NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/534597
JULY 2015 • NEBRASKAland 23 NEBRASKAland Visitor and Last issue's winner of the Visitor drawing was Lee Saunders of Waterloo, Nebraska, who found the June bug on page 3. Readers are encouraged to contact NEBRASKAland within 10 days after this issue's publication with the correct page number and name of this issue's "Visitor" – a critter found in Nebraska. We will then gather the correct entries and draw one to win a NEBRASKAland Magazine mug. To enter each month, write: NEBRASKAland Visitor 2200 North 33rd Street, Lincoln, NE 68503. Or e-mail: Tim.Reigert@Nebraska.gov with "Visitor" in the subject line of the message. HINT: This issue's visitor is not on pages 3-4, 12, 23, 40-41, 54, or 64. Scarab beetles make up a very large family of short, oval, stout bodied beetles. The June beetle, a well-known member of this family, ranges in color from light gold, to reddish brown, to almost black. It gets its common name from its tendency to emerge in May and June. These beetles are attracted to light, and you can often find them in the evening, around your porch light. There are several species of June beetles (Phyllophaga spp.) found in Nebraska, and it takes from one to four years to reach maturity, depending on species. The larvae of June beetles are white and c-shaped; these are the common white grubs in lawns. Adult females lay eggs in the soil in mid- summer. After hatching, the grubs live underground, feeding on roots until pupating, before emerging in spring. Bugguide.net is a popular site for identification. Special thanks to Julie Van Meter, State Entomologist, Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Photo from Thinkstock. Look Around, Nature's Waiting By Lindsay Rogers, Wildlife Education Specialist Below you will find 10 different natural objects perfect for a July scavenger hunt with your young ones. Head outside and look, really look, and you will find them! July 22 Family Fishing Events Benson Park Pond, Omaha, 6-8 p.m.; Laing Lake, Alliance, 6-8 p.m. July 25 The Dam Run 5K Run/Walk Lake McConaughy SRA, Ogallala, 308-284-6023 July 25 Kites and Castles Contest Lake McConaughy SRA, Ogallala, noon, 308-284-8800 July 25 Kite Day Niobrara SP Niobrara, 1-3 p.m., 402-857-3373 July 25 Campfire Christmas in July Indian Cave SP, Shubert, 402-883-2575 July 25 State High School Fishing Tournament Lewis and Clark Lake SRA, Crofton, 580-765-9031 July 25 Beyond BOW Beginning Kayaking Workshop Lake Wanahoo SRA, 402-471-6009 July 26 National Park Service Parent's Day Program Niobrara SP, Niobrara, 11 a.m., 402-857-3373 July 28 Family Fishing Event Carney Park, O'Neill, 6-8 p.m. July 29 Family Fishing Event Melham Park, Broken Bow, 6-8 p.m. July 30 Family Fishing Event Auble Pond, Ord, 6-8 p.m. When you have found all these items, gather them together and take a picture. E-mail the image to me and I'll send you a prize! You can e-mail me at lindsay.rogers@nebraska.gov. ■ 1. A Pinecone. 2. A Seed from a tree … any tree, but it must be a tree! 3. Three leaves from different plants. 4. A yellow flower. 5. An oval rock. 6. A leaf that is partially eaten. 7. A cicada's exoskeleton. 8. A stick that looks like the letter "Y." 9. A natural object with a hole in it. 10. Something orange.