2023 July 15

July Butterfly Count
Message from Gordon Hart

Hello, Butterfly Watchers,
The July count period starts Saturday July 15 until Sunday July 23. This is an informal census of butterfly numbers and species in Greater Victoria. The area is defined by the Christmas Bird Count circle, extending from Victoria to Brentwood Bay and Island View Road in Central Saanich, and west to Happy Valley and Triangle Mountain, and Langford Lake and Goldstream areas.

You can submit a count any time over the count period, just use a separate form for each count and location. In the case of repeat or duplicate counts, I will use the higher numbers. To submit counts, please use the form from the VNHS website at https://www.vicnhs.bc.ca/?p=33
If you have difficulty with the form, just send me an email with the information.
Thank-you for submitting your sightings and good luck with your count.

Gordon

Gordon Hart,
Butterfly Count Coordinator,
Victoria Natural History Society

Gordon also sends pictures of some insects from Maber Flats.

Male Cabbage White Pieris rapae  (Lep.: Pieridae) Gordon Hart

Compare this with Jochen Möhr’s female shown on July 7.  Male has one black spot.  Female has two (one of which is a very close double-spot).

Next is an interesting-looking fly.  If anyone can tell us what it is, please do let us know.  In the meantime, Jeremy Tatum suggests that it may be a member of the Family Pallopteridae.

Unidentified fly (Dip.:  Possibly Pallopteridae)  Gordon Hart

Pacific Forktail Ischnura cervula (Odo.: Coenagrionidae)
Gordon Hart

Pacific Forktail Ischnura cervula (Odo.: Coenagrionidae)
Gordon Hart

Water Strider  (Hem.: Gerridae)  Gordon Hart