This weekend I spent close to home, working on my final thesis tweaks before it goes out to my committee. Instead of going on a proper expedition, I decided to explore our new neighbourhood of Kerrisdale. Right near our house is a largely-disused railway line that has some good habitat, including tall grasses and saplings, so that is where I rambled. In addition to finding the cuckoo wasps on Friday evening, I also saw a bunch of other cool stuff!
![IMG_5889](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_5889.jpg)
At the top of the grasses where I found the chrysidids, I encountered many large sac spiders (Clubionidae). These fearsome-looking spiders all seemed to be feeding on the same thing: Aphids! With these huge chelicerae and fangs, it seems to be a bit of an overkill!
![IMG_5901](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_5901.jpg)
Check out the chelicerae on this girl!
![IMG_6059-2](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_6059-2.jpg)
Also interested in aphids, these Myrmica are milking a thriving colony on a sapling. I figure these are Myrmica incompleta, a fairly robust species.
![IMG_6307-2](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_6307-2.jpg)
Myrmica are rather fascinating ants, and a genus I am working with. More on this another day.
![IMG_6235-4](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_6235-4.jpg)
These ants have quite the herd of aphids!
![IMG_6344](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_6344.jpg)
On a quick trip to Trout Lake (in East Van), I found some little katydid nymphs. These appear to be meadow katydids, a welcome change from the introduced drumming katydids.
![IMG_6401](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_6401.jpg)
A robust dolichopodid (Long-legged Fly) by the side of Trout Lake. They are quick!
![IMG_6356](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_6356.jpg)
Not quick enough for this tiger fly (Coenosia spp.)!
![IMG_6424](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_6424.jpg)
Here is a Coenosia looking regal and dramatic in the sunset.
![IMG_6430](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_6430.jpg)
This golden dung fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) was also looking regal (and probably freshly-eclosed).
![IMG_6488](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_6488.jpg)
Back at the railroad tracks in Kerrisdale, I found these Lasius taking honeydew from a scale insect on an oak sapling.
![IMG_6526](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_6526.jpg)
and some mating Coleophora deauratella (red clover casebearer).