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.

November 26

2017 November 26

 

   Jochen Moehr sends a photograph of a EuropeanWinter Moth from Metchosin.  Right now is the time for someone to go out to the Nature House at Goldstream Park with a camera, and photograph a winter moth there – it will probably be the native Bruce’s Winter Moth.  There may even be some other species there.

 

European Winter Moth Operophtera brumata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Moehr

November 23

2017 November 23

 

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  I counted 44 Winter Moths – all males – around the four outside doors of my Saanich apartment building this morning, and one White-speck Moth.

 

White-speck Moth Mythimna unipuncta

(Lep.: Noctuidae)

Jeremy Tatum

 

   Kirsten Mills writes: Jeff Gaskin and I had a wasp up Observatory Hill yesterday, and two Honey Bees and I think an Autumnal Moth. I only photographed the wasp. We also had a very nice look at a Northern Pygmy Owl.

 

European Paper Wasp Polistes dominula (Hym.: Vespidae) Kirsten Mills

November 19

2017 November 19

 

   Another Winter Moth:

 

Female Winter Moth Operophtera brumata

(Lep.: Geometridae)

Jeremy Tatum

November 18

2017 November 18

 

    Jochen Moehr sends photographs of Winter and Autumnal Moths from Metchosin.  We are also looking out for the native Bruce’s and Danby’s Winter Moths, as well as Erannis vancouverensis. There were very much fewer caterpillars of vancouverensis this spring compared with most years, so there may not be many adults around now.  Try Goldstream Park for bruceata and danbyi.

 

European Winter Moth Operophtera brumata (Lep.: Geometridae)
Jochen Moehr

European Winter Moth Operophtera brumata (Lep.: Geometridae)
Jochen Moehr

Autumnal Moth Epirrita autumnata (Lep.: Geometridae) Jochen Moehr

 

November 11

2017 November 11

 

   A Winter Moth at Jeremy Tatum’s Saanich apartment this morning:

 

Winter Moth Operophtera brumata (Lep.: Geometridae)
Jeremy Tatum