[NatureNS] Western conifer seed bug

From: Donna Crossland <dcrossland@eastlink.ca>
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
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Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2014 14:23:34 -0400
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It's wonderful to finally have a name for this insect!  Thanks to several of you who identified this "western conifer seed bug"!  Now the question is, what kind of "damage" it does to our already stressed forest ecosystems, or can we all just get along together.  Judging by its size, it may be able to do some real damage to the reproductive capacity of white pine-spruce-hemlock(?)

On the subject of exotics-
It is interesting to observe how we eventually gain a sense for which species may be exotic after observing living things in the same ecosystem over a lengthy period (in this case, the Acadian forest ecosystem since childhood days)... even if we have not received formal training in entomology, botany, etc.  One sort of develops a sense for when something "doesn't belong" here!  The 'western conifer seed bug' showed up in my attic ~3 years ago, and I strongly suspected that it "did not belong".  Populations rose higher in the attic last year, despite the cleanings.  I've been aggressively vacuuming them out of the attic with the central vac and promising each time to try and identify them.  There is never enough time!  Besides its striking morphology, it is incredibly slow-moving.

Thanks NatureNS!

Donna Crossland

-----Original Message-----
From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] On Behalf Of Ogden, Jeffrey
Sent: January-13-14 12:05 PM
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: RE: [NatureNS] Unknown insect

Western conifer seed bug
Recently introduced but is now widespread in NS and commonly found overwintering in homes during fall and winter for past 5-6 years. 

Jeffrey Ogden  BSc MSc
Forest Health Specialist
Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources PO Box 130 Shubenacadie, NS B0N 2H0
902 758 7015

-----Original Message-----
From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] On Behalf Of darrell@abolitphotos.ca
Sent: Sunday, January 12, 2014 3:21 PM
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: [NatureNS] Unknown insect

This insect showed up today on my blinds, anybody know of it's name? It was a slow crawler, maybe just woke up from the mild weather. 
   
   
   
  
http://abolitphotos.exposuremanager.com/p/insects_spiders/_mg_9894unknowninsect1_10
   
   

 
   



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