{"id":1030,"date":"2014-07-31T16:02:53","date_gmt":"2014-07-31T23:02:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/?p=1030"},"modified":"2017-04-19T14:34:07","modified_gmt":"2017-04-19T21:34:07","slug":"june-july-2014-archive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/?p=1030","title":{"rendered":"June – July 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"

2014 July 30<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some of us are noticing how very scarce butterflies of any sort are flying just now. Even Tiger Swallowtails, Lorquin\u2019s Admirals and Pine Whites seem to be scarce. The best bet for butterflies is to look at the very summits of some of our local hills after six in the evening to see Painted Ladies. But have a look at the July 14 entry for further suggestions. There are several species of butterfly that have not been mentioned in this year\u2019s Alerts – but you have to go out into the countryside to find them.<\/p>\n

Annie Pang sends photographs of Cosmia praeacuta <\/em><\/strong>from the Gorge\/Tillicum area, July 19.<\/p>\n

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\nCosmia praeacuta <\/em>(Lep.: Noctuidae) Annie Pang<\/p>\n

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\nCosmia praeacuta <\/em>(Lep.: Noctuidae) Annie Pang<\/p>\n

Jeff Gaskin writes: On Sunday July 27, around 6 pm. there were an Anise Swallowtail<\/strong>, a Red Admiral, and 2 Painted Ladies<\/strong> on or flying around the cement reservoir on Mt. Tolmie – to which Jeremy Tatum adds: There were also Painted Ladies <\/strong>on the top of Christmas Hill at the same time.<\/p>\n

Val George writes: Here is my butterfly list for the official July count done for Mt Douglas and the surrounding area; I did the count July 27.<\/p>\n

Anise Swallowtail 2 <\/strong>(summit), Cabbage White 11, Lorquin’s Admiral 1, Painted Lady 4 <\/strong>(summit), Pine White 8, Western Tiger Swallowtail 6, Woodland Skipper 1.
\n<\/strong>
\nVal also attaches a photo of a female Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis<\/em>)<\/strong> taken on July 25 behind the Red Barn Market on West Saanich Rd.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong>
\nFemale Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis <\/em>(Odo.: Libellulidae) Val George<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum writes that the Satyr Comma <\/strong>caterpillar shown on July 26 pupated on July 28 and made a nice chrysalis:<\/p>\n

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\nSatyr Comma Polygonia satyrus <\/em>(Lep. Nymphalidae) Jeremy Tatum<\/p>\n

2014 July 26<\/strong><\/p>\n

Identification Problems<\/strong>
\nColias<\/em>, Polygonia<\/em>, Yponomeuta<\/em>
\nJeremy Tatum<\/p>\n

Colias<\/span><\/em>,<\/span><\/strong> the sulphur butterflies. Pristine fresh males might be easy if one sees both upper and undersides. Unfortunately, sulphurs almost always settle and rest with their wings closed, so we don\u2019t often get a good prolonged look at the uppersides. Females of several of the Colias <\/em>species have an occasional-to-common white form, and white females are perhaps the most difficult forms to identify. I believe that Aziza Cooper\u2019s July 21 butterfly (see July 22 posting) is a white female, so we have a problem!<\/p>\n

The plausible possibilities in our area are<\/p>\n

Western Sulphur C. occidentalis<\/em>
\nClouded Sulphur C. philodice<\/em>
\nOrange Sulphur C. eurytheme<\/em><\/p>\n

I hope I\u2019m not too hasty, but I don\u2019t think Aziza\u2019s butterfly is occidentalis<\/em>,so we are left with the other two. I cannot say that I am certain which of the two it is. In most pictures that I have seen of the two species, the hindwing underside of those labelled (rightly or wrongly!) as eurytheme<\/em> has a fairly conspicuous row of submarginal spots. These spots are much less bold in pictures that are supposed to be philodice. <\/em>Such spots are almost completely absent in Aziza\u2019s photo. Based on this I\u2019d agree with Aziza that her butterfly is more likely to be philodice<\/em>, the Clouded Sulphur<\/strong>. We should be on the look-out for more of these butterflies. If you can see conspicuous orange on a male upperside, it\u2019ll be Eurytheme<\/em>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Polygonia<\/span><\/em>,<\/strong> the commas (formerly anglewings). I find these very difficult, and Val George has set us a problem with his July 13 upper and underside (see July 17 posting).<\/p>\n

The plausible possibilities in our area are<\/p>\n

Satyr Comma P. satyrus<\/em>
\nGreen Comma P. faunus<\/em>
\nGrey Comma P. progne<\/em>
\nOreas Comma P. oreas<\/em>
\nHoary Comma P. gracilis<\/em>
\n\u201cZephyr\u201d Comma P. zephyrus<\/em><\/p>\n

Val\u2019s photos are certainly not satyrus <\/em>or faunus<\/em>, while progne<\/em> has never been recorded anywhere near Vancouver Island.<\/p>\n

