{"id":9927,"date":"2020-01-01T15:12:25","date_gmt":"2020-01-01T23:12:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/?p=9927"},"modified":"2020-12-29T13:49:18","modified_gmt":"2020-12-29T21:49:18","slug":"butterfly-report-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vicnhs.bc.ca\/?p=9927","title":{"rendered":"Butterfly Report 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

2019 BUTTERFLY REPORT FOR<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

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

Jeremy Tatum<\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

This short unofficial report is a summary of butterfly observations made in 2019 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 2019 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 2019 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

 <\/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 14 reports, of from one to four butterflies, involving 26 individuals, during the period March 31 to June 2.\u00a0 Most were from hilly areas (where the foodplant, Garry Oak, grows) such as Mount Tolmie, Mount Douglas, Christmas Hill, Munn Road, Mount Wells, Goldstream Park, and similar habitats.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

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

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>One seen at Stebbings Road (Shawnigan Lake) by Jeff Gaskin and Kirsten Mills on May 7 was the only one reported in 2019.\u00a0 This species was missed in 2018.\u00a0 Let us hope that it is not becoming rare;\u00a0 it is our smallest butterfly and not easy to see or find.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

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

\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>The first report of this species was of a caterpillar found on Reed Canary Grass at Panama Flats on May 17.\u00a0 It pupated on May 25, and the adult butterfly ecloded (emerged) on June 3.\u00a0 After that, the next adult seen was at Royal Roads University on June 11.\u00a0 From then until late July it was abundant and ubiquitous.\u00a0 94 were counted at Panama Flats, and 26 at Layritz Park, on June 18, and hundreds were reported from both Island View Beach and Witty\u2019s Beach Parks on July 17.\u00a0\u00a0 By this time they were so common that observers ceased to report them until the last reported record of the year of one at Island View Beach on a VNHS field trip on August 4.<\/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 full species by some authors) is included under Hesperia comma<\/em>.\u00a0 There was only one report of a single specimen this year, seen at the location of the Cordova (Saanichton) Spit colony by Kirsten Mills on July 23.<\/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 at Island View Beach on June 29.\u00a0 There was an interesting report of one that came to light at Jochen M\u00f6hr\u2019s moth trap in Metchosin on July 17.\u00a0 Many were reported from Mount Tuam on Salt Spring Island on July 25.\u00a0 From then they were common throughout until the end of August.\u00a0\u00a0 Only a small handful made it into September, the last report being of two at Tod Creek Flats on September 13.<\/p>\n

 <\/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>The only reports received were of three seen by Rosemary Jorna on Mount Pr\u00e9vost on June 16, and one by Jeremy Tatum at Cowichan Station on June 18.<\/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

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>The first report of the year was of one seen by Val George at Cattle Point on April 30.\u00a0 After that, the only reports were of one or sometimes two on Mount Tolmie on several dates from May 23 to August 4, and two on Mount Douglas on May 20.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mount Tolmie seems to be a reliable location for this species, which was formerly common there, the caterpillars feeding mostly on Lomatium nudicaule<\/em>.\u00a0 That plant seems to have largely disappeared from Mount Tolmie, but the likely foodplants Lomatium utriculatum <\/em>and Foeniculum vulgare <\/em>are common there.\u00a0 The species should also be looked for on Mount Douglas, and on Island View Beach and Cordova Spit, where likely foodplants are Lomatium nudicaule <\/em>and Glehnia littoralis<\/em>.<\/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 on Mount Tolmie on May 9, a rather late start for the season, and the second report was as late as May 23.\u00a0\u00a0 After that it was common until July 4.\u00a0 Interesting counts were:\u00a0 15 on Saturna Island, June 6;\u00a0 10 in Beacon Hill Park, June 13; 12, Cowichan River Estuary, June 16;\u00a0 6 at Cowichan Station, 10 at Panama Flats, 12 at Swan Lake, June 18.\u00a0 No caterpillars were reported.\u00a0 After July 4, all reports were: one on Mount Tolmie, July 8;\u00a0 one at UVic, July 21; one on Mount Tolmie (VNHS field trip), August 4; one at Royal Roads University, August 11;\u00a0 one unidentified tiger swallowtail, Swan Lake, September 6.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

 <\/p>\n

The first report was of a pair in copula<\/em> seen on Munn Road during a VNHS field trip on May 5, with two more on the same day on Mount Tolmie.\u00a0 Recorded from many locations, including 15 on Saturna Island on June 6, until June 22.\u00a0 No further reports after that date, except possibly the unidentified tiger swallowtail on September 6, referred to under Western Tiger Swallowtail.<\/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

Not a good year for this species. Records from July 16 to September 6.\u00a0 Most reports were of from 1 to 3 individuals, the most reported at one time being 7 along the Panhandle Trail on August 2.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

