Wildlife took center stage in Green OC in the summer months, with more insect invasions, both troublesome and benign, and the arrival of large sea creatures that fascinated Orange County residents. (See previous posts covering January, February and March, and April, May and June).

July, August, September

The guava fruit fly made its latest appearance in north-central Orange County in mid-July, prompting treatment of a 10-square-mile area and an admonition to residents not to move backyard fruit from the area.

Meanwhile, enormous Humboldt squid appeared bent on invasion, showing up in large numbers off Orange County — much to the delight of squid fishermen.

Then came an influx of massive blue whales. The giant creatures, typically 65 to 70 feet long, have been appearing each summer off Orange, Los Angeles and San Diego counties since the 1990s. One blue whale researcher says it might be part of a larger pattern: a shift back to pre-whaling migration patterns.

In August, another bug invasion — this time the red bug, a Mediterranean species that appeared to be making its first American appearance in Southern California.

But while ecologists kept an eye on the bugs to check for any harmful effects on native vegetation, they appeared to offer no known threat to people or plants.

Late in the month, state agricultural officials imposed a quarantine over all of Orange County for yet another invasive pest, the Asian citrus psyllid.

Wildfire raging in Los Angeles County sent tendrils of smoke our way late in August, but Orange County’s air-quality was largely unaffected.

In September came the news that the Irvine Co. wished to donate 20,000 rugged acres in central Orange County to OC Parks. The county is still analyzing the offer and its implications, and members of the environmental community raised questions about costs and ranger staffing, but parks officials say they are ready and willing to take possession of the land.

Also in September, the Irvine Museum revealed plans for a new show of landscape and nature paintings from Orange County in the early 20th century, most of California was declared a drought disaster, and the “Green Guide,” a green Web site developed by an Orange County entrepreneur, went nationwide.

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