INVERTEBRATE ALERT
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.

June 17

 

2021 June 17

    Jeremy Tatum writes:  Moths in their several stages have to exercise several strategies to avoid being eaten by predators.  The caterpillar of the moth Behrensia conchiformis, and also the cocoon that it spins in which to pupate, adopts the very simple expedient of being invisible.  Below is a photograph of the cocoon of Behrensia conchiformis.  There’s no point in staring at it.  It is invisible.

 

Cocoon of Behrensia conchiformis  (Lep.: Noctuidae)  Jeremy Tatum

     Here are two recent geometrids from Jochen Möhr in Metchosin.   One can appreciate how difficult it is to sort all these moths out!  Thanks to Libby Avis for doing so.

 

Spargania magnoliata (Lep.:  Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

 

 

Hydriomena californiata/marinata  (Lep.: Geometridae

   Gordon Hart and Jeremy Tatum saw several Essex Skippers at Panama Flats this afternoon, June 17.