2023 May 1

Cheryl Hoyle sends a photograph of a Western Conifer Seed Bug from View Royal, April 30.

Leptoglossus occidentalis  (Hem.:  Coreidae) Cheryl Hoyle

   Val George writes:  This moth was on the wall of my Oak Bay house this morning, May 1.

 

Triphosa haesitata  (Lep.: Geometridae)   Val George

   Mike McGrenere writes:  I hiked up Mount Douglas today with Daniel Dönnecke and we saw lots of butterflies as well as lots of birds. Here is a summary of the butterflies:

 

Sara Orangetip – 10

Propertius Duskywing – 6

Western Spring Azure – 3

Cabbage White – 1

Mourning Cloak – 1 (seen by Daniel)

Western Brown Elfin – 1

A possible Satyr Comma but too brief a look.

  Aziza Cooper writes:   Today, May 1, at Blenkinsop Lake, there were three Western Spring Azures, five Mourning Cloaks, two Satyr Commas, and one Cabbage White.    One of the Mourning Cloaks landed on my hat. I saw its shadow on top of my head, but when I took the hat off it left.   [See also Jeff Gaskin’s account of yesterday, April 30.    Note also, the butterfly in Aziza’s photograph may be ovipositing.]

Male Western Spring Azure Celastrina echo  (Lep.: Lycaenidae)  Aziza Cooper

Mourning Cloak  Nymphalis antiopa (Lep.: Nymphalidae)  Aziza Cooper

   Aziza also shows a photograph of a fly in her house in Saanich.  Jeremy Tatum writes:  I do not know what the fly is – I have had a quick look without success in Clusiidae, Drosophilidae and Piophilidae. Suggestions from viewers would be welcome.

Unidentified fly (Diptera)   Aziza Cooper