Bug Buffet

I watched a flock of robins and other birds having a feast under some infested elm trees this week and was pleasantly surprised at how fast and efficient they were at picking up the bugs and how many they could stuff into their beaks. Some of them looked downright comical 😊. A few adult birds … Continue reading Bug Buffet

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

Bugs Go A-Courtin’

We have a lot of bugs around us and one is bound to come across some mating pairs. We saw a few mating pairs of bugs last summer and since it is Valentine’s day, I deem it appropriate to share the pictures and have a chat about some of the courtship behaviours in bugs. Date … Continue reading Bugs Go A-Courtin’

Feathered Friends

I saw a few birds while bugging around and on hikes with my girlfriends this summer. We found birds feasting on bugs and others hunting for bugs. I do not know my birds and would like to thank my birder girlfriend for the education. We went hiking at the Myra Canyon Trestles in Kelowna last … Continue reading Feathered Friends

The Beauties – Part 2

A lot of alfalfa butterflies have been flying in the North Okanagan the past few weeks. Gorgeous yellow and green colours - a sight to behold. Unfortunately, these beauties are a pest and their caterpillars can cause damage to alfalfa. I have added photos of other pollinators I have seen in the valley. Enjoy! Alfalfa … Continue reading The Beauties – Part 2

Aphid Guzzlers

Aphids - Don't you love them. Nah! They are numerous and can be found on many plants. Don't despair though, there are a lot of good bugs out there that feed on aphids. I will cover lady bugs in this post. Most people love ladybugs (I may be wrong :). What's not to like? The … Continue reading Aphid Guzzlers

“Beetle Fest”

We have seen some gorgeous beetles feeding on pollen the past few weeks - adult checkered beetles, dimorphic flower beetles, click beetles and lady bug beetle larvae. Dimorphic flower beetles are cool - males and females have different colours. Click beetles make a clicking sound when you grab or flip them upside down. Don't go … Continue reading “Beetle Fest”

Armyworms

Western yellowstriped armyworm Large outbreaks of Western yellowstriped armyworm were reported in Enderby, Armstrong and Spallumcheen in 2018. The caterpillars caused a lot of damage to alfalfa, corn, gardens and other crops. Unfortunately, the caterpillars are back again this year. Western yellowstriped armyworm caterpillars are black with pale yellow stripes on the body. The front … Continue reading Armyworms