Pycnanthemum muticum (blunt mountain mint)

Overview

• Scientific name: Pycnanthemum muticum

• Common names: Blunt mountain mint, short-toothed mountain mint, clustered mountain mint

• Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)

• Native range: Eastern and central North America – from New England and the Midwest south to Florida and Texas.

• Habitats: Moist meadows, woodland edges, open prairies, and savannas; tolerates disturbed areas with adequate moisture.

• Growth habit:

  • Perennial; clump-forming but spreads moderately by rhizomes.

  • Height: 2–3 feet tall.

  • Leaves: Fragrant, opposite, oval; emit a strong minty aroma when crushed.

  • Flowers: Dense clusters of tiny pinkish-white tubular flowers; surrounded by silvery bracts that give a frosted appearance.

  • Bloom period: Mid- to late summer (July–September).

Ecological Role

1. Keystone Nectar Plant

• Produces extremely nectar-rich flowers that attract a vast array of pollinators.

• Considered one of the most pollinator-dense native plants in North American prairies and meadows.

2. Supports Pollinator Biodiversity

• Attracts native bees (sweat bees, bumble bees, leafcutter bees, resin bees), wasps (sand wasps, great golden digger wasps, potter wasps), butterflies, skippers, moths, and flies.

• Supports beneficial predatory wasps that control pests (e.g., caterpillars, leafhoppers, grasshoppers).

3. Aromatic Defense

• Strong aromatic oils deter mammalian herbivory (e.g., deer, rabbits).

• These oils also have antimicrobial properties, historically used by Indigenous peoples for medicinal purposes.

4. Summer-Fall Forage Bridge

• Fills a nectar gap in mid to late summer, when early summer blooms (e.g., penstemons, milkweeds) are finished and before goldenrods/asters dominate in fall.

• Essential for sustaining pollinators during critical summer brood rearing and pre-migration fattening (e.g., monarchs).

5. Soil and Habitat Benefits

• Deep roots help stabilize soil in meadow restorations.

• Clump-forming habit suppresses weeds, supporting prairie diversity without becoming aggressive.

Wildlife Supported

Pollinators

• Native bees: Sweat bees (Lasioglossum, Halictus), bumble bees (Bombus spp.), leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.), carpenter bees.

• Wasps: Great golden digger wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus), cicada killer (Sphecius speciosus), sand wasps (Bembix spp.), thread-waisted wasps (Ammophila spp.), potter wasps.

• Butterflies and skippers: Common buckeye (Junonia coenia), clouded sulphur (Colias philodice), silver-spotted skipper (Epargyreus clarus).

• Flies and beetles: Syrphid flies (hoverflies), soldier beetles.

Birds

• Indirect support: attracts insects that are eaten by songbirds (e.g., flycatchers, warblers).

Mammals

• Low browse pressure due to aromatic foliage; not a primary food source.

Growth and Planting Notes

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (best flowering in full sun).

• Soil: Moist to medium; tolerates clay or sandy loam.

• Spread: Rhizomatous but manageable; forms dense, pollinator-friendly clumps.

• Maintenance:

  • Cut back in late winter or early spring.

  • Allow stems to remain standing over winter for beneficial insect overwintering.

Companion Plants

• Pair with other mid-to-late summer natives for layered bloom and structure:

  • Liatris spp. (blazing star)

  • Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot)

  • Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower)

  • Solidago spp. (goldenrods)

  • Symphyotrichum spp. (asters)

  • Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem) for grasses.

Conservation and Restoration Value

• Widely used in prairie restorations, pollinator gardens, and meadows due to its exceptional insect diversity support.

• Functions as a magnet species: attracts pollinators to the site, increasing pollination of nearby plants.

• High value for beneficial wasp populations, which in turn control herbivorous insects naturally.

Key Ecological Takeaways

• High nectar production = supports hundreds of pollinator species.

• Aromatic foliage = deer- and rabbit-resistant, ideal for diverse plantings.

• Seasonal gap filler = sustains pollinators mid-late summer.

• Supports predatory wasps = indirectly enhances ecosystem pest control.

