Spring 2008 Vol. 27, No. 1
NEWSLETTER OF THE BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA (TERRESTRIAL ARTHROPODS)
Table of Contents
General Information and Editorial Notes...... (inside front cover) News and Notes BioBlitz 2008...... 1 The first curation blitz...... 3 Biological Survey of Canada symposium...... 4 Summary of the Scientific Committee meeting ...... 5 Insects of the Yukon price reduction...... 8 BSC Vision document...... 9 Project Update: Canadian Journal of Arthropod Identification...... 10 First record of Armadillidium vulgare from Quebec...... 13 Web Site Notes...... 14 The biodiversity of beetles in the Maritime provinces...... 15 Arctic Corner Historical changes in the biodiversity of Muscidae and Fanniidae of Churchill...... 22 Impacts to the invertebrate community structure of aquatic systems in Nunavut...24 Flora of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago published...... 27 Selected Future Conferences...... 28 List of Requests for Material or Information...... 29 Cooperation Offered...... 35 List of Addresses...... 36 Index to Taxa...... 39 Request for Cooperation (form)...... 40 General Information The Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods) appears twice yearly. All material without other accreditation is prepared by the Secretariat for the Biological Survey.
Editor: Andrew B.T. Smith Head, Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods) Canadian Museum of Nature P.O. Box 3443, Station “D” Ottawa, ON K1P 6P4 Tel. 613-364-4070 Fax. 613-364-4022 Email: [email protected]
Queries, comments, and contributions to the Newsletter are welcomed by the editor. Deadline for material for the Fall 2008 issue is July 31, 2008.
Editorial Notes The Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods) develops and coordi- nates national initiatives in taxonomic and ecological entomology on behalf of the Canadian Museum of Nature and the Entomological Society of Canada. The Newsletter communicates information about systematic and faunistic entomology that may be of interest in Canada, and reports especially on activities relevant to the Biological Survey.
This newsletter is available on the Survey’s website at: http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/bsc/bschome.htm To receive this newsletter via email (as an Adobe Acrobat file) instead of a paper copy please send an email message to the Editor. Vol. 27, No. 1 1
News and Notes
BSC BioBlitz 2008 Collection web site: http://www.uoguelph.ca/ debu/brucepeninsula.htm. Bruce Peninsula National Park, The opportunity to engage Canada’s top 19–23 June insect systematists in a BSC BioBlitz on the Bruce represents an opportunity to test and ruce Peninsula National Park and the expand the Bruce arthropod inventory. Some Bclosely associated Fathom Five National groups are relatively poorly handled on our list Marine Park (http://www.pc.gc.ca/progs/ because some techniques (light traps, for exam- np-pn/index_E.asp; http://www.castlebluff. ple) have been underutilized; other groups are com/bffscience/index.html) together comprise incompletely treated because nobody involved an impressively diverse protected area at the tip with the survey has had the specialized taxo- of the Bruce Peninsula and archipelago. Long nomic expertise to deal with them. Treat our famous for its floristic diversity (especially its list as a challenge, and please help us make it 43 species of orchids), the Parks are part of the better! largest remaining area of natural environment in southern Ontario. It offers a variety of eas- Objectives of the bioblitz: ily accessible ecosystems including: alvars, old This will be a bit different from previous fields, hardwood forests, mixed forests, conifer BioBlitz efforts because there is a substan- forests, cliffs, fens, marshes, swamps, ponds, streams, and lakes. Studies of insect diversity in the Park began in the early 1990s with a study of biodiversity on the islands of Fathom Five National Marine Park (results published in 2001 by S. Marshall, C. Buddle, B. Sinclair, and D. Buckle). Following hot on the heels of that relatively small study, Park ecologist Scott Parker arranged a contract to do extensive insect inventory work in the Bruce Peninsula National Park. Although that contract ended in 2001, I have continued to spend my weekends and holidays on the Peninsula, building up our insect collection and adding further taxa to the Park list. Park insect inventory efforts were further enhanced last summer though another contract awarded to Steven Paiero to initiate an aquatic insect monitoring program in the park (Steve worked with me on the initial Bruce survey, after which he did an extensive arthro- pod inventory of Ojibway Prairie as his MSc). Thanks largely to ongoing development of the Bruce component of the University of Guelph insect collection, we now have an extensive list of over 3,300 species of insects, regularly updated on the University of Guelph Insect The rocky shore of Dunks Bay, Bruce Peninsula National Park. (photograph by S.A. Marshall)
2 Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods) tial existing inventory, and one of our major always wanted to camp and night light there). objectives is to tap your specialized expertise Tobermory also has a wide range of hotels and to make it better. A look at the current species motels, all likely to have lots of space that early list should give participants a good idea of how in the season. Once we have a better idea of close our list is to the expected fauna; if it is how many people are coming, and how many short of the mark, please come and fill in the want to be based at Emmett Lake, we can make gaps. If it includes some rare things you would arrangements for evening get-togethers and like to see, let us try to show you where to look. suggested group collecting events. I will be Many of you identified specimens as part of based at a cottage in Tobermory. the original inventory – this is an opportunity to see where they came from. Come and apply Bits and pieces: your specialized techniques. You will need a vehicle, as the Emmett Lake cabin is well off the beaten track and most In addition to the primary objective of good collecting sites are widely separated. bringing your skills to bear on an advanced arthropod inventory project, we would like to Scott Parker has also offered to provide turn this into a positive public relations exer- some boat drop off/pick ups to the islands. This cise for both BSC and the Park. We deliberately is weather permitting and requires prearrange- chose a period when the Park will not be too ment. crowded (before school is out), but you should All specimens must be retained in a recog- still be prepared to explain your activities at nized institution, and technically remain Parks least on an informal basis to curious park visi- Canada property. It would be most helpful if tors. If you are willing to participate in more specimens or identifications linked to detailed formal interpretive activities such as talks, specimen information could be provide to us for walks, or activities in the interpretive centre, deposition in the University of Guelph Insect please let us know. Collection or inclusion in the Bruce Arthropod Database. I will coordinate a Parks Canada Logistics: research and collection permit that includes all Park Ecologist Scott Parker has kindly participants. offered to help us out with logistics, including the provision of a building and a campsite on Send me your email address if you want Emmett Lake. The building is an old junior to be kept informed as our plans gel a bit more, ranger station now used as researcher accom- and the sooner you can confirm your participa- modation, and it is private and rustic. For those tion the sooner those plans will gel. preferring to camp there is the National Park campground at Cyprus Lake and a variety of Steve Marshall nice private campgrounds in the area. Of the Selected reference latter, I prefer Tobermory Village Campground Marshall, S.A., C. Buddle, B. Sinclair, and D. Buckle. 2001. Spiders, flies and some other arthropods of right on Highway 6 coming in to Tobermory, the Fathom Five Islands and the upper Bruce Pen- because you can get campsites backing right insula, pp. 191-229. In: S. Parker and M. Munawar into Tobermory Bog (a fantastic place, and (eds.) Ecology, Culture and Conservation of a Pro- the only true bog on the upper Bruce – I have tected Area: Fathom Five National Marine Park, Canada. Backhuys, Leiden, The Netherlands.
For more information or to register please contact: Steve Marshall, Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1; 519-824-4120, x 52720; [email protected]
Vol. 27, No. 1 3
The first curation blitz: the Biological Survey of Canada tackles the collections in Saskatoon he first Biological Survey of Canada TCuration Blitz took place on 1 October 2007 during the Entomological Society of Canada annual meetings in Saskatoon. The participants included eight visiting entomolo- gists, who descended on an undergraduate biol- ogy lab at the University of Saskatchewan for the event. Bob Randell, retired professor from the University of Saskatchewan and volunteer curator of both the university and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada collections, with help from Keith Moore of AAFC and Shelley Fisher a University of Saskatchewan graduate student, David McCorquodale and Clayton D'Orsay examining moved about 35 drawers of specimens into the the Coleoptera holdings. lab. The interests of the attendees were catered (photograph by Greg Pohl) to with drawers of scarabs, dytiscids, cer- to the 1960s, mostly from Saskatchewan, but ambycids, coccinellids, siricids, miscellaneous a good representation from Manitoba, Alberta, Hymenoptera and lots of moths available. and BC in some groups. For many groups, For almost two hours the room was rela- species level identifications had been done in tively quiet, only the occasional, “Mmm did not the 1950s and 1960s. In addition there were expect this in Saskatchewan” or “Ahhh, first drawers of unidentified specimens (notably record from west of Quebec.” Some focused on Culicidae and Lepidoptera). identifying species in groups they knew well The curation blitz had three main goals. (e.g. Dytiscus, Siricidae, scarabs), while others One was to provide some curatorial assistance sorted material to family and organized it in the to the Saskatoon collections. Most of us would collection. have preferred to stay for a few more days to All realized there was more interest- make more headway, but we did make sig- ing material than they expected. Much of the nificant progress towards improving the level material in both collections was from the 1940s of curation in the collections during the short time available. The second goal was to have an understanding of what the collections had to offer. Henri Goulet appeared to be ecstatic with finding the first record of Sirex cyaneus, an introduced siricid that feeds on firs (Abies spp.). He has been unraveling the complexities of siricid systematics and these collections added a few pieces to the puzzle. Perhaps not as dramatic, but the rest of us added to our under- standing of the distribution of insects in Canada too. The third goal was to learn from each other about insect identification, other important regional collections, and approaches to study- Jason Dombrowskie sorts through the moth collection. ing the systematics and faunistics of insects. An John Huber and Rob Roughley are in the background. added bonus was again seeing how cooperative (photograph by Greg Pohl) and friendly entomologists are in Canada.
