2021 March 24 afternoon

 

   It is about time we had some earthworms on this invertebrate site – after all, I’m pretty sure they’re invertebrates!

   Here are two from Colquitz River Park photographed by Ian Cooper.  Unfortunately, we don’t know anyone who can identify earthworms – if anyone can help, do let us know.  I believe the usual earthworm to be found in the Victoria area is the European species Lumbricus terrestris, and the first photograph below, of a pair in cop. might possibly be this species.  On the other hand, Ian points out that they also bear a close resemblance to the native Arctiostrotus vancouverensis.   The second (and the third, which is a close-up of the same individual) looks like a different species – perhaps one of our native earthworms.  But who knows?

 

Unidentified earthworms (Oligochaeta)   Ian Cooper

 

Unidentified earthworm (Oligochaeta)   Ian Cooper

Unidentified earthworm (Oligochaeta)   Ian Cooper

 

   It is spring, and it seems that earthworms are not the only creatures with that in mind:

 

Probably Deroceras reticulatum (Pul.: Agriolimacidae) Ian Cooper

 

We don’t know what this next slug is:

 

Unidentified slug (Pulmonata)   Ian Cooper

 

  Ian Cooper writes that this is a woodlouse of sorts, but its very rounded, ‘dome like’ form does not appear to be Porcellio scaber or Oniscus asellus; it might possibly be a Common Pill Woodlouse – Armadillidium vulgare. 

 

Possibly a Common Pill Woodlouse – Armadillidium vulgare (Isopoda:  Armidillidiidae)

 Ian Cooper