• Easy to grow and resilient = excellent for gardens and large-scale restorations.

Sphex ichneumoneus (Great Golden Digger Wasp)

Overview

• Scientific name: Sphex ichneumoneus

• Common name: Great Golden Digger Wasp

• Family: Sphecidae (Thread-waisted wasps)

• Range: Widespread in North America—southern Canada through most of the United States into Central America.

• Habitat: Meadows, prairies, open woodlands, gardens—especially areas with sandy or loose soil for nesting and abundant nectar sources.

• Appearance: Large (20–25 mm), slender wasp with a reddish-orange thorax, golden hairs on the thorax, and black abdomen with orange wings.

Life Cycle and Behavior

1. Emergence: Adults appear in midsummer (July–September).

2. Nesting: Females dig burrows in sandy or loose soils, often in open sunny areas.

3. Hunting/Provisioning:

   • Females paralyze katydids and grasshoppers (Orthoptera) and place them in the burrow as food for larvae.

   • One to several prey items are placed per chamber; an egg is laid on the paralyzed insect.

4. Larvae: Feed on the live but immobilized prey until pupation.

5. Overwintering: The species overwinters in the pupal stage, emerging the following summer.

Ecological Role

1. Predator / Natural Pest Control

• Reduces populations of katydids and grasshoppers, which are herbivores of native plants and crops.

• Helps maintain balance in grassland ecosystems by limiting orthopteran outbreaks.

2. Pollinator

• Adults feed exclusively on flower nectar and are important pollinators for a wide range of prairie wildflowers.

• Frequently visit flowers with easily accessible nectar (composites, mints, milkweeds).

3. Soil Aerator

• Burrowing behavior aerates soil, aiding water infiltration and nutrient cycling.

4. Prey for Higher Trophic Levels

• Serves as food for birds, spiders, and predatory insects; their nests may be parasitized by cuckoo wasps or bee flies.

Best Native Plants to Support Sphex ichneumoneus

Larvae:

• Do not feed on plants directly but require habitats supporting katydids and grasshoppers—this means native grasses and forbs that sustain orthopteran populations.

Adults (nectar feeders):

• Need abundant mid-to-late summer nectar plants in open sunny areas.

Key Nectar Plants (Mid–Late Summer Bloom)

Mints (Lamiaceae)

• Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum, P. virginianum) – Top attractor for digger wasps and many pollinators.

• Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) – Long bloom period, thrives in dry to medium soils.

Composites (Asteraceae)

• Blazing stars (Liatris spp.) – Dense nectar spikes mid-late summer.

• Goldenrods (Solidago spp.) – Crucial late-season nectar.

• Aromatic and New England asters (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium, S. novae-angliae) – Fall-blooming nectar sources.

Milkweeds (Apocynaceae)

• Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

• Swamp milkweed (A. incarnata)

• Butterfly milkweed (A. tuberosa)
  (Provide midsummer nectar; also support monarchs.)

Legumes (Fabaceae)

• Purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea)

• White prairie clover (Dalea candida)
  (Supports both nectar needs and grasshopper prey populations.)

Habitat Recommendations

1. Open, Sunny Spaces with Bare Soil

   • Loose, sandy or loamy soil for burrow nesting.

   • Avoid excessive mulch or dense turf grass.

2. Prairie Plant Diversity

   • Mix of nectar-rich forbs and native grasses (little bluestem, prairie dropseed) to support katydid prey populations.

3. Continuous Bloom

   • Sequence nectar plants to provide food from June–September.

4. No Pesticides

   • Insecticides harm wasps, their prey, and nectar plants.

5. Structural Diversity

   • Mix tall flowering plants with low grasses to create foraging and nesting habitat.

Ecological Significance

• Pollinator: Vital for prairies and meadows, visiting a wide range of native flowers.

• Predator: Controls orthopterans naturally without harming ecosystems.

• Indicator species: Their presence signals healthy sandy soils and diverse prairie habitats.

• Beneficial insect: Harmless to humans (rarely stings unless handled).

