vol 34 (2) december 2014 december 201 6 vol. 3 6 (2)...
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Vol 34 (2) December 2014
December 2016 Vol. 36 (2)
Boreus Newsletter of the Entomological Society of British Columbia
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December 2016
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3
The Executive ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Publications of ESBC ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
Journal of the Entomological Society of British Columbia ………………………………………………………. 5
Boreus ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
ESBC Website …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……. 6
Facebook ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…… 6
Twitter …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
Membership ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7
ESBC Annual General Meeting Program ….……….……………………………………………..…………………….. 8
ESBC Annual General Meeting Minutes October 14, 2016..……………………………………………………. 9
Student Winners……………………………….………………………………………………………………………………….. 21
First Annual Bug Hunt ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 23
The North Okanagan Naturalists’ Club …………………………………………………………………………………. 26
Entomological Society of BC Symposium Program ……………………………………………………………….. 27
What is happening in BC when it comes to Entomology ………………………………………………………. 30
Entomology Educational Opportunities in Canada ................................................................... 31
Employment and Research Opportunities ……………………………………………………………………………. 31
Student Awards Administered by ESC ………………………………………………..………………………….…….. 31
Student Awards Administered by ESA…………………..………………………………………………………….…… 32
DNA Barcoding Website ……….……………………………………………………..………………………………….…… 32
Entomological Society of Canada …………………………………………………….………………………..…………. 32
Some International Entomological Societies ………………………………………………………………………... 33
Testing the efficacy of a commercial drone at detecting simulated signs of Asian longhorned
beetle ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 34
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: we need your help to find it ………………………………………………… 36
BC Butterfly Atlas ………………………………………………………………….……….…………………….……………… 38
Obituaries ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 39
Executive Contact Information……………………………………………………………………………………….….…. 43
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The Executive
The Entomological
Society of British
Columbia is a scientific
Society founded in 1902
for the advancement of
entomological
knowledge in the
province.
President Brian Van Hezewijk
Canadian Forest Service, Victoria
First Vice President Jenny Cory
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby
Second Vice President open
Secretary Tracy Hueppelsheuser
British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford
Treasurer Ward Strong
BC Ministry of Forests, Vernon
Editorial Committee
(Journal)
Dezene Huber (Editor-in Chief)
University of Northern B.C., Prince George
Robert Cannings,
Royal B.C. Museum, Victoria
Lorraine Maclauchlan
B.C. Ministry Forests & Range, Kamloops
Bob Lalonde
University of British Columbia – Okanagan, Kelowna
Steve Perlman
University of Victoria, Victoria
Leland Humble
Canadian Forest Service, Victoria
Rob McGregor
Douglas College, New Westminster
Staffen Lindgren
University of Northern B.C., Prince George, Prof. Emeritus
Editor (Boreus) Gabriella Zilahi-Balogh
Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Kelowna
Directors Kathy Bleiker (2nd
)
Canadian Forest Service, Victoria
Tamara Richardson (1st
)
Cornucopia Crop Consulting, Cawston
Graduate Student
Representative
Joyce Leung
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby
Honorary Auditor Brian Van Hezewijk
Canadian Forest Service, Victoria
Regional Director of
National Society
Bill Riel
Canadian Forest Service, Victoria
Web Page Editor Rylee Isitt/Brian Muselle
Canadian Forest Service, Victoria/ University of British Columbia –
Okanagan, Kelowna
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Publications of ESBC
Journal of the Entomological Society of British
Columbia
The Journal of the Entomological Society of BC is a peer reviewed, open-access
journal. Manuscripts dealing with all facets of the study of arthropods will be
considered for publication. Submissions may be from regions beyond British
Columbia and the surrounding jurisdictions provided that content is applicable or
of interest to a regional audience. Authors are invited to submit ideas for review
and forum articles as well. Line drawings or photographs as candidates for the
cover are also accepted.
For more information please contact Dr. Dezene Huber, Editor-in-Chief at
The deadline for submissions to be included in the 2017 issue is 1 September,
2017. Please submit articles at the JESBC website: http://journal.entsocbc.ca/.
Boreus
Boreus, the Newsletter of the Society is published in June and December.
It contains entomological news, comments, reports, reviews and notices of
meetings and other events. While emphasizing the Society's affairs, Boreus
provides members with a forum for their views and news of British
Columbia entomology, as well as informal articles, notes regarding
research projects, and anything else that may be of interest to
entomologists.
Please submit any entomological photograph, article, event or
informational tidbit to the Editor!
Please send correspondence concerning Boreus to Gabriella (Riella) Zilahi-
Balogh at [email protected].
The deadline for submissions to be included in the June issue is June 1, and
the December issue is December 1. Submission dates are flexible. Submit
before the end of the month.
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ESBC Website
Main Webpage: http://entsocbc.ca
Update your bookmarks, and save our new URL to your browser favorites. Our
website provides all the information you need, in one place: ESBC
announcements, meeting info, publications, contact information, and other
useful links.
Join us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/13552445022/
Keep in touch with students, colleagues, and friends! Stay up to
date with the latest entomological happenings in BC, upcoming
conferences, education and employment opportunities.
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EntSocBC
Join the conversation and connect with thousands of other
entomologists and insect enthusiasts from all over the world.
Stay up to date with insect news, announcements, conferences
and job opportunities.
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Membership
Membership of the Entomological Society of B.C. is available to anyone interested in
entomology. Annual dues are: Canadian resident ($20.00), International member $25 or
Student member $10. Join or renew your membership online via the Society’s website
http://entsocbc.ca/membership/.
Inquiries concerning membership and back issues should be sent to the Treasurer, Ward
Strong, E-mail: [email protected]
Cover Sketch: Boreus elegans (Mecoptera: Boreidae), one of the more conspicuous snow
scorpionflies in B.C. Larvae and flightless adults live in, and feed on, moss and clubmoss. Adults
appear in the fall and are active on snow on warm winter days. Cover sketch credit Ward Strong
and Robert A. Cannings.
Cover Photographs:
Greater Night-stalking Tiger Beetle (Omus
dejeani), taken on Denman Island, B.C.
Photograph by Jennifer Heron.
Helliwell Provincial Park, May 2012.
Photograph by Jennifer Heron
Photographs taken in the Peace Region, BC. Photographs by Jennifer Heron
European Chafer, Amphimallon majalis (Coleoptera: Scarabidae) has made it to West Vancouver. Submitted by: G.
