Mating Shenanigans of Jagged Ambush Bugs

I was in White lake a week ago, chasing some grasshoppers. With the smokey skies in the Interior B.C. that week, we left early in the morning and had a wonderful time searching for a particular species. We did not find what we were looking for but saw some crickets and a lot of European … Continue reading Mating Shenanigans of Jagged Ambush Bugs

If it looks like a bee, flies like a bee, buzzes like a bee, then it must be a bee?

No one wants to be stung by a bee or wasp. Bee and wasp stings are painful and there is the added concern of allergic reactions. Bees and wasps usually have a combination of yellow, black and red colours. In the insect world, yellow, black and red colours spell danger for would be predators. We … Continue reading If it looks like a bee, flies like a bee, buzzes like a bee, then it must be a bee?

Air Show

I saw an awesome display by some dragonflies during my lunch walk yesterday. Dragonflies have beautiful colours, delicate wings and very big eyes.  In some species the eyes meet at the top of the head and they can turn their head 360 degrees.  You have to be quite stealthy approaching them - took me a … Continue reading Air Show

We have tail pipes

Aphids have tail pipes (cornicles). They can be a serious problem on many plants and trees in the valley. They are small, pear-shaped, soft - bodied insects and come in all sorts of colours; green, black, yellow, red, etc. To identify aphids, look for the tail pipes (cornicles) on the bum end. They are usually … Continue reading We have tail pipes