2023 June 27

   Ian Cooper photographed this clearwing moth along the E&N trail in View Royal, June 26.  Thanks to Libby Avis for confirmation of Ian’s identification as Synanthedon bibionipennis.  Libby writes that she saw a lot of them along the Somass Estuary on June 25.

Synanthedon bibionipennis (Lep.: Sesiidae) Ian Cooper

Kirsen Mills sends a photograph of a Pacific Forktail and a Cardinal Meadowhawk:

Pacific Forktail Ischnura cervula (Odo.: Coenagrionidae)
Kirsten Mills

Cardinal Meadowhawk  Sympetrum illotum  (Odo.: Libellulidae) Kirsten Mills

Ian Cooper photographed a colourful spider.  He writes: This extremely fast-moving spider spotted running frantically through the ground vegetation by the E&N Trail was one of the more unusual species I saw on June 26.  Dr Robb Bennett writes: Wow! – one of our most photogenic spiders. One of the species of Castianeira ant mimics. I have trouble telling them apart without a microscope but it’s probably either C. longipalpa or C. walsinghami. They are actually fairly common but often mistaken for ants.

Castianeira longipalpa/walsinghami  (Ara.: Corinnidae)
Ian Cooper