Not everyone regards \u201czephyrus<\/em>\u201d as a separate species, and on this site I am regarding the \u201cZephyr\u201d Comma as a subspecies (the one that is supposed to occur on Vancouver Island) of the Hoary Comma, and I call it P. gracilis zephyrus. <\/em>The problem of comma identification is already hard enough without trying to deal with subspecies, so, for Val\u2019s butterfly, we have to decide between P<\/em>. oreas <\/em>and P. gracilis<\/em>. I’m not sure myself, and I’d like to see to two species side by side.\u00a0 Val is leaning towards gracilis.\u00a0 We’d welcome comments.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Yponomeuta<\/span><\/em><\/strong>, the small ermine moths. The adults of the species Y. malinellus<\/em> and Y. padella<\/em> are similar. Whether they are distinguishable other than by dissection I am not yet sure. I\u2019ll try to rear some next year. Eric LaGasa, Washington micro expert, agrees with my suggestion that larvae feeding on Malus<\/em> are likely to be malinellus<\/em>, while larvae feeding on Crataegus <\/em>are likely to be padella<\/em>. Also the cocoons are distinct. The cocoon of malinellus <\/em>is dense, white and opaque, whereas that of padella<\/em> is a flimsy net-like structure. I labelled most examples that appeared earlier on this site as malinellus<\/em>. However, the foodplant of some of them was known to be Crataegus, <\/em>so when I get round to it (perhaps not too far in the future) I should re-label these as padella.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Annie Pang writes: I got this picture on July 21st at Gorge Park. I saw the wasp drop to the ground carrying this spider which I had identified as possibly a Misumena vatia<\/em> although it would be hard to tell with this wasp eating it!<\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum comments: There is a family of wasps, Pompilidae, that specializes in hunting spiders, but this is not one of them. It is a vespid, Polistes <\/em>sp<\/strong>. Interesting. I agree with Annie that the spider may well be Misumena vatia<\/em>, but it is probably not safe to label it as such.<\/p>\n

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\nPaper wasp Polistes <\/em>sp. (Hym.: Vespidae) with spider. Annie Pang<\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum writes: Here is an unusually white form of the caterpillar of a Satyr Comma <\/strong>from Lochside Drive north of Blenkinsop Lake, July 24.<\/p>\n

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\nSatyr Comma Polygonia satyrus <\/em>(Lep.: Nymphalidae) Jeremy Tatum<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum writes: On July 25 there were a Painted Lady<\/strong> and a Red Admiral<\/strong> on the Mount Tolmie reservoir. It is best to go after about 6:00 pm to see these late-afternoon hill-topping nymphalids.<\/p>\n

Jeff Gaskin writes: On July 17, Nairn Hollett tells me that Government House had the following butterflies: 1 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 4 Western Tiger Swallowtails, and 2 Lorquin\u2019s Admirals. <\/strong>Today in Beacon Hill Park on July 22, in the southern woods the best I could come up with was 1 Western Tiger Swallowtail<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum writes: Viewers may have seen a bold headline in the July 23 Times-Colonist<\/em>: Burrowing Caterpillars Scar Lilacs<\/strong>. The species concerned is Gracillaria syringella <\/em>(Lep.: Gracillariidae), also known as Caloptilia syringella<\/em>. A close-up of an adult, photographed by Terry Thormin, appeared on this site on 2010 May 17.<\/p>\n

Libby Avis writes from Alberni: Got Anarta <\/em><\/strong>(formerly Dicestra<\/em>) farnhami<\/em><\/strong> on July 19th; it\u2019s the first time I\u2019ve seen it here. Also Melanchra adjuncta<\/em><\/strong> on July 17th. Have only seen it once before and that was in 2008.<\/p>\n

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\nAnarta farnhami <\/em>(Lep.: Noctuidae) Libby Avis<\/p>\n

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\nMelanchra adjuncta <\/em>(Lep.: Noctuidae) Libby Avis<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Morgan Davies sends a photo of Apamea amputatrix<\/em><\/strong> from a light trap on Sidney Island, July 2.<\/p>\n

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\nApamea amputatrix <\/em>(Lep.: Noctuidae) Morgan Davies<\/p>\n

2014 July 22 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Colias<\/em> alert! <\/strong>Aziza Cooper reports two or three sulphur <\/strong>butterflies at Panama Flats on July 21. She photographed one of them – below. Not 100 percent sure of the exact species yet, but we\u2019ll post as soon as we know for sure. In the meantime, I thought I ought not to delay in posting the sighting. The one below is nectaring at bindweed. It may also be attracted to clovers, melilot and lucerne.<\/p>\n

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\nSulphur Colias <\/em>sp. (Lep.: Pieridae) Aziza Cooper<\/p>\n

The Monarch that was at Panama Flats on Sunday, July 20, hasn\u2019t been seen again – but keep a look-out and let us know.<\/p>\n

Annie Pang sends photos of two nice moths from her home in the Gorge\/Tillicum area, July 7.<\/p>\n

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\nLesser Yellow Underwing Noctua comes <\/em>(Lep.: Noctuidae) Annie Pang<\/p>\n

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\nLesser Yellow Underwing Noctua comes <\/em>(Lep.: Noctuidae) Annie Pang<\/p>\n

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\nGirdler Moth Dargida procinctus <\/em>(Lep.: Noctuidae) Annie Pang<\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum writes: The moth below is a very tiny moth, and I couldn\u2019t get it as sharp as I would have liked. Viewers will have often noticed a swollen gall at the base of the midrib of the leaves of Rhamnus purshiana<\/em>. This is caused by the caterpillar of a moth of the family Cosmopterygidae, Sorhagenia nimbosa<\/strong>. <\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/em>
\nSorhagenia nimbosa <\/em>(Lep.: Cosmopterygidae) Jeremy Tatum<\/p>\n

