A flock of 100–150 Carduelis flammea (Common Redpolls) made at least 252 cavities and short tunnels in fluffy snow over 5 consecutive days in western Maine at temperatures from -26 °C to -14 °C. They produced neither structure during 4 days when temperatures were above freezing and the snow was wet, nor during a month of other variable weather. In the same area during two winters, Carduelis tristis (American Goldfinches), Carpodacus purpureus (Purple Finches), Pinicola enuncleator (Pine Grosbeaks), and Coccothraustes vespertinus (Evening Grosbeaks) exhibited no snow tunneling behavior at any time even though, excluding the Pine Grosbeaks and Goldfinches, I observed them throughout the entirety of 2 winters. Common Redpolls did not use the observed snow cavities as shelters, nor did the structures appear to be related to foraging. Social stimulation and play are likely proximate stimuli for the behavioral release of the Common Redpolls' snow-manipulating behavior.

Reduced populations of Myotis lucifugus (Little Brown Myotis) devastated by white-nose syndrome (WNS) persist in eastern North America. Between 2009 and 2013, we recaptured 113 marked individuals that survived between 1 and 6 winters in New England since the arrival of WNS. We also observed signs of reproductive success in 57 recaptured bats.

Specimens representing the Pompilid genus Psorthaspis are uncommon in collections. The spider wasp Psorthaspis sanguinea is a fairly large and striking pompilid that probably preys on members of the Family Ctenizidae (trapdoor spiders). There are few published distribution records for this wasp species in eastern North America and none north of Florida since 1952. I report the capture of an adult female on 6 August 2003 from a coastal xeric Pinus sp. (pine) forest at Cape Henlopen State Park, Sussex County, DE. This record represents a northern range extension for the species east of the Mississippi River and perhaps range-wide. The collection site is >300 km from the nearest known collection site in North Carolina. I also report the capture of the congener P. mariae from a different site in Sussex County, DE, taken on 9 July 2003. This individual was captured in a semi-xeric pine forest on an ancient inland sand ridge bordering the Nanticoke River. Although P. mariae is known from as far north as New Jersey, this record represents a Delaware state record, a Delmarva Peninsula record, and fills a distribution gap for the species. In the northeast, it appears that both species may be affiliated with forested sand formations.

Hemileuca maia (Bog Buckmoth; Saturniidae) is a rare, ecologically unique variant of the Hemileuca maia complex known only from ten wetlands in the Great Lakes region of North America. The Bog Buckmoth's status as a threatened taxon meriting conservation has been subject to a debate largely centered on its degree of evolutionary isolation and species status. We studied the genetic variation of two New York Bog Buckmoth populations using amplified fragment-length polymorphisms (AFLP). Bayesian clustering analysis identified two genetically distinct population clusters, with membership that did not coincide consistently with the two sampled populations. There appears to be either historical or contemporary gene flow between Bog Buckmoth populations, with the results suggesting either dispersal between the two sampled populations or contributions from a third unsampled population. Genetic diversity levels were similar. These findings argue for the utility of population-level analyses of Bog Buckmoth as a tool in conservation practice as well as in understanding the taxon's evolutionary history.

Setophaga cerulea (Cerulean Warbler) has been deemed one of the fastest-declining wood warblers in North America. Recent field studies have focused on understanding breeding requirements across its range and other natural life-history characteristics. During 2010–2011, we conducted a breeding study in Indiana to ascertain reproductive success and document nest-site characteristics associated with 22 nesting locations. We also documented breeding phenology and feeding rates during the nestling stage. Cerulean Warblers had a preference for nesting in Quercus alba (White Oak). Nesting success (30.7%; measured directly through monitoring of nests or presence of fledglings within the territory) was lower than necessary for a source population, but average when compared to other parts of the range. We recommend further inquiry into the fate of the Indiana population, as well as studies to assess reproductive rates and suitable breeding habitats that may exist elsewhere in the Cerulean Warbler's range.

The overall objective of this field study was to determine if Pinus nigra (Austrian Pine) could serve as a useful biomonitor to evaluate multi-year concentrations of total mercury (tHg) in vegetation within southwestern Pennsylvania. Austrian Pine has been widely planted as an ornamental, and formerly as a Christmas tree, and is now naturalized within the region. We collected needle samples annually during October 2004–2010 at 15–21 locations within a 5000-km² study area. Because Austrian Pine trees typically retain needles for 3 years, we collected samples from 3 needle-age groups: current year (∼0.5 y old in October), previous year (∼1.5 y old), and third-year (∼2.5 y old), and analyzed them for total mercury (tHg). Across all years and plots, mean tHg concentrations among the 3 needle ages were significantly (P < 0.05) different from each other. Mean tHg concentration was greatest in the 2.5-yr-old needles (25.9 ± 3.4 ng/g), less in 1.5-yr-old needles (20.2 ± 3.2 ng/g), and least in the 0.5-yr-old needles (11.3 ± 2.3 ng/g). The greatest mean tHg content in the oldest needles indicates that Austrian Pine may sequester atmospheric Hg in/on its needles. Although the tHg concentrations within all 3 needle ages declined slightly during 2004–2010, downward linear trends were not significant, possibly due to the short sampling period (7 years). Needle tHg concentrations were significantly less in the northeastern portion of the study area, located farthest downwind from industrial sources of tHg, and may represent background tHg levels for conifers in the region. Results from this study suggest that any biomonitoring program involving conifers should consider needle age when developing sampling protocols. In addition, results suggest that abscised older pine needles may contribute substantially to the tHg soil burden beneath conifer stands. This is the first report from North America regarding tHg concentrations in/on various-aged Austrian Pine needles. Austrian Pine may prove useful as a biomonitor when evaluating spatiotemporal patterns of tHg accumulation within vegetation in eastern North America.

