Classification: B/1

Closely related to the Red-banded Silver Spinner, I found this Blue-banded Silver Spinner lurking near a dumpster a mere block from my house in Courtenay, British Columbia. Unlike its non-aggressive cousin, the Blue-banded Silver Spinner must be approached carefully. Use significant care, especially if one has young children present. This is an aggressive shopping cart.

If you are charged by a Blue-banded Silver Spinner pick up your child, make yourself as big as possible and back away slowly. Never run, as that triggers this predator’s chase instinct. Note also the blue and silver colouration and the large lure which is diagnostic for this species of Spinner. Many have been fooled by this attractive looking “seat” with regretful results.

This is the sixth species account of the Vancouver Island Shopping Carts series. Julian Montague at The Stray Shopping Cart Project has developed a method of classifying stray carts that might be of interest to those wanting to learn more about species of carts in their own area. Feral carts are found in a variety of different locations. Studying colouration, behaviour and habitat helps to identify the shopping cart to species. It is highly recommended to use caution when approaching unknown feral carts.

Researchers should also consult Rock, Paper, Lizard for detailed species accounts of Lower Mainland/Vancouver carts.