2024 September 22

No Invertebrate Alerts were issued on September 20, 21.

Here is the pupa formed by the hawk moth caterpillar shown on September 14.  His Majesty the King is examining it from the obverse of a 2024 dime.

Since this species was split from S. cerisyi, Cerisy’s Eyed Hawk Moth, I (Jeremy Tatum) haven’t heard of any generally used English name for it.  Ophthalmic Eyed Hawk Moth doesn’t sound very good.  Has anyone heard of a name, or can make a suggestion for one?

Smerinthus ophthalmica (Lep.: Sphingidae)   Jeremy Tatum

Marie O’Shaughnessy writes:   I visited several spots Saturday and found only Cabbage White butterflies: 1 at Cattle Point, 2 at Uplands Park, 2 at Outerbridge Park, 2 at McIntyre Reservoir (to which Jeremy Tatum adds 1 at Mount View Park).  Marie sends a photograph of a Blue-eyed Darner at Outerbridge Park.  There is also a dragonfly exuvia in the photograph – not sure if it is the same species or not.

Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor  (Odo.: Aeshnidae)  Marie O’Shaughnessy

2024 September 19

   Marie O’Shaughnessy photographed this katydid at Qualicum Beach, September 15.  We thank James Miskelly for identifying it as a Slender Meadow Katydid  Conocephalus fasciatus.

 Slender Meadow Katydid  Conocephalus fasciatus  (Ortho.:  Tettigoniidae)
Marie O’Shaughnessy

2024 September 18

   Wendy Ansell writes: There was a nice fresh Lorquin’s Admiral at Rithet’s Bog at 4:00 this afternoon.  It was on the east side (NE?) sunning itself.

Marie O’Shaughnessy sends the following from the Qualicum Beach area, Sunday September 15.

I was surprised to find 3 species of red dragonflies in one location.
Most appeared to be Striped Meadowhawks
2 were Cardinal Meadowhawks
8 were Autumn Meadowhawks

Others were
1  blue male Western Pondhawk
2 Common Green Darners
4 Blue-eyed Darners
1 Canada Darner
2 Paddle-tailed Darner

 Cardinal Meadowhawks  Sympetrum illotum  (Odo.: Libellulidae) Marie O’Shaughnessy

 Autumn Meadowhawk  Sympetrum vicinum  (Odo.: Libellulidae) Marie O’Shaughnessy

Striped Meadowhawk  Sympetrum pallipes  (Odo.: Libellulidae) Marie O’Shaughnessy

Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor  (Odo.: Aeshnidae)  Marie O’Shaughnessy

  Canada Darner Aeshna canadensis  ( Odo.: Aeshnidae)  Marie O’Shaughnessy

Canada Darner Aeshna canadensis  ( Odo.: Aeshnidae)  Marie O’Shaughnessy

Aziza Cooper writes:  Today, September 18, this dragonfly was at the ditch beside Island View Nursery in the Martindale valley.

Paddle-tailed Darner Aeshna palmata  (Odo.: Aeshnidae)  Aziza Cooper

2024 September 17 morning

   Val George writes:  Yesterday, September 16, this moth, Xanthorhoe defensaria, was on the wall of the Nature House at Goldstream Park.

Xanthorhoe defensaria  (Lep.: Geometridae)  Val George

2024 September 16

  Jeff Gaskin writes:  Only one butterfly of note to tell you about.  Today, September 16, there was one well worn-out Woodland Skipper at Swan Lake.

Jeremy Tatum writes:  The last Woodland Skipper – indeed the last non-Cabbage-White butterfly – to be reported was on Sepetember 6.  There are stiil a few Cabbage Whites to be seen flying around.

Jeff continues:  Dragonflies at Swan Lake included 1 or 2 Blue-eyed Darners, and 2 Blue Dashers.

Aziza Cooper writes:   Today, September 16, this Variegated Meadowhawk was at the Beechey Head hawk lookout.

Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum  (Odo.: Libellulidae)  Aziza Cooper