Laurel Creek Conservation Area, Waterloo, ON

12 July, 2024 

     It had been a while since we had visited Laurel Creek C.A. so when the local library made passes available for a five-day loan, we took advantage of the offer to make a return visit.

     The area has campsites, picnic areas and a beach, so it is often quite crowded, but it's possible to find quiet spots too.

     

     A species of Metallic Sweat Bee (genus  Lasioglossum) was among the first insects we saw.

     It seemed willing to share the richness of Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota) with ubiquitous Common Soldier Beetles (Rhagonycha fulva).

     How ubiquitous you might ask? Judge for yourself.

     Those of you with sharp eyes will note that a Swift Feather-legged Fly (Trichopoda pennipes) has also joined the picnic. This is an extraordinary species.

     A huge range of insects is present; one only has to look. How lovely is this Obscure Plant Bug (Plagiognathus obscurus)?

     It looks like it could be used as the basis of a heraldic shield or coat of arms.

     A Slender Lizard Beetle (Acropteroxys gracilis) is impressive.

     Many insects have not been assigned common names. Such is the case with Condostylus palibulatus.

     There was a time when beetle brooches were very popular - it would have been a skilled craftsman to reproduce this beauty.

     Modellistena is a unique genus of Coleoptera displaying "odd" characteristics.

     I could mention that the larvae have characteristic tergal processes and paired urogomphi - but you don't want to know that, so we'll skip it!

     I think this is a Speckled Renia Moth (Renia adspergillus) but if someone would like to confirm that would be great.

     Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is a rich source of nectar, and a native plant well known to a range of pollinators.

     Here is a Brown-belted Bumblebee (Bombus griseocollis) proving my point.

     A Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris) is a delight.

     Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is both familiar and beautiful, and dots the landscape with pleasing regularity.

     This tiny Midland Painted Turtle (Chrysemis picta marginata) was probably not more than a few days old (five of them could have fit on my hand) and was basking in the sun.

     There were scores of baby Northern Leopard Frogs (Lithobates pipiens) too, hopping everywhere, entering the water and returning to land just as quickly.

     Some even sought the company of the turtle.

     If we were quiet and refrained from sudden movement they were all around us.

     A Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina) sailed in on the breeze and perched conveniently.

     A Common Green Darner (Ajax junius) had somehow become trapped in the water and was struggling to escape, but appeared to be weakening and unable to extricate itself.

     A Double-banded Grass-Veneer (Crambus agitatellus) can be hard to spot, even when you have seen it fly in.

    It is only about 14mm long and is as skinny as an anorexic fashion model.

    Bluets (genus Enallagma) are easy to identify as to family, even to genus, but knowing the species is a whole other story.

    They are very delicate and beautiful.

     Miriam Darlington describes them evocatively as "fire-blue tubes on glassy wings."

     Willow Pinecone Gall Midge (Rabdophaga strobiloides) can be seen all around and it is quite beautiful.

     A Monarch (Danaus plexippus) is aptly named; it is indeed regal.

     A family of Eastern Kingbirds (Tyrannus tyrannus) with newly independent juveniles was occupied catching juicy, nutritious insects.

     Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicarial) is striking, and few would deny its appeal, but it is no friend to native ecosystems.

     We left to return home for lunch, vowing to return soon.

     It had been a very pleasant visit.