Photos / Sounds

What

Hairy Sand Verbena (Abronia villosa var. villosa)

Observer

grnleaf

Date

March 19, 2024 06:46 AM PDT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

dccopley

Date

July 30, 2021 08:40 AM PDT

Description

New BC record. Happened to take habitus shot of this female. First spider found on the trip. Also collected male to help confirm ID.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

arbonius

Date

March 16, 2024 11:31 AM PDT

Description

Nectaring (and picking up a lot of pollen!) on flowers of buttercup (Ranunculus californicus).

The last picture shows the tip of its proboscis tucked under a fold/flap of tissue at the base of the petal that seems to represent a nectary-structure of R. californicus that I wasn't previously aware of.

Photos / Sounds

What

Pocock's Lampshade-web Spider (Hypochilus pococki)

Observer

mhedin

Date

June 24, 2023 06:01 PM EDT

Description

anti-penultimate male molting

Photos / Sounds

Observer

j-dar

Date

May 2018

Description

Lichenicolous fungus appearing as black dots on grey thallus of Caloplaca atroflava.

Photos / Sounds

What

Branch Bumps (Pertusaria pustulata)

Observer

mossgeek

Date

March 2, 2024 01:27 PM PST

Description

First occurance in southern California since 1885. J-Dar also found one in Santa Barbara area.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

skullroy

Date

February 2024

Photos / Sounds

Observer

hsug1747

Date

February 2024

Description

Demodex? Next to a globular springtail’s antenna

Photos / Sounds

What

Seaside Button Lichen (Buellia halonia)

Observer

burtosa

Date

February 24, 2024 02:44 PM PST

Description

Macro photos forthcoming

Photos / Sounds

What

California Quail (Callipepla californica)

Observer

trickman

Date

February 19, 2024 08:47 AM PST

Photos / Sounds

What

Western Short-horned Walkingstick (Parabacillus hesperus)

Date

May 7, 2022 08:21 AM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Shore Flies (Family Ephydridae)

Observer

swisschick

Date

January 31, 2024 10:05 PM PST

Photos / Sounds

What

Linnaeus' Centipede (Geophilus electricus)

Observer

cedric_lee

Date

January 25, 2024 04:06 PM PST

Description

Herb garden

Photos / Sounds

Observer

jcowles

Date

July 19, 2023 02:38 PM MST

Description

Found at about 3300 ft. in elevation in knee-high grass near a riparian area with cottonwood trees and Goodings willow.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

j-dar

Date

April 14, 2020 01:28 PM PDT

Description

On Quercus lobata trunk bark. Thallus white, spot tests negative. All parts POL-. Spores 3-septate to submuriform (6-9 cells), hyaline becoming dark brown. Average size 18.4x9.5 (n=9).

Photos / Sounds

What

Rural Funnel-web Spider (Tegenaria pagana)

Observer

bennett_grappone

Date

December 22, 2023 10:33 PM PST

Photos / Sounds

What

Halonoproctid Trapdoor Spiders (Family Halonoproctidae)

Observer

tobiashays

Date

November 3, 2023 05:03 PM PDT

Description

In coarse granite soil in area without noticeable slope, Yucca desert with eroded granite outcrops.

Photos / Sounds

What

Scaly Stippled Lichen (Endocarpon pusillum)

Observer

j-dar

Date

January 10, 2020 05:55 PM PST

Photos / Sounds

What

Clean Meshweaver (Cicurina tersa)

Observer

bcspiderteam

Date

November 6, 2023

Description

BC, Metchosin, South slope Buck Hill

Photos / Sounds

Observer

j-dar

Date

February 28, 2018 10:04 AM PST

Description

On bark of Monterey Cypress. Thallus C+R. Spores halonate, becoming brown, 7-8 celled. ~23-28µm x 6.5µm.

Photos / Sounds

What

Powdery Rock-olive Lichen (Peltula euploca)

Observer

skullroy

Date

December 9, 2023 01:34 PM PST

Photos / Sounds

What

Gold Cobblestone Lichen (Pleopsidium flavum)

Observer

skullroy

Date

December 9, 2023 12:06 PM PST

Photos / Sounds

What

Dwarf Wrinkle Lichen (Tuckermanella fendleri)

Observer

rjadams55

Date

October 14, 2023 03:22 PM PDT

Description

Growing low on the trunk of a California Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii). Branched rhizines apparent below, especially beneath apothecia.

