What
Dicots (Class Magnoliopsida)Observer
irabanks3Description
Carnations are native to South America, but have been brought to the United States. They can be found in flower beds across the United States. They live in tropical and temperate forests, and die in the winter months. They are eaten by many insects and caterpillars, and they provide bees with a source of nectar. Carnations are important for an ecosystem because they produce oxygen and nectar, and are a food source for many insects.
What
Wood Ear Fungi (Genus Auricularia)Observer
irabanks3Description
Scarlet cups grow on dead organic material and feed on the organic material's nutrients. They can be found in temperate and tropical forests and grasslands. They are eaten by rabbits, mice, some insects, and badgers. They are important to an ecosystem because they help breakdown organic material and are a food source for many organisms.
What
Inchplant (Tradescantia zebrina)Observer
irabanks3Description
Wandering Jew is native to South America. It is found in tropical and temperate forests. It needs a warm climate and dies off in the winter. It has been imported throughout the United States. Insects, such as beetles, and caterpillars feed on its leaves. It is important to its ecosystem because it produces oxygen and is a food source for many insects.
What
Heart of Jesus (Caladium bicolor)Observer
irabanks3Description
Caladiums are native to South America. They live in temperate and tropical forests, and they have spread throughout most of the United States. They only live during the summer months and die throughout the winter. The leaves of the caladium are eaten by many insects such as caterpillars, beetles, and moths. The Caladium is important to an ecosystem because it produces oxygen, and is a food source to many insects.
What
Grasses (Family Poaceae)Observer
irabanks3Description
Pampas Grass grows in a wide range of climates, and is found all over the United States. its leaves are also evergreen It is used for food source for grazing animals, but is also eaten by many insects such as caterpillars and beetles. It is important to an ecosystem because it produces oxygen, and is a food source for insects and grazing animals.
What
Lady Beetles (Family Coccinellidae)Observer
irabanks3Description
Varied carpet Beetles are found i the Southern United states in temperate to tropical forests. They eat leaves from plants and grasses. They are hunted by other insects, birds, and spiders. They are important to an ecosystem because they keep the food web of the area in check.
What
Dicots (Class Magnoliopsida)Observer
irabanks3Description
Crepe Myrtles are found in warmer climates throughout the world. They are very flexible with the amount of rainfall they need and can endure light droughts. Crepe Myrtles are a food source to many insects such as caterpillars and beetles. They are important to an ecosystem because they produce oxygen, are a food source for insects, and provide housing for birds.
What
Mushrooms, Bracket Fungi, Puffballs, and Allies (Class Agaricomycetes)Observer
irabanks3Description
Fir coned Mushrooms can grow anywhere that there is another plant. they are mostly found in the forested eastern part of the United states. They feed off of the nutrients from the plant, and are eaten by many insects, birds, rabbits, badgers, and mice. They are important to an ecosystem because they help break down organic material and are a food source for many organisms.
What
Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)Observer
irabanks3Description
Magnolias need 8 hours of sunlight in order to grow and must be watered during dry seasons. They grow best in tropical conditions with a lot of rainfall. magnolia blossoms are eaten by beetles and other insects, but the beetles also pollinate the magnolia tree too. Magnolia trees provide a home to many birds, squirrels, and insects. they are important to an ecosystem because they produce oxygen, provide a home for animals, and are a food resource to many beetles.
What
Nosy Pill Woodlouse (Armadillidium nasatum)Observer
irabanks3Description
Sow bugs are found in just about every moist habitat such as under rocks and logs. Sow bugs feed on dead plants, fungi, algae, and decaying animals. They are hunted by birds, frogs, insects, centipedes, and spiders. Sow bugs are important to ecosystems because they help the process of decaying dead organisms, and are a food source for many organisms.
What
May Beetles (Genus Phyllophaga)Observer
irabanks3Description
June bugs are found all over North America. June bug Larvae live under ground in burrowed holes. and as an adult live in trees. as a larvae June bugs eat roots of grass and other plants. As an adult they eat plant leaves. June bugs are eaten by primarily birds spiders and moles. They are important to an ecosystem because the control the growth of some plants and provide a food source to many animals.
What
Typical Orbweavers (Subfamily Araneinae)Observer
irabanks3Description
Found all throughout the forested regions of Eastern North America. The spider builds its web in a circular shape, and often takes shelter inside homes during winter. The orb weaver spider traps insects inside its web for a source of food and often eats other spiders too. The spider is hunted by mice, birds, lizards, other spiders, and some insects. They are important for the stability of an ecosystem because they control the population of insects and are a common resource for food to other animals in the ecosystem.
What
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)Observer
irabanks3Description
Mourning doves are found in the North from Southern Canada down throughout all of the North and Central America to Panama. During the winter they migrate south. Mourning doves make their nests in trees and shrubs. They eat mostly nuts and seeds, but eat some insects and mollusks. They are hunted by falcons, foxes, cats, raccoons, and dogs. They are important to an ecosystem because they disperse seeds, and keep the insect population under control. They are also a major food source in it's ecosystem.
What
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis)Observer
irabanks3Description
Black-capped Chickadees are found in Alaska, Canada, and The Northern United States. The birds irregularly migrate toward the south during the winter, and they build their nests in hollowed trees and stumps. Chickadees eat mainly insects and spiders, but also eat berries, seeds, and suet. Chickadees are hunted by hawks, owls, Raccoons, and some squirrels. A black-capped Chickadees are important to an ecosystem because they help control the insect population and help disperse seeds. They are also a major food source for many predators too.
What
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)Observer
irabanks3Description
Northern Cardinals are found in temperate and tropical forests. They are found all over the eastern part of the United States. They make their nests in trees bushes and shrubs. Northern Cardinals eat all kinds of seeds by using their hard beak to crack open the shells, and they eat some insects. They are hunted by predatory birds such as different kinds of owls and hawks, and are also hunted by foxes cats and dogs. Northern Cardinals are important to their ecosystem because they help disperse seeds and are an important food source for many predators.
What
Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)Observer
irabanks3Description
Grey Squirrels are found all over the United States and it's population is limited mostly by habitats. Temperatures, except for extreme cold are not a factor for survival. They live in temperate forests. The squirrels live in hollow cavities in trees or abandoned bird nests. They eat Nuts seeds flowers and buds from neighboring trees. Grey squirrels also eat insects, bird eggs, and some fungi. They are prey of hawks, bobcats, wolves, and coyotes. Grey squirrels are important to an ecosystem because they help disperse tree seeds, and help keep the ecosystem's food web in check.
What
Long-bodied Cellar Spider (Pholcus phalangioides)Observer
irabanks3Description
The spider is native to Europe. It is unable to live in cold weather and is found in dry low lighted areas. Such as a cellar in a house. It eats small insects such as mosquitoes and woodlice. The spider also is known to eat other spiders that are poisonous to humans. They are mostly eaten by birds. These spiders help control the population of insects.
What
Fishbone Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia)Observer
irabanks3Description
Native to Northeast Australia and Asia. Must live in moist conditions in order for their spores to sprout. Ferns are used as indicators of the soil. Ferns, like other plants, produce oxygen for the surrounding ecosystem through photosynthesis Ferns thrive in soil with a certain PH condition. Ferns are consumed by most herbivores including deers, cows, caterpillars, moths, slugs and snails.