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.

2024 June 23 morning

2024 June 23 morning

   Here are two dipterans photographed by Ian Cooper.  We *think* we know what they are, but we can’t be quite certain, and we would welcome opinions by knowledgeable viewers.  We think the little yellow fly is probably a vinegar fly (Drosophilidae), but we can’t be quite certain.  We think the other is probably a nonbiting midge (Chironomidae), but it might possibly be a mosquito (Culicidae).

 

Probably a vinegar fly (Dip.: Drosophilidae)  Ian Cooper

Probably a vinegar fly (Dip.: Drosophilidae)  Ian Cooper

Probably a vinegar fly (Dip.: Drosophilidae)  Ian Cooper

 

Probably a nonbiting midge (Dip.: Chironomidae)  Ian Cooper

 

We thank Dr Frans Janssens for the identification of the springtail below.

Entomobrya katzi  (Coll.: Entomobryidae) Ian Cooper

 

We thank Dr Rob Cannings for the identification of the young male Blue Dasher below, photographed by Aziza Cooper at Mary Lake.

Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis  (Odo.: Libellulidae)  Aziza Cooper