Ant Alliance
Quest Materials
Quest Information:
Welcome to Park Quest 2022! Today you are at Soldiers Delight Natural Environmental Area (SDNEA), affiliated with Patapsco Valley State Park. This is a sensitive serpentine soil environment. For your quest, you will be hiking the Serpentine Trail to look for some large anthills built by Allegheny mound ants and maybe catch a glimpse of the endangered Edwards’ hairstreak butterfly that depends on these ant mounds. After your hike, you will build an ant mound like those you hopefully saw on the serpentine barrens. Materials are provided on the back patio of the SDNEA Visitor Center. Maybe a hairstreak butterfly will come to your mound!
This quest takes approximately one hour and will be available every day from park open to park close. Pets are permitted on 6 ft leash. The Serpentine Trail is not wheelchair accessible; however, the mound building activity at the Visitor Center is accessible. Please remember to Leave No Trace on your Quest by staying on marked trails while you explore the Serpentine Trail.
Quest Background:
The Edwards’ hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii) is a species of butterfly in the Lycaenidae family and is rarely seen south of Pennsylvania. It is currently listed as an endangered species in Maryland. Females typically lay their eggs in the crevices of tree bark on host trees. The young caterpillars that hatch can be found feeding on the buds of scrub and post oak trees in the daytime. The older caterpillars eat the tree’s leaves at night and spend the daytime in ant nests near the base of their host tree. The adult butterflies will eat the nectar of milkweeds and goldenrod.
Allegheny mound ants (Formica exsectoides) build tunnels up to 3 feet deep and use the excavated soil to build mounds that can reach up to 16 feet in diameter. These mounds can be found in fields and wooded areas, just like the one around you now. The Allegheny mound ants eat insects and honeydew (the sweet substance produced by caterpillars like the Edward’s hairstreak). These ants will allow caterpillars to take cover in their mounds during the day to hide from predatory wasps. In exchange for this protection, the ants will “milk” and feed upon the honeydew produced by the Edwards’ hairstreak caterpillars.
While on your hike, keep an eye out for some of these seasonal flowers that are unique to Soldiers Delight and rely on the Edwards’ hairstreak, as well as other pollinators.
Bluets
Goldenrod
Spring:
- Running five-fingers/cinquefoil (Potentilla canadensis)
- Bluets (Hedyotis caerulea)
- Arrowhead violets (Viola sagittata)
Summer:
- Blazing stars (Liatris spicata)
- Whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata)
- Evening primrose (Oenothera fruticosa)
Autumn:
- Serpentine aster (Aster depauperatus)
- Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis)
Whorled milkweed
Park Information:
Address: Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area, 5100 Deer Park Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117
Park Description: Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area (NEA) is comprised of 1,900 acres of serpentine barren. The area has over 39 rare, threatened, or endangered plant species as well as rare insects, rocks and minerals. There are seven miles of marked hiking trails. Equestrians and cyclists are prohibited due to the sensitive nature of the area.
Amenities: A restroom is located in the rear of the Visitor Center and is accessible from 9am to Sunset each day. Please remember to bring your own water, bug repellent, and sunscreen for your protection.
There is no fee to do this quest or to visit the Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area.
If you have questions or concerns, please call us at the park office (410)-461-5005. For immediate issues please contact DNR Communications/Park Watch at 1-800-825-7275.
Driving Directions:
From 795 take Exit 7B to Franklin Blvd. From Franklin Blvd. make a right onto Church Rd. From Church Rd. make a Left onto Berryman’s Ln. followed by a Left onto Deer Park Rd. Follow Deer Park Rd. approximately 1.3 miles before turning Right into the Visitor Center parking lot.
Hours of Operation:
9 a.m. to sunset, Daily
Park Contact Info:
Park Office: 410-461-5005
Email:
patapsco.statepark@maryland.gov