Conservation Notes

• Populations benefit from:

  • Native prairie restoration.

  • Maintaining open soil patches for nesting.

  • Planting diverse nectar plants blooming mid- to late-summer.

• Declines can occur with:

  • Habitat loss (conversion to turf grass or development).

  • Pesticide use.

  • Loss of prey (katydids/grasshoppers) due to lack of native vegetation.

Sphecius speciosus (Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp)

Overview

• Scientific name: Sphecius speciosus

• Common name: Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp

• Family: Crabronidae

• Range: Eastern and central North America (southern Canada to Mexico).

• Habitat: Sandy or loose soils in open, sunny areas—lawns, fields, woodland edges, dunes.

• Size & Appearance: Large solitary wasp (2–5 cm); black body with yellow bands and reddish wings/legs. Often mistaken for hornets but generally docile.

Life Cycle

1. Emergence: Adults appear in mid to late summer (July–September).

2. Mating: Males establish territories; females excavate burrows in sandy or loose soils.

3. Hunting: Females paralyze cicadas, drag them into burrows, and lay an egg on the prey.

4. Larval development: Larvae feed on cicadas, overwinter in the burrow, and pupate the following spring.

5. Adult lifespan: A few weeks in summer; non-colonial and do not defend nests aggressively.

Ecological Role

1. Predator / Natural Pest Control

• Specializes in cicadas (Cicadidae); helps regulate cicada populations.

• Cicada population control indirectly benefits trees by reducing sap-feeding damage and branch flagging caused by cicada egg-laying.

2. Soil Aeration

• Burrowing activity loosens and aerates soil, contributing to soil health and water infiltration.

3. Prey for Higher Trophic Levels

• Adults and larvae are preyed upon by birds, mammals (skunks, raccoons), and parasitic flies (e.g., Sarcophagidae).

4. Pollinator

• Adults feed on nectar from flowers (not cicadas), aiding pollination of summer-blooming wildflowers.

Behavior and Human Interaction

• Non-aggressive: Males patrol burrow areas and may hover around people but cannot sting. Females sting only to subdue cicadas and rarely sting humans unless handled.

• Often misunderstood due to size and activity around human lawns but pose little threat.

Best Native Plants to Support Sphecius speciosus

While their larvae rely exclusively on cicadas (not plants), adults need nectar for energy. To support them, plant mid-to-late summer blooming native flowers, especially in open sandy or prairie habitats.

Nectar Sources (Mid–Late Summer Bloomers)

• Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum / P. muticum) – Highly attractive to wasps and other beneficial insects.

• Bee balm (Monarda fistulosa) – Excellent nectar for wasps and butterflies.

• Wild bergamot (Monarda punctata) – Good in sandy soils.

• Blazing stars (Liatris spp.) – Mid-summer nectar spikes; well-suited for prairies.

• Goldenrods (Solidago spp.) – Critical late-season nectar.

• Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) – Especially aromatic aster (S. oblongifolium) and New England aster (S. novae-angliae).

• Wild indigo (Baptisia spp.) – Also attracts pollinators and fixes nitrogen in soil.

Habitat Requirements

• Soil: Sandy, loose, well-drained soils for burrowing.

• Sun: Prefers full sun to open areas.

• Structure: Needs nearby trees hosting cicadas (oaks, maples, hickories, etc.).

• Avoid pesticides/herbicides: To protect both wasps and cicadas.

• Planting strategy: Combine nectar plants with canopy trees that support cicadas (native deciduous trees, especially oaks).

Supporting Cicada Populations (Indirect Host Need)

Cicada killers rely on healthy populations of periodical and annual cicadas. To support cicadas (and thus cicada killers):

• Plant native trees:

  • Oaks (Quercus spp.)

  • Maples (Acer spp.)

  • Hickories (Carya spp.)

  • Black walnut (Juglans nigra)

  • Elms (Ulmus spp.)

• Cicadas develop underground feeding on tree roots for several years before emerging.

Conservation Notes

• Not endangered, but populations depend on:

  • Availability of sandy soils (often lost to development or turf management).

  • Abundance of cicadas (tied to native tree health).

