{"id":20595,"date":"2024-01-01T15:42:47","date_gmt":"2024-01-01T23:42:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/?p=20595"},"modified":"2024-01-22T16:13:09","modified_gmt":"2024-01-23T00:13:09","slug":"2024-january-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/?p=20595","title":{"rendered":"2024 January 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

2024 January 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>2023 BUTTERFLY REPORT FOR
\n<\/strong>SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND
\n<\/strong>Jeremy Tatum<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This short unofficial report is a summary of butterfly observations made in 2023 within the southern Vancouver Island birdwatching area and submitted to the Victoria Natural History Society\u2019s Invertebrate Alert Website:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/?cat=8<\/p>\n

I am not planning to produce a printed version, but if anyone would like one, let me know\u00a0 (tatumjb352 at gmail dot com) and I\u2019ll see what I can do.<\/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 2023 outside the area described above (for full definition, see any issue of the Annual Bird Report).\u00a0 Nor does it include (apart from an occasional mention) the results of the Monthly Butterfly Counts organized by Gordon Hart, which cover the area of the Victoria Christmas Bird Count Circle. These have been published by Gordon in the 2024 January\/February issue of the Victoria Naturalist. <\/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

This series of Butterfly Reports has been posted on Invertebrate Alert for 2014 and every year since then.\u00a0 The 2014 Report was posted on 2015 January 31.\u00a0 All subsequent Reports have been posted on January 1 of each year.<\/p>\n

The first butterfly reported in the year was a Mourning Cloak, February 21.\u00a0 The last butterfly of the year was a Cabbage White, November 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thus, butterflies were seen in all months\u00a0 except fro January and December.<\/p>\n

Several species were not reported at all to Invertebrate Alert in the area covered by this Report during the year:\u00a0 Branded Skipper; \u00a0 Clodius Parnassian;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Margined White;\u00a0\u00a0 Moss\u2019s Elfin;\u00a0\u00a0 American Lady;\u00a0\u00a0 Hydaspe Frtillary,\u00a0\u00a0 Zerene Fritillary;\u00a0\u00a0 Mylitta Crescent;\u00a0 Common Woodnymph;\u00a0\u00a0 Great Arctic.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Reports of only 13 Propertius Duskywings were received during the year, from April 28 to May 24..\u00a0 Six of these were on Mount Douglas, May 1.\u00a0\u00a0 Whether this is because of under-reporting or whether it reflects a real scarcity of this butterfly is open to speculation<\/p>\n


\nTWO-BANDED GRIZZLED SKIPPER
\n<\/strong>Pyrgus ruralis<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>There were no reports of this species in 2023. Numbers of reports of this species for the last five years are:<\/p>\n

2018\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 0
\n2019\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1
\n2020\u00a0\u00a0 0
\n2021\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1
\n2022\u00a0\u00a0 0
\n2023\u00a0\u00a0 0<\/p>\n

This species, our smallest butterfly, is difficult to spot, and could be missed.\u00a0 Nevertheless, it seems likely that this species is on the verge of disappearing from our area.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

HESPERIIDAE \u2013 Hesperiinae<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>ESSEX<\/strong> SKIPPER
\n<\/strong>Thymelicus lineola<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

This introduced species (also known as the European Skipper) must now be counted, at least in its peak month of June, as one of the most abundant butterflies in our area, though perhaps not quite as abundant as the native Woodland Skipper.\u00a0\u00a0 A high count of 33 was made in Uplands Park on June 23, although in reality the butterfly is so familiar that few observers take special note of it. Reports extended from June 7 to August 6.\u00a0 Unusually, no caterpillars were found or reported.<\/p>\n


\nBRANDED SKIPPER
\n<\/strong>Hesperia comma colorado<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

There were no reports of this butterfly (regarded by some as a full species, the Western Branded Skipper Hesperia colorado<\/em>), in 2023.\u00a0 The lack of reports, however, may be partly a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic resulting in restrictions on access to the known Central Saanich colony of this butterfly, although at least two known visits were made to the site, with negative results.<\/p>\n


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

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>Reported from July 28 to September 9.\u00a0 Woodland Skippers were particularly abundant during August.\u00a0 Some high counts in August were 31 at Swan Lake on August 15; 56 In the Swan Lake area, August 20;\u00a0 101 in two locations, August 22.<\/p>\n


