I use a variety of books, field guides as well as online resources to identify, share, and learn more about the insects and bugs I encounter. I highly recommend the use of free online resources given that good books and field guides can be expensive and often specialize in limit regions. Some field guides can be difficult to obtain as well.
The section below is divided into three sections ; links to regional checklists, links to regional nature societies or groups and links to citizen science projects that specialize in identification.
The section below is divided into three sections ; links to regional checklists, links to regional nature societies or groups and links to citizen science projects that specialize in identification.
Checklists
The Saskatoon Nature Society keeps updated and free to download checklists on many animal groups. I use their Butterfly List and their Dragonfly & Damselfly List. You can find all their lists here. A little bit more information on the Saskatoon Nature Society is listed below.
The Saskatchewan AquaTax Consulting page has a large online guide and several great overviews of water wildlife including insects and bugs. They have a great Aquatic Bug Guide laid out here .
The Entomology Society of Saskatewan has a resource page with a few checklists, they are primarily for Beetles in Saskatchewan but we have lots of beetles in the province so it makes sense. Please check these out here.
The Saskatoon Nature Society keeps updated and free to download checklists on many animal groups. I use their Butterfly List and their Dragonfly & Damselfly List. You can find all their lists here. A little bit more information on the Saskatoon Nature Society is listed below.
The Saskatchewan AquaTax Consulting page has a large online guide and several great overviews of water wildlife including insects and bugs. They have a great Aquatic Bug Guide laid out here .
The Entomology Society of Saskatewan has a resource page with a few checklists, they are primarily for Beetles in Saskatchewan but we have lots of beetles in the province so it makes sense. Please check these out here.
Local Societies and Nature Groups
In town here we have the Saskatoon Nature Society. The society holds meetings monthly and hosts a variety of field trips all year within they city and at nearby rural sites. They are enthusiasts for all areas of nature and have a few great general resource on their website. You can learn more about their activities and membership here.
Saskatchewan a provincial nature society called Nature Saskatchewan. They host a few events each year including a convention and are quite active in various surveys in all ranges of wildlife and natural science research. They also send out a quarterly journal called the Blue Jay to their membership. You can learn more about their activities and membership information here .
The Entomological Society of Saskatchewan meets twice a year for a meeting, has newsletters and many participants are actively involve in local science and collection of insects. For more information on activities and membership please check them out here .
In town here we have the Saskatoon Nature Society. The society holds meetings monthly and hosts a variety of field trips all year within they city and at nearby rural sites. They are enthusiasts for all areas of nature and have a few great general resource on their website. You can learn more about their activities and membership here.
Saskatchewan a provincial nature society called Nature Saskatchewan. They host a few events each year including a convention and are quite active in various surveys in all ranges of wildlife and natural science research. They also send out a quarterly journal called the Blue Jay to their membership. You can learn more about their activities and membership information here .
The Entomological Society of Saskatchewan meets twice a year for a meeting, has newsletters and many participants are actively involve in local science and collection of insects. For more information on activities and membership please check them out here .
Citizen Science
If I can not find a match in my field guides then I often go to Bug Guide. This is a project started and hosted by the Iowa State University Entomology department where students, scientists and amateur enthusiasts submit bug pictures, create relevant web pages and identify species, behavior and location across all of North America north of Mexico. You do not have to sign up to use the web pages for identification, view pictures, or utilize their search. Please check them out here!
I also recommend iNaturalist as a great tool for identification. They have made their website easy and accessible for all makes of device and its free to participate. Essentially you can photograph and share any photos from nature - plants and animals and other naturalists help identify the observation. Its great for learning and by participating you aid both the local and international scientific community collect data on species and location. Please check them out here .
If I can not find a match in my field guides then I often go to Bug Guide. This is a project started and hosted by the Iowa State University Entomology department where students, scientists and amateur enthusiasts submit bug pictures, create relevant web pages and identify species, behavior and location across all of North America north of Mexico. You do not have to sign up to use the web pages for identification, view pictures, or utilize their search. Please check them out here!
I also recommend iNaturalist as a great tool for identification. They have made their website easy and accessible for all makes of device and its free to participate. Essentially you can photograph and share any photos from nature - plants and animals and other naturalists help identify the observation. Its great for learning and by participating you aid both the local and international scientific community collect data on species and location. Please check them out here .