Jeff Gaskin writes: In Cuthbert Holmes Park today, July 21, there were 11 Lorquin\u2019s Admirals, 3 Pine Whites and 1 Woodland Skipper. Western Tiger Swallowtails<\/strong> seem to be petering out – there was one on the 500 block of Gorge road West today, and only one in Gorge Park on Saturday July the 19th. In Cecilia Ravine were just 2 Lorquin\u2019s Admirals, 1 Woodland Skipper, and 8 Cabbage Whites.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2014 July 20<\/strong><\/p>\n

Monarch!!! <\/strong>Jeremy Tatum saw one, pristine fresh, at Panama Flats today. Honest!
\nNo kidding! Has anyone else seen one? Please do let us know.<\/p>\n

Jeff Gaskin writes: This morning, July 17th, there was a Woodland Skipper<\/strong> on lavender in a playground at the end of Cecilia Avenue, just to the north of Cecilia Ravine in the Burnside-Gorge Community.<\/p>\n

Bill Katz sends a photo of a small ermine moth of the genus Yponomeuta<\/em><\/strong>, from Summit Hill. The exact species is a bit difficult to determine, but this one looks more like Y. malinellus<\/em>, <\/strong>whose caterpillar feeds on apple (including crab-apple) leaves.<\/p>\n

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\nYponomeuta malinellus <\/em>(Lep.: Yponomeutidae) Bill Katz<\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum writes: Visitors to Panama Flats will notice a strikingly striped leaf beetle on the Beggarticks, a.k.a Bur Marigold, a.k.a. Bidens<\/em>. This is Calligrapha californica<\/em><\/strong>. I managed to photograph one of them on July 20.<\/p>\n

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\nCalligrapha californica <\/em>(Col.: Chrysomelidae) Jeremy Tatum<\/p>\n

2014 July 17<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jeff Gaskin reports that the Tuesday Group saw at least 6 Pine Whites<\/strong> at Witty\u2019s Lagoon on July 15, at about the same time that Jeremy Tatum saw his first at UVic, where there are now lots of them. Jeff also noted them around Calvert Park and Hector Road the following day.<\/p>\n

Still lots of Painted Ladies <\/strong>in the evenings on the reservoir or near the Jeffery Pine on Mount Tolmie. Most are rather worn, but one on July 16 was pristine fresh.<\/p>\n

Val George reports a Hudsonian Whiteface <\/strong>from San Juan Ridge (near Jordan River), July 13. Also from there a comma believed to be a Hoary Comma<\/strong>. (Jeremy Tatum comments: I still don\u2019t know how to tell the difference between a Hoary Comma and an Oreas Comma. If anyone has any comments on the butterfly in Val\u2019s photos, do let us know.)<\/p>\n

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\nHudsonian Whiteface Leucorrhinia hudsonica <\/em>(Odo.: Libellulidae) Val George<\/p>\n

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\nHoary Comma Polygonia gracilis <\/em>(Lep.: Nymphalidae) Val George<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/em>
\nHoary Comma Polygonia gracilis <\/em>(Lep.: Nymphalidae) Val George<\/p>\n

There are some butterflies to look out for that we haven\u2019t yet had on this site this year.
\nGreat Arctic, Common Wood Nymph, Hydaspe Fritillary, Margined White, Dun Skipper.<\/p>\n

Great Arctic. This is an even year, so this is when they are supposed to be around. Dates when they have been previously reported to this site are July 5 and 10, 2012, and July 9, 2013 (an odd year!). This, therefore, is the time of year. I went up Mount Wells
\n(for probably the last time!) on July 15, but I drew blank. I got there at 8:00 am, hoping to beat the heat, but it was dangerously hot even at that time in the morning. The only butterflies I saw there were a few Woodland Skippers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Common Wood Nymph. You might try the DND grounds near the RPBO – but you\u2019ll need permission. Or the railway line north of Chemainus. A long shot – the DAO.<\/p>\n

Hydaspe Fritillary. Perhaps way along the hydro line by Spectacle Lake.<\/p>\n

Margined White – maybe the railway line north of Malahat station, or Bright Angel Park.<\/p>\n

Dun Skipper. You could try the Kinsol trestle.<\/p>\n

2014 July 14<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saturday, July 19 <\/em>
\nFIELD TRIP (LEVEL 3)<\/strong>
\nDragonflies in the Wild<\/strong>
\nLast summer, entomologist Gord Hutchings took us out to the ponds at Elk\/Beaver Lake and we enjoyed close-up looks at many of the dragonfly wonders that live here. This year we will head out to the wilds for an all-day outing. We shall also check out birds as we travel through the forest. Consider this a Dragonfly and Bird Extravaganza! Our planned location will probably be around the Nanaimo Lakes area but the final destination will be chosen closer to the date. Ideally we will be near a pond, a river and a lake to get the most diversity of species, birds and dragonflies. Gord has seen some rather uncommon dragonflies in that rich area. The success of this field trip depends on its being a sunny day as they are only active when it is nice out. We will be in some very rough terrain around the edges of waterways, so you might wish to bring your gumboots, and a hiking stick might be good as well. Bring a lunch for the all-day outing. We will probably meet at 7:00 a.m. at Helmcken Park & Ride to carpool. Contact Agnes at thelynns@shaw.ca or 250-721-0634 to register or for more information.<\/p>\n