Zilahi-Balogh. Photo Credits: Ilona Metcalfe.
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Annual General Meeting, October 14, 2016
Pacific Forestry Centre, Victoria, BC
8:30 – 9:00 REGISTRATION, COFFEE, TEA, SNACKS
9:00 – 9:15 WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Time Title Presenter Type of Talk
9:15-9:30 The uninvited dinner guests… and how to get rid of them
Joshua Pol, Regine Gries, Gerhard Gries, SFU
MSc presentation
9:30-9:45 Female Black Widow. Spiders respond to semiochemicals from conspecific females
Andreas Fischer, SFU MSc. presentation
9:45-10:00 Communication between yellow jacket wasps and symbiotic yeast
Tamara Babcock, SFU MSc. presentation
10:00-10:15 Mosquitoes: Nectar Thieves or Pollinators? Dan Peach and Gerhard Gries, SFU
Ph.D. presentation
10:15-10:30 A Song of Ants and Fire: Improving Baiting Methods for the European Fire Ant
Danielle Hoefele, SFU MSc. presentation
10:30-11:00 Coffee, Other Liquids, and Conversation
11:00-11:15 Evaluation of two passive horizontal transmission pathways for Metarhizium brunneum in Agriotes obscurus click beetles
J.P.S. Leung, J.S. Cory, J.T Kabaluk, A.F. Janmaat, SFU
MSc presentation
11:15-11:30 Filling in the gaps of the IMD immune pathway of the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus
Nicolas Salcedo, Carl Lowenberger, SFU
MSc presentation
11:30-11:45 Population Dynamics of the Western Tent Caterpillar: The Roles of Fecundity, Disease and Temperature
Paul MacDonald, SFU MSc. presentation
11:45-12:00 A selfish X chromosome in a mushroom-feeding Drosophila
Graeme Keais, Steve Perlman, UVic
MSc?? presentation
Entomological Society of British
Columbia
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12:00–1:00 LUNCH BREAK – Lunch Provided 1:00-1:15 Photosensitivity in developing mountain
pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) Debra Wertman, UVic MSc
presentation 1:15-1:30 Earwigs (Forficula auricularia) as a
Biocontrol Agent: Deciphering a Generalist Predator
Dennis Quach, Jenny Cory, Tamara Richardson, Margo Moore, SFU
MSc. presentation
1:30-1:45 The role of pathogen diversity on the evolution of resistance in an insect
Leon Li, SFU MSc. presentation
1:45-2:00 Response of epigaeic arthropods to riparian habitat enhancement trials in Kinbasket Reservoir, British Columbia
Charlene M. Wood, Virgil C. Hawkes, LGL Limited environmental res.ass.
Regular presentation
2:00-2:15 Role of toxins in insect defensive symbiosis
Steve Perlman, Finn Hamilton and Matt Ballinger, UVic
Regular presentation
2:15-2:30 3D Images = Public Understanding Scott Montague, Blackhole Collections
Regular presentation
2:30-3:30 Coffee, Other Liquids, and Conversation
3:30-4:15 Business Meeting!
Business Meeting Minutes, October 14, 2016
Pacific Forestry Center, Victoria, B. C.
3:09 pm, President Bob Lalonde called the meeting to order.
About 47 members and participants were present.
Additions to agenda. Yes, ESBC library update item 9.c.
1. Approval of agenda: Moved Syd Cannings, 2nd Rob Cannings. Carried.
2. Minutes from previous AGM (available in Boreus December 2015): Any
discussion? None.
3. Approval of 2015 AGM Minutes. Moved Bill Riel, 2nd Staffan Lindgren. Carried.
Executive Reports
a. Grad Student Representative, Joyce Leung: Bug hunt at Jericho beach,
Society t-shirts
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Student Representative Report, presented by Joyce Leung
This year marks my second anniversary on the ESBC executive as the Student
Representative and it is with great honour that I will be accepting a second term as the student
representative. It has been such a great experience working with the ESBC executives and all
the members, and I look forward to another great year!
Bug Hunt: This September in partnership with the Jericho Park Stewardship Group we
organized a Bug Hunt at Jericho Beach Park in Vancouver, where entomology students from
SFU lead members of the public for a morning of insect collecting. We had a good attendance
of 9 participants, two of whom are entomology undergraduate students at SFU and UVic, as
well as 7 student volunteers. It was great to meet other entomologists who may not have come
across our society before, and to learn from their wealth of knowledge. I would like to thank all
our student volunteers, as the event could not have happened without them. I sincerely hope
that we could make this an annual event because not only is it a great opportunity for our
members to interact, and do public outreach, but it is also great fun!
Students at ICE: Unfortunately I was not able to make it out to the ICE meeting this
year, but I know that our student members continued to deliver amazing presentations and
fantastic research. Congratulations to Adam Blake from SFU and Amanda Chamberlain from
UBC who both won student awards!
Other Kudos: In other congratulatory notes, congratulations to Dan Peach from SFU
who represented Western Canada in the national finals of the Three Minute Thesis
competition. Great work Dan!
Finally…In my second term as the student representative, I hope to continue providing
opportunities for students to have fun with entomology, and to also making sure that the great
work that our students produce are recognized and celebrated. For student members, if you
have any suggestions for enhancing your membership with the society, please do not hesitate
to contact me.
Finally, as always, if anyone has suggestions for future events and activities please let me know!
Joyce Leung
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b. Regional Director of the National Society (Ent Soc of Canada), Bill Riel: JAM 2018 in
Vancouver, need volunteers.
Regional Director’s Report: by Bill Riel
The ESC held their AGM in Orlando, Florida at the International Congress of Entomology
on Tuesday, 27 September 2016. Among other items, it was revealed that the ESC is likely
financially liable for taxes not collected on JAMs occurring within the last 10 years. The amount
owed is uncertain, but an estimate of $90,000.00 has been made and this amount has been set
aside. Going forward, taxes will be charged on all JAMs in accordance with CRA regulations.
In 2017, the JAM will take place on October 22-25th at the Fairmont Hotel in Winnipeg,
Manitoba. The theme will be “Small is Beautiful”, a fitting theme given the fact that the
Winnipeg meeting takes place in between ICE 2016 and the ESBC-ESC-ESA 2018 meeting in
Vancouver. Manitoba meetings tend to be small but excellent: the local organizing committees
always do a good job of creating a solid scientific program. For more information see:
http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~fieldspg/ESC_ESM_meeting_webpage/index.html
As mentioned, in 2018 the ESC joint annual meeting will take place in Vancouver, BC,
held in conjunction with the Entomological Society of America. While at the International
Congress in Orlando, we held an informal initial organizational meeting for the 2018 JAM.
