2021 May 15

 

   Ron Flower writes:

 

Today, May 15, after reading Val’s post about Cowichan Station we went up for a look.  We did not see any Margined Whites but we saw many Cabbage Whites, many Azures.  We saw one Pale Tiger Swallowtail, two Western Tiger Swallowtails and a Mylitta Crescent.  In the lupin patch on the corner of the highway and Cowichan Station road there were at least two Silvery Blues.

 

Male Mylitta Crescent Phyciodes mylitta (Lep.: Nymphalidae)   Ron Flower

Silvery Blue Glaucopsyche lygdamus (Lep.: Lycaenidae)  Ron Flower

   Jeremy Tatum writes:   This seems to be a good time to venture up to the railway line north of Cowichan Station.  (I don’t know if anyone has explored to the south.)  Last year I saw an Arctic Skipper there.  Unfortunately, because of a computer glitch, I can’t immediately find the date, but it is a species to look out for there.  Also, if anyone sees a Parnassian there, we need to make a special effort to identify the species.

 

Where do the Margined Whites lay their eggs along the Cowichan railway line?  I suspect usually on Water Cress, although the only ones I have found have been on Dame’s Rocket (“Violet”)

 

There are probably Silvery Blues at many of the roadside lupin patches, but it would be very dangerous to search in some of them, and we do not encourage it where it is not safe.  The one at the Colwood turn-off should be visited.  Ova are easy to see.

 

Until I have sorted out my computer glitch, I can’t advise on dates for Field Crescents at Eddy’s , but they must be coming up soon.