4 Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods)
Thanks to Bob Randell, Keith Moore, David McCorquodale, Cape Breton Shelley Fisher, and the following participants University, Cerambycidae for making this event a success: Greg Pohl, Northern Forestry Centre, Natural Jason Dombrowskie, University of Alberta, Resources Canada, Microlepidoptera Microlepidoptera Bob Randell, University of Saskatchewan, Clayton D’Orsay, University of Prince Edward Insecta Island, Coleoptera Rob Roughley, University of Manitoba, John Huber, CNC, Natural Resources Canada, Dytiscidae Hymenoptera Andrew Smith, Biological Survey of Canada, Henri Goulet, CNC, Agriculture and Agri- Canadian Museum of Nature, Scarabaeoidea Food Canada, Siricidae D.B. McCorquodale
The participants in the first Biological Survey of Canada Curation Blitz at the University of Saskatchewan, from left to right: David McCorquodale, Clayton D’Orsay, Andrew Smith, John Huber, Henri Goulet, Rob Roughley, Jason Dombrowskie, Bob Randell, and Greg Pohl (photograph by Shelley Fisher)
Biological Survey of Canada Symposium tarting this year in Ottawa, the Biological Survey of Canada is organising an annual symposium Sat the Entomological Society of Canada annual meetings. Plans have already solidified for the 2008 meeting in Ottawa (19–22 October) and the 2009 meeting in Winnipeg (18–21 October) with the goal of turning this symposium into a recurring annual tradition. Topics will broadly cover BSC projects and activities but other presentations on systematics and faunistics research on Canadian arthropods will also be welcome. If you are interested in participating, please contact Andrew Smith
Vol. 27, No. 1 5
Summary of the Meeting of the Scientific Committee for the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods), October 2007
he Scientific Committee met in Saskatoon, while the third volume will be a taxonomic TSaskatchewan on 3–4 October 2007. work. Some discussion on the distinction between the second and third volumes ensued. The Committee directed the editor, Dr. Floate, Scientific Projects to proceed as planned with the second volume 1. Canadian Journal of Arthropod with possible minor changes such as the addi- Identification tion of a chapter on conservation of arthropods The Bee Genera of Eastern Canada was of the prairies, global warming, invasive spe- published in the Canadian Journal of Arthropod cies, and/or some aspect of national parks. Identification (CJAI) in September. The Bee Dr. Floate had already contacted a number of Flies of Eastern Canada and the Vespids of North people about contributing to the second volume America are well along in the review process and he planned to update them in October. and should be the next issues published. There 3. Insects of the Arctic are at least eight other manuscripts in process. The Committee renewed its support for a Discussions will soon begin as to the feasibility subcommittee to pursue a large northern insect of eventually transferring the technical produc- survey that will measure changes in biodivers- tion of the CJAI from the University of Guelph ity using a century of data on arctic and boreal to the Biological Survey Secretariat. species. Funding possibilities were discussed. Mr. Dave Cheung, University of Guelph Dr. Currie reported that this past year he has spent considerable time providing technical was only able to spend one week in the arctic services for the CJAI. The Committee debated but that trip reinforced how little is known of the necessity to charge authors for these servi- the fauna of northern latitudes which under- ces in the future. scores the need for further arctic work. He will There have been some trials using the be attending a meeting of the Polar Barcode of Open Journal System service offered by the Life Initiative (PolarBOLI) project in Norway University of Alberta Library but the file size and will report back on potential opportunities of the image-rich CJAI issues are creating with that group. technical difficulties. The University of Alberta Library staff are continuing to investigate ways 4. Terrestrial arthropods of Newfoundland of resolving this issue. and Labrador The Curculionoidea of Newfoundland and 2. Grasslands Labrador should be ready for submission to The editorial committee (Dr. Joe CJAI in early 2008. Financial support has been Shorthouse, Dr. Kevin Floate, Dr. Rose De received from the Newfoundland and Labrador Clerck-Floate) for the first grasslands volume Department of Environment and Conservation on Arthropods of Canadian grasslands: ecol- to put together lists of species, illustrated keys, ogy and interactions in grassland habitats and databases mainly for Curculionoidea, asked authors to submit their updated chapters carabids, and staphylinids. The focus next year by the end of September 2007. The goal is to will be Lepidoptera with the assistance of Mr. have all material ready to go to the publisher Doug Macaulay and Mr. Greg Pohl. Another by March 31, 2008. The Committee discussed proposal has been submitted to facilitate a mod- options for how to publish the volume. est collecting expedition to Labrador. Two pub- lications on the staphylinids of Newfoundland The second grasslands volume is intended are expected to be completed soon. The full to deal with altered or changing grasslands,
6 Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods)
staphylinid key should be complete by late 2008 7. Arthropods and Fire or 2009. Extraction of Newfoundland species Due to a lack of commitment from some records from literature continues to contribute authors, the proposed series of papers on the to a comprehensive bibliography and database. topic of arthropod conservation and fire planned for the Journal of Insect Conservation has been 5. Forest arthropods cancelled. These papers originated from the Dr. Langor reported that the forest arthro- BSC-sponsored symposium on Arthropods and pod database that is on the BSC web site con- Fire held in 2005. tinues to be updated with 2-3 new projects a year. Volume 3 of the Arthropods of Canadian 8. BioBlitzes Forests newsletter was published in both The 2007 BioBlitz was held at Riding English and French in May. Mountain National Park, Manitoba, 16-20 The seven synthesis papers stemming July 2007. A report was published in the Fall from a BSC-sponsored symposium entitled issue of this newsletter. Although beneficial “Maintaining Arthropods in Northern Forest in many respects, the attendance had been Ecosystems,” held in 2005, should be published low. The Committee discussed the efforts and in The Canadian Entomologist in early 2008. benefits of holding an annual Bioblitz. Among other benefits, the BioBlitzes have opened The Cerambycidae of Canada and Alaska the doors to collecting in national parks and project is proceeding well. All the major col- have provided Parks Canada with valuable lections have been visited and databased. The data. The Committee agreed that the BioBlitz majority of keys have been produced by Dr. project should continue but that it need not be Yves Bousquet. Some of the taxonomic work an annual event. Nonetheless, there will be a that was needed has been completed. Mr. BioBlitz organized in 2008 at Bruce Peninsula Klause Bolte has been contracted to do the National Park (see also p. 1). The Committee photographs for the publication. also discussed the feasibility of doing a future BioBlitz in a northern park, especially given 6. Invasions and reductions the proposal to organize a large northern insect The proceedings of the symposium on survey. Ecological Impacts of Non-Native Insects and Fungi on Terrestrial Ecosystems will be The first Curation Blitz was held at the published as a special volume of the journal University of Saskatchewan on 1 October Biological Invasions. Springer will also pub- 2007. Eight visiting entomologists provide lish 200 hardbound copies of that special issue some curatorial assistance to the Saskatoon which NRCan will buy and distribute. The date collections, gained some understanding of what for submission to the publisher is 1 December is contained in those collections, and learned 2007. from each other about insect identification. (see also article on p. 3). Discussions have begun Progress on capturing data for the on options to hold a similar event at the 2008 coccinellid project continues. The tree-feeding Entomological Society of Canada annual meet- species part of the list of non-native terrestrial ing in Ottawa. arthropods is largely complete but it is hoped that some funding will be received next fiscal 9. Arthropods of the Gulf of St. Lawrence year to extract information from other collec- Islands tions. These data will be available through the This project started with more of a focus Canadian Forest Service’s alien invasive spe- on the Gulf islands but has broadened some- cies web site. Work on the larger database of what to include more of the Maritimes. Dr. 1900 species continues. McCorquodale and Dr. Giberson had students this past summer working on aquatic hemiptera,
Vol. 27, No. 1 7
bumblebees, and coccinellids. They are cur- Dr. Smith reported that he and Dr. Steve rently advertising for a masters student. Marshall had attended the Museum’s strategic planning retreat the week prior to the Scientific 10. Databasing Committee meeting. The two-day meeting was Dr. Sperling spoke about database initia- a business-oriented session where many ideas tives at the Canadian University Biodiversity were discussed and to be forwarded on for Consortium and potential opportunities for the further considerations at another level of the Biological Survey to work in parallel with the Museum. Consortium. 2. Entomological Society of Canada Technical details of the BSC database of Dr. Terry Shore, President of the collecting localities were discussed. This data- Entomological Society of Canada reported base will be posted on the BSC web site. that The Canadian Entomologist lost money 11. BSC web site for the first time. Dr. Paul Fields will be head- The BSC we site continues to be updated ing up an ad-hoc committee to look at various on a regular basis and the number of visitors options to remedy that situation. Otherwise the remains steady at a daily average of 172. The new editors of the Bulletin and The Canadian IT personnel at the Department of Biological Entomologist are firmly entrenched in their Sciences at the University of Alberta (where the roles and everything is going smoothly with web site is hosted) continue to be supportive. those publications. 12. Endangered species Dr. Smith proposed ensuring that an Dr. Sperling, Dr. Scudder, and Dr. Marshall annual symposium at the ESC annual meeting agreed to participate in the Monarch Butterfly is organized by the BSC to present BSC-related Advisory Group, which was established to research and projects. He endeavoured to orga- meet requirements of the Species at Risk Act. nize such a symposium at the ESC/ESO joint Other species at risk initiatives were reported. annual meeting in Ottawa in 2008. COSEWIC has requested input from the BSC 3. Barcode of Life / Polar Barcode of Life on which groups COSEWIC should concen- Initiative (PolarBOLI) trate on in the future. The Committee discussed pursuing some The main purpose of this agenda item is sort of collaboration with the Barcode of Life to consider a proposal for a publication dealing project. Dr. Currie plans to attend a meeting of with endangered species in Canada. However, the PolarBOLI in Norway and will report at the Committee members who might lead this proj- spring meeting on potential opportunities with ect were not able to attend this meeting. that group. Liaison and exchange of information 4. Council of Canadian Academies Dr. Graham explained that the Council of 1. Canadian Museum of Nature Canadian Academies is a newly formed scien- Dr. Mark Graham, Director, Research tific advisory body to the federal government. Services reported that the Canadian Museum One of the issues that they will be exploring of Nature has experienced a funding shortfall deals with the level of systematics expertise for at least the last 5 years, largely because in Canada and whether Canada is prepared of increased operating costs of both of the to answer questions about biodiversity. The Museum’s buildings. Dr. Graham emphasized Council may investigate in various ways includ- these financial uncertainties remain in effect ing consulting experts such as the Biological and he would advise the Committee when there Survey of Canada. is any budget news that will affect the BSC.
8 Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods)
Other items species and more than 50 new Canadian records, 260 new records from the Maritimes region as 1. Regional developments a whole, and more than 1000 new provincial Because many Committee members were records in several families. Mr. Reggie Webster either not able to attend or not able to stay for is also very active in the Maritimes, especially the entire meeting, reports on regional develop- in collecting many new species of staphylinid ments and liaison and exchange of information beetles (over 640 morphospecies now) and were curtailed. However, information of poten- will collaborate with Dr. Jan Klimaszewski tial interest from some regions was reported, on a publication of new species records for including work being carried out by graduate New Brunswick. The Acadian Entomological students and others (not noted here), and the Society’s annual meeting was held in June and following examples. included a faunistics symposium with interest- In Alberta, there is an initiative at the ing presentations on aquatic insect biodiversity Canadian Forest Service to have the curators studies in the Maritimes, insects of forensic formulate a department-wide collections pol- importance, maritime beetles, and arachnids. icy. The Royal Alberta Museum renovation and 2. BSC Transition / Planning for the future expansion is on hold because of the increase in Given funding pressures the CMN, con- construction costs. A lot of data were generated siderable discussion revolved around the future this past summer at the Alberta Biodiversity direction of the BSC. Over the next few months, Monitoring Institute, although not at the spe- the Committee will be focussing on reviewing cies level. There are many biodiversity studies the BSC’s vision and goals, a promotion and ongoing in Alberta that are now in the longer- fundraising strategy and a proposal for a large term phases. collaborative research project. (See also p. 9 In Ontario, a special D.H. Pengelly tribute for a summary of the BSC’s vision statement as volume of the Journal of the Entomological devised by the Committee). Society of Ontario was published last year, with another planned for 2007 and included system- 3. Other matters atic, taxonomic, or faunistic papers from for- The Committee also discussed other mat- mer students. ters such as Survey publications, possible price reductions of some Biological Survey In the Maritimes, Mr. Chris Majka con- Foundation publications, the BSC scholar- tinues with much Coleoptera research and has ship, Survey publicity, and membership of the recently published several papers on the beetle Scientific Committee. fauna of the Maritime provinces, with 7 new
Insects of the Yukon price reduced The price of the remaining volumes of the Insects of the Yukon has been reduced in order to clear out the remaining stock. For more details on the contents and how to order please visit the Biological Survey’s web site at http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/bsc/english/publications. htm or contact the Entomological Society of Canada
Specifications: Hardbound, 6 1/2” x 9 3/4”. x + 1,034 pp., 224 illustrations, 102 tables. Published by the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods), 1997. ISBN 0-9692727-8-2. Vol. 27, No. 1 9
BSC vision document t the Fall 2007 BSC Scientific Committee meeting, it was decided that a vision document should Abe produced for the Biological Survey of Canada. The purpose of this document is to promote the BSC by articulating the goals of the organization while giving a brief overview of accomplishments, capabilities, and credentials. The text of the vision document is reproduced below and the full format- ted version can be downloaded in the Overview section of the BSC web site.