Members of the ESA organizing committee were present, along with representatives from the
ESC (Patrice Bouchard, Christopher Dufault, Fiona Hunter) and ESBC (Bill Riel).
The meeting was very encouraging as the ESA have made it clear that all aspects of the
conference planning, events, scientific themes and profits (if any) are to be shared equally
among the three societies, each with an equal voice at the table. While I don’t have all the
details on how many members from the ESBC we’ll need, we’ll certainly want representation on
the Scientific Program, Local Arrangements and general co-chair(s) of the conference.
Canadians will be able to pay registration in Canadian dollars, and any societal special
needs will be accommodated (meeting rooms for our AGM & executive meeting). More
information and a call for volunteers will be forthcoming.
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c. Editors
i. Boreus, Gabriella Zilahi-Balogh: loose deadline of June 1 for next Boreus
contributions, seeking articles, photos, etc.
ii. Journal, Dezene Huber
Journal Editor's report: by Dezene Huber
Our fantastic layout editor, Tanya Stemberger, resigned recently as she has completed
grad school and is moving on to other things. She will be missed in this role. Our new layout
editor is Jesse Rogerson. So far the 2016 issue will contain: 5 articles, 1 note, 1 Natural History
and Observations piece, 1 erratum, 1 pollinator symposium abstracts – and I further anticipate
1 obituary (Thelma), our symposium abstracts, and our annual meeting abstracts. There are
currently three other articles in review, some of which may make it into 2016 depending on the
outcome and speed of the process.
I am looking for a more cost-effective printer for our small archive print run. I had a
quote for 20 copies that came in around $600 from our current printer. ~$30/copy is not
sustainable. I am hoping to work with Rylee soon to get the remainder of our back issues online
at our journal site. Much of our content is available now at the Biodiversity Heritage Library.
From what I understand, much of the remainder of our content is ready to be placed online at
our journal site. I'll seek more clarity on that when I have some time.
ESBC Annual General meeting Oct 14, 2016, Pacific Forestry Centre. Photo Credits: Brian Van Hezewijk
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iii. Webmaster, Rylee Isitt
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d. Treasurer’s Report, Ward Strong
The ESBC is on strong financial footing, with $10,377.34 in our bank account and
$52,556.58 net assets as of noon, Oct 11 2016.
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Year-to-Date, 2016:
We have a net LOSS of $3,778.58 so far for this year. This is for three main reasons:
• We decided to fund an archival photography project at the Spencer Museum
(UBC) to the tune of $5,000. This had no income attached to it.
• The Checklist of BC Lepidoptera publication fees were paid this year, but the
page charges came to us in 2014.
• We were billed for Journal typesetting for 2013, 14, and 15 this year.
We have received $1,227.23 in AGM and Symposium registration fees, and more
rolling in, but no catering or facility expenses have been paid yet.
GIC’s: We have 3 GIC’s, and the oldest will come due on October 21, 2016. We
decided at the Spring Executive meeting to reinvest that, but I have not yet done so.
Membership: We stand at 64 paid-up members for 2016, including 13 student
members, with probably a few more to come in the next few days. We also have 9
Honorary Members, but I am not sure whether they are all still alive or in contact.
If anyone knows of the status of the following people, please let me know:
• Imre Otvos
• W. Ricker
Respectfully submitted,
Ward Strong
Treasurer, ESBC
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e. President, Bob Lalonde
President's Report: Fall 2016, presented by Bob Lalonde
Well another successful year for the Society has passed. I hosted the spring executive
meeting at my place in Kelowna and the physical attendees professed to enjoy my curry and
beer (I can only take them at their word). Dezene Huber, our journal editor has completed the
publication of the Checklist of the Lepidoptera of British Columbia. Thanks go to Ward Strong,
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our treasurer, who along with Rylee Isitt (our web editor) helped with administrative and web
support for the Symposium on the Science and Stewardship of Pollinators held at Okanagan
College in Penticton this past March. This event was put on in collaboration with Environment
Canada, BC Ministry of the Environment and the Royal Saskatchewan Museum and featured a
number of prominent researchers in pollination biology.
I assisted Elizabeth Elle of SFU who came to Kelowna to give a workshop on wild bee
identification this past May. The workshop was part of an ongoing series organized by Nancy
Holmes in the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies here at UBC Okanagan on pollinators.
Our graduate student representative, Joyce Leung successfully organized a t-shirt
contest! If you have not already obtained one, please pick one up! Joyce also organized an
insect collecting outing this fall in the lower mainland, which I gather was a great success. Joyce
has agreed to stay on as Grad Student Rep for another year: thanks very much Joyce!
Don’t forget to periodically check out our website. Rylee Isitt has taken over webmaster
duties from Alex Chubaty and is doing a bang-up job. There are regularly updated job postings
and announcements. I understand that Rylee also maintains other web-based media (Twitter
and Facebook). Typical of graduate students, Rylee has moved on to parts East, and while Rylee
has temporarily stayed on as Webmaster, we are looking to find a replacement sooner rather
than later. If your interests run in this direction, drop me, or Rylee a line!
I would be remiss if I didn't note the sad passing of Thelma Finlayson this past
September at the age of 102. Thelma was a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences
at SFU from 1967 as part of the Belleville exodus, retiring in 1979, but staying on as a student
advisor until her 95th birthday. She contributed to the University in a plethora of ways, for
example establishing a number of bursaries and scholarships, as well as an endowed Chair in
Biological Control from her personal funds. However, I want to finish with a personal comment
here on her service within the Society from my perspective as a young graduate student. I
remember her at the AGM's usually as one of the judges for the student awards. She made it a
point to comment afterwards to students about their talks: I recall that once, at my first ESBC
meeting, after my own (non-winning) presentation, she came up to me and said some very
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nice, encouraging things about my research. As it turns out she did this pretty much at every
meeting that I attended and presented at. That kind of courtesy went a long way to setting the
tone for this Society: I sincerely hope that we can continue in that vein.
