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!
23-JUN-2014
Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis)
This beautiful metallic green Buprestid beetle, is the reason why we have lost all our ash trees in the ash woods! This one is sitting on one of the downed trees piled up outside the woodlot. I saw around 8-10 adults flying around and landing on the trees, perhaps recently emerged adults. It was easy to see the distinctive D-shaped exit or emergence holes on the trees.
It is not the adults that cause the damage, but their larvae, who feed on the inner bark which kills the trees within a fairly short time. These non-native beetles have spread like wildfire in recent years, infecting just about every ash tree in the city. According to sources such as Bug Guide, this beetle from East Asia was accidentally introduced in the late 1990s in the Great Lakes region and has since spread rapidly. It was thought at first that our very cold winters would prevent the insect taking hold up here, but that has not been the case, sadly. WIthin the city of Ottawa, as elsewhere, one can see dead ash trees everywhere. They are being removed as quickly as possible, but so many ash were planted that it will take time. Replanting efforts will hopefully take place, but it will take many decades before the new trees achieve the size and canopy of the beautiful ash now being cut down.
23-JUN-2014
Herb robert (Geranium robertianum)
Growing amidst the destruction in the "ash" woods, where all the ash trees have been removed, were several patches of the native plant, herb robert (one of the cranesbill geraniums). This one was against the stump of a downed tree.
23-JUN-2014
Sunflower Maggot fly (Strauzia longipennis)
A beautiful little fruit fly closely associated with sunflowers and related plants, in the larval stage. This is a new species for our insect list at the garden.
23-JUN-2014
Sawfly larva (Caliroa obsoleta)
This tiny slug-like creature is the larva of a sawfly in the genus Caliroa. I found several on the underside of red oak leaves. Despite their common name of sawfly, these insects are not flies (Diptera), but rather members of the Hymenoptera (wasps, sawflies, bees, ants). The adults of this genus look like dark wasps. This is a new species for our insect list at the garden.
23-JUN-2014
Crocus geometer (Xanthotype sp.)
This is a pretty, bright yellow day-flying moth. I saw one in the Butterfly Meadow but couldn't photograph it as it kept ducking down behind vegetation. However, this one was shown to myself and Barry by Isabelle, who said it had been captured a few days ago and left in the centre. We photographed it and then released the poor thing.
23-JUN-2014
Common milkweed flower (Asclepias syriaca)
The milkweeds are starting to bloom now. Many insects are attracted to these plants, some to nectar, some to munch on the leaves or roots or stems, and one, the monarch butterfly, to lay its eggs. Milkweeds (of many species) are the only host plant for the monarch butterfly, and without them, they cannot lay their eggs, which naturally has a negative impact on the survival of the butterflies.
23-JUN-2014
Oblique-banded leafroller (Choristoneura rosaceana)
Found sitting on a thistle. Leafroller moths are so called because their larvae roll leaves around themselves. They are quite abundant and you'll see lots of rolled leaves on many different plant species.
23-JUN-2014
European skipper (Thymelicus lineola)
This is one of about 4 European skippers I saw at the garden. I was a bit surprised at how few there were, because the timothy grass, their larval host, is growing in quantity. A few days ago, I was at another site and saw, literally, thousands of these skippers, so I was expecting a few more at the garden. In some years, however, at FWG, we see only a few, while in others we can easily see 20 or 30 in a visit.
Other butterflies noted yesterday were long dash skipper, canadian tiger swallowtail, white admiral, common ringlet, and cabbage white.
18-JUN-2014
Sphinx moth caterpillar, possibly Hummingbird Sphinx (Hemaris thisbe), #7853
This gorgeous creature was found by Lesley and photographed by Diane. When I congratulated her on finding such a cool looking caterpillar, Lesley said "It was more a case of the caterpillar finding me because I looked down to see it on the back of my gardening glove!". It was found during the Wednesday evening work on the Butterfly Meadow.
16-JUN-2014
Mayfly (Ephemeroptera)
This mayfly species was clinging to the underside of a leaf just west of the pond. Mayflies, in the Order Ephemeroptera, can be seen in great abundance when they first emerge. The Order has many families, and I am unsure which one this mayfly fits into.