The Biological Survey of Canada (BSC) aries, and their changes through time are cru- is a network of scientists who discover, syn- cial to dealing with these issues effectively. thesize, and freely share knowledge about Strength through collaboration Canada’s biological diversity. The BSC is a With a secretariat based at the Canadian high-quality source of expert scientific advice Museum of Nature, our network forges collab- for biodiversity science, and provides national orations among federal and provincial depart- and international leadership in this field. ments and museums, academic institutions, Objectives and concerned citizens to increase knowledge 1) Discover, survey, and inventory Canada’s about Canadian fauna and flora. The BSC has biological diversity and provide universal a 30-year history of scientific credibility and access to biodiversity information; of high productivity of scientific publications 2) Detect, measure, and predict changes about Canadian biological wealth, especially in Canadian biological diversity, and with respect to arthropods. We have a diverse provide science-based advice for national composition that works effectively and sustaining native biodiversity in Canadian efficiently to address emerging issues. Members ecosystems; of the BSC have a long history of undertak- ing collaborative field expeditions to study 3) Promote the importance of taxonomic Canada’s biodiversity, and of documenting research and provide access to taxonomic biological diversity through the archiving of expertise; specimens and critical baseline data. 4) Promote awareness of the values and vulnerabilities of Canada’s biological Activities and projects The BSC maintains a diverse and dynamic diversity by inspiring, educating, and project portfolio. Current projects include: engaging Canadians. 1) publication of a new electronic journal What drives the need for our research? – The Canadian Journal of Arthropod The BSC directly addresses the shortage Identification; of fundamental research about Canada’s bio- logical diversity, thereby providing the infor- 2) a northern insect survey that measures mation and knowledge synthesis necessary to changes in biodiversity using a century of inform policy decisions around issues such as: data on arctic and boreal species; environmental change (climate change, water 3) production of a multi-volume publication quality, pollution, habitat destruction, invasive on the arthropods of Canadian grasslands; species, species at risk), health and biosecur- 4) development of specimen databases of ity (clean air and water and the protection of Canadian arthropods based on museum crop production and food supplies), sustainable specimens; resource development, Canadian sovereignty and international responsibilities (including 5) arthropod inventories of several Canadian the arctic), and ensuring market accessibility. biodiversity hotspots; and Understanding species, their ecological bound- 6) monitoring species at risk and invasive alien species.
10 Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods)
Project Update: The Canadian Journal of Arthropod Identification is on a roll
Andrew B.T. Smith Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods), Canadian Museum of Nature, P.O. Box 3443, Station D, Ottawa, ON, K1P 6P4 [email protected]
he Canadian Journal of Arthropod solely on the Canadian species. Identification TIdentification (CJAI) has quickly become guides to taxa in North America, the northern the flagship periodical of the Biological Survey hemisphere, the world, etc. are all welcomed. of Canada. Four new issues have been published Manuscripts with a more regional focus on in the past few months on bees, mosquitoes, Canada or parts of Canada have formed the core vespid wasps, and bee flies. These four image- of the journal so far and are highly encouraged. rich identification guides combine to almost It should also be noted that new taxa cannot 700 pages covering dozens of Canadian genera be described in the CJAI, but this may change and hundreds of Canadian species of insects. in the future. Other taxonomic and classifica- Looking ahead, the editors report that there tion changes (such as synonymies, subspecies are manuscripts in the works for many other elevations, etc.) are permitted. taxa, including: orthopteroids, heptageniid In December of 2007, Editor in Chief Steve mayflies, Psocoptera, and the Diptera families Marshall was invited to the Entomological Tephritidae, Stratiomyidae, and Clusiidae. The Collections Network annual meeting in San first two issues on Mecoptera and blood and tis- Diego, California to give a presentation on the sue feeding mites were published in 2006. CJAI. His presentation was part of a sympo- The purpose of the CJAI is to provide a sium on the future of entomological and other widely distributed, freely accessible publica- scientific publications. The CJAI was show- tion outlet for researchers who would like to cased as an example of the future of scientific disseminate identification guides that include publications with electronic distribution and Canadian taxa. The journal is peer-reviewed, open access to everyone through the Internet. has a 14-member editorial board, and provides The journal was very well received by the technical editing for images and digital keys. attendees of this meeting and by the greater The CJAI has financial and technical support of entomological community in North America. the Biological Survey Foundation, the Canadian Many entomologists would like to see more Museum of Nature, the University of Guelph, scientific publications emulate the CJAI and and the University of Alberta. This support will other open access electronic journals. allow the CJAI to publish without page charges If you have questions or ideas about manu- for the foreseeable future. scripts for the Canadian Journal of Arthropod The CJAI is broad in scope, and manu- Identification, please contact Steve Marshall scripts dealing with any group of Arthropods
Vol. 27, No. 1 11
Summary of the recently published issues:
CJAI 3: The bee genera of eastern Canada
by Laurence Packer, Julio A. Genaro, and Cory S. Sheffield
Abstract. The 39 genera of bees found in Canada east of Manitoba are keyed in dichotomous format with all key features illustrated. Habitus photographs of males and females of representatives of all genera are provided. The biology of bees in general, and outlines of the biology of each genus are summarized.
CJAI 4: Photographic key to the adult female mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of Canada by Aynsley C. Thielman and Fiona F. Hunter
Abstract. There are currently 82 species of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in 10 genera known from Canada. Dichotomous keys to the adult females are provided in two formats (HTML and PDF). Photographs of diagnostic characters accompany the text descriptions in each couplet for ease in identification. Included are: an introduction to mosquito identification, instructions for using this particular key, anatomical diagrams, and a glossary of terms. Descriptions of recently introduced and potential species are also provided.
12 Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods)
CJAI 5: Identification atlas of the Vespidae (Hymenoptera, Aculeata) of the northeastern Nearctic region by Matthias Buck, Stephen A. Marshall, and David K.B. Cheung
Abstract. The Vespidae of the northeast- ern Nearctic region are reviewed to include 92 established and four adventitious spe- cies. Six undescribed species (two each in Ancistrocerus, Euodynerus and Polistes) are recognised for the first time. Three former subspecies, Euodynerus blakeanus Cameron (subspecies of E. foraminatus de Saussure), Ancistrocerus albophaleratus de Saussure (subspecies of A. catskill de Saussure) and A. albolacteus Bequaert (subspecies of A. adiabatus de Saussure) are re-instated as or elevated to good species. Parancistrocerus vogti (Krombein) is synonymized with P. ful- vipes (de Saussure). A brief introduction to the morphology, biology and distribution of Vespidae is given. Keys to subfamilies, genera and species are provided, and illustrated with 60 photographic plates (437 images) showing most diagnostic characters. All species are illustrated on 287 separate plates by means of (i) a set of standard photographs of pinned specimens (habitus lateral and dorsal, head of male and female; 537 images), and, where available, (ii) photographs of live specimens in the field (99 images). The variation (especially colour) of most species is described in detail and supplemented with brief information on distribution and biology. Twenty- two species (including five adventitious species) are recorded for the first time from Canada and numerous new state records for the U.S. are given.
CJAI 6: The bee flies (Diptera: Bombyliidae) of Ontario, with a key to the spe- cies of eastern Canada by Joel H. Kits, Stephen A. Marshall, and Neal L. Evenhuis
Abstract. Illustrated dichotomous keys to the 73 bee fly species of 25 genera occurring in or adjacent to eastern Canada are presented. Thirty-two of these species represent new or previously unrecognized records for Ontario. We review the distributions of these species in Ontario, focusing on rarely collected and habitat-restricted species, and summarize host use when known.
Vol. 27, No. 1 13
The first record of the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare from Quebec (Isopoda: Oniscidea)
Aydın Örstan1, Joan Jass2, and Barbara Klausmeier2 1Section of Mollusks, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, U.S.A.; [email protected] 2Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 West Wells St., Milwaukee, WI, 53233, U.S.A.
he terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vul- probably been brought to the yard where they Tgare (Latreille) is generally believed to be were found with plants that had originated in a native of Europe and a widespread alien in greenhouses. Eighty years ago, Walker (1927) North America (Jass and Klausmeier 2000). It noted that A. vulgare had been found in Ontario had been recorded in several states in the U.S. only in greenhouses and in their immediate by the early 20th century (Richardson 1905). vicinity. It remains to be determined whether The published Canadian records of A. vulgare A. vulgare has permanently established itself have been from British Columbia and Ontario outdoors in Quebec. (Jass and Klausmeier 2001). References cited During the rainy night of 6 October 2007, Jass, J. and B. Klausmeier. 2000. Endemics and the first author photographed and collected immigrants: North American terrestrial isopods isopods in the backyard of a private residence (Isopoda, Oniscidea) north of Mexico. Crustaceana on Prince Albert Avenue, Westmount, Quebec 73: 771–799. (45° 28' 44’N, 73° 36' 17.7"W). Subsequently, Jass, J. and B. Klausmeier. 2001. Terrestrial isopod we identified one of the specimens as A. vul- (Crustacea: Isopoda) atlas for Canada, Alaska, and gare (Fig. 1). The specimen in alcohol has been the contiguous United States. Milwaukee Public Museum Contributions in Biology and Geology deposited in the Milwaukee Public Museum 95: 1–105. (MPM IZ231107-1). Richardson, H. 1905. Monograph on the isopods Also present at the same location was of North America. Bulletin of the United States another European immigrant isopod Porcellio National Museum 54: 1–727. spinicornis Say, which has been recorded from Walker, E.M. 1927. The woodlice or Oniscoidea of Quebec before (Jass and Klausmeier 2001). Canada (Crustacea, Isopoda). Canadian Field Armadillidium vulgare and P. spinicornis had Naturalist 41: 173–179.