Ozone is a common ground-level air pollutant that can be harmful to human health, vegetation, and ecosystems. Ailanthus altissima (Tree-of-Heaven) is an exotic, invasive tree species found across most of the US that has been suggested as a bioindicator to detect phytotoxic levels of ambient ozone. We conducted greenhouse exposures and field studies to evaluate the ozone-sensitivity of Tree-of-Heaven, including seedlings from several seed sources. Severity of ozone-induced foliar symptoms was directly related to ozone concentration and varied among seed sources. Tree-of-Heaven seedlings out-planted in the field developed foliar symptoms induced by ambient ozone levels at or near the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for photochemical oxidants and ozone. Our results provide data that may be considered when setting new a NAAQS for photochemical oxidants and ozone.

While Terrapene Carolina Carolina (Eastern Box Turtle) are found over a wide geographic range, they appear to select microhabitats based on the need for thermoregulation, minimization of water loss, and reproduction. Habitat selection and the activity patterns of Eastern Box Turtles in southwestern Virginia were studied in relation to short-term weather conditions and seasonal variation. Turtles were located using telemetry 36% of the time in the interior of mature forest habitats, 23% in edge habitats, 18% in fields, 7% in a 22-year-old Pinus strobus (Eastern White Pine) plantation, 7% in forest canopy gaps, 5% in a 4-year-old clearcut, and 4% in streams. We observed a seasonal shift in habitat use, with more turtles using mature forest habitat compared to other habitat types in all months, except for May when 47% of all turtles were located in edge habitat. Also, Eastern Box Turtles often selected canopy gaps within forests during the fall, and females moved from forests to recent clearcuts during the nesting season, which accounted for a larger home-range size. As expected, turtle activity was lower during hot, dry periods in midsummer and decreased gradually during the autumn with decreasing temperature. Rainfall increased turtle activity, especially when following prolonged dry periods.

Several structures can be used to estimate ages of Micropterus salmoides (Largemouth Bass) and Micropterus dolomieu (Smallmouth Bass). Otoliths are often employed for these black bass age determinations, but processing otoliths can be time consuming and requires an investment in training and equipment. Scales and dorsal spines can also be analyzed to measure age, but precision and accuracy problems have been documented. Use of opercles to estimate age in Largmouth and Smallmouth Bass has not been previously examined. Utilization of both otoliths and opercles requires sacrificing the fish, but opercles are easier to remove and process than otoliths. In our study, four readers estimated the ages of the fish using each of the four structures. Opercles had the lowest coefficient of variation (CV) for both species (Largemouth Bass = 6.31, Smallmouth Bass = 5.23), but underestimated the ages of Largemouth Bass older than nine and Smallmouth Bass older than six, relative to otoliths. Opercles proved easier to prepare and read, and the results showed lower age-bias, higher precision, higher among-reader agreement, and less reader bias than scales and dorsal spines.

We undertook field surveys for Cicindela marginata (Salt Marsh Tiger Beetle) in Maine and confirmed its presence at previously documented sites and at new locations in the southern third of the state. We found no evidence that this species has experienced a recent decline in Maine. We observed adults and larvae in a variety of sparsely vegetated sandy microhabitats in tidal ecosystems. Our findings suggest broader ecological amplitude for C. marginata than simply backdune-marsh strands. Variability within occupied salt marsh habitats suggests the potential for substantial differences in habitat use and resilience of C. marginata in comparison to other coastal tiger beetle species. Nevertheless, better baseline documentation and understanding of this species' biology is needed in light of current and emerging threats to coastal habitats. We recommend that researchers conduct comprehensive C. marginata inventories throughout its range that take a far-reaching approach in terms of site selection, microhabitats searched, and life stages sought.

