30-JUN-2012
Micro moth
Micro moths are abundant and varied with scores of species. Most of us either don't see them or overlook them because they are so difficult to ID. Diane found this tiny one at the FWG and got a remarkable photo of this minuscule creature.
30-JUN-2012
Plant bug
This is more than likely a plant bug in the genus Neurocolpus. A very lovely photo by Diane.
Plant bugs (Miridae)are abundant and there are many, many species. At the FWG we see quite a variety from large four-lined plant bugs to very small bugs such as this one.
30-JUN-2012
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
A detailed close shot of the unusual and pretty flowers of this non-native species, that has been around for years in Canada, and doesn't appear to be a problem at least around here.
30-JUN-2012
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
A non-native plant that springs up here and there around the garden, never that common and as far as we can tell, not invasive. It is certainly pretty, as this fine photo by Diane shows.
30-JUN-2012
Northern Broken-dash (Wallengrenia egeremet)
A stunning shot by Diane of another of the small obscurely coloured skippers that can be found in the area.
26-JUN-2012
Bee in bee box
Thanks to Sophie, who said this is likely an Osmia species (one of the Megachilids). It is in one of the bee boxes placed around the FWG by AAFC to study bees. This particular box was very well used with various species coming and going, and many holes packed and closed off.
22-JUN-2012
Common lytrosis (Lytrosis unitaria) #6720
Isn't it amazing how this large moth can blend into the bark of the pine tree? Diane photographed this common moth while looking for moths one evening at the FWG
22-JUN-2012
Painted Lichen Moth (Hypoprepia fucosa)
A very beetle-like moth with vivid colours. Photographed by Diane during an evening of mothing at the garden.
26-JUN-2012
Dogwood spittlebug (Clastoptera proteus)
During early summer, dogwoods sport multiple small balls of foam. Inside are tiny little spittlebug nymphs. Around about this time of year, they transform into adults and at the moment there are dozens of these minuscule (2-4mm) spittlebugs on the dogwoods. They are prettily marked, and their colour and pattern seem to vary at the moment as they emerge and then mature.
26-JUN-2012
Robber fly with plant bug
Another species of robber fly, perhaps a Dioctria. It has caught a little plant bug and was busy consuming it when I shot this photo.
25-JUN-2012
Robber fly (Asilid sp)
This robber fly was hanging on my car window and seemed in no hurry to leave. Because of the window, he looks like he is suspended in air. I've noticed that robber flies seem particularly abundant this year, not just at FWG but everywhere I go, and even in my own garden. There are many, many species of robber flies, ranging from the tiny Holocephalus, to the very large Proctacanthus.
26-JUN-2012
Question mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
A while ago, I posted a photo of this species with its wings closed, showing the marking on the underwing that gives it its common name. This shows the butterfly with its wings open.
26-JUN-2012
Yellow warbler
This pretty warbler was quite agitated when I walked by a shrub near the old field. Obviously a nest nearby. I would imagine there are young in the nest, soon to fledge.
26-JUN-2012
Banded hairstreak (Satyrium calynus)
There were two of these pretty hairstreaks around today. This one near the new woods, on a milkweed, and another in the ash woods. They are one of the commonest hairstreaks and at the FWG we usually see several of these and several striped hairstreaks too.
26-JUN-2012
Delaware skipper (Anatrytone logan)
Very similar, superficially, to the more common European skipper, but this one is larger and more yellowish-orange rather than deep orange. It was not until about 1998 that this species was found in the Ottawa region, since when it has spread throughout, although still not as common as many of the other skippers. I saw this species at FWG a few years ago, but not since.
26-JUN-2012
Delaware skipper (Anatrytone logan)
Another view of the delaware skipper, this time with its wings open, showing it is a male.
25-JUN-2012
Monarch caterpillar
A fat and well grown monarch caterpillar, always a real pleasure to find at FWG. Sandy reported one from a different location in the garden, so we have at least two.
26-JUN-2012
Monarch nectaring on common milkweed
26-JUN-2012
Spittlebug with mites
This poor little creature is riddled with parasitic mites which will eventually kill it. It was on a pearly everlasting plant in the old field area, and could barely move.
25-JUN-2012
Large lace-border (Scopula limboundata)
A common moth in the Geometridae family that can often be found sitting on vegetation in daylight hours. This was in the Backyard Garden.
