Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada
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Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada Vol. 39(2) December 2020 The Newsletter of the BSC is published twice a year by the Biological Survey of Canada, an incorporated not-for-profit In this issue group devoted to promoting biodiversity science in Canada. From the Editor’s Desk.............2 Membership....................3,15 President’s Report.................4 Feature Article: Sandhill Gold: The Goldsmith BSC Facebook & Twitter..........5 Beetle (Cotalpa lanigera, Contributing to the BSC Scarabaeidae, Coleoptera) in Newsletter.......................5 the Sandhills of Southwestern Highlights of the 2020 AGM...6 Manitoba Request for Specimens...........7 Robert Wrigley & Tim Arendse......19 Carabidae from across North America; Kevin Floate Certain Paraleptophlebia and Rhithrogena (Ephemeroptera) from eastern Canada; Steve Burian Elateridae from across Canada; Project Update Scott Gilmore Project Update Spider Diversity of British Spider Diversity of British Columbia: Columbia: Almost 900 Spe- Almost 900 Species & Still Counting cies and Still Counting Robb Bennett, Darren Copley and Robb Bennett, Darren Copley and Claudia Copley..............................8 Claudia Copley........................8 New Projects 1. Warm & Comfortable within Hollow Stems, Leaf-mines and Galls: Little New Projects known habitats for Entomologists & Botanists to explore, Peter G. Kevan, 1. Warm & Comfortable within Hollow Stems, Leaf- Charlotte Coates, Patricia Nunes mines and Galls: Little known habitats for Entomol- Silva, & Marla Larson...................11 2. A New Citizen Science Project Called ogists & Botanists to explore Chronolog, Kevin Rose................16 Peter G. Kevan, Charlotte Coates, Patricia Nunes Silva, & Marla 3. Citizen scientist spots a newcomer Larson............................................................................11 on Canadian elm trees, Véronique Martel........................................17 2. A New Citizen Science Project Called Chronolog Feature Article Kevin Rose......................................................................16 Sandhill Gold: The Goldsmith Beetle 3. Citizen Scientist Spots a Newcomer on Canadian (Cotalpa lanigera, Scarabaeidae, Elm Trees, Véronique Martel..........................................17 Coleoptera) in the Sandhills of Southwestern Manitoba, Robert Nature Challenge 2021 Community BioBlitzes......24 Wrigley and Tim Arendse.............19 Notices: Entomology Enthusiast / Enthousiaste de Nature Challenge 2021...........24 l’entomologie ............................................................25 Entomology Enthusiast...........25 Canadian Journal of Request for Specimens: Beetles and Mayflies!......7 Arthropod Identification: 2020 papers ....................27 BSC Publications Available Call for Nominations: BSC Board for 2021-23.......3 on the Website ....................27 Notices ...............................28 2020 Papers in the Canadian Journal of Arthropod Identification.............................................................27 Visit our Website | Previous issues http://biologicalsurvey.ca http://biologicalsurvey.ca/pages/read/newsletter-past-issues Contact us: [email protected] Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada 2 From the Editor’s desk Donna Giberson It is encouraging to me to see and hear about biodiversity work that is still happening around us, even as we battle our way through a global pandemic. As our president, Greg Pohl, points out, one thing we can still do is get outdoors, and as long as we follow the local Covid-19 guidelines, we can still gather important observations. In this issue, you’ll read about studies on BC spi- ders, goldsmith beetles on the prairies, interesting microhabitats for arthropods, and a newly discovered invader in eastern elms. One thing I love about being involved with the BSC Newsletter is learning about new and ongoing projects, and then hearing later about how our Newsletter has helped bring people together to collaborate. So I’m going to send out a special request with this issue: I’m fascinated by the potential for citizen (community) engagement in the Chronolog project, so wonder if anyone thinking of contacting the organizers to set up one of these projects in their area could get in touch with us too, and give an update on how it works? There are other requests for collaboration in this issue too - see the request by Kevan et al. on p. 14, and the requests for specimens on p. 6. This newsletter would not be possible without the contributions from our readers, and I urge you to read these and consider submitting an update or article on your own work. Please also consider getting involved with the BSC. This year