The World's Fastest Insect Is Also a Great Hunter

 

Dragonflies via openclipart.org

Did you know that one species of dragonfly reaches speeds of 58 kilometers (36 miles) per hour, making it the world's fastest-flying insect?

WE are in dragonfly migration season, which is believed to run from August to November. However, researchers know much less about dragonfly migrations than they do about bird or whale migrations.

North America may have up to 18 migratory dragonfly species. A recent study revealed that the species undertakes complex long-distance migrations every year that span generations and seem to be influenced by temperature, making them particularly vulnerable to climate change.

They have been observed eating flies, bees, beetles, butterflies, and even small birds. Dragonflies achieve a hunting success rate of up to 97% by waiting for prey before attacking or scouting an area.

Their compound eyes provide nearly 360-degree vision, with each eye possessing as many as 30,000 ommatidia—individual units that point in a unique direction and have their own lens. Besides their complex compound eyes, dragonflies have three smaller eyes at the front of their heads called ocelli, which are thought to help keep them stable while flying. While humans possess three light-sensitive pigments involved in color vision—blue, green, and red—dragonfly eyes have as many as 30 such proteins.

They also have two pairs of wings, but the angle and speed of each wing are controlled independently, enhancing the insect's flight control and agility.

Wildwood Coyotes

Coyote pup in Wildwood.
So cute, you might be tempted to go nearer and feed it. DON'T

Coyotes in New Jersey are not rare, endangered or threatened. But they are becoming more common, and many people are fearful of their presence. 

A recent increase in coyote sightings near Wildwood’s back bay has raised concerns among local residents. These cunning and very adaptable predators are digging underneath fences, entering backyards, and keeping frightened residents at home. Homeowners are keeping their pets inside, and they’re thinking twice about letting small children outside unattended. 

City officials say locals feeding the coyotes is contributing to the problem. The city has put up more than a dozen warning signs around town to not feed any coyotes. The mayor noted that the coyotes are fearless and that they don’t run and just stare when a car comes closer to them. 

These sightings have been concentrated near Wildwood’s former landfill, which is currently being redeveloped into a nature preserve. Officials are hoping the completion of the project will keep coyotes further from residential homes. 

Residents throughout the state are encouraged to follow these guidelines to mitigate coyote encounters:

• No feeding 
• Secure garbage and pet food 
• Strengthen fencing 
• Consider installing motion-activated lights or sound deterrents

Planting Underway of 170,000 Native Trees and Plants

Over the next several months, more than 170,000 native trees, shrubs, grasses and perennials will be planted throughout the nearly one-mile Newark segment of New Jersey’s newest state park, a nine-mile greenway in Essex and Hudson counties.

A sampling of the plantings includes 206 deciduous canopy trees, such as red maple, black tupelo, American sycamore and white oak; 335 understory and evergreen trees at maturity, including eastern redbud, flowering dogwood and eastern red cedar; 1,356 large shrubs, including gray dogwood, witch hazel, northern bayberry, highbush blueberry and pussy willow; and 2,889 small shrubs, including black chokeberry, inkberry, Carolina rose and black raspberry.

The planting plan also includes 165,609 groundcover perennials spanning 132,980 square feet, featuring milkweed, black-eyed susan, wreath goldenrod, New England aster and wild geranium, among others. In addition, 84,139 square feet will be planted in native upland wildlife forage and meadow habitat, along with 46,693 square feet of lawn grass mix.

Once established, the plantings will improve air quality by filtering pollutants and capturing carbon, help moderate temperatures through natural shade, and support stormwater management by absorbing rainfall and reducing runoff. The plantings will also create habitat for native wildlife, including birds and pollinators. In addition, green spaces are linked to improved mental health, including reduced stress and anxiety, improved mood, and enhanced overall well-being.

Blue and Green Acres

   

You have probably seen signs marking projects and spaces as "Green Acres." Created in 1961, the New Jersey Green Acres Program is the state's premier initiative for land conservation and park development. Operated under the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), its primary mission is to protect undeveloped land, counter rapid urban sprawl, and ensure that every community in the nation’s most densely populated state has access to outdoor recreation.  

Over its history, voters have consistently supported the program through a dozen bond referendums, establishing a permanent funding source through a dedicated portion of the state's Corporate Business Tax. To date, Green Acres has directly or indirectly helped protect over 1.6 million acres of open space across New Jersey. 

An offshoot of that program, Blue Acres focuses on climate resilience and flood protection.Established in 1974, this program allows private non-profit organizations to be exempt from local property taxes on land they own, provided that the land is kept natural and completely open to the public for conservation and recreation.

New Jersey's Blue Acres program is a state-led, voluntary buyout initiative that purchases flood-prone residential properties from willing sellers. Managed by the DEP, the program demolishes the damaged homes and permanently preserves the land as open space for natural flood storage, wetlands, and passive recreation.

Property must be residential and located in a flood-prone or chronically storm-damaged area. There is no minimum number of neighbors required to participate.

The state offers Fair Market Value based on independent appraisals. Eligible participants may also qualify for supplemental assistance, incentives, and relocation services to help clear existing mortgages or debt and secure comparable housing.