The Prickly Pear November 2013 Newsletter For Galster Park Nature Center, Glendora Nature Center and Santa Fe Dam Nature Center
(San Gabriel Valley NC Network)
1
Pinacate Beetles aka Stink Bugs
Pinacate beetles live in dry, arid climates. The beetles’ wing covers are fused to
help prevent dehydration. When walking they lower their front ends and raised
rears. Bodies are ovate to oblong, ranging in size between 0.4 and 1.4 inches long,
and they are jet black or occasionally dark brown. They may be smooth or rough,
and elongate or robust. The head is prominent and slightly narrowed behind the
eyes. Like all insects, they have six legs. Thickened, leathery wing-covers protect
the delicate flight wings, which they do not use.
Pinacate beetles are
abundant both in species
and individuals west of
the Mississippi. Roughly
120 species are found in
the western United States.
They occur across
ecosystems from open
dunes to shrubs to
mountains. The greatest
diversity of the largest and smelliest occurs in the deserts. The greatest overall
diversity occurs in scrub and mountain regions. The beetles are often found under logs or in other detritus.
Most animals avoid contact with Eleodes due to the insect’s ability to produce a stinky secretion. Grasshopper
mice, however, get around this problem by grabbing the beetle, jamming its behind into the sand, and eating it
head first. Other predators include burrowing owls, loggerhead shrikes and another well-known stinker,
skunks.
One of the most commonly encountered desert insects, Pinacate beetles can be active year round. From spring
to autumn they are crepuscular and nocturnal (active at twilight, night and early sunrise), but come fall, they
The Prickly Pear November 2013 Newsletter For Galster Park Nature Center, Glendora Nature Center and Santa Fe Dam Nature Center
(San Gabriel Valley NC Network)
2
revert to a more diurnal lifestyle. Pinacate beetles are one of the great walkers of the
desert beetle world and are often encountered, seemingly wandering at random. Studies
have shown that they are probably in search of food, which they find by odor. Primarily, they consume detritus
of grasses and forbs. In the laboratory, they eat apples, lettuce and dog food.
They are well known for their comical, yet effective, defense tactics. When alarmed they stand on their heads
by bending their front legs down and extending their rear legs. Depending upon the species, they exude an oily,
musty secretion, which collects at the tip of the abdomen or spreads over posterior parts of the body, or they
eject the reddish brown to brown secretion as a spray. Larger desert species, like E. armata and E. longicollis,
can spray 10 to 20 inches. Most species can spray multiple times, if necessary. The spray is not painful unless
you get it in your eyes or mouth, where it is painful, burning and temporarily blinding.
Family Fun
A family of bikers from La Puente stopped by to rest at the Nature Center. They enjoyed the displays
especially the snakes.
The Prickly Pear November 2013 Newsletter For Galster Park Nature Center, Glendora Nature Center and Santa Fe Dam Nature Center
(San Gabriel Valley NC Network)
3
National Public Lands Day
There were about 50 volunteers that came out to help at the Nature Center. Litter pickup, benches removed
and replaced as well as painted,
cracked asphalt repaired, mulched
native garden, placed wood chips on
bare ground and planted some
seeds.
The seeds were gathered from the
plants around the nature center
earlier in the year. The main group
were the girls from Westminster
High School Field Hockey Team.
They pulverized the wood chip pile
and the mulch pile down to nothing.
Huge thanks for all that
volunteered.
The Prickly Pear November 2013 Newsletter For Galster Park Nature Center, Glendora Nature Center and Santa Fe Dam Nature Center
(San Gabriel Valley NC Network)
4
S.M.O.R.E.S. at the Nature
Center
The S.M.O.R.E.S. Program was
created by our P & R Dept. funded by
HFC State Grant to introduce inner
city/high risk youth 4 – 18 yrs to the
outdoor world of nature. It contains
various components, hiking, bird
watching, astronomy, entomology, animal habitats w/ live animal presentations, fishing, and camping, and outdoor
recreational activities such as kayaking and paddle boats. The participants take a pre survey to inquire the knowledge
before the program, and a post survey to check the retention and impression the program had on the students. Santa Fe
dam held the second of four
programs. The final two will be in
the spring of 2014 at Whittier
Narrows Regional Park, and
Kenneth Hahn State recreation Area.