Fig. 1. The head (left) and the posterior end (right) of the Armadillidium vulgare specimen from Westmount, Quebec 14 Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods)
Web Site Notes
BioBlitzes he BSC BioBlitzes began in 2001 as an in a more general framework to help increase Tinitiative of the Arthropods of Canadian the scientific knowledge of the arthropods of Grasslands subcommittee, although they an area. The idea of Collection Bioblitzes to were not called BioBlitzes at that time. It was encourage members of the entomological com- envisaged that a series of field excursions to munity to gather at an under-curated collection different prairie ecozones would be made by and assess and identify the material began in entomologists with interests in prairie insects 2007 with the first Curation Bioblitz held on 1 and related arthropods. The main, long-term October 2007 during the joint annual meeting goal of these gatherings was to generate col- of the Entomological Society of Canada and lections of arthropods in selected prairie habi- the Entomological Society of Saskatchewan. tats to help to document the fauna. It was also Reports from all of the BioBlitzes have hoped that participants would exchange and now been amalgamated onto one web page. See share information and observations about vari- http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/bsc/english/ ous taxonomic groups, field tactics and tech- niques. The annual BSC BioBlitz is no longer bioblitz.htm or follow the link on the Scientific Projects Summary page. exclusively associated with a specific project of the Survey but the location is now chosen
Database of entomologists The Biological Survey facilitates cooperation among entomologists is by maintaining a list of personnel on individuals interested in the systematics and faunistics of the terrestrial arthropods of Canada. This information is available as a searchable database on our website. We solicited updates earlier this year from those who have entries in the database. If you have not yet replied, or if you would like to submit a new entry we encourage you to use the online form provided on the web site or simply provide the relevant information via email or regular post.
The introduction to the database and links for the listings can be found at http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/bsc/english/listofworkers.htm
Vol. 27, No. 1 15
The Biodiversity of Beetles in the Maritime Provinces
Christopher G. Majka Nova Scotia Museum, 1747 Summer Street, Halifax, NS, B3H 3A6 [email protected]
nderstanding invertebrate biodiversity is a Beetles (Coleoptera) are thought to be Utall order, something apparent to anyone the most species-rich order of organisms in who has attempted to bite off even a minute the world. Estimates vary of how many there slice of this very large pie. As many investi- may be, however, Terry Erwin, a coleopterist gators have pointed out there is a “taxonomic working with the Smithsonian Institution has deficit” in the biological community today as estimated that as many 20 million species exist universities and training institutions gravitate worldwide (Erwin 1991), perhaps a quarter of towards molecular and genetic studies, and the ~ 80 million species of insects. Only some government funding for taxonomic, systematic, 350,000 species of beetles have been described, and biodiversity studies remains very meager. of which ~ 25,160 have been recorded in North Yet being able to identify organisms and deter- America (Marske and Ivie 2003). mine the species composition of environments A major step in understanding the beetle is not only an important activity per se, but is fauna of Canada was the publication in 1991 of also pivotal to the understanding of ecology, the endangered species, climate change, intro- Checklist of Beetles of Canada and Alaska (Bousquet 1991). This enumerated 7,447 spe- duced and invasive species, and the environ- cies in Canada including 1,365 from New mental impacts of anthropogenic activities. If Brunswick, 1,320 from Nova Scotia, and 340 we don’t accurately know the composition of biological communities, how can we conserve them or ascertain if they are changing or being affected by human activities? Knowledge of the biodiversity of terres- trial invertebrates has lagged behind that of vertebrates or even vascular plants. There are many species, some require detailed micro- scopic examination (even of genitalia) to iden- tify them, the taxonomy of many groups is poorly understood, there are long and difficult learning curves to acquire technical proficiency in identification, taxonomic expertise is in short supply, and much of the primary literature is scattered in scientific journals published around the world over the past couple of centuries in a potpourri of languages. Such obstacles have proved daunting to many who have contem- Euvira micmac Klimaszewski and Majka, 2007 (photograph by Klaus Bolte) plated aspects of this undertaking.
16 Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods) from Prince Edward Island. This compendium Furthermore there were a number was an important synthesis of information of researchers in the region interested in (some published and some not), however, from Coleoptera. David McCorquodale (CBU); the standpoint of the Maritime Provinces, the Søren Bondrup-Nielsen (Acadia); Peter coverage it was able to provide was meager. Duinker and Tatiana Rossolimo (Dalhousie); The authors of the various chapters relied, for Doug Strongman (St. Mary’s); Donna Giberson the most part, on the holdings of the Canadian (UPEI); David Larson (Memorial); Gaetan National Collection of Insects, Arachnids, and Moreau (Moncton); Jean-Pierre Le Blanc Nematodes (CNC) in Ottawa (as well as pub- (NSAC); Jeff Ogden (NS DNR); Christine lished sources). Although there are many col- Noronha, Mary Smith, Susan Westby, and lections of insects in the Maritimes, some dat- Gilles Boiteau (Agriculture Canada); Patricia ing to the latter part of the nineteenth century, Baines and Jon Sweeney (CFS); and collect- most have remained little known. The quality ors such as Ken Neil, Dwayne Sabine, Gary of determinations (if the specimens were iden- Selig, David Webster, Reggie Webster, and tified at all) varied greatly, and even when others, who proved enthusiastic supporters of names had been attached to specimens, they initiatives that would better define the beetle often reflected dated nomenclature and tax- fauna of the region. Students such as Kathleen onomy. Consequently the holdings of most of Aikens, DeLancey Bishop, Chantelle Cormier, these collections were not at a level where they Philana Dollin, Clayton D’Orsay, Rebecca could usefully contribute to an understanding Ewing, Daniel Kehler, Sean LeMoine, Heather of the region’s beetle fauna. Love, Andrew MacDonald, and Sheena Towsend deserve special credit for a series of In 2000 I became interested in understand- excellent studies that have contributed much ing the beetle fauna of the Maritime Provinces. contemporary knowledge about the beetle As an ecologist I am interested in ecological communities of the Maritimes. Moreover, this perspectives on the natural world, and in order enthusiasm was not just confined to the region. to take a step in this direction, and not be reli- Many Coleoptera researchers at the Canadian ant on scarce taxonomic expertise of “experts,” National Collection (Pat Bouchard, Yves I embarked on the slow path of understand- Bousquet, Anthony Davies, Serge Laplante, ing Coleopteran taxonomy. Only in this way Laurent Lesage, and Ales Smetana) and the would it be possible discern the biodivers- Canadian Forest Service (Jan Klimaszewski, ity of beetles in the region, itself a necessary David Larson), and the countless taxonomic prerequisite to ecological, environmental, experts around the country, continent, and world evolutionary, and other studies of the fauna. assisted the initiative through their determina- In so doing I discovered both that there were tions of species and expertise. Consequently extensive collections of Coleoptera at organ- I’ve been able to assemble a team of investiga- izations such as Agriculture Canada (Kentville, tors on the ground who have collected material NS; Charlottetown, PEI; Fredericton, NB); the and supplied specimens, and a “virtual” team Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources that have supported these initiatives. What has (Shubenacadie, NS); the Canadian Forest been the result? Service (CFS) (Fredericton, NB; Corner Brook, NF); many universities (Cape Breton (CBU), Since 2004, together with various “team” Acadia, Dalhousie, St. Mary’s, University of members, I have published 54 scientific papers Prince Edward Island, Memorial University, in peer-reviewed publications pertaining to the and the Université de Moncton); at institutes beetles of Atlantic Canada. Nine additional such as the Nova Scotia Agricultural College papers are in press, five are being reviewed, (NSAC); the New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and eight others have been completed and will provincial museums; and in the hands of pri- shortly be submitted for publication, a total of vate collectors. 76 studies. Some have been surveys of aspects
Vol. 27, No. 1 17
Fig.1. The beetle fauna of Nova Scotia; composition and newly recorded species.
Fig. 2. The beetle fauna of Prince Edward Island; composition and newly recorded species.
18 Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods) of the fauna, contributing new provincial, ponents of the NS fauna, but are much less repre- national, and continental records; others have sented on PEI. Are these differences reflective been ecological studies, reviews of the biology of different environmental circumstances of particular species, systematic reviews and between the two provinces, or are they simply descriptions of new species, studies of island indicative of differential collection efforts? faunas, studies of saproxylic species associ- Only further research can resolve such ques- ated with decaying wood, reviews of particular tions. The graphs also reveal past emphases on habitats such as coastal faunas, and theoretical families such as the Carabidae and Dytiscidae, and methods papers. which have historically received more attention (consequently fewer new species have been Through a careful examination of his- discovered), and (for example) the Ptiliidae, torical specimens in regional collections, and Cryptophagidae, and Latridiidae in Nova Scotia, availing ourselves of the results of contem- and the Hydrophilidae, Cantharidae, Anobiidae, porary studies, these studies have substan- Latridiidae, Mordellidae, Nitidulidae, Cleridae, tially increased the known beetle fauna of the and Scirtidae (amongst others) on PEI about region. Using as a point of departure the data which almost nothing was previously known. presented in Bousquet (1991), the beetle fauna Within these overall patterns is a large number of Nova Scotia has increased from 1,320 to of interesting topic areas: 2,352 (+ 1,032) species (Fig. 1). The known beetle fauna of Prince Edward Island has • Introduced Species such as Ptinus increased from 340 to 895 (+ 555) species (Fig. sexpunctatus (Anobiidae); Dinoderus minu- 2). Comparable statistics in relation to New tus (Bostrichidae); Sphaeroderma testaceum Brunswick are currently being compiled which (Chrysomelidae); Orchidophilus aterrimus, will further allow us to examine the complete Ceutorhynchus pallidactylus (Curculionidae); regional fauna of the Maritime Provinces. Dermestes undulatus (Dermestidae); Even a quick glance at these graphs yields cer- Cephennium gallicum (Scydmaenidae); Atheta tain insights. The most speciose family in NS celata, Phloeocharis subtilissima, and Quedius is the Staphylinidae, whereas on PEI it is the fuliginosus (Staphylinidae) have all been newly Carabidae. The Leiodidae, Cryptophagidae, recorded in North America from collections Ptiliidae, and Melandryidae are important com- made in the Maritime Provinces.
