April 1
2016 April 1
Gordon Hart writes: We saw a few more species today. At Francis/King Park I saw 2 Sara Orangetips, 2 Spring Azures, and an elfin sp. At home (Highlands District), we saw a Mourning Cloak, Sara Orangetip and a Moss’s Elfin on some Sedum, photograph attached. Also a beautiful Golden Buprestid Beetle (Buprestis aurulenta) allowed me to take some pictures.
Moss’s Elfin Incisalia mossii (Lep.: Lycaenidae) Gordon Hart
Golden Buprestid Beetle Buprestis aurulenta (Col.: Buprestidae) Gordon Hart
Jeremy Gatten writes: I have lots of action right now with all this warm weather. I was surprised to see Feralia comstocki, which normally isn’t around for another couple of weeks. I had two Feralia deceptiva as well, so with a bit of patience I managed to get a comparison shot of the two side-by-side.
The other nice moth I had last night was Egira perlubens. I see maybe one or two per spring at my place, so I always enjoy spying one under my lights.
Feralia comstocki (left) and F. deceptiva (right) (Lep.: Noctuidae) Jeremy Gatten
Jeremy Tatum writes: Here is a Behrensia conchiformis from my Saanich apartment today. The caterpillar feeds on Snowberry.
Behrensia conchiformis (Lep.: Noctuidae) Jeremy Tatum
Gerry and Wendy Ansell write: We found our first Red Admiral of the year on Mount Tolmie this afternoon (April 1) between 2:00 and 3:30. It was harassing a Mourning Cloak most of that time. There was also 1 California Tortoiseshell, at least 1 Western Spring Azure and a Cabbage White. I had my camera with me today so there is a photo attached.
Jeremy Tatum adds: I visited Mount Tolmie at about 6:30 p.m. and I saw the Red Admiral and 3 California Tortoiseshells on the reservoir.
Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta (Lep.: Nymphalidae) Wendy Ansell
Rosemary Jorna writes: I was attempting photographing developing frog embryos in a Kemp Lake Road garden pond when this insect larva drifted into the picture. I believe it is a mosquito. A Western Spring Azure butterfly is flying but not stopping for a photo.
Jeremy Tatum responds: Yes, it is a mosquito, and there is almost certainly some viewer out there who can tell us (with reasons, please) what genus it is. Please let us know: jtatumATuvic.ca Jeremy adds: We would very much welcome more pictures of terrestrial aquatic invertebrates. We have had a few on this site, but very, very few, and there is a whole world of aquatic invertebrates out there to challenge photographers.
Mosquito larva (Dip.: Culicidae) Rosemary Jorna