Chickadee Photo Art

Six Spotted Tiger Beetle “Cicindela sexguttata”

// July 2nd, 2010 // No Comments » // Boreal Forest, Insects, Whiteshell Provincial Park

This photo was taken at the Petroforms site in the Whiteshell.  One could not miss seeing this brightly coloured metallic green beetle scurrying across the rocky path.

They are found in the deciduous forests and do not bite humans unless handled. This beetle can have white spots on its shell, usually numbering six but some beetles have a few spots or none at all. They live in woody places and like shady openings such as dirt paths and fallen logs to hunt. Their prey includes caterpillars, ants and spiders. The beetles stay in larvae form for one year before pupating and has a total lifespan of just under 5 years.

Enjoy!

~Sharon

Spider – Orb Weaver

// June 23rd, 2010 // No Comments » // Insects

So, in previous posts I mention that spiders are not exactly one of my favourites but admit they are interesting.  One thing for sure, they are all hairy.   This is another spider found in my garden area, pretty sure it is another orb weaver.  This spider  had a good size the body and was about 2.5 cm around ( 1″ for the non-metric crowd ). When I came too close to it the front legs went up in a defensive position.  I had no intention of getting that close !

Enjoy!

~Sharon

Banana Slugs

// February 27th, 2010 // No Comments » // Insects, Pacific Ocean & Vancouver Island

While driving up the eastern coast of Vancouver Island we came across these interesting slugs.  They were large enough that we noticed them from the car. Unfortunately it is hard to visualize their size through photos .These slugs are much different from the small and slimy garden variety slugs found where I live.   From what I can tell, they are Banana Slugs. Here are a few interesting facts about them:

• These slugs are hermaphroditic organisms, meaning that they contain both male and female reproductive organs.

• The Banana Slug can have up to 27,000 teeth on its long tongue.

• World’s Second Largest Slug

• Covered by a layer of slime that is used as a protective agent by numbing other organisms that pose a threat
• Color is directly affected by nutrition and amount of humidity
• Herbivores that are often considered pests by farmers but prefer to feed on mushrooms and serve as decomposers

Literature cited:  http://www.earlham.edu/~burksje/bananaslug.htm  accessed December 22/09

Enjoy!

Sharon