25-JUN-2012
White-marked tussock (Orgyia leucostigma)
Along with the two treehopper species on the nannyberry, there was this pretty tussock moth caterpillar. As with so many of the brightly coloured caterpillars, this turns into a rather nondescript moth.
25-JUN-2012
Treehopper (Telamona sp.)
This is one of our larger treehoppers, about twice the size and much sturdier than the little enchenopa treehoppers it was sharing the nannyberry shrub with.
25-JUN-2012
Soldier fly (Hederodiscus)
Clinging to a nannyberry leaf for dear life in the gusty winds of today! This is a small fly in the Stratiomyidae family is a dazzling green with a pretty black pattern on the abdomen, but you need to see it with the wings open for that. Interestingly, the larvae of most of the soldier flies are aquatic.
Hover fly (Toxomerus marginatus)
A tiny fly on ox-eye daisy. This is one of two Toxomerus species very common in the area. Their larvae often can be found eating aphids. Look carefully for a tiny flat little caterpillar like creature moving amongst the aphids.
25-JUN-2012
Black-crowned night heron
Although this was taken in the Arboretum today, this heron was in the stream that flows down through the ravine in the FWG and into the Arboretum. Notice that this poor heron has very deformed feet. He must have trouble landing on branches and anything not flat. Perhaps that is why he didn't fly away as I came along.
24-JUN-2012
Bee on ox-eye daisy
A very beautiful photograph by Barry of this pretty bee feeding on the daisy. Not sure of the ID of the bee, but it could be one of the sweat bees (Halictidae).
24-JUN-2012
Bee, possibly a sweat bee (Halictid) on rose
These roses are magnets for many insects, most especially bees and the small hover flies.
25-JUN-2012
Treehopper (Enchenopa sp.) with exuviae
These funny little (approx. 4 mm) treehoppers were on nannyberry shrubs, and had only recently emerged. You can see the exuviae or shed pupal skin on which the adult is resting. Notice how the adults resemble thorns.
25-JUN-2012
Green stink bug (Acrosternum)
These are the giants of the stink bug world at 15mm, nearly twice the size of most other stink bugs we see.
24-JUN-2012
Spittlebug nymph
Barry photographed this tiny green nymph by holding it on his palm. These are sometimes called froghoppers, and are the creatures that inhabit those foamy balls we find so abundantly on all sorts of vegetation. It may be the nymph of a meadow spittlebug, but there are so many species, that it is difficult to say for sure.
24-JUN-2012
Eastern forktail (Ischnura verticalis), male
A very nice closeup of this tiny damselfly. Females are a bright orange. Forktails can be found perching on streamside vegetation, but are often also seen away from water.
22-JUN-2012
Black-dotted Gluph (Maliattha synochitis
Another interesting moth found by Diane during a mothing night at the garden recently.
22-JUN-2012
Green Arches Moth (Anaplectoides prasina)
Diane looked for moths one night at the FWG and found a number of interesting species including this one with its spectacular green colouring.
Asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis)
Barry got a terrific closeup of this plump richly red ladybeetle. This species, as the name suggests, is not a native beetle. It is now one of the most common ladybeetles in Canada!
Ground beetle (Calleida punctata)
A delightfully shiny and colourful ground beetle (Carabidae family). If you don't like fall webworms, you will be happy to see these little beetles, for they feed on them.
22-JUNE-2012
Banded hairstreak (Satyrium calynus)
This little tailed butterfly is in the Lycaenidae Family, which includes our familiar blues. This one is nectaring on milkweed. Late June is when we begin to see these hairstreaks around the FWG (and elsewhere).
Silvery blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
A lovely shot of another species in the Lycaenidae family. These butterflies are common in spring.
19-JUN-2012
California calligrapher (Calligrapha californica)
There was a cluster of these pretty Chrysomelid beetles near the pond. A new addition to our insect list.
19-JUN-2012
Small magpie moth (Eurrhypara hortulata), #4952
A gorgeous little moth, related to more commonly seen Anania funebris.
19-JUN-2012
Four-lined plant bug nymph (Poecilocapsus lineatus)
This is the brightly coloured nymph of a very common plant bug around the region. The adult bears the same colours but, as the name suggests, has stripes (or lines).
