25-JUN-2010
Red-winged blackbird, female, carrying food
The red-winged blackbirds are feeding young, most of whom have already left the nest.
23-JUN-2010
Klamath weed beetle (Chrysolina)
This non-native beetle was introduced into NA in the mid 1940's from France, to control St. John's wort (also called Klamath Weed), a non-native weed injurious to cattle. It has been introduced to various locales, wherever this plant is found, in eastern and western Canada. And of course, the beetle has also spread (they have wings!). This is the first time I've seen them at FWG, although I have seen them in a number of areas around the Ottawa district. Yet another example of biocontrol at work!
23-JUN-2010
Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium)
A beautiful, tall, native plant that gets its name because it is one of the first plants to colonize a burned over (or clear cut) site.
23-JUN-2010
Dogwood spittlebug (Clastoptera proteus), adult
This adult was near the nymph cases. They are strange looking little critters, quite unlike most spittlebugs!
23-JUN-2010
Dogwood spittlebug nymph (Clastoptera proteus)
Found, of course, on a dogwood, in this case red-osier dogwood. While the spittle cases were frequent, I saw only a few adults. The spittle of this species seems much thicker and waxier than that of many other spittlebug species. Judging from the look of this one, it may be the fourth instar, but I don't know for certain. These cases are made by the nymphs emitting a white secretion from their behinds, and are designed to keep them moist and provide protection.
23-JUN-2010
Asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis)
A strikingly red little jewel like beetle, much smaller than the Eyed ladybeetle. This is one of the introduced Coccinelids, and in winter large numbers will often seek shelter indoors.
23-JUN-2010
Eye-spotted ladybeetle (Anatis mali)
This is the first time I can remember seeing this large (7-10mm) lady beetle at FWG.
23-JUN-2010
Entrance to the Backyard Garden
Clustered near the entrance to the BYG, these flowers caught my eye.
23-JUN-2010
Day Lilies
These flowers last for only a day, as the name suggests, but they keep producing new flowers for some time and create a striking display when growing in profusion. These are growing on the edge of the ravine. You can find these non-native day lilies all over eastern Ontario where they have naturalized alongside roads and around the sites of old homesteads.
23-JUN-2010
Virginia ctenucha moth laying eggs on Dog-strangling vine
I found this ctenucha moth laying eggs on the underside of a DSV leaf. It seems only yesterday that I found the caterpillars, and then the cocoons of this species. They've been flying for some weeks already and are egg-laying. Time passes.
23-JUN-2010
Ctenucha moth eggs
This is a closer view of the Virginia ctenucha moth eggs.
23-JUN-2010
Striped hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
Found two of these today at the garden, my first for the season. I was actually looking for hairstreaks today and was very happy to find this and the second one.
It was a good day for butterflies at the FWG. In addition to this species, I saw
European Skipper 25+
Long Dash Skipper 1
Cabbage White 10
Clouded Sulphur 2
Question Mark 1
Milbert's Tortoiseshell 2
Red Admiral 1
White Admiral 2