Saturday, July 19 to Sunday, July 27 <\/em>
\nVICTORIA BUTTERFLY COUNT<\/strong>
\nWe are always looking for keen-eyed volunteers to submit butterfly records. If you would like to participate, please contact Aziza Cooper at tanageraz@yahoo.com.<\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum writes: At this time of year, butterflies are mostly Western Tiger Swallowtails <\/strong>and Lorquin\u2019s Admirals. <\/strong>However in the late afternoon (say about 6 o\u2019clock) nymphalids are hill-topping. Thus in the last few days (written on July 14) Painted Ladies <\/strong>have been seen at the tops of Mount Tolmie, Christmas Hill and Highrock Park. Doubtless they are to be found at the tops of other hills, too, as well as possibly some other butterflies. On July 13 I saw a Mourning Cloak<\/strong> at Rithet\u2019s Bog.<\/p>\n

Jeff Gaskin writes: This morning, Sat. July 12, there was a Painted Lady<\/strong> on a buddleia bush along with swallowtails<\/strong>, and a Lorquin\u2019s Admiral<\/strong> at 410 Gorge Road West. Nearby but down a block on Gorge Road was a Pale Tiger Swallowtail<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Bill Katz adds a new moth to this site with a photo of Plemyra georgii<\/em><\/strong> from Goldstream Park on July 13. Jeremy Tatum photographed another Enargia infumata<\/em><\/strong> at his Saanich apartment on July 14. Not sure whether the slightly different coluur of this moth from the July 3 one is a real colour difference between the moths, or part of the vagaries of digital photography.<\/p>\n

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\nPlemyra georgii <\/em>(Lep.: Geometridae) Bill Katz<\/p>\n

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\nEnargia infumata <\/em>(Lep.: Noctuidae) Jeremy Tatum<\/p>\n

2014 July 10<\/strong><\/p>\n

Val George reports 2 Painted Ladies <\/strong>and a Red Admiral<\/strong> on the reservoir at the summit of Mt Tolmie on July 8 (photos attached).<\/p>\n

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\nPainted Lady Vanessa cardui <\/em>(Lep.: Nymphalidae) Val George<\/p>\n

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\nRed Admiral Vanessa atalanta <\/em>(Lep.: Nymphalidae) Val George<\/p>\n

Jeff Gaskin reports 4 Painted Ladies, 1 Pale Tiger Swallowtail, several Western Tiger Swallowtails and lots of Lorquin\u2019s Admirals<\/strong> on Mount Tolmie on July 7.<\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum writes: I saw an Anise Swallowtail <\/strong>at Island View Beach on July 6. In the days when this was still a common butterfly, the caterpillars at IVB used to feed on Lomatium<\/em> and Glehnia<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Every morning now there are several Common Emerald <\/strong>moths outside my apartment. On July 7 they were joined there by a Eulithis xylina<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\nEulithis xylina <\/em>(Lep.: Geometridae) Jeremy Tatum<\/p>\n

Jochen Moehr sends a photo of a very strange creature from Metchosin. It is a clearwing moth<\/strong> of the family Sesiidae. Claudia Copley suggested that it is Synanthedon novaroensis<\/em><\/strong>, and, after further study, I\u2019m almost certain that that is what it is. The larva apparently feeds in the cambium layer of various pines and Douglas Fir. Its presence can be detected by a mass of mixed pitch and frass on the tree trunk. A most interesting find.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nSynanthedon novaroensis<\/em> (Lep.: Sesiidae) Jochen Moehr<\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum found a third-instar Polyphemus <\/strong>caterpillar on Cornus stolonifera<\/em> in Lochside Drive north of Blenkinsop Lake on July 8. There was also a Satyr Comma <\/strong>nearby.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nPolyphemus Moth Antheraea polyphemus <\/em>(Lep.: Saturniidae) Jeremy Tatum<\/p>\n

2014 July 6<\/strong><\/p>\n

Colias <\/em>alert! <\/strong>Jeff Gaskin writes: Today around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, there was a sulphur<\/strong> butterfly flying low\u00a0along Logan Avenue and heading towards Harriet Road which is in the Gorge\/Burnside Road community.<\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum responds: Sulphurs are rare visitors to the Victoria area, and we cannot be sure which species this was. Butterfly enthusiasts are asked to look out for sulphurs, in the Gorge area or anywhere else and let us know if they see any, and see if they can identify the species. (Don\u2019t ask me how – I dunno!)<\/p>\n

Bill Katz sends a photo of Eulithis xylina<\/em><\/strong> from his Summit Hill garage. Moths of this genus are known as \u201cphoenix\u201d moths.<\/p>\n

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\nEulithis xylina <\/em>(Lep.: Geometridae) Bill Katz<\/p>\n

It was totally cloudy at the top of Mount Tolmie when a few butterfly enthusiasts gathered there on the morning of July 6, and no butterflies turned up then. However, by 6:00 in the evening it was warm and sunny and the local nymphalids were hill-topping. There was several Lorquin\u2019s Admirals <\/strong>and Painted Ladies <\/strong>(some of the latter quite worn but still flying strongly) and at least one Red Admiral<\/strong>, near the entrance to the reservoir.<\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum writes: I usually assume that any comma seen at UVic is, by default, a Satyr Comma, so I was surprised on Saturday (July 5) to find a chrysalis of the Green Comma <\/strong>on a willow there.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nGreen Comma Polygonia faunus <\/em>(Lep.: Nymphalidae) Jeremy Tatum<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

