2019 February 20

 

   The photograph below was obtained by Gordon Hart at Royal Bay Beach Park, Metchosin, on February 19.  Although we cannot identify the unhappy caterpillar – other than at family level, Noctuidae – it serves as a reminder that caterpillars are to be found at this season, even if it takes the sharp eyes of a pipit to find one.  The caterpillar is in its penultimate instar and, before the unfortunate incident, it was planning to undergo ecdysis soon – as can be seen by the small old head capsule.

 

Unidentified caterpillar (Lep.: Noctuidae),  and

American Pipit Anthus rubescens (Pas.: Motacillidae)

Gordon Hart