2107 May 14

   Mike McGrenere writes:  Barb and I were on Observatory Hill on Saturday afternoon (May 13) and we saw 5 Sara Orangetips, 1 Propertius Duskywing, 3 Western Spring Azures and 1 Pale Tiger Swallowtail (photo).  Jeremy Tatum comments:  This is the first swallowtail of any species that has been reported to Invert Alert in this very late spring.

 Pale Tiger Swallowtail Papilio eurymedon (Lep.: Papilionidae)  Mike McGrenere

2017 May 13

   Jeremy Tatum sends a photograph of a Neoalcis californiaria caterpillar on Douglas Fir from Panama Flats.

Neoalcis californiaria (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jeremy Tatum

 Ken Vaughan sends a photograph of Emmelina monodactyla.

Emmelina monodactyla (Lep.: Pterophoridae)  Ken Vaughan

   Annie Pang sends a picture of a fly in the genus Phaonia.  Probably P. subventa, but could also be P. rufiventris (= P. populi).

Phaonia sp. (Dip.: Muscidae)  Annie Pang

   Aziza Cooper reports from Christmas Hill today, about 2:00 pm:

Painted Lady – 2

Spring Azure – 1

Sara Orangetip – 1

Cabbage White – 1

Propertius Duskywing – 2

California Darner -1

Propertius Duskywing Erynnis propertius (Lep.: Hesperiidae)  Aziza Cooper

California Darner Rhionaeschna californica (Odo.: Aeshnidae) Aziza Cooper

     Sheryl Falls reports a Cedar Hairstreak from Nanaimo’s Townsite area, May 7.

Cedar Hairstreak Mitoura rosneri (Lep.: Lycaenidae)  Sheryl Falls

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  Today (May 13) I saw two Cerisy’s Eyed Hawk Moths in copula along the Lochside trail between Blenkinsop Lake and Lohbrunner’s.  I didn’t photograph them, partly because I didn’t want to disturb them in their private moment, and partly because I didn’t have my camera with me.  May 13, and the only butterflies I saw on that section of the trail were one Cabbage White and one Western Spring Azure.

2017 May 12

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  Four Painted Ladies basking on the Mount Tolmie reservoir at 4:00 pm today, and a Propertius Duskywing just outside the entrance to the reservoir.

2017 May 11

   Aziza Cooper sends a picture of a fly, Epalpus signifer, on a Chocolate Lily in Uplands Park, May 9.   Jeremy Tatum writes:    The fly lays its eggs on…  oh, I don’t think the rest of that is suitable for all viewers.   Going to more pleasant matters, the flower is also known as the Chocolate Fritillary, and I don’t know whether the flower is named after the butterfly, or the butterfly is named after the flower.  They both have (slightly) similar chequered patterns.  I believe the flower got its name first, but it could be the other way round.

Epalpus signifer (Dip.: Tachinidae)  Aziza Cooper

   The first spraying for supposed Lymantria dispar in the Elk Lake/Bear Hill area has been postponed until Monday May 15, 5:00 – 7:30 am.

2017 May 10

   Mike Yip sends a photograph of Autographa californica from North Oyster Park, Cedar. 

Autographa californica (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Mike Yip

   Mike also sends a photograph of a dragonfly from Yellowpoint.  Thank you, Rob Cannings, for the identification.

California Darner Rhionaeschna californica (Odo.: Aeshnidae)  Mike Yip

   Nathan Fisk sends a photograph of a Cedar Hairstreak (the first that Invert Alert has heard of this year) from Beacon Hill Park  –  you don’t have to go out into the wilderness to find interesting butterflies!

Cedar Hairstreak Mitoura rosneri (Lep.: Lycaenidae)  Nathan Fisk

Jochen Moehr found a Cerisy’s Eyed Hawk Moth near Duke Road, Metchosin.

Cerisy’s Eyed Hawk Moth Smerinthus cerisyi (Lep.: Sphingidae)  Jochen Moehr

Cerisy’s Eyed Hawk Moth Smerinthus cerisyi (Lep.: Sphingidae)  Jochen Moehr