Golden Tortoise Beetle (Charidotella sexpunctata), along with other species of Tortoise Beetle, have moved into the Canadian Prairies in recent years. (Photo: Dan Johnson)
The Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax) has the appearance of a bee, and also pollinates flowers. The larva has the charming name Rat-tailed Maggot. (Photo: Dan Johnson)
-DQXDU\ &DQDGD January 2019
6XQ 0RQ 7XH :HG 7KX )UL 6DW 1HZ (SLSKDQ\ *URXQGKRJ'D\ Brown Stink Bug (Euschistus servus euschistoides) is a northern insect that feeds on a wide range of shrubs and forbs, and can fly long distances, despite its heavy appearance. (Photo: Dan Johnson) )HEUXDU\ &DQDGD February 2019 6XQ 0RQ 7XH :HG 7KX )UL 6DW *URXQGKRJ'D\ 9DOHQWLQH V'D\ )DPLO\'D\ 0DQ\ UHJLRQV ,VODQGHU'D\ 3ULQFH (GZDUG,VODQG /RXLV5LHO'D\ 0DQLWRED 1RYD6FRWLD+HULWDJH 'D\ 1RYD6FRWLD The Sunflower Seed Maggot adult Fly (Neotephritis finalis) has vivid markings. (Photo: Dan Johnson) 0DUFK &DQDGD March 2019 6XQ 0RQ 7XH :HG 7KX )UL 6DW &RPPRQZHDOWK'D\ 6W3DWULFN V'D\ 1DWLRQDO7DUWDQ'D\ The Nine-spotted Lady Beetle (Coccinella novemnotata) has been designated an endangered species by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. In Alberta, it can be found on relatively undisturbed grassland and riparian habitat. (Photo: Dan Johnson) $SULO &DQDGD April 2019 6XQ 0RQ 7XH :HG 7KX )UL 6DW 1DWLRQDO7DUWDQ'D\ 9LP\5LGJH'D\ *RRG)ULGD\ (DVWHU6XQGD\ (DVWHU0RQGD\ 0DQ\ UHJLRQV (DVWHU0RQGD\ $OEHUWD Lygus borealis feeds on a wide range of native plants and crops. (Photo: Dan Johnson) 0D\ &DQDGD May 2019 6XQ 0RQ 7XH :HG 7KX )UL 6DW 0RWKHU V'D\ 9LFWRULD'D\ 0DQ\ UHJLRQV Great Golden Digger Wasps (Sphex ichneumoneus) are solitary, ground-nesting wasps that are busy pollinators, but not aggressive, despite their large size and vivid appearance. (Photo: Dan Johnson) -XQH &DQDGD June 2019 6XQ 0RQ 7XH :HG 7KX )UL 6DW )DWKHU V'D\ 1DWLRQDO,QGLJHQRXV 3HRSOHV'D\ &DQDGD'D\ Female and male grasshoppers on sage. Grasshoppers in Canada commonly found on sage include Melanoplus angustipennis (Narrow-winged Spur-throat Grasshopper), usually with red tibia (lower leg), and Melanoplus bowditchi canus (Sagebrush Grasshopper), usually with blue tibia. (Photo: Dan Johnson) -XO\ &DQDGD July 2019 6XQ 0RQ 7XH :HG 7KX )UL 6DW &DQDGD'D\ The Jagged Ambush Bug (Phymata) pounces on flies, bees, and other insects that visit the flowers and leaves where it waits in ambush. (Photo: Dan Johnson) $XJXVW &DQDGD August 2019 6XQ 0RQ 7XH :HG 7KX )UL 6DW %ULWLVK&ROXPELD'D\ %ULWLVK&ROXPELD &LYLF3URYLQFLDO'D\ 1RUWKZHVW 7HUULWRULHV1XQDYXW +HULWDJH'D\ $OEHUWD 1DWDO'D\ 1RYD 6FRWLD 1HZ%UXQVZLFN'D\ 1HZ%UXQVZLFN 6DVNDWFKHZDQ'D\ 6DVNDWFKHZDQ The adult of the Marsh Meadow Grasshopper (Chorthippus curtipennis) can be recognized by black knees and bee-like stripes on the abdomen. (Photo: Dan Johnson) 6HSWHPEHU &DQDGD September 2019 6XQ 0RQ 7XH :HG 7KX )UL 6DW /DERXU'D\ This immature Marsh Meadow Grasshopper (Chorthippus curtipennis) has wing buds where wings will form after the last molt. (Photo: Dan Johnson) 2FWREHU &DQDGD October 2019 6XQ 0RQ 7XH :HG 7KX )UL 6DW 7KDQNVJLYLQJ'D\ +HDOWKFDUH$LGH'D\ 0DQ\UHJLRQV %ULWLVK&ROXPELD 7KDQNVJLYLQJ'D\ 0DQLWRED 1%163( +DOORZHHQ The Wheat Stem Sawfly (Cephus cinctus) has a long history as a pest of wheat in Canada. (Photo: Dan Johnson) 1RYHPEHU &DQDGD November 2019 6XQ 0RQ 7XH :HG 7KX )UL 6DW +DOORZHHQ 5HPHPEUDQFH'D\ 0DQ\UHJLRQV 5HPHPEUDQFH'D\ 0%1621 This Huckleberry Grasshopper (Melanoplus fasciatus) is not yet mature, but later will have wings and hard, sharp ovipositor valves for laying eggs into hard soil. (Photo: Dan Johnson) 'HFHPEHU &DQDGD December 2019 6XQ 0RQ 7XH :HG 7KX )UL 6DW $QQLYHUVDU\RIWKH 6WDWXWHRI :HVWPLQVWHU &KULVWPDV(YH &KULVWPDV %R[LQJ'D\ 0DQ\ UHJLRQV 1HZ This male Northern Green-striped Grasshopper (Chortophaga viridifasciata) overwintered nearly mature, and matured in May. They are food for birds in spring. (Photo: Dan Johnson) -DQXDU\ &DQDGD January 2020 6XQ 0RQ 7XH :HG 7KX )UL 6DW 1HZ (SLSKDQ\ Buffalo Treehopper, Stictocephala (Ceresa) bisonia, feeds on trees and shrubs, and in Alberta is often found on willow. (All photographs in this calendar are from Alberta, Canada, by Dan Johnson, Lethbridge) Johnson Research Lethbridge, Alberta [email protected] PRINTED BY UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE PRINTING SERVICES [email protected]