19-JUN-2012
Soldier beetles (Rhagonycha sp.)
Soldier beetles are fairly common insects, but probably the best known and most commonly seen is the Pennsylvania leatherwing which appears later in July and feeds largely, but not exclusively, on goldenrods.
18-JUN-2012
Bumblebee on comfrey
This happy bumblebee is seeking pollen from the comfrey flowers. You can see the pollen packets on its legs.
15-JUN-2012
Giant swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
Barry made an exciting discovery at the FWG, a giant swallowtail! Not only a first for the garden, but one of the few sightings in Ottawa. This spring and summer has seen a remarkable flight of many butterfly species, including those that wouldn't usually occur this far. Fortunately Barry got a photo of this rarity which is looking rather tattered and worn.
19-JUN-2012
Plant bug (Taedia)
There are so many species of plant bugs, and I think this one photographed by Barry may be in the Genus Taedia.
19-JUN-2012
Dogwood calligrapher (Calligrapher philadelphica)
I've been checking dogwoods for several weeks, hoping to find these guys, but I guess I was a bit too hasty for they have only just started to appear, at least that I have noticed. I think these are remarkably handsome beetles with intricate patterns. We have about 7 or 8 fairly common species in this region, and quite likely more than that. They belong to the Chrysomelid family, the leaf-eating beetles, and as you can see, this one was munching on the red osier leaf.
19-JUN-2012
Orange-spotted lady beetle (Brachicantha)
This tiny little creature is actually quite common, but again, because of size, is not often seen. Or if seen, it is as it drops off the plant, not to be seen again!
19-JUN-2012
Meadow plant bug (Leptopterna dolabratus) on timothy grass
Abundant at this time of year when the timothy appears, these bugs can sometimes be seen 6 or more to a stem. Previously in the genus Miris, these insects are native to Europe.
19-JUN-2012
American lady (Vanessa virginiensis) caterpillar
Planting some small pearly everlasting (Anaphalis) plants this morning, we came across this large caterpillar and about 5 very small ones. We are hoping that they survive to become the beautiful American lady butterfly.
19-JUN-2012
Leaf-cutter bee work
Leaf-cutter bees in the Genus Megachile, cut these almost perfect circular holes in rose leaves and carry them back to make their long cigar-shaped nests either in bee boxes, under rocks, under decks, or in a myriad of places.
19-JUN-2012
Planthopper (Cedusa)
These tiny, 2 mm, planthoppers are very common right now. They are easy to overlook because of their minute size, but their lovely colour does make them stand out. They can be found on almost any vegetation.
19-JUN-2012
Two-spotted stink bugs (Cosmopepla lintneriana)
A big cluster of these tiny and pretty, stinkbugs on the figwort at the back of the BYG. I counted about 20 of them.
19-JUN-2012
Eastern forktail (Ischnura verticalis), male
This pretty little damselfly landed briefly in the BYG this morning. The females are usually a lovely radiant orange colour.
19-JUN-2012
Purple nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)
Also known as deadly nightshade, this twining vine in the potato family is a European import. After these pretty flowers, comes bright red shiny berries. They are toxic, so no tasting.
19-JUN-2012
Refurbished bench
With many thanks to Gord, our old,tired bench has been given a facelift and looks amazing. Like a brand new bench. Not only beautiful but now sturdy. And Gord even inscribed our name (FWG) on the bench. Thank you, Gord!
19-JUN-2012
Galium (Galium mollugo)
This non-native species of galium (a group of plants also known as bedstraws), is a vigorously spreading plant that clambers over everything. It looks delicate and pretty, but it can hold its own with any plant, except perhaps for dog-strangling vine (pale swallowwort).
13-JUN-2012
Saddled leafhopper (Colladonus clitellarius)
A minute little guy, hiding in the fold of a goldenrod leaf.
19-JUN-2012
Lunch!
This crow was very happy to find an exceptionally long worm for lunch. It didn't take him long to devour it. One of the reasons crows are so successful, is that they are omnivores, eating a huge variety of foods, from carrion, to fruit, to garbage, invertebrates, mammals, birds, etc.
19-JUN-2012
Common Yellowthroat
This is one of several common yellowthroats around the garden. For many years this species did not breed at the garden, but when it did begin to do so, it was sporadic, nesting one year, not the next. But for the last 4 years or so they have been regulars, and this year we seem to have two pairs.
19-JUN-2012
Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
This gorgeous flame-coloured honeysuckle, is on the north wall of our interpretation centre. It often attracts insects and hummingbirds.
19-JUN-2012
Grasshopper's shed skin
It seemed to be the day for shed skins (exuviae) of insects. Here, the ghostly white of the left-behind skin of a grasshopper, was clinging to a Queen Anne's lace. Many species of insect molt several times (about 4 to 7). This shedding of the old encasing exoskeleton, allows them to grow with each molt.
19-JUN-2012
Shed skin (exuviae) of an insect
This tiny delicate shed skin was balancing on a leaf in the BYG. It was perhaps 3 mm in length, so small that I was afraid of squishing it if I picked it up to position it better. To be honest, shed skins are not my specialty! Many species of insect molt several times (about 4 to 7). This shedding of the old encasing exoskeleton, allows them to grow with each molt.
16-JUN-2012
Cabbage white (Pieris rapae), mating pari
Diane photographed this pair of mating cabbage whites. See how creamy yellow they look. SOmetimes they can look almost like a sulphur when flying past, and conversely, some sulphurs are almost white.
16-JUN-2012
Common ringlet (Coenonympha tullia)
Diane photographed this rather dark ringlet on an ox-eye daisy. These are the little butterflies that love grassy areas and can be seen in profusion in some parts of Ottawa. At the FWG, we generally can see up to a dozen on a good day!
16-JUN-2012
Sweat Bee (Halictus ligatus)
A very small sweat bee, one of many, many species that occur in eastern Ontario.
13-JUN-2012
Spittlebug, probably Philaenus spumarius
Diane found this spittlebug in the Butterfly Meadow. It is likely the meadow spittlebug, but as this species has at least 30 different variations, it is tough to say for sure! It is certainly the most common of spittlebugs.
13-JUN-2012
Volunteers working on the Butterfly Meadow
The regular Wednesday evening volunteers do very important work, helping with the huge task of rejuvenating the old meadow and helping create the new. Here, they are sifting out roots of dog-strangling vine before planting begins.
13-JUN-2012
European Skipper
These little orange skippers, native to Europe, as their name suggests, are common everywhere right now. It is possible to see 10 or 20 at the FWG in a visit. Their larval host plant is the timothy grass, also a native to Europe.
13-JUN-2012
Gray catbird with food
This is one of several catbirds nesting around the garden. Here you can see that the mouth is full of food for the nestlings.
13-JUN-2012
White admiral (Limenitis arthemis)
This species has recently appeared and can now be found in good numbers. Unlike the Vanessa butterflies, it is not migratory. The larva overwinters and the adults emerge at this time of year.
It was very much a butterfly day at the FWG today, with the following species found:
Monarch 1
European skipper 2
Silvery blue 2
Red admiral 1
American lady 1
White admiral 3
Little wood satyr 1
Question mark 5+
Common ringlet 6+
13-JUN-2012
American lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
Another of the migratory Vanessa butterflies that flew in large numbers into our area, though in nowhere near the same numbers as the red admiral. This one was nectaring avidly on the remaining dame's rocket flowers. This species lays its eggs on pearly everlasting.
13-JUN-2012
Red admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
This is the species that so enchanted all of us a month or so back when millions (literally) flew north to our area and beyond in two giant waves. We were all seeing 5,10, 100 per day. Now we see one or two, or none! However, the stinging nettles which were full of eggs, now have red admiral caterpillars, although numbers are greatly diminished. Nonetheless, the remaining caterpillars are getting bigger and will soon form a chrysalis.
13-JUN-2012
Question mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
One of at least 5 question mark butterflies found today at the FWG. You can see the white "question mark" that gives this species its name.
13-JUN-2012
Little wood satyr (Megisto cymela)
Flitting along the woodland edge of the ash woods, was this little "eyed" butterfly, very much a woodland species which can be very, very common in many locations.