During the night camping coyotes
could be heard that were close to the
lake, a safe distance away.
The Prickly Pear November 2013 Newsletter For Galster Park Nature Center, Glendora Nature Center and Santa Fe Dam Nature Center
(San Gabriel Valley NC Network)
5
SMORES participants
enjoying the lake.
The Prickly Pear November 2013 Newsletter For Galster Park Nature Center, Glendora Nature Center and Santa Fe Dam Nature Center
(San Gabriel Valley NC Network)
6
MORE UP COMING EVENTS
EVENTS at Santa Fe Dam Nature Center
November 2, 2013 10am Nature Walk. The walks are led by trained docents. The
paved walkway is wheelchair accessible.
November 9, 2013 10am Nature Walk. Stop by and see the Santa Fe Dam very few people
know. There have been some changes around the Nature Center. So come on down and see
what nature has to offer.
November 16, 2013 8am Bird Walk. Come and see the birds that make Santa Fe Dam their
home as well as the migratory birds of the Pacific Flyway.
Wreath Making 1100am Come by and make your holiday wreath with Norma Ayala
November 23, 2013 10am HABITAT RANGERS A youth environmental action and
educational program placed-based and storyline driven with Nancy Begg.
November 30, 2013 10am The Bugs are back! WINTER BUGS! Come by and see what bugs
are out for the winter.
The new look of the native garden in front of the Nature Center.
Be sure to stop by and see what has been done since your last
visit. Never been here? Then you’re in for a treat. An oasis for the
busy city life that surrounds The Santa Fe Dam Nature Center.
The Prickly Pear November 2013 Newsletter For Galster Park Nature Center, Glendora Nature Center and Santa Fe Dam Nature Center
(San Gabriel Valley NC Network)
7
Santa Fe Dam Nature Center Event
Create your own wreath for the holidays
Join us on November 16th
At: 15501 East Arrow Highway Irwindale, CA 91706
Cost: $15.00 per Wreath diameter 11 1/2
Time: 11am – 2pm
Please RVSP by: November 10, 2013
Email: [email protected]
The Prickly Pear November 2013 Newsletter For Galster Park Nature Center, Glendora Nature Center and Santa Fe Dam Nature Center
(San Gabriel Valley NC Network)
8
The much anticipated 2014 Flowers of the San Gabriel Valley Calendar is hot off the presses
and available for sale now. This high quality, educationally and artistically collectable calendar
makes a great gift for nature lovers.
The calendar is SGMRC's main fundraising activity for the Santa Fe Dam Nature Center, Galster Park Nature Center, and
Glendora Conservancy Nature Center. All proceeds from the sales of the Calendar will be used to fund Nature Center
programs and education, plus feed migratory and resident birds, and live animals part of the Nature Center displays.
Native plant, ethnobotany and demonstration gardens also receive funds for enhancement and improvements. All of our
Nature Centers are entirely operated by volunteers, donations, and fundraising projects. Your donations and support
mean a lot in continuing our important nature activities and projects in the region for all age groups.
Please support SGMRC's work and mission through your purchase of a Calendar today! The 2013 Wildlife Calendar is
priced at $10 and available from the following places:
SGMRC Office, Glendora (626) 335-1771
Santa Fe Dam Nature Center, Irwindale (626) 812-0935
Galster Nature Center, West Covina (626) 919-0715
Glendora Conservancy Nature Center
Powell Camera, Covina (626) 332-1253
OR send $10 plus $5 for shipping to:
SGMRC Calendar P.O. Box 963 Glendora, CA 91740
Please provide a shipping address and an Email. We will notify you when the calendar is shipped.
Taking a Break
Tea and Dillon stopped in for a well-deserved
break. Had some water and a snack.
The Prickly Pear November 2013 Newsletter For Galster Park Nature Center, Glendora Nature Center and Santa Fe Dam Nature Center
(San Gabriel Valley NC Network)
9
G L E N D O R A ’ S C H I L D R E N ’ S F O R E S T
On October 4th over 75
volunteers converged at the base of
Colby Trail. Walking or riding up
the trail to the Children’s Forest
location, where over 100 native
trees were planted.
Holes were dug and the
trees were placed in along with
mulch made from the local area.
Guards were then placed
around the plants to give them a
chance to grow.