Spores photo courtesy of @kschnei .

Photos / Sounds

Observer

rjadams55

Date

November 26, 2023 11:41 AM PST

Description

Found growing high on the trunk of a recently fallen, moss covered oak. Key features used to identify this Sticta to species include the presence of numerous isidia with round-cylindrical tips on the dorsal surface and a densely matted ventral tomentum.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

tobiashays

Date

November 2023

Description

Shaded area beneath Calocedrus & Quercus, at base of eroding granite face. Ex decaying leaf litter.
https://bugguide.net/node/view/2313515

A different living, possibly conspecific, individual from the same location:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/190916550

Photos / Sounds

What

Trombidiform Mites (Order Trombidiformes)

Observer

alice_abela

Date

September 29, 2023 05:02 PM PDT

Description

Idyllwild Park, Riverside County, California

Photos / Sounds

What

Ground Spiders (Family Gnaphosidae)

Observer

emmajo

Date

May 25, 2021 12:22 PM PDT

Description

collected from pitfall trap

Photos / Sounds

Observer

j-dar

Date

February 23, 2020 12:18 PM PST

Description

On granite. ID confirmation pending by sequencing at PRM.
A. brodoana is separated from Polysporina simplex and other similar species (e.g. A. leavittii) by the black hypothecium.

Photos / Sounds

What

Zuma acuta

Observer

cedric_lee

Date

November 10, 2023 11:13 AM PST

Description

Dirt under Quercus

Photos / Sounds

What

Chihuahuan Agapema (Agapema dyari)

Observer

dbh

Date

October 2023

Photos / Sounds

What

Snail-killing Flies (Genus Sepedon)

Observer

markb1984

Date

October 20, 2023 09:23 AM PDT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

ericcleveland

Date

October 14, 2023 10:34 AM PDT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

watercolorist

Date

August 25, 2023 02:56 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

chilipossum

Date

October 11, 2023 12:26 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Grand Western Flood Plain Cicada (Megatibicen cultriformis)

Observer

saucegandhi

Date

October 6, 2023 10:46 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Mites and Ticks (Subclass Acari)

Observer

matthias22

Date

October 6, 2023 10:26 PM MDT

Description

Parasitic mite attached to the abdomen of a Limonia cranefly: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/186508065. Collected for the Royal Alberta Museum.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

brhebert

Date

September 13, 2023 07:00 PM PDT

Description

Culvert pipe, 415 Club House Dr., Blue Jay, CA 92317

Tags

Photos / Sounds

What

Ant-eating Spiders (Genus Euryopis)

Observer

fowlivia

Date

September 1, 2023 08:01 PM PDT

Description

Blalock Wildlife Sanctuary

Very interesting behavior gathering ants and hanging them in clusters on nearby grasses.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

skullroy

Date

August 22, 2022 07:40 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Grey-cushioned Grimmia (Grimmia pulvinata)

Observer

pacificplankton

Date

August 1, 2023 06:18 PM CEST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

burtosa

Date

July 30, 2023 07:30 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Mediterranean Plumefoot Mite (Eatoniana plumipes)

Observer

javixu

Date

July 30, 2023 02:08 PM CEST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

rjadams55

Date

July 6, 2023 11:59 AM CST

Photos / Sounds

What

Warty Beard Lichen (Usnea ceratina)

Observer

burtosa

Date

March 28, 2023 12:51 PM PDT

Description

Collected March 2023 from a down conifer in McLaren Park, San Francisco

  • colored axis
  • axis pink, thick, C+deep yellow; medulla dense, compact; cortex slightly glossy
  • sub-pendulous, blackened at the base
  • branches not cigar-shaped
  • thallus stiff, rigid
  • annular cracks abundant and conspicuous
  • soralia & isidia tuberculate, in some areas combine form deep ridges (“Surface dark grey-green, glossy and vitreous (glassy) in appearance, conspicuously and coarsely warted with numerous white, raised ± hemispherical tubercles, these often bursting to form coarsely granular, ulcerose soralia and occasionally isidiomorphs.”) https://fungi.myspecies.info/all-fungi/usnea-ceratina

*the black-red growths on the thallus are not a part of a healthy specimen, as far as I've read, so I suspect they are a parasite or fungus of some kind, and not an identifying feature. I have many photos of them so I’ll create a separate observation. @joe_dimeglio & @ahuereca

sources
McCune pp356-7 & 359;
K. Kellman Usnea guide,
D. Stone Usnea guide,

https://fungi.myspecies.info/all-fungi/usnea-ceratina, and more.

