2018 September 28

 

   There are still Cabbage Whites around.  Jeremy Tatum writes that he saw several in various places on the Saanich Peninsula today.

 

   Ron Flower writes:  Today Friday 28^th, we went to Beacon Hill Park and found this fresh looking Mourning Cloak. We found it along the paved trail by the maintenance yard.   Jeremy Tatum comments:  We have had very, very few Mourning Cloaks this year.  Offhand, without looking it up, I can think of only one previous sighting this year in the southern Vancouver Island birdwatching area.

Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa (Lep.: Nymphalidae)  Ron Flower

Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa (Lep.: Nymphalidae)  Ron Flower

 

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  Here is a Yellow Woolly Bear caterpillar from Longview Farms, Central Saanich, today.   The colour of this caterpillar may vary from brown, like this one, through yellow, even to white.  At this time of year, we may find several species of woolly bear.  October, especially, is the month for the Banded Woolly Bear.  Many are often seen in Panama Flats.   Some of the woolly bears, such as the Yellow Woolly Bear, are fairly easy to rear to adult moth.  Viewers should be aware, however, that the Banded Woolly Bear is among the most difficult caterpillars to rear successfully.  If you are interested in rearing caterpillars for the first time, the Banded Woolly Bear is not a good one to start with.

Yellow Woolly Bear Spilosoma virginica (Lep.: Erebidae – Arctiinae)  Jeremy Tatum