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

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>The only reports were of 8 (of the prominently-veined spring brood) on April 28, and a single (of the pure white summer brood) on June 1, all along the railway line north of Cowichan Station.<\/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<\/span> as adult insects (and which could therefore in principle be seen in any month), the Cabbage White was the first (March 15) and last (October 22) butterfly species reported during the year. (See Red Admiral and California Tortoiseshell for later records of overwintering species.)\u00a0 Cabbage Whites were a daily sight from mid-March to the end of September, with several hanging on through the first three weeks of October.\u00a0 This European species, the Essex Skipper (also known as European Skipper) and the native Woodland Skipper and Western Spring Azure are probably the most numerous butterflies in our area.\u00a0 Some of the larger counts during 2019 include 50 at McIntyre Reservoir, June 14;\u00a0 125 at Panama Flats, plus 12 at Island View Beach, June 18;\u00a0\u00a0 45 at McIntyre Reservoir, plus 5 at UVic, September 1; 44 at various locations, September 25.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

\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 March 18 to May 15.\u00a0 After the first, March 18, sighting, on Mount Douglas, there was a bit of a lull, the next being on March 28, with several more until March 31, when 7 were counted on Mount Douglas.\u00a0 The butterfly arising from the chrysalis found on 2018 June 16 in Jochen M\u00f6hr\u2019s Metchosin garden ecloded (with a d – claudo, claudere, clausi, clausus) on 2019 March 30, when Jochen , for one brief careless moment, had walked away for a few minutes from his camera.\u00a0 (But see Painted Lady.)\u00a0 As a result of rainy weather, there was another gap until April 15, after which it was seen regularly until May 15.\u00a0 Mount Douglas, Prospect Lake power line, Mount Tolmie, Christmas Hill, Goldstream Heights, Munn\u00a0 Road and the Panhandle Trail were locations where it was most frequently seen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

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

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>Reports of this double-brooded species were from June 11 – 18, and again from August 4 to September 1.\u00a0 This is a somewhat localised species.\u00a0 Locations from where it was reported were Mount Tolmie, Goldstream Park, Island View Beach, McIntyre Reservoir.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

\n

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

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

 <\/p>\n

The taxonomy of this species is currently in a very fluid state, and reference to it may be found under several names, including, for example, Rosner\u2019s Hairstreak, \u00a0Juniper Hairstreak and Callophrys gryneus<\/em>.\u00a0 In our area, it is usually a spring butterfly, but there are occasional records later in the year, indicating that the species may be at least partly double-brooded. In 2019, most records were from April 28 to June 11, but one was photographed by Annie Pang in Gorge Park on August 4.\u00a0 The immediate inference is that this would have been part of a second brood; however, it was a rather worn individual, so it is also possible that it was a spring butterfly that had managed to survive for several weeks.\u00a0 Spring records were from Cowichan Station, Panhandle Trail, Goldstream Park, Metchosin, Mount Tolmie, Kemp Lake, Highlands, and Memorial Crescent.\u00a0\u00a0 While the larval foodplant is usually listed as Western Red Cedar, many of our sightings are from localities where there are no cedars in sight.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

 <\/p>\n

As with the previous species, its taxonomy is in a very fluid state, and it may be listed under many names, from Incisalia iroides <\/em>\u00a0to Callophrys augustinus.<\/em>\u00a0 Two of several questions are whether it should be treated as a distinct species from Callophrys augustinus<\/em>, or whether Incisalia<\/em> is a valid generic name.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There were reports of only 7 adults during 2019, from April 4 to May 26.\u00a0 A caterpillar was found on Salal at Munn Road on June 17; unfortunately it was found to have been parasitized by a tachinid.\u00a0 A brown lycaenid butterfly was photographed by Gordon Hart in the Highlands on July 29.\u00a0 It was not easy to identify with certainty, but, in spite of the very late date, it is thought to have most likely been this species.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

 <\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know why, but Invertebrate Alert received only three reports, of five individuals, of this species in 2019.\u00a0 One in the\u00a0 Highlands on March 31;\u00a0 two along the Panhandle Trail on April 20;\u00a0 two in Goldstream Park, April 21.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

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

The only report of this species within the area covered by this report was of two seen by Aziza Cooper at Goldstream Heights on May 2.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

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

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>Eleven reports – of 12 individuals – from April 19 to August 22, distributed by month as:\u00a0 1 in April;\u00a0 6 in May;\u00a0 2 in June;\u00a0 2 in July;\u00a0 1 in August.<\/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

 <\/p>\n

Numerous reports of this very common spring butterfly from April 9 to June 22.\u00a0 (In 2018 the corresponding dates were April 10 to June 18.)\u00a0 Among the higher counts:\u00a0 8 at Goldstream Park, April 20;\u00a0 15 along Munn Road, May 5; 12 along the Panhandle Trail, May 7, and 16 there on May 15.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

