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Zombies and Aliens, Right Here in the Watershed

by | Oct 1, 2026 | Backyard Conservation, Wildlife

Zombies and Aliens, Right Here in the Watershed!

By Robin Brick

 

A deceased Orthopteran

A deceased Orthopteran, with fruiting bodies of Ophiocordyceps. The insect has climbed onto vegetation and is  in the “death grip” position as a result of  the fungus. Photographed by Shaun Pogacnik on iNaturalist, observed in OH.

Happy Halloween! If you’re anything like me, you love a good story about a scary monster. It’s fun to make up these creatures, but oftentimes, they’re not completely made up. Nature can be crueler than any human imagination.

For example, you may have heard of the “zombie ant fungus,” through its inspiration on “The Last of Us,” or Pokémon’s Paras and Parasect. This species, Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, infects ants, and can be found in tropical rainforests. A neat, one-time evolutionary quirk… right? Well, today I’m here to tell you that these “zombie fungi” can be found all the way up here in Ohio, and aren’t limited to ants. (Don’t get too many nightmares, though, they’re nowhere near infecting humans.)

Scarlet Caterpillar Club

Scarlett Caterpillar Club, emerging from a pupae. Photographed by iNaturalist user shroomydan in Wayne National Forest, OH.

Take for example the Scarlet Caterpillar Club (SCC,) Cordyceps militaris. An infection with this fungus will perhaps make the fate of the “zombie ant” look kind. A recent study has shown that the SCC can induce a starvation response in its host, causing excessive feeding. However, no amount of food will quell this starvation. Instead, when the caterpillar pupates, SCC will nourish itself on the body, benefitting from all the gained weight. It kills its host well before it can complete metamorphosis (Zhao et al, 2025.)

Parasitoid wasp

Dozens of pupae of the Hornworm Parasitoid Wasp attached to a caterpillar. Photographed by iNaturalist user okmiller115 in Columbus, OH.

If “The Last of Us” isn’t your style, then how about one of my personal favorite Halloween movies, “Alien”? It turns out you don’t have to go to space to find a creature that eats others from the inside out. Meet the parasitoid wasps.

Parasitoid wasps provide for their young with live prey. Some will paralyze prey, and fly it back to their nests, so that it’s still fresh when its larvae hatch. Sometimes, to give their young an extra head start, they’ll lay an egg directly on the host, so they can chow down the moment they hatch. Or, to REALLY get a head start, some species lay eggs inside their host, using a needle-like organ called the “ovipositor.” When hatched, the larvae chew their way from the inside out. Perhaps one of the best examples of this is the Hornworm Parasitoid Wasp. When they finally eat their way out of their hornworm hosts, they pupate, still attached to the body, making the caterpillar’s fate very apparent to any onlooker.

The majority of wasp families are parasitoids. In fact, current evidence shows that this is an ancestral trait among wasps, as well as bees and ants! (Heraty et al, 2011.) Those in the clade who do not exhibit this trait have simply abandoned this habit for a different lifecycle, meaning that the ancestors of the pollinivorous bees we know and love were also eating prey alive.

That shouldn’t make you love bees any less. And, in my opinion, you should love wasps more. Yes, this piece is Halloween fun, but it’s meant to inspire awe, not fear. While the imagery of these wasps may be creepy or painful, they are not acting on cruelty, but rather, are instinctually ensuring the survival of their own young. This process is also an important part of a balanced ecosystem. In fact, parasitoid wasps are a source of biological pest control! (Raupp et al, 2016.) If you’re a gardner, consider saying “Happy Halloween” to these friends of yours.

FLOW GROWS…TREES!

by | Sep 1, 2026 | Backyard Conservation, Events, News, Volunteers

FLOW GROWS…TREES!

by David Poole

Most know FLOW as a river cleanup and water quality monitoring organization, and yes, FLOW does all of that. However, many are not aware that FLOW supports three tree nurseries and typically grows 2,000 to 3,000 trees every year, starting with newly propagated trees known as “whips”. The whips are potted, nurtured, and become viable saplings within the first growing season. In the Fall, they are given away to residents or businesses within the lower Olentangy River watershed.*

FLOW has been looking after the river since 1997. It conducts extensive water-quality sampling and analysis with the help of the Ohio State University chemistry department. The water quality of the river and some of its tributaries is made available to the public as “Report Cards” most years. FLOW also organizes river cleanups throughout the spring, summer, and fall to help keep the river beautiful.

