Cajun Prairie Posters, LSU - Eunice Honors Class

Plants of the Cajun Prairie and their Medicinal Purposes Hannah Poirrier, Haley Istre, and Landon Crowder 2011 Spring Semester Honors Seminar, Louisiana State University Eunice, Eunice, LA 70535

Introduction

The Cajun Prairie was a beautiful piece of land no doubt. It was filled with plants of countless species and breathtaking colors. Not only are these plants and flowers beautiful in presentation, but they were also used for medicinal purposes for humans (Vidrine 2010). These plants may continue to be used for people’s benefit in many different ways, as we rediscover and discover a variety of potential clinical uses. Whether it’s curing a sore throat or soothing a skin burn, these plants may be useful in medicinal areas. Vidrine et al.

(2008) describe the antimicrobial activities of several native mints. These are

just four of the many medicinal plants found on the Cajun Prairie.

BEE BALMS

Bee Balms’ (Monarda spp.) leaves, flowers and stems are used in alternative medicine, such as an antiseptic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic and stimulant. An infusion of this medicinal plant is used inside the body for the treatment of colds, headaches, and stomach disorders. The bee balm can also reduce fevers and soothe sore throat, and is also noted to relieve flatulence, nausea, menstrual pain and insomnia. Steam inhalation of the plant can be used by humans for sore throats and bronchial catarrh. It is used externally as a medicinal application for skin eruptions and infections (Kindscher 1992). These along with mountain mints were key in the antimicrobial research (Vidrine et al. 2008).

MILKWEEDS Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) are mostly perennial herbs and shrubs. They are known for their milky sap and the tuft of silky hairs on the seed. The flower buds, shoots, leaves, fruits, seeds, and stem have several medicinal purposes. The Indians used the roots to make a tea that was a laxative and diuretic. It has also been used to treat certain cases of asthma, rheumatism, as well as bronchial and pulmonary problems (Foster and Duke 1990 ; Kindischer 1992).

Plants and their Medicinal Uses GOLDENRODS

The flowers, leaves, and roots are used in remedies. American Indians used the roots of the Canada goldenrod to treat burns, the flowers to make a tea to treat fevers and snakebites, and crushed flowers to chew for sore throats. The Canada goldenrod contains quercetin, a compound found useful in treating hemorrhagic nephritis. The leaves of the sweet goldenrod are used in making a tea that was formerly used as a digestive stimulant, diaphoretic, diuretic, mild astringent, for colic, to regulate menses, stomach cramps, colds, fevers, dysentery, diarrhea, and measles. The tea also relieves kidney and bladder inflammation and

aids in sleeping and internal tissue healing. It was used as an external wash for rheumatism, neuralgia (spasmodic, chronic pain along a single nerve or group of nerves in the head and/or neck), asthma, arthritis, and headaches. Sweet goldenrod is used not only to make a tea but also it has some antimicrobial activity (Allen et al. 2005; Vidrine et al. 2008). The species found in the Cajun Prairie include:

Solidago odora Solidago rugosa Solidago semipervirens var. mexicana Solidago canadensis

Sweet Goldenrod Wrinkled leaf Goldenrod Seaside goldenrod Canada Goldenrod

Figure 2. Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa).

MAMOU The Mamou plant (Erythrina herbacea) is related to a large number of tropical species of trees. Its roots and seeds were used to make Mamou Cough Syrup, a blood-thinning concoction that allievated bronchial congestion by acting as an expectorant; it was sold over the counter for decades (Reese and Allen 2004). This plant forms a massive root stock. The red flowers are sought out by hummingbirds (Vidrine 2010).

Figure 4. Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)..

Conclusions As you can see the Cajun Prairie is much more than just a beautiful piece of land. It has served as a natural pharmacy. With these diverse flowers and fruits, there is something for every taste. No matter what illness or ailment you had acquired, the Cajun Prairie provided a potential treatment. Further research on these plants may reveal new and novel clinical uses, especially the potential for antimicrobial essential oils from the mint family (Vidrine et al. 2008).

Literature Cited

Allen, Charles, Andrew Allen and Harry Winters. 2005. Edible Plants of the Gulf South. Allen’s Native Ventures (Pitkin, Louisiana).

Foster, Steven, and James Duke. 1990. Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants.

Houghton Mifflin Company (New York).

Kindscher, Kelly. 1992. Medicinal Wild Plants of the Prairie. University Press of Kansas (Lawrence, KS).

Reese, William (Bill) and Charles M. Allen. 2004. Mamou: Acadian folklore, natural history, and botany of the Mamou plant. U. L. L. Press (Lafayette, LA).

Vidrine, Malcolm. 2010. The Cajun Prairie: A Natural History. M. F. Vidrine (Eunice, Louisiana).