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

The only report from the Colwood exit colony was of six there on May 17.\u00a0 However, a new colony was found at the Koksilah Road exit from the Trans-Canada Highway, where three adults and two ova were spotted on a lupine patch on May 26.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

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

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>Reports on 18 dates from March 19 to September 25 suggest that this butterfly is making a welcome come-back from a series of lean years.\u00a0 Adults were seen from March 19 to April\u00a0 28.\u00a0 Then no more adults until June 1, although at least one caterpillar was found in the May gap.\u00a0 Caterpillars were found along the Lochside Trail near Blenkinsop Lake;\u00a0 in Goldstream Park; along the railway line north of Cowichan Station; and in the grounds of Royal Road University, where six were found on June 26.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

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

\u00a0 <\/strong>The resurgence of the Satyr Comma may have put an end to the Green Comma\u2019s attempt to become the \u201cdefault\u201d comma in the area.\u00a0 Although there were reports from March 17 to June 11, the great majority came from Gordon and Anne-Marie Hart\u2019s property in the Highlands, where they are regular.\u00a0 Other localities where they were noted were Metchosin, Prospect Lake Road, Butchart Gardens, and Charter\u2019s Creek.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

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

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0This was one of the earliest (March 20) butterflies of the year (beaten by a few days by Satyr Comma [March 19], Mourning Cloak [March 16] and Cabbage White [March 15]), and (without competition) the latest (November 17).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Three were found by Kirsten Mills on the Mount Tolmie reservoir on March 20, and from one to three (whether the same or different individuals we know not) were seen there on many dates from then until May 9 and another there on September 26.\u00a0 Other localities were Little Saanich Mountain (Observatory Hill), Mount Douglas, Summit Hill, Happy Valley Road, Highlands, and Finlayson Arm Road.\u00a0 Most reports were from March to May inclusive; there were six sightings from June to November (none in August).\u00a0 A photograph by Tina Akhavan of one sunning in a brief sunny spell on November 17 in Finlayson Arm Road was a welcome surprise.\u00a0 Although this butterfly is usually assumed to be only a non-breeding spring migrant on the area, it is known to have bred here in previous years, and recent late-season sightings near the large Ceanothus <\/em>bushes in Gordon and Anne-Marie\u2019s Highlands property suggest that breeding may have occurred there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

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

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>After a few lean years, 2019 promised well, with reports of singles on 16 dates from March 16 to June 4, although none were seen after that date, so 2019 must be counted only a moderate year at best. The very varied localities where it was seen were South Valley Park (we bet Jeremy Gatten was looking for a Redwing when he saw this butterfly there!), Outerbridge Park, Cuthbert Holmes Park, Goldstream Park, Goldstream Heights, Highlands, Swan Lake, Panhandle Trail, Blenkinsop Valley, Panama Flats, Mount Tolmie.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

 <\/p>\n

The only reports of this now uncommon butterfly were of one at Munn Road on April 15, and one along South Shawnigan Lake Road on May 7.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

 <\/p>\n

One was seen by Jeremy Tatum at Panama Flats on May 17.\u00a0 That makes it three years in a row in which this rare butterfly has been seen.\u00a0 As in 2018, only one American Lady was sighted.\u00a0 2017 was the big year.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

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

We first heard word of a huge northerly migration of this species in California on March 17.\u00a0 While we did not get spectacular swarms here (the bulk of them are believed to have passed through mainland British Columbia), there is no doubt that 2019 was an excellent year here for the species.\u00a0 Our first report was from Mount Tolmie on March 17, though it is doubtful whether this was from the reported California swarm. From one to eight Painted Ladies were reported on many days on Mount Tolmie (either on the reservoir, or near the Jeffery Pine) from April 19 to September 26, and one on the Mount Tolmie ivy patch on October 22.\u00a0 Painted Ladies were an almost daily sight at other widespread locations from May to September:\u00a0 Christmas Hill, McIntyre Reservoir, Munn Road, Prospect Lake, Cowichan Station, Sooke, Royal Roads University, University of Victoria, Uplands Park, Panama Flats, Millstream Road, Highrock Park, Highlands, Holland Point, Sidney Island Spit, Mount Tuam, Colquitz River Trail, Maber Flats, Metchosin, Atkins Road,\u00a0 Mount Douglas, Beacon Hill Park, Cecelia Ravine, Gorge Park, Cedar Hill School, Doncaster School, Government House, Brentwood Bay.\u00a0 The last report of the year was of one at Government House, October 27.\u00a0 Caterpillars were found on various thistle species (including Onopordum<\/em>) at Royal Roads University (June 21), Millstream Road, Holland Point.\u00a0 A remarkable movie of a Painted Lady butterfly ecloding (emerging) from its chrysalis in Metchosin was obtained by Jochen M\u00f6hr on September 3, and can be viewed at<\/p>\n