INVERTEBRATE ALERT
This blog provides an informal forum for terrestrial invertebrate watchers to post recent sightings of interesting observations in the southern Vancouver Island region. Please send your sightings by email to Jeremy Tatum (tatumjb352@gmail.com). Be sure to include your name, phone number, the species name (common or scientific) of the invertebrate you saw, location, date, and number of individuals. If you have a photograph you are willing to share, please send it along. Click on the title above for an index of past sightings.The index is updated most days.

2023 May 4 evening

2023 May 4 evening

 

Two more ladybird beetles from Ian Cooper – one with no spots, and one with lots of
spots.

 

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Cycloneda polita (Col.: Coccinellidae)   Ian Cooper

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Harmonia axyridis  (Col.: Coccinellidae)   Ian Cooper

   Ian also photographed a pair of crab spiders (identified by Dr Robb Bennett as Xysticus,
probably cristatus), with the female apparently eating the male after a mating attempt by the male.  As Dr Bennett puts it:  I think this is the aftermath of a love affair gone bad.

 

 

 

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Xysticus (probably cristatus)  (Ara.: Thomisidae)   Ian Cooper

   Aziza Cooper (no relation!) photographed an early dragonfly on Observatory Hill today.

 

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California Darner Rhionaeschna californica  (Odo.: Aeshnidae)  Aziza Cooper