Scale bugs are some pesky critters. Belonging to the order Hemiptera, they have a defining beak like characteristic used to suck out the contents of its prey. The females are typically immobile and have a waxy scale like surface whereas the males have one set of functioning forewings and suppressed hindwings. Continue reading “149/150: Not your typical song scales”→
The Amelanchier alnifolia or commonly known as the Saskatoon serviceberry is found widely across the Americas. Its name is derived from the Cree word “misaskwatomina” meaning “fruit of the tree with many branches”. This hardy plant requires little attention with plenty of sunlight and mulch, similar to your old pet rock that you forgot about. In autumn, the colours of the leaves turn a radiant reddish-purple and yellowish-gold. Additionally, the Saskatoon serviceberry is a food of the past! Travelers and early settlers ate its berries as a sweet alternative to their everyday meals. Humans are not the only ones to value its gifts, some pest species such as aphids and thrips feed on the serviceberry as well. This species is represented with 18 records on BOLD. #Biodiversity150 #Canada150
Specimen ERM457 – Vancouver Island, British Columbia – 6-Jun-2011. Photo Credit: UBC HerbariumThe flower of Saskatoon serviceberry. Photo Credit: Hansen’s Northwest Native Plant Database goo.gl/b3V9Gw
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The longnose gar can be found along the east coast of North and Central America. It resides in freshwater lakes where there is plenty of vegetation, trees and stone outcrops. The species is defined by its long snout, sharp teeth, elongated body and earthy colours of brown and white along its sides. Longnose gar eat almost anything, ranging from other fishes, small insects to a variety of crustaceans. Longnose gars are survivors, this species has persisted over 100 million years and they can tolerate oxygen poor environments. Historically, these fish were caught to serve as a food source for settlers. Today, the species continues to be fished but mostly for sport fishing as trophy pieces. #Canada150 #Biodiversity150
Specimen BCF-0012-2 – Fleuve St-Laurent, Quebec – 25-Sep-2005. Photo Credit: Royal Ontario MuseumLongnose gar in an aquarium. Photo Credit: Mat1583 goo.gl/ZX6jer
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The Atlantic whitefish (Coregonus huntsmani), is native to Nova Scotia, Canada residing in the Tusket River and Petite Riviere. If you see this species, consider yourself lucky. In 1970, under the federal Fisheries Act, the fishing for the species was prohibited. Habitat loss from the damming of the Tusket River contributed to its decline as well as introduced fish species. To this day, it is still considered endangered. The Atlantic whitefish has silver coloured sides and a darkish blue-green back, spawns in freshwater and lives out most of its life in the sea. Its diet consists of amphipods, periwinkles and marine worms. #Canada150 #Biodiversity150
The Atlantic whitefish (Coregonus huntsmani), an endangered species. Photo Credit: Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada goo.gl/x8k8CaRange of the Atlantic whitefish. Photo Credit: Government of Canada goo.gl/GZy7UT
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