I would like to finish by sincerely thanking the executive. Any learned society leans
heavily on a strong, engaged executive in order to function. All of these individuals do an
amazing job off the sides of their desks. In addition to Rylee and Joyce, who you know by now,
Brian Van Hezewijk and Jenny Cory are the first and second Vice Presidents, respectively and
Brian will be assuming the mantle of the Presidency shortly at this AGM. Directors and VP’s take
on a variety of Society tasks. Thanks also go to our Directors, Tamara Richardson and Kathy
Bleiker. Bill Riel is the Regional Director the ESC and acts as a liaison for us with the national
society. The publications of the Society are edited by Dezene Huber (The Journal of the
Entomological Society of BC) and Gabriella Zilahi-Balogh (Boreus: the Bulletin of the
Entomological Society of BC). Finally, thanks go out to our Secretary, Tracy Hueppelsheuser and
our Treasurer, Ward Strong, who really keep things running in the Society. I hope that you all
enjoy the upcoming year and I look forward to seeing you at the next AGM!
4. Discussion and acceptance of reports: Moved to accept reports Robb Bennett, 2nd Lee
Humble. Carried.
5. Student Awards
a. Travel Awards for Graduate Students: presented by Brian van Hezewijk:
i. Nicolas Salcedo (SFU): “Filling in the gaps of the IMD immune pathway of the
kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus”, to attend the Gordon Research Conference,
Tropical Infection Diseases, Galveston, Texas, March 12-15, 2017.
ii. Leon Li (SFU): “The role of pathogen diversity on the evolution of resistance
in an insect”, to attend the International Congress of Entomology, Orlando,
Florida, September 2016.
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b. Student Paper Presentations: presented by Bob Lalonde:
i. Debra Wertman (UVic), James Grant Award from the North Okanagan
Naturalists Club, MSc presentation: “Photosensitivity in developing mountain
pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae)”
ii. Danielle Hoefele (SFU), MSc presentation: “A Song of Ants and Fire:
Improving Baiting Methods for the European Fire Ant”
6. Executive Elections
a. TWO positions open – 2nd Vice President and Director
b. Call for nominations from the floor
i. Kathy Bleiker: elected by acclimation for another term as Director.
ii. No nominations from the floor for 2nd VP. Executive will send out an
invitation to an electronic vote once candidates are found.
7. New business
a. Kelowna Museum request, Bob Lalonde: Linda Digby of the Kelowna Museum
Society is requesting help acquiring insect specimens for the natural history
museum. Their interest is the south Okanagan region. They are seeking donations of
identified, labelled specimens and photographs from members or students. Contact
Linda directly at the museum, www.kelownamuseums.ca .
b. Spencer Museum update, Karen Needham and Chris Ratzlaff: Objective is to digitize
old slide collections before they degrade (ESBC has contributed funds to this
project). They have over 600,000 specimens, and have about 100,000 photographed
so far. Fleas and mammal lice are done.
c. ESBC library update, Vince Nealis: The ESBC library holdings remain at PFC. There
are books and journals from international partner societies; it is a unique collection
with holdings that are hard to find. The collection is logged in the NRC database.
Alice Solyma was the lead librarian who did much work on our collection and the
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Society is deeply indebted to her for her efforts. Other
volunteers also contributed significantly. Thank you to PFC,
staff, and volunteers for their efforts to care for and house
this important collection. Currently there are no staff or
volunteers working to maintain the ESBC library. If anyone
wants access to the library or its contents, please contact current ESBC members
who are PFC staff.
8. Transfer of Presidency from Bob Lalonde to Brian Van Hezewijk
9. Adjourn at 3:55
Student Winners
Student Winner of Travel Award, Nicolas Salcedo (SFU). Photo Credits: Debra Wertman
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Student Presentation Winner of James Grant North Okanagan Naturalist Club Masters
Student Award: Debra Wertman (UVic). Photo Credits: Brian Van Hezewijk
Student Presentation Winner Danielle Hoefele (SFU). MSc presentation: Photo credit:
Brian Van Hezewijk
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Student winner of Travel Award, Leon Li (SFU). Photo credits: Leon Li
First Annual Bug Hunt By Joyce Leung
This September in partnership with the Jericho Park Stewardship Group, ESBC organized a Bug
Hunt; an event at Jericho Beach Park in Vancouver, where entomology students and members
of the public come together for a morning of insect collecting. Joyce Leung, organizer for the
event reports on the day’s events:
If you were to look for me on a Sunday morning, I would normally be found still fast asleep,
buried underneath my warm duvet. However on September the 18th, I was groggily out the
door by seven. Along with sixteen other reluctant early risers, I was making my way to Jericho
Beach Park, for a morning of insect hunting; we were taking part in a Bug Hunt, a gathering of
entomology students and individuals that were interested in learning about insects.
Jericho Beach Park is a popular destination for local residents in the West Point Grey area. The
park was originally home to the Musqueam village Ee'yullmough. In the 1860s, the village was
converted to a logging camp and renamed Jericho after Jerimiah Rogers, the settler that
founded the logging camp. Jericho Beach Park was also home to Vancouver’s first golf course in
the 1890s and a military base from 1921-1945. History has roughed up the land here, and it is
for this reason that there have been concerted efforts to restore the site to its natural state by
the City of Vancouver, Nature Vancouver and the Jericho Stewardship Group. It was now in a
state of recovery, and our Bug Hunt crew were eager to investigate how this history of land use
has impacted the local insect communities.
Sunday had been forecasted for rain all week, but fortunately the sun was out to welcome us.
My fellow bug hunters and I assembled into teams, and armed with nets, beat sheets, and vials,
we set out to our sites. The disturbance at the sites was evident; one site was infested with
blackberry bushes that were waiting to jab unsuspecting passers-by while another was shaded
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by tall stately big-leaf maples that were the first colonizers to the once open plot. Everywhere
we went, we had to be careful not to get tripped or tangled-up by the invisible silken threads
laid out by the garden cross spiders.
The first thing my team investigated, were the pitfall traps that had been put out the day
before. We lifted the lids to uncover what unfortunate ground dwellers had fallen in and it
wasn’t before long that our vials began filling with ground beetles. Next, we took out our beat
sheets and started bashing the vegetation around us. Although the autumn chill had started to
settle in, it didn’t take many whacks for the hidden macro-world to be revealed. We added
hoppers and spiders to our vials. Those of us that were not beating were swooshing the sweep
nets around, contributing yellow jackets, bumble bees, grasshoppers and all sorts of flies to our
collection.