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

\u00a0\u00a0 No reports of parnassians from the area covered by this Report were received by Invertebrate Alert this year.\u00a0 This was probably (we hope) the result of the high cost of gasoline in 2023, discouraging observers from travelling far to places where these butterflies might be expected.\u00a0 Observers are reminded to make an effort to distinguish between the two species in 2023; it is possible that we have both within our area.<\/p>\n


\nPAPILIONIDAE \u2013 Papilioninae<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

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

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>Reported from May 16 to August 6.\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>Localities were Mounts Tolmie and Douglas; Christmas Hill; Wilkinson and Dunsterville Roads; Beacon Hill Park; McIntyre Reservoir.\u00a0 All sightings were either of one or two at each locality.\u00a0 No caterpillars were reported.<\/p>\n


\n<\/em><\/strong>WESTERN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL
\n<\/strong>Papilio rutulus<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Reported from May 12 to August 15.\u00a0 Peak numbers were from late May to mid July.\u00a0 This species seems to be doing well.\u00a0\u00a0 Six were reported at each of Colquitz River Trail and Mount Douglas on May 25;\u00a0\u00a0 nine at Witty\u2019s Lagoon, May 27; six on Mount Tolmie, June 2;\u00a0 four at Outerbridge Park and six at Swan Lake, June 4;\u00a0 nine at Swan Lake, July 8;\u00a0 eight at Highrock Park. July 17;\u00a0 six at Government House, July 21.<\/p>\n

One full-grown caterpillar was found at Glencoe Park; eight tachinid fly maggots emerged from the subsequent pupa.
\n
\n<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

PALE TIGER SWALLOWTAIL
\n<\/strong>Papilio eurymedon<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Reported from May 17 to July 3, plus a single late straggler at Beckwith Park on August 14.\u00a0 A good count of 17 was made in the Highlands area on May 20, and the species was still numerous in the first week of June \u2013 although numbers declined rapidly after then.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PIERIDAE – Pierinae <\/strong><\/p>\n


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

Another poor year for the species.\u00a0\u00a0 Only ten individuals were reported, one of which was captured by a spider.\u00a0\u00a0 Localities were Metchosin,\u00a0 Royal Roads University, Aylard Farm, Beachey Head, Highlands.\u00a0 None were reported from Victoria or the Saanich Peninsula.<\/p>\n


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

There were no reports of this species in our area in 2023.\u00a0 Doubtless the high price of gasoline discouraged frequent visits to the Cowichan Station colony, although three unsuccessful visits were known to have taken place.\u00a0 Since the abandonment of rail service there, the vegetation has changed somewhat, with the larval foodplants Water Cress and Dame\u2019s Rocket being a little less obvious than formerly.\u00a0 There is still a lot of Herb Robert, a favoured nectar source for the adults.<\/p>\n


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

\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0This introduced European species is one of the most abundant butterflies in the area, although in 2023 there were no huge counts in the hundreds; the species seems to have fallen short of its usual great abundance.\u00a0 Reports were from March 18 to\u00a0 November 2.\u00a0\u00a0 Fifty-three were counted at various locations on September 16.\u00a0 Long after most other butterflies had said goodbye for the year, from one to a few Cabbage Whites were still being seen from October 1 to November 2.<\/p>\n


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

Reported from April 1 to May 18, from 11 localities.\u00a0 The largest single count at any one locality was ten, on Mount Douglas on May 1<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>
\n<\/strong>CLOUDED SULPHUR
\n<\/strong>Colias philodice
\n<\/em><\/strong>ORANGE SULPHUR
\n<\/strong>Colias eurytheme<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>One was seen at McIntyre reservoir on August 6 during the VNHS August Butterfly Walk field trip.\u00a0 It was photographed the following day by Mike McGrenere.\u00a0 One (probably a different individual) was photographed at the same locality on August 23 by Marie O\u2019Shaughnessy.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 The viewer is invited to make up his\/her own mind as to which species they are.\u00a0 For what they are worth, the thoughts of the compiler, Jeremy Tatum, are as follows.<\/p>\n

