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.

2023 November 6

2023 November 6

   Aziza Cooper writes:  Here is a photo taken by Claire Ebendinger “a few days ago” in an old mine shaft at Jocelyn Hill. She also saw a bat in the cave.

Jeremy Tatum writes:  An interesting picture!   These are American Tissue Moths Triphosa haesitata.  They are reputed to overwinter in large gregarious masses in the interiors of caves and mines where the temperature is fairly constant without large and rapid variations.  It is good to see that these moths are living up to their reputation in this Jocelyn Hill mine.

 

American Tissue Moths Triphosa haesitata  (Lep.: Geometridae)  Claire Ebendinger

 

2023 November 5

2023 November 5

   There are still a few dragon/damselflies around.  Gordon Hart photographed these two dragonflies around the Pike Lake Substation ponds on November 4 – kindly identified for us by Dr Rob Cannings.  Rob tells us that Aeshna palmata, A. umbrosa, Sympetrum vicinum and perhaps Lestes congener are still possibilities for a few more days – so let’s keep a look-out for them. Are any butterflies ( e.g. Cabbage Whites) still possible?

 

Autumn (formerly “Yellow-legged”) Meadowhawk Sympetrum vicinum
(Odo.: Libellulidae)
Gordon Hart

 

Shadow Darner Aeshna umbrosa (Odo.: Aeshnidae)  Gordon Hart

 

 

 

2023 November 3

2023 November 3

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  I saw my first Winter Moth Operophtera brumata of the season today, at the Swan Lake Nature House – out of reach of my camera.  The Juniper Carpet Thera juniperata  shown below was at my Saanich apartment building this morning.

 

Juniper Carpet Thera juniperata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jeremy Tatum

2023 November 2

2023 November 2

November Butterfly!

Kirsten Mills reports one Cabbage White on Begbie Avenue this afternoon, November 2.

2023 November 1

2023 November 1

   Is a November butterfly possible?

Kirsten Mills reports one Cabbage White along North Dairy Road on October 31, 2023.

 

Jochen Möhr from Metchosin offes a picture of an old friend – he, she, it – has been sharing my office with me for months now.    Dr Robb Bennett writes: almost certainly Eratigena duellica, the European “giant house spider”. A female.

 

Eratigena duellica (Ara.: Agelenidae)   Jochen Möhr