By Margaret Bayne, OSU Extension Staff-retired, OSU Master Gardener

June 2019

Is the Insect Apocalypse Upon Us?  Learn the facts from an Entomologist from OSU. (Gail Langellotto-Rhodaback, OSU) https://bit.ly/2XAFmJ4

Scientific literacy for the citizen scientist- Learn what “research-based’ means.  Great info for MGs! (Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott & Catherine H. Daniels, WSU) https://bit.ly/2JF2SB0

Do Black Walnut trees have alleopathic effects on other plants? (Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott, WSU) https://bit.ly/2VBjKQg

Trees with “crown shyness” mysteriously avoid touching each other. (Kelly Richman-Abdou, mymodernmet.com) https://bit.ly/2LHoDCJ

Urban trees grow fast and die young. “A US study raises questions over the long-term benefits of current city greening schemes.” (Mark Bruer, cosmosmagazine.com) https://bit.ly/2WJccau

Do additives help the soil? Scientist suggests nature knows what’s best. (University of British Columbia Okanagan campus via sciencedaily) https://bit.ly/2Q1EIBB

How do I relocate insects and spiders? (joeballenger2005, askanentomolgists.com) https://askentomologists.com/2015/10/11/how-do-i-relocate-insects-and-spiders/

How the bumble bee got its stripes (bands.) “A new study … has identified the gene responsible for the color switch between the red and black color forms of the bumble bee, Bombus melanopygus.” (Pennsylvania State University via phys.org) https://bit.ly/2Q3IQRD

13 must see trees around the world.  Watch a slideshow of these magnificent trees.(Sidney Stevens, mnn.com) https://bit.ly/2W1tmmD

The hunger gaps: how flowering times affect farmland bees. “Planting wildflower strips is a common strategy for providing pollinators with more food on farmland. These can provide plenty of pollen and nectar for bees to feed on, but most of this food supply is limited to the late spring and early summer when there is already plenty to eat.” (University of Bristol) https://bit.ly/2E85a83

The real reason you see earthworms after rain. (Matthew L. Miller, blogNature.org) https://bit.ly/2JgIJ3Q

Drone reveals ‘extinct’ Hawaiian flower growing on remote cliff. (Russell McLendon, mnn.com) https://bit.ly/2E1qzzN

An endangered Iris with an intriguing pollination syndrome. (Indefenseofplants.com) https://bit.ly/30iQwUQ

Why plant blindness matters.  “A phenomenon called “plant blindness” means we tend to underappreciate the flora around us. That can have disastrous consequences not only for the environment, but human health.” (Christine Ro, bbc.com) https://bbc.in/2VwGO2B

With flower preferences, bees have a big gap between the sexes.  “Female and male bees of the same species frequent different flowers… study finds.” (Rutgers U via eurekalert.org) https://bit.ly/2Vys4QF

Are homemade pesticides even legal?  (Note: OSU Master Gardeners don’t recommend the use of homemade pesticides) (Erin Lizotte, Michigan State U) https://bit.ly/2E6vbVs

Gooey seeds.  “Some seeds can get pretty sticky when water gets involved. Anyone that has ever tried to grow a Chia pet or put chia seeds into water will know what I mean. The seeds of chia (Salvia hispanica) are but one example of seeds that turn gooey with water. The question is, why do they do this? What role does sticky mucilage play in the reproductive cycle of plants around the globe?” https://bit.ly/2LHyhW5

Salk scientists plan to combat climate change with plants.   “A team of plant scientists at The Salk Institute believes their simple idea of harnessing the power of plants to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in their roots could have a dramatic impact on efforts to combat climate change.” (Mark Sauer & Megan Burke, kpbs.org) https://bit.ly/2HhKCf9

The scoop on poop: Manure in the vegetable garden (and potential food safety risks) (John Porter, Gardenprogressors.com) https://bit.ly/2JD9sIg

New interactive website displays massive butterfly and moth collection.  “A new website launched by the University of Alaska Fairbanks will allow the public to view high-resolution images of thousands of butterflies and moths gathered by renowned collector Kenelm Philip.” (Jeff Richardson, University of Alaska Fairbanks) https://bit.ly/2Hjgwa2

A woman spent 14 years photographing the planets oldest tree.  Check out these stunning photographs. (Julija Neje, boredpanda.com) https://bit.ly/2JDw5vW