2020 September 9

   Joechen Möhr’s moths from Metchosin this morning:

1 Drepanulatrix sp.   

1 Eupithecia sp.

1 Euxoa difformis 

2 Feltia jaculifera 

1 Fishia illocata

1 Nemoria darwiniata

10 (!) Neoalcis californiaria 

1 Nepytia phantasmaria

1 Tetracis jubararia or pallulata

2 Xestia finatimis/infimatis complex

Jochen also reports eight Pine Whites at various Metchosin locations.  Also, an antlion, suggested by Libby Avis to be probably Myrmeleon exitialis.

Antlion Myrmeleon exitialis (Neo.: Myrmeleontidae) Jochen Möhr

Nemoria darwiniata (Lep.: Geometridae)   Jochen Möhr

Tetracis (probably pallulata, but just possibly jubararia) (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

Nepytia phantasmaria (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

   Jeremy Tatum writes:   Here’s a Yellow Woolly Bear caterpillar from Island View Beach:

Spilosoma virginica (ep.: Erebidae – Arctiinae)  Jeremy Tatum

2020 September 8 afternoon

   Val Georgewrites:  At Island View Park this morning, September 8, while waiting at the Bell’s Vireo location, I saw more butterflies than I’ve seen for some time.  As well as a few Cabbage Whites and Woodland Skippers, there were about half a dozen Ringlets, a female Purplish Copper and a very worn Anise Swallowtail.  I also saw a Praying Mantis, probably the same one reported by Gordon Hart yesterday

2020 September 8 morning

   Gordon Hart writes:  On Monday September 7, while I was waiting for the Bell’s Vireo to appear, a large bright green insect flew low over us. It landed nearby and I was able to find it. I have attached two photos. I was surprised to see that it was a Praying Mantis. I know there is a species that is native to BC in the south Okanagan, but apparently European Mantis, Mantis religiosa, imported to eastern North America and the Okanagan for grasshopper control, have established themselves on east Vancouver Island in Maple Bay (Rob Cannings and G. C. E. Scudder, 2005).

https://ibis.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/efauna/FamiliesofMantodeaofBritishColumbia.html

Since then, continues Gordon, I read last night that there is a small population on Galiano Island at Sturdies Bay (the ferry terminal is there), and also in the Fulford Valley on Salt Spring Island, also near the Fulford ferry terminal. Rob’s article was 2005, so a lot has happened since then.

Praying Mantis Mantis religiosa (Mantodea:  Mantidae)  Gordon Hart

Praying Mantis Mantis religiosa (Mantodea:  Mantidae)  Gordon Hart

   Jochen Möhr’s moths from Metchosin this morning:

2 Euxoa difformis

7 (!) Neoalcis californiaria

1 Feltia jaculifera

Euxoa difformis (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Jochen Möhr

2020 September 7 afternoon

   Jochen Möhr’s moths from Metchosin this morning:

1 Eulithis xylina

1 Feltia jaculifera

5 Neoalcis californiaria

1 Tetracis pallulata  

1 Xanthorhoe defensaria

Tetracis pallulata (Lep.: Geometridae) Jochen Möhr

   Jochen writes:  On top of that I saw yesterday afternoon, September 6  – in addition to the two Woodland Skippers and 5 Pine Whites right here – 3 Pine Whites along Kangaroo Road and one Woodland Skipper on the Galloping Goose trail.

   Jeff Gaskin writes:  Yesterday, September 6, while looking for the Bell’s Vireo, I saw a Ringlet along the trail at Island View Beach.  Aziza Cooper said she saw three Ringlets at Island View Beach yesterday too, plus a Woodland Skipper.

2020 September 7 morning

   Gordon Hart writes:  Last night, (Saturday  September 5), I turned on the porch lights for a couple of hours, and I saw 5 Neoalcis californiaria, 6 or 8 small moths (crambid snout moths and tortricid moths I think ) and one larger geometrid, Nepytia phantasmaria.  

   Jeremy Tatum remarks:  The only previous photograph of this species from the Victoria area on Invertebrate Alert since it started in 2010 was one – also by Gordon at his home – on 2014 September 23, although Libby photographed several in Port Alberni in 2017. 

Nepytia phantasmaria (Lep.: Geometridae)  Gordon Hart

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  I was thinking of limiting the number of photographs of Neoalcis californiaria – one of our most frequently photographed insects – when the first moth to appear for weeks at my apartment back door arrived, and of course it had to be N. californiaria, and I couldn’t resist the temptation of photographing it.  So much for my attempt at placing a limit!  It seems to be one of our very commonest moths.

Neoalcis californiaria (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jeremy Tatum