• Providing native flowering plants and host trees creates a dual habitat: nectar for adults, cicadas for larval provisioning.

Key Ecological Takeaways

• Predator role: Controls cicada populations naturally.

• Pollinator role: Supports pollination of native prairie and meadow plants.

• Soil role: Improves soil aeration and nutrient cycling.

• Indicator species: Presence suggests healthy sandy soils and cicada populations.

Colias philodice (clouded sulphur butterfly)

Overview

• Scientific name: Colias philodice

• Common name: Clouded sulphur

• Family: Pieridae (Whites and sulphurs)

• Range: Widespread across North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico.

• Habitat: Open fields, prairies, meadows, roadside edges, old pastures, and disturbed areas with legumes.

• Appearance: Medium-sized yellow butterfly with black wing borders; females may be white (alba form).

Life Cycle

1. Egg

   • Laid singly on host plant leaves (legumes).

2. Larva (caterpillar)

   • Green with yellow side stripes; feeds on foliage of leguminous plants.

3. Pupa (chrysalis)

   • Green or brown, attached to stems or leaves.

4. Adult butterfly

   • Active from spring through late fall; multiple broods in warm regions.

Ecological Role

1. Pollinator

• Adults visit a wide variety of flowers, especially composites and legumes, aiding in pollination of prairie and meadow plants (e.g., asters, goldenrods, clovers).

2. Herbivore (Larvae)

• Caterpillars feed on leaves of native legumes, especially clovers and vetches, playing a role in regulating plant populations and forming part of grassland food webs.

3. Prey Species

• Eggs, larvae, and adults are food for birds (sparrows, swallows), small mammals, spiders, and predatory insects (mantids, assassin bugs).

• Caterpillars host parasitoid wasps and tachinid flies, contributing to parasitoid diversity.

4. Indicator of Open-Habitat Health

• Abundant in healthy meadows and prairies; presence signals legume-rich habitats and overall grassland integrity.

Best Native Host Plants (for Caterpillars)

Colias philodice caterpillars feed exclusively on native legumes (Fabaceae). Important host species in the Midwest/Great Lakes include:

Primary Hosts

1. White prairie clover (Dalea candida)

   • Upright perennial; thrives in dry prairies.

2. Purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea)

   • Deep-rooted; valuable nectar and host plant.

3. Canada milk-vetch (Astragalus canadensis)

   • Prefers moist prairies and open wood edges.

4. American vetch (Vicia americana)

   • Climbing vine; grows in woodlands and prairies.

5. Bush clovers (Lespedeza spp.)

   • Includes roundhead and slender bush clover; important late-season forage.

Secondary Hosts (less common)

• Tick-trefoils (Desmodium spp.)

• Goat’s rue (Tephrosia virginiana)

• Leadplant (Amorpha canescens)

Best Native Nectar Plants (for Adults)

Adults nectar broadly on prairie flowers; prioritize long-blooming species:

• Spring/Summer: Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), coneflowers (Echinacea spp.), milkweeds (Asclepias spp.)

• Summer/Fall: Blazing stars (Liatris spp.), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), goldenrods (Solidago spp.), asters (Symphyotrichum spp.)

Habitat Recommendations

• Plant a mix of native legumes (prairie clovers, vetches, bush clovers) to provide continuous larval food sources.

• Combine legumes with diverse nectar plants (asters, goldenrods, bergamot) to support adults and other pollinators.

• Plant in open, sunny areas resembling natural prairies or meadows.

• Cluster plantings (3–5+ per species) improve butterfly detection and use.

• Avoid pesticides and mow only late fall or early spring to protect overwintering chrysalids.

Conservation Notes

• Widespread and common, but populations benefit from prairie restoration and native legume plantings.

• Declines can occur where clovers are replaced by non-native grasses or pesticides reduce larval survival.

• Planting native legumes supports not only clouded sulphurs but also other butterflies (e.g., orange sulphur Colias eurytheme) and native bees.

Why Supporting Colias philodice Benefits Ecosystems

• Legume host plants also improve soil nitrogen and support diverse bee communities.