Figure 1. Sweet Goldenrod.

Vidrine, M. F., J.S. Al-Dujaili, K. D. Joubert, and C. E. Vidrine. 2008. Meat, salad and microbes: Antimicrobial plants of the Cajun Prairie. Proceedings of the Lone Star Regional Native Plant Conference, 4: 71-80.

Figure 3. Mamou plant in full bloom.

Fire Ants and the Cajun Prairie

Allison Fusilier, Branden Lawson, and Hilton Soileau

2011 Spring Semester Honors Seminar, Louisiana State University Eunice, Eunice, LA 70535 INTRODUCTION

Fire ants are a variety of stinging ants with many species worldwide. They are distinct from other ants because when they sting, a burning sensation is felt. Like all other insects, a fire ant’s body consists of a head, thorax, and abdomen, with three pairs of legs and one pair of antennae. In a fire ant colony, there are three main roles: queen, drone, and worker.

The queen is the largest ant in the colony and, her foremost job is reproduction. There may be more than one queen in a colony, and a queen can live for many years. The males in the colony are drones. Their purpose is to mate with the queen for reproduction. They live for about four days. The workers are the sterile females. Their jobs consist of repairing and defending the nest, caring for the young ants, and feeding both the adult and young ants (Funderburg 2011).

CONCLUDING REMARKS

POSITIVE EFFECTS

• They reduce soil compaction and help ventilate the soil.

• They serve as food for many animals.

The Cajun Prairie and similar southern grassland habits, e.g., Longleaf Pine forests and freshwater marshes, are populated by these exotic, naturalized ants. They move entire colonies to higher ground following floods, even into modern brick dwellings.

These massive colonies serve as a major constructive/destructive force in the prairie landscape. Their mounds create disturbances that permit weedy, exotic species of plants to invade otherwise natural habitats. The ants are a selective device in that they eliminate entire populations of not only beneficial insects but also young vertebrates. These changes have habitat-wide impacts, which in the long term might make efforts to restore prairie even more difficult. The ants also eat monarch larvae, which adds additional stress to the ever-growing list of negatives impacting monarch butterfly populations. Recent research in Texas, however, indicates that protists (Thelohania solenopsae) and an introduced ant (Paratrenicha sp.) attack fire ant colonies and may eliminate them in affected areas (Taber 2000 and Vidrine 2010). The future roles of fire ants may be changing quickly as these predators spread, but understanding the ecology of the prairie with the ants will provide a baseline for study of the potential future prairie with reduced impacts, both beneficial and inimical, by the fire ants.

Figure 4. Nine-banded armadilloes—predators.

• They keep crop destroying pests, such as aphids and weevils, under control.

Figure 1. Anatomy of a fire ant.

Queen

Worker

Drone

• They reduce tick presence in pastures.

NEGATIVE EFFECTS

• Fire ants build mounds that can cause damage to root systems, and since the root system is a very important part of the prairie, this can be very detrimental.

Figure 2. The polymorphic members of the ant society.

Fire ants thrive in warm weather and sunlight. They can build their mounds in any kind of soil but prefer open, sunny areas, such as the Cajun Prairie. Their mounds can be 18 inches high and about two feet in diameter. They can also reach six feet underground. There are many species of fire ants that naturally occur in the United States, but one very harmful species that is not native is Solenopsis invicta, or more commonly known as the red imported fire ant (RIFA). This species accidentally entered the United States in the 1930’s when it came aboard a cargo ship from South America. Since then, they have spread throughout the southern United States. This particular species of fire ant is disastrous because of the damage it causes to other plants and animals in its environment (Funderberg 2011; Gilbert 2011; McDaniel and Johnson 2011). Fire ants have had positive and negative effects in many places in the United States, and specifically in the Cajun Prairie.

Figure 7. The Cajun Prairie in mid-summer..

Figure 5. Fire ant mounds dotting a pasture.

• Fire ants harm many animals that live on the prairie, such as ground-nesting birds and other insects, such as caterpillars and bees.

LITERATURE CITED Funderburg, Eddie. 2011. "Fire Ants: The Invasion Continues." The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation. Apr. 2005. Web. 10 Apr. 2011. <http://www.noble.org/ag/ soilsfireantinvasion/index.html>.

Gilbert, Larry. 2011. "Imported Fire Ant - FAQ." UTS Web Server. The University of Texas at Austin. Web. 10 Apr. 2011. <http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~gilbert/research/fireants/ faqans.html>.

McDaniel, Trish, and William M. Johnson. 2011. "Beneficials in the Landscape: #56 Fire Ants - Can Bad Bugs Do Good Things." Beneficials in the Garden. Texas Master Gardener. Web. 10 Apr. 2011. <http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston /beneficials/ beneficial-56(partial)_red_imported_fire_ant.htm>.

