2023 March 5

Aziza Cooper sends a photograph of a cocoon of a Polyphemus Moth found at Swan Lake today.

Polyphemus cocoon Antheraea polyphemus (Lep.: Saturniidae ) Aziza Cooper

2023 March 1

Cheryl Hoyle sends a photograph of a Running Crab Spider from View Royal, February 28.  Thanks to Dr Robb Bennett for identifying it as Philodromus rufus.

Philodromus rufus (Ara.: Philodromidae)  Cheryl Hoyle

   Ian Cooper writes from James Bay, February 28: I spotted a number of honey bees feeding on flowers in James Bay this afternoon – my first bee sightings of the year!  The location was a flower bed by the Royal Scot Hotel in James Bay.  I was surprised to see bees buzzing around in a flower garden.  Not sure what kind of flowers they are, but someone may recognize them, as they seem to be popular ornamentals that can withstand our cooler months.  (Bill Savale says probably Helleborus sp.)

Honey Bee  Apis mellifera (Hym.: Apidae)  Ian Cooper

Honey Bee  Apis mellifera (Hym.: Apidae)  Ian Cooper

Honey Bee  Apis mellifera (Hym.: Apidae)  Ian Cooper

2023 February 24

Cheryl Hoyle sends a photograph of an Oak Winter Highflyer  from View Royal, February 23 – just the right time of year for this moth.

 Hydriomena nubilofasciata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Cheryl Hoyle

2023 February 22

Butterfly!

   Jeff Gaskin writes:   I know you probably think it’s too cold for butterflies, but yesterday, February 21, Bill Dancer reported that he saw a Mourning Cloak on the lower regions of Mount Douglas Park.

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  I do know that it’s too cold for me.  Mourning Cloaks, however, spend the winter in the adult stage, and February sightings are quite possible – though rare and exciting nevertheless.  Since this site was started in 2010, we have had February sightings in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2022, the earliest date being 2015 February 17.

2023 February 20

   Aziza Cooper sends a photograph of a spider from her home in Saanich:

Pholcus phalangioides (Ara.: Pholcidae)  Aziza Cooper