Christopher Majka sweeping for beetles in a salt marsh at Mary’s Point, New Brunswick. (Photograph by Yves Poussart)
Vol. 27, No. 1 19
• Native Species such as Ernobius fili- cornis, Ernobius granulatus, Utobium marm- oratum (Anobiidae); Hyperaspis brunnescens, Naemia s. seriata (Coccinellidae); Clypastrea lunata, Clypastrea fuscum, Rypobius mari- nus, Gloeosoma hesperus (Corylophidae); Listronotus dietzi, Corthylus columbianus (Curculionidae); Mordellistena indistincta, Mordellistena rubrifascia, Mordellistena rubri- labris (Mordellidae); Acrotrichis haldemani, Acrotrichis josephi, Pteryx sp. (Ptiliidae); Atheta irrita, Meotica exilis, and Myrmecopora vaga Rypobius marinus LeConte (Staphylinidae) have all been newly recorded (photograph by Christopher Majka) in Canada and/or eastern North America from specimens collected in the region. Melyridae, Mordellidae, Mycertidae, Nem- onychidae, Nitidulidae, Ptiliidae, Pyrochroi- • Newly described species such as idae, Pythidae, Ripiphoridae, Salpingidae, Bembidion iridipenne Bousquet and Webster Scraptiidae, Synchroidae, Tenebrionidae, and (Carabidae); Hadromychus chandleri Bousquet Tetratomidae in the Maritime Provinces have and Leschen (Endomychidae); Gnathoncus all been surveyed in recent publications (some barbatus Bousquet and Laplante (Histeridae); of these studies are still in press or in review). Atheta brunswickensis Klimaszewski, Atheta This includes 39 of the 93 families found in the acadiensis Klimaszewski and Majka, Atheta region and represents 50% of the beetle fauna pseudocrenuliventris Klimaszewski, Atheta of the Maritime Provinces. A few specific high- savardae Klimaszewski and Majka, Euvira mic- lights: mac Klimaszewski and Majka, Leptusa jucunda Klimaszewski and Majka, Leptusa pseudopaca • Hyperaspis brunnescens, one of the rarest Klimaszewski and Majka, Proteinus acadien- lady beetles in North America, previously sis Klimaszewski, and Proteinus pseudotho- known from Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota, masi Klimaszewski (Staphylinidae) have was discovered in a Leach’s Petrel burrow recently been described, in whole or in part on Scatarie Island, NS, a range extension of based on specimens collected in the Maritime some 2,100 km (Majka et al. 2007). How Provinces. widely distributed is this species? Does it represent a relict population? Is it regularly • The biology, dispersal, and early timelines found in subterranean habitats? of introduced leaf beetles such as Chrysolina staphylaea, Crioceris asparagi, Crioceris • Quedius s. speleaus is a cave-dwelling rove duodecimpunctata, Cassida flaveola, Cassida beetle found from BC to Saskatchewan in rubiginosa, Lilioceris lilii, Oulema melano- Canada and north to NY in the USA. An pus, Sphaeroderma testaceum, and Pyrrhalta apparently disjunct population is found in viburni has been examined in detail. caves in Nova Scotia (Moseley et al. 2006) together with Gennadota canadensis, an- • The Coleoptera families Anthribidae, other cavernicolous rove beetle previously Apionidae, Attelabidae, Boridae, Bostrichidae, known from only Pennsylvania and Québec Byrrhidae, Carabidae, Cerambycidae, (Majka et al. 2006b). Ciidae, Cleridae, Coccinellidae, Colydiidae, Corylophidae, Curculionidae, Dermestidae, • Majka et al. (2006a) investigated the beetle Derodontidae, Elateridae, Endomychidae, faunas of owl nests in Nova Scotia find- Erotylidae, Eucnemidae, Histeridae, Kateret- ing the first North American records of idae, Latriididae, Leiodidae, Melandryidae, the Palearctic rove beetle Atheta celata,
20 Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods)
as well as Atheta irrita, a rove beetle pre- • Klimaszewski and Majka (2007) described viously known only from its type locale in a new species of rove beetle, Euvira mic- southwestern Nevada. Finding A. celata in mac, which is an inquiline in oak apple remote Boreal Owl nest in Cape Breton (in galls known from Nova Scotia, Ohio, and addition to six other introduced species) is Michigan. an interesting indicator of how adventive • Hadromychus chandleri is probably the rarest species have colonized native habitats. Is species of endomychid (handsome fungus a regularly occurring co-inhabitant A. irrita beetle) in North America. It was described of owl nests (whose fauna has seldom been by Bousquet and Leschen (2002) on the basis studied in North America)? of seven specimens from New Hampshire, • Majka and McCorquodale (2006) newly Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Québec. Majka recorded two species of lady beetles in (2007a) reported five additional specimens Canada, Diomus amabilis and Naemia s. from Nova Scotia, the apparent population seriata, from collections made in Nova “centre” of this species. Scotia. Both are coastal species found in An ongoing important area of interest the USA north to New England. Naemia and investigation are saproxylic beetles (those inhabits salt marshes feeding on seriata associated with the decomposition of wood), Spartina pollen. Both likely represent dis- and several major studies on this topic are pres- junct populations in Nova Scotia and work ently in press or in review. A number of the on the genetics of is presently be- N. seriata survey papers published to date have dealt with ing carried out by Natalia Vandenberg at the saproxylic families and Fig. 3 illustrates one Smithsonian Institution.
Fig. 3. Native saproxylic beetles of the Maritime Provinces. Rare species are those represented by ≤ 5 specimens of ≤ 0.005% of specimens examined.
Vol. 27, No. 1 21
Klimaszewski, J., and C.G. Majka. 2007. Euvira micmac, a new species (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae), and first record of the genus in Canada. The Canadian Entomologist 139(2): 147–153. Majka, C.G. 2007a. The Erotylidae and Endomychidae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea) of the Maritime Provinces of Canada: new records, zoogeography, and observations on beetle-fungi relationships and forest health. Zootaxa 1546: 39–50. Majka, C.G. 2007b. The Eucnemidae (Coleoptera) Hyperaspis brunnescens (Dobzhansky) of the Maritime Provinces of Canada: new (photograph by Christopher Majka) records, observations on composition and zoo- geography, and comments on the scarcity of important result of these studies. Several papers saproxylic beetles. Zootaxa 1636: 33–46. summarized in Majka (2007b) have found size- Majka, C.G. and D.B. McCorquodale. 2006. The able fractions of the fauna that are apparently Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) of the Maritime rare, i.e., those represented by ≤ 5 specimens Provinces of Canada: new records, biogeo- (or ≤ 0.005% of specimens examined). Fifty- graphic notes, and conservation concerns. nine of 208 species (28%) investigated thus far Zootaxa 1154: 49–68. fall into this category, a result which may at Majka, C.G., J. Klimaszewski, and R.F. Lauff. least in part be attributable to the long history 2006a. New Coleoptera records from owl nests of forest management practices in the region. in Nova Scotia, Canada. Zootaxa 1194: 33–47. Although we have learned a very con- Majka, C.G., M. Moseley, and J. Klimaszewski. siderable amount about the beetle fauna of 2006b. Gennadota canadensis (Casey) the region, it is nonetheless clear that much (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae): new records, remains to be done. It is to be hoped that a basic a range extension, and bionomic notes. The understanding of the biodiversity of the region, Coleopterists Bulletin 60(3): 231–234. and a sense of the origins and distribution of Majka, C.G., K.R. Aikens, A. MacDonald, its fauna, will serve as springboards for further S.M. Townsend, D.B. and McCorquodale. ecological, physiological, genetic, environ- 2007. Hyperaspis brunnescens Dobzhansky mental, and other studies. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) newly recorded in Canada from Scatarie Island, Nova Scotia. References cited Entomological News 118(4): 402–406. Bousquet, Y. (ed.). 1991. Checklist of Beetles Marske, K.A. and M.A. Ivie. 2003. Beetle fauna of of Canada and Alaska. Agriculture Canada: the United States and Canada. The Coleopterists Research Branch, Publication 1861/E, Ottawa. Bulletin 57: 495–503. 430 pp. Moseley, M., J. Klimaszewski, and C. G. Majka. Bousquet, Y. and R.A.B. Leschen. 2002. Description 2006. Description of the pupa and observations of a new genus and species of Endomychidae on the distribution, ecology and life history of (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea) from Northeastern Quedius spelaeus spelaeus Horn (Coleoptera: North America. The Coleopterists Bulletin Staphylinidae) in Nova Scotia, Canada. Zootaxa 56(2): 291–298. 1226: 61–68. Erwin, T.L. 1991. How many species are there?: Revisited. Conservation Biology 5(3): 330–333.
22 Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods)
Arctic Corner
News about studies of arctic insects
Introduction rctic Corner provides a forum for news and updates on research involving arctic arthropods. AContributions to Arctic Corner are welcomed by the Editor (see inside front cover).
Historical changes in the biodiversity of northern Muscidae and Fanniidae (Diptera: Muscoidea) of the Churchill region (Manitoba) Anaïs Renaud1 and Jade Savage2 1Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2 2Department of Biological Sciences, Bishop’s University, Sherbrooke, QC, J1M OC8 Anaïs Renaud is an entomology student The “Churchill” that older entomologists pursuing a master’s degree at the University have known is different from the one of today. of Manitoba. She is co-supervised by Dr. Jade Between 1942 and 1980, an important United Savage (Bishop’s University) and Dr. Rob States Air Force military base was located about Roughley (University of Manitoba). Anaïs 8 km east from the actual town of Churchill. The spent the summer of 2007 sampling Diptera in seaport has also changed; today there is more Churchill, Manitoba. activity with increased grain exports to Russia. Tourists are more numerous and frequent. With Churchill, Manitoba: a fascinating site for researchers Known as the polar bear capital of Manitoba, Churchill is located on the west coast of Hudson Bay at the level of the 58 parallel. In this area, three biomes meet: marine, tundra, and boreal forest. It is a rich and dynamic environment where research- ers have a unique opportunity to conduct field work, as well as enjoy an extraordinary experience. Easy to access by train or plane from Winnipeg, the area of Churchill can be explored with a vehicle on its paved and gravel roads. Anaïs Renaud emptying a Malaise trap at Twin Lakes. (photograph provided by A. Renaud)
Arctic Corner Vol. 27, No. 1 23 the increase of tourism in the area, human activity has changed as has the landscape.