is an election year for the Board of Directors, so a call for nominations will be going out early in the New year. Consider running for one of the positions on the board, or engaging with on-going projects, or helping out with the website or other outreach activities! If you haven’t yet looked up our website or checked out the BSC on Facebook, consider doing so, and send us your comments; of course, if there are any little bumps in navigating the site, we’d like to hear about them. The site will continue to have links to biodiversity resources of the BSC and our publications. Check it out, at http://biologicalsurvey.ca/ Questions? Please contact us at [email protected] D.Giberson Tiger beetles on Blooming Point Beach, PEI. The Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada is published twice a year (summer and winter) by the Biological Survey of Canada, an incorporated not-for-profit group devoted to promoting biodiversity science in Canada, particularly with respect to the Arthropoda. Send submissions to: Dr. Donna Giberson ([email protected]) Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island 550 University Ave., Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3 Masthead image: Tricoloured Bumblebee, Bombus ternarius photographed on lupins in PEI in 2010, D.Giberson Volume 39(2) December 2020 [click here to return to front page] Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada 3 Biological Survey of Canada: Documenting Canada’s Biodiversity The Biological Survey of Canada (BSC) has been collecting, collating, analyzing and disseminating information about Canada’s biological diversity since 1977. The BSC is a Canadian non-profit, charitable organization consisting of biodiversity scientists across Canada, and in other countries, who have an interest in Canadian biota. The BSC prides itself in identifying and filling biodiversity information needs using a bottom-up organiza- tional structure, whereby front-line workers identify the needs and work to address them. The BSC has successfully demonstrated its capacity to advance national level biodiversity science and knowledge concerning terrestrial arthropods, which account for >60% of Canadian species, and is now reaching out to the broader biological community to bring together those who are experts with other taxa and who share a common vision and goal of making biodiversity information more accessible. Are you a member of the BSC? You may be on the mailing list to receive BSC newsletters, but may not be a member! To become a member, send a request for membership to the BSC Secretary (see below). Remember to request membership before the AGM so you are eligible to vote. If you don’t hear from us within a couple of weeks, please contact us again, to be sure your request has been received. To Join the BSC: Send an email to Donna Giberson, Secretary, BSC [email protected] - In the subject line, write “BSC Membership” - in the body of the message, give your full name and contact infor- mation, and a valid email address. Remember to update the BSC if you change email addresses. Please also provide some informa- tion on your background and biodiversity interests. First call for Nominations to the Board: 2021-23 The BSC is calling for nominations for members of the 2021-2023 Board of Directors. Up to nine (9) members can be elected for a term of two (2) years. Directors are expected to participate in regular virtual meetings, and to participate in projects of the BSC as their time allows. Self nominations are encouraged, or you may nominate a colleague. Please provide the name of the candidate (after ensuring that he/she is a BSC member and willing to stand for election [Note: see p. 15 on membership]) and a brief statement (<100 words) of their background and biodiversity interests. Nominations should be sent to the Secretary at [email protected] and will be accepted prior to the June AGM or during the Annual General Meeting itself. Check out the BSC website! http://biologicalsurvey.ca/ Volume 39(2) December 2020 [click here to return to front page] Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada 4 President’s update Biological Survey of Canada/ Commission biologique du Canada Greg Pohl Natural Resources Canada, Northern Forestry Centre Edmonton, AB Greetings fellow naturalists. Welcome to our December edition. I must confess that the general state of affairs in fall 2020 has not been inspiring any enthusiastic presidential thoughts from me, and I have been procrastinating writing this brief note, as our newslet- ter editor can attest. It has been a difficult year to advance our knowledge of Canadian species. Neverheless, I asked for an advance copy of this newsletter (pretty much done; just waiting for me to write this), and as I look over it now I’m truly excited to see some inspiring