for anything in the world. It was my dream to have my family gathered around me and Steve on our wedding day, surrounded by birds and trees, mountains and the lakeshore view. What a wonderful memory and the best part is, we can have family reunions at that very spot for the rest of our lives! Or a romantic picnic for two on our anniversary.

A Section of New River Trail Closing for Renovations

A section of New River Trail State Park will be closed from Mile Post 39.8 (Fries Junction) to Mile Post 42.3 (Gambetta Road) starting November 18, 2009 until approximately May 1, 2010. 

Recent safety assessments completed on the trail is allowing the park to proactively renovate and restore the tunnel located on the Galax branch of the trail.

To detour around the section of trail closure please use the following instructions:  From the Gambetta Road crossing traveling South on the trail take a right onto State Route 793 (Gambetta Road).  Travel approximately three miles to State Route 607 (Iron Ridge Road).  Take a right onto Iron Ridge Road and go approximately three miles to State Route 721 (Fries Road).  Take a right onto Fries Road and follow the signs to the Fries access, which is approximately 4.5 miles.

Trail users are reminded to use safety when traveling on trails.

For further information, please call New River Trail State Park at (276) 699-6778 or (276) 236-8889.

For general park information go to www.virginiastateparks.gov, contact the park office at 276-699-6778 or email New River Trail at NewRiverTrail@dcr.virginia.gov.  New River Trail is located at 176 Orphanage Drive, Foster Falls, VA 24360.  The park is four miles off Exit 24 from Interstate 77.  Follow the brown park signs.  

Overnight reservations can also be made by calling 1-800-933-PARK (7275) or by booking on line.