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Nomad Bees Nomada Apidae Nomada Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Description Bees in the Genus Nomada comprise many species of cuckoo bees: they usually parasitize nests of Andrena bees (as well as Eucera and some other bees), laying 1-4 eggs in the provisioned nest. Nomada are often red, yellow, and/or black in color, nearly hairless, and look wasp-like. Size ranges from 2-12 mm in length (usually medium). Females lack scopae on legs (they don't provision nests). Nectar/ Pollen Plants Nectar generalists; no care for pollen. Habits Cleptoparasitic, the female bee flies slowly over Andrena nesting areas, sneaks into uncompleted host bee nests and lays 1-4 eggs on the nest cell wall. Its larva hatches, devours the host bee larva and any other Nomada larvae using its sickle-like mandibles, and then eats the nest provisions. The larva pupates in the cell and emerges in the Spring. Season February - June

Wilson's Warbler Warblers Wilson's Warbler Cardellina pusilla Summer Warblers Daniel Fitzgerald Breeds in moist undergrowth and dense second-growth habitats, especially in or near riparian thickets. Olive-green back, wings and tail; yellow below; males have a black crown. Females have black, beady eye, and lack wing bars and tail spots (compare with Yellow Warbler ). May breed in loose colonies. Nests on the ground, where it builds a bulky, cup-shaped structure. Invertebrates and occasionally berries constitute its diet.

MDIA Turns 50! Steve Smith, MDIA President 1974 - 2024 January 1, 2024 The Mount Diablo Interpretive Association is celebrating a huge milestone this year, our 50th Anniversary! MDIA was the brainchild of Sam Smoker, Executive Director of the Lindsay Museum in Walnut Creek, who formulated a vision of an interpretive association that would supplement, in a significant way, the work of the small staff of rangers at the ever-expanding Mount Diablo State Park. Smoker recognized the need for a wider public appreciation of this great natural treasure that exists within an area of rapid urban expansion and concurrent loss of the original environment. The task was interpretive; the key was education. A meeting convened on the proverbial dark and stormy night of January 30, 1974 in Smoker's living room. Among those present were Mary Bowerman, founder of Save Mount Diablo and preeminent botanist; Frank Valle-Riestra, a scientist with an interest in natural history; Ron Edwards, a wildlife expert from the Lindsay Museum; Phil Gordon, biology teacher, and ornithologist associated with the Audubon Society; Beverly Clemson, Director of the Shadelands Ranch Historical Museum; Howard Knight, Professor of Biological Sciences at Diablo Valley College; Betty Zilen, retired Mount Diablo School District science supervisor; and Ed Earl, Superintendent of Mount Diablo State Park. MDIA continues its long-standing mission of Preservation through Education and has remained an all-volunteer non-profit cooperating association benefiting Mount Diablo State Park. BACK TO LIST

Nature Posters by Steve Elliott Wildlife and Plant Posters (PDF) June 23, 2025 by Dan Sandri View or download a 24" x30" poster: Raptors: Birds of Prey Wildflowers: Early Bloomers on Mount Diablo Wildflowers: Mid-Season Blooms on Mount Diablo Back to Learn Eschscholzia californica (California Poppy) Bigberry Manzanita BACK TO LIST

Jeweled Spider Flies by Dan Sandri (aka Small-headed Flies) June 20, 2025 by Dan Sandri One of my favorite insects is quite uncommon (described as rare), but can be found if you know when and where to look for them! Jewelled Spider Flies currently can be seen along Mary Bowerman Fire Interpretive Trail (western and northern side) and at some other locations. They are amazingly-colored, with metallic blue, purple or green colors (hence they are termed jeweled), and have some of the most incredible mouthparts in the insect world! The flies we see in Mount Diablo State Park, in genus Eulonchus , have a super-long proboscis, and there are at least 2 species present. The proboscis is typically longer than the bodies of the flies, and they fold it underneath their body as they fly! These are beautifully metallic flies with a truly fascinating life history. Their antennae are inserted near the middle of the head and their eyes cover much of the head. Flies in the genus Eulonchus attack spiders in the families Euctenizidae (Wafer-lid trapdoor spiders) and Antrodiaetidae(folding trapdoor spiders, a small spider family related to atypical tarantulas). Their larvae are specialized endoparasitoids of spiders (endoparasitoids develop within the body of another animal). The adult female lays eggs, sometimes thousands of them, which then hatch into larvae. First stage Acrocerid larvae are free-living planidia that move similarly to an inchworm. Most fail miserably in finding a host. The lucky ones find one of these relatively rare spiders either by wandering and actively seeking out a spider host or by sitting and waiting for the host to pass by. The larva will attach to a spider, enter into an opening, and attach at or near the book lung of the spider. Over a long period of time, it will feed on the spider from the inside, eventually killing it. Look for these flies now, and in the coming few weeks, flying around Red Ribbons flowers (Clarkia concinna ) and Bunchleaf Penstemon flowers (Penstemon heterophyllus ). I also have seen them on Ithuriel’s Spear flowers (Triteleia laxa ), but in fewer numbers. by Dan Sandri Genus Eulonchus (Family Acroceridae) at Red Ribbons (Clarkia concinna), Mary Bowerman Trail, Mount Diablo State Park by Dan Sandri Genus Eulonchus (Family Acroceridae) approaches Bunchleaf Penstemon (Penstemon heterophyllus), Mary Bowerman Trail, Mount Diablo State Park by Dan Sandri Eulonchus smaragdinus (Family Acroceridae) on Bunchleaf Penstemon (Penstemon heterophyllus), Mary Bowerman Trail, Mount Diablo State Park BACK TO LIST

Black Phoebe Flycatchers Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans All Year Flycatchers Daniel Fitzgerald May be encountered in open, semi-wooded, or wooded habitats, usually near water. Easiy recognized by its tail-pumping habits, mostly black plumage, and white belly and undertail coverts. Nest is usually placed on wall of cliff, under bridges, or on side of buildings. Nest is a cup-shaped structure built from mud, plant materials, and animal hair. Feeds primarliy on insects, but may also eat berries or even small fish.

