2023 November 14

   Jochen Möhr sends pictures from Metchosin of the moth known as Erannis vancouverensis.  Jeremy Tatum writes:  This species looks so like the European E. defoliaria that I have long suspected that they are one and the same species.   These are males; the females, like the Winter Moth, have no functional wings.

Erannis vancouverensis/defoliaria  (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

Erannis vancouverensis/defoliaria  (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

Erannis defoliaria (Lep.: Geometridae)  Butterfly Conservation UK

Winter Moths Operophtera sp. are now approaching the peak of their season.  Most are the European Winter Moth O. brumata, but in some places, in particular Goldstream Park, the native O. occidentalis is to be found.  Val George went to Goldstream today and photographed two winter moths (below).  Jeremy Tatum writes that he believes both are O. brumata.

Operophtera brumata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Val George

Operophtera brumata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Val George