Figure 6. Fire ants attacking a broken egg.

Taber, Stephen. W. 2000. Fire ants. Texas A & M Press (College Station, TX).

• In trying to control fire ants, many insecticides and home remedies are used that can harm other organisms living in the environment.

Figure 3. Fifty years of spread following introduction in the states.

Vidrine, Malcolm F. 2010. The Cajun Prairie: A Natural History. M. F. Vidrine (Eunice, LA).

The Natural Revitalization of The Cajun Prairie

By: Haven Beck, Cody Fontenot, and Danielle Richard 2011 Spring Semester Honors Seminar, Louisiana State University Eunice, Eunice, LA 70535

Fire: An Introduction Fire is an essential part of the natural survival of the prairie and its diverse plant and animal species. The loss of fire (even in the form of control burns) in this natural-burn ecosystem may be the most dramatic change our society has caused. Fire is a necessity for the activities of prairie plants. Fire provides light for young plants and for early spring growth. Fire opens up new habitat and provides for the spread of prairie plants. Fire mobilizes potassium, which enhances not only bloom but the movement of nitrogen and phosphorus in the soils.

Most of the Louisiana prairies are burned on average once a year. This burning is very important to the lives of the animals that live in the prairie. Without the fire, many animals might be forced to leave the prairie in search of other territory or may even become extinct altogether.

The majority of people would assume that in any environment, fire is extremely detrimental.

This, however, is the exact opposite of the case of the prairies. The prairies depend on fire to help them grow as naturally and as beautifully as they do.

Over the years, the prairies have evolved with fire and have become exceptionally adept at recovering from the affects of fire. In fact, the prairie plants have developed elaborate adaptations to this fire regimen. Within weeks, the different grasses and forbs begin to grow and new life can be seen sprouting from the ashes. It is a truly amazing thing to witness.

Being able to observe not only the many beautiful and diverse plants but also how they continue to thrive even after being burned by the annual fire provides a fundamental lesson in ecology—the inter-relationships and interdependence between the biotic and the abiotic forces in nature. Soils change in response to fire, as different elements are mobilized or fixed (Jariel et. al 2010).

Figure 1. Day 1: The Fire.

Figure 4. Week Six.

Figure 2. Day 1: After the burn.

Figure 5. Week Ten.

Plants that grow naturally in the Cajun Prairie have adapted in several ways in order to accommodate fire. These adaptations clearly depict the evolutionary changes necessary to survive and exploit fire. They make the prairie what it is today, One adaptation is evident in the “bunch grasses” that grow an obvious tuft of leaves at the bottom of the plants. These leaves provide an excellent fuel for fire and ensure that the plant mass near the ground is flammable and will carry the fire along the ground. The burn is thus essentially ‘clean,’ and the nutrients left behind provide the perfect environment for the immediate regrowth of the Cajun Prairie plants. Thus these grasses provide the primary fuel for the fire.

Plants in the Cajun Prairie have also developed flammable oils that aide in their conflagration. Other plants, such as pines, are found to have flammable resins/oils, but their oils burn much more readily and tend to create more of an explosive fire.

The oils of Cajun Prairie plants, on the other hand, are not quite as combustible and usually generate a more controllable blaze. The blaze is nonetheless impressive.

Certain plants use the heat of the fire to split seeds, treat seeds and/or enhance germination of their seeds. Without fire, these seeds would not germinate. Some plants need the fire in order to begin to bloom; thus the timing of a burn can radically affect the blooming phenology of a group of prairie plant species and the development of their insect associations.

These magnificent plants display their full evolutionary capabilities only when burned, and we can observe this following each annual burn scenario.

Literature Cited

The Cajun Prairie Restoration Project in Eunice, Louisiana A series of photographs (Figures 2-6) by Malcolm F. Vidrine depict the growing season of 2008 following a burn in early February of that year (Vidrine 2010).

Plant Adaptations To Fire

Jariel, Domingo M., Malcolm F. Vidrine, Rallen R. Fontenot and Caroline E. Vidrine. 2010. Plant and soil nutrient concentrations in a restored Cajun Prairie. Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conference 21: 95-107.

Figure 3. Week Two.

Figure 6. Week Twenty-Two.

Vidrine, Malcolm F. 2010. The Cajun Prairie: A Natural History. M. F. Vidrine (Eunice, LA).