• Clouded sulphurs provide food for higher trophic levels (birds, spiders, predatory insects).

• Their broad geographic range means plantings benefit both local and migrating individuals.

Danaus plexippus (monarch butterfly)

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the ecological role of Danaus plexippus (monarch butterfly) and the best native host plants to support them, especially in the Midwest/Great Lakes region:

Ecological Role of Danaus plexippus

1. Pollinator

• Adult monarchs feed on nectar from a wide variety of flowers, transferring pollen as they move between blooms.

• While not as efficient as bees, monarchs contribute to the pollination of native prairie and meadow plants, including asters, goldenrods, and milkweeds.

2. Keystone Species in Food Webs

• Monarch caterpillars are herbivores that feed exclusively on milkweed (Asclepias spp.), sequestering toxic cardiac glycosides that deter most predators.

• Some predators (e.g., certain birds like black-headed grosbeaks, orioles) and parasitoid wasps have evolved to tolerate or exploit monarchs as a food source.

• Their presence supports higher trophic levels, providing food for invertebrate and avian predators during both larval and adult stages.

3. Migratory Phenomenon

• Monarchs are central to one of North America’s most remarkable migrations, traveling thousands of miles between breeding grounds in the U.S./Canada and overwintering sites in Mexico (Oyamel fir forests) or coastal California.

• This migration links ecosystems across an entire continent, making them indicators of large-scale ecological health and connectivity.

4. Indicator Species

• Population fluctuations reflect habitat quality, climate change impacts, and pesticide/herbicide use across North America.

• Declines in monarch numbers signal loss of native prairies, pollinator meadows, and milkweed populations.

Habitat Needs

Monarchs require two major habitat components:

1. Larval host plants (milkweeds) for egg-laying and caterpillar food.

2. Nectar plants for adult energy, especially during migration.

Best Native Host Plants (Milkweeds)

Milkweeds (genus Asclepias) are the only plants monarch caterpillars eat. For the Midwest/Great Lakes (including Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin), the following are most suitable:

Top Host Species

1. Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

   • Tall, clumping; thrives in open fields, roadsides.

   • Extremely high egg-laying preference.

   • Widely adaptable; tolerates dry to moist soils.

2. Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

   • Bright orange flowers; highly attractive to both monarchs and other pollinators.

   • Prefers dry, sandy, or well-drained soils.

   • Great for garden use due to non-aggressive spread.

3. Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

   • Pink flowers; thrives in wetter soils, rain gardens, and near ponds.

   • Excellent nectar source for migrating adults.

4. Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata)

   • Narrow leaves, delicate white flowers.

   • Good for dry, sandy, or poor soils.

   • Blooms later in summer, extending food availability.

5. Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata)

   • Woodland edge species; tolerates part shade.

   • Good option for semi-shaded garden edges or woodland restorations.

Supporting Plants Beyond Milkweed

Nectar Sources

To fuel adults (especially migrants), include native flowering plants blooming spring–fall:

• Early Season: Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis).

• Summer: Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), blazing stars (Liatris spp.), bee balm (Monarda fistulosa), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta).

• Fall (critical for migration): Aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium), New England aster (S. novae-angliae), goldenrods (Solidago spp.).

Ecological Planting Tips

• Diversity: Mix at least 2–3 milkweed species with staggered bloom times and habitat tolerances.

• Clumps, not singles: Plant milkweeds in groups (3–5 or more) for easier detection by monarchs.

• Chemical-free: Avoid pesticides/herbicides; monarchs are sensitive to both direct toxins and reduced milkweed availability.

• Continuous nectar: Provide blooms from May through October to support breeding adults and migrants.

• Landscape integration: Pair milkweed with other prairie natives (e.g., prairie dropseed, little bluestem) for structural diversity and ecological resilience.

Conservation Significance

• Monarch populations have dropped by ~80–90% in the last two decades, largely due to habitat loss and pesticide use.

• Planting native milkweed and nectar sources is one of the most direct ways to aid their recovery, especially in urban/suburban areas where native prairies have been lost.