2024 February 7

   Today we show a selection of invertebrate photographs taken recently by Ian Cooper.  We have managed to identify the ladybird beetle shown from different angles in the first three photographs.  We shall post identifications of the rest if and when we manage to identify them.  If any viewer can help with the identifications, please do so.

Male Hyperaspis lateralis (Col.: Coccinellidae)  Ian Cooper

Male Hyperaspis lateralis (Col.: Coccinellidae)  Ian Cooper

Male Hyperaspis lateralis (Col.: Coccinellidae)  Ian Cooper

Possibly Steatoda sp. (Ara.: Theridiidae)  Ian Cooper

Sheetweb spider (Ara.: Linyphiidae)  Ian Cooper

Globose springtail (Collembola)  Ian Cooper

Possibly Haplotrema vancouverense (Pul.: Haplotrematidae)  Ian Cooper

Deroceras panormitanum (Pul.: Agriolimacidae)   Ian Cooper

Moth caterpillar  (Lep.: Noctuidae) Ian Cooper

2025 February 5

   Val George photographed the first pug of the year at the Nature House, Goldstream Park, February 3.

Eupithecia sp. (Lep.: Geometridae)  Val George

2024 February 2

Invert Alert is not yet fully back in operation as we upgrade our computer system, so expect delays (perhaps long ones) for a while.  However, I am able to post a posting today.  I shall let you know when Invert Alert is fully back in operation. Jeremy Tatum

First, a miscellany of creatures from Ian Cooper, starting with a tiny (3 mm) hymenopteran found in a bathroom sink in James Bay January 23.  This is probably a parasitoidal insect from one of several hymenopteran families, most likely (although not certainly) Braconidae.

Perhaps Braconidae (Hymenoptera)  Ian Cooper

Next, a linyphiid spider, Colquitz River Park, January 7.

Sheet-web spider(Ara.: Linyphiidae)  Ian Cooper

Another spider, also from Colquitz River Park, January 7, rather easier to identify, the more familiar Araneus diadematus.

Araneus diadematus (Ara.: Araneidae)  Ian Cooper

A harvestman, Colquitz River Park, January 7:

Harvestman (Opiliones)  Ian Cooper

A tiny snail from Colquitz River Park, January 9, probably Lauria cylindracea.

 Probably Lauria cylindracea (Pul.: Lauriidae)  Ian Cooper

Val George photographed this highflyer moth from the wall of his Oak Bay house on the morning of February 1.

Hydriomena nubilofasciata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Val George

  Thus, this year we have already had, on Invertebrate Alert, two of the to-be-expected early moths, Egira hiemalis and Hydriomena nubilofasciata. What other early moths may be expected at this time of year?  One that comes to mind is the geometrid Phigalia plumogeraria.  The male has handsome bipectinate antennae (which he doesn’t always show). The female, like that of Operophtera and Erannis, is wingless. (It has tiny stubs, useless for flight, instead of functional wings.) In February, if you see a wingless female geometrid, it is most likely Phigalia.

2024 January 27

   As mentioned on January 23, I am updating my computer system, and this will lead to some delays in Invert Alert.  Invert Alert is still “down”, so we won’t be back to regular service for a few days yet – though I have found a way to post an Alert today, and may also be able to do so again tomorrow.

Ian Cooper sends some photographs of spiders, obtained shortly before the recent cold snap.  We are grateful to Dr Robb Bennett for help with the identifications.

The first two photographs are of a crab spider found in a drawer in James Bay, January 8.  Dr Bennett writes:  Either Bassaniana utahensis or Coriarachne brunneipes; they are both very flat and dark and difficult to differentiate.

Bassaniana utahensis or Coriarachne brunneipes (Ara.: Thomisidae)  Ian Cooper

Bassaniana utahensis or Coriarachne brunneipes (Ara.: Thomisidae)  Ian Cooper

The next one was photographed at Colquitz River Park, January 9.  Dr Bennett writes: Could be a Cybaeus and C. signifer is not a bad guess. But can’t say for sure.

Cybaeus (probably signifer) (Ara.: Cybaeidae)  Ian Cooper

The next two were also photographed in Colquitz River Park, January 9.

Aranaeus diadematus (Ara.: Araneidae)  Ian Cooper

Philodromus (probably rufus) (Ara.: Philodromidae) Ian Cooper

Aziza Cooper writes:  On January 23, members of a VNHS field trip found this European Ground Beetle on a trail near the Derby Road entrance to the Cedar Hill Golf Course.

 Carabus nemoralis  (Col.: Carabidae)  Aziza Cooper

Jeremy Tatum writes:  On January 26 I found my first noctuid moth of the year at my Saanich apartment building.  You cannot see its legs – the moth, I think, may be feigning death.  It is, however, alive and well, with all its legs, and it flew off strongly at dusk.

Egira hiemalis (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Jeremy Tatum

2024 January 23

Invert Alert will be “down” for a few days, while I update my computer system.