2017 November 11

   A Winter Moth at Jeremy Tatum’s Saanich apartment this morning:

Winter Moth Operophtera brumata (Lep.: Geometridae)
Jeremy Tatum

2017 November 10

   Jochen Moehr sends pictures of two White-speck Moths from Metchosin yesterday.  This is the adult of the caterpillar known to agriculture as the Armyworm (see September 12).

White-speck Moth Mythimna unipuncta (Lep.: Noctuidae)

Jochen Moehr

White-speck Moth Mythimna unipuncta (Lep.: Noctuidae)

Jochen Moehr

Jochen also sends pictures of three geometrid moths.  Now, are these the European Winter Moth?  They look slightly different, so maybe they are Bruce’s?  Isn’t it hard!  Actually, although some Winter Moths are already around, it’s not quite winter yet – it is still autumn, and I believe all three of these are in fact Autumnal Moths.  See the row of double dots along the outer margin (termen) of both the fore- and the hindwings.  Also, Jochen’s moth of November 8 –  I had labelled it as a Winter Moth, but it is a very worn specimen, and if you look along the outer margin carefully, you can just make out the double spots – or at least where they were.  I have relabelled the November 8 moth an Autumnal Moth

Will someone go to Goldstream Park Nature House and try and get a photo of Bruce’s Winter Moth for us?

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

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

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

2017 November 8

Jochen Moehr sends a photograph of an Autumnal Moth from his home in Metchosin.

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

2017 November 5

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  Yes, indeed, it is Winter Moth time again.  Here is a female that turned up at my Saanich apartment this morning.  Sorry the image looks a bit misty.   I think it’s a scattered light problem caused by trying to use too many close-up lenses.

Winter Moth Operophtera brumata (Lep.: Geometridae)

Jeremy Tatum

2017 November 4

   It’s Winter Moth time again!  After a prolonged warm fall, we suddenly get a blast of wintry weather and the European Winter Moth immediately appears.  Kirsten Mills (who probably saw the last butterfly of the year – see October 3 posting) spotted this moth at the Hillside shopping centre just two days later.  It might be worth it for someone to go out to the Goldsteam Nature House soon to photograph a winter moth – they are probably mostly bruceata  there.

European Winter Moth Operophtera brumata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Kirsten Mills