Observations: July 27, 2005 Time: 4:40 pm Weather: Hot.  No Breeze!

SCUBA Scavenger The Water Scavenger Beetle ( Family: Hydrophilidae) is an often overlooked park resident that requires some patience to observe as well as a dip net and see through container. They are common, but as the name suggests, spend their lives under the surface of lakes, ponds and very slow moving streams. To make observations even more difficult, these beetles are most often found hiding and feeding amongst the vegetation, within the pond, hence the dip net. Although you are more than likely to get a number of aquatic insects while scooping, the water scavenger beetle is distinctive in that it carries its own external oxygen supply, shown as a silvery bubble of air held onto the underside of their body. Its body is shiny black, with a metallic greenish tinge. In the adult (beetle) stage they are true to their name and feed on dead or dying vegetation, while in their worm-like immature form, they will attack other smaller aquatic bugs and may even prey upon their own kind! The adults found in the parks pond reach an average length of 8-12mm (0.3-0.47 inches) and provide food for a number of creatures such as waterfowl as and immature (aquatic stage) dragonflies.

Scented Steps While walking along the roadway near the Information Kiosk, visitors often pick up a familiar, but rather exotic smell on warm days with little breeze. Pineapple weed (Matricaria matricarioides) is in full bloom along the edge of the hard packed gravel. This small (7-15cm, 2.75 – 6 in. tall) plant , as the name suggests, gives off a pineapple-like scent, especially when the flower is bruised. The leaves are finely divided into narrow, feathery sections somewhat like a carrot top. Typically, each plant grows a number of yellowishgreen flowers that do not have any obvious rays (petals). The cone-shaped flowers are approximately 5-7 mm (0.2-0.3 in) across. The “weed” portion of it’s name has been attributed to the plant’s ability to out compete some crops, if left unchecked and can survive quite well in urban settings such as sidewalk cracks. Luckily for us, it can easily withstand moderate foot traffic, providing visitors with a strong sweet smell during their walks.

The Naturalist's Notebook is a regular publication. If you have any questions or topics that you would like to see addressed, please call John Gilbert, Manager, Fish and Wildlife, J.D. Irving, Limited, (506) 632-7777 or email honeyman.kelly@jdirving.com