{"id":13073,"date":"2021-01-01T09:05:49","date_gmt":"2021-01-01T17:05:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/?p=13073"},"modified":"2021-01-02T15:11:54","modified_gmt":"2021-01-02T23:11:54","slug":"lajan0121","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/?p=13073","title":{"rendered":"January 1"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

2020 BUTTERFLY REPORT FOR<\/strong><\/p>\n

SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Jeremy Tatum<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This short unofficial report is a summary of butterfly observations made in 2020 within the southern Vancouver Island birdwatching area and submitted to the Victoria Natural History Society\u2019s Invertebrate Alert Website:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/?cat=8<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I am not planning to produce a printed version, but if anyone would like one, let me know\u00a0 (jtatum at uvic dot ca) and I\u2019ll see what I can do.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This report does not (apart from one or two brief mentions of particular interest) include the many butterfly observations reported from Vancouver Island in 2020 outside the area described above (for full definition, see any issue of the Annual Bird Report).\u00a0 Nor does it include the results of the Monthly Butterfly Counts organized by Gordon Hart, which cover the area of the Victoria Christmas Bird Count Circle. These are published by Gordon in the 2021 January\/February issue of the Victoria Naturalist.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/em>It is hoped that this report, as well as the Monthly Count data, will give readers some idea of the dates when and places where our several butterflies can be found.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The year 2020 was extraordinary in the very small number of almost all species of butterfly.\u00a0 It was one of the worst years for butterflies in the area that I remember.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

HESPERIIDAE – Pyrginae<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PROPERTIUS DUSKYWING<\/strong><\/p>\n

Erynnis propertius<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There were only six reports, all of single butterflies, during the period April 15 to May 27.\u00a0 The areas where they were reported from were Mount Tolmie, Highlands, Metchosin, Goldstream Park.\u00a0 This cannot have been the total number of butterflies in the area – doubtless others were seen but not reported.\u00a0 Nevertheless, numbers must have been very much down compared with a typical year. A late sighting from Nanaimo River Road on June 17 was outside the area covered by the report.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[ROADSIDE SKIPPER<\/strong><\/p>\n

Amblyscirtes vialis<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>Although this report covers only the area described above, the sighting of a Roadside Skipper by Mark Wynja and Mike Yip on NW Bay logging Road, Nanoose, on June 28, is sufficiently noteworthy to make this exception.]<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[TWO-BANDED GRIZZLED SKIPPER<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pyrgus ruralis<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

As in 2018, no reports of this species were received by Invert Alert this year, and there was only one in 2019.\u00a0\u00a0 This small butterfly is easy to miss; nevertheless it seems that it must now be regarded as a rarity in our area.]<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

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

HESPERIIDAE – Heteroptinae<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

ARCTIC SKIPPER <\/strong><\/p>\n

Carterocephalus palaemon<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>This species has long been rare within the boundaries of our area, so it is good to record that one was seen along the railway line north of Cowichan Station on May 5.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

HESPERIIDAE – Hesperiinae<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ESSEX<\/strong> SKIPPER<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thymelicus lineola<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>This European species is one of the most abundant butterflies in the area.\u00a0 Reports were from June 17 to August 4.\u00a0\u00a0 On June 24, 46 were counted in Panama Flats and a further 11 in Layritz Park.\u00a0 During a VNHS field trip perhaps hundreds – too many to count – were seen in Layritz Park. \u201cMany\u201d – presumably meaning too many to attempt an accurate count – were reported from Metchosin on July 10, and in Uplands Park, Oak Bay, on July 12.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[BRANDED SKIPPER<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hesperia comma<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In this Report, the \u201cWestern\u201d Branded Skipper (treated as a distinct species by some authors) is included under Hesperia comma<\/em>.\u00a0 Because of the Covid-19 virus, the Tsawout First Nation requested non-members not to walk through their property this year, a request that was readily adhered to by butterfly watchers.\u00a0 Thus we had no reports of the Branded Skipper this year.]<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WOODLAND SKIPPER<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ochlodes sylvanoides<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0 <\/em>The first report was of one seen during a VNHS field trip on July 6.\u00a0 There were no further reports until July 23, when a single was reported from Metchosin. After that, two\u00a0 were reported on August 1, and\u00a0 the species was seen thereafter throughout August, although the great majority of these were reported from Metchosin, where they were common. In the Victoria area, judging from the number of reports sent to Invert Alert, they were remarkably scarce, a total of only 14 reported from Victoria and the Saanich Peninsula during August.\u00a0 Several remained in scattered localities until September 8, plus one late single seen in Beacon Hill Park on September 24.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

