2022 August 8 evening

    Jeremy Tatum writes:  This one was at my Saanich apartment this morning.  Thanks to Libby Avis for identifying it as Oligia divesta.

Oligia divesta (Lep.: Noctuidae)   Jeremy Tatum

   Jochen Möhr writes from Metchosin:   Pine Whites are definitely here.

   Yesterday, we had some Nature-Buff Friends over, and I asked them whether they had spotted any Pine Whites yet.  The answer was negative.   A few minutes later, we saw one fly past the front of the Douglas Firs here and flutter up the last one, and we both agreed that yes, it was a Pine White.

This morning, I saw several here in our Douglas Firs, first two at about 11 a.m., then later at various hours one here, one there, always unmistakably and always for quite a while.  And then, driving into Langford via Happy Valley Road at around 4 p.m., coming back around 5 p.m., I saw one each on the way in and the way out at Happy Valley Road, close to the intersection with Rocky Point Road.  So yes, they are back!

[Jeremy Tatum writes:  Kirsten Mills reported two on July 22.  Jochen’s report is the only one since then.]

2022 August 8 morning

    This bee was photographed by Aziza Cooper in Goldstream Park, August 3.  Thanks to Steven Roias for identifying it for us as a male Bombus flavifrons.

Male Bombus flavifrons (Hym.: Apidae)  Aziza Cooper

   Jeremy Tatum sends the photograph below of a moth at his Saanich apartment, August 8.

Neoalcis californiaria (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jeremy Tatum

   More photographs from yesterday’s VNHS Butterfly Walk.  The snail was from Mount Tolmie; the insects from Island View.

Cepaea nemoralis (Pul.:  Helicidae)  Gordon Hart

Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola (Lep.: Hesperiidae)  Gordon Hart

Lorquin’s Admiral Limenitis lorquini (Lep.: Nymphalidae)  Gordon Hart

Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata (Odo.: Libellulidae)  Gordon

2022 August 7

   Ren Ferguson writes:  I found this moth on the sidewalk at the Saanich Plaza on Friday, August 5.

Panthea virginarius (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Ren Ferguson

   Aziza Cooper sends photographs of Woodland Skippers from Panama Flats, August 6. 

Woodland Skipper Ochlodes sylvanoides (Lep.: Hesperiidae)  Aziza Cooper

Woodland Skipper Ochlodes sylvanoides (Lep.: Hesperiidae)  Aziza Cooper

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  The moth below was in my bath this afternoon.  I didn’t see it at first, but fortunately the moth flew to safety as soon as I turned on the tap.

Noctua pronuba (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Jeremy Tatum

   Aziza Cooper writes:  The VNHS August 7 butterfly walk, led by Gordon Hart, was attended by eight people. The weather was sunny and hot. We saw five species of butterflies, plus a large moth and several dragonflies and damselflies.

Mt. Tolmie: Lorquin’s Admiral – 2; Cabbage White – 2; Sheep Moth – 2

McIntyre Reservoir: Western Tiger Swallowtail – 1; Cabbage White- 6

Island View Beach: Lorquin’s Admiral – 6; Woodland Skipper – 8; Essex Skipper – 5; Cabbage White – 4.

We saw several species of dragonflies and damselflies at McIntyre Reservoir, including Black Saddlebags and Eight-spotted Skimmer.

Some photographs from the trip:

Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola (Lep.: Hesperiidae)  Aziza Cooper

Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola (Lep.: Hesperiidae)  Aziza Cooper

Eight-spotted Skimmer Libellula forensis (Odo.: Libellulidae)  Aziza Cooper

Tule Bluet Enallagma carunculatum (Odo.: Coenagrionidae)  Aziza Cooper

2022 August 6 evening

 August Butterfly Walk

Message from Gordon Hart

Hello Butterfly Watchers,

As per the VNHS calendar ( https://www.vicnhs.bc.ca/?page_id=1518 ) there is a Butterfly Walk scheduled for this Sunday, August 7. We will meet at the top of Mount Tolmie by the reservoir, at 1.00 p.m. You can park in the parking lot there, or in the large lot north of the summit. After a look around the summit, we will decide on a destination from there.

As mentioned last month, you can review Vancouver Island butterflies at Val George’s new website : https://vancouverislandbutterflies.com/

I hope to see you on Sunday!

Gordon Hart,

Butterfly count coordinator

Victoria Natural History Society

Jeremy Tatum writes:  This micro moth was at my Saanich apartment this morning.  Identified by Libby Avis as Acleris variegana.

Acleris variegana (Lep.: Torticidae)  Jeremy Tatum

2022 August 6 morning

 August Butterfly Walk

Message from Gordon Hart

Hello Butterfly Watchers,

As per the VNHS calendar ( https://www.vicnhs.bc.ca/?page_id=1518 ) there is a walk scheduled for this Sunday, August 7. We will meet at the top of Mount Tolmie by the reservoir, at 1.00 p.m. You can park in the parking lot there, or in the large lot north of the summit. After a look around the summit, we will decide on a destination from there. 

As mentioned last month, you can review Vancouver Island butterflies at Val George’s new website : https://vancouverislandbutterflies.com/

I hope to see you on Sunday!

Gordon Hart,

Butterfly count coordinator

Victoria Natural History Society

Gordon sends a photograph of Bombus vosnesenskii from Panama Flats, August 1.

Bombus vosnesenskii (Hym.: Apidae)  Gordon Hart

   Jeremy Tatum sends a photograph of Lophocmpa argentata from Poplar Avenue, Saanich, Augist 6.

Lophocampa argentata (Lep.: Erebidae – Arctiinae)  Jeremy Tatum