16-JUN-2014
Tortricid moth (Tortricidae)
This pretty little moth was nestled inside a leaf at the Butterfly Meadow.
16-JUN-2014
Dance fly (Rhamphomyia longicauda), female
These were in abundance and had perhaps just emerged as there were so many. Clouds of them flew up as I moved around the vegetation. The females in this species have the large feathery legs, while the males are quite different looking. All the ones I saw were females, so no doubt they were waiting for a male to arrive with a prey item as an offering and select one of them to mate with (the males apparently prefer the female who looks the largest).
16-JUN-2014
Caddisfly
This very small caddisfly was perched on a tangle of DSV stems near the pond. I thought at first it was a moth until I looked more closely. Caddisflies can often be mistaken for moths. I don't know the ID for this one, but it could be in the genus Limnephilus, a large genus with many species.
17 June 2014
Great-crested Flycatcher
Lese Ferguson noticed this bird bringing material to a nest box on the south side of the ravine. A flycatcher used this same box last year.
16-JUN-2014
Eastern Kingbird
Perched on one of the artistic installations adjacent to the Fletcher Wildlife Garden. These very vocal birds, one of our larger flycatchers, nest in the garden.
16-JUN-2014
Beyond the Edge: Artists' Gardens
This is another of the installations adjacent to the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, set up under the auspices of Canadensis Botanical Garden Society. This one looks quite intriguing. I think it is a maze, perhaps?
16-JUN-2014
Plant bug (Taedia sp.)
Several of these very small plant bugs found on a viburnum shrub.
16-JUN-2014
Soldier beetles (Cantharis)
A mating pair of soldier beetles. I always reckon that summer is here when the soldier beetles begin to appear.
16-JUN-2014
Dogwood calligrapha (Calligrapha philadelphica)
This beetle was on, what else, a dogwood shrub, in this case, red osier dogwood. Although common, these beetles are not noticeably abundant. There are a number of calligraphic beetles in the Ottawa area, including some with variations on this lovely pattern, some with stripes, and some in shades of deep red.
13-JUN-2014
Garden Volunteers Recognition for FWG
As part of National Garden Day, the Fletcher Wildlife Garden was recognized by The City of Ottawa and the Ottawa chapter of Landscape Ontario, with a Volunteers Recognition Certificate. This was the first time the City had held such an event.
09-JUN-2014
Tulip tree ( Liriodendron tulipifera)
This tree self-seeded itself, or was planted by a squirrel, about 5 years ago. To my surprise it has withstood even last year's very cold winter and continues growing. A species indigenous to Carolinean Canada and southward into the US, this is a beautiful tree, non-invasive. We are quite protective of this tree.
09-JUN-2014
Lupines (Lupinus)
The Butterfly Meadow is full of lupines right now, and they are well used by bees, honey bees, bumble bees in particular. These are a garden plant, not the native lupine which is rare and not native to Eastern Ontario. The native lupine is the plant closely associated with the rare Karner Blue butterfly. These lupines, pictured, being garden cultivars, come in a variety of colours from pink to white (occasionally), deep blue, purple, and even bi-coloured.
09-JUN-2014
Pale green weevil (Polydrusus)
A non-native species accidentally introduced from Europe. It is a beautiful little creature, most often seen on birch and poplar at the FWG.
09-JUN-2014
Stream cruiser (Didymops transversa)
This dragonfly was flitting around the butterfly meadow, and was spotted by Barry. Unfortunately, it didn't cooperate terribly well for a photo! First time I saw this species at the garden was a year or so back.
09-JUN-2014
Jumping spider in shelter
This enterprising jumping spider had created a silky shelter in a Dog-strangling vine leaf at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden.
06-JUN-2014
Volunteers posing for a group shot
As they do every year, the Price WaterhouseCoopers gives their employees a day off to do volunteer work. A team has been coming to the Fletcher Wildlife Garden for many years and we greatly appreciate the work they do - often as much in one day as we can accomplish in several weeks. Diane, in the green shirt, supervised their hard work during the afternoon.
06-JUN-2014
Volunteers showing the work they've done
After a morning's hard work, the team poses at the site where they cleared vegetation and sifted soil, ready for planting.