Insects of the Cajun Prairie

Haley Brown, Mary Kate Colligan, and Amelia Scanlan

2011 Spring Semester Honors Seminar, Louisiana State University Eunice, Eunice, LA 70535

Ecosystems are very delicately balanced and require the cooperation of many plant, animal, and insect species in order to survive. This holds even more true for ecosystems that are at risk, like that of the Cajun Prairie. If such an environment is ever to be returned to any semblance of restoration, we must understand how the environment works and what role each individual part plays in the well-being of the whole (Daniels 2011).

Of the different aspects of the Cajun Prairie, perhaps the most often overlooked or underestimated parts are the roles of its insects. Both destruction of the prairie and subsequent use of insecticides in farming have reduced the populations of many species, hurting the recovery of the prairie. The survival of the prairie rests on a very delicate balance; the insects commonly found there and the plants species rely on each other for specific needs. In order to combat this problem, everyone must be informed as to what each individual part of the ecosystem does for every other part, how his or her actions affect the whole, and what he or she can do to lessen his or her effect on the environment and encourage co-existence with the nature of the area. The purpose of this poster is to serve as an introductory guide to the goals listed above. Though limited space makes it impossible to fully cover every aspect of the subject, the reader is encouraged to look further into any area of interest he or she may come across by referring to the references listed at the end of the poster. Those who are interested in the Cajun Prairie, its restoration, or additional ways in which they can get involved are encouraged to contact the Cajun Prairie Habitat Preservation Society and the Coastal Prairie Partnership.

Pesticides:

One of the problems currently facing the Cajun Prairie and its insects is the use of pesticides. Despite what they contribute to the ecosystem, many insects are also considered pests for their venom and damage to crops. Many farmers employ the use of pesticides in order to keep the insect populations under control, and while this might be effective for farming purposes, it can have a very negative effect on the environment as a whole, especially when used improperly. Entire communities can change in response to a single chemical treatment.

Fortunately, certain laws are in place in Louisiana in order to control the use of pesticides. There are three categories in which they might be placed: general use, for those that do not harm the environment or user too intensely, restricted use, for those that might cause harm to the environment or user even when the instructions are followed, and the third is a more intense form of restricted use, for those that can only be used in certain locations at certain times of the year. All pesticides must be registered annually with a fee of $400,000 - it is illegal to distribute any pesticide that has not been properly registered – and the individual using the pesticides must also be licensed (Anon, 2011b). These laws are in place to prevent the abuse of pesticides, and while the pesticide still being used will always have an impact on the environment, these regulations keep them from an even greater impact.

The pesticide cycle below clearly shows that once the pesticide is applied, the pesticide becomes part of the natural cycle and affects everything in the environment. Insects are indicator organisms that permit us to monitor the impacts of these toxins.

Figure 1. Insect species found on the Cajun Prairie.

The Roles of Major Groups of Insects in the Prairie

Odonata:

Figure 2. This chart shows the cycle of pesticides through the environment. As you can see, there are very few aspects of life left unaffected.

Development and Overgrazing:

Dragonflies and damselflies are known for eating prey; in Louisiana, they are particularly useful for consuming insects like mosquitoes. They require a wet environment for their young, making the wet environment found in certain parts of the prairie an ideal location . Several species of dragonflies that can be found in the prairie include: Common green darners, Blue dashers, and Roseate skimmers, while damselfly species include Familiar bluets and Citrine forktails (Allain et al. 2000). These aerial acrobats partition the prairie into a myriad of subhabtitats, which each species can separately exploit.

Orthopthera:

Grasshoppers, katydids, and their cousins (the walking sticks and preying mantids) are significant prairie herbivores and carnivores, respectively. A great variety is found in the Cajun Prairie. Their roles are poorly understood and certainly underestimated—these are the true grazers of the prairie.

Lepidoptera:

Butterflies and moths are best known for their roles in pollination of plants, although their larval stages can be dangerous to certain types of plants. The types of butterflies that can be found on the Cajun Prairie are numerous and include: Gulf fritillaries, Monarchs, Pearl crescents, and Buckeye butterflies.

Monarch butterflies are also known to pass through the area on their yearly migration from Mexico (Allain et al. 2000; Vidrine 2010).

Hymenoptera:

Ants, bees, and wasps are abundant and adapted to a variety of strategies for survival. Bees and wasps are responsible for pollination, while ants and some wasps are predators and parasites. Most are beneficial insects and important in Integrated Pest Management models. Ants have the additional role of greatly modifying the soil by building complex underground systems (Vidrine 2010; Folgarait 2011)..

THREATS TO THE PRAIRIE

INTRODUCTION

Another problem facing the Cajun Prairie and, by extension its habitants is development and overgrazing. Because most prairie land is now privately owned, development is a serious issue.

Very little prairie remains. What does remain is for the most part located around railroad tracks and runs a high risk of being affected by pesticides or otherwise developed. These factors make it difficult for the native plants to grow, and thus hurts the insect populations in turn. No butterfly or grasshopper can live in a world filled with concrete. Preservation and restoration of prairies are essential to the survival of insects that require this habitat type.

