This blog provides an informal forum for terrestrial invertebrate watchers to post recent sightings of interesting observations in the southern Vancouver Island region. Please send your sightings by email to Jeremy Tatum (tatumjb352@gmail.com). Be sure to include your name, phone number, the species name (common or scientific) of the invertebrate you saw, location, date, and number of individuals. If you have a photograph you are willing to share, please send it along. Click on the title above for an index of past sightings.The index is updated most days.

2024 March 18

2024 March 18

   Yesterday, Kirsten Mills photographed two of the California Tortoiseshells that were (and still are) on the Mount Tolmie reservoir.

 

California Tortoiseshell Nymphalis californica (Lep.: Nymphalidae)   Kirsten Mills

California Tortoiseshell Nymphalis californica (Lep.: Nymphalidae)   Kirsten Mills

 

Kirsten writes:  I saw two new butterfly species today, March 18, for the year for me. First was a Satyr Comma near Hyacinth Park. The second was a Cabbage White on the corner of Cook Street and Finlayson Road.

 

Gordon Hart writes, from Highlands:  We have had two Green Commas and one Satyr Comma since Saturday March 16. I have attached pictures which nicely show some differences between the species.

Satyr Comma Polygonia satyrus  (Lep.: Nymphalidae)  Gordon Hart

Green Comma Polygonia faunus  (Lep.: Nymphalidae)  Gordon Hart

Green Comma Polygonia faunus  (Lep.: Nymphalidae)  Gordon Hart