Spring Bioblitz Results, Winners, and another Insect Bioblitz this month!
A big (and very belated) thank you to all who participated in the spring insect bioblitz at Uplands Park! We loved seeing the community come together with the love and excitement of learning about and caring for the insects living in this special place.
We had over 800 iNaturalist observations of over 200 species of insects, logged by 19 people. Additionally, several insect experts also contributed their findings based on ID’ing from collections and from rearing out caterpillars. Over 100 people helped to identify the iNaturalist observations. So far more than a quarter of the observations have made it to Research Grade (positive ID by 2 or more people), and many more will be added over time. Thanks to each and every one of you for helping to document the insect biodiversity of Uplands Park! If you want to check out the insect bioblitz data and compare it to past projects, go to or join the FOUP Insect Bioblitz Umbrella Project: https://inaturalist.ca/projects/foup-insect-bioblitz-umbrella
We are happy to announce the WINNERS of the bioblitz. Drum roll, please!
Thomas Barbin, for the greatest total number of observations recorded and species observed on iNaturalist. Almost a third of the observations came from Thomas! 255 observations of 58 species. Also Thomas’ insect photographs are spectacular!
Scott Gilmore, for the greatest number of identifications- 127! (so far!) (and thank you to you and Zeke for joining from so far away). Thank you for contributing your knowledge and helping to get so many observations to Research Grade.
Congratulations to Thomas and Scott! We will be in touch with you about how to receive your prizes.
Some exciting findings from the Bioblitz:
We wanted to highlight a special insect, the Ash-winged click beetle, Anchastus cinereipennis. The only location where this beetle has been documented in Canada is in Uplands Park! Thomas Barbin and Scott Gilmore have observed it, as well as Brian Starzomski (in July 2023). Check it out here: https://inaturalist.ca/taxa/346819-Anchastus-cinereipennis
Another unique finding is the Curly-haired longhorn robber fly, Dicolonus simplex. This fly was documented by Rob Cannings, Joel Gibson, and Scott Gilmore on the bioblitz (not logged on iNaturalist). According to Rob, D. simplex is a Garry Oak meadow specialist, that also lives in adjacent open Douglas-fir woodland. It flies mainly during the blooming period of both species of Camassia, but also into mid-summer in some areas. It ranges from southeastern Vancouver Island down the coast to California. Here is a good photo of the species (in Cowichan Bay by Jeremy Gatten ) of a living fly: https://inaturalist.ca/observations/217431144
Countdown to another Insect Bioblitz at Uplands Park! UVic BUGS (Biology Undergraduate Society) is hosting the weekend of August 17-18. Snacks and drinks provided (BYO mug) – meet at Cattle Point – Beach Drive entrance from 9-11 pm on Saturday, August 17th and 1-3 pm on Sunday, August 18th. Join here: https://inaturalist.ca/projects/uplands-park-insect-bioblitz-summer-2024
Hope to see you then!