At the end of the day, we gathered all our vials and patted ourselves on the back for a job well
done. Although the day had ended, the fun was just beginning; I loaded the specimens into the
trunk of my car. As I drove my way home, I couldn’t help but be filled with a sense of
excitement and anticipation to take a closer look at the treasures we had found.
I would like to thank our volunteer leaders from SFU as well as Krista Voth from the Jericho
Stewardship Group, without which Bug Hunt could not have happened. I would also like to
thank the Simon Fraser University Biology department for lending us equipment.
Bug Hunt at Jericho Beach, September 2016. Photo credits: Joyce Leung
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Bug Hunt at Jericho Beach, September 2016. Photo credits: Joyce Leung
Cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi Maskell (Hemiptera: Margarodidae)
Photo credit: Norm Boulet
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Abstracts
1. Out of the cities and into the forest: range expansions of non-indigenous introductions in
Southwest British Columbia. Lee M Humble, Natural Resources Canada – Canadian Forest
Service, Victoria, BC.
Since surveillance programs were established for the detection of non-indigenous introductions
in the mid 1990’s more than 25 introduced species of Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera
and Lepidoptera have been discovered in the urban and managed forests of British Columbia.
The life histories and known distributions of selected species are documented and used to infer
likely pathways of introduction and to illustrate the importance of anthropogenic influences on
their range expansion. Future research needs for species of potential importance to forestry in
BC are briefly discussed.
2. Preventing gypsy moth from establishing in BC isn't fun. Tim Ebata, Resource Practices
Branch, British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Victoria,
BC.
My talk will outline how BC has successfully remained "gypsy moth free" and will describe some
of the difficulties faced in mounting eradication programs in an urban environment.
3. Treading Carefully on Fire Ants in the Urban Landscape. Rob Higgins, Biological Sciences
Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC.
Working quietly on ants while sitting in a forest, perhaps a hundred metres from a colleague
and a hundred kilometres from the nearest town allows you to develop a specific set of
research and social skills. Unfortunately, none of them provide much guidance when you are
talking to an angry homeowner who has recently retained a lawyer because of the ants you are
studying. Nor guidance when dealing with businesses fearing major losses who need immediate
advice you simply aren’t sure you have. Nor dealing with the police and fire department that
someone has called. Nor needing to keep your data so confidential you cannot share it with
your funding agency and certainly not the media who keep asking. Working in a social
environment as densely developed as the condominiums you find yourself within is a uniquely
challenging situation. Here we will look at the invasive fire ants of BC in the urban landscape
and reflect on those times we spent sitting in that quiet forest while stuck in traffic.
4. 180,000 bites later…..the aggregation pheromone of the common bed bug is finally
identified.
Regine Gries1, Robert Britton2, Michael Holmes2 and Gerhard Gries1
1Department of Biological Sciences, 2Chemistry Department, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby,
BC.
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Drawing on our 2015 - publication in Angewandte Chemie (International Edition), the
presentation will describe our approach to accumulate sufficient pheromone source for
identifying the aggregation pheromone of the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius; Hemiptera:
Cimicidae), the analytical steps we have taken to identify the pheromone blend, the
pheromone components that mediate attraction and arrestment of bed bugs, and the
experiments we have run in the laboratory and in bed bug-infested apartments to test the
effect of synthetic pheromone as a trap lure. The presentation will also highlight future
objectives including the development of a commercial lure and trap.
5. Butterfly & moth conservation in urban and semi-urban habitats: challenges and reflections
taken from species at risk recovery projects. Jennifer Heron, British Columbia Ministry of
Environment, Vancouver, BC.
Lepidoptera is one of the largest and most studied orders of insects. This group is ecologically
and economically important, serving as pollinators of many plants and pests for many others.
Butterflies are considered by many to be the most charismatic of the arthropods and the public
enjoy seeing these species throughout their gardens and surrounding natural environments.
Many species of Lepidoptera, especially pollinating groups are at risk. Although the butterflies
are relatively well known there are many species of moths we know little about and engaging
the public in moth conservation efforts is a little more challenging. In this talk we will
summarize the biology of these species, and cite some examples of Lepidoptera conservation
projects and the challenges encountered in urban and semi-urban areas.
6. Beetles in the City: Carabid diversity in the urban environment. Rob McGregor & Veronica
Wahl, Institute of Urban Ecology, Douglas College, New Westminster, BC.
Ground beetle surveys (Coleoptera: Carabidae) have been widely used to assess habitat quality
and the influence of human disturbance on urban, agricultural and forested landscapes. Here,
we describe carabid surveys conducted in urban forest fragments in Coquitlam, BC where
European carabid species predominate in disturbed forests. In addition, we describe a citizen
science program where homeowners and community gardeners trap and identify carabids from
urban gardens in association with insectary plants. Finally, we describe preliminary work to
document populations of a threatened tiger beetle, Omus audouini, in coastal habitat in Delta,
BC.
7. Up On The Roof: Surveying Biodiversity in a Unique Urban Landscape. C.G. Ratzlaff and K.M.
Needham
We have been conducting a monthly survey of the insects making their home on the "green
roof" atop the Vancouver Convention Centre West. The roof was planted almost a decade ago
with 23 species of plants and is nearly 6 acres in size - the largest green roof in Canada. It is left
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to grow throughout the year and is mowed only once in the fall.
Surrounded by tall buildings and concrete sidewalks, with no significant green spaces nearby,
we were curious about which insects might find this "meadow" a suitable habitat. Beginning in
April and ending in December, we will have visited the roof once a month, including one black
light trapping event in September, and will have catalogued all of the insects collected there. In
this talk, we will present our preliminary results and highlight some of the cool finds we have
made so far.
What Is Happening In BC When It Comes To
Entomology? Claudia Copley, Entomology Collection Manager, Royal BC Museum
Are you participating in a bioblitz? Giving a public presentation for your local naturalist club?
Writing an article for a newsletter or popular magazine? Offering an insect identification
workshop? Maybe you’re leading a nature walk about insects?
Whatever you are doing to help get the word out that terrestrial arthropods are the coolest
critters out there, I would love to know. More accurately, the Entomological Society of Canada’s
Public Education Committee would like to know, which is where I come in. I have agreed to
serve as the BC representative on this national committee, and one of my roles is to collate all
of your great outreach and report it back to our federal counterpart.
