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This article discusses the nutritional composition of wild-harvested insects in Nova Scotia, Canada, and their potential as a sustainable source of nutrition. The study finds that wild-harvested insects have comparable protein levels but lower fat content compared to industrially-reared insects. They also have similar mineral levels, with some wild insects having higher concentrations of certain minerals. The article addresses concerns about food safety, including the presence of anti-nutrients, heavy metals, microplastics, and pesticide residues in insects. It acknowledges the social perception of consuming insects as a barrier to their widespread adoption and suggests that species selection and processing methods can influence acceptance. The article concludes that while wild-harvested insects show promise as a future food source, further research is needed to improve safety, sustainability, and public perception. The accompanying list of references provides additional resources for further research on insects and related topics. [Extracted from the article]

Two synthetic miticides were tested against varroa mites in honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies in the Maritime Provinces of Canada in 2017 and 2018. We found no significant difference between Apivar® (a.i., amitraz) and Bayvarol® (a.i., flumethrin) in controlling varroa mites. Apivar caused 99.8% mortality of varroa mites and Bayvarol caused 96.5% mortality of varroa mites, on average, although Bayvarol demonstrated greater variability in mite mortality. Our results are encouraging due to the widespread reliance on Apivar in the Maritimes, suggesting that Bayvarol could be an effective alternative treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fishing (dock or wharf) spiders (Dolomedes spp. Latreille, 1804) of the Maritime Provinces of Canada were surveyed through a combination of new collecting and examination of specimens from the Nova Scotia Museum and the New Brunswick Museum. Four species (Dolomedes tenebrosus Hentz, 1844, Dolomedes triton (Walckenaer, 1837), Dolomedes scriptus Hentz, 1845, and Dolomedes striatus Giebel, 1869) were represented in collections made between 1961 and 2011 from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and Dolomedes triton was collected on Prince Edward Island in 2010 and 2011. Dolomedes is recorded for the first time in Prince Edward Island, and Dolomedes triton is recorded for the first time in the Maritime Provinces, extending its reported known eastern range from Maine and southern Québec. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]