Another major problem in prairie conservation is overgrazing. The cattle industry has been present in Louisiana for almost as long as settlers have lived here, making it a very prominent business even today. The problem with so many cattle, however, is the havoc they wreak on the native grasses. Pastures are also difficult to restore, only adding to the damage they cause to the natural environment. While the cattle industry is an important one in Louisiana, new and more sustainable pasturing where native grasses and prairie plants are integrated into the grazing plan would be extremely beneficial to the insect community (Vidrine 2010) .

Any habitat restoration in the prairie ecosystem will mitigate the impacts of development and overgrazing—the Cajun Prairie is at a point of absolute loss (Allain et al. 2000). It is only now that initiatives are beginning to reintegrate native prairie plants and thus native prairie insects into viable and sustainable systems. The habitat and its insects were nearly completely lost before the scientists had a chance to begin to understand their interactions.

RESTORATION EFFORTS

While prairie restoration is a huge project that requires the cooperation of many people, there are smaller, more manageable ways for an individual to assist in helping the environment, particularly when it comes to the advantage of Louisiana insects. One method that many people enjoy is planning and planting a butterfly garden. Having a butterfly garden can attract native butterflies and, with the right plants, migrating monarchs. These gardens also serve as insect gardens, which provide massive amounts of food for birds. The butterfly garden is the first step to a local restoration project. The garden will also provide a living classroom in order to explore the interactions of plants, insects, birds, soil and water.

Butterfly Gardens:

The first step to effective butterfly gardening is knowing which butterflies are common to the area and which native plants are preferred as a source of nectar. To attract butterflies native to the area, plants also native to the area would be advised for use. A good idea is to know which butterflies the garden is meant to specifically attract, and to cater the plant choices to those species. One can do this by looking at butterflies in other people’s gardens or parks and taking note of interesting species, or by contacting individuals or organizations who specialize in native insects.

Another idea to keep in mind is the differing time in which individual plant species bloom. In order to keep butterflies in the garden for as long a time as possible, choose plants based on when they bloom as well as what butterflies they attract. The plants themselves could be placed short to tall and organized by color, allowing the butterflies to find the flowers of their choice more easily. Red, orange, yellow, and purple flowers are usually more effective in attracting attention, but bigger, more showy flowers should be avoided. A more naturalized garden may be more desirable as it more closely mimics nature.

Once the garden has been planted, it’s also a good idea to note which flowers are most successful to keep in mind for following years.

In addition to selecting plants for their nectar, plants for caterpillars should also be considered. Many female butterflies will only lay eggs on a particular plant, so it’s important to keep that in mind when making selections. An excellent example of this are the Monarch butterflies, which migrate from Mexico to Canada each year and pass through Louisiana on their way. A Monarch’s plant-of-choice for laying eggs is milkweed, so including plenty of milkweed in a butterfly garden is a great way of assuring a visit from the traveling butterflies as well as assisting them in their migration and survival. However, don’t be alarmed by the sight of caterpillars eating the milkweeds – these are the monarch larvae, which require the plants as food in order to grow. A butterfly garden with caterpillars can be unruly.

One final, very important note to remember is that under no circumstances should pesticides be used in such a garden. It will do to butterflies the exact same thing it does to pests. Instead, allowing natural predators, to remain in the garden and take care of the problems encourages the growth of species other than butterflies and adds to the restorative effect of the garden. Including other native plants into the garden encourages the natural ecosystem to take over and achieve balance.

A butterfly garden can be a very rewarding experience; butterflies are not as shy around humans as birds and other creatures, making them easier to approach. The garden itself is a beautiful way to contribute to the natural environment (Anon, 2011a).

LITERATURE CITED

Allain, L. et al. 2000. “Paradise Lost? The Coastal Prairie of Louisiana and Texas.” U.S. Fish &

Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey

Anon. 2011a.“Butterfly Gardening.” MonarchWatch. 31 March 2011.

<http://www.monarchwatch.org/garden/creating.htm>.

Anon. 2011b. “Pesticide Laws in the State of Louisiana.” eHow.com. 7 Jan 2011. 31 March 2011.

http://www.ehow.com/info_7747426_pesticide-laws-state-louisiana.html.

Daniels, Stephen. 2011. “Wasps Have an Important Role in Keeping the Ecosystem in Balance.”

ArticleSnatch.com. 31 March 2011. < http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/WaspsHave- An-Important-Role-In-Keeping-Ecosystems-In-Balance/1181752 .