The research project: objectives and hypothesis The research project aims to provide a new baseline for the muscid and fanniid flies of Churchill. The last inventories of these flies in Churchill were carried more than 40 years ago and they yielded 113 species of Muscidae and 6 species of Fanniidae (Webb 1956, Huckett 1965). Under current trends of global warming, the temperature of most Along the half frozen coast of Hudson Bay. arctic localities has risen twice as fast as in (Photo provided by A. Renaud) most other areas of the world over the last decades (Hassol 2004). Since temperature total of 34 sites. Eight permanent and six tem- is one of the most important factors affecting porary sites were chosen to set up Malaise and insect distribution (Battisti et al. 2005), we pan traps while 20 other sites were chosen for expect the distribution of the muscids and fan- sweeping. Wapusk National Park (Broad River niids of Churchill to have changed over the last and Lapérousse Bay) and the Prince of Wales decades. Fort National Historic Site were part of the survey. Flies were collected in various habitats The Muscidae is a dominant group in like the tundra, coniferous forest, Hudson Bay northern ecosystems, while Fanniidae are less shores, Churchill River bank, regenerating for- diverse and abundant. The 2007 inventory will est, poplar plantation, and fen. So far, 5,000 provide an estimation of the species compo- specimens have been mounted and labeled sition and abundance of both Muscidae and and the remaining material is currently being Fanniidae of this region. After compiling data processed. Preliminary identifications have from the literature and visiting various insect already provided two new records of muscids museums of North America to record specimens for Churchill. Taxonomic identification will be collected in Churchill before 2007, past and completed in the upcoming year in Dr. Savage’s recent data will be compared. Changes in spe- laboratory in Sherbrooke, Quebec. cies composition for the area will be recorded and we expect trends such as the absence of References cited northern specialists and northern range expan- Battisti A, M. Stastny, S. Netherer, C. Robinet, sions from southern taxa. DNA sequences of all A. Schopf, A. Roques, and S. Larsson. 2005. recorded species will be submitted to the data- Expansion of geographic range in the pine proces- base associated with the Polar Barcode of life sionary moth caused by increased winter tempera- initiative (PolarBol). DNA barcoding may also tures. Ecological Applications 15(6): 2084–2096. enable us to assign some ambiguous females to Hassol S.J. 2004. Impacts of a Warming Arctic: Arctic the proper species, as many muscid females are Climate Impact Assessment. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, U.K. notoriously difficult to identify based on mor- phology alone. Huckett, H.C. 1965. The Muscidae of Northern Canada, Alaska, and Greenland (Diptera). Memoirs of the The inventory Entomological Society of Canada 42: 1–369. For 12 weeks, from mid-June to the end Webb, J.E. 1956. Observations on some filth flies in of August, approximately 20,000 specimens of the vicinity of Fort Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, muscid and fanniid flies were collected using 1953–54. Journal of Economic Entomology 49: Malaise traps, pan traps, and sweep nets at a 595–600.
Arctic Corner 24 Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods)
Impacts to the invertebrate community structure of aquatic systems in Nunavut: Stream benthos project Andrew S. Medeiros1, Jamal Shirley2, and Roberto Quinlan1 1Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele St., Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3; [email protected], [email protected] 2Nunavut Research Institute, Box 1720, Iqaluit, NU, X0A 0H0; [email protected]
Climate change is expected to have wide- ing climate change) may impact arctic aquatic ranging impacts on the ecology of aquatic sys- ecosystems, investigations into the current tems in the Canadian Arctic. However, there is composition and function of these systems is a poor understanding of the realized impacts necessary. It is also equally important to have of climate change on the community structure this understanding of the current biota in order and food webs of these systems. Accurately to develop proper, biologically sound biomoni- detecting, measuring, and projecting impair- toring programs to evaluate impacts resulting ment in arctic aquatic systems is complicated from anthropogenic activities. Previous base- by the fundamental lack of knowledge of the line studies conducted by industry-led environ- baseline conditions of “undisturbed” arctic mental impact assessments to characterize aquatic systems. As there are no measures of arctic freshwater ecosystems prior to develop- what a “pristine” habitat is, a reference con- ment rarely include rigorous benthos sampling dition approach is necessary to determine the programs. Consequently, our ability to detect baseline conditions of the benthic invertebrate impairment at lower trophic levels in arctic communities of undisturbed streams. Without aquatic systems is limited. this proper understanding of the baseline bio- Benthic monitoring programs are com- diversity of invertebrate communities within monly used to assess the health of streams and these systems, it would be difficult to accur- rivers in temperate systems, but the low divers- ately determine the current biological status ity and unique physical habitat conditions of arc- (or health). Since there is a strong demand for tic tundra streams prevents the effective use of research on how various disturbances (includ-
Andrew Medeiros, Jamal Shirley, and Andrew Dunford discussing impacts to the Airport Creek System, Iqaluit, NU, June 2007. (Photograph by Milissa Elliott)
Arctic Corner Vol. 27, No. 1 25
these sampling protocols and assessment meas- ures. However, Bailey et al. (1998) were able to successfully distinguish disturbed streams (due to mining contamination) from pristine environ- ments in the Yukon with the creation of predict- ive model based upon a Reference Condition Approach (RCA) (Bowman and Somers 2005). While this approach has the potential to outline major disturbances to benthic communities, less extreme disturbances (e.g. climate warm- ing) are expected to be much more difficult to quantify under current protocols. It is there- fore necessary to create an index based upon Andrew Medeiros and Jamal Shirley conducting a a meaningful measure of diversity, such as the D-net kick and sweep sample, Iqaluit, NU, June 2007. ecological characteristics of the dominant fam- (Photograph by Milissa Elliott) ilies specifically found within the undisturbed In 2005 the Nunavut Research Institute habitat of the tundra streams characteristic of (NRI) initiated a pilot study of the benthos of Nunavut. Peterhead Inlet, part of a river system west of Our approach involves focusing on the Iqaluit. The Peterhead Inlet study, while useful Chironomidae (Insecta: Diptera) in order to in terms of a background study, did not allow quantify disturbances to streams in Nunavut. for a full quantification of the biodiversity Within this family, there are wide differences in present due to the nature of the original proto- the ecological preferences and environmental cols used. This background study also outlined constraints between genera. Thus, the identifi- several significant methodological problems cation of specimens to the genus (and possibly associated with biomonitoring of arctic tun- species) level of organization is necessary as dra systems. Therefore, our research program a rapid bioassessment protocol that is sensi- aims to address these problems by developing tive to biological impairment. The focus on the sampling protocols more appropriate for arctic genus-level diversity of the Chironomidae will stream systems and developing user-friendly allow for the identification of changes in abun- reference materials and instructional guides dance as well as compositional changes to their for a community based Benthic Biomonitoring communities in response to ecological disturb- program for Nunavut streams and rivers. ances. Therefore, a biogeographic approach York University and NRI are collaborat- across Nunavut is being undertaken to exam- ing to develop protocols for a biomonitoring ine multiple streams within multiple regions of program as well as attempting to quantify cur- Nunavut. While an RCA for each region will rent biodiversity within these systems. From require a large sampling commitment for the June-September 2007 Andrew Medeiros (PhD. initial assessment phase, it will facilitate the Candidate, York University), Jamal Shirley selection of ecologically significant parameters (Manager of Research Policy and Design), to use in an index using the predictive model and Andrew Dunford (Manager of Scientific developed from the reference conditions of Services) initiated the first phase of this program “pristine” tundra streams. Thus, comparing to establish a baseline reference collection for “pristine” and “disturbed” benthic invertebrate the Iqaluit area. The benthic invertebrate com- communities in Nunavut streams will require a munity composition was sampled for Airport model and indices to distinguish the threshold Creek and the Apex River in Iqaluit during this values for qualitative labels of health. time. Samples were taken from multiple points
Arctic Corner 26 Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods)
Andrew Medeiros and Jamal Shirley conducting a D-net kick and sweep sample of the mouth of Airport Creek, Iqaluit, NU, June 2007. (Photograph by Milissa Elliott) along each system at multiple times throughout We were able to adapt existing Ontario the ice-free period. These systems are of key Benthic Biomonitoring Network collection importance as Airport Creek has long been dis- protocols (Jones et al. 2005) for these systems turbed due to industrial contamination and sedi- by adjusting collection methods to better suit ment input along various points of the stream. the environmental characteristics of tundra systems. Multiple adjustments to the protocols Although the reference samples collected were made with each collection, and geared during 2007 provide the first representation of towards allowing for future community based current biodiversity within these environments, sampling in these harsh environments. For a much more detailed sampling regime will be example; depending on the time of year, it is necessary to fully quantify the current reference difficult to obtain a minimum statistical rep- condition of these systems. However, among resentation of organisms per D-net sample. the samples collected in 2007 we can already Sampling times are therefore greater per kick see evidence that there are wide differences in and sweep than recommended in current proto- richness and diversity as the season progresses cols. The use of a Marchant box is also not rec- from the initial ice-free period (early June) to ommended due to the relatively high amount the drier re-freeze period (mid-September). of particulate matter, and the lower relative Complicating multi-year monitoring is the abundance and diversity of organisms sampled increasingly large variation in the onset of the in the study (which is also variable dependant ice-free period. Anecdotal evidence suggests on the time of year). Adjustments such as these that during 2006 the melt and breakup of ice are on-going and also depend on the localized occurred much earlier than in 2007. This varia- environmental conditions of each reach. One tion in the ice-free season also corresponds drawback to this approach is the increased time - with the timing and duration of high flow per necessary to key specimens to genus or species. iods as well as the emergence times for the This may require more training than would be various biota. Future biomonitoring programs necessary for southern temperate systems, but will require an understanding of the seasonal is necessary. dynamics of the benthic community in order to compare changes across multiple years
Arctic Corner Vol. 27, No. 1 27
While we were able to make minor adjust- Jones, C., K. Somers, R. Reid, R. Fletcher, J. Wint ments to currently available protocols, the ers, T. Reynoldson, and B. Craig. 2005. Ontario Benthic Biomonitoring Network Protocol Manual. development of a new set of protocols suitable Ontario Ministry of Environment and Environment for biomonitoring programs will take several Canada, Dorset, Ontario. more years to fully develop. In order to under- stand how the biota of these systems change throughout the multiple different spatial and temporal scales of arctic tundra systems, emphasis will need to be placed on comparing Flora of the Canadian Arctic the biodiversity of multiple points along the Archipelago published reach of multiple streams and rivers through- he Flora of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago out Nunavut. These protocols will be further Tis a comprehensive guide to the 349 ferns developed, tested, and made available to vari- and flowering plants of the Canadian Arctic ous community groups and agencies (e.g. Parks islands recently published on CD-ROM by Canada, Nunavut Arctic College) for further the Canadian Museum of Nature and NRC biomonitoring of arctic aquatic habitats upon Research Press. Each species is provided with the completion of this research program. The a detailed morphological description, a distri- continued biomonitoring of these streams, as bution map, notes on taxonomy, distribution, well as others across Nunavut will allow for a ecology and indigenous knowledge. continuous assessment of the health of multiple The text is complemented by an extensive stream systems across the territory. bibliography. Characters useful for identifica- While climate change is an important issue tion are defined and illustrated. More than 3,000 for arctic systems, monitoring the current health colour photographs and line drawings illustrate of streams and subsequent traditional food and the habitat, habit, flowers and distinguish- water sources they sustain is viewed as critic- ing characters of each species. The DELTA ally important, if not more important, to local (Description Language for Taxonomy) format communities across Nunavut. It is our hope allows for interactive identification. that this program will allow for local commun- ity groups to assess the health of their streams Aiken, S., L. Consaul, and L. Gillespie. 2007. and rivers. This would allow for the continued Flora of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. monitoring of biological impairment not only Canadian Museum of Nature and NRC for localized industrial source pollution, but Research Press. Ottawa. also keep track of upstream climate impacts to ISBN 9780660197272 the benthic invertebrate communities.
References cited Price: CAD $34.95 (plus 15% shipping and Bailey, R.C., M.G. Kennedy, M.Z. Dervishand, and handling, and GST) R.M. Taylor. 1998. Biological assessment of freshwater ecosystems using a reference condition approach: comparing predicted and actual ben- thic invertebrate communities in Yukon streams. Available from: Freshwater Biology 39: 765-774. Canadian Museum of Nature, 1-888-437-6287 or Bowman, M. and K. Somers. 2005. Considerations when using the reference condition approach for NRC’s online bookstore (pubs.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/ bioassessment of freshwater ecosystems. Water eng/books/index.html) Quality Research Journal of Canada. 40(3): 347-360.