How to Use the Park as a Resource Ok so you've decided you want to bring your kids to Mount Diablo State Park. Here's some tips and more information to help you plan your visit. Popular Destinations Field trips generally go to 3 locations in the Mount Diablo State Park. The Summit features the outstanding view of the Bay Area, the Summit Visitor Center, and the Mary Bowerman nature trail. Rock City is a great site to study Native American grinding holes, learn about park Oak trees, or climb the wind caves. Mitchell Canyon affords opportunities to study wildflowers, birds, geology, and tarantulas during the season. Map and Directions to these destinations are available here . Transportation The roads in the Mount Diablo State Park are narrow, winding, and difficult. Parents provide transportation for many organized field trips to the summit or Rock City. If a group would like to use a school bus, the Park requires prior approval and a pilot car. School buses are appropriate for Mitchell Canyon. Preparation Be sure to review expectations of the visit with your kids, behavior in the park, and safety matters in advance of the trip. Be aware of seasonal safety planning such as extreme temperatures, and fire danger. Mount Diablo State Park Safety Information Weather and Air Quality For the latest information on Park closure, road conditions, or fire danger, call 925-837-2525, or check the Mount Diablo State Park Website. Leave the Park as You Found It Help protect our park to preserve it for future visitors and for the future of wildlife that live here. Here are a few things to remember: Respect wildlife. All plants and animals are protected. While you look and enjoy the sights: Do not touch or try to remove the plants from the park. Do not feed or try to pet the animals. Stay on the walking trails to prevent erosion or damage to the landscape. Carry out what you bring in. Follow the instructions provided by the rangers or docents in the park. When we take good care of our park, we keep it safe and beautiful now and for the next hundred years. Thank you for doing your part to protect our natural world. School Groups/Educational Tours are available from California State Parks Please contact Park Interpreter Sharon Peterson via email (Sharon.Peterson@parks.ca.gov ) for information regarding School Group Programs and/or Education Tours. Permits are required for groups, and due to the fact that these groups often arrive in oversized vehicles, information must be provided to drivers in advance of their arrival that will help make the roads safer for all visitors at the park. Coming Soon to Mitchell Canyon Mount Diablo Interpretive Association (MDIA) official Park partner, is leading a campaign to raise funds to build a New Education Center in Mitchell Canyon. The new education center complex will educate park visitors about the natural and multicultural history of the mountain, communicate safety information, provide access for visitors with disabilities to outdoor exhibits and the visitor center, and create multiple spaces to accommodate K-12 classes and interpretive presentations. We are just as excited as you are to begin construction and develop inspiring new exhibits that will educate and engage for years to come. Back to Learn Summit Museum Windcaves at Rock City elephant rock at Rock City Mitchell Canyon Entrance Mitchell Canyon Education Center Entry Sketch Rendering BACK TO LIST

Wildflower Mount Diablo Spreading Phacelia Scientific Name: Phacelia divaricata Family: Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf Family) Blooms: Mar - May Color: Blue-Purple Annual herb Native, endemic to California Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Kevin Hintsa

Lindsey's Skipper Hesperia lindseyi Hesperiidae Skippers Flies April to June Host Plant Bunchgrass Nectar Plant Coyote mint, Mustards (sinapis and brassica) Kevin Hinsta

Savannah Sparrow Towhees, Sparrows, Juncos, and Longspurs Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis Winter Towhees, Sparrows, Juncos, and Longspurs Daniel Fitzgerald Found in open areas including grasslands or grassy areas with scattered shrubs. This pale-backed sparrow usually has a white central crown stripe and streaking on the breast that occasionally forms a central stick-pin; compare with Song Sparrow. Note yellowish lores, pinkish legs. Eat insects, spiders, fruits, and small seeds, and mollusks.

Wildflower Mount Diablo Short-stemmed Morning Glory, Hill Morning Glory Scientific Name: Calystegia subacaulis ssp. subacaulis Family: Convolvulaceae (Bindweed Family) Blooms: April Color: White Perennial herb Native, endemic to California Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald

Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks Acmon Blue Icaricia acmon Behr's Silvery Blue Glaucopsyche lygdamus Boisduval's Blue Icaricia icariodes California Hairstreak Satyrium californica Echo Azure Celastrina echo Golden Hairstreak Habrodais grunus Gorgon Copper Lycaena gorgon Gray Hairstreak Strymon melinus Great Copper Lycaena xanthoides Great Purple Hairstreak Atlides halesus Hedgerow Hairstreak Satyrium saepium Lotus Hairstreak Callophrys dumetorum Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak Satyrium tetra Muir's Hairstreak Callophrys muiri Purplish Copper Lycaena helloides Thicket Hairstreak Callophrys spinetorum Western Brown Elfin Callophrys augustinus Western Pygmy-Blue Brephidium exilis