B. Kis
babette.kis@gmail.com

My goal is to document/photograph insects and spiders on Barnes Prairie tallgrass prairie and hedgerow remnants in Racine County, WI. These slices of original America are being "developed" at an increasingly rapid pace, and only a few remain to date. I have been at Barnes tallgrass prairie remnants almost every day, from May to October, from 2017-2023, looking for and photographing spiders and insects. I've been walking these remnants (and a number of others, now gone to development) since the late 1950's. Most notable to me is the reduction in number of orb weavers and lepidoptera. I didn't find any ragweed, primrose, phlox or goldenrod flower moths, which I'd seen in past years.
Another fine quality prairie remnant was developed in 2022 and there are only a few left as of 2023. It seems probable that the remaining original tallgrass prairie remnants in Racine Co. will be developed in the next few years. I plan to make sporadic visits to the remaining tallgrass prairie remnants in 2024.