2014 July 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunday, July 6 <\/em>
\nFIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2)<\/strong>
\nMonthly Butterfly Outing<\/strong><\/strong>
\nJoin Aziza Cooper on the first of a series of Butterfly outings. She hopes to get out on the first Sunday in each month to search for butterflies. Each outing is intended to help us learn more about our local butterflies. This outing is weather dependent. It needs to be warm and sunny to make it worthwhile. We will meet near the top of Mount Tolmie (off Cedar Hill Cross Road) and decide where to go from there. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the main parking lot just north of the summit. Contact Aziza at 250-516-7703 or email Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca for more information. (I believe that Rick Schortinghuis will be leading this trip.)<\/p>\n

Val George was on Mount Douglas on June 25, doing the monthly Butterfly Count, and he scored: 22 Western Tiger Swallowtails, 3 Pale Swallowtails, 1 Anise Swallowtail (summit), 15 Cabbage Whites, 5 Painted Ladies (summit), 1 Propertius Duskywing (summit), 1 Mourning Cloak, 5 Lorquin’s Admirals, c<\/em>50 European (Essex) Skippers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum photographed a moth, Enargia infumata<\/em><\/strong> at his Saanich apartment on July 1. The caterpillar feeds on the leaves of cottonwood. He writes: There seem to be lots of Common Emerald <\/strong>moths Hemithea aestivaria<\/em><\/strong> everywhere just now. Although there were very few Malacosoma<\/em><\/strong> caterpillars this spring, there was an adult M. californicum<\/em><\/strong> outside my apartment this morning (July 3). Satyr Commas<\/strong>, both adults and caterpillars, are to be found just now along Lochside Drive north of Blenkinsop Lake.<\/p>\n

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\nEnargia infumata <\/em>(Lep.: Noctuidae) Jeremy Tatum<\/p>\n

Ken Vaughan sends bunch of photos of a variety of insects.<\/p>\n

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\nSabulodes edwardsata <\/em>(Lep.: Geometridae) Ken Vaughan<\/p>\n

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\nWestern Tiger Swallowtail Papilio rutulus <\/em>(Lep.: Papilionidae) Ken Vaughan<\/p>\n

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\nEllychnia hatchi <\/em>(Col.: Lampyridae) Ken Vaughan<\/p>\n

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\nMale Eight-spotted Skimmer Libellula forensis <\/em>(Odo.: Libellulidae) Ken Vaughan<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nMale Western Pondhawk Erythemis collocata <\/em>(Odo.: Libellulidae) Ken Vaughan<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2014 June 30<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum writes: I am now back from holidays in England. Sorry for the long gap in the Invert Alerts. I had some fancy notion that I might somehow be able to continue to operate it from England, but that proved to be beyond my limited computer abilities. We should be back in business now, so keep your reports and pictures coming in.<\/p>\n

I saw lots of butterflies in England, and I thank Sussex butterfly enthusiast David Harris for taking me out to show me so many of them on the South Downs.<\/p>\n

One of the butterflies I saw was the genuine Ringlet <\/strong>butterfly – named for the conspicuous \u201cringlet\u201d marks on the undersides of its wings. The Ringlet is not at all like our local butterfly that we illogically call the (Adjective) \u201cRinglet\u201d. Our butterfly is really a local population of the widespread Holarctic Large Heath Coenonympha tullia<\/em>. <\/strong>This species unsurprisingly varies quite a lot over its wide range, and many of these minor varieties have received separate specific names from overenthusiastic taxonomists. Our Vancouver Island population is distinguished by having no trace of a \u201cringlet\u201d mark at all! The immature stages are indistinguishable from those of the European populations.<\/p>\n

I made a mistake in the June 10 posting, dismissing a noctuid moth photographed by Aziza Cooper as a mere \u201cmicro\u201d, probably a crambid. I apologize to Aziza and most particularly to the moth for this mistake. Libby Avis has identified it for us as a noctuid, Protodeltotes albildula<\/em><\/strong>. I have corrected the text and caption in the June 10 posting.<\/p>\n

During the past two weeks while I was away I received a few reports, as follows.<\/p>\n

June 11. Jeff Gaskin. Painted Ladies<\/strong> on Christmas Hill.
\nJune 14. Ian Cruickshank. A Ceanothus Silk Moth <\/strong>at East Sooke Park.
\nJune 15. Julie Michaux. A Large Yellow Underwing<\/strong> in her Saanich Garden.
\nJune 17. Jeff Gaskin. Seven or more Pale Tiger Swallowtails<\/strong> along Stebbings Road,
\nShawnigan Lake area, as well as a few late Western Spring Azures<\/strong>.
\nAlso, a Mourning Cloak<\/strong> at Providence Farm, Duncan.
\nJune 21. Bill Katz sent photos from Finnerty Gardens and Summit Hill of the moths
\nSpilosoma virginica, Eurrhypara hortulata, Idaea dimidiata <\/em><\/strong>and Udea profundalis<\/strong><\/em>. The first two are shown below.
\nJune 21. Jeff Gaskin. Cuthbert Homes Park. 20 Essex<\/strong> Skippers, 13 Lorquin\u2019s <\/strong>
\nAdmirals, 1 Western Spring Azure, 1 Mourning Cloak.<\/strong>
\nJune 22 Sandra Raftery. Michell Nursery, Lochside Drive. White-lined Hawk Moth<\/strong>.
\nJune 23 Bill Katz. Moths at Summit Hill Callizzia amorata, Hedya nubiferana, Notocelia <\/em>sp.<\/strong>
\nJune 25 Jeff Gaskin. Panama Flats (not including Panama Hill), 213 Essex Skippers<\/strong>.
\nColquitz River Park, 10 Western Tiger Swallowtails and 15 Lorquin\u2019s Admirals.<\/strong>
\nJune 30 Jeremy Tatum. Mount Tolmie, near the Jeffery Pine, a Painted Lady<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong>
\nSpilosoma virginica <\/em>(Lep.:Erebidae – Arctiinae) Bill Katz<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nSmall Magpie Moth Eurrhypara hortulata <\/em>(Lep.: Crambidae) Bill Katz<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nWhite-lined Hawk Moth Hyles lineata <\/em>(Lep.: Sphingidae) Sandra Raftery<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong>
\nLarge Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba <\/em>(Lep.:Noctuidae) Julie Michaux<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2014 June 10<\/strong><\/p>\n

A reminder – Jeremy Tatum will be away on holiday from now to the end of the month, so the Invertebrate Alert site service will be somewhere between spotty and nonexistent during that period. (See June 8 posting.) If I find a computer while I\u2019m away, I may be able to do something. Otherwise, save your reports of sightings and photos. In the meantime, here are two notices from the VNHS calendar to keep you busy. Note that it is very probable that you will find some butterflies in Duncan that you won\u2019t find in Victoria.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunday, June 15<\/em>
\nField Trip (LEVEL 2\/3)<\/strong>
\nDuncan<\/strong> Butterflies<\/strong><\/strong>
\nJoin us on our search for the amazing array of butterflies in this area. This trip is weather dependent. It needs to be sunny to make it worthwhile. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at Helmcken Park and Ride to car-pool or at 10:00 a.m. at the entrance to the boardwalk at Somenos Marsh in Duncan (off the highway north of Beverly). Contact Rick<\/strong> at 250-885-2454 if the weather is doubtful or for more information.<\/p>\n

Saturday, June 21 to Sunday, June 29<\/em>
\nVICTORIA<\/strong> BUTTERFLY COUNT<\/strong>
\nWe are always looking for keen-eyed volunteers to submit butterfly records. If you would like to participate, please contact Aziza Cooper <\/strong>at tanageraz@yahoo.com.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aziza Cooper writes: Today (June 8) I counted 62 Vancouver Island Ringlets<\/strong> at the Quick’s Bottom site on the trail between Markham Road and Wilkinson Road. Several times 5 or more were in the air at once.\u00a0Three more ringlets flushed out of the grassy field north of Layritz Park. Another ringlet was on private property in another field south of Quick’s Bottom. It looks like they’re having a very good year. The only other butterfly I saw today was a Lorquin’s Admiral<\/strong>. I’ve attached a photo of\u00a0a moth I found in the grass at the field north of Layritz Park.<\/p>\n

Jeff Gaskin also noted the ringlets at Layritz Park on June 9, but missed them at Quick\u2019s! Evidently you have to be there at the right time!<\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum comments. This is really good news about these butterflies. What to call them is a bit of a problem, since they have been subject to so much taxonomic revision and name-changing over the years. I take the conservative view and I call all the populations of this very wide-ranging butterfly Coenonympha tullia<\/em><\/strong>, and the English name Large Heath. <\/strong>Regardless, it is very good news to hear about this healthy population at Quick\u2019s Bottom. Libby Avis has kindly identified Aziza\u2019s moth as Protodeltote albidula<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 She writes: They typically come to rest upside down on a stalk of grass – just like Aziza\u2019s photo<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong>
\nProtodeltote albidula<\/em> (Lep.: Noctuidae) Aziza Cooper<\/p>\n

Jeremy continues: I visited Quick\u2019s Bottom on June 9 and I saw a few tullia <\/em><\/strong>there, as well as three Mourning Cloaks. <\/strong>The Reed Canary Grass there is at least as high as an elephant\u2019s eye, and very hard for a hay-fever sufferer. In fact the grass is so high there that I couldn\u2019t reach the birdwatching platform at Quick\u2019s. I saw a couple of nice moth caterpillars, both on rose flowers – Common Emerald Hemithea aestivaria<\/em><\/strong>, and Vapourer Moth Orgyia antiqua<\/em><\/strong>. At Rithet\u2019s Bog I saw a late Western Spring Azure<\/strong>.
\nOn June 10 I found a caterpillar (shown below) of Behrensia conchiformis<\/em><\/strong> on Snowberry at Mount Tolmie.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nBehrensia conchiformis <\/em>(Lep.:Noctuidae) Jeremy Tatum<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2014 June 8<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum writes: I am going on holiday on Wednesday. Back at the end of June. I may occasionally (or may not at all) have access to a computer, and may occasionally (or may not) be able to run the Invert Alert during this period. If you submit any contributions during this period, you may have to wait a while before they are posted. It may be best to save your photos and sightings until I get back.<\/strong>
\nI look forward to seeing them.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Libby Avis sends photos of Sphinx perelegans <\/em><\/strong>from her porch light at Port Alberni, June 7. Also on June 7, a Euclidia ardita<\/em><\/strong> from Mount Arrowsmith.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nSphinx perelegans <\/em>(Lep.:Sphingidae) Libby Avis<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nSphinx perelegans <\/em>(Lep.:Sphingidae) Libby Avis<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nSphinx perelegans <\/em>(Lep.:Sphingidae) Libby Avis<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nEuclidia ardita <\/em>(Lep.:Erebidae) Rick Avis<\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum writes: Western <\/strong>and Pale Tiger Swallowtails <\/strong>and Lorquin\u2019s Admirals <\/strong>are now (June 7) being seen generally. Mourning Cloaks <\/strong>are still around – e.g. two on Mount Tolmie and one at Blenkinsop Lake. There were two Satyr Commas<\/strong>, one of which landed on me, at Bow Park. Also at Bow Park I found a congregation of dozens of Mourning Cloak caterpillars <\/strong>on a willow. (They are highly gregarious.) I took one home briefly to photograph it, and then took it back to join its fellows.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nMourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa <\/em>(Lep.:Nymphalidae)
\nJeremy Tatum<\/p>\n