Arctic Corner 28 Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods)
Selected Future Conferences
Organization Date Place Contact
ENTOMOLOGICAL CONFERENCES Entomological Society of 2008, 19–22 Ottawa, ON with the Entomological Society of Canada Oct. Ontario http://www.canacoll.org/JAM2008/ index.html
2009, 18–21 Winnipeg, MB with the Entomological Society of Oct. Manitoba
Entomological Society of 2008, 16–19 Reno, NV http://www.entsoc.org/am/cm/index.htm America Nov.
2009, 13–17 Indianapolis, IN http://www.entsoc.org/am/fm/2009/ Dec. index.htm
Entomological Collections 2008, 15–16 Reno, NV http://ecnweb.org/ Network Nov.
International Joint Meeting on 2008, 8–14 Stuttgart, http://www.jointmeeting08.naturkunde- Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera June Germany museum-bw.de/index.html
International Congress of 2008, 6–12 Durban, South http://www.ice2008.org.za/ Entomology July Africa
OTHER SUBJECTS (especially those relevant to Survey projects)
Natural Science Collections 2008, 13–17 Oklahoma City, http://www.snomnh.ou.edu/nsca-spnhc/ Alliance (NSC Alliance) and May OK the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) Joint Meeting
Canadian Society of Zoologists 2008, 19–23 Halifax, NS http://www.csz-scz.ca/cszanglais/ May engmeeting.htm or Tamara.Franz- [email protected]
North American Benthological 2008, 25–30 Salt Lake City, http://www.benthos.org/Meeting/ Society May Utah
IV International Colloquium on 2008, 25–29 Curitiba, Brazil www.unicenp.edu.br/icsz Soil Zoology August
REGIONAL SOCIETIES
Acadian Entomological Society 2008, 15–17 St. John’s, NL. http://www.acadianes.org/ June
Vol. 27, No. 1 29
List of Requests for Material or Information Required for Studies of the Canadian Fauna 2008
his list is intended to facilitate cooperation among entomologists through the exchange of speci- Tmens. If you have collected material or can collect material that is superfluous to your research, check the list to see who might benefit from those specimens. If you have residues for offer or if you have a request for material that might be obtained in Canada please submit the relevant data for inclu- sion in this newsletter and for posting on the BSC web site. This list can also be found on the Survey’s website at http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/bsc/english/listofrequests.htm. It is updated there as infor- mation is received. Minimum data requested with all specimens are, of course, locality, date, collector, and habitat. (**denotes address reference; listed from p. 36)
Material Areas of Collecting Methods, Notes Name of ** Requested Interest Requester
1 Acari (free living and Anywhere, but Berlese-Tullgren funnel extrac- V.M. Behan- 1 parasitic terrestrial especially sub- tion from subaquatic substrates, Pelletier; E.E. and aquatic mites) arctic and arctic from grasses and sedges, and Lindquist; I.M. Canada, Cana- from bird and mammal nests, Smith dian grasslands would be especially fruitful (preserve in 75% ethanol +5% glycerine).
2 Acari from family Anywhere Free living and parasitic terres- C. Constanti- 2 Uropodidae trial, preserve in 75% ethanol nescu
3 Adelgidae (conifer Anywhere Preserve insects and bark, R. Foottit 1 woolly aphids) needles or galls in 70% ethanol. Specimen records and host plant records
4 Aleyrodidae North America Preserve insects and host plant R. Foottit 1 (whiteflies) material in 70% ethanol. Adults may be dried. Specimen records and host plant records. (Cana- dian National Collection deficient in all species, including pest species)
30 Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods)
Material Areas of Collecting Methods, Notes Name of ** Requested Interest Requester
5 Anthomyiidae North America Specimens with biological data G.C.D. Griffiths 3 (especially reared specimens) in the genera Fucellia (seaweed flies), Chiastochaeta (Trollius flies), and Botanophila in the wide sense (incl. Pegohylemyia) [of diverse life histories, includ- ing groups whose larvae are saprophagous, phytophagous (mainly stem-borers or seed- feeders) or fungivorous (espe- cially on Epichloe parasites of grasses).
6 Anthomyzidae New World Adults from any habitat, but often K.N. Barber 4 associated with graminoids. Preservation in 70% ethanol preferred. Malaise and especially pan trap residues are acceptable and valuable. General descrip- tion of herbaceous cover and soil moisture advantageous.
7 Aphididae (aphids) Anywhere Preserve in 70% ethanol. Speci- R. Foottit 1 men records and host plant records.
8 Archaeognatha North America Specimens should be preserved M. Bowser 38 and the north in 80-100% ethanol. Include col- Pacific, especially lection data: location, date, and Machilidae from collector. Habitat information also Alaska, western desired. Canada, and eastern Russia
9 Asilidae (robber North America Pinned adults R.A. Cannings 5 flies)
10 Bombus, espe- Arctic Any collecting method, but if M. Damus 39 cially series or parts collected into wet (soapy water therof. (End use: or alcohol), then sent wet (in morphometric analy- alcohol) is best. sis of intraspecific variation)
11 Braconidae Anywhere Pointed or in ethanol. M. Sharkey 6
12 Bumble bees Anywhere in Include floral host if any. Collect R.C. Plowright 7 Canada and preserve dry (but specimens that have already been put into ethanol are acceptable).
Vol. 27, No. 1 31
Material Areas of Collecting Methods, Notes Name of ** Requested Interest Requester
13 Butterflies (see also Arctic Preserve papered or pinned (col- K.W. Philip 8 35, 36, 37) lecting / preserving information supplied on request) [for Alaska Lepidoptera Survey]
14 Cerambycidae Canada and Adults pinned or in ethanol, host D.B. McCorquo- 9 Alaska plant data if available dale
15 Ceratopogonidae Anywhere in Send in fully topped-up vials of A. Borkent 10 Canada 70% ethanol. Reared material is especially valuable; provide type of substrate or habitat if material is reared.
16 Cercopidae (frog- Canada and Specimens (preferably not in K.G.A. Hamilton 1 hoppers, spittlebugs) Alaska ethanol if possible), records and host records.
17 Chalcidoids, espe- Holarctic Incl. sweep-net samples (see G.A.P. Gibson 1 cially Eupelmidae also 43) (collect into ethanol). Reared material is especially useful.
18 Chironomidae: Lar- Nearctic and Reared material preferred but will B. Bilyj 11 sia (Tanypodinae) Palearctic fresh accept all stages in ethanol or on waters slides.
19 Chironomidae: Eu- All areas, espe- Include sampling method, habitat W.B. Morton 12 kiefferiella, Tvetenia cially Ontario information (Orthocladiinae)
20 Chrysomelidae (leaf Anywhere, but Mounted or unmounted and L. LeSage 1 beetles) especially in preserved in acetic alcohol (70 Canada ethanol: 25 water: 5 parts glacial acetic acid). Include accurate (species level) host plant infor- mation.
21 Cicadellidae (leaf- Canada and Specimens (preferably not in eth- K.G.A. Hamilton 1 hoppers) Alaska anol), records and host records.
22 Coccoidea (scale North America Preserve insect and host plant R. Foottit 1 insects) material in 70% ethanol. Speci- men records and host plant records.
23 Cynipidae: insect Anywhere Maturing to mature galls. Re- J.D. Shorthouse 13 galls from domestic move galls from plants and place and wild roses in plastic bags. Try to segregate galls of different species. Pre- serve any emergents in 70% ethanol.
32 Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods)
Material Areas of Collecting Methods, Notes Name of ** Requested Interest Requester
24 Cynipidae: galls on Anywhere Collect mature galls (spring gen: S. Digweed 14 oak most in June; autumn gen: late August – October) into plastic bags, separating gall species. Preserve emergents in 70% ethanol. Please note oak species (at least a guess at oak section - red or white oaks; leaf, bud and acorn samples also useful).
25 Dermaptera: Forficu- Amérique du Nord A sec ou dans l’alcool J.C. Tourneur 15 la auricularia (perce- et autres régions oreille européen / si possible European earwig)
26 Diprionidae (diprio- North America Living diprionid sawflies of any L. Packer 16 nid sawflies) species, identified or unidenti- fied. Record foodplant. Contact in advance about shipping.
27 Eupelmidae: North America Reared materials with associated G.A.P. Gibson 1 Anastatus sexes are particularly important, regardless how few in number.
28 Formicidae (ants) Anywhere Record type of habitat and nest A. Francoeur 17 site. Include brood if possible (preserve in ethanol).
29 Fungal pathogens Anywhere Place any fungus-infected speci- D. Strongman 18 of insects (esp. of mens in a vial. (Identification of deuteromycetes and the fungus available on request.) ascomycetes)
30 Halictidae (sweat North America Particularly from blueberries. L. Packer 16 bees) brown and Pinned or preserved. Include black spp. only flower record if available.
31 Hemiptera: Heterop- Anywhere Aquatic and semi-aquatic Het- G.G.E. Scudder 19 tera (bugs) eroptera from acid waters (an indication of pH would be use- ful). Terrestrial Heteroptera from bogs. Preserve in ethanol.
32 Insects on snow Especially west- Chionea (Tipulidae), Boreus (Me- S. Cannings 20 ern mountains coptera), Capniidae (Plecoptera): preserve in 70% ethanol.
33 Isoptera (termites) N. America incl. Preserve in 75% ethanol; try to T.G. Myles 21 Mexico collect as many soldiers as pos- sible.
Vol. 27, No. 1 33
Material Areas of Collecting Methods, Notes Name of ** Requested Interest Requester
34 Leiodidae (=Lepto- Northern forest Most easily collected by window S.B. Peck 22 diridae) and tundra areas; traps or flight intercept traps; and prairies and car nets (Can. Ent. 124: 745, grasslands 1992) (collect into ethanol).
35 Lepidoptera (see Arctic For revisionary work on the hol- J.D. Lafontaine 1 also 13) arctic fauna
36 Lepidoptera Manitoulin and Records for use in monograph J.K. Morton 23 surrounding of the region. Information on old islands records from collections would be particularly welcome.
37 Lepidoptera Areas not previ- Standard collecting methods N. Kondla 24 ously sampled in western Canada
38 Lygaeidae Anywhere Material can be collected in G.G.E. Scudder 19 ethanol.
39 Mallophaga Anywhere Preserve specimens in 70% T.D. Galloway 25 ethanol; host species is extreme- ly important.
40 Microgastrinae (Hy- Anywhere in Stored in alcohol or pinned J.L. Fernandez 37 menoptera: Braco- Canada specimens. Specimens will be Triana nidae) returned to sender or duplicates can be deposited in the CNC.
