2022 October 25

    Cheryl Hoyle sends a photograph of a spider from View Royal today:

Steatoda grossa (Ara.: Theridiidae)  Cheryl Hoyle

Tiny (2 mm) spider (Ara.: Linyphiidae) Ian Cooper

Philodromus dispar (Ara.: Philodromidae)  Ian Cooper

Araneus diadematus (Ara.: Araneidae)  Ian Cooper

Probably Neriene sp.  (Ara.: Linyphiidae) Ian Cooper

Harvestman Phalangium opilio (Opiliones:  Phalangiidae) Ian Cooper

Harvestman Phalangium opilio (Opiliones: Phalangiidae) Ian Cooper

Porcellio scaber (Isopoda: Porcellionidae) Ian Cooper

Jochen Möhr sends photographs of moths from Metchosin:

Tetracis jubararia/pallulata  (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

Tetracis jubararia/pallulata  (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

2022 October 24

   A moth from Val George in Oak Bay, and one from Jochen Möhr in Metchosin

America Tissue Moth Triphosa haesitata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Val George

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

   A beetle and a spider from Cheryl Hoyle in View Royal:

Two-spotted Ladybird Beetle Adalia bipunctata (Col.: Coccinellidae)  Cheryl Hoyle

Araneus diadematus (Ara.: Araneidae)  Cheryl Hoyle

2022 October 23 evening

     Here is a jumping bristletail photographed by Ian Cooper.   Jumping bristletails (Order Microcoryphia) are currently considered to be insects – i.e. to be part of the Class Insecta.

Pedetontus (possibly saltator) (Microcoryphia:  Machilidae) Ian Cooper

Pedetontus (possibly saltator) (Microcoryphia:  Machilidae) Ian Cooper

Next is a gnatlike insect, which will be a real challenge to identify, even to Family.  Jeremy Tatum writes:  There are, I think, five Families that are possible contenders:

Tipulidae, Trichoceridae, Ptychopteridae, Anisopodidae, Mycetophilidae.  There are, of course, differences between the Families, but most of these differences require microscopic examination.  One clue is to determine whether or not there are three ocelli on the dorsal surface of the head.  These are very difficult to see; not only are they tiny, but the insects hold their heads at a most awkward angle for the photographer.  Ian Cooper made a special effort to try to photograph the presence or absence of the ocelli. Is the resolution of the close-up photograph below good enough?  Is it possible that ocelli are present but not evident in the photograph?   I think the resolution is sufficiently good to show that ocelli are absent.  If so, that reduces the possibilities to Tipulidae and Ptychopteridae.

Some Tipulidae rest with their wings open; others with one wing folded over the other, as in Ian’s photograph.  I believe all Ptychopteridae rest with their wings open.  Thus we seem to be down to the Tipulidae (Crane Flies). Most of us are familiar with the larger crane flies, such as Tipulia paludosa, and Ian’s insect does not resemble these at all.  However, the Tipulidae is a large family, with many small members that resemble gnats.  All in all, I think it likely that Ian’s insect is a small tipulid – though I could be wrong!  If anyone out there can go further, please let us know.

Diptera – Nematocera  (possibly Tipulidae)  Ian Cooper

Diptera – Nematocera  (possibly Tipulidae)  Ian Cooper

22 October 23

    Jochen Möhr sends a photograph of an Autumnal Moth from Metchosin.

Epirrita autumnata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

  Some more spiders from Ian Cooper along the Galloping Goose trail in View Royal:

Crab spider Xysticus (probably cristatus) (Ara.: Thomisidae)  Ian Cooper

Crab spider Xysticus (probably cristatus) (Ara.: Thomisidae)  Ian Cooper

Tetragnatha (probably versicolor) (Ara.: Tetragnathidae)  Ian Cooper

Unidentified spider (Ara.: Linyphiidae)  Ian Cooper

Unidentified spider (Ara.: Linyphiidae)  Ian Cooper

Philodromus dispar (Ara: Philodromidae)  Ian Cooper

2022 October 22 evening

    Mike Yip sends a photograph of a grasshopper from Nanoose.  He writes:  “When I first saw this creature flying by I thought it might be a moth. It had black wings with a yellow border and finally landed about 50 m away. When I finally got a clear view it turned out to be a grasshopper.” 

  This is the Carolina Grasshopper, often known colloquially as the Mourning Cloak Grasshopper, since it can be mistaken in flight for that butterfly.  

Dissosteira carolina (Orth.: Acrididae)  Mike Yip

   Here are some more creatures of the night, photographed by Ian Cooper.

Harvestman (Opiliones) Ian Cooper

Common Rough Woodlouse Porcellio scaber (Isopoda – Porcellionidae) 
Ian Cooper

Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Ian Cooper