2019 November 8

 

   Cheryl Hoyle writes:  I took these photographs on November 6th in my home in View Royal.  Maybe Steatoda grossa?

 

   Jeremy Tatum writes: Yes, I think so; but I noticed that the pattern on the back is much more pronounced than on other photographs that we have had of this species, so I asked Dr Robb Bennett to comment.  He writes:  Yes, Cheryl is correct: a juvenile Steatoda grossa.   Juveniles (and mature males) have lots of abdominal patterning, as in the images. The patterning largely disappears in the females by the time they reach maturity (males retain most of the juvenile pattern).

 

 

Steatoda grossa (Ara.: Theridiidae)   Cheryl Hoyle

 

Steatoda grossa (Ara.: Theridiidae)   Cheryl Hoyle

 

   Jochen Möhr’s moths from Metchosin this morning:

 

2 Epirrita autumnata

1 Erannis vancouverensis

1 Orthosia mys

4 Sunira decipiens

1 Xanthorhoe defensaria 

 

Erannis vancouverensis (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

 

Xanthorhoe defensaria (Lep.: Geometridae) Jochen Möhr

 

Epirrita autumnata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

 

Epirrita autumnata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr