Emily Sandall and I just got back from a sampling trip exploring the deserts and mountains of Utah. Emily had a productive time attending the Dragonfly Society of the Americas 2016 meeting, while I, the renegade hymenopterist, tagged along to work on filling in the gaps in our research collection of Ceraphronoidea.
We started out in the southwest corner of Utah at Hurricane. Emily waded through narrow water-filled canyons and hiked up ancient lava flows in search of odonates at Zion National Park. Meanwhile, I wandered around in the Mojave desert looking under creosote bushes for velvet ants (Mutillidae).
I spent time collecting at Lytle Ranch Preserve at Beaver Dam Wash, which is an oasis in the northeast corner of the Mojave Desert. Surrounded by a desolate landscape of creosote bushes and Joshua trees, the stream that flows through the ranch is able to support a host of vegetation, including pomegranate trees. I am thankful to Shawn Clark and to Brigham Young University for allowing me to sample at this unique location!
After spending a few days in Hurricane, we drove north to Provo. I was able to visit the collection at the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, where I found several examples of the mutillids that can be found in the deserts of Utah.
I also explored the area around Provo to do some collecting. While on the hunt for Megaspilidae, I could not help but enjoy the others insects that were out and about. While sweeping near some coldwater mountain streams, I stirred up clouds of Trichoptera. I also got to observe something I’d only read about before- ants farming aphids. I got to experience firsthand how protective and aggressive the ants can be when you invade their territory– I had to pull several biting ants off of my shoes and ankles.
By the end of our trip, Emily was able to catch over 40 odonate specimens to add to the collection at the Frost, and I collected at least 20 sweep net and pan trap samples to sort through for Ceraphronoidea. Overall, I think Emily would agree with me in saying that it was a productive and successful trip!
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