Plus: Fun Funding:
Also through this same committee, a $200 Public Encouragement Grant is available per
province for public education and outreach activities that relate to Entomology. The application
process is very straightforward. For example, this year’s Entomological Society of BC
symposium "Urban Insects: They Live Among Us" held 15 October 2016 at the Pacific Forestry
Centre in Victoria benefited from this grant because the event is open to the public.
So I’m asking if you will consider sending me a quick email whenever you know about a public
education event, article, presentation, or website that helps get the word out about
entomological topics happening anywhere in the province. And if you have an idea that would
benefit from a Public Encouragement Grant, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch about
that.
Reach me at: [email protected] or 250 812-7523
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Entomology Educational Opportunities in Canada The Entomological Society of Canada published a Directory of Entomological Education in
Canada. Available at: http://www.esc-sec.ca/students/Directory_of_Entomology.pdf
Employment and Research Opportunities – details on ESC
website http://www.esc-sec.ca/jobs.php.
Research Opportunities Graduate Student Positions - Geographical Physiological Ecology of Insects Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma Application deadline: Until suitable applicant found; Start Date: Fall, 2017 PhD Position - Effect of post-bloom insecticide applications on bees in blueberries Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia Application deadline: Until suitable applicant found; Start Date: January 1, 2017
Student Awards – administered by ESC (see ESC
website for details)
• Entomological Society of Canada Graduate Research Travel Scholarships – deadline
February 16 each year. One scholarship to MSc and one scholarship to PhD student.
• Entomological Society of Canada Postgraduate Awards - deadline February 16 each year.
One award to MSc and one award to PhD student.
• Entomological Society of Canada John H. Borden Scholarship - deadline February 16
each year. Eligibility: studying IPM with an entomological emphasis.
• Entomological Society of Canada Ed Becker Conference Travel Awards – deadline when
abstracts are due for that year’s ESC AGM. Must have an active membership in ESC.
• Biological Survey of Canada Scholarship. Offered in even numbered years. Next
competition 2018. Deadline February 16. Eligibility: Carry out a project on insect (or
terrestrial arthropod) faunistics in a Canadian habitat.
• Keith Kevan Scholarship. Offered in odd numbered years. Next competition 2017.
Deadline February 16. Eligibility: studying systematics in entomology.
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Student Awards – administered by Entomological
Society of America - There are numerous awards. Check them out for eligibility.
http://www.entsoc.org/Students/student_awards
DNA Barcoding Website:
There is a new blog exclusively on the topic of DNA barcoding with the aim to have newsworthy
information posted a few times per week. The blog is lead by Dirk Steinke, Lead Scientist
Barcoding of Marine Life Biodiversity Institute of Ontario University of Guelph, Ontario, EMail:
[email protected] and blog website http://dna-barcoding.blogspot.ca/
Entomological Society of Canada
Blog Available at http://escsecblog.com/
December 2016 Bulletin available online at:
http://www.esc-sec.ca/bulletin.php
Eleventh Annual Photo Contest
The Eleventh Annual Photo Contest to select images for the 2016 covers of The Canadian
Entomologist and the Bulletin of the Entomological Society of Canada is over. View winning
photos and a slideshow of submitted photos posted http://www.esc-
sec.ca/d13/photocontest15.php
Some International Entomological Societies
Royal Entomological Society www.royensoc.co.uk/
Entomological Society of Southern Africa www.entsocsa.co.za/
Egyptian Entomological Society www.ees.eg.net/
Australian Entomological Society http://www.austentsoc.org.au/
Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation www.xerces.org
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Japan Coleopterists Society http://www.mus-nh.city.osaka.jp/shiyake/j-coleopt-soc.html
Chilean Society of Entomology http://www2.udec.cl/~insectos/
Butterfly Conservation http://butterfly-conservation.org/
Croatian Entomological Society http://www.agr.unizg.hr/hed/index.htm
European Association of Coleopterology http://www.ub.edu/aec/
Dutch Butterfly Conservation http://www.vlinderstichting.nl/
Butterfly Conservation of the Republic of China http://butterfly.kingnet.com.tw/
Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera : Lymantriidae) egg masses. Photo credits : Shannon Doerkson,
CFIA. 2015.
Testing the efficacy of a commercial drone at detecting
simulated signs of Asian longhorned beetle
By Troy Kimoto, Dave Holden and Mireille Marcotte, Canadian Food Inspection Agency,
Burnaby.
The Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis, ALHB; Fig 1) is a cerambycid native to
China, Korea and the Russian Far East where it primarily infests maple, poplar and willow
(Lingafelter and Hoebeke 2002). Through importation of solid wood packaging material (e.g.
pallets, crates, boxes, etc.) it has been introduced into Toronto, Mississauga, Chicago (Illinois),
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Bethel (Ohio), New York (New York), Jersey City (New Jersey), Worcester (Massachusetts) and
various European countries (Haack et al. 2010).
ALHB was successfully eradicated from Toronto, but the Mississauga infestation is still under
eradication.
In China and the US, research on ALHB chemical ecology has so far determined that current
traps and lures are not very effective at capturing this pest. Therefore, the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency (CFIA) conducts ground-based visual surveys in all provinces to detect new
infestations. Signs of ALHB are quite evident: oviposition pits are up to 15 mm in diameter with
mandible marks clearly visible around the perimeter (Fig 2); circular exit holes are 6-14 mm in
diameter (Fig 3) (Ric et al. 2007). As female ALHB prefer to oviposit in thin bark, infestations are
likely to initially occur high in the canopy of tall, large diameter host trees. Therefore, in areas
with tall black cottonwood or big leaf maple, infestations may be very difficult to detect from
the ground, even with binoculars or spotting scopes. We felt that a drone flying in and above
the canopy may enhance detection of ALHB in these settings.
The CFIA is collaborating with the city of Vancouver to compare the ability of a small,
commercially available drone (DJI Phantom 3 professional with 4k camera capability) versus
inspection staff in detecting simulated signs of ALHB in tall trees. In November, city arborists
used a Dremel to create oviposition sites and drilled a 3/8” drill bit hole to simulate exit holes
(Turgeon et al. 2010). A bucket truck was used to create these signs 25 to 50 ft above ground
level on 24 trees, primarily black cottonwood (Figs 4 & 5), at Everett Crowley Park (8200 Kerr
St., Vancouver). Upon appropriate weather conditions, we are planning to test the drone in
January or February, 2017.