Folgarait, Patricia J. 2011. “Ant Biodiversity and it’s Relationship to Ecosystem Functioning: A

Review.” 31 March 2011. <http://www.eko.uj.edu.pl/laskowski/ET_S800/Materialy/ Ants_Folgarait_1998.pdf>.

Vidrine, Malcolm F. 2010. The Cajun Prairie: A Natural History. M. F. Vidrine (Eunice, LA).

Freshwater Mussels of the Cajun Prairie Ecosystem

Emily Turner, Justin Schopp, and Chad Miller 2011 Spring Semester Honors Seminar, Louisiana State University Eunice, Eunice, LA THE BENEFITS OF RESTORING HABITATS

INTRODUCTION

The Cajun Prairie is drained mainly by the Mermentau River and its tributaries.

The western edges are drained by the Calcasieu and Sabine Rivers, while the eastern edge is drained by the Bayou Teche/Atchafalaya River. The Vermillion River system drains the southeastern edge. Excluding the main channel of the Calcasieu River, these rivers were once sandy-bottomed, but now they are muddy.

Freshwater communities are of great interest in southwestern Louisiana. Studies exsist on major freshwater groups including fish, crawfish, mosquitoes, and mussels. This poster focuses on the freshwater mussel community in the Cajun Prairie ecosystem.

Freshwater mussels are among the most endangered species in the world.

Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) once populated the bottoms of the Cajun Prairie streams in southwestern Louisiana. The development of canals for above ground irrigation of rice fields has provided additional habitats where the mussels could develop more communities.

The 31 known species in this ecosystem are in a steady decline in numbers and diversity.

Restoration of prairies may be the key to their survival as it reinvigorates the hydrology of the region.

MUSSELS AND RIVERS

The streams, lakes and ponds of the Cajun Prairie serve as the home to many freshwater mussels, as well as the many canal systems built for aboveground irrigation of rice fields. The mussels in the eastern part of the Cajun Prairie are members of the well-known Mississippi River-Interior Basin fauna, while the western part of the Cajun Prairie contains members of the lesser-known Western Gulf fauna. Several species are unusually common in southern Louisiana, e. g. Quadrula apiculata, Plectomerus dombeyanus and Glebula rotundata.

The stream draining to the central portion of the prairie (the Mermentau River drainage system) was a primary habitat of freshwater mussels. However, the stream underwent massive alteration as a result of dredging, desnagging, and intensive channelization. The drainage also receives massive sediments from eroding agricultural soils and a variety of pollutants from petroleum extraction and refining activities. The destruction of the prairie by plowing and subsequent compaction has led to the cessation of the flow of water into the shallow aquifer, thus ending the evident natural springs in the streams and nearby areas. Sandy bottoms are now muddy, often slowing to a series of shallow pools with low biological oxygen levels. Another factor has been pollution with fertilizer and biocides from the local fields and homes.

As a result of human activity, compaction of soil, sedimentation from erosion, canalization of natural streams, and poisoning of waterways have caused freshwater mussels to decline numerically. The return of prairies and forests returns the springs that feed streams by shallow groundwater discharge. It also decreases runoff of agrochemicals and urban chemicals, therefore generating an opportunity for revitalizing freshwater mussel communities. In general, the damages done to the habitats of these mussels have modified and even eliminated the communities of freshwater mussels in the Cajun Prairie ecosystem.

With more and more farmers switching to an underground irrigation system, many canals have now disappeared. The loss of canals is a direct cause of the loss of mussel diversity and population in the Cajun Prairie. The overall impact of all of these damages is causing a once very diverse community of mussels to diminish. Restoring habitats provides an opportunity to re-establish fresh-water communities as well as terrestrial communities—they are inextricably linked.

Figure 4: Cajun Prairie location restored by the Eunice Preservation Society

CONCLUSIONS

Figure 2. Left: Mermentau River from inside a boat. Right: Geographical map of Mermentau River systems.

Figure 1. Quadrula apiculata (Bivalvia: Unionidae): Representative species of freshwater mussel.

KNOWN SPECIES OF FRESHWATER MUSSELS

THE STATUS OF THE FRESHWATER MUSSELS

There are currently 31 species of freshwater mussels from the rivers of the Cajun Prairie (Vidrine 2010, Vidrine et al. s004). The Cajun Prairie is drained by the Mermentau River, the mussels from this river represent the primary benthic community of the prairie streams. The known species of freshwater mussels of the Cajun Prairie streams are as follows:

Amblema plicata

Arcidens confragosus

Fusconaia askewi

Fusconaia flava

Glebula rotundata

Lampsilis hydiana

Lampsilis satura

Lampsilis teres

Leptodea fragilis

Ligumia subrostrata

Megalonaias nervosa

Obliquaria reflexa

Obovaria jacksoniana

Plectomerus donbeyanus

Potamilus purpuratus

Pyganodon grandis

Quadrula apiculata

Quadrula mortoni

Quadrula quadrula/nobilis

Strophitus subvexus

Toxolasmus parvus

Toxolasmus texasensis

Tritogonia verrucosa

Truncilla donaciformis

Truncilla truncata

Uniomerus declivus

Uniomerus tetralasmus

Utterbackia imbecillis

Pleurobema riddelli

Freshwater mussels are members of the most endangered animals in freshwater in the world and possibly the most endangered of all groups of organisms on the planet.