06-JUN-2014
Hard workers
This photo by Diane gives an indication of the heavy work these stalwart volunteers undertook.
04-JUN-2014
Goldenrod Gall Moth (Epiblema scudderiana), #3186
This tiny and quite attractive little moth is the insect behind the long slender galls found on goldenrod stems, versus the large round galls made by the goldenrod gall fly. Also known as Scudder's epiblema.
04-JUN-2014
Thick-headed fly (Zodion)
This little fly, beautifully photographed by Diane, is likely in the Genus Zodion, one of the Conopidae, the Thick-headed Flies.
09-JUN-2014
Goldenrod leaf beetle larvae (Trirhabda borealis)
These two little critters are the larvae of a rather handsome striped beetle found later in summer. The larvae are always found on goldenrod, usually tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima)or canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)as here. When disturbed, they wave their rear ends in the air, here each with a bit of frass, just to really deter anyone!
09-JUN-2014
Highbush cranberry (Viburnum)
I'm unsure as to whether this is the native Viburnum trilobum or a nursery cultivar. We have a number of them around the garden, bought and planted by us. They were labeled V. trilobum, but we are not absolutely certain. At any rate, the fruit doesn't attract wildlife as it is supposed to. In spring they do look beautiful with their pristine white flower clusters.
09-JUN-2014
Results of tree removal from the "Ash Woods"
Cutting of the emerald ash borer killed ash trees, continues. Here, the FWG looks more like a logging site than a wildlife garden. Inside the woods, there is much devastation, with some of our maples and cherries destroyed, and our new "fern garden" partly obliterated.
03-JUN-2014
Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa)
This cactus is native to parts of Ontario, and we've had one in the rockery area of the Backyard Garden for many years. Although it looks shriveled and dead in early spring, it always fills out (and fills up with water) and turns green by this time of year. It has a lovely light yellow flower that lasts only a few days. (Sandy)
There has been a small stand of this species, naturally occurring as far as is known, about two hours west of Ottawa. (Christine)
03-JUN-2014
Grackle
According to Robert, there were "mostly finches at the bird bath until this guy interrupted to lower the water level." (Sandy)
03-JUN-2014
American Goldfinch, male
A gorgeous male goldfinch, photographed by Robert. These birds, unlike most other species, are not yet nesting, waiting until the thistles flower, their breeding period timed to this occurrence. (Christine)
03-JUN-2014
Rose
Roses are starting to bloom in the Backyard Garden. Lots of pollen, and later on rose hips for the squirrels and chipmunks. (Sandy)
03-JUN-2014
Yellow lady's-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum)
Robert writes, "The woodland walk is coming alive with lush and lovely growth." (Sandy)
These are a native woodland orchid, uncommon in the region. Some of the best spots to find this growing naturally (the ones at the garden are planted) include Marlborough Forest in the city's far west end. (Christine)
Hobomok Skipper (Poanes hobomok)
Regular as clockwork, this species appears in late May to early June, usually around the woods. It is a distinctively marked skipper and easy to identify, unlike some of them!
Beyond the Edge: Artists' Gardens
Here, Misti is enjoying a break amidst one of the artistic installations. There are five different ones adjacent to the FWG, set up by the Beyond the Edge: Artists' Gardens group under the auspices of the Canadensis Botanical Garden Society.
Beyond the Edge: Artists' Gardens
Another of the artist's installations of the Beyond the Edge: Artists' Gardens group under the auspices of the Canadensis Botanical Garden Society. I believe that this one will have squash plants growing up the structures.
Beyond the Edge: Artists' Gardens
Here is a third installation set up by the Beyond the Edge: Artists' Gardens group under the auspices of the Canadensis Botanical Garden Society.
Scrambled egg slime mould (Fuligo septica)
This unappetizing looking slime mould with the appetizing name, is also known by another less savoury name, dog's vomit! It is very common, often noticed on rotting leaves, compost piles and the like.
Slime mould
This may be the Many-headed slime (Physarum polycephalum), although there are other yellow slime moulds which look very similar. Here, you can see the plasmodium spreading over the ground, as the slime mould moves along.