23-JUN-2014
Moth cocoon in dogwood leaf
Many moth cocoons can be found rolled in leaves like this, but I thought this was interesting as it seems the cocoon slipped partway out of the leafy shelter when the moth emerged. Probably one of the many species of leafroller moths made this.
23-JUN-2014
Herbicide sign
Although the sign says that AAFC (Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada) sprayed the site, what the sign does not say is that it was not AAFC that made the decision to spray, it was made by the committee overseeing the garden. It goes against our mandate to do this, but.... There is no doubt that dog-strangling vine (DSV) is a big problem at the garden, as everywhere in the Ottawa region. However, spraying a small section which is surrounded by millions of the DSV plant and which will release their seeds into the area for years if not decades to come, renders this 'test' useless. We know glyphosate, the chemical used, will kill DSV, we also know it will come back in force once the spraying stops.
23-JUN-2014
Pesticide warning sign
This is a sign we never thought we would see at the FWG, which was founded on the policy of never using chemicals in the 15-acre wildlife garden. But due to certain controversial decisions, the herbicide glyphosate was sprayed on a small part of the garden.
Tumbling flower beetle (Mordellistena cervicalis)
Barry found and photographed a tiny tumbling flower beetle (in the Mordellidae family) on an ox-eye daisy.
Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) work on elm trunks
This photo by Sandy shows the meandering tunnels created under the bark of ash trees by the larvae of the emerald ash borer.
Grayish fan foot (Zanclognatha pedipilalis), 8348
Many moths can be found during the daytime hours, resting on vegetation and can sometimes be photographed, as Barry found with this one. Others, however, take off the second one gets close.
Plant bug (Megaloceroea recticornis)
An introduced species, this large green plant bug in the Family Miridae, is often found on timothy grass (also a European import) where it blends in well.
Wolf spider (Lycosidae), female
Female wolf spiders waddle around with their egg sac under their abdomen - that is what the large white thing is. When the young are born, they usually hitch a ride on mother's back.
White slant-line moth (Tetracis cachexiata) 6964
Barry found this well-worn slant-line moth, a fairly common Geometrid, often seen perched during the day on vegetation.
Metallic casebearer moth (Coleophora mayrella), #1387
A tiny, tiny little shiny moth, whose antennae are thickened at the base, as here.
Long-legged fly (Condylostylus)
These tiny metallic flies are common to abundant throughout summer. There are many species in the long=legged fly family, Dolichopodidae, but these, along with the metallic amber coloured ones are by far the most commonly seen.
23-JUN-2014
Red admiral butterfly caterpillar (Vanessa atalanta)
Not having seen any red admiral butterflies at the FWG I was surprised to find this large caterpillar snugly wrapped in a stinging nettle leaf. It looks like it is about ready to pupate. I looked for more caterpillars, but couldn't find any. Normally, these are gregarious, that is, the larvae can be found in large numbers together. Nettle is the larval host plant which is why many knowledgeable butterfly gardeners grow this plant, which to others may seem a peculiar thing to grow!