2022 August 20

   Jeremy Tatm writes:  The young hawk moth caterpillar shown on August 15 is now in its next instar:

 

Smerinthis ophthalmica (Lep.: Sphingidae)  Jeremy Tatum

 

The exuviae (cast skins) of dragonfly nymphs can often be found clinging to vegetation at the edge of a pond.  Viewers are asked to look out for these, and to save any that they find.  It would be particularly interesting to look around the edge of McIntyre reservoir, where Black Saddlebags are so common, though I don’t know how you’d get down to the edge without disturbing shorebirds, etc.   There are other places, though, where Saddlebags are being seen.  Definite proof of breeding of the Black Saddlebags in British Columbia is still lacking.  Finding exuviae of a nymph would surely be proof.

 

Jochen Möhr sends photographs of three moths from Metchosin this morning:

Xestia xanthographa (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Jochen Möhr

Cosmia praeacuta (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Jochen Möhr

 

Udea profondalis (Lep.: Crambidae)  Jochen Möhr