Often noticed but seldom seen are the little clusters of maple seeds. These are under some very large maple trees where the grass is very thin and they are easily noticed. After passing by I remembered seeing piles of worm casing under the same maple trees so I returned to investigate.
[img]https://www.jbest123.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/11-560x420.jpg[/img]
Here there are three or four seeds that the winged part of the seed is completely buried in worm casing.
[img]https://www.jbest123.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/21-560x420.jpg[/img]
I gently removed the seeds and uncovered two worm holes.
[img]https://www.jbest123.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/31-560x420.jpg[/img]
In this photo I had uncovered the third hole. The casing is better defined and there are maple seeds with the winged portion and skin that I assume were eaten off. Any thoughts as to how worms can harvest maple seeds without opposing thumbs? John
[img]https://www.jbest123.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/41-560x420.jpg[/img]
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Cool observations.
I'm reminded about the warnings of worms in the northern forests where they don't normally survive the cruel winters. The invasive worms will eat the forest duff eliminating the mulching effect of that duff and plants and animals that depend on that duff don't survive leaving a less diverse forest.
Some squirrels left a bunch of dirt next to a concrete block wall on a concrete deck. From the wet season some worms made their way in. I was cleaning up the mess and I could see the worm tunnels in the now hard clay. They add structure as they go along aerating things. The survivors made it into my now cooling bin.
have fun
..
Cool observations.
I'm reminded about the warnings of worms in the northern forests where they don't normally survive the cruel winters. The invasive worms will eat the forest duff eliminating the mulching effect of that duff and plants and animals that depend on that duff don't survive leaving a less diverse forest.
Some squirrels left a bunch of dirt next to a concrete block wall on a concrete deck. From the wet season some worms made their way in. I was cleaning up the mess and I could see the worm tunnels in the now hard clay. They add structure as they go along aerating things. The survivors made it into my now cooling bin.
have fun
..