Order Coleoptera – Beetles

Coleoptera is the largest order within the class of insects. There are more than 350,000 species, and new ones are being described each year. Adult Coleopterans have a great range in body size (less than 1 mm to more than 75 mm) and in body colour. Beetles have chewing mouth parts in both the adult … Read more

Deer Mouse – Peromyscus Maniculatus

Distinguishing Features – Overall colouration, varying from pale buff to deep reddish-brown upperparts; sides and underparts whitish; tail blackish on top and whitish below; nose and inside of ears, pink. Size 12 cm (4.75 in) Habitat Widespread throughout Northwestern Ontario in a broad range of environments from woodlands to open grasslands; also in semi-rural areas, … Read more

Order Hymenoptera – Wasps, ants, bees

Generally Hymenoptera have chewing mouthparts but some species have specialized chewing-lapping mouthparts as do the bumble bees. They pass through complete metamorphosis, (egg, larva, pupa, adult). Winged members of this order have four membranous wings. Most Hymenoptera are beneficial insects. Many bees, wasps and hornets pollinate flowers which is important in the survival of a … Read more

Forest Tent Caterpillar – Malacosoma Disstria

Hosts Sugar maple, birch, oak, aspen and other deciduous. Evidence Shiny brown egg masses are present from July until early spring of the following year. They differ from those of eastern tent caterpillar in having square edges, and they completely encircle the twigs of host trees. Larvae, which are present in early spring, have distinctive … Read more

Great Bustard – Otis Tarda

Distinguishing Features – The Great Bustard is one of the largest birds capable of flight. Weight: males up to 17 kg, females up to 8 kg; length: male may be 1.2 m long with a 2.4 m wingspan. Habitat The Great Bustard is a vulnerable species. It is distributed throughout many countries in Europe, Russia … Read more

Northern Leopard Frog

Distinguishing Features – Most familiar frog of Northwestern Ontario. large. Overall colouration, varying shades of green or brown; round black spots scattered randomly about the back and on the sides. Underside, plain white. Two light ridges down run along length of back. Forelimbs, spotted; hind legs, striped. Size 8.9 cm (3.5 in) Habitat Common throughout … Read more