July 26

 

    Re the mites on geometrid moths, as shown on July 22 and 25, I am told that “Erythraeids, particularly members of the subfamily Leptinae,  quite commonly parasitize Lepidoptera, but not with any obvious host specificity. This is probably an erythraeid based on its being bright red.  But don’t quote me!”

   -so I shan’t say who it is, other than what the press would call a “usually reliable source”!

    Gordon Hart sends a picture of a Scallop Shell Moth from the Highlands.

Scallop Shell Rheumaptera undulata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Gordon Hart

      Jochen Möhr sends a picture of Tolype distincta from Metchosin.

Tolype distincta (Lep.: Lasiocampidae)  Jochen Möhr

 

   Jochen also writes:  Woodland Skippers have been around here for a few days now.  Today was the first time I managed to get a picture.

Woodland Skipper Ochlodes sylvanoides (Lep.: Hesperiidae) Jochen Möhr