This blog provides an informal forum for terrestrial invertebrate watchers to post recent sightings of interesting observations in the southern Vancouver Island region. Please send your sightings by email to Jeremy Tatum (tatumjb352@gmail.com). Be sure to include your name, phone number, the species name (common or scientific) of the invertebrate you saw, location, date, and number of individuals. If you have a photograph you are willing to share, please send it along. Click on the title above for an index of past sightings.The index is updated most days.

2023 September 23

2023 September 23
First full day of Autumn

Jeff Gaskin writes:  Yesterday, September 22, there was a Painted Lady at the top of Mount Tolmie right near the Jeffrey Pine.

2023 September 22

2023 September 22
Summer ends and Autumn starts at ten minutes before midnight tonight

 

Aziza Cooper sends pictures of two of three mantids that she saw at Pedder Bay, September 21, and a dragonfly at Aylard Farm, September 22.

European Praying Mantis Mantis religiosa (Mantodea – Mantidae)
Aziza Cooper

European Praying Mantis Mantis religiosa (Mantodea – Mantidae)
Aziza Cooper

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

2023 September 21 evening

2023 September 21 evening

 Jeff Gaskin writes: There were two Painted Ladies at the summit of Christmas Hill this afternoon at 4 p.m. September 21.

2023 September 21 morning

2023 September 21 morning

   Jochen Möhr sends pictures of moths from his Metchosin home this morning.

Neoalcis californiaria  (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

Udea profundalis  (Lep.: Crambidae)  Jochen Möhr

Tetracis jubararia (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

Tetracis jubararia (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

2023 September 20

2023 September 20

Aziza Cooper sends pictures of a spider from Government House on September 16, and a moth and a dragonfly from Swan Lake on September 17.

Araneus diadematus  (Ara.: Araneidae)   Aziza Cooper

Neoalcis californiaria  (Lep.: Geometridae)  Aziza Cooper

Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis  (Odo.: Libellulidae)  Aziza Cooper