04-JUN-2013
Spittlebug nymph case (Cercopidae)
We all see these frothy bits of stuff on plants in our gardens and almost everywhere we go where there is plant matter. These are the shelters of spittlebug nymphs. Since remaining moist is important for their development, the secretion fulfills this purpose, and also hides them from predators. There can be anywhere from one to several nymphs in these 'cases'. The spittle is constantly renewed until the nymphs transform into adults.
04-JUN-2013
Mason bee (Osmia sp.)
The mason bees are busy at the bee boxes. this one looks like an Osmia, from what I can tell, and certainly they do use the boxes regularly.
04-JUN-2013
Fletcher Wildlife Garden, looking toward the Birch Grove from the Butterfly Meadow
Who would think that this is in the middle of a big city? This is more or less the centre of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, and not too far away is Carleton University, a busy road, the Rideau Canal, etc. Yet in this little bit of paradise, a remarkable number of wildlife species call it home.
04-JUN-2013
Dame's rocket (Hesperis matronalis)
A favourite garden plant in Europe, this was brought by settlers to Canada long ago, a bit of the old country in the new world. This member of the mustard family escaped cultivation decades ago and can be found in many wild areas. At the FWG we have not planted this species, but it pops up in various locations every year. This year, I found it growing in profusion in the small section of the old field habitat, that had been rototilled last year. Culpeper's herbal, noted that this was a great plant for treating wounds.
04-JUN-2013
Lupine
Photographed in our Butterfly Meadow. Garden lupines (not the wild lupines, native to southern Ontario), were planted nearly 20 years ago in the meadow, and have done very well. Each year, a variety of colours appears, ranging from deep blue, to violet, to pink, to this blue and white one. Bumble bees are usually very active around these plants visiting each the flowers frequently.
04-JUN-2013
Bumble bee on lupine
Bumble bees and honey bees love lupines and can be often found nectaring on them. Their pouch-like flowers are not easily accessed by all insects, but bumble bees have no problems.
04-JUN-2013
Ottawa Horticultural Society garden tour
Some members of the Ottawa Horticultural Society came for a late afternoon tour of the garden on 4 June. There were two groups; this is the first one, led by Sandy. Renate led the second group. Here they are gathered on the patio behind the interpretation centre, in the Backyard Garden.
04-JUN-2013
Ottawa Horticultural Society garden tour
At the end of the tour, the group arrived back in the Backyard Garden, having completed a circuit of the rest of the 15 acres, looking at the various habitats, including the Butterfly Meadow.
04-JUN-2013
Ottawa Horticultural Society garden tour
The second group from the hort society, got a tour of the Backyard Garden, led by Isabelle who is the manager of this part of the FWG. Then Renate took them on a tour of the rest of the garden. Both groups enjoyed seeing the garden, and for many it was a first visit.
04-JUN-2013
Green Lacewing (Chrysoperla)
This delicate little insect was fluttering through the grass near the old field habitat. While the adult looks dainty and delicate, the larvae of this insect are fierce predators, eating sawfly larvae, aphids, and other critters. This is why green lacewings are sold as a natural insect control.
In this photo, the sun is striking the wing on the right, giving it a rosy hue. That is not the true colour!
04-JUN-2013
Hound's-tongue (Cynoglossum officinale)
The pretty rosy flowers of the hound's-tongue are blooming now. This is yet another plant considered invasive, particularly in parts of Alberta. We haven't noticed it to be abundant here (yet). It is a plant on which we generally find the caterpillars of the native moth, Haploa, a strikingly patterned dark brown and white moth.
04-JUN-2013
Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
A tree native to southern Ontario and points further south, it is considered invasive in many locations. However, it is an interesting tree which, in early summer, puts on a dazzling display of blossoms. The flowers are a dead giveaway that this species belongs to the Leguminosae family, the bean family.
