2019 January 24

   The early spring moths are starting to appear!  Can butterflies be far behind?  Jeremy Gatten reports 3 Phigalia plumogeraria, 1 Hypena californica, and 1 Egira hiemalis from the walls of the Metchosin Community Hall yesterday, January 23.  He sends photographs of one of each.

Phigalia plumogeraria (Lep.: Geometridae)   Jeremy Gatten

Egira hiemalis (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Jeremy Gatten

2019 January 22

   On June 16 we posted a picture of a bright green chrysalis of a Sara Orangetip that Jochen Möhr had found in his Metchosin garden.  These chrysalides are very clever.  In the late summer, when the grass is all turned to straw, the chrysalis changes to a straw-colour.   Later, in the winter, when much of the vegetation is almost black, the chrysalis turns black.  Jochen sends pictures of the chrysalis as it was in June, and as it is now.

Sara Orangetip Anthocharis sara (Lep.: Pieridae)   2018 June     Jochen Möhr

Sara Orangetip Anthocharis sara (Lep.: Pieridae)   2019 January     Jochen Möhr

2019 January 21

   Just to let viewers know that we now have a volunteer to coordinate the sending of butterfly records to eButterfly.   We’ll let you know closer to the butterfly season, and when we have thought through how to organise it, and who is going to do what, just how it will work.   Just a few more weeks before butterflies re-appear!  Jeremy Tatum

2019 January 17

   Les Petersen sends a photograph of an unhappy third instar caterpillar of a Large Yellow Underwing Moth Noctua pronuba, seen on January 12 at Cedar Hill Golf Course.

Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba (Lep.: Noctuidae)

Palm Warbler Setophaga palmarum (Pas.: Parulidae)

Les Petersen

2019 January 14

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  Sonia Voicescu, who has contributed a number of observations and photographs to this site, has carried out an excellent study of the  Ringlet Coenonympha tullia at Rithet’s Bog.  I am going to test my primitive computer skills to the limit by attempting to attach her Report and its Appendix to this Invert Alert posting.  I don’t guarantee it will work.  Several regular contributors to this site sent Sonia some butterfly photographs from Rithet’s Bog.  You will find these photographs in the Appendix.

   So far I haven’t had any response to my January 6 appeal for someone to send local butterfly observations to eButterfly.