2017 October 8

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  During the VNHS September Butterfly Walk, we found a large hawk moth caterpillar, which was shown on September 3 and 4.  The pupa was shown on September 13.  The adult moth ecloded (emerged) today and is shown below.

White-lined Hawk Moth Hyles lineata (Lep.: Sphingidae)  Jeremy Tatum

   I saw a Cabbage White today in Colwood.  I can’t say exactly where, because I was lost at the time!  Jeremy Tatum

2017 October 6

   Jody Wells sends a photograph of an Autographa californica nectaring on Buddleia.  He has caught the essence of this moth – that’s exactly what it looks like when you see it outside.

Autographa californica (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Jody Wells

   Here are some more moths from Metchosin, by Jochen Moehr.

Dysstroma citrata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Moehr

Dysstroma citrata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Moehr

Drepanulatrix monicaria (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Moehr

  There probably won’t be very more butterflies around this year, so please report any that you see.  Who knows? –  You may at last achieve fame by being the person who reports the last Cabbage White of the year!

2017 October 5 afternoon

   I followed up Ron’s message by going to McIntyre reservoir myself this afternoon, and sure ’nuff at the north end of the reservoir I saw several Cabbage Whites and four Orange Sulphurs – and also a pristine Painted Lady.  I went right to the northernmost tippytip of the reservoir.  Beyond that, there is a whole line of yellow Raphanus  in flower, parallel to the ditch, and there were sulphurs all the way up towards Island View Road.  Now that most of the Teasel has gone to seed, Raphanus is the nectar source de choix.  I saw a second lady, which may have been an American Lady, but I couldn’t be sure.  Several Autographa californica.

  Probably shan’t be able to do another posting today.   Jeremy Tatum

2017 October 5 morning

   This is a very brief posting, but I thought I should post it now in case anyone would like to try for a last look at the sulphur butterflies today.  Ron Flower writes:  October 4 we saw many Cabbage Whites at McIntyre reservoir and four or five sulphurs . All moving too fast and not settling for pictures. Sulphurs were mostly in yellow flowering mustard type plant at north end of reservoir. [I believe the yellow flower in question is Raphanus sp., but you’d have to check with a botanist.   Jeremy Tatum]

2017 October 4 morning

   Jochen Moehr writes:  This Ennomos magnaria was sitting on my wall in Metchosin all day yesterday.

Ennomos magnaria (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Moehr

Ennomos magnaria (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Moehr

   Jody Wells writes:  At first I thought this Chestnut-backed Chickadee was eating a bud on a branch…but NO a really camouflaged caterpillar type insect. Very interested in what type of insect this might be.  About 35 feet up in a Weeping Willow.

Jeremy Tatum responds:  What a gruesome photograph!  I can’t possibly identify the caterpillar, though I think it is probably a geometrid.  Willow is a sort of default foodplant for many species of caterpillar. Are there more of these caterpillars still there?  If so, I’d be interested.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee Poecile rufescens (Pas.: Paridae)

with caterpillar (Lep.: Probably Geometridae)

Jody Wells

Scott Gilmore writes from Upper Lantzville: I found this Lophocampa roseata caterpillar in the middle of the car park at work this afternoon. I moved it to the side so it had a better chance to pupate.

Lophocampa roseata (Lep.: Erebidae – Arctiinae)  Scott Gilmore

Lophocampa roseata (Lep.: Erebidae – Arctiinae)  Scott Gilmore