2019 November 2

   Yes!  November is possible!   Jeff Gaskin reports that Kirsten Mills saw a Cabbage White on November 1 at the Colwood turn-off from the TCH, near the Silvery Blue colony.  Some butterflies (nymphalids) spend the winter in the adult state, so one could in principle (!) find a butterfly in any month of the year. The Cabbage White is not one of the adult-overwinterers  – it overwinters as a pupa, so it is good to hear of an adult hanging on into November.

2019 November 1

   Jochen Möhr’s moths in Metchosin this morning:

4 Epirrita autumnata,

3 Sunira decipiens

1 Xanthorhoe defensaria

In October, Jochen had 128 observations of 22 species.

Sunira decipiens (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Jochen Möhr

Epirrita autumnata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

Epirrita autumnata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

Epirrita autumnata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

2019 October 31

   After three days of nothing, Jochen Möhr has a few moths from Metchosin – one of which is probably (from the time of year)  Triphosa haesitata, but which looks very like some varieties of Coryphista meadii!   For the time being, I’ll label it as a probable Triphosa haesitata.  Here is Jochen’s list for this morning:

1 Epirrita autumnata

1 Triphosa haesitata

1 Xanthorhoe defensaria

Probably Triphosa haesitata (Lep.: Geometridae)   Jochen Möhr

Xanthorhoe defensaria (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

Epirrita autumnata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

2019 October 29

   On October 27, Kirsten Mills saw two Cabbage Whites by her house around Hillside Centre,  two along West Shore Parkway, one near Jordan River and finally one by Muir Creek.  Barb McGrenere reports one in the Cordova Bay area on October 27, and one at McIntyre Reservoir on October 28.

2019 October 28

   Jochen Möhr reports only a single Epirrita autumnata  from Metchosin yesterday morning, October 27.   This morning, 2 Epirrita autumnata and one Orthosia mys.

  Layla Munger writes:  I was surprised to see Honey Bees, a Yellow-faced Bumble Bee, and a Painted Lady butterfly. All at Government Gardens, October 27.

Painted Lady Vanessa cardui (Lep.: Nymphalidae) Layla Munger

Honey Bee Apis mellifera (Hym.: Apidae)  Layla Munger

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  There are several species of rough stink bug  Brochymena sp. in the area.  One turned up at my Saanich apartment this morning, and, although I managed to get a close-up photograph, I think I’d better label it just Brochymena sp. until I’m more experienced in separating the species.  But if anyone thinks s/he can identify this one, please let us know.

Brochymena sp.  (Hem.: Pentatomidae)  Jeremy Tatum