From The Reptile Channel:
Nationwide, major companies producing or selling Tenebrio molitor are limiting new orders or halting them altogether. It’s creating a pinch some herpkeepers are feeling online and at the local pet store.
Production issues appear to be main culprit. Fred Rhyme, owner of Rainbow Mealworms, said his worms have been dying when they’re young. Once the chitinous insects get big, however, they do fine.
In business for more than 50 years, Rhyme said it’s the first time he’s encountered this problem. Unsure what is causing his mealworms to die, he said it might be the grain in which he keeps the insects. “We’re testing everything,” he said. “I’m trying different grains from different granaries.”
Whatever the cause, Rhyme said he’s more than 200 million worms behind in his orders, yet he hoped production would be back to normal by late July. “We’d better,” he said, “or I’m out of business.”
You can read the full story here.A new edition of Birdwatch Radio has just been posted on-line. This program features an interview with author and bird store owner, Mike O'Connor.
Earth Sun Moon Trading Co. is pleased to announce the release of two much anticipated designs: Advice from a Bluebird and Squirrels for Peace.
The newest addition to the bestselling Advice from NatureTM series, Advice from a Bluebird was among the most often requested designs. Beginning with Advice from a Tree® in 2003, the Advice from NatureTM line of T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats has expanded to over 30 designs, with around six new designs being introduced each year. Advice from NatureTM products continue to be bestsellers for state and national parks, nature centers, zoos, aquariums, wild bird shops, museum stores, garden centers, pet stores and specialty gift shops across the country. As Cheryl Zalik, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Erie, Pa., says, "The Advice from T-shirts from Earth Sun Moon Trading Company have been great sellers for our store. The designs appeal to a wide variety of interests and the advice given on each shirt is catchy and makes customers smile. Once read, the shirts really sell themselves!"
Also on the roster of new releases is the latest installment of Earth Sun Moon’s popular Peace Tees series, Squirrels for Peace. Artist Tom Griffin has done it again, creating a delightful, humorous and heartwarming design with just the right balance of realism and whimsy. The shirt depicts a gray squirrel, red squirrel, black squirrel and flying squirrel, all hilariously giving the peace sign. With the popularity of “squirrelly” stuff among backyard birdwatchers, this design is sure to be a hit. Other favorites among the Peace Tees series are Bears for Peace, Dogs for Peace, Cats for Peace and Primates for Peace.
For further information, contact Leo Glenn, Wholesale Marketing Director at Earth Sun Moon (Tel: 888-458-1687 x331, email: lglenn@earthsunmoon.com) or check out the website.
One of the hottest books hitting the shelves is The Young Birder's Guide for easter North America by Bill Thompson III the editor of Bird Watcher's Digest. Thompson used his kids and his daughter's fourth grade class for input on what kind of bird guide they would like.
The end result is a book of 200 common species with information on habitat (note above photo), "wow" facts on all the bird species, photos, Julie Zickefoose illustrations and range maps. Even though the book is geared for kids, many adults are finding it a handy tool as well, it's especially useful for someone who is looking for something more than a Stan Tekiela guide but not ready for a Sibley guide. Customers can also download a companion to the guide from birdJam--songs, calls notes and photographs for 160 species to your iPod to ratchet up your birding knowledge and fun.
Have you been able to get any mealworms lately?
You're not alone, most of the country from reptile owners, to wildlife rehabbers, to hardcore bluebird trail monitors are having a tough time finding live mealworms. So what happened?
Rita Smith of New York Worms answered, "It is because many of the larger growers had crop failures this spring and there is just not enough to go around now."
When asked to clarify what caused the crop failure with the "larger growers" no answer was given. I contacted The Bug Company in Minnesota, the representative said that their supplier in California who produces 70% of the mealworms for mealworm companies across the country is unable to grow them. The supplier starts them and then all the mealworms die. At this point the supplier isn't sure what the cause is for the failure to grow. Is it the bran that they are grown in? Is it a virus? No one seems to know at this point. I asked the representative for the name of the supplier and the Bug Company rep said that she was unable to give it out but would pass my questions and contact info on to their supplier to contact me.
Like many in the birding industry, I'm still waiting for an answer.
George Petrides, Sr., founder and chairman of Wild Bird Centers of America, Inc. recently received a Citizens Award for Exceptional Service by the Fish and Wildlife Service.
This prestigious award recognizes private citizens and organizations for their significant contributions to the mission and goals of the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Petrides was honored for his assistance in improving the Service's bird watching and conservation programs throughout the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). In a letter announcing his award, H. Dale Hall, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, thanked Petrides for helping the Fish and Wildlife Service forge new partnerships, for giving generously of his time, talents, and insights to make the refuges more birder-friendly while helping birders to better understand the roles of national wildlife refuges. Hall continued, "Because of Petrides' contribution, the public is more aware of birds and their habitats, and conservation issues that are central to the mission of the Service."
