2024 September 25

   The last three years have been quite poor years for Pine Whites, with only three having been reported to this site this year, the last one being on July 27.  It was a delightful surprise to get two photographs from independent observers yesterday, starting with this spectacular photograph by Gordon Hart at Aylard Farm, East Sooke Park.

Pine White Neophasia menapis  (Lep.: Pieridae)  Gordon Hart

Shortly after receiving this, we received more from Marie O’Shaughnessy, as follows

It was an interesting visