Selwyn Times: June 23, 2021

Selwyn Times Wednesday June 23 2021
18
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
BACKYARD CRITTERS
Mike Bowie is an ecologist who specialises in
entomology (insects and other invertebrates). Each
week he introduces a new species found in his
backyard at Lincoln. His column aims to raise public
awareness of biodiversity, the variety of living things
around us. Check out the full list of invertebrates
found at www.inaturalist.org/projects/backyardbiodiversity-bugs-in-my-lincoln-section
Evading predators reason
for rapid jumping beetle
AN INTERESTING looking
beetle specimen I caught over
the summer was identified
as a tumbling flower beetle
(Zeamordella monacha).
This beetle gets its name from
its rapid jumping behaviour that
it uses to evade predators.
Sometimes also called a pintail
beetle, this 4-6mm long beetle
has a pointed abdomen and
is found in New Zealand and
Australia.
There are 39 observations
shown in New Zealand on
iNaturalist, of which my Lincoln
specimen is the southern-most
recorded. Most specimens were
observed in summer months
(December to February).
Adult specimens have been
found feeding on flowers
of Acacia, cherry, rose and
peach leaves, while larvae
are commonly found in dead
wood and larval host plants
in Euphorbiaceae, the spurge
family.
RIVER RECHARGE: Greendale School pupils and partners in the Waikirikiri/Selwyn Near
River Recharge celebrate the project’s launch near Hororata.
Pupils part of water project launch
GREENDALE SCHOOL pupils
are part of a $3 million project
that will return water to the
Selwyn River catchment in the
long term.
THe Waikirikiri/Selwyn Near
River Recharge project was
launched just prior to the May
floods.
Its purpose is to add Rakaia
River water to the Selwyn
River system, recharging the
catchment, improving stream
habitats and groundwater levels,
benefiting wildlife and farmers
alike.
It is not operating currently,
following the heavy rainfall
of May 30 and 31. Repairs
are planned after sediments
deposited in the recharge
basin and the access road and
fencing were damaged.
At the launch, project partners
from the Selwyn Waihora
zone committee, Te Taumutu
Rūnanga, Environment
Canterbury, Selwyn District
Council and Central Plains
Water celebrated the multiagency
effort to improve
water quantity and ecosystem
health.
THey were joined by pupils
from nearby Greendale School,
who will be caretaking the site
by monitoring native seedlings,
lizard habitats and pest traps.
Dates and topics:
Xero tips and tricks
Thursday 1 July, 6–8pm
West Melton Community Centre
For many small businesses in Selwyn, Xero is an
excellent accounting platform. At this workshop we
will explore if Xero is right for your business, how
to manage reporting that will help with business
decision making and tips and tricks for getting the
most out of Xero. There will be a Q & A session to
look at various accounting questions.
Small Business Workshop
Selwyn District Council, in partnership with Sidekick Selwyn Accountants
and Business Advisors invite you to join us for 3 important workshops to
help you in your business or community group.
These sessions are free and designed to help you save time and money with
some useful tips and tricks, provide important information to reduce risk and
advise you of the benefits of surrounding yourself with a good team.
Book in for all 3 sessions or the pick one that you feel you need.
Registration is essential.
selwyn.govt.nz
New to contracting
Thursday 15 July, 6–8pm
Lincoln Event Centre
There is an increasing trend among employers to use
contractors instead of salaried or waged employees.
This workshop will look at what this can look like for
both the employee and employer.
Fraud awareness
Thursday 5 August, 6–7pm
West Melton Community Centre
Fraud can take many forms and often comes from
the most unsuspecting sources. This session will
look at how to identify fraud, what the risks are,
how to prevent fraud and what to do if you suspect
someone is being fraudulent.