In the August 7<\/strong> specimen (below<\/strong>), the copious yellow spots within the forewing\u2019s broad black terminal band show that it is a female.\u00a0 (The terminal band of a male is solid black with no yellow spots within it.)\u00a0\u00a0 The terminal black band on a male<\/u> Clouded Sulphur is much narrower than on a male Orange Sulphur, but this difference is much less marked<\/u> in the females<\/u> of the two species.\u00a0 Thus, we cannot yet say which of the two species it is.\u00a0 In the Orange Sulphur there is, on the underside of the forewing, a row of subterminal dark spots which are usually fairly conspicuous.\u00a0 These seem to be totally absent in this specimen.\u00a0 Further, although we cannot directly see the upper surface of the forewing, I see no obvious orange colour – only a rather uniform lemon colour.\u00a0 Thus on the whole, writes Jeremy Tatum, I think this specimen is more akin to a Clouded Sulphur<\/u> than to an Orange Sulphur.\u00a0 This is not a definitive identification, and the viewer will feel free to make his\/own analysis.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"August 7\u00a0\u00a0 Mike McGrenere<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Unlike the August 7 specimen, the August 23<\/strong> specimen (below<\/strong>) is not backlit, so we see almost nothing of the upper surface of the wings.\u00a0 Thus, writes Jeremy Tatum, I am left with almost nothing other than the dark underside subterminal spots.\u00a0 We see only the hindwing, not the forewing. The spots are present on the underside of the hindwing, but weak.\u00a0 I feel that the August 23 specimen is slightly more likely to be an Orange Sulphur<\/u>, but this is a rather weak opinion.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"August 23\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Marie O\u2019Shaughnessy<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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


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

In 2022, no Purplish Coppers were reported to Invertebrate Alert, and only one was seen during the Monthly Butterfly Walks and Counts.\u00a0 The situation was little better in 2023.\u00a0 In the immediate Victoria area,\u00a0 a single Purplish Cooper was reported from Goldstream Park, May 29.\u00a0\u00a0 Two or perhaps three were seen at Island View Beach, August 11. This once common butterfly seems now to be quite rare, and we should keep an active lookout for it next year.<\/p>\n

The situation was more hopeful a little further north, still within the area covered by this Report, at Dinsdale Farm Dyke, Cowichan Bay, where seven were counted on August 7.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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


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

All reports were:\u00a0 One in Goldstream Park, May 18.\u00a0\u00a0 One along the Panhandle trail, one in Goldstream Park, and one at Sooke Potholes, May 24.\u00a0 One north of Cowichan Station, June 11.<\/p>\n


\nWESTERN BROWN ELFIN
\n<\/strong>Incisalia iroides<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0 <\/strong>All reports were:\u00a0\u00a0 One near Swan Lake, April 29.\u00a0 One, Mount Douglas, May 1.\u00a0 Two, Mount Tolmie, May 2.\u00a0\u00a0 One, Beechey Head, May 3.\u00a0\u00a0 One Mount Tolmie, and one, Panhandle Trail, May 7.\u00a0\u00a0 Two, Mount Tolmie, May 19.\u00a0\u00a0 Four, Stewart Mountail Trail, May 20<\/p>\n


\nMOSS\u2019S ELFIN
\n<\/strong>Incisalia mossii<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 None were reported to Invertebrate Alert in 2023.<\/p>\n


\n<\/strong>WESTERN PINE ELFIN
\n<\/strong>Incisalia eryphon<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>The only report received was of three at Beechey Head, May 3.<\/p>\n


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

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 One emerged from its pupa, April 23, having been reared from a caterpillar found on Mentha spicata <\/em>last year (see the 2022 Report).\u00a0 It was released along the Galloping Goose trail where the caterpillar was found.<\/p>\n

Other adults reported were as follows.\u00a0 One, Goldstream, May 18.\u00a0\u00a0 Three along the Panhandle Trail, May 24.\u00a0\u00a0 One along McKenzie Avenue near Christmas Hill, and one at Rithet\u2019s Bog, June 24.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 One at The Heights on Carey Road, Victoria, June 29.\u00a0\u00a0 One, Island View Beach, July 18.\u00a0\u00a0 One, Blackly Dyke, Cowichan Bay, August 4.\u00a0\u00a0 One at Island View Beach, ovipositing on \u00a0Polygonum paranychia<\/em>, August 26.<\/p>\n

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

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


\n<\/strong>WESTERN SPRING AZURE
\n<\/strong>Celastrina echo<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sightings from April 26 to June 17, with hundreds seen throughout May.\u00a0 Forty were counted in the Highlands area on May 20, and 29 at Sooke Potholes on May 24.<\/p>\n


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

The colony at the Colwood cut-off appears no longer to exist.\u00a0 Few Lupins are at the site, having apparently been overgrown by Horsetails.<\/p>\n

None were reported from the Koksilah Road colony.\u00a0 However, as far as is known, this site was visited only once, and the colony may still thrive there.\u00a0\u00a0 Observers are encouraged to visit the site.<\/p>\n

The only sighting of this species during the year was a surprise sighting of a female photographed by Steven Roias and Am\u00e9lie Rousseau at Swan Lake, May 14.<\/p>\n