Photos / Sounds

What

Common Lichens (Class Lecanoromycetes)

Observer

pholroyd

Date

July 5, 2023 06:26 AM PDT
Insects

Photos / Sounds

What

Insekten (Class Insecta)

Observer

tylerhannum

Date

June 21, 2023 12:55 PM PDT

Description

Strange egg case or cocoon found on Bromus inermis leaf in pasture surrounded by sagebrush. Any ideas what insect is responsible?

Photos / Sounds

Observer

dloarie

Date

June 20, 2023 09:07 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

arbonius

Date

April 18, 2023 10:05 AM PDT

Description

I'm posting 4 observations of what I think are the same species of tiny fly (~3 mm from wingtips to tips of antennae). The others are iNat obs 166971508, 166975556, and 166975589. All were found lingering on flowers of Lithophragma affine along the same stretch of trail (< 1/2 mile long) on two days (4/18/23 and 4/22/23)..and I didn't notice any of these on other plants.

The photos are not as sharp & diagnostic as I'd like, but I think they're members of an under-represented genus Microphor...of which there is currently only one nearctic post on iNat (which also appears on BugGuide along with one additional post.)

When I first saw these in the field I presumed were "micro bee flies" in the family Mythicomyiidae (and that's what iNat's "computer vision" model suggested ;-)

But after carefully scrutinizing the photos and reviewing various ID resources (e.g. the 1981 Manual of Nearctic Diptera and the recent revision Brooks & Cumming(2022)), I concluded they're likely what was previously referred to as Microphorus in the MND (therein considered a genus in the family Empididae). However, per the revision Brooks & Cumming(2022), the genus name has reverted to an earlier spelling, Microphor...and the genus is treated as part of the subfamily Microphorinae, currently placed in family Dolichipodidae sensu lato.

My best guess for the species ID at this point is M. obscurus, based on the following criteria gleaned from Brooks & Cumming(2022):

  • "distal section of vein M1 (beyond base of M2) longer than preceding section (between r-m and base of M2)"...see their Figs 29, 30, 85–90, 169–176 (and also Fig 23 for venation labelling reference). The clearest (though still somewhat vague) wing venation photo I got was the dorsal view of the male in 166975589)
  • "Antennae with stylus distinctly shorter than postpedicel"...see their Figs 59, 61, 62. [Note that from the many relevant figures in Brooks & Cumming, the relatively-short stylus here seems to exclude members of Schistostoma, the other genus in Microphorinae...and also perhaps M. skevingtoni (Fig 37) and M. discalis (Figs. 17, 19, 20)]
  • Seta relatively short and inconspicuous on head, thorax, and abdomen...see their Figs 59, 61, 62
  • Haltere dark (as opposed to pale in bilineatus, which is in addition extralimital to CA)

However, note that the one passably-interpretable photo I got of the wing venation (i.e. the male in 166975589) seems to fit better with their diagrams for M. skevingtoni (Fig 26) or M. discalis (Fig 23), than with M. obscurus (Fig 26)...and all three of these species are recorded in the general area here. Also, the head of that male in 166975589 appears appreciably more elongate, and with post-pedicel more basally-swollen, than does the male in the BugGuide post here...which is currently (and I think correctly) placed under M. obscurus (perhaps differences are due to intraspecies variation?). Thus I'm not entirely confident in the species ID of M. obscurus...and am only placing the posts to genus for now. I'm hoping someone familiar with the group may eventually be able to confirm or correct my species hypothesis.

PS: Presuming these are indeed Microphor, the observed association w/ Lithophragma affine would constitute a new species for the list of plants visited by nearctic Microphorinae in Table 1, pg. 15 of Brooks & Cumming(2022).

