This blog provides an informal forum for terrestrial invertebrate watchers to post recent sightings of interesting observations in the southern Vancouver Island region. Please send your sightings by email to Jeremy Tatum (tatumjb352@gmail.com). Be sure to include your name, phone number, the species name (common or scientific) of the invertebrate you saw, location, date, and number of individuals. If you have a photograph you are willing to share, please send it along. Click on the title above for an index of past sightings.The index is updated most days.

July 7

2020 July 7

 

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  The little moth below emerged from a pupa found on an English Hawthorn leaf at Layritz Park during the VNHS Butterfly Walk on July 5.

 


Yponomeuta padella (Lep.: Yponomeutidae) Jeremy Tatum


Yponomeuta padella (Lep.: Yponomeutidae) Jeremy Tatum

   The caterpillar below was found on a cottonwood leaf at Panama Flats this morning:

 


Orgyia antiqua (Lep.: Erebidae – Lymantriinae)  Jeremy Tatum

   Val George writes:  This morning, July 7, I saw Sheep Moths Hemileuca eglanterina everywhere in Uplands Park in Oak Bay.  I saw two moths flying and seven caterpillars in various locations in the park.

 

Sheep Moth Hemileuca eglanterina (Lep.: Saturniidae)  Val George

      Ron Flower writes:   Yesterday Monday July  6 this butterfly landed on my neighbour’s driveway here in Royal Oak:

 

California Tortoiseshell Nymphalis californica (Lep.: Nymphalidae)  Ron Flower

   Another California Tortoiseshell was found yesterday:

 

California Tortoiseshell Nymphalis californica (Lep.: Nymphalidae) Sarah Gallagher

   Jochen Möhr’s moths in Metchosin this morning:


Protitame subalbaria (Lep. Geometridae) Jochen Möhr

Probably  Eudonia commortalis (Lep.: Crambidae)

Jochen Möhr

  Here’s a female (note the fat body, loaded with eggs)  Western Tiger Swallowtail photographed by Annie Pang in Gorge Park.

 

Female Western Tiger Swallowtail Papilio rutulus  (Lep.: Papilionidae)

Annie Pang

Female Western Tiger Swallowtail Papilio rutulus  (Lep.: Papilionidae) Annie Pang

   Here are three dragonflies photographed – and identified – by Annie Pang.  Annie gets a Gold Star from Rob Cannings for her identifications.

 

Cardinal Meadowhawk Sympetrum illotum (Odo.: Libellulidae)  Annie Pang

Male Eight-spotted Skimmer Libellula forensis (Odo.: Libellulidae)  Annie Pang

Female Eight-spotted Skimmer Libellula forensis (Odo.: Libellulidae)  Annie Pang