2021 March 17 afternoon

 

   Scott Gilmore photographed this springtail, Isotoma viridis, from his backyard in Lantzville yesterday (March 16).  Frans Janssens confirmed the identity of the beast.

 

Springtail Isotoma viridis (Coll.: Isotomidae)  Scott Gilmore

   Ian Cooper writes:  Here are some pre-dawn photos from Colquitz River Park and the Galloping Goose trail 9km site, March 16 2021. It got quite chilly that night.

 

Drone Fly Eristalis tenax (Dip.: Syrphidae)  Ian Cooper

   Ian writes:  This larva appeared to be feeding on rust-colored lichen growing between the small cracks and crevices in the tree’s bark. It was tiny.  Maybe 6 mm. The bristles on its head look as though they are dusted with what I assume are lichen spores.     Later:  Jeremy Tatum writes:  This larva was finally identified (see March 26) by Dr David Wagner, Charlene Wood and by Ian himself, as the larva of a soldier beetle (Cantharidae).

 

Soldier beetle larva (Col.: Cantharidae)  Ian Cooper

Soldier beetle larva (Col.: Cantharidae)  Ian Cooper