Val George writes: Butterflies at the top of Mt Douglas this afternoon, June 5: 2 Anise Swallowtails (photo), 2 Western Tiger Swallowtails, 1 Lorquin’s Admiral, 2 Propertius Duskywings, 3 Western Spring Azures, 1 Painted Lady.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong>
\nAnise Swallowtail Papilio zelicaon <\/em>(Lep.:Papilionidae) Val George<\/p>\n

Ken Vaughan sends a few pics from Swan Lake, June 6.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nLorquin\u2019s Admiral Limenitis lorquini <\/em>(Lep.:Nymphalidae) Ken Vaughan<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nPainted Lady Vanessa cardui <\/em>(Lep.:Nymphalidae) Ken Vaughan<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nBlue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis <\/em>(Odo.:Libellulidae) Ken Vaughan<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nBlue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis <\/em>(Odo.:Libellulidae) Ken Vaughan<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Libby Avis sends a \u201cmystery caterpillar\u201d from Alberni on June 4. Any ideas, anyone?<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nMystery caterpillar Libby Avis<\/p>\n

Jeff Gaskin reports a Cedar Hairstreak <\/strong>from Joan Crescent on June 4, while Bruce Whittington saw several in his Ladysmith garden on June 2. Jeff reports Lorquin\u2019s Admirals <\/strong>and Western Tiger Swallowtails<\/strong> from Esquimalt Gorge and Gorge Parks on June 5.
\nLooks as though Bill Katz has been exploring the genus Xanthorhoe<\/em><\/strong>. His X. packardata <\/em><\/strong>was at Finnerty Gardens, and his X. defensaria <\/em><\/strong>at Goldstream Park, June 3.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nXanthorhoe packardata <\/em>(Lep.:Geometridae) Bill Katz<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nXanthorhoe defensaria <\/em>(Lep.:Geometridae) Bill Katz<\/p>\n

Bill also sends a photo of a Rough Prominent <\/strong>from his Summit Hill garage:<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nRough Prominent Nadata gibbosa <\/em>(Lep.:Notodontidae) Bill Katz<\/p>\n

2014 June 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum writes that there were lots of butterflies (seven species) on or near the reservoir or the Jeffrey Pine on Mount Tolmie at 4:00 pm on the afternoon of June 2 – Western and Pale Tiger Swallowtails, Painted Ladies, Mourning Cloak, Lorquin\u2019s Admiral, Propertius Duskywing, Western Spring Azure<\/strong>. Also on Mount Tolmie now you can find young (2nd or 3rd instar caterpillars of the woodling moth Egira crucialis <\/em><\/strong>in the panicles of Ocean Spray.<\/p>\n

Rosemary Jorna writes: I saw this Cedar Hairstreak<\/strong> on Ayum Rd during the Sooke Symphomy Secret Garden Tour, June 1. Late in the afternoon on Tugwell Rd , Otter Point, I saw my first Lorquin\u2019s Admiral<\/strong> for the year\u00a0but could not get a good photo.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nCedar Hairstreak Mitoura rosneri <\/em>(Lep.:Lycaenidae) Rosemary Jorna<\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum sends pictures of a Common Emerald <\/strong>moth, and a chrysalis of Lorquin\u2019s Admiral<\/strong>, from Mount Tolmie, June 3.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nCommon Emerald Hemithea aestivaria <\/em>(Lep.:Geometridae) Jeremy Tatum<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nLorquin\u2019s Admiral Limenitis lorquini <\/em>(Lep.:Nymphalidae
\nJeremy Tatum<\/p>\n

2104 June 01<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum reports that on May 30-31 there were Mourning Cloak, Painted Lady, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Propertius Duskywing <\/strong>on the Mount Tolmie reservoir. He also saw single Mourning Cloaks<\/strong> on May 3 at Maber Flats and at UVic. Also at UVic on May 31 a Satyr Comma<\/strong> and a Lorquin\u2019s Admiral<\/strong>, and on June 1 there a latish Western Spring Azure. <\/strong>Caterpillars of Satyr Comma <\/strong>can now be found on Stinging Nettle at Lochside Drive north of Blenkinsop Lake, and at Swan Lake. Caterpillars of Essex (European) Skipper <\/strong>can now be found on Reed Canary Grass at Panama Flats.<\/p>\n

