2017 December 1

   Jochen Moehr writes from Metchosin:  Tonight we have another congregation of six winter moths here.  I am amazed by their variability.  Jeremy Tatum writes:  Yes, this is another challenging case where the variation within a species seems to be at least as great as the variation between species.  The first of Jochen’s photographs below is surely Operophtera brumata.  I don’t think bruceata is ever quite as plain as this.

European Winter Moth Operophtera brumata (Lep.: Geometridae)

Jochen Moehr

  The next one is more strongly patterned, so one must consider that it might be bruceata, but I don’t think it is.  I think it is probably  O. brumata.

Probably European Winter Moth Operophtera brumata (Lep.: Geometridae)

 Jochen Moehr

   I believe the one below is a genuine native O. bruceata.  I hope I’m right, but I’m going to stick my neck out and omit the word “probably” in the label!

Bruce’s Winter Moth Operophtera bruceata (Lep.: Geometridae)

Jochen Moehr

2017 November 26

   Jochen Moehr sends a photograph of a EuropeanWinter Moth from Metchosin.  Right now is the time for someone to go out to the Nature House at Goldstream Park with a camera, and photograph a winter moth there – it will probably be the native Bruce’s Winter Moth.  There may even be some other species there.

European Winter Moth Operophtera brumata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Moehr

2017 November 23

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  I counted 44 Winter Moths – all males – around the four outside doors of my Saanich apartment building this morning, and one White-speck Moth.

White-speck Moth Mythimna unipuncta

(Lep.: Noctuidae)

Jeremy Tatum

   Kirsten Mills writes: Jeff Gaskin and I had a wasp up Observatory Hill yesterday, and two Honey Bees and I think an Autumnal Moth. I only photographed the wasp. We also had a very nice look at a Northern Pygmy Owl.

European Paper Wasp Polistes dominula (Hym.: Vespidae) Kirsten Mills

2017 November 19

   Another Winter Moth:

Female Winter Moth Operophtera brumata

(Lep.: Geometridae)

Jeremy Tatum

2017 November 18

    Jochen Moehr sends photographs of Winter and Autumnal Moths from Metchosin.  We are also looking out for the native Bruce’s and Danby’s Winter Moths, as well as Erannis vancouverensis. There were very much fewer caterpillars of vancouverensis this spring compared with most years, so there may not be many adults around now.  Try Goldstream Park for bruceata and danbyi.

European Winter Moth Operophtera brumata (Lep.: Geometridae)
Jochen Moehr

European Winter Moth Operophtera brumata (Lep.: Geometridae)
Jochen Moehr

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