DUN SKIPPER<\/strong><\/p>\n

Euphyes vestris<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>One was seen and photographed on June 28 by Ron Flower on the way to the Kinsol Trestle.\u00a0 This species (officially \u201cAt Risk\u201d) was once regular (though uncommon) near the Kinsol Trestle, although its habitat suffered disturbance during the restoration of the trestle.\u00a0 It is good to know that it still occurs there.\u00a0 On the same date, Mark Wynja and Mike Yip saw one in Nanoose, outside the area covered by the Report.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PAPILIONIDAE – Parnassiinae<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CLODIUS PARNASSIAN<\/strong><\/p>\n

Parnassius clodius<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Outside the area covered by this report, there were sightings and photographs from Nanaimo River Road, the Matterhorn (Shirley), and in the Sooke Hills.\u00a0 Within our area, there was only one possible sighting, on May 27.\u00a0 However, see Rocky Mountain Parnassian.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PARNASSIAN<\/strong><\/p>\n

Parnassius smintheus<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>A Parnassian was photographed by Ron Flower along the railway line at Cowichan Station on May 27.\u00a0 There is some uncertainty as to whether it was Parnassius clodius <\/em>or P. smintheus<\/em>.\u00a0 However, I am listing it here under smintheus<\/em>. The photograph can be seen on Invert Alert for May 27 evening. If this is indeed smintheus <\/em>(as seems likely although not certain), perhaps sightings of parnassians from this location in previous years and recorded under clodius <\/em>might actually have been smintheus<\/em>.\u00a0 Butterfliers are asked to take careful note of parnassians seen at Cowichan Station next year.\u00a0 Larval foodplants of both species (Bleeding Heart for clodius, <\/em>Stonecrop for smintheus<\/em>) are common there.)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PAPILIONIDAE – Papilioninae<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

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

ANISE SWALLOWTAIL<\/strong><\/p>\n

Papilio zelicaon<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One was seen on Mount Tolmie on April 16.\u00a0 No further reports until May 13.\u00a0 There were 11 sightings from May 13 – June 18, nine of them from Metchosin.\u00a0 One was seen on Mount Douglas May 19. and one at Island View Beach on June 2.\u00a0\u00a0 There was a late sighting at Island View Beach on September 8.\u00a0\u00a0 At least five caterpillars were found\u00a0 feeding on Oenanthe sarmentosa <\/em>in Bow Park, Saanich, on September 18.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WESTERN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL<\/strong><\/p>\n

Papilio rutulus<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>First reported from Francis\/King Park on May 16, a very (record?) late start for the season.\u00a0\u00a0 After that it was regular, but not often in large numbers, until the last reported sighting on July 24.\u00a0 The largest counts reported on a single day were 6-8 at Duncan sewage lagoons on June 17, and an encouraging 34 at Royal Roads University on July 20. Other than that, although there were reports on most days, never more than three were reported on a single day.\u00a0 A pupa (which would have been formed by a caterpillar in 2019) was found by Robb Bennett on May 21, from which the adult successfully emerged on May 27.\u00a0 A second-instar caterpillar was found\u00a0on Ocean Spray\u00a0(an uncommon\u00a0foodplant) near Munn Road on June 22.\u00a0 Its final instar pupated on August 1.\u00a0 The pupa will overwinter.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PALE TIGER SWALLOWTAIL<\/strong><\/p>\n

Papilio eurymedon<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reported from May 15 to July 10, plus one late one on Jul 29.\u00a0 Seven were reported on May 27 (six from the Kinsol Trestle, and one from Goldstream Heights), and five were reported from Kemp Lake on June 1.\u00a0 Other than that, all reports from within our area were of just one or two per day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PIERIDAE – Pierinae <\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PINE WHITE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Neophasia menapia<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reported from July 20 to September 8, plus one late one at Beechey Head on September 21.\u00a0 The first report, on July 20, was also the largest one of the year – 28 at Royal Roads University and nearby.\u00a0 About 20 were reported from various locations from July 22 to August 3.\u00a0 After that, from August 9 to September 8, all sightings except one were from Metchosin, the species apparently being absent elsewhere.\u00a0 In Metchosin, however, it was regular during that period, with up to a dozen seen on most days.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MARGINED WHITE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pieris marginalis<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

