2023 July 19 morning

   Jochen Möhr has photographed several Malacosoma moths in Metchosin.  We have two species; M. californicum and M. disstria.  The caterpillars are quite distinct, but the adult moths can be difficult to distinguish.  I believe (writes Jeremy Tatum) that all five of the moths below may be M. californicum.  However, I have labelled two of them as “Probably” M. californicum,  to indicate that I am not completely certain, and there is a (small) possibility that these may be M. disstria.

Malacosoma californicum  (Lep.: Lasiocampidae)  Jochen Möhr

Malacosoma californicum  (Lep.: Lasiocampidae)  Jochen Möhr

Malacosoma californicum  (Lep.: Lasiocampidae)  Jochen Möhr

Probably Malacosoma californicum  (Lep.: Lasiocampidae)
Jochen Möhr

Probably Malacosoma californicum  (Lep.: Lasiocampidae)
Jochen Möhr

Also shown by Jochen are an upperside and an underside of the White Satin Moth Leucoma salicis.

  Leucoma salicis (Lep.: Erebidae – Lymantriinae)  Jochen Möhr

Leucoma salicis (Lep.: Erebidae – Lymantriinae)  Jochen Möhr

Jochen sends pictures of two more moths, one of which is easy – the other not so!

Macaria lorquinaria (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

   Libby Avis writes, of the moth below: This moth is a Crambidae, subfamily Scopariinae for sure, but they’re hard to get to species. Most likely a Scoparia or a Eudonia. Best guess (only a guess, not an ID!) is Eudonia commortalis.  [Jeremy Tatum ventures:  Libby is right to be cautious – though her “guess” looks like a pretty good “guess” to me!]

Crambid moth (Lep.: Crambidae – Scopariinae)  Jochen Möhr