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Letters to the Editor

Submissions reflect readers’ opinions and may be edited for length and clarity. Email Magazine@mdc.mo.gov or write to us:

Missouri Conservationist
PO Box 180
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Beetles

Thanks for enlightening us on a little known subject (American Burying Beetle, August, Page 16). I was fascinated to learn about these beetles, and what is being done to protect them and increase their population.

Barry Jones, Harrisonville

Going Batty

I made and installed this bat house on the back of our chimney three years ago. We had two to three brown bats using the box all summer last year. This year has been an exciting experience as our bat house has become the nursery for females giving birth to their pups. We have counted up to four to five pups in this little bat house. On excessive heat warning days, they move down the board, and we have noticed them fly into nearby trees during the day. It’s been fun watching them grow, even though we know they will probably be leaving soon.

Paul Moreno, Liberty

Buttonbush

I read with interest your back cover on buttonbush in the August issue. I planted several in my upland backyard in 1990. I watered them deeply for several years. They grew to 8 or 9 feet and bloomed beautifully. After all these years, they are still struggling to survive. They are shaded now so no longer bloom, but I do see sphinx moth caterpillars on them from time to time.

I encourage more people to plant buttonbush to attract beautiful butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds to their backyards.

Thomas Crawford, via email

Meet the Beetles

The American Burying Beetle article in the August issue was fascinating. I was amazed as I read one detail after another about this mighty insect. Good to hear the breeding and reintroduction efforts are going well in Missouri. Thanks for such an interesting article.

Sheila Brown, Gerald

The story on the American burying beetle captivated me, and I am sure others, with the opening tale of a beetle couple out for a nice dinner. I couldn’t stop reading the article. At its conclusion, I laughed to myself and thought, how could I have just been so intrigued by a couple of beetles!

Truth be told, your magazine is first class and always delights me and offers insight into our wonderful natural world.

Richard Zott, Ballwin