All sightings were from the railway line north of Cowichan Station, as follows:<\/p>\n

Three on each of May 15, 18 and 28.\u00a0\u00a0 Six on August 16.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CABBAGE WHITE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pieris rapae<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Of those butterflies that do not spend the winter as adult insects, the Cabbage White was the first (March 25) and last (October 22) butterfly species reported during the year. \u00a0From April 1 to 18, there were just seven reports of single butterflies. The species was seen daily from April 19 to the end of July, though only a few reported on most days.\u00a0 The only larger counts during that period were of 10 at Mount Douglas on April 20, 25 there on May 19, and 34 at Royal Roads University and nearby on July 20.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Only five were reported during August.\u00a0 Possibly observers were losing interest in reporting them, or it is also likely their numbers really were falling off during August.\u00a0 Butterflies of all sorts were so scarce during September that observer interest in reporting Cabbage Whites was restored, and the species was reported throughout September – mostly in quite small numbers, although a dedicated count on September 21 showed 38 in the Martindale Valley.\u00a0 (In most years, hundreds, or even thousands, are reported from that area.)\u00a0 A few Cabbage Whites lingered during the first eight days of October.\u00a0 After that, two were reported on October 20, and another two on October 22, for the last butterflies of the year other than those nymphalids that overwinter as adults.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0 PIERIDAE – Anthocharinae<\/strong><\/p>\n

SARA ORANGETIP<\/strong><\/p>\n

Anthocharis sara<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reports of this short-lived (in the adult state) harbinger of spring were from April 6 to May 18.\u00a0 Most reports were from the Munn Road area amd Metchosin. Other reports were from Christmas Hill, Mount Tolmie, Mount Douglas and Cowichan Station.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PIERIDAE – Coliadinae<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

SULPHUR<\/strong><\/p>\n

Colias<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>There are three possible species in our area.\u00a0 The Western Sulphur Colias occidentalis<\/em> is resident in parts of Vancouver Island, but it is rarely seen in our area.\u00a0 The Orange Sulhpur C. eurytheme<\/em> is a migratory species that occasionally occurs here, sometimes in good numbers, usually late in the year, September or October.\u00a0 It is possible or even probable that in good Orange Sulphur years there are also a few Clouded Sulphurs C. philodice<\/em>.\u00a0 Sulphurs are not easy to identify to species.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2020 was not a good sulphur year;\u00a0 there were, however, two reports.\u00a0 One was seen by Val George in the parking lot at Goldstream Park, a butterfly, remarks Val, that he wouldn\u2019t have expected in that habitat.\u00a0 While this butterfly could not be identified with certainty, in view of the date, it is not unreasonable to suspect that it may have been occidentalis<\/em>.\u00a0 At any rate, this is certainly a species to look out for.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A sulphur was photographed by Mike McGrenere at McIntyre Reservoir, Central Saanich on September 20, and probably the same one was seen again there by Ron Flower on September 22.\u00a0 A photograph and discussions about the identity are to be found on the Invertebrate Alert for these dates.\u00a0 It is thought to be most probably an Orange Sulphur.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

LYCAENIDAE – Lycaeninae<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PURPLISH COPPER<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lycaena helloides<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Scarce this year.\u00a0 All reports received were.\u00a0 May 20, one, Cordova Spit.\u00a0\u00a0 May 27, two, Kinsol Trestle.\u00a0\u00a0 June 1, one at Island View Beach.\u00a0 One there, July17.\u00a0 Two there, September 8.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

LYCAENIDAE – Theclinae<\/strong><\/p>\n

CEDAR HAIRSTREAK<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mitoura rosneri<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Very scarce indeed this year.\u00a0 One or sometimes two were reported on several dates from May 16 to June 21 at Gordon Hart\u2019s property in the Highlands, and one was reported from Metchosin on May 26.\u00a0 No further reports were received by Invertebrate Alert, and some observers, including this compiler, did not see the species during the year.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WESTERN BROWN ELFIN<\/strong><\/p>\n

Incisalia iroides<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This normally very common butterfly was even scarcer than the previous species. The only reports received were of two on Mount Tolmie, April 8, and two along the Gorge Road, April 12.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MOSS\u2019S ELFIN<\/strong><\/p>\n

