While I have neither the qualifications nor inclination to dispute all or even most of the misinformation circulating these days, I am willing to try sometimes to be a voice of reason. And there is some truly unreasonable information masquerading as news.
Multiple times this spring I have seen on social media – and heard in-person from someone with similar “insider knowledge” – that venomous copperhead snakes love cicadas. The story goes on to warn people to keep their kids away from trees during the upcoming once-in-13-years visit of our local brood of big bugs.
First of all, there is no doubt that copperheads, like nearly every other species of reptile and most wild creatures, from birds to bears, will gorge themselves on the big insects when they spring forth in the coming days. But the likelihood of snake bites increasing because of it is preposterous.
The suggestion to keep your children away from trees is nearly as mind-boggling. “Sorry kids, for the next six weeks you are much better off in the basement playing your video games.”
Young people face greater risks from watching YouTube. This is arguably the most beautiful time of the year; we should be encouraging everyone to get outside. Head to the trees to look for cicada exoskeletons, or maybe try to catch one of the harmless bugs for an up-close examination. It will be 2037 before we get such an opportunity again for kids to find these insects and related natural wonders.
The May edition of the Missouri Conservationist magazine has arrived, and it includes a photo feature and story about fireflies. The images captured by nationally acclaimed wildlife photographer Noppadol Paothong include an evening meadow aglow with lightning bugs and a detailed sequence of one of the insects taking flight.
Those sights are becoming increasingly rare as habitat loss, light pollution and pesticide proliferation limit opportunities for kids to see the summer show. I can still remember joyfully chasing and catching lightning bugs with my cousins and friends many years ago.
“If a field where fireflies lives is paved over, the fireflies don’t migrate to another field. They just disappear forever,” Paothong writes. “You can help them by creating habitat in your own backyard. It’s as simple as eliminating or reducing pesticide use, leaving leaf litter and wild edges for habitat, and reducing light pollution so they can find each other during the breeding season.”
Fortunately no one that I’ve been around is purposely killing lightning bugs. Some get left in jars too long, but they do not face the perils and persecutions of the aforementioned snakes. Even the venomous ones are much more likely to be victims than villains. Still people take pride and joy in killing them.
This time of year you may encounter snakes when you go outside, especially if you head toward woods and water. Earlier this month we had a big black rat snake visit our house. He or she was intent on investigating a nest of recent hatchlings in the wreath on our front door.
To me the excrement remnants that soiled the entryway were much less welcome than anything that five-foot long vermin killer could have brought to the porch.
To learn more about copperheads from a real expert, the state Department of Conservation will present a virtual program detailing five years of research at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center. Ben Jellen, an associate professor of biology at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, studies copperheads and will share his findings online from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 10. Advanced registration is required by calling 888-283-0364 or visiting short.mdc.mo.gov/48z.
With misinformation spreading everywhere, like invasive species, it’s more important than ever to find and support reliable sources of information. about the natural world and more.
John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 30 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine. If you have story ideas, e-mail ogmjohnw@aol.com, and you can find more outdoor news and updates at johnjwink.com.