FLOW began growing trees around 2015 when it became clear that trees were highly beneficial and money was available through grants from governmental and non-governmental organizations. Trees provide benefits to the river, water quality, and wildlife. Among the ecological services provided by trees are stabilizing bank soil, providing shade that reduces water temperature, and improving ecosystem quality for microorganisms, macroinvertebrates, and wildlife.

Bank erosion results in too many soil particles entering the water. The clay particles create turbidity, the brownish/tan color often seen after rainfall events. Eroded soils can contain excess nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates, mostly from fertilizers. While some turbidity is normal and beneficial, too much prevents light from entering the water column, which is needed for many organisms to grow and provide a base for the food chain. The Olentangy river and its tributaries have areas where large bank erosion is occurring. Techniques have been developed to help stabilize these areas. These include the use of both woody debris and live tree plantings. Woody debris also provides habitat for wildlife.

Trees play an integral role in reducing climate heating, which is a result of man’s influence on the atmosphere. Trees absorb CO2 and sequester (store) it in the woody limbs, trunks and roots through photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide is the principal enemy in the war against rising global temperatures. It is theorized that trees could offset about 20% or more of the current CO2 releases. This would require planting many more trees wherever the land could support them. This is taking place all over the world, with work being done by many organizations such as FLOW.

The work FLOW does growing trees is all done by volunteers. The knowledge and skills required to successfully grow thousands of trees are provided by many talented individuals, including some former professional nurserymen. 100’s of volunteers provide the labor to make this a growing venture. Along the way, volunteers also learn how trees are grown from the whip stage to saplings to caliper-sized trees.

In summary, FLOW grows trees to improve water quality, habitat for wildlife, and, perhaps most importantly, help in the fight against climate change by reducing atmospheric CO2.

*FLOW’s 2026 tree giveaway is starting soon! Click image or scan QR code to register for your own new tree or shrub!

tree giveaway flyer

More info on our giveaway

How to choose and care for a tree or shrub

 

Graywater Recycling in Ohio

by | Aug 1, 2026 | Backyard Conservation, Water Resources

By Avery Benjamin

 
With temperatures hitting record highs every summer and periods of drought becoming more common in Ohio, it makes sense for savvy backyard environmentalists to conserve water while maintaining their home gardens. Rain barrels are a popular low-cost option with easy setup and maintenance. But if you’re interested in getting more technical, here’s an ingenious way to reuse water from your own home!

 

According to the EPA, the average American sends 82 gallons of water down the drain each day, even though some is perfectly suitable for watering plants. That’s where residential graywater recycling systems come in. These plumbing systems collect wastewater from sources such as washing machines, showers, and bathtubs, then divert it to subsurface irrigation lines. Ohio regulations specify that any such water that does not contain food or bodily wastes can be used to irrigate gardens, lawns, landscape plants, and even food crops, excluding root vegetables and those with edible portions that would come into contact with the graywater.

 

The state divides graywater recycling systems into four categories based on their capacity and use case. The most common types for individual households are type 1 (recycling less than 60 gallons of water per day, likely from a single source) and type 2 (recycling between 60 and 1,000 gallons of water per day, which is typical for a whole-house system). All types of graywater systems require a permit from the local health department, as detailed in the Ohio administrative code. You can install one using a DIY kit or by contacting a professional. Prices vary by complexity and irrigation goals.
 
 
 
Graywater recycling diagram

An example of a residential graywater recycling system (https://www.buildinggreen.com/feature/using-graywater-landscape-irrigation)

 

The above diagram depicts a graywater system with a screen to filter out solid material like hair and lint, as well as a surge tank that overflows into the sewer. Importantly, the surge tank only stores graywater briefly, as it will eventually start to smell due to bacteria breaking down the organic matter within. In a setup like this, also note that it is essential to use biocompatible (not just biodegradable) laundry detergent that won’t harm your plants over time.

 

So what are the benefits of installing a graywater system? You can adjust the scale to suit your needs (for example, only installing a diverter on your washing machine), but if you’re just taking care of a few plants, the cost may not be worth it. However, if you have ambitions for a large vegetable garden, a pollinator paradise, or a backyard full of fruit trees, it may be just the thing for you. Graywater irrigation can keep your plants watered without you having to lift a finger, all while saving money, energy, and being an environmentally conscious option. If you’re on the fence, then still keep an ear out for anything you hear about graywater tech! It’s sure to evolve over time, and many people and organizations around the country are using it creatively.

Video now posted: Learn about making honeysuckle wood benches from George Anderson

by | Jul 14, 2026 | Backyard Conservation, Events, News, Volunteers

FLOW has been working hard for years to remove invasive honeysuckle from the watershed. One long-time volunteer, woodworker George Anderson, has found beauty in the wood of this aggressive woodland intruder, turning the logs into useful and attractive rustic benches. Come to the webinar and hear him share hints and tips for working with honeysuckle; how to choose the wood, what tools to use, how to finish the benches, and more. The webinar will begin with a short video taken in his woodworking studio, followed by a live question and answer session.

UPDATE: Here’s the video of the webinar with the Q+A at the end.


honeysuckle bench

 

The bees of Spring

by | Jun 1, 2026 | Backyard Conservation, Pollinators, Wildlife

The bees of Spring

By Jamie Strange and Dante Centouri

As the snow disappears and the first flowers of spring are starting to push through the soil of Clintonville, you are likely seeing some bloom in your gardens or around the neighborhoods and parks.

And where you see flowers blooming, bees are never far behind. At this point you may be envisioning a European honey bee, which are certainly present in town, but Ohio is home to more than just honey bees.  More than 400 species of native bees can be found in Ohio. Each species contributes the vital ecosystem service of pollination, critical for the health of our gardens, farms, and wildlands.

miner bee on spring beauty

Spring beauty miner bee

While many of our bee friends are welcome guests on flowers, like our human friends, some arrive with… baggage. Every summer our lab gets numerous calls asking for help with carpenter bees that are nesting in structures, so we understand the balance between preserving biodiversity and maintaining property.

Early spring sees the emergence of several species of ground nesting bees that some people find problematic. Why? Because they build their nests in our lawns and gardens and this can be alarming.

The two types of early spring bees you are likely to see in Clintonville in the next few weeks are mining bees (genus Andrena) and polyester bees (genus Colletes) both of which can form large aggregations of nests in the right conditions.

ground nesting cellophane bee

Ground nesting cellophane bee

There is no need to panic, though, because most ground nesting bees are extremely docile, won’t hurt your landscape, and won’t bother you for long. These bees make solitary nests, not colonies. Each nest is composed of a small cavity in the soil lined with plant material, leaves, or a polyester secretion. The bee will then fill it with pollen for its larvae, lay an egg, and close up the cavity before digging a new hole and repeating the process. A single female may raise a half dozen or more offspring in this way. After three or four weeks of filling the nest with larvae, the adult bee will die leaving the larvae to develop under the ground for the next year.

The bees are not interested in you, only in raising their babies and collecting pollen. While the aggregations of some mining and polyester bees seem like a threat, most solitary native bees only sting if you force them to do so, by grabbing them or kneeling on them. Even when they do sting, they have only a fraction of the venom that honeybees do so the pain and risk of a severe reaction is much less.

cellophane bee on winter aconite

Cellophane bee on winter aconite

There is no need to kill or relocate these bees because even the busiest aggregations are active for only a few weeks each spring. The benefits they bring to your garden and wildflowers far outstrip the risk they pose to you, your children, or your pets.

Whenever possible avoid disturbing the area but feel free to get up close and watch them work. You can learn more about these and other fascinating native bees here https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ent-85.

 

Dr. Jamie Strange is professor at the Ohio State University in the Department of Entomology and directs the Bumble Bee Health and Genetics Lab and Dante Centouri is a PhD student in the lab working on bumble bee and solitary bee population conservation.