13-JUN-2012
Old field
This shows the area of old field that was rototilled recently. A few milkweeds have been planted here, and we'd like to plant more before the raspberries, garlic mustard, dog-strangling vine, etc. return. Claudia and I worked at hoeing and raking out roots (and lots of garbage turned up by the rototilling and presumably from way back). Then we discovered thousands of garlic mustard seedlings that had appeared where the tractor had backed into the field probably when turning. Along these tracks the garlic mustard is impressive.
13-JUN-2012
Banasa stink bug (Banasa dimidiata)
These attractive green stinkbugs are very common and seem to be especially so on red osier dogwoods. I usually see many on these shrubs, although I also see them on other vegetation, but never so abundantly as on dogwood. There appears to be some confusion about the species name. Originally it was apparently written as "dimiata" and depending on which source you consult, you will find it written either way.
13-JUN-2012
Banasa stink bug (Banasa dimidiata)
On the red osier dogwood shrub I was looking at, there were at least a dozen of these stinkbugs, including this one hiding in a shelter formed from a leaf rolled around some seedheads.
13-JUN-2012
Pale green weevil (Polydrusus impressifrons)
This is the time of year to see these gorgeously coloured little weevils. They don't seem to be particular about which plants they hang out on, although they are said to prefer willow, birch and poplar. This one (and several others) was on a red-osier dogwood, and I've seen them in great numbers on hazel shrubs (Corylus). This is a European species that was accidentally introduced (how often have we heard that about so many species!).
13-JUN-2012
Fruit fly (Tephritidae sp.)
This tiny fly is one of the many, many species of fruit flies that occurs in eastern Ontario. These are not related to the tiny flies that cluster around bowls of fruit at home. These belong to the family Tephritidae, and many are specific to various types of plants, such as sunflowers, apples, walnuts, etc. The fly that makes the galls on goldenrods belongs to this same family. This may be in the gentus Urophora. It was found on a red-osier dogwood.
10 June 2012
Spider mites on the centre of a flower
Steve Begin photographed these tiny red mites on a plant on the patio behind our Interpretive Centre.
10 June 2012
Spider mite on a petal
Yellow grains of pollen are stuck to hairs on the mite's exoskeleton.
10 June 2012
Spider mite
This mite, which is less than a millimetre long, seems to be collecting pollen with its front legs. Unlike insects, mites have eight legs and are more closely related to spiders and ticks.
9-JULY-2012
Hobomok skipper (Poanes hobomok)
Sandy found this, and one of the blues (probably silvery blue based on her description), near the Ash Woods, a location where the first hobomok skippers usually appear. She also noted seeing a white admiral and several "orangish butterflies" flying too fast for a good look, but Sandy is sure they were one of the commas.
Canadian tiger swallowtail (Papilio canadensis)
A beautiful photo by Diane of the swallowtail on Dame's Rocket
Red admiral caterpillar (Vanessa atalanta) on stinging nettle
Photographed in the butterfly meadow.
Confused haploa caterpillar (Haploa confusa)
Diane photographed this caterpillar on a lupine in the butterfly meadow. This will soon turn into a strikingly patterned, large, brown and white moth.
Virgin Tiger Moth caterpillar
Larva, Goldenrod leaf beetle (Trirhabda sp.)
Diane photographed this larva at the garden the other day. From the photo, it looks like the larva of the Trirhabda beetle, a chrysomelid, with the common name of Goldenrod leaf beetle, which usually appears at this time of year.
01-JUN-2012
Volunteers planting the Butterfly Meadow
In fall 2011, we received a generous grant from Fido and the Evergreen Foundation to establish a Monarch Waystation at the FWG. Part of the project is to make a model waystation - one that most people could copy for their own backyard - in our Butterfly Meadow. On June 1, PriceWaterhouseCoopers volunteers spent the day working with FWG volunteers to make the model waystation a reality. Here they are hard at work preparing the soil for planting.
01-JUN-2012
Volunteers working on the Butterfly Meadow
We used some of the grant money to buy 3000 native plants, grown especially for us from seed we provided to Budd Gardens in Ottawa's east end. The PriceWaterhouseCoopers team and FWG volunteers planted the first bunch of wildflowers on June 1.
01-JUN-2012
Volunteers planting the Butterfly Meadow
The PWC team helped us make a huge start on our model monarch waystation. We would never have been able to get all those plants into the ground without them. Big thanks, PWC! And look how they're still smiling at the end of the day - and in the rain!