Incisalia mossii<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One and one only sighting of this species was reported to Invertebrate Alert – one in the Highlands, April 12.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

While it is possible that this and the previous two species were overlooked or for some reason under-reported, it can scarcely be doubted that it was a disastrous year for all three.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WESTERN PINE ELFIN<\/strong><\/p>\n

Incisalia eryphon<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

This species is normally not at all common within the boundaries covered by this report report.\u00a0 It is nevertheless disturbing that the only reports were of one on Mount Bluff on May 18, and one of June 3, at Charter\u2019s Creek.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

GREY HAIRSTREAK<\/strong><\/p>\n

Strymon melinus<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

This multibrooded species was recorded from April 20 to September 7.\u00a0 All sightings reported were:\u00a0 April 20, two, Mount Douglas.\u00a0\u00a0 May 15, one Metchosin, one Mount Tolmie.\u00a0\u00a0 July 18, one, Metchosin.\u00a0 August 25, one, Royal Oak.\u00a0\u00a0 September 7, one, Galloping Goose near Seaton Road.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

LYCAENIDAE – Polyommatinae<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

WESTERN SPRING AZURE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Celastrina echo<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

This was one species of butterfly that did not seem to be afflicted with the disturbing scarcity experienced by most butterflies this year.\u00a0 There were almost daily reports of several to many from April 8 to June 16.\u00a0 A spectacular 50 or so were seen mud-puddling within a few square feet at Munn Road on May 5.\u00a0 On May 15, they were reported as numerous at Cowichan Station and abundant in Metchosin.\u00a0 26 were counted at Cowichan Station, May 18.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SILVERY BLUE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Glaucopsyche lygdamus<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

About six adults plus hundreds of ova were reported from the colony at the Colwood cut-off on May 19.\u00a0 Two were seen at the Koksilah Road colony on May 27, and five there the following day.\u00a0\u00a0 It is possible that other colonies are to be found on some of the roadside lupin patches, but the danger from traffic there is too great to make a search advisable.\u00a0 Other lupin patches away from the highways would be good places to search.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NYMPHALIDAE – Nymphalinae<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SATYR COMMA<\/strong><\/p>\n

Polygonia satyrus<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

This butterfly seems to be continuing the comeback noted last year after a few lean years, with reports on many dates from March 11 to June 30.\u00a0 Caterpillars were found along Lochside Drive north of Blenkinsop Lake.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

GREEN COMMA<\/strong><\/p>\n

Polygonia faunus<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>On the other hand this comma apparently had another poor year, the only reports being of singles from the Highlands on April 8, 9, 13 and May 9,\u00a0 and one from Metchosin on May 9.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CALIFORNIA<\/strong> TORTOISESHELL<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nymphalis californica<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

A possible (unconfirmed) sight in the Highlands on February 20. One usually, but occasionally up to four, California Tortoiseshells were seen on the Mount Tolmie Reservoir almost daily from March 11 to May 19.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A pre-pupal caterpillar was found by Darren Copley in Gordon Head on June 11.\u00a0 The following day it had pupated and was duly photographed by Darren, to provide a very nice breeding record.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

An adult California Tortoiseshell sleeping on a curtain inside my Saanich apartment on June 24 was a nice surprise.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Other localities where the species was found were the Highlands area, Mount Douglas, Colquitz River Park, Summit Hill, Viaduct Flats.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After the last Mount Tolmie butterfly was seen on May 19, sundry reports continued elsewhere until July 19.\u00a0 And lastly, a very late butterfly was seen by Kirsten Mills from near the Hillsade Mall on September 30<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MOURNING CLOAK<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nymphalis antiopa<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Twelve reports from March 16 to May 19 from nine locations, plus later records of one at Saxe Point on July 22, and one on Metchosin on September 3.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MILBERT\u2019S TORTOISESHELL<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aglais milberti<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One seen by Kirsten Mills on Mount Tolmie on June 28 was the only report this year of what must now be counted as a rather rare butterfly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AMERICAN LADY<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vanessa virginiensis<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

An amazing photograph of one ovipositing on Pearly Everlasting at Silver Spray, Sooke, was obtained by Jeremy Gatten on the extraordinarily late date of November 8.<\/p>\n

This was the only report this year, although it makes it four years in a row that this species has been seen in our area.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PAINTED LADY<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vanessa cardui<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>Up to six were seen on Mount Tolmie, either on the reservoir or near the Jeffery Pine, on numerous dates from May 9 to October 12.\u00a0 Two caterpillars were found on thistle near McIntyre reservoir on June 19.\u00a0 Both pupated on June 23.\u00a0 One adult emerged on July 1.\u00a0 The other had an ichneumonid parasitoid.\u00a0 Painted Ladies were also reported from about ten other scattered localities throughout the area.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There were no reports of the West Coast Lady.<\/p>\n

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

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

RED ADMIRAL<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vanessa atalanta<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A poor year for the species.\u00a0 Singles were seen on Mount Tolmie on May 15, June 20 and July 12;\u00a0\u00a0 Cowichan Station on May 28;\u00a0\u00a0 Island View Beach, June 1;\u00a0\u00a0 Kemp Lake, June 6;\u00a0 Uplands Park, July 12.\u00a0 On the up-side, caterpillars were found on nettles north of Blenkinsop Lake on June 15 and 30;\u00a0 adults emerged successfully from these on July 13 and 14,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NYMPHALIDAE – Argynninae<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>There were no reports of Hydaspe or Zerene Fritillaries.<\/p>\n

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

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

NYMPHALIDAE – Melitaeinae<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

FIELD CRESCENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

Phyciodes pratensis<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>This species may be found under several names, including P. campestris <\/em>(older literature) and P. pulchella <\/em>(recent literature).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

. After last year\u2019s discovery of a huge colony along West Saanich Road, 2020 was a major disaster.\u00a0 The field next to the First Nations cemetery, where hundreds of the butterflies were to be found in 2019, was totally destroyed during the year.\u00a0 The Eddy\u2019s butterflies on Stelly\u2019s Cross Road were presumably the periphery of the big colony.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The only reports of this species during 2020 were of one at Eddy\u2019s on May 28, and three there on June 5.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MYLITTA CRESCENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

Phyciodes mylitta<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>All reports of this formerly common, now rare, butterfly were:\u00a0 One at Cowichan Station, May 18, 27 and 28;\u00a0\u00a0 two at Kinsol Trestle, May 27.<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

NYMPHALIDAE – Limenitidinae<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

LORQUIN\u2019S ADMIRAL<\/strong><\/p>\n

Limenitis lorquini<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Reported from June 6 to August 21 from widespread localities, plus one late sighting on Mount Tolmie on September 20.\u00a0 Some noteworthy reports include:\u00a0 6, Mount Tolmie, June 20; 10, Colquitz Trail, June 24;\u00a0 10, Blenkinsop Lake, June 25; 8, Saxe Point, July 22.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

NYMPHALIDAE – Satyrinae<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

RINGLET or LARGE HEATH<\/strong><\/p>\n

Coenonympha tullia<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>All reports were from Island View Beach, from Layritz Park or from Horticultural Centre of the Pacific..\u00a0 No reports were received from Rithet\u2019s Bottom or from Quick\u2019s Bottem except for one on nearby Markham Road on June 24.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From Island View Beach:\u00a0 4 on May 8;\u00a0 15 on May15;\u00a0 3 on September 6;\u00a0 6 on September 8.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From Layritz Park:\u00a0 32 on May 21;\u00a0 12 on June 24;\u00a0 42 on August 19<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From HCP:\u00a0 11 on August 19<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NYMPHALIDAE – Danainae<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

MONARCH<\/strong><\/p>\n

Danaus plexippus<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One was seen and photographed by Mr E behind the Red Barn grocery in Oak Bay, November 25, for the last butterfly of the year.\u00a0 It is left to the reader to decide whether this was a commercially reared specimen or a genuinely wild butterfly.\u00a0 We have no evidence one way or the other.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

2020 BUTTERFLY REPORT FOR SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND \u00a0 Jeremy Tatum   This short unofficial report is a summary of butterfly observations made in 2020 within the southern Vancouver Island birdwatching area and submitted to the Victoria Natural History Society\u2019s Invertebrate Alert Website:   www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/?cat=8   I am not planning to produce a printed version, but […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13073","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-invertebrate-alert"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13073","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=13073"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13073\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13084,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13073\/revisions\/13084"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13073"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13073"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}