2022 November 1

   Cheryl Hoyle photographed this grasshopper in View Royal.  We are grateful to James Miskelly for identifying it and providing additional comments.

Migratory Grasshopper Melanoplus sanguinipes (Orth.: Acrididae)  Cheryl Hoyle

Migratory Grasshopper Melanoplus sanguinipes (Orth.: Acrididae)  Cheryl Hoyle

Migratory Grasshopper Melanoplus sanguinipes (Orth.: Acrididae)  Cheryl Hoyle

   Janes Miskelly writes:  This one is Melanoplus sanguinipes. It’s the most abundant and widespread grasshopper on Vancouver Island and in southern BC in general. Many Melanoplus aren’t identifiable without reference to male features (this one is female) but we only have three species in the genus on Vancouver Island and they’re distinct enough from photos. 

2022 October 29

    Jeremy Tatum writes:  Last night a worn and tattered moth flew into my bedroom in Saanich – worn, but recognizable as Triphosa haesitata.

American Tissue Moth Triphosa haesitata (Lep. Geometridae)  Jeremy Tatum

2022 October 28

    Jochen Möhr writes from Metchosin:  Last night, in addition to the two Tetracis sp., which have been here for now three days, an Epirrita autumnata and a Thera juniperata.

Autumnal Moth Epirrita autumnata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

Juniper Carpet Thera juniperata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

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

2022 October 26

    Cheryl Hoyle shows another spider from View Royal:

Scotophaeus blackwalli (Ara.: Gnaphosidae)  Cheryl Hoyle