{"id":190,"date":"2016-01-24T00:37:47","date_gmt":"2016-01-24T08:37:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/?p=190"},"modified":"2016-10-10T14:50:08","modified_gmt":"2016-10-10T21:50:08","slug":"january-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/?p=190","title":{"rendered":"January 23"},"content":{"rendered":"

2016 January 23<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

2015 BUTTERFLY REPORT FOR<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Jeremy Tatum<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 This short unofficial report is a summary of butterfly observations made in 2015 within the southern Vancouver Island birdwatching area and submitted to the Victoria Natural History Society\u2019s Invertebrate Alert Website<\/span><\/p>\n

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https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/website\/index.php\/2014-09-25-19-24-16\/2014-09-26-18-35-40\/invert2<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 This report does not include the many butterfly observations reported from Vancouver Island in 2015 outside the area described above (for full definition, see any issue of the Annual Bird Report), nor does it include the results of the Monthly Butterfly Counts organized by Aziza Cooper, which cover the area of the Victoria Christmas Bird Count Circle and which are usually published in the March\/April issue of the Victoria Naturalist.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0 <\/span><\/em>Some species that probably occur within the area but were not reported in 2015 include<\/span><\/p>\n

Dun Skipper, Clodius Parnassian, Western Tailed Blue,\u00a0 Common Wood-Nymph, Great Arctic.\u00a0 We\u2019ll have to look out for these in 2016!<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong>First reported on April 5 on Mount Tolmie and on Mount Douglas.\u00a0 From April 7 onwards they were seen almost daily until April 20 at several locations, particularly on local hills where the larval foodplant, Garry Oak, grows, such as Mount Douglas, Christmas Hill and Observatory Hill. After April 20 sightings started to drop off, but a few were seen during the first week of May on each of the four hills mentioned above.\u00a0 The last report received was of a few on Mount Tolmie on May 8.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong>This tiny butterfly is proving quite difficult to find, and the only report received by Invert Alert during 2015 was one photographed by AC on Camas Hill, April 19.<\/span><\/p>\n

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[Generally butterflies in the genus Pyrgus<\/em> are called \u201cgrizzled\u201d skippers, and those in the genus Carterocephalus<\/em> are called \u201cchequered\u201d skippers.\u00a0 Some authors refer to P. ruralis<\/em> as a \u201ccheckered\u201d skipper, which seems an unnecessary complication.]<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>A third-instar caterpillar was found on Reed Canary Grass at Panama Flats on May 14.\u00a0 The first adult in flight was reported from Uplands Park on June 7.\u00a0 Seven were seen there five days later.\u00a0 After that, the butterfly was so numerous in many locations that it became impractical to quote actual numbers, although JG counted 108 in Layritz Park on June 22.\u00a0 Large numbers continued until mid July, with 10 recorded at Cherry Point on July 14.\u00a0 Numbers started to drop off after that date, the last report being of a late individual photographed by VG at Island View Beach on August 10.<\/span><\/p>\n

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[This species is also known as the European Skipper, although there are, of course, many species of skipper in Europe, and it seems unnecessary to invent a new name for lineola<\/em> when it already has a long-established name of Essex Skipper.]<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>This and the previous species are among our most abundant butterflies and it is therefore a lamentable lapse on behalf of your compiler that he apparently omitted this species in the 2014 Report!\u00a0 Whereas the Essex Skipper is an introduced European species, the Woodland Skipper is native, and it generally flies a little later than the Essex Skipper, though there is a period when both species may be seen together.\u00a0\u00a0 The first report of this species was on June 19.\u00a0 No further reports were received until July 14.\u00a0 (Were observers missing them among the abundant Essex Skippers?)\u00a0\u00a0 However on July 14 there were numerous reports of many Woodland Skippers from widespread locations, and on July 18 LD estimated about 1200 (yes\u00a0 –\u00a0 1200!) on her Lavender plants in Happy Valley Road.\u00a0\u00a0 From then until August 30, words being used by observers from many locations were:\u00a0 lots, 25-30, numerous, several, clouds, clouds, clouds (August 9 – 12), dozens, common (August 30).\u00a0 There was a rapid drop-off in September, the last being reported by JG on September 11.<\/span><\/p>\n

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WESTERN BRANDED SKIPPER<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Hesperia colorado<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>This new species was recently separated from the Common Branded Skipper (also called Silver-spotted Skipper) Hesperia comma<\/em>.\u00a0 The current wisdom (and I think we need more observations) is that both species occur on Vancouver Island, but the two colonies in our area (Cordova Spit and Camas Hill) are H. colorado<\/em>.\u00a0 It is difficult to find, though when seen it is fairly easy to distinguish it from the Woodland Skipper if you get a good view of the underside (which the butterflies do not often allow).\u00a0 DR found several and photographed one on Cordova Spit on August 3.\u00a0 Several observers tried to find it in the weeks following this.\u00a0 Some were successful, some were not, successful dates being August 9 and August 22.\u00a0 It will be very interesting to find the caterpillar, to see if it differs in any substantial way from that of H. comma<\/em>.\u00a0\u00a0 My guess is that it doesn\u2019t!<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong>This formerly common species is now sufficiently uncommon that any sighting is an occasion for excitement.\u00a0 All sightings reported were:\u00a0 Two on Christmas Hill, May 2; one on Mount Tolmie, May 3;\u00a0 one in Uplands Park, June 15;\u00a0 three on Mount Douglas, June 19; one on Mount Tolmie, July 5.\u00a0 Then on July 6, JM noted oviposition on Parsley at his farm in Metchosin.\u00a0 First-instar caterpillars were noted on July 13.\u00a0 Two were taken by JBT for rearing.\u00a0 They had pupated by July 29, and the imagines will presumably eclode next year.\u00a0 [I used these unfamiliar words \u201cimagines\u201d and \u201ceclode\u201d just to see what my computer would do.\u00a0 It let \u201cimagines\u201d pass without a murmur.\u00a0 \u201cImagines\u201d is a four-syllable noun, being the plural of \u201cimago\u201d, meaning the adult insect.\u00a0\u00a0 The computer underlined \u201ceclode\u201d as a word or spelling that it couldn\u2019t find in its dictionary.\u00a0 We used to talk about the \u201cemergence\u201d of a butterfly from its chrysalis, but these days we are supposed to talk about the \u201ceclosion\u201d from the chrysalis, and some entomologists have invented the verb \u201ceclose\u201d.\u00a0 But this is an incorrect back-formation.\u00a0 The correct verbal form (if we can\u2019t say \u201cemerge\u201d) would be \u201ceclode\u201d, from the Latin ex claudere<\/em>.]<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>This species got off to a slow start, with none reported until May 8, and the next not until May 19, with several observers in May saying that they were seeing more Pale Tiger Swallowtails than Westerns.\u00a0 However, by about June 6, once they had got going, they really did get going, and were common throughout June and July.\u00a0 They were seen in many widespread locations, being especially abundant around the top of Mount Tolmie, while on June 26 JG counted 23 along the Galloping Goose Trail between Glen Lake Road and Colwood Corners.\u00a0 August put an end to the period of abundance, the last adult being reported on August 16.\u00a0 Several caterpillars were found from June to August, and one late, brown prepupal caterpillar was found by CH in Metchosin as late as September 13.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>Sightings from April 19 to July 5.\u00a0 None reported after that date.\u00a0 Several reported during the first half of May when Western Tiger Swallowtails were scarce. On May 5,\u00a0 JG spotted five at Colwood Corners, and on May 8 GH reported 8 from his Highlands home.\u00a0 On June 7 RJ reported 8 at Otter Point, and several more in Sooke.\u00a0 On June 26 JG counted 7 along the Galloping Goose Trail between Glen Lake Road and Colwood Corners.<\/span><\/p>\n

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[Some authors call this the \u201cPale Swallowtail\u201d, omitting the word \u201cTiger\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 The five Canadian species of tiger swallowtail in the subgenus Pterourus<\/em> are obviously very closely related (indeed difficult to distinguish) and not at all close to the machaon<\/em> group, so it seems strange to omit the word \u201ctiger\u201d from one member of the group.]<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong>The first sighting was of six on Observatory Hill on July 1, which I believe to be an unusually early date, though these were quickly followed up by several additional sightings during the next seven days at several locations (Highlands, Spectacle Lake, Elk Lake, University of Victoria.\u00a0 No huge numbers reported, though they were said to be all over the Beecher Bay area on August 18.\u00a0 The last sighting was one at Aylard Farm on September 26.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>Several seen at the usual location along the railway line north of Cowichan Station, June 23, nectaring on Herb Robert Geranium robertianum.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>Often the Cabbage White is the first butterfly of the year – especially the first that emerges from a pupa, rather than spending the winter as an imago, as some of the nymphalids do.\u00a0 This year it was beaten to it by a Satyr Comma which appeared on February 14.\u00a0 February 17 was a good butterfly day, with Cabbage White, Green Comma and Mourning Cloak all being reported.\u00a0\u00a0 A second Cabbage White was seen on February 23, and from March 7 onward they were being seen almost every day until mid-October.<\/span><\/p>\n

One was ovipositing on Sea Rocket Cakile <\/em>sp. as late as September 23.\u00a0 One egg was taken for rearing, and the resulting adult butterfly emerged and was released on October 22.\u00a0 Two additional sightings of adult Cabbage Whites were noted on that date. But it was robbed by a nymphalid of the title of last butterfly of the year to be seen – a Red Admiral on the late date of November 2.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 The first report of the year was of three on Mount Douglas on March 12.\u00a0 No more were reported until March 26, when eight were counted on Observatory Hill, and four the following day on Christmas Hill.\u00a0 On March 27 a butterfly emerged that had been reared from a first-instar caterpillar found at Munn Road last year.\u00a0 The adult was released in the same locality.\u00a0 Sara Orangetips were numerous at many localities throughout April, some noteworthy counts including 15 on Mount Douglas on April 10 and 29 there on April 18.<\/span><\/p>\n

The last one reported for the season was one on Mount Tolmie on May 3.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>The only ones reported to Invert Alert before August were two at Island View Beach on May 19, and two at Prospect Lake Road on June 20.\u00a0 From August 3 to 27 up to three at a time were seen on several days in the Martindale Valley, Island View Beach and Cordova Spit.\u00a0 These were the only localities from which the butterfly was reported.\u00a0 None after August 27.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 Enthusiasts did well this year in locating and photographing this uncommon and easily-overlooked small brown job in several places.\u00a0\u00a0 Records were from April 19 to May 18, one on June 7, and again from July 29 to August 26.\u00a0 I had thought that this was a single-brooded butterfly, but this temporal distribution of sightings (which is similar to that observed for the known bivoltine Grey Hairstreak (q.v.<\/em>)) suggests otherwise. I don\u2019t recall ever seeing them before other than in spring. All records are:<\/span><\/p>\n

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April 19, one, Summit Hill<\/span><\/p>\n

May 2, one, Highlands<\/span><\/p>\n

May 17,\u00a0 three, Galloping Goose, Goldstream<\/span><\/p>\n

May 23, one, Sooke<\/span><\/p>\n

May 27, one, Highlands<\/span><\/p>\n

June 7, one Cowichan River<\/span><\/p>\n

July 29,\u00a0 one, Highlands<\/span><\/p>\n

August 1,\u00a0 one, Highlands<\/span><\/p>\n

August 4, one, Goldstream campground<\/span><\/p>\n

August 13, two, Highlands<\/span><\/p>\n

August 26, one Mount Wells<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0 It is remarkable that good photographs were obtained for nearly all of these sightings.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong>This is the commonest of our \u201csmall brown jobs\u201d and adults were well observed from April 5 to May 17, from rural, suburban and urban areas, such as (in no particular order) Government House, Highlands, Munn Road, Camas Hill, Cordova Ridge, Mount Tolmie, Summit Hill, Gorge Road.\u00a0 A tiny first-instar caterpillar was found at Munn Road, May 22, and another, sitting next to its empty eggshell was found at UVic on May 30.\u00a0 A third-instar caterpillar was found near Cowichan River, June 7.\u00a0 All of these were on Salal.\u00a0 A final instar was found on Ocean Spray at Munn Road on June 27.<\/span><\/p>\n

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[Our butterfly was formerly included under Brown Elfin Incisalia augustinus<\/em>, although some authors believe that our population is a separate species Incisalia iroides<\/em>, called variously Western Brown Elfin or just Western Elfin. To add to the confusion, some authors place it, as well as other Incisalia<\/em>, in the genus Callophrys<\/em>.]<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>A remarkable four were spotted in one day, April 18, on Camas Hill.\u00a0 The species was also found at Munn Road on April 20, 22 and May 17, and one was spotted at Thetis Lake on April 22.\u00a0 No caterpillars (which feed on Stonecrop) were reported.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>This is a difficult butterfly to find – but our enthusiasts found some anyway. They are to be found in the vicinity of Lodgepole Pines.\u00a0 One was spotted near Spectacle Lake on April 18, and two the following day at Camas Hill.\u00a0 And RJ even managed to photograph one in the Sooke Hills on May 18 and another there on May 23.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>The temporal distribution of this butterfly was similar to that of the Cedar Hairstreak (q. v.<\/em>), namely from April 16 to May 18, one on June 7, and again from July 1 to August 22. There were about 30 sightings of this beautiful little butterfly.\u00a0 During a Society field trip to Boas Road near Spectacle Lake on July 5, members saw 10 Grey Hairstreaks in pristine condition nectaring on Pearly Everlasting, which is also one of the principal larval foodplants.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>This is one of our commonest spring butterflies, and certainly the commonest blue.\u00a0\u00a0 Sightings of adults from throughout the area from March 14 to May 29, with words such as \u201cseveral\u201d, \u201cmany\u201d, \u201cclouds\u201d being used frequently from mid-April to mid-May.\u00a0 No adults were seen after May 29, but caterpillars, on Ocean Spray, were found on June 10 and 13.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>This formerly fairly common butterfly is now quite scarce within the boundaries of the southern Vancouver Island birdwatching area, and is to be sought on banks of busy highways where lupins grow. One was photographed by MY at Spectacle Lake on May 16.\u00a0 Others were found at the Colwood turnoff from the Island Highway on May 17 and 21.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

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BOISDUVAL\u2019S BLUE<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Icaricia icarioides<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0 DR found a colony of this butterfly at Boas Road, near Spectacle Lake.\u00a0 AC visited the area on July 4 and found and photographed one there.\u00a0 None were found on a VNHS field trip the following day.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong>This is the default species of comma in our area, and unidentified commas (not infrequent!) are usually (and probably correctly) passed off as this species.\u00a0 A Satyr Comma photographed by AN on Salt Spring Island on February 14 was the first butterfly reported to Invert Alert in the year.\u00a0 There were three more February sightings.\u00a0 They were seen commonly after that during March and April, although only two were reported in May – May 2 and May 9.\u00a0 However, caterpillars were evident in many nettle patches at the end of May.\u00a0 Individual adult butterflies were seen on June 8, 19 and 21. <\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>All records:<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0 One seen or photographed in the Highlands, February 17 and 23, and May 2<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 One, Munn Road, April 16<\/span><\/p>\n

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It is probably a little more common than these sightings imply, since the comma species are hard to identify with certainty, and some may well be overlooked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>All sightings reported:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong>One on Observatory Hill, Mar 26.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Two, Mount Douglas, April 10<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Four, Mount Douglas, April 16<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Two, Mount Tolmie, and five, Mount Douglas, May 3<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA few\u201d , Mount Tolmie, May 8<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 One rather worn on Mount Tolmie, May 14<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This species was one of several nymphalids to be seen on the hilltops in the late afternoons and early evenings – this migratory butterfly is largely an April species in our area.\u00a0 However, one was found trapped in a greenhouse on June 16.\u00a0 We are glad to report that it eventually found its way out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong>While perhaps not quite as numerous as in the previous two years, this was nevertheless another good Mourning Cloak year.\u00a0 The first sighting was on the early date of February 17 (the same day that that year\u2019s first Green Comma was seen, and just three days after the year\u2019s first butterfly – a Satyr Comma on February 14). Between then and April 19 there were a further ten sightings in ten locations. After that date one or two Mourning Cloaks were among the several nymphalids regularly hilltopping on the Mount Tolmie reservoir until May 18.\u00a0 In addition to the Mount Tolmie butterflies, Mourning Cloaks were found at an additional five locations during this period.\u00a0 After May, however, there were just five further reports, the last one being one seen on Tillicum Road on the late date of September 27\u00a0 –\u00a0 a week later than the last 2014 sighting.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 This seems to be rather an uncommon butterfly in our area, any sighting being regarded as an exciting event.\u00a0 The only adult in flight was reported by G&WA from Christmas Hill on March 27.\u00a0 A large colony of young caterpillars was found along the Hillman Trail during the Metchosin Bioblitz on June 13.\u00a0 Six adults arising from these emerged on June 30.\u00a0\u00a0 There were no further records.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>There were almost daily reports of one to several Painted Ladies during the period April 14 to August 26, from numerous localities, although the great majority of reports were of hilltopping butterflies in the late afternoon from hills such as Mount Tolmie, Mount Douglas, Christmas Hill, Summit Hill.\u00a0 Twelve were counted on Mount Douglas on May 3.\u00a0 After August there were just two reports of adults – one photographed at McIntyre reservoir on September 15, and one photographed in Brighton Avenue on the late date of October 16.\u00a0 The only caterpillar reported was of one on thistle near Martindale Road on September 18.<\/span><\/p>\n

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WEST COAST LADY<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Vanessa annabella<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>One or two West Coast Ladies were hilltopping on the Mount Tolmie reservoir from May 7 to July 19, providing excellent photographic opportunities, and being lifers for more than one enthusiast.\u00a0 Other locations where the species was noted and photographed were Cedar Hill Cross Road, Fort Rodd, Moss Rock Park, and one on Mount Douglas on the late date of August 16.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>2015 was an excellent Red Admiral year, with copious sightings from many localities from April 16 to the end of September and even later – one on Christmas Hill on October 1, two on the Mount Tolmie flowering Ivy patch on October 5, and even extending into November, with one photographed by GN at Cattle Point on November 2, for the last butterfly report of the year.\u00a0 Caterpillars were noted in many nettle patches (Swan Lake, Bow Park, Lochside Drive, Hillman Trail, etc.) from May 28 (first instar) until June 13.\u00a0 In this period, Red Admiral caterpillars were apparently more numerous than those of the Satyr Comma. Your compiler predicted a bumper fall population of Red Admirals.\u00a0 However, just as the caterpillars were in their final instar, many of the nettle patches were cut down by local municipalities.\u00a0 While the predicted bumper crop did not materialize, there were nevertheless still numerous sightings of fresh butterflies during August and September.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>This is now a scarce butterfly in our area, many of the former colonies having been either destroyed by development or otherwise deserted by the butterflies.\u00a0 AC visited the known surviving colony at Eddy\u2019s storage facility on Stelly\u2019s Cross Road on June 9, and she found several there and obtained successful photographs.\u00a0 Subsequent visits were made there by other enthusiasts on June 14 and 19.\u00a0 Up to four at a time were seen in flight, and further photographs were obtained.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>This is not nearly as common a butterfly in our area as it was 20 years ago, and observers count it as an exciting event to find one.\u00a0 There were just three sightings reported from our area to Invert Alert during 2015.\u00a0 One was seen at Cherry Point on July 14, and one was seen at Beecher Bay on August 18 and again on August 30.\u00a0 All three were photographed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em>While this familiar butterfly was common enough in 2015, more than one observer commented that numbers were noticeably down compared with recent years.\u00a0 The first report of the year was of a caterpillar photographed by AP on May 21.\u00a0 The first adult in flight was noted on May 21, and there were almost daily sightings until August 25, with one late sighting on September 4.\u00a0 Reports of more than half-a-dozen at a time included 8 at UVic on June 9; 16 at Cuthbert Holmes Park on June 21;\u00a0 8 along the Galloping Goose Trails on June 26;\u00a0 5 on Mount Tolmie and 4 at UVic on July 5;\u00a0 8 on Happy Valley Road, July 18.<\/span><\/p>\n

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FRITILLARY sp.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Speyeria <\/span><\/strong><\/em>sp.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong>KF photographed a fritillary on Salt Spring Island on July 8.\u00a0 We are not sure which species it is, so viewers are invited to look at her excellent image in the Invertebrate Alert for that date and let us have your opinion (with reasons!).\u00a0 The default fritillary in our area is usually taken to be the Hydaspe Fritillary, but on Salt Spring Island it may well be the Zerene Fritillary.<\/span><\/p>\n

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LARGE HEATH\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong>(\u201cRinglet\u201d)<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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\u00a0\u00a0 Records from May 13 to September 3.\u00a0\u00a0 Nearly all records were from Island View Beach, where it was common, with observers reporting anything from \u201cten\u201d to \u201clots\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

The only other location from which records were received was Layritz Park. None were reported from Rithet\u2019s Bog or from Quick\u2019s Bottom, which should be checked in 2016.<\/span><\/p>\n

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong>This report is based on sightings of butterflies in the southern Vancouver Island birdwatching area reported to Invert Alert during 2015.\u00a0 I am grateful to all who did so.<\/span><\/p>\n

The butterfly enthusiasts who sent us their records are listed here in completely random order.\u00a0 I am sure I will have missed out one or two.\u00a0 Apologies if I did – and do let me know, so that I can add you to the list!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Ann Nightingale\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gerry and Wendy Ansell<\/span><\/p>\n

Val George\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gordon and Anne-Marie Hart<\/span><\/p>\n

Colin Franks\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mike and Barbara McGrenere<\/span><\/p>\n

Jeff Gaskin\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Me\u00a0 (Jeremy Tatum)<\/span><\/p>\n

Aziza Cooper\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rick Schortinghuis<\/span><\/p>\n

Bill Savale\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Moralea Milne<\/span><\/p>\n

Nathan Fisk\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Devon Parker<\/span><\/p>\n

Barbara Begg\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dave Robichaud<\/span><\/p>\n

Bill Katz\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ken Vaughan<\/span><\/p>\n

Annie Pang\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rosemary Jorna<\/span><\/p>\n

Jochen Moehr\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ron Flower<\/span><\/p>\n

Chris Garrett\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Marie O\u2019Shaughnessy<\/span><\/p>\n

Geoffrey Newell\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Linda Dowling<\/span><\/p>\n

Mike Yip\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Richard Rycraft<\/span><\/p>\n

Anne Murray\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cheryl Hoyle<\/span><\/p>\n

Ren Ferguson\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

2016 January 23 2015 BUTTERFLY REPORT FOR SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND Jeremy Tatum \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 This short unofficial report is a summary of butterfly observations made in 2015 within the southern Vancouver Island birdwatching area and submitted to the Victoria Natural History Society\u2019s Invertebrate Alert Website   https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/website\/index.php\/2014-09-25-19-24-16\/2014-09-26-18-35-40\/invert2   \u00a0\u00a0 I am not planning to produce […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-190","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\/190","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=190"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/190\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3352,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/190\/revisions\/3352"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=190"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=190"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=190"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}