The drone results will be compared to visual ground surveys conducted by CFIA inspectors in
accordance with the CFIA ALHB Detection Survey Protocol. If the study finds the drone is a
useful tool in ALHB detection capability, it may be recommended for use in an operational
setting in the future.
Figure 1. Male ALHB. (Klaus Bolte, CFS).
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Figure 2. ALHB oviposition pit. Note mandible marks. (Bruce
Gill, CFIA).
Figure 3. ALHB exit hole. (Bruce Gill, CFIA).
Figure 4. City arborists marking tree with simulated ALHB
signs of attack. (Troy Kimoto, CFIA).
Figure 5. Simulated oviposition pits. (Troy Kimoto, CFIA).
References
Haack, R.A., Herard, F., Sun, J., and Turgeon J.J. 2010. Managing invasive populations of Asian
longhorned beetle and citrus longhorned beetle: a worldwide perspective. Annual
Review of Entomology 55: 521- 46.
Lingafelter, S.W., and Hoebeke, E.R. 2002. Revision of Anoplophora (Coleoptera:
Cerambycidae). The Entomological Society of Washington. Washington, DC. Pp 236.
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Ric, J., de Groot, P., Gasman, B., Orr, M., Doyle, J., Smith, M.T., Dumouchel, L., Scarr, T., and
Turgeon J.J. 2007. Detecting signs and symptoms of Asian longhorned beetle injury.
Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Natural Resources Canada, Sault Ste Marie, ON. 118 pp.
Turgeon, J.J., Pedlar, J., de Groot, P., Smith, M.T., Jones, C., Orr, M., and Gasman, B. 2010.
Density and location of simulated signs of injury affect efficacy of ground surveys for
Asian longhorned beetle.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: we need your help to find it By Tracy Hueppelsheuser
The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halymorpha halys was detected for the first time in
limited locations in Coastal and Interior BC in 2016.
BMSB is native to Asia and was first identified in North America in Pennsylvania in 2001. It is
present throughout the Mid-Atlantic States, California, Oregon and Washington. They are
excellent hitchhikers and can be moved in shipping containers, wood, wood packing material,
cargo and vehicles. The adult is brown, shield-shaped, 13 – 17 mm long (about the size of a
dime) and can be distinguished from other native stink bugs by the presence of distinctive
white bands on the antennae. People easily confuse them with western conifer seed bugs
which are slender and have leaf-like expansions on their back legs.
BMSB is a serious pest that feeds on more than 100 different plant species including tree fruits,
berries, grapes, vegetables, and ornamental plants. Both adults and nymphs feed by inserting
their needle-like mouthparts into the flesh of fruit or vegetables. Grapes damaged by BMSB are
more susceptible to other insect pests and diseases. BMSB can be a contamination issue in
grapes and a problem for winemakers, as it only takes a few at crush to taint wine. It is a
nuisance to homeowners as the adults aggregate on and in buildings while seeking warm
overwintering sites.
The BC Ministry of Agriculture continues to survey for new infestations of this bug. Please send
pictures or samples of suspect stinkbugs found in BC’s Interior to Susanna Acheampong
(email: [email protected], Phone: 250 861 7681).
For Coastal suspect bugs, please contact Tracy Hueppelsheuser (email:
[email protected], Phone: 604-556-3031).
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For additional information: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-
and-industry/agriculture-and-seafood/animal-and-crops/plant-health/bmsb_alert.pdf and
http://www.stopbmsb.org/
BMSB adults have 2 white bands on the antennae and a smooth edged pronotum. Photo
credits: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/stinkbug/identify.asp
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Obituaries
Photo Credits: SFU.ca
Thelma Finlayson (1914 - 2016)
Thelma Finlayson passed away on September 15, 2016. She was 102 years old, and was a much
beloved teacher, mentor and colleague. Thelma was born on 29 June, 1914, and grew up in
Trenton, Ontario. Thelma earned her B.A. (Honours Biology) from the University of Toronto in
1936, a certification in Taxonomy and Biological Control from ARPE in 1971 and a Doctor of
Laws (Honoris causa) from Simon Fraser University in 1996. She was named to the Order of
Canada in 2005 as “a trailblazing entomologist and a beloved teacher and advisor”. She was a
past president of the Entomological Society of BC and an Honorary Member and a Fellow of the
Entomological Society of Canada. She was a Life Member of the Entomological Society of British
Columbia and a Fellow of the Entomological Society of Ontario. Two insect species, Anisota
finlaysoni Riotte (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) and Mesopolobus finlaysoni Dogenlar
(Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), have been named in her honour.
Thelma had taken an entomology course from E. M. Walker and began her professional career
in 1937 in the Dominion Parasite Laboratory in Belleville, eight miles from her home, as a
Technical Officer. She obtained her position by patiently sitting in the office of the laboratory
until someone needed an extra pair of hands. Even in her early career she was an implacable
force and her first project was to rear millions of sawflies (her words) in the newly built
quarantine facility, searching for parasites to control European spruce sawfly that was
decimating the forests of Quebec and New Brunswick. This led to her lasting interest in the
taxonomy of parasitic larvae. She was, in fact, one of the first women scientists in the federal
research service but in 1946, as a married woman, she was asked to resign because men were
returning from the war. However, at that time, her husband Roy had become very ill and would
soon be compelled to retire, making it an absolute necessity for Thelma to work. She
challenged the request to resign by threatening to ensure that every other married woman in
the Civil Service would be fired for the same reason. In due course, the Assistant Deputy
Minister of Agriculture verified her right to work, saving her own job and establishing an
important human rights precedent for the Federal Civil Service. In 1959 she was promoted to
Research Officer (Level 1 and then 2) and later Research Scientist.
In 1967, Thelma joined seven other scientists, led by Bryan Beirne, who left the Belleville
Research Institute for Biological Control to expand the Department of Biological Sciences at the
newly established Simon Fraser University, in Burnaby, British Columbia. There Thelma was
appointed Assistant Professor and Curator of Entomology. She was also a founding member of
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SFU’s Pestology Centre, later renamed Centre for Pest Management, one of the first centres of
its kind anywhere. The Department showed its regard for her teaching and research by
promoting her to Full Professor in 1976, despite having only an honours BSc. An unheard of
award in the Faculty of Science. She held the position of Professor Emerita since 1979 and was
the University’s first Emerita.