Prior to arrival of white-nose syndrome, we found bats hibernating in 82 of 119 abandoned mines in northern Michigan. Unoccupied sites typically were short (19 ± 17 m SD) and/or experienced chimney-effect airflow, which led to temperatures near or below freezing (-0.8 ± 2.9 ºC). Overall, occupied sites were more structurally complex, longer (307 ± 865 m), and warmer (5.7 ± 3.0 ºC) than unoccupied mines. Number of bats varied from 1 to > 55,000, although the median was 115. Perimyotis subflavus (Eastern Pipistrelle) and Eptesicus fuscus (Big Brown Bat) accounted for only 0.5% of the total of 244,341 bats that were observed. Ninety percent of hibernating animals were Myotis lucifugus (Little Brown Bat), and almost 10% were M. septentrionalis (Northern Bat). Relative to Little Brown Bats, Northern Bats were more common in the mines of the Upper Peninsula than in hibernacula in the East and Ohio River Valley. Maximum ambient temperature, presence of standing water, and water vapor pressure deficit were potential predictors of the number of Myotis that was present. Seventy-five percent of Northern Bats and 22% of Little Brown Bats roosted alone, rather than cluster with other bats. Little Brown Bats in Michigan were solitary much more often than in the East.

Native populations of lampreys are declining throughout the Great Lakes drainage basin due to habitat loss and degradation, anthropogenic stresses, and stream treatment with lampricides to control the exotic Petromyzon marinus (Sea Lamprey). We surveyed 19 streams across Pennsylvania to determine the presence/absence of six species that were historically found there. In 2011, we found four species—Lamptera aepyptera (Least Brook Lamprey), Lethenteron appendix (American Brook Lamprey), Ichthyomyzon greeleyi (Mountain Brook Lamprey), and Sea Lamprey—in 14 creeks statewide. In 2012, we found three species—Least Brook Lamprey, American Brook Lamprey, and Mountain Brook Lamprey— in 8 creeks in the Allegheny watershed. Lampreys appeared to be extirpated at some sites. Historically, Ichthyomyzon bdellium (Ohio Lamprey) and Ichthyomyzon fossor (Northern Brook Lamprey) were reported, but we did not observe these species during our study. Substrate analysis indicated ammocoetes preferred substrates with a particle diameter of <0.3 mm in shallow, warm water. In tributaries of Lake Erie, lampricide treatment to control Sea Lamprey may be a major reason for the population decline of native lamprey species.

Wild stock Castanea dentate (American Chestnut) were planted at the edge of a forest clearing in western Maine in 1982, and four had grown to a height of 13 m and diameter breast high of 39 cm by 2014. They showed no sign of disease and were producing annual seed crops. The seeds had been spread in the surrounding forest by animal-made seed caches placed up to at least 300 m from the source; 238 surviving offspring (119 of them one-year old) of the planted trees were located in 139 groupings. Of the surviving seedlings, 110 were growing singly, although groupings ranged from two to 20. At least six of the animal-spread seeds had, by 2014, produced 2–6.5-m-tall saplings that were growing up to 70 cm per year. Experiments of seed survival showed high seed predation at or near the ground surface, but fresh seeds placed 10 cm underground in the fall had 80% survival to the seedling stage after one year. Comparative behavior of seed foragers, as well as the distance and pattern of seed dispersal, implicate Cyanocitta cristata (Blue Jay) as the most likely primary dispersers and planters of the chestnut seeds.

Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) at Ten Acre Pond in central Pennsylvania have been monitored on a yearly, monthly, and often weekly basis for over half a century, making the Odonata fauna of the pond the most thoroughly documented of any habitat in the United States. Here we summarize the yearly and seasonal distribution of all species reported from 1955 through 2011. Of the 938 Odonata surveys at this semi-permanent pond, 60% are since 1994 when observations were last summarized. Of the 86 species observed at least once, 14 appeared since 1994. Several species that were rare or absent before 1980 have established transient populations, and a few with southern affinities have become well established. The pond's water levels often fluctuate dramatically from year to year and through the year. For populations of “resident” species, recolonization from other local populations occurs efficiently after periods of drought.

We examined the suitability of an invasive Asian earthworm, Amynthas agrestis (Asian Crazy Worm or Alabama Jumper), as a prey item for a variety of native and naturalized North American predators. We conducted no-choice feeding trials with three edaphic predators—the nonindigenous Bipalium adventitium (Wandering Broadhead Planarian), Scolopocryptops sexspinosus (Eastern Red Centipede), and Desmognathus monticola (Seal Salamander)—and two aquatic predators, Nephelopsis obscura (Ribbon Leech) and Oronectes rusticus (Rusty Crayfish). During feeding trials, Am. agrestis exhibited a variety of novel defensive strategies, including apparent distastefulness, autotomization of posterior body segments, secretion of a yellow fluid, and thrashing. Planarians, leeches, and salamanders were more likely to capture lumbricid earthworm prey than Am. agrestis prey. Rusty Crayfish showed limited differences in capture rates among the earthworm species, while Eastern Red Centipedes were equally adept at capturing all earthworm species tested. Our results suggest that endemic arthropods may provide a measure of biological resistance against incipient Am. agrestis invasions.