2022 October 27

     Jeff Gaskin writes:  Just to let you know that Cabbage Whites are still around.  I saw four in the Gorge/Burnside community, including two at the Gorge Park community garden.

   Cheryl Hoyle sends the photograph below, taken in Metchosin, with the query:  Is this a termite?

Well, replies Jeremy Tatum, I was just about to make a fool of myself and reply no, it’s nothing at all like a termite – termites aren’t black.  But a little buzzer inside my head somewhere went off, and said Whoa!  Don’t be too hasty!  Have a look at https://inaturalist.ca/taxa/296465-Reticulitermes-hesperus    I think that’s exactly what it is – a termite!

Probably Reticulitermes hesperus (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)  Cheryl Hoyle