\nBOISDUVAL\u2019S BLUE
\n<\/strong>Icaricia icarioides<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0 One seen by Steven Roias and Am\u00e9lie Rousseau at Spectacle Lake, June 11<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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


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

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong> \u00a0 The first sighting of a Satyr Comma was of one at the herb farm along Happy Valley Road on March 8.\u00a0 There were no additional sightings until March 28, when one was seen along the Cordova Ridge and four along the Goldstream River.\u00a0 From March 28 to May 21, a total of 18 were reported. Most were along the Lochside Trail near Blenkinsop Lake.\u00a0 Other localities were Mount Douglas, Royal Roads University, Goldstream River, Moses Point.\u00a0 Two caterpillars were found along the Lochside Trail near Blenkinsop; they produced butterflies on June 26 and 28.<\/p>\n

In July, one was seen along Lochside at Blenkinsop on July 2;\u00a0 one along Beach Drive on July 3; and two at Swan Lake, July 8.<\/p>\n

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

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 All but one report came from Gordon Hart\u2019s property in the Highlands, where there were from one to three on many days, March 28 to June 11.\u00a0\u00a0 One was spotted by Jeff Gaskin and Kirsten Mills at Francis\/King Park, May 20.\u00a0 No caterpillars were reported.<\/p>\n


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

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong> \u00a0 One was seen on many dates on the Mount Tolmie Reservoir from March 18 to May 20.\u00a0 How many individuals were involved is a matter of speculation.\u00a0 While it is in principle possible that it was a single individual during this period, this is unlikely, and indeed two were seen there on April 12.<\/p>\n

Sightings from elsewhere were:\u00a0 One at Amy Road, Langford,\u00a0 March 18;\u00a0 one on Cordova Ridge, March 28;\u00a0 three on Mount Douglas, April 14.<\/p>\n


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

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 This was an excellent year for Mourning Cloaks \u2013 the best since 2014.\u00a0 One on February 21 on Mount Douglas was the first butterfly report of the year.\u00a0 From March 15 to July 23, reports of about 80 Mourning Cloaks were received from widespread locations.\u00a0 After that the only additional sightings within the boundaries of our area were of one along the Lochside Trail near Blenkinsop Lake on August 7;\u00a0 and two in Goldstream Park on September 16.\u00a0 A few miles outside the area, one was seen by Steven Roias at Jordan River on October1.<\/p>\n

A brood of c<\/em>75 first-instar caterpillars was found on Trembling Aspen at Cattle Point on June 7.<\/p>\n

Two full-grown caterpillars were found on June 15 and 21 along the sidewalk on Carey Road, Victoria..\u00a0 They were successfully reared on willow and produced adult butterflies on July 18 and 23.<\/p>\n


\nMILBERT\u2019S TORTOISESHELL
\n<\/strong>Aglais milberti<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

At one time this was a not uncommon butterfly \u2013 but in recent years it has become quite scarce.\u00a0 For example, the entry for Milbert\u2019s Tortoiseshell in last year\u2019s (2022) Report was: \u201cThere were no reports to Invertebrate Alert of this species during the year 2022, although one was reported during the July Butterfly Count.\u00a0\u00a0 Only one was seen in each of 2020 and 2021.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thus, it is encouraging to write that there were five sightings of this species in 2023.\u00a0 The first was at Rithet\u2019s Bog on May 7, when participants in the VNHS May Butterfly Walk were just talking about the scarcity of Milbert\u2019s Tortoiseshell in recent years, and that it was several years since some participants had seen one.\u00a0 On this cue, one miraculously appeared on a nettle patch.\u00a0 The nettle patch was searched several times later in the year for caterpillars, but none were found.<\/p>\n

One was photographed by Ron Flower at Goldstream Park on May 18.\u00a0 Further sightings were of singles at Lagoon Road on May 27; at University of Victoria on May 31; and at Tod Creek Flats on July 6.<\/p>\n

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

In the years 2017 to 2022 there had been at least one sighting (sometimes more) of this rare migrant species each year, placing it in that interval more frequent than the West Coast Lady. This run of American Lady years did not last, and none were reported in 2023.<\/p>\n

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

2023 was a good year for Painted Ladies, though not a truly great one \u2013 for example, no caterpillars were found in spite of devoted searches. Sightings were from May 12 to October 3.\u00a0 Painted Ladies were reported from Mount Tolmie on 24 dates from May 12 to September 30, up to five or possibly more there per day.\u00a0 It is not possible to say how many different individuals this represented.\u00a0 They were reported from about a dozen other localities in the area.\u00a0 Six were counted on Mount Douglas on May 25<\/p>\n


\nWEST COAST LADY
\n<\/strong>Vanessa annabella<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>In recent years, this species had been scarce (scarcer than American Lady); thus, only one was reported during the period 2020 \u2013 2022.\u00a0\u00a0 2023 was rather better.\u00a0 The first was seen on Mount Tolmie on May 17.\u00a0 One was seen there on several dates from May 17 to June 6; whether this was one individual or several different ones is open to speculation, but it is probable that more than one were involved.\u00a0 A single was seen on Mount Tolmie on June 26 and 30, July 9 and 13.\u00a0 Again it is unknown how many different individuals were involved, although in this case, it was probably a single individual.\u00a0 Others were seen or photographed on Mount Douglas, Government House, McIntyre Reservoir and Christmas Hill, the last two on the late dates of September 8 and 9 respectively<\/p>\n


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

This was a good year for Red Admirals, with sightings from May 9 to October 8.\u00a0\u00a0 As with the Painted Lady, most reports were from Mount Tolmie, where it was reported on about 25 days, mostly as singletons, sometimes two.\u00a0 How many different individuals were involved, and how many multiple sightings of the same individual, is not known.\u00a0 Other localities from which it was reported were:\u00a0 Mount Douglas, Government House, Christmas Hill, Metchosin, Esquimalt Lagoon. There were two October sightings \u2013 one on October 1 at Jordan River, a little outside the area covered in this Report, and one on Christmas Hill on October 8.<\/p>\n

A caterpillar, found on July 4 on Stinging Nettle along the Lochside Trail north of Blenkinsop Lake, produced an adult butterfly on July 22,\u00a0 It was released in Playfair Park.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>There were no reports to Invertebrate Alert of Hydaspe or Zerene Fritillaries in 2023 in the area covered by this Report.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NYMPHALIDAE \u2013 Melitaeinae<\/strong><\/p>\n


\n<\/strong>FIELD CRESCENT
\n<\/strong>Phyciodes pulchella\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>(In earlier literature P. campestris <\/em>or P. pratensis<\/em>)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 The colony at the Tsartlip\u00a0 Cemetery on West Saanich Road was largely destroyed in 2020, and no sightings of this butterfly were reported in 2022.\u00a0 However, in 2023 there were reports from there as follows:\u00a0 Three on June 6;\u00a0 six on June 7;\u00a0 three on June 3.\u00a0 None were reported from Eddy\u2019s Storage.<\/p>\n


\n<\/strong>MYLITTA CRESCENT
\n<\/strong>Phyciodes mylitta\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

There were no reports to Invertebrate Alert of Mylitta Crescents in 2022 or 2023 in the area covered by this Report.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

LORQUIN\u2019S ADMIRAL
\n<\/strong>Limenitis lorquini<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

There were reports of nine Lorquin\u2019s Admirals in the period May 20-30.\u00a0 Four were on Mount Tolmie on June 2, and from June 18 to July 21 they were abundant in many places. Jeff Gaskin counted 104 in three localities on June 18, 55 in two localities on June 24, and 39 at Swan Lake on July 8. From mid-July until the the third week of August they were still common, but in much lesser numbers.\u00a0 There were three September sightings \u2013 September 13, 16 and 30 – the last, at Swan Lake, a very late date for the species.<\/p>\n

Steven Roias found six caterpillars in his garden near Swan Lake on June 3.\u00a0 Five were on Ocean Spray, and one was on Hardhack.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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


\nRINGLET or LARGE HEATH
\n<\/strong>Coenonympha tullia<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>Reported from May 21 to August 11.\u00a0 This is a rather localized butterfly, all reports coming from Viaduct Flats, Layritz Park, Rithet\u2019s Bog and Island View Beach.\u00a0 A rather low total of 22 were reported during the year.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There were no reports of Common Woodnymphs or Great Arctics.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

2024 January 1 \u00a02023 BUTTERFLY REPORT FOR SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND Jeremy Tatum \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This short unofficial report is a summary of butterfly observations made in 2023 within the southern Vancouver Island birdwatching area and submitted to the Victoria Natural History Society\u2019s Invertebrate Alert Website:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/?cat=8 I am not planning to produce a printed version, but […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20595","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\/20595","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\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20595"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20595\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20638,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20595\/revisions\/20638"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20595"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20595"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20595"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}