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.

June 11

2018 June 11

 

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  The Lorquin’s Admiral shown below came from the caterpillar and chrysalis shown in various stages on May 30, 31, June 1.  I released it this morning on the Philadelphus at the entrance to the Mount Tolmie reservoir.  There were at least another four Lorquin’s Admirals on the same bush, all in pristine fresh condition.

Lorquin’s Admiral Limenitis lorquini (Lep.: Nymphalidae) Jeremy Tatum

 

   Nathan Fisk writes (June 10):  Wonderful day to be a naturalist! A good break in the clouds and wind for all the inverts to emerge. Many Lorquin’s Admirals, Tiger and Anise swallowtails, Propertius Duskywing (attached), Eight-spotted Skimmer, blue damselflies, a “dusty” blue dragonfly that I’ve not seen before,  ‎ and abundant Bombus vosnesenskii, melanopygus and bifarius feeding on Snowberry and Himalayan Blackberry.

Propertius Duskywing Erynnis propertius (Lep.: Hesperiidae)  Nathan Fisk

Lorquin’s Admiral Limenitis lorquini (Lep.: Nymphalidae)  Nathan Fisk

 

 

 

   Liam Singh sends photographs of two caterpillars from Mount Tolmie.  Jeremy Tatum writes:  I believe the first is Tetracis sp.   It may be T. jubararia, though I have never seen one that colour, so there is a possibility that it is a different species.


Tetracis sp.? (Lep.: Geometridae)  Liam Singh

 

    Liam’s next photograph is the same species of noctuid caterpillar that Nathan Fisk showed on June 1.  Jeremy Tatum writes:  I have seen this caterpillar several times in previous years, but I have never found out what it is.  I am very anxious to find out.  If any viewer finds one like this, please retain it for me.

Unidentified noctuid caterpillar  (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Liam Singh

 

 

   Also from Moun Tolmie, writes Liam Singh:  One highlight was being able to see 11 adult Oak Treehoppers! They were along the North side in a small Garry Oak.

Oak Treehopper Platycotis vittatus (Hem.: Membracidae)  Liam Singh

 

Oak Treehoppers Platycotis vittatus (Hem.: Membracidae)  Liam Singh

 

    More in the queue.  Postings may be slow this week.  Keep the photographs and observations coming – but expect some delays.   Jeremy Tatum