Bill Katz photographed a Lorquin\u2019s Admiral <\/strong>At Finnerty Gardens, UVic, June 1.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nLorquin\u2019s Admiral Limenitis lorquini <\/em>(Lep.: Nymphalidae)
\nBill Katz<\/p>\n

Is anyone seeing any Malacosoma <\/em><\/strong>caterpillars this year? I have seen exactly one californicum<\/em> and one disstria <\/em>this year. Is anyone else seeing them? Sharon Godkin sent a photo of a big bunch of californicum<\/em> from Powell River on the Mainland, but they seem to be almost absent from the southern part of Vancouver Island.
\nRosemary Jorna sends a bunch of butterfly and damselfly photos from the Otter Point area. She also writes: We have just got back from the Sooke Symphony’s Secret
\nGarden Tour. There were Pale Tiger Swallowtails<\/strong> in the gardens from Cooper\u2019s Cove
\nto French Beach The last garden in the 10000 numbers on West Coast Road had
\n7 of them cruising the flower beds.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nSatyr Comma Polygonia satyrus <\/em>(Lep.:Nymphalidae)
\nRosemary Jorna<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nSatyr Comma Polygonia satyrus <\/em>(Lep.:Nymphalidae)
\nRosemary Jorna<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nSatyr Comma Polygonia satyrus <\/em>(Lep.:Nymphalidae)
\nRosemary Jorna<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nWestern Tiger Swallowtail Papilio rutulus <\/em>(Lep.:Papilionidae)
\nRosemary Jorna<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nPale Tiger Swallowtail Papilio eurymedon <\/em>(Lep.:Papilionidae)
\nRosemary Jorna<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nTule Bluet Enallagma carunculatum <\/em>(Odo.:Coenagrionidae)
\nRosemary Jorna<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nTule Bluet Enallagma carunculatum <\/em>(Odo.:Coenagrionidae)
\nRosemary Jorna
\nKen Vaughan sends some dragonflies from the Beaver Lake Ponds, May 31.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nCardinal Meadowhawk Sympetrum illotum <\/em>(Odo.:Libellulidae)
\nKen Vaughan<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nDot-tailed Whiteface Leucorrhinia intacta <\/em>(Odo.:Libelluluidae)
\nKen Vaughan<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nFour-spotted Skimmer Libellula quadrimaculata <\/em>(Odo.:Libellulidae)
\nKen Vaughan<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Libby Avis sends pictures of the caterpillars of Yponomeuta padella<\/em><\/strong> from the May 24 Metchosin Bioblitz.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nYponomeuta padella <\/em>(Lep.:Yponomeutidae) Libby Avis<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nYponomeuta padella <\/em>(Lep.:Yponomeutidae) Libby Avis<\/p>\n

Marie O\u2019Shaughnessy writes: More butterflies from Government House, Monday May 26, 2014. Despite the wind these little gems did manage to alight upon the Rhodos, Ginkgo tree and other chosen delights. Found two Red Admirals <\/strong>which was nice. The most abundant butterfly at this time appears to be the Cabbage White<\/strong> as well as the Western Tiger Swallowtail<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nPale Tiger Swallowtail Papilio eurymedon <\/em>(Lep.:Papilionidae) Marie O\u2019Shaughnessy<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nRed Admiral Vanessa atalanta <\/em>(Lep.:Nymphalidae) Marie O\u2019Shaughnessy<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nRed Admiral Vanessa atalanta <\/em>(Lep.:Nymphalidae) Marie O\u2019Shaughnessy<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nCabbage White Pieris rapae <\/em>(Lep.:Pieridae) Marie O\u2019Shaughnessy<\/p>\n

Bill Katz sends a photo of three Pandemis cerasana <\/em><\/strong>on Summit Hill, May 29. Two of them in a private moment, and a voyeur, or perhaps a jilted lover.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nPandemis cerasana <\/em>(Lep.:Tortricidae) Bill Katz<\/p>\n

He sends photos of two moths from Prospect Community Hall, June 1.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nSpotted Tiger Moth Lophocampa maculata<\/em>
\n(Lep.:Erebidae -Arctiinae)
\nBill Katz<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nHerald Moth Scoliopteryx libatrix<\/em>
\n(Lep.:Erebidae – Scoliopteriginae)
\nBill Katz<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jeremy Tatum sends a photo of a caterpillar of Orthosia hibisci<\/em><\/strong> from Blenkinsop Lake, and a caterpillar and chrysalis of a Sara Orange-tip <\/strong>from Munn Road.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nOrthosia hibisci <\/em>(Lep.:Noctuidae) Jeremy Tatum<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nSara Orange-tip Anthocharis sara <\/em>(Lep.:Pieridae)
\nJeremy Tatum<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nSara Orange-tip Anthocharis sara <\/em>(Lep.:Pieridae)
\nJeremy Tatum<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

2014 July 30 Some of us are noticing how very scarce butterflies of any sort are flying just now. Even Tiger Swallowtails, Lorquin\u2019s Admirals and Pine Whites seem to be scarce. The best bet for butterflies is to look at the very summits of some of our local hills after six in the evening to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":950,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1030","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-invertebrate-alert"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1030","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1030"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1030\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3656,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1030\/revisions\/3656"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/950"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1030"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1030"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1030"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}