We had some much needed rains this spring and the wild rose flowers were spectacular and smelled divine. I made it a point to stop to smell the roses during my walks while taking stock of the bugs on the roses 😊. There were a lot of honey bees, mining bees, bumble bees etc. also … Continue reading It’s Time to Smell the Roses
A Winter’s Delight (Rose Gall Wasps)
I collected wild rose galls last spring and successfully reared some wasps from them. I had forgotten all about the galls and wasps until I came across a banditry of chickadees pecking at galls on a cold winter's day. "Banditry of chickadees" 🙂 - love it, had to look that up. I collected a few … Continue reading A Winter’s Delight (Rose Gall Wasps)
Air Conditioner Please (Elm seed bugs)
It has been a very hot summer and the elm seed bugs are also feeling the heat. Elm seed bugs have been in the Okanagan valley since 2016. Their numbers are very high this year and I have received a lot of reports from around the Okanagan valley. I have a bunch of them running … Continue reading Air Conditioner Please (Elm seed bugs)
The Tailed Beauties (Swallowtail Butterflies)
I have seen so many swallowtail butterflies this year on my hikes in forest areas, along creeks, meadows, in town and in gardens. They seem to be abundant everywhere and it is so nice to see them. The yellow, and black markings on swallowtail butterflies are very striking. Yellow and black colours in the bug … Continue reading The Tailed Beauties (Swallowtail Butterflies)
A Visit to the Cacti
The spring crickets and cicadas are still singing but the spring has been very hot and tree fruit bloom time went by very fast. A kind gentleman showed me a patch of brittle prickly pear cactus last spring and it was quite the treat to see the flowers. I saw said gentleman on an afternoon … Continue reading A Visit to the Cacti
The Bees in the Willows
I love pussy willows. Seeing them always lifts up my spirits because I know spring is around the corner. I do not know much about willows but my google reading tells me that there are different species of willows and most of them are either male or female (you don't get male and female parts … Continue reading The Bees in the Willows
At the Goldenrods
I meant to finish this post last fall but did not get to it. I had a lot of fun summer days at the goldenrods - there were bees and flies buzzing around, lots of wasps, butterflies, and I even saw a lone grasshopper at the goldenrods. The bees and some of the wasps and … Continue reading At the Goldenrods
Western Conifer Seed Bugs
I had two house guests this week - Western conifer seed bugs. I let them stay the night but got rid of them the next day. I have been receiving a lot of reports of Western conifer seed bugs this year and their numbers are very high which can be overwhelming for homeowners. People often … Continue reading Western Conifer Seed Bugs
The Cicadas Have Joined The Choir
I can still hear the crickets on my walks but there is more music from the bug choirs. The male cicadas have now joined in with their loud shrill choruses. Cicadas are a large and noisy bunch, and a bit on the strange side, nothing wrong with that :). The immature stages (nymphs) live in … Continue reading The Cicadas Have Joined The Choir
The Ants, The Aphids And The Peonies
Ants are an interesting group but some species can be very destructive and nobody wants ants in their pants, the ant dance is no fun. Growing up in a tropical country, we always had to make sure our sugar was placed in a well-sealed container to prevent ants getting in - they have sweet tooths … Continue reading The Ants, The Aphids And The Peonies
Bugs N Stuff 