Publications

Moths of Rochon Sands Provincial Park, Alberta

Description

Rochon Sands Provincial Park, on the south side of Buffalo Lake in south-central Alberta, is located 24 km northwest of Stettler. Ecologically it is found in the Aspen Parkland. These studies,... More ≫

Description

Rochon Sands Provincial Park, on the south side of Buffalo Lake in south-central Alberta, is located 24 km northwest of Stettler. Ecologically it is found in the Aspen Parkland. These studies, conducted annually between 2006 and 2009 and again in 2011, present information on the distribution and status of lepidopteran (moth and butterfly) species in the park.

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Moths of an aspen parkland area 3 KM south of Nevis, Alberta

Description

While most of the larger (macromoths) are relatively well known, the same cannot be said for many of the smaller micromoths. Identifications, especially of the latter, can, at times, be difficult... More ≫

Description

While most of the larger (macromoths) are relatively well known, the same cannot be said for many of the smaller micromoths. Identifications, especially of the latter, can, at times, be difficult or are at present impossible, until such time as revisionary studies are made. Also, genitalic dissection and examination is necessary for positive identification in some groups. For these reasons, some of the determinations found herein should be regarded as tentative. The scientific names of the species are followed by the day-month-year of the collection and the number of individuals mounted; an “SR” indicates a sight record. Common names are mentioned in those cases where such names exist.

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Lepidoptera of a mixedwood quarter, 8 km NW of Winfield, Alberta, 1999-2011

Description

This report is of the Lepidoptera collected or observed by the author in a west-central Alberta area in the 13 year period from 1999 to 2011.

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Lepidoptera of East Arrowwood Coulee, Alberta

Description

The writer, now retired and living in Erskine, Alberta, has had a long-time interest in the natural flora and fauna of the province. In the spring of 2000, he commenced an examination of the moths... More ≫

Description

The writer, now retired and living in Erskine, Alberta, has had a long-time interest in the natural flora and fauna of the province. In the spring of 2000, he commenced an examination of the moths of south-central Alberta, the purpose of which was to document the species present in various natural areas. He is a member of the Alberta Lepidopterist’s Guild, the purpose of which is to encourage the study of Alberta’s moths and butterflies. There is still much to be learned about the distribution and status of lepidopteran (moth and butterfly) species in south-central Alberta. Baseline studies provide information that helps characterize those species associated with various ecoregions, in the present case Prairie; determine status designations (abundant, common, rare, endangered) of various species; and allow the examination of many other parameters, including phenology, dry vs. wet years, and outbreaks of various species such as forest tent caterpillars.

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Lepidoptera of a semi-urban residence in Erskine, Alberta, 2000-2011

Description

The present paper incorporates the information in last year’s report along with that gathered in 2011. It also includes a number of redeterminations and additions to the information in the earlier... More ≫

Description

The present paper incorporates the information in last year’s report along with that gathered in 2011. It also includes a number of redeterminations and additions to the information in the earlier reports Further, it follows the up-to-date order and taxonomy of Pohl et al. (2010), rather than that of Hodges et al. (1983). The author and his wife purchased the present 1.1 acre, 2 lot site in 1992. The property was developed and the house was built around 1978. The address of the house is Lot 5, Maple Close. The coordinates are 52.322, 112.883 and the elevation is 830 m. Erskine is a small village with a population of less than 500 individuals.

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Pigeon Lake Provincial Park rare lichen survey, October 14-18, 2008 : report

Description

A rare lichen survey was conducted in selected areas of Pigeon Lake Provincial Park (PLPP) from October 14 to 18, 2008. The main objective of the survey was to document the occurrence of rare... More ≫

Description

A rare lichen survey was conducted in selected areas of Pigeon Lake Provincial Park (PLPP) from October 14 to 18, 2008. The main objective of the survey was to document the occurrence of rare lichens and mitigate possible damage as a result of infrastructure upgrade activities, including the expansion of old camp stalls, creation of new camp stalls, shower buildings, a new boat launch and some additional tree and shrub clearings. The park is located approximately 25 km west of Wetaskiwin, Alberta and is accessed by Hwy 13. It falls within the Central Parkland, a subregion of the Parkland Natural Region of Alberta, characterized by aspen (Populus tremuloides) and balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) stands (Kershaw et al. 2001). These stands form the main vegetation community of PLPP (Kershaw et al. 2001) and are typically known for not supporting high lichen numbers as it is often too dry.

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Collection of lepidoptera at Moose Lake Provincial Park in 2006

Description

Three factors were considered in selecting Moose Lake Provincial Park as a study area for collecting Lepidoptera in 2005. There is a wide diversity of habitats within the park. There was a lack of... More ≫

Description

Three factors were considered in selecting Moose Lake Provincial Park as a study area for collecting Lepidoptera in 2005. There is a wide diversity of habitats within the park. There was a lack of literature on Lepidoptera for the park. And the park is close to the Saskatchewan border. These three factors show clearly why there was a need to study Lepidoptera in the park, and why the odds of finding new species for the Province of Alberta would be likely. In 2006, the same factors were in play and results were much better. In 2005 many common species were collected that were also observed in 2006. Efforts were made to avoid collecting these same species. In 2006, 5 butterflies and 202 moth species were collected. Of the Lepidoptera collected, approximately ten need further analysis for complete identification. It is highly likely that two or more of these specimens will be identified as new species for the Province of Alberta. I would be very interested in seeing someone continue...

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Survey of the Lepidoptera fauna in Willmore Wilderness Park

Description

The purpose of the lepidoptera survey in Willmore WP was to provide an annotated summary of the species that occur within the park, including notes on such parameters as relative abundance,... More ≫

Description

The purpose of the lepidoptera survey in Willmore WP was to provide an annotated summary of the species that occur within the park, including notes on such parameters as relative abundance, distribution patterns, range extensions and any other relevant biological or behavioural information. This information will contribute towards an increased understanding of the species occurring in the park as well as in a broader context of Alberta.

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Moth inventories of eleven major study areas in south-central Alberta : analysis

Description

Inventory research, starting in 1999 and continuing through 2007, has been carried out on the moths of eleven major study areas in south‐central Alberta. With the exception of a semi‐urban site in... More ≫

Description

Inventory research, starting in 1999 and continuing through 2007, has been carried out on the moths of eleven major study areas in south‐central Alberta. With the exception of a semi‐urban site in Erskine, all sites were in areas where the vegetation had been relatively undisturbed. Realizing that about 95% of the Aspen Parkland has been disturbed by agriculture or other activities, and some of the remainder will soon be disturbed, the purpose of the research was to document the native moth biodiversity while there was still time to do so.

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Survey of the Odonate fauna in Willmore Wilderness Park

Description

Willmore Wilderness Park is located in the northern portion of Alberta's Rocky Mountains just west of Grand Cache and north of Jasper National Park. Habitats suitable for odonates are found... More ≫

Description

Willmore Wilderness Park is located in the northern portion of Alberta's Rocky Mountains just west of Grand Cache and north of Jasper National Park. Habitats suitable for odonates are found throughout the park and include ponds, peatlands, subalpine lakes and streams. Over the past eight years odonate surveys were a part of the biophysical inventories conducted by Alberta Parks within some of its wildland parks. The western portion of Willmore Wilderness Park was surveyed in the summer of 2007 and the results are briefly presented in this report.

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