INVERTEBRATE ALERT
This blog provides an informal forum for terrestrial invertebrate watchers to post recent sightings of interesting observations in the southern Vancouver Island region. Please send your sightings by email to Jeremy Tatum (tatumjb352@gmail.com). Be sure to include your name, phone number, the species name (common or scientific) of the invertebrate you saw, location, date, and number of individuals. If you have a photograph you are willing to share, please send it along. Click on the title above for an index of past sightings.The index is updated most days.

2022 October 23 evening

2022 October 23 evening

     Here is a jumping bristletail photographed by Ian Cooper.   Jumping bristletails (Order Microcoryphia) are currently considered to be insects – i.e. to be part of the Class Insecta.

Pedetontus (possibly saltator) (Microcoryphia:  Machilidae) Ian Cooper

Pedetontus (possibly saltator) (Microcoryphia:  Machilidae) Ian Cooper

 

Next is a gnatlike insect, which will be a real challenge to identify, even to Family.  Jeremy Tatum writes:  There are, I think, five Families that are possible contenders:

Tipulidae, Trichoceridae, Ptychopteridae, Anisopodidae, Mycetophilidae.  There are, of course, differences between the Families, but most of these differences require microscopic examination.  One clue is to determine whether or not there are three ocelli on the dorsal surface of the head.  These are very difficult to see; not only are they tiny, but the insects hold their heads at a most awkward angle for the photographer.  Ian Cooper made a special effort to try to photograph the presence or absence of the ocelli. Is the resolution of the close-up photograph below good enough?  Is it possible that ocelli are present but not evident in the photograph?   I think the resolution is sufficiently good to show that ocelli are absent.  If so, that reduces the possibilities to Tipulidae and Ptychopteridae.

Some Tipulidae rest with their wings open; others with one wing folded over the other, as in Ian’s photograph.  I believe all Ptychopteridae rest with their wings open.  Thus we seem to be down to the Tipulidae (Crane Flies). Most of us are familiar with the larger crane flies, such as Tipulia paludosa, and Ian’s insect does not resemble these at all.  However, the Tipulidae is a large family, with many small members that resemble gnats.  All in all, I think it likely that Ian’s insect is a small tipulid – though I could be wrong!  If anyone out there can go further, please let us know.

 

Diptera – Nematocera  (possibly Tipulidae)  Ian Cooper

Diptera – Nematocera  (possibly Tipulidae)  Ian Cooper