Photos / Sounds

What

California Thread-leg Katydid (Arethaea brevicauda)

Observer

chloe_and_trevor

Date

June 11, 2023 04:21 AM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum)

Observer

kawriver

Date

June 2023

Photos / Sounds

Observer

michaelvoeltz

Date

June 2, 2023 01:58 PM PDT

Description

Leaning on iNat Suggested ID. Haven't dipped my toes into myriapods yet.. haha

Photos / Sounds

What

Typical House Centipedes (Family Scutigeridae)

Observer

smellyturkey

Date

May 28, 2023 09:28 AM PDT

Description

Found in leaf litter above the river at our campsite. Legs seem far too short, but maybe that isn't relevant and it is a normal house centipede?

Photos / Sounds

Observer

catchang

Date

May 27, 2023 02:45 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Western Yellow Pond-Lily (Nuphar polysepala)

Observer

trickman

Date

May 26, 2023 01:24 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

bugornot

Date

May 26, 2023 12:27 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

euproserpinus

Date

April 10, 2023 11:23 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Plant Bugs (Family Miridae)

Observer

madily

Date

May 15, 2023 09:49 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

tobiashays

Date

May 18, 2023 09:42 PM PDT

Description

On stone above stagnant pool of water. Riparian Populus Salix woodland at night.
https://bugguide.net/node/view/2247809

Photos / Sounds

Observer

garth_harwood

Date

May 7, 2023 03:10 PM PDT

Description

Large, glossy mites scavenging a fly's carcass.

Photos / Sounds

Date

May 13, 2023 10:45 AM PDT

Description

On a recently-dead Brandt's Cormorant.

Photos / Sounds

What

True Bugs (Suborder Heteroptera)

Observer

will_k

Date

May 2023

Photos / Sounds

What

Bearded Jellyskin Lichen (Leptogium saturninum)

Observer

rjadams55

Date

May 6, 2023 12:18 PM PDT

Description

Found growing on the trunk of a Coast Live Oak (Quercus argrifolia). The first photo is the individual as found (dried), while the second photo is after being splashed with water. The third photo is showing the underside of a small section of the lichen.

Under a dissecting scope, a torn piece appeared to have a distinct upper cortex layer which is how I differentiated it from the very similar genus Collema. (Piece was collected under NPS permit for the 2023 Pinnacles Bioblitz).

Photos / Sounds

Observer

chloe_and_trevor

Date

April 30, 2023 08:12 PM PDT

Description

Beat from meadowside conifers - incense cedar and ponderosa pines.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

ponerinecat

Date

May 2023

Description

Shape of the cerci and chaetotaxy do not correspond to P. isabellae as figured by Allen, so something else.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

bugsoundsjc

Date

April 29, 2023 06:25 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Typical Spiders (Suborder Araneomorphae)

Observer

coolnewbugs

Date

April 2023

Photos / Sounds

Observer

smellyturkey

Date

April 27, 2023 07:29 PM PDT

Description

spotted crawling around on a dirt pile getting the last rays of sunlight

Photos / Sounds

Observer

chloe_and_trevor

Date

April 2023

Photos / Sounds

What

Pallid-winged Grasshopper (Trimerotropis pallidipennis)

Observer

ianmwright86

Date

April 23, 2023 03:06 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Caterpillar-hunter Beetles (Genus Calosoma)

Observer

chyland

Date

April 24, 2023 08:07 AM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Western Rock-loving Field Cricket (Gryllus saxatilis)

Observer

bugsoundsjc

Date

July 25, 2022 09:52 PM PDT

Description

Recording JCR220725_005, 26.7C.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

bclaridge

Date

August 7, 2022 04:22 PM MST

Description

An undescribed species of Plagiotrypes (=Plagiotrypes AZ1 on ichsofna.org). Collected in malaise trap in dry wash from 4-11.viii.2022 by ME Irwin and GR Ballmer.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

bclaridge

Date

July 16, 2019 04:17 PM PDT

Description

Catadelphops buccatus female. Collected 8-24.vii.2019 by ME Irwin and GR Ballmer. malaise on vegetated sandy slope.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

damontighe

Date

April 15, 2023 11:33 AM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Common Snakeflies (Genus Agulla)

Observer

ianmwright86

Date

April 11, 2023 10:22 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Ground Crab Spiders (Genus Xysticus)

