Araba Bioscan 23-30 October 2020

Data for the period 23-30 October 2020

• Sample images
• Environmental measurements
• Next: Araba Bioscan 30 October to 6 November 2020

See the Araba Bioscan Project page for background information on the project and methods.

Notes

This was the first week of sampling in the Araba Bioscan Project, using 95% isopropyl alcohol as the collecting medium. A sensor for temperature and humidity was attached to the Malaise trap part way through the week, along with a soil moisture sensor immediately under the trap. Barometric pressure is measured about 10 m away and other environmental measurements will be collected in subsequent weeks.

Spring has been wet here in Canberra, following a number of years of low rainfall. The surrounding woodland is currently full of flowers, including very large numbers of tiger orchids (Diuris sulphurea R.Br.).

The Malaise sample included a surprising number (to me, at least) of springtails (Collembola).

The only neuropteran species captured was the common brown lacewing (Hemerobiidae) Micromus tasmaniae (Walker, 1860). All four individuals of this species are illustrated below.

Thanks to tony_d on iNaturalist for the identification of Sphenella ruficeps (Macquart, 1851) and other flies.

Environmental measurements

Sunrise and sunset sourced from Sunrise-Sunset and relate to the listed date. All other measurements are calculated for the 24-hour period to 09:00.