2019 May 23 morning

Jochen Möhr’s moths in Metchosin this morning:

Nadata gibbosa (Lep.: Notodontidae)  Jochen Möhr

Lacinipolia cuneata (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Jochen Möhr

Panthea virginarius (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Jochen Möhr

Melanolophia imitata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

   Jeremy Tatum writes that he and Bill Savale saw a Mourning Cloak along the Panhandle Trail off Munn Road yesterday (May 23).

   Jeremy Shows a Polyphemus Moth, which ecloded yesterday.  It came from a caterpillar found on Black Hawthorn last year in Uplands Park, where the moth was released.  Viewers might note that at present in parts of Uplands Park there are very large numbers of culicids.

Polyphemus Moth Antheraea polyphemus (Lep.: Saturniidae) Jeremy Tatum

   And three caterpillars found recently:

Tetracis jubararia (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jeremy Tatum

Tetracis jubararia (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jeremy Tatum

Copper Underwing Amphipyra pyramidoides (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Jeremy Tatum

    And the remarkably specular pupa of Sicya macularia:

Sicya macularia (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jeremy Tatum

2019 May 22 morning

   Jochen Möhr’s moths in Metchosin yesterday morning:

1 Lophocampa maculata

2 Plagodis pulveraria

1 Perizoma curvilinea

1 Drepana arcuata – the same individual, which has been here since May 20 at the same spot and probably intends to die here

   Jeremy Tatum comments:  I have often noticed that when a moth comes to the rear door of my apartment building, it often stays there for several days.  Eventually it disappears, but whether it has flown, died or been eaten, I know not.

Spotted Tiger Moth Lophocampa maculata (Lep.: Erebidae – Arctiinae)

Jochen Möhr

Plagodis pulveraria (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

   Jochen Möhr’s moths in Metchosin this morning:

2 Eupithecias

1 Cladara limitaria (Pic attached)

1 Lophocampa maculata (same as yesterday)

1 Perizoma curvilinea

3 Tyria jacobaeae

Cladara limitaria (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  The moth below turned up at my Saanich apartment building this morning:

Agrotis vancouverensis (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Jeremy Tatum

    Thanks to LIbby Avis for help with the identifications.

2019 May 21 evening

   Jeff Gaskin writes:  This afternoon ,  May 21, there was a Lorquin’s Admiral in Gorge Park.   It seems rather early to me.  Jeremy Tatum writes:  Seems early  to me, too, but a search of the Invert Alert records in the last few years shows that in fact it is spot on!

2015  May 21

2016  May 20

2017  June 11

2018  May 20

  Jeremy continues:   Two Painted Ladies  at the McIntyre Reservoir, Central Saanich, this afternoon, and three on Mount Tolmie at 6:00 pm – one each on the summit, on the reservoir, and near the Jeffery Pine.

2019 May 21 morning

   Annie Pang writes that she saw at least 4 Propertius Duskywings and at least 3 Painted Ladies on Christmas Hill yesterday.

Male Propertius Duskywing Erynnis propertius (Lep.: Hesperiidae)  Annie Pang

Male Propertius Duskywing Erynnis propertius (Lep.: Hesperiidae)  Annie Pang

   Jochen Möhr photographed a click beetle in Metchosin on May 18.  We haven’t got an exact identification yet (it probably needs to be examined in the hand), although Ampedus sp. is a possibility.

Click beetle.  Possibly Ampedus sp. (Col.: Elateridae)  Jochen Möhr

   Scott Gilmore had fun photographing a spider in his Lantzville garden on May 19.  Thanks to Robb Bennett for the identification:

Eratigena duellica (Ara.:  Agelenidae) Scott Gilmore

Eratigena duellica (Ara.:  Agelenidae) Scott Gilmore

Eratigena duellica (Ara.:  Agelenidae) Scott Gilmore

2019 May 20 morning

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  I returned to the Goldstream Nature House this morning – this time with my camera.  But of course, since I had my camera with me, there were very few moths.  I got a photograph of a Venusia.  If there is any difference (doubtful!) between V.obsoleta and V. pearsalli, I think my moth slightly more closely resembles pearsalli, but who knows?

Venusia obsoleta/pearsalli  (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jeremy Tatum

Jochen Möhr’s moths in Metchosin this morning:

Jochen writes: A bit to add from yesterday afternoon: A Grey Hairstreak and a snakefly.

The latter, obviously a female, tried to insert its ovipositor into the wall – unsuccessfully, of course.

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  The snakefly is most likely Agulla assimilis (Raph.: Raphidiidae), but we can’t be quite certain.  A close-up photograph of the top of he head might help to narrow it down. 

Snakefly (Raphidioptera)  Jochen Möhr

Snakefly (Raphidioptera)  Jochen Möhr

Grey Hairstreak Strymon melinus (Lep.: Lycaenidae)  Jochen Möhr

Grey Hairstreak Strymon melinus (Lep.: Lycaenidae)  Jochen Möhr