INVERTEBRATE ALERT
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.

March 24

2017 March 24

 

    Jeremy Tatum writes:  We are struggling with some identification problems at the moment.  The moth below was photographed by Bryan Gates at Saratoga Beach on March 20.   It is either the American Tissue Moth Triphosa haesitata or the Barberry Geometer Coryphista meadii – a notoriously difficult pair.  Libby Avis, Jeremy Gatten and I (Jeremy Tatum) are all leaning towards Triphosa haesitata, so that’s how I’ll label it.

 

 Probably Triphosa haesitata (Lep.: Geometridae)    Bryan Gates

.    The second one is a micro moth photographed by Bill Katz at Goldstream Park on March 19.  Jeremy Gatten suggests that the moth is Acleris maccana.  Jeremy Tatum writes:  Thank you, Jeremy, I think you are right.  It seems to be a very variable species, but that line across the middle of the forewing seems to be characteristic.  [Since confirmed by Eric LaGasa – both the identification and the diagnostic character of that line.]

Acleris maccana (Lep.: Tortricidae)   Bill Katz

 

Jeremy Tatum continues:  We have made some progress with Nathan’s moth on the March 19 posting.  Originally I had labelled it “Possibly Hydriomena sp.”   After closely examining some photographs sent to me by Libby Avis as well as a few other photographs on previous Invertebrate Alert postings, I have decided to label Nathan’s moth Hydriomena nubilofasciata  –  with no ifs, ans or buts!

 

I came across another beautiful caterpillar of a Large Yellow Underwing moth, Noctua pronuba, at UVic yesterday.  I believe this caterpillar can be found in almost any month of the year.

 

Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Jeremy Tatum

 

Nathan Fisk photographed the spider below at Fort Rodd Hill on March 22.  No difficulty in identifying this one – all one has to do is to ask Robb Bennett, who tells us that it is a female of our local burrowing Antrodiaetus pacificus.  Thank you, Robb.

 

 Antrodiaetus pacificus (Ara.: Antrodiaetidae)  Nathan Fisk

   Rosemary Jorna writes:  Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society was clearing broom from Whiffin Spit today when I came across these caterpillars getting an early start on the season.  Jeremy Tatum responds:   This is the Silver-spotted Tiger Moth.  They have spent the winter as young caterpillars.  The foodplant looks like Douglas Fir, which is usual.

 

Silver-spotted Tiger Moth Lophocampa argentata (Erebidae – Arctiinae)

 Rosemary Jorna

 Silver-spotted Tiger Moth Lophocampa argentata (Erebidae – Arctiinae) Rosemary Jorna

   Rosemary continues:  And when we got home this little moth was resting on the window screen.  Jeremy responds:  Another identification problem for us!  It is a pug (Eupithecia sp.)   These pugs are difficult, and there are lots of them!  My best guess is that this one might be Eupithecia annulata – but I can’t be certain.

 

Pug Eupithecia sp. (possibly annulata) (Lep.: Geometridae)  Rosemary Jorna