Date

December 5, 2019 04:27 PM PST

Description

I found this Crab Spider on a white bench. There was another Crab Spider elsewhere on the bench.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

ecologyquail

Date

April 6, 2023 02:25 PM PDT

Description

In my isopod enclosure

Photos / Sounds

What

Western Toad (Anaxyrus boreas)

Observer

thomasabenson

Date

March 12, 2023 08:16 AM PDT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

cgrinter

Date

March 8, 2023 06:05 PM PST

Place

Home (Google, OSM)

Description

Multiple individuals captured in bathroom.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

giantcicada

Date

March 5, 2023 04:02 PM PST

Description

under a rock on the roadside

Photos / Sounds

Observer

astrostryx

Date

August 3, 2017

Description

Genus ID provided on this photo by Tristan McKnight in Robber Flies (Asilidae) of North America Facebook group, when posted on Apr 3, 2020.

Photos / Sounds

What

Button and Allied Lichens (Family Caliciaceae)

Observer

clarb

Date

February 19, 2023 10:47 AM PST

Description

Bay View Park.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

megakylie

Date

April 2022

Description

Collected in a beat sheet of Liquidambar styraciflua

Photos / Sounds

Date

February 4, 2023 12:39 PM PST

Photos / Sounds

What

Rim Lichens (Genus Lecanora)

Observer

metsa

Date

January 28, 2023 02:28 PM PST

Description

on whale bone (c. 1985)

Photos / Sounds

What

Alpine Brown Sunken Disk Lichen (Bellemerea alpina)

Observer

evanescent_asci

Date

January 22, 2023 01:02 PM PST

Description

On rock under old-growth manzanita, south-facing, lots of sun but dappled shade.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

tobiashays

Date

December 19, 2022 02:51 PM PST

Description

Ran onto stone on west exposed hillside above dry creek, in Baccharis-Artemisia scrub.
The last three images were taken by Dr. Marshal Hedin (@mhedin), and show the adult male that molted 20-23 February 2023. These photos have been used with permission.
https://bugguide.net/node/view/2224186

Photos / Sounds

Observer

temminicki

Date

January 14, 2023 02:49 PM PST

Photos / Sounds

What

Variable Wrinkle-Lichen (Tuckermanopsis orbata)

Observer

clarb

Date

January 8, 2023 12:11 PM PST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

bclaridge

Date

June 22, 2022 09:33 AM MDT

Description

Enicospilus purgatus. Note the setiferous sulcus on the mandible which is important for recognizing E. purgatus.

Collected at MV/UV light trap by DJ Cavan.

The lighting is a bit dark in the habitus picture.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

rwmendez3

Date

December 2022

Place

Private

Description

Pima Co.
very abundant
male palp clearly does not conform to icenoglei (lacking the "invaginated triangle" from any angle) despite proximity to nearby record, female genitalia yet to be dissected
This is one of the largest Orthonops I've seen, females equal to zebra and males larger than icenoglei. very vibrant
fresh eggsacs pink, seemingly fading to tan/brown
collected w MA Leimroth

Photos / Sounds

Date

October 29, 2022 02:33 PM PDT

Description

Under a log.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

tobiashays

Date

November 4, 2022 05:26 PM PDT

Description

On stone in leaf litter, under Quercus agrifolia trees in riparian area.

Photos / Sounds

What

Trombidiform Mites (Order Trombidiformes)

Observer

froggy143

Date

December 27, 2022 02:05 PM MST

Description

Found under a rock.

Photos / Sounds

What

Mycetaulus Bipunctatus Group (Complex Mycetaulus bipunctatus)

Observer

tobiashays

Date

October 8, 2021 11:41 AM PDT

Description

Abundant in suburban yard with decaying avocado fruits.
https://bugguide.net/node/view/2205547

Photos / Sounds

What

Sironid Harvestmen (Family Sironidae)

Observer

chloe_and_trevor

Date

December 2022

Description

1.9mm, redwood duff.

Photos / Sounds

What

Typical Spiders (Suborder Araneomorphae)

Observer

hsug1747

Date

December 18, 2022 04:35 PM PST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

hsug1747

Date

December 18, 2022 05:20 PM PST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

chloe_and_trevor

Date

December 2022

Description

Berlese funnel from redwood duff.

Photos / Sounds

What

Pelt Lichens (Genus Peltigera)

Observer

clarb

Date

November 27, 2022 11:41 AM PST