Bugs of the Watershed

by | Apr 29, 2026 | Backyard Conservation, Wildlife

Bugs of the Watershed

By Robin Brick

Bugs may be small, but did you know that arthropods make up 42% of all animal biomass? To put that into perspective, humans make up 2.5%, wild mammals only 0.3%, and wild birds only 0.1% (Bar-On et al, 2018.) What I’m saying is that the world gets a whole lot bigger with an appreciation of the bugs around you! 

But what is a “bug?” Some use it to refer to insects, a class of animals known for their three segmented bodies and 6 legs. Yet many also refer to animals like spiders or centipedes as bugs, animals that certainly do not fit this definition. Some however, may not go broader, but narrower, using “bug” to refer to the “true bugs” of the order Hemiptera, insects united by their piercing mouthparts. Personally, because “bug” is not a scientific group akin to “insect,” I believe any arthropod to be fair game to count as a “bug.”

Beauty is often associated with butterflies, but moths deserve credit too! Some of the best examples are those in the family Saturniidae, more commonly known as the “giant silk moths” or “emperor moths.” They live up to their names, the Cecropia moth is North America’s largest native moth, and has five to seven inches (13 to 18 centimeters). They’re about as big as an adult human hand! (NWF, nd.) 

These moths have quite the interesting life cycle. Most caterpillars will pupate in the fall, and won’t emerge until spring. (Coleman, 2012.) When the adult moths emerge, they have no mouth! Their only goal is to mate, and they will do so using only energy stored from their larval stage. Females that have not yet mated will release pheromones, and males can pick them up up to 7 miles away using organs in their antennae called sensilla. Because of the importance of antennae to pheromone detection, males will have larger antennae. (Chathuranga, 2013.)

A cecropia moth perched on a human hand. Photographed by Elizabeth Sellers on June 19, 2011, on Flickr.

A cecropia moth perched on a human hand. Photographed by Elizabeth Sellers on June 19, 2011, on Flickr.

 

A list with images of all Saturniidae species observed in Ohio on iNaturalist, including quantities of observations.

A list with images of all Saturniidae species observed in Ohio on iNaturalist, including quantities of observations.

Our next bug may be a “natural enemy,” but don’t let that name fool you, they could be your friend! They’re the jumping spiders! These spiders have very large, distinctive eyes. Perhaps what is more distinctive, however, is that unlike other spiders, they do not spin webs to capture their prey. Instead, they stalk and pounce, being able to go 29 times their body weight! (Griffith & Gardiner, 2016.)

Jumping spiders have also become popular pets recently. Personally, I think they’re adorable, so it’s easy for me to see why. However, interestingly, many owners began as arachnophobes, and adopted these creatures in an attempt to overcome their fear of spiders. These attempts are often successful, as owners, and viewers of their social media videos, see their cuteness and become acquainted with their personalities. (Hartounian, 2025.)

A bold jumping spider, photographed by Harlem S. on iNaturalist

A bold jumping spider, photographed by Harlem S. on iNaturalist

This last bug may be a favorite of gardeners, horror movie fans, or both. It’s the lacewings! You may also know of these bugs as “aphid lions,” a name given to their larval stage due to their predation habits. These bugs will pierce aphids and other insects with their sharp mandibles, and then suck out all the liquid inside of them. One larva can eat 200 insects a day, leading many gardeners to purchase eggs for their gardens. As adults, they may remain predatory, or begin feeding on pollen, nectar and honeydew, depending on species. (Griffith & Gardiner, 2016.)

Chrysopa_oculata

An image of a green lacewing adult, photographed by Robert Webster on the Wikimedia Commons.

 

Lacewing_Larva

An image of a lacewing larva, or “aphid lion,” photographed by Katja Schulz on the Wikimedia Commons.

The bugs featured here are just a tiny, tiny fraction of what the watershed has to offer! If you’d like to learn about more bugs the Watershed has to offer, you can explore iNaturalist, or just simply keep your eyes open when you go outside, and maybe snap a few photos of the bugs you see! If you’d like to see a sequel to this article, do let us know, I certainly have plenty more to say!