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/760935
DECEMBER 2016 • NEBRASKAland 21 Last issue's winner of the Visitor drawing was Adelene Vock of Nebraska City, Nebraska, who found the banded woollybear tiger moth on page 30. 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 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 page 21. The banded woollybear (Pyrrharctia isabella) is a medium sized tiger moth, native throughout the continental U.S., including Nebraska. These nondescript moths are dirty white to yellowish-brown in color, with black dots on their wings and a line of dots down the abdomen. While the adults get little notice, their caterpillars are familiar to all. Banded woollybear caterpillars are about 2 inches long when mature and covered in bristles, with black at each end of their body and a reddish band in the middle. As the caterpillars age and molt, they may have more reddish and fewer black bristles. In the fall the caterpillars become wanderers, crossing roads and fields, looking for places to hibernate through the winter, such as in leaf litter and under rocks. The cater- pillars will briefly become active again in the spring, then pupate before emerging as adults. caterpillar moth Special thanks to Julie Van Meter, State Entomologist, Nebraska Department of Agriculture. NEBRASKAland Visitor Women's Wellness Weekend By Lynn Mellick, Ponca State Park The third annual Women's Wellness Weekend Retreat returns Jan. 13-15 at Ponca State Park. Come find inner peace, inspiration among instructors and new friends, take time to pamper yourself, and leave relaxed at this intimate gathering. This three-day retreat offers over 25 sessions covering a variety of topics that will teach you how to improve your body and mind. The weekend will kick off with inspirational guest speaker Jill Miller. Past classes have included yoga, dancing, aromatherapy, bird watching, acupuncture, meditation, stress management, self-defense, hiking, Dutch oven cooking and much more. On Saturday during breaks, purchase jewelry, health and beauty products, and other wares from a variety of vendors. By appointment, take advantage of services such as massages, manicures, pedicures and facials. Then at lunch, enjoy a fashion show, where you can discover new, stylish looks for home, work and vacation. At the end of the day, a wine and cheese social will precede an elegant dinner party and evening activities. Sunday will include a morning exercise class and time to gather one last time before departing for home. Registration is limited and fills up quickly. If you would like to receive information relating to Ponca State Park's Women's Wellness Weekend Retreat, contact Lynn.Mellick@Nebraska.gov. ■ Learn yoga, breathing and stretching exercises at Ponca State Park's Women's Wellness Weekend Retreat on Jan. 13-15. PHOTO BY JENNY NGUYEN a City moth m and t s aterpillar ca