As fields of grain ripen across PEI, you may have noticed a similar, though smaller, plant growing along roadsides, coastlines, and trails. Although this plant hangs out in human habitats and looks like it may have escaped from farms or gardens, it’s actually a native species: meet Foxtail Barley (Hordeum jubatum). Like our agricultural grains, Foxtail Barley is a member of the grass family (Poaceae). It’s in the same genus as the commercial Barley you may enjoy in breakfas

Welcome to Insect Appreciation Days, celebrated from June 8 – 13th annually, thanks to the Entomological Society of Canada. And what better insect to profile than PEI’s most commonly-reported moth, the Virginia Ctenucha (Ctenucha virginica)! First, what’s up with that name? Ctenucha (ten-OOO-sha) comes from a Greek word for ‘comb’, and refers to the feathery, comb-like antennae of the male moths. (The individual shown here is a female, with more wiry, less feathery antennae

In Part 1, we looked at the important ecological roles of PEI’s salt marshes. Today, we explore their considerable cultural and...