Health Valley Trail, Waterloo, ON

05 August, 2026 

     It has been a long time coming, but here is a report of a visit to the Health Valley Trail, where we were joined by Victoria.

     A Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens), taking advantage of the wide array of flowers in bloom, greeted us almost as soon as we set foot on the path.

     Seven-spotted Lady Beetles (Coccinella septempunctata) are voracious consumers of aphids and other insects; no doubt this individual was probing for a meal.

     We have not seen many Monarchs (Danaus plexippus) this year so every sighting brings joy and hope.

     I believe this ghostly insect is a Northern Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica barberi).

     I don't recall ever seeing it before, but there is a large field planted with corn adjacent to the path.

     Hadrophallus bubalus is a very attractive little treehopper.

     Wood Germander (Teucrium canadense) was blooming nicely.

     Greenbottle Flies (genus Lucilia) are quite beautiful, but difficult to separate as to species.

     Two-horned Treehopper (Stictocephala diceros) feeds on the juices of various plants.

     This Banded Harvestman (Leiobunum vittatum) was perhaps on patrol searching for aphids.

     Elecampane (Inula helenium) was in full bloom.

     Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) is the bane of those people who suffer from seasonal allergies.

     Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) is one of our most common dragonflies; here is a female.

     Wild Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) was introduced from Europe to North America, and has become a serious invasive pest in some areas. 

     Its seeds are valued and exploited by American Goldfinches (Spinus tristis), especially in winter.

     Small White (Pieris rapae), sometimes referred to as Cabbage White, is often abundant; at certain times of the year it is possibly our most frequently observed butterfly.

     The larvae of Lappet Moths (family Lasiocampidae) are apt to cause some people to recoil in horror!

     A Black Swallowtail (Papilo polyxenes), on the other hand, produces exactly the opposite effect.

     It's always a good idea to leave a European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula) to go about its business.

     We had not seen a single Monarch caterpillar this year, so it was especially encouraging to come across this individual.

     On the way back to the car, two other butterflies shared their day with us - a Monarch-mimicking Viceroy (Limentis archippus).....

     ..... and a Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta).

     It had been a very pleasant walk on a warm and sunny August day.