2023 December 9

   To make up for a paucity of contributions at this time of year, Jochen Möhr sends two photographs of the ubiquitous Operophtera brumata from Metchosin.   Mo-thers might like to visit the Nature House at Goldstream Park to see if there are any Operophtera occidentalis  (a native Operophtera) there.

Operophtera brumata  (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

Operophtera brumata  (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

2023 December 8

   New invertebrate species for Canada

On November 17 Charlene Wood examined under a microscope some aphid-like insects on a Bay Laurel Laurus nobilis in her garden. She suspected that they were Bay Suckers Lauritrioza alacris – a species of the Family Triozidae, related to the aphids.  This Mediterranean species had not been previously reported from Canada, so we delayed posting news of it until it was formally confirmed (as it has now been) by Dr Bob Foottit, aphid expert (retired) from the Canadian National Collection.  As its English name suggests, it sucks juice from the Bay Laurel, and forms galls there.  It probably came to Canada via the USA, where it had previously been found.

Adult female Lauritrioza alacris  (Hem.: Triozidae)  Charlene Wood

Adult female Lauritrioza alacris  (Hem.: Triozidae)  Charlene Wood

Nymphs of Lauritrioza alacris  (Hem.: Triozidae)  Charlene Wood

2023 December 4

Aziza Cooper sends photographs of two insects from the front door of the Swan Lake Nature House, December 3.

The first is a crane fly, Family Tipulidae.  The best known crane fly is probably the introduced European Tipula paludosa.  There are many quite small tipulids that can be difficult to distinguish from winter gnats (Trichoceridae).  T. paludosa is not the only large one – several local ones are at least as large, or larger, and quite handsome.   Aziza’s is one of the large ones, and, I think it may be said, a handsome one.   If anyone can identify it, please do let us know.

Crane Fly  (Dip.: Tipulidae)  Aziza Cooper

The second is a fresh and rather well-marked European Winter Moth Operophtera brumata.  This species varies a lot as to how well-marked it is.  Many are fairly bland, such as the ones shown on November 23 and November 10.  Can we say that Aziza’s one, like her crane fly, is a handsome one?

Winter Moth Operophtera brumata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Aziza Cooper

2023 November 23

   Here is a male of the same species as shown yesterday – a European Winter Moth.

 Operophtera brumata (Lep.: Geometridae)     Jeremy Tatum