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.

2023 January 6

2023 January 6

 

   In response to my remarks (January 4) concerning the relative paucity of invertebrates to be found in the dull, dark days of January, Ian Cooper writes:   “You’ve got to be kidding! There is no shortage of critters around for anyone willing to take a closer look.”   He sends a small sample of what he found on January 5 at Colquitz River Park in Saanich and the Galloping Goose Trail in View Royal.  The identities given in the labels below are tentative; if anyone can do better with them, please do let us know.

 

 

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Cybaeus sp.: (Ara.: Cybaeidae)  Ian Cooper

 

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Cybaeus sp.: (Ara.: Cybaeidae)  Ian Cooper

 

 

 

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Linyphiid spider (Ara.: Linyphiidae)  Ian Cooper

 

 

 

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Linyphiid spider, probably Neriene sp.  (Ara.: Linyphiidae)  Ian Cooper

 

 

 

 

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Possibly Pimoa sp.? (Ara.: Pimoidae) Ian Cooper

 

 

 

   Ian describes the next one as an incredibly tiny harvestman. Maybe 3mm across, including legs!

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Harvestman (Opiliones)  Ian Cooper

 

 

 

 

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Globose springtail, probably Ptenothrix sp. (Coll.: Dicyrtomidae)  Ian Cooper