2024 April 2

   Jeff Gaskin writes:  A Mourning Cloak was at Quick’s Bottom this morning, April 2nd, –  the only butterfly that was there.

Ian Cooper photographed this slug at Colquitz River Park, March 28.  We had wondered whether it might be Arion silvaticus – but Robert Forsyth writes:  “Identifying Arion within each of the subgenera is really risky, or just impossible. Arion silvaticus is not a species that I’ve ever been able to validate as being here. There’s a study that shows that body pigmentation can be affected by diet (although I’m unsure that the dotting on the mantle, typical in A. circumscriptus, is also affected), so ‘traditional’ use of body colour probably doesn’t work. Dissection (or DNA) is needed for determining species with accuracy.”  And after seeing the photograph Robert continues: “It could be, or it could be A. fasciatus. But I also notice that this is a very young slug (judging by the size of the fern fronds; I assume that this is on a Sword Fern). So that may complicate matters further. For example, the large, black Arion is pale and banded when very young (not saying that this is one).

So – while A. silvaticus is a possibility, we shall just label this one, for the time being,  Arion sp.   The tiny insect to the right of the slug’s head is a springtail.

Arion sp.  (Ara.: Arionidae)  Ian Cooper

Ian’s next slug is a little easier to identify.  It is Limax maximus, photographed at Colquitz River Park before dawn this morning, April 2nd.  It has borne several English names, such as Giant Garden Slug, Great Grey Slug (the one below isn’t very grey!) and Leopard Slug.

Limax maximus (Pul.: Limacidae)  Ian Cooper

Limax maximus (Pul.: Limacidae)  Ian Cooper

The next animal is another difficult one.  Dr Robb Bennett writes:   A male linyphiine linyphiid of uncertain genus affinity. Would need some clear images of its pedipalps to make identification progress.

Male linyphiine spider  (Ara.: Linyphiidae – Linyphiinae)   Ian Cooper