While at SFU, she officially mentored 7 Masters and PhD candidates and unofficially, countless
others. Graduate and undergraduate students have sought Thelma’s advice for decades. In
addition to the tremendous amount of time that she devoted to students, Thelma was a clear
advocate of entomology and education through significant financial contributions toward Pest
Management fellowships. Further, she financed an endowment to establish the Finlayson Chair
in Biological Control in the Department of Biological Sciences, currently held by Jenny Cory.
Thelma taught courses in introductory biology, and, of course, insect biology. The insect biology
course was encyclopedic, and students typically left each lecture with 30 to 40 pages of detailed
notes and sketches. This course inspired many biology students to careers in entomology.
In 1971 Thelma was persuaded to be the first advisor for science in the newly formed Academic
Advice Centre and in 1983, she was appointed as Special Advisor, mostly advising students in
academic difficulty and retaining that position until 2012. During this time, she advised more
than 7,000 students. At age 97, she may well have been the oldest student advisor on the
planet! In 2012, the centre was renamed The Thelma Finlayson Centre for Student
Engagement.
Thelma’s primary interest was in the taxonomy of natural enemies with application to Biological
Control. She published approximately 40 papers, memoirs and book chapters during her
career. She was particularly successful in her work on the taxonomy of immature
Hymenoptera, which in many ways foreshadowed the use of DNA to identify remains of
parasitoids within hosts. She was also consulted on entomological questions by the RCMP,
which led to the development and establishment of the internationally recognized Forensic
Entomology Laboratory in SFU’s Department of Criminology by her faithful friend in recent
years, Dr. Gail Anderson.
In the first lecture of every course Thelma taught, she told students that “my door is always
open for you”. Those who had the privilege of being her students, and being mentored and
supported by this singular woman, never knew that statement to be untrue.
Submitted by Bernie Roitberg, Dave Gillespie and Peter Belton
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Photo Credits: Victoria Times Colonist
Robert Ford (Bob) DeBoo (1936-2016)
DeBoo, Robert (Bob) Ford PhD, RPF. Bob passed away peacefully in Victoria on July 28, 2016
after a long illness. Born on August 31, 1936, in Quebec City, Bob obtained a Bachelor of
Science (Silviculture) from the University of New Brunswick in 1960, a Master of Science (Forest
Entomology) from the University of Maine in 1962 and a Doctor of Philosophy (Economic
Entomology) from Cornell University in 1966. He became a Registered Professional Forester
(BC) in 1983.
Bob’s career as a Research Scientist with the Canadian Forestry Service took him to Winnipeg,
Ottawa, Sault Ste. Marie and other locations across Canada. In 1980 he joined the BC Forest
Service as Manager of the Forest Health Program (Protection Branch) in Victoria. For many
years, he lead an expert team of entomologists and plant pathologists responsible for
identifying and recommending measures to control serious forest insects and diseases in this
province. He also developed the first pest management policy and procedures manual for the
Forest Service. Toward the end of his career, he was senior author of the Plant Health
Emergency Manual, an inter-agency action reference for the BC Plant Protection Advisory
Council.
Bob travelled across Canada and the United States many times and also visited Europe, Africa
and Australia to meet with friends, colleagues and the diverse branches of the DeBoo clan. At
home in Victoria, he always enjoyed the companionship of his faithful dog. In addition to his
keen interest in genealogy, he also appreciated fine automobiles, good books and smooth jazz.
He is survived by his son Richard (Filomena), grandchildren Alexander and Elisa, his sister Nancy
(Harry) and Panjwani, nieces Andrea and Roberta and nephews Mark and David. Thanks to the
staff of Nurse Next Door who provided exceptional home care services during his illness and the
staff of Victoria General Hospital who provided comfort and support at the end. In lieu of
flowers, a donation to the BCSPCA would be appreciated.
Published in the Victoria Times Colonist from Aug. 6 to Aug. 7, 2016
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Henry (husband) and Anne in the field in Panama. Anne was a specialist on Entimine weevils (especially the
Tanymecini). Submitted by: Floyd W. Shockley
Anne Elizabeth Howden
We are sad to announce the passing of our mother, Anne, in the early hours of September 9,
2016 at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria. She was born in Baltimore, MD to a family of two
sisters and two brothers. She is survived by her brother Roger (Lynn) Thompson and sister
Susan Ballinger. She will be greatly missed by her daughters Patience Milam, Barbara (Mitch)
Holme and Lucile (Jonathan) Mears, as well as her grandchildren Sasha, Keegan, Sydney,
Zachariah and Cameron. She was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Henry Fuller
Howden in 2014.
Anne received a Master’s degree from the University of North Carolina in 1950 in Entomology.
In 1953 she and Henry moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, then in 1957 to Ottawa. Anne and Henry
travelled the world collecting insects for research. They met many colleagues along the way and
their house at Trillium Ave. became known as the 'Howden Hotel' for other like-minded
scientists. Anne was a consummate hostess and her calendar was always full with her research
and collaboration with entomologists. Anne's focus in entomology was on the study of beetles.
She was a Research Associate for Carleton University and later an Honorary Research Associate
for the Canadian Museum of Nature.
She was a member of the Entomological Society of America, the Entomological Society of
Canada and one of only 14 Honorary Members of The Coleopterists Society. She published over
25 scientific papers on weevils, in which she described 96 species new to science. She was well
known for her meticulous and highly detailed scientific work. With Henry, she built an extensive
collection of beetles numbering 450,000 specimens, which was later donated to the Canadian
Museum of Nature.
In addition to her scientific studies and achievements and her skills as a gardener, seamstress,
chef and birdwatcher, she was an attentive, devoted mother who showed her love in many
ways. She was especially proud of naming a special weevil after each of her children and then
presenting them with the publication. A memorial service was held for family and friends in
Victoria, BC. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Alzheimer Society of Canada would be
appreciated.
Published in The Ottawa Citizen on Sept. 17, 2016
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Executive contact information
Entomologist at work, Susanna Acheampong beating a choke
cherry bush for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys in Penticton, BC summer of 2016
Photo credit: G. Zilahi-Balogh
President Brian Van Hezewijk [email protected]
Secretary Tracy Hueppelsheuser [email protected]
Treasurer and Memberships Ward Strong [email protected]
Editor Entomological Society of BC
Journal Dezene Huber [email protected]
Boreus Newsletter Editor Gabriella Zilahi-Balogh [email protected]
Web Page Editor Rylee Isitt [email protected]