2023 June 25

   Ian Cooper sends photographs of a spider and a harvestman from Colquitz River Park, June 21.

Steatoda sp.  (Ara.: Theridiidae)  Ian Cooper

Protolophus sp.  (Opiliones:  Protolophidae)  Ian Cooper

Protolophus sp.  (Opiliones:  Protolophidae)  Ian Cooper

Ian also photographed some creatures from near the 9 km mark along the Galloping Goose Trail, View Royal.  He writes:

This encounter between two pillbugs appears to be either a mating or predatory encounter. Not sure. The darker one was grappling with the lighter one, which was mostly curled up in a defensive ball, but it would also open up somewhat. The encounter was still happening when I returned 10 minutes later.

Common Pillbug  Armadillidium vulgare
(Isopoda:  Armidillidiidae)
Ian Cooper

Common Pillbug  Armadillidium vulgare
(Isopoda:  Armidillidiidae)
Ian Cooper

In the interests of science, Ian allowed this mosquito to land on his left hand while he took a photograph.  There is probably someone on Vancouver Island who can identify this one to species.  Please let us know if that is you.

Mosquito (Dip.: Culicidae)  Ian Cooper

The Squire’s daughter has been foully murdered.

Murdered?  By whom?

By Amos

Amos who?

Amos Quito

Jeremy Tatum spotted these two caterpillars today on a birch tree in the busiest part of the Saanich Centre shopping area.  They are caterpillars of the Vapourer Moth, also known as the Rusty Tussock.   Tussock moths (Lymantriinae) are named from their caterpillars, which bear characteristic tussocks of hair, which look a little like toothbrush bristles.

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

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