Channeling and the construction of wiers have altered the native fish populations. Since freshwater mussels are parasitic as larvae on fish, the loss of fish populations has had a dramatic impact on the mussels. The sediment and pollutants in the stream dramatically alter the stream bottom and water quality, which in turn have had dramatic impacts upon the freshwater mussel populations. These factors collectively and directly relate to the mussels’ decrease in population sizes and diversity. Whereas, mussels once cobbled the bottom of streams, the mussels are often difficult to find and survive in small numbers and low diversity.

This phenomenon is global—the Cajun Prairie is no exception. These mussels are famous for forming a living reef—a place where fish thrive as well as numerous invertebrates from the smallest protists to leeches, mites, crawfish, sponges, hydroids, insects, worms, and numerous other benthic faunal elements. The loss of the reef-builders essentially changes the entire structure of the bottom of the stream from living to nonliving.

The Cajun Prairie is experiencing a comeback due to the extensive efforts of countless volunteers. The restoration of the Cajun Prairie is a key factor in increasing the numbers of the mussels. The prairie ecosystem is key for the mussel population to be able to survive. Because of all of the damages that people have caused to the prairie, a once vast and numerous population of mussels has been almost totally eliminated. With the help of some dedicated volunteers, we could help restore the Cajun Prairie to its historic nature. Some initiative is being taken in many parts of Louisiana and Texas, but there is still a long way to go. Helping rebuild the Cajun Prairie will hopefully help restore the once great populations of mussels.

Figure 5: Volunteers transferring plants from the Mermentau ecosystem to the Cajun Prairie.

Villosa lienosa

Literature Cited Cajun Prairie Habitat Preservation Society. Web. 08 April 2011. <www.cajunprairie.org>.

Vidrine, M. F. 2010. The Cajun Prairie: A Natural History. M. F. Vidrine (Eunice, LA).

Figure 3: Construction damage to Cajun Prairie.

Vidrine, M. F., G. J. Vidrine, M. F. Vidrine II, D. J. Vidrine, and C. E. Vidrine. 2004.

Freshwater Mussels in the Cajun Prairie Ecosystem in Southwestern Louisiana. Proc. Of the 19th North American Prairie Conference, 19: 133-136.

Monarch Butterflies and Milkweeds in the Cajun Prairie

Malcolm F. Vidrine Division of Sciences and Mathematics, Louisiana State University Eunice, Eunice, LA Introduction

“In 2010, the monarch was added to the World Wildlife Fund’s 10 Most Threatened Species List due to loss of habitat necessary for survival of the monarch migration” (Kiphart 2011) Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus (Linnaeus 1758)) are often considered to be in the invertebrate symbol of the prairie (Bison are the traditional vertebrate symbol). These butterflies are mainly dependent upon species of milkweeds (Family Asclepidacea: Genus Asclepias).

The monarchs are decreasing in numbers for several reasons including loss of habitat—the most critical habitat loss appears to be the loss of milkweeds along the Texas and Louisiana coast and coastal prairies (Kiphart 2011).

This purpose of the this poster is to generate a clarion call for gardeners to begin to grow milkweeds in numbers sufficient to serve as food for the monarch caterpillars (larvae) during their annual migrations from Mexico to Canada and back to Mexico. Each trip through Louisiana and Texas increases their perils and lessens their chances to complete the migration.

Host specificity is one of the remarkable aspects of monarch behavior (Ackery and Vane-Wright 1984). Whereas the adult butterfly can nectar at numerous kinds of flowers, the larvae are only able to feed upon milkweeds of the genus Asclepias and several closely related vines. Other butterflies are sometimes limited to eating either flowers, stems, leaves or fruit of their host plants, while monarchs can eat every part of the milkweed plant. Furthermore monarchs can feed on any of the many species of milkweeds. However, the milkweed plants are disappearing from their natural habitat at an alarming rate. So few milkweeds remain that monarchs die before they can reach enough size to metamorphose into adults or worse yet, the adults cannot find plants upon which to oviposit.

Figure 2. Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa) is the most commonly grown milkweed, but it is not a preferred host for monarch butterflies.

