THOSE RAMPS: Contrary to our previous reports, ramps are
not leeks. So says Zach Ruth who tells us he’s lived in West
Virginia and can testify that ramps are more like a sweet onion –
not nearly as strong as our leeks. We’re in no position to argue
with someone’s tastebuds, but do know that ramps and wild leeks
share the same scientific name – “”Allium tricoccum.”” However, we
wonder if maybe climate and soil etc. helped to determine the
precise flavor. Seems logical. If you can solve this riddle, please
give us a call.
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NEW ONE: When we received information about a
pest known as the “”springtail,”” it was a new one on us.
[neWLine]
We thought it might be a new one to our readers, too, so we
decided to report on this tiny critter which apparently makes its
appearance in “”mass congregations.””[neWLine]
Our information is from the Bureau of Forestry, Elk State
Forest.[neWLine]
“”At least one time every year,”” they tell us, “”a concerned
citizen calls with a pest question about one of Pennsylvania’s more
curious residents. Most describe the ground as being alive with
thousands of tiny fleas.””[neWLine]
“”These calls usually turn out to be about springtails, which
are insects in the order Collembola.[neWLine]
“”Most Collembola have a tiny forked appendage on their abdomen,
called a furcula, which they hold in a retracted position. When
released, the appendage springs back, allowing them to jump great
distances and giving rise to the common name of
springtail.[neWLine]
“”Springtails are also often referred to as snowfleas, due to
their behavior of congregating on snowdrifts. There are about 812
species of springtails in North America, most of which feed on
detritus and fungi.[neWLine]
“”Springtails are an important component of the forest
ecosystem, helping to break down leaf litter into
soil.[neWLine]
“”They can also become a nuisance to homeowners, when
they mass in large numbers inside structures, usually in basements
with moisture or mold issues (this is what normally generates the
telephone calls). Though they cause no physical damage, they can be
alarming to a homeowner when high population numbers are
visible.
[neWLine]
“”Mass congregation encounters are amazing to witness, but often
short-lived and clear themselves up in a day or two, as habitat
conditions become less suitable.””