41 Microlepidoptera North America, Include collecting method and J.F. Landry 1 (excluding Pyralidae esp. west in time of day collected. Kill with and Tortricidae) dry/arid habitats ammonia fumes. Field-pin; and prairies (CNC instruction leaflet and field kit deficient in all available on request. western species)
42 Muscidae and Churchill, MB; Specimens mounted or pre- J. Savage / 40 Fanniidae and surrounding served in ethanol. Include taxon, A. Renaud area location of collecting site, method of collection, date, and collector
43 Odonata (dragon- North America Include 2-3 word habitat de- R.A. Cannings 5 flies) scription. Adults preferably in envelopes or papered, prepared by immersing in acetone for 24 hours, then dried; larvae in 70% ethanol.
34 Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods)
Material Areas of Collecting Methods, Notes Name of ** Requested Interest Requester
44 Odonata (dragonflies Ontario, North- Dried quickly in paper or glassine P.M. Catling 26 and damselflies) west Territories, envelopes with or without prior Nunavut, Cana- immersion of envelope in ace- dian prairies tone for one day to retain colour. Include habitat and collection notes and numbers observed in pencil on envelopes. Larvae in 70% ethanol.
45 Opiliones (harvest- Canada and adja- Preserve in 75% ethanol, es- R. Holmberg 27 men) cent states pecially adults with notes on habitats.
46 Parasitic Hymenop- Anywhere Including selected unsorted L. Masner 1 tera Malaise, suction, pan or pitfall trap collections (pan trap kits and instructions supplied free on request).
47 Phoridae Anwhere; espe- Collect into 70% ethanol: espe- B.V. Brown 28 cially boreal cially interested in Malaise trap samples from boreal forest.
48 Pseudoscorpions Canada Preserved in 90% ethanol is pre- C. Buddle 29 ferrred, please include collection information (method, habitat)
49 Psyllidae North America Preferably preserve in glycerine R. Foottit 1 or dried. Specimen records and host plant records
50 Pteromalidae: North America Reared materials with associated G.A.P. Gibson 1 Pachyneuron sexes are particularly important, regardless how few in number.
51 Salticidae (jumping Canada Adult specimens preserved in D. Shorthouse 30 spiders) 70% ethanol. Include habitat C. Buddle 29 information, specific location of collection, collecting method.
52 Scelionid egg para- Anywhere Especially from Grylloidea; pre- L. Masner 1 sites of Orthoptera serve in ethanol.
51 Sciomyzidae Anywhere Preferably pinned L. Knutson 31
52 Simuliidae (black North America, Preserve larvae in Carnoy’s D.C. Currie 32 flies) esp. western and solution (1 glacial acetic acid: 3 northern species absolute ethanol). Reared adults with associated pupal exuviae preferred. Instructions available on request.
Vol. 27, No. 1 35
Material Areas of Collecting Methods, Notes Name of ** Requested Interest Requester
55 Siphonaptera (fleas) Anywhere Preserve specimens in 70% T. D. Galloway 25 ethanol; host species is extreme- ly important
56 Solpugida (sun Canada Preserve in 75% ethanol, es- R. Holmberg 27 spiders) pecially adults with notes on habitat.
57 Sphaeroceridae Anywhere, esp. Collect into ethanol. Acalyptrate S.A. Marshall 33 Arctic or high fraction of trap samples wel- elevations comed.
58 Symphyta (sawflies) Boreal and arctic Larvae and adults collected by H. Goulet 1 Canada Malaise trap, sweeping, etc. (col- lect into 70% ethanol). Identify larval food plant as far as pos- sible.
59 Thysanoptera North America (Preserve in 70% ethanol). R. Foottit 1 (thrips) Specimen records, habitat, host plant records where applicable.
Cooperation Offered a Identification of groups of interest in return for a Most but not all of entries in list sample of duplicate specimens. above. b Willing to sort material from certain residues, bulk See entries 6, 17, 46, 58 above samples, etc. c Field kits or instructions available on request See especially entries 41, 46, 54 above d Exchange of specimens Several requesters, including entries 9, 40, 43, 55 above. e Limited collecting in Coppermine area, N.W.T., if A. Gunn (address 34 below). particular material required. f Caterpillars, larval sawflies, aphids and mites available P. Hallett (address 35 below) on request from trapnests for solitary bees and wasps [and see Am. Bee. J. 2001, pp. 133–136, 441–444]. g Insect material from grassland and adjacent habitats at D.L. Johnson (address 36 below) Onefour, Alberta, is available for examination.
36 Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods)
List of Addresses
1. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Central Experimental Farm, KW Neatby Bldg., 960 Carling Ave., Ottawa, ON, K1A 0C6 V.M. Behan-Pelletier. . . . [email protected] E.E. Lindquist...... [email protected] I.M. Smith...... [email protected] R. Foottit...... [email protected] K.G.A. Hamilton...... [email protected] G.A.P. Gibson...... [email protected] L. LeSage...... [email protected] J.D. Lafontaine ...... [email protected] J.F. Landry...... [email protected] L. Masner...... [email protected] H. Goulet...... [email protected]
2. Natural History Museum of District Arges, Armand Calinescu Street, No. 44, Cod: 110047, Arges, Romania; [email protected]
3. P.O. Box 1380, Athabasca, AB, T9S 2B2; [email protected]
4. Canadian Forest Service, 1219 Queen St. E., Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 5M7; kbarber@nrcan. gc.ca
5. Royal British Columbia Museum, 675 Belleville St., Victoria, BC, V8W 9W2; [email protected]
6. Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, 5 – 225 Agricultural Science Center North, Lexington, KY 40546-0091, U.S.A.; [email protected]
7. 482 Montée de la Source, Cantley, QC, J8V 3H9
8. University of Alaska, Institute of Arctic Biology, P.O. Box 757000, Fairbanks, AK, 99775-7000 U.S.A.; [email protected]
9. Dept. of Biology, Cape Breton University, 1250 Grand Lake Rd., Sydney, NS, B1P 6L2; [email protected]
10. 691 – 8th Ave., SE, Salmon Arm, BC, V1E 2C2; [email protected]
11. 12 Westroyal Road, Etobicoke, ON, M9P 2C3; [email protected]
Vol. 27, No. 1 37
12. 3 Woodridge Drive, Guelph, ON, N1E 3M2;
13. Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6; [email protected]
14. 3761 - 20 Street, Edmonton, AB, T6T 1R8; [email protected]
15. Département des Sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8; [email protected]
16. Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Downsview, ON, M3J 1P3; [email protected]
17. Centre de données sur la biodiversité du Québec, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 9637-108 boulevard Talbot, Chicoutimi, QC, G7H 2B1; [email protected]
18. Department of Biology, St. Mary’s University, 923 Robie St., Halifax, NS, B3H 3C3; [email protected]
19. Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia,Vancouver, BC, V6T 1W5; [email protected]
20. NatureServe Yukon, Yukon Territorial Government, Box 2703, Whitehorse, YT, Y1A 2C6; [email protected]
21. Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks, Toronto, ON, M5S 3B3; [email protected]
22. Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6; [email protected]
23. Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1; [email protected]
24. P.O. Box 244, Genelle, BC, V0G 1G0; [email protected]
25. Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2; [email protected]
26. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Research Branch, Wm. Saunder Bldg., Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0C6; [email protected]
38 Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods)
27. Athabasca University, Centre for Science, Athabasca, AB, T9S 3A3; [email protected]
28. Entomology Section, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90007 U.S.A.; [email protected]
29. Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Macdonald Campus, 21,111 Lakeshore Road, Ste.Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, H9X 3V9; [email protected]
30. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9; [email protected]
31. Paluzzo Gioia Piazza Traniello, 8-Int. 26, 04024 Gaeta (LT), Italy; [email protected]
32. Department of Natural History, Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON, M5S 2C6; [email protected]
33. Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1; [email protected]
34. Wildlife and Fisheries Division, Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Government of the Northwest Territories, Box 1320, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 3S8; [email protected]
35. University of Toronto, c/o 144 Hendon Avenue, Willowdale, ON, M2M 1A7; [email protected]
36. Department of Geography, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4; [email protected]
37. University of Guelph, c/o 609-124 Springfield Road, Ottawa, ON, K1M 2C8; [email protected]
38. Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 2139, Soldotna, AK, 99669; [email protected]
39. 1958 Old Prescott Road, Greely, ON, K4P 1L4; [email protected]
40. Department of Biological Sciences, Bishop’s University, 2600 College St., Sherbrooke, QC, J1M 1Z7; [email protected]
Vol. 27, No. 1 39
Index to Taxa (entry nos.)
Arachnida Diptera Solpugida...... 56 Anthomyiidae...... 5 Araneae Anthomyzidae...... 6 Salticidae...... 51 Asilidae...... 9 Opiliones...... 45 Ceratopogonidae...... 15 Pseudoscorpionida...... 48 Chironomidae...... 18, 19 Acari...... 1, f Muscoidea...... 42 Hydracarina...... 1 Phoridae...... 47 Uropodidae...... 2 Sciomyzidae...... 53 Insecta ...... 29, 32, g Simuliidae...... 54 Archaeognatha...... 8 Sphaeroceridae...... 52 Odonata...... 43, 44 Tipulidae...... 32 Plecoptera...... 32 Siphonaptera...... 55 Isoptera...... 33 Lepidoptera...... 13, 35, 36, 37, 41, f Dermaptera...... 25 Hymenoptera Orthoptera...... 52 parasitic Hymenoptera....11, 12, 27, 40, Mallophaga...... 39 ...... 46, 50, 52 . Aculeata...... 12, 30 Hemiptera...... 31 Apidae...... 10, 12 Adelgidae...... 3 Braconidae...... 11, 40 Aleyrodidae...... 4 Chalcidoidea...... 17, 50 Aphididae...... 7, f Cynipidae...... 23, 24 Cercopidae...... 16 Diprionidae...... 26 Cicadellidae...... 21 Eupelmidae...... 17, 27 Coccoidea...... 22 Formicidae...... 28 Lygaeidae...... 38 Halictidae...... 30 Psyllidae...... 50 Pteromalidae...... 50 Thysanoptera...... 59 Scelionidae...... 52 Coleoptera Symphyta...... 26, 58, f Cerambycidae...... 14 Fungi ...... 29 Chrysomelidae...... 20
Leiodidae...... 35 Mecoptera...... 32
Biological Survey of Canada Request for Cooperation (Terrestrial Arthropods) (This form is also available as an interactive form attached to this newsletter or on the BSC web site.)
Please complete this form and return to: Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestial Arthropods) Canadian Museum of Nature P.O. Box 3443, Station "D" Ottawa, ON K1P 6P4; fax 613-364-4022
Name: Address:
Email: Telephone:
Material requested (specify taxon, region, habitat, or other details, as appropriate):
Collecting and preserving methods and other information requested for above:
Cooperation offered - if there is anything specific you might be able to exchange for material requested above (e.g. identifications, material) please indicate it here:
Residual specimens available for loan, exchange, or to give away. Please specify as much detail as possible, e.g. collecting localities, collecting method, taxon (if known), amount of material, and how the samples are preserved.
How long would you like the above posted on the BSC web site?