Figure 1. Monarch butterfly (female) on Fewflower milkweed.

Clarion Call to Gardeners of the Cajun Prairie and Coastal Prairies of Texas

The monarch butterflies are now on the watchlist of threatened species as their numbers are plummeting. The source of the problem is the lack of milkweeds for migrating butterflies, especially in the coastal regions of Texas and Louisiana. This lack of milkweeds is a direct result of the decimation of the native prairies and the subsequent extensive agriculture that has replaced it. The solution is to plant large numbers of milkweeds in available habitats so as to replace mowing and other adverse activities with a ‘save the monarchs’ call of action. Milkweeds come in a variety of species and colors and growth habits. Some like ‘wet feet’ and others prefer ‘dry feet.’ Some like sun, others like shade. It is obvious that almost any garden or lawn can support a bunch of milkweed to feed migrating butterflies. The caterpillars are the weak link in the chain as they are host specific and feed on milkweeds.

The caterpillars are essential in that the great migration of the monarchs is generational. The adult butterflies leave Mexico in March and arrive in Louisiana in late March. Here they lay (oviposit) eggs on milkweeds. The eggs develop into caterpillars and devour the milkweed in a couple of weeks, then they pupate for a week depending on temperatures. The adult emerges and makes the next leg of the migration to the Midwest or New England, and then its children make it to Canada.

The next generation leaves Canada for the trip home and arrives in Louisiana in September to oviposit on milkweeds so the final generation can return for wintering in Mexico. The first leg and the last leg of the great migration is in the coastal prairies of Louisiana and Texas, and this is where the milkweeds are now the fewest.

Conclusions

Host Specificity

General comments Growing milkweed is the best opportunity that gardeners can provide for monarch butterflies. More than 10 species are available for growing in Louisiana (see Allen 2008, Allen and Vidrine 1990, Aschen and Aschen 2009, Pippen 2011, Butterfly Encounters and the Monarch Watch Organization.

Charles Allen (2008) listed the milkweeds of Louisiana and included the following species (the first 9 species are Cajun Prairie plant species):

Asclepias tuberosa Asclepias lanceolata Asclepias viridis Asclepias viridiflora Asclepias perennis Asclepias obovata Asclepias longifolia Asclepias verticillata Asclepias variegata Asclepias curassavica Asclepias incarnata Asclepias rubra Asclepias purpurascens Asclepias syriaca Asclepias hirtella Asclepias humistrata Asclepias amplexicaulis Asclepias michauxi Asclepias oenotheroides Asclepias stenophylla

Butterflyweed, Butterfly milkweed Fewflower milkweed, Lanceleaf milkweed Green antelopehorn Green comet milkweed Aquatic milkweed, Shore milkweed Pineland milkweed Longleaf milkweed Whorled milkweed Redring milkweed Mexican milkweed, Bloodflower Swamp milkweed Red milkweed Purple milkweed Common milkweed Green milkweed Pinewoods milkweed Clasping milkweed Michaux’s milkweed Zizotes milkweed Slimleaf milkweed

Growing one or more of these milkweeds can help provide a generation of monarchs with sites for oviposition and growth of their larvae. The first leg and the last leg of the great migration is in the coastal prairies of Louisiana and Texas, and this is where the milkweeds are now the fewest. The smallest bit of critical thinking allows us to see that the immediate future of the monarchs is in our hands.

Literature Cited

Ackery, P. R., and R. I. Vane-Wright. 1984. Milkweed butterflies: Their cladistics and biology. Brithish Museum (Natural History), Comstock Publishing Associates (Ithaca, NY). 425 pp.

Allen, C. M. 2008. Louisiana milkweeds (Asclepias). The Cajun Prairie Habitat Preservation Scoiety Newsletter (4 page insert). Available at www.cajunprairie.org/ newsletters/Asclepias.doc

Allen, C. M. and M. F. Vidrine. 1990. Butterflies of the Cajun Prairie. Louisiana Conservationist 41: 20-25.

Aschen, H. and A. Aschen. 2009. Milkweeds of Texas. Available online at http:// www.asclepias.org/index.html .

Butterfly Encounters. Available online at http://www.butterflyencounters.com/ index.html .

Kiphart, Kip. 2011. Got milkweed? Monarchs need it to survive. The Borne Star, Borne, Texas (2 page article available online at http://www.boernestar.com.

Pippen, J. 2011. Milkweeds of North Carolina. Available online at http:// www.duke.edu/~jspippen/plants/asclepias.htm .

Figure 3. The Cajun Prairie Gardens—a prairie recreation in southwestern Louisiana with the intent purpose of providing habitat with milkweeds for monarch butterflies.

The Monarch Watch Organization. Available online at http://monarchwatch.org/ .