2015 March 8

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  Here is a batch of eggs, found in North Saanich yesterday, of the Vapourer Moth Orgyia antiqua, also known as the Rusty Tussock Moth.  Also an ichneumon wasp from my Saanich apartment today, identified by Scott Gilmore as a species of Ophion.

Ichneumon wasp Ophion sp.  (Hym.: Ichneumonidae) Jeremy Tatum

  Jeff Gaskin writes:  Saturday March 7, there was a Mourning Cloak on Forshaw Road at Rhoda Lane on the Esquimalt side of the Gorge. This was near Esquimalt Gorge Park.

  Gordon Hart writes:  On Saturday March 7 in our yard, I saw the orange and black moth

Archiearis infans again. Besides that one, I saw two Epirrhoe plebeculata and I got a picture of an even smaller geometrid with brown and black patterning.  We also saw at least two Satyr Commas and I think the Green Comma as well. I also saw my first Cabbage White of the year.

  Jeremy Tatum responds:  All three moths that Gordon mentions are early day-flying geometrids, although Archiearis is far from typical, the caterpillar having three pairs of mid-abdominal prolegs. It feeds on alder, and needs bark on which to pupate.  Gordon’s smaller – and very pretty – geometrid is Enchoria lacteata.  I have never found the caterpillar, but it is reputed to feed upon Miner’s Lettuce. 

  Jeremy adds:  I, too, saw my first Cabbage White today, at Lamont Road in Central Saanich, as, too, did Bill Katz, who photographed this one on Summit Hill.