2017 May 31

   Some of us have difficulty in telling a bug from a beetle, so we start today’s entry with two bugs, and we thank Charlene Wood and Claudia Copley for identifications.

The first bug was photographed by Mik Yip in Nanoose Bay on May 23.  Charlene remarks that the two white spots on the wing are characteristic of western specimens.  They feed on a variety of plants as well as scavenging and predating other insects.

Small Milkweed Bug Lygaeus kalmii (Hem.:  Lygaeidae)  Mike Yip

   The second bug was photographed by Dar Churcher in Colwood.  At first we were not sure whether it was Brochymena or Halyomorpha, but Claudia set us right by pointing out the rough shoulders and no white bands on the antenna, which makes it Brochymena.  There are several very similar species.

Rough stink bug Brochymena sp. (Hem.: Pentatomidae)  Dar Churcher

The third photograph is a beetle.  I often find this one or its larva inside my apartment, but Dar photographed it outside on a flower.

Varied Carpet Beetle Anthrenus verbasci (Col.: Dermestidae)  Dar Churcher

I believe the fly below is a female blow fly. 

Blow fly   Probably  Sarcophaga sp.  (Dip.: Sarcophagidae)  Dar Churcher

The spider below was photographed and identified by Dar Churcher as a Woodlouse Spider.  Apparently woodlice are among its favorite prey.

Woodlouse Spider Dysdera crocata (Ara.: Dysderidae)  Dar Churcher

   Annie Pang sends a photograph of a Western Tiger Swallowtail (sans tails!) from Gorge Park, May 29 – the first report of this butterfly to reach Invertebrate Alert this year!

Western Tiger Swallowtail Papilio rutulus (Lep.: Papilionidae)  Annie Pang

Jochen Moehr sends a photograph of a caterpillar of a White Satin Moth from Metchosin, May 31.  This is a European moth, which has become quite common in our area.  The caterpillar feeds on Salix and Populus, perhaps with a preference for Populus alba.

White Satin Moth Leucoma salicis (Lep.: Erebidae – Lymantriidae)  Jochen Moehr

One last photograph for today’s posting.  More tomorrow!  Two European Paper Wasps, from Colwood, photographed by Dar Churcher.

European Paper Wasps Polisres dominula (Hym.: Vespidae)  Dar Churcher

2017 May 30

   Marie O’Shaughnessy sends a photograph of a pristine fresh Painted Lady from Uplands Park, May 29.

Painted Lady Vanessa cardui (Lep.: Nymphalidae)  Marie O’Shaughnessy

   Bryan Gates sends a photograph of Callizzia amorata from Saratoga Beach, near Oyster River.  The caterpillar feeds on species of honeysuckle Lonicera sp.

Callizzia amorata (Lep.: Uraniidae – Epipleminae) Bryan Gates

2017 May 29, morning

   Dar Churcher shows a female European Earwig from Colwood.   The males have much more strongly curved pincers.

Common Earwig Forficula auricularia (Der.: Forficulidae)  Dar Churcher

   Below is another specimen of a tineid cocoon found by Dar Churcher.  The cocoons were found outside on the exterior of a tin shed or from the stucco or cedar siding of the house in Colwood.  Although it is difficult to be certain of the exact species without seeing the adult moth, Dar suggests (and Jeremy agrees) that it is quite likely to be Phereoeca uterella.

 Probably Phereoeca uterella (Lep.: Tineidae)  Dar Churcher

Thanks to Rob Higgins for identifying the ant below as a member of the genus Formica (probably species group fusca).  Its prey is the larva of a sawfly.

Ant (Formica sp.) with sawfly larva    Dar Churcher

Jeremy Tatum shows a Raspberry Weevil from the wall of his Saanich apartment building today.

Raspberry Weevil  Otiorhyncus singularis (Col.: Curculionidae)  Jeremy Tatum

The caterpillar below was found on Douglas Fir at Tower Point yesterday.

Neoalcis californiaria (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jeremy Tatum

Jeremy Tatum writes: Below is a Two-banded Grizzled Skipper.  It came from an egg found last year by Devon Parker, shown on 2016 May 15.  The caterpillar (fed on trailing blackberry and wild strawberry) was shown on 2016 June 11, and the pupa on 2016 October 8.  I released the adult butterfly along the Munn Road power line yesterday, where the species is known to occur and where there are lots of trailing blackberry and strawberry plants, and a safe distance from the Willow Flycatcher that is singing there.  It flew a little way, and then settled, wings wide open, on a pristine fresh Thimbleberry flower where it nectared for a few minutes.  Then off it flew to seek further adventures.  Also in that area were several Western Spring Azures and a Western Brown Elfin.

Two-banded Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus ruralis (Lep.: Hesperiidae)  Jeremy Tatum

2017 May 28

   Sheryl Falls sends a photograph of Adela septentrionella from Nanoose.

Adela septentrionella (Lep.: Incurvariidae)  Sheryl Falls

   Dar Churcher sends a photograph of the mayfly Callibaetis ferrugineus from Colwood.

Callibaetis ferrugineus  (Eph.: Baetidae)  Dar Churcher

   The picture below shows on the left the cocoon of a case-bearing clothes moth. Sticking out from the cocoon is the cast skin of the pupa, the adult moth having already left.  We have had some guesses as to what the exact species might be, but for safety we’ll label this just down to Family level.

Clothes moth (Lep.: Tineidae)  Dar Churcher

   More pics to show – but they will have to wait until tomorrow!   Jeremy Tatum

2017 May 27

   Samantha Hatfield sends a photograph of a Cabbage White from the North Jubilee area.

Cabbage White Pieris rapae (Lep.: Pieridae)  Samantha Hatfield

    Dar Churcher sends a photograph of a click beetle, Agriotes lineatus, from Colwood, May 22.   The white dots may be pollen grains – at any rate, they’re not part of the beetle!

 Agriotes lineatus (Col.: Elateridae)  Dar Churcher