After a successful week of sampling at Long Point Provincial Park, the BIObus was off to Bruce Peninsula National Park. The Bruce Peninsula divides Georgian Bay from the main basin of Lake Huron, and has some very unique aquatic ecosystems where interesting species can be found. We sampled a variety of these habitats which included creeks, marshes, ponds and lakes.
Of the sites we sampled, the marshes consistently held a high diversity and numbers of aquatic invertebrates. With a few swoops with the D-net along submerged vegetation and roots in a beaver marsh we collected several giant electric light bugs (some of which were almost 2 inches long) and many other interesting aquatic insects.
Collecting worms in the Bruce Peninsula National Park was more challenging than anticipated in some areas. Loamy soils were sparse across the region, the soil composition was primarily dominated by conifer litter and often a thin layer on top of bedrock which is not ideal worm habitat.
One of the most memorable experiences from this sampling trip was my first encounter with the elusive phantom crane fly (Family: Ptychopteridae). The flight pattern of this fly makes it appear like a floating seed along, however, the most interesting aspect was how its black and white striped legs and body made it very difficult to track and catch in the light-speckled thickets which these flies inhabit. I was amazed by the illusion of the phantom crane fly disappearing and reappearing from plain sight in the long grass.
– Adrian
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