2024 August 11

Yesterday (August 10) morning we showed a photograph of a Great Arctic obtained by Aziza Cooper on Mount Washington, but we also wrote that we haven’t yet had any reports of the Great Arctic this year from within the Southern Vancouver Island Birdwatching Area. However, Thomas Barbin tells us that he saw and photographed one near the peak of Lone Tree Hill, which is within the Area, on July 9.   You can see Thomas’s photograph at https://inaturalist.ca/observations/228515269

We are still lacking a Purplish Cooper in this area this year. And, so far, only one Grey Hairstreak.

Jeff Gaskin writes that there was a Lorquin’s Admiral behind Tillicum Centre in Cuthbert Holmes Park today, August 11.  Although a few Lorquin’s Admirals sometimes extend into September, there are few about now, so we welcome all reports of them.

Ian Cooper took some photographs on August 9 at the 9 km marker in View Royal.  Here are some of them.

Identification unsure  Ian Cooper

Folding-door spider – Antrodiaetus pacificus (Ara. – Myg.:  Antrodiaetidae)  Ian Cooper

Western Black Carpenter Ant  Camponotus modoc (Hym.: Formicidae)  Ian Cooper

Raspberry Weevil – Otiorhynchus singularis (Col.: Curculionidae)   Ian Cooper

Dyslobus decoratus (Col.: Curculionidae)   Ian Cooper

Val George found this moth on the wall of his Oak Bay house yesterday, August 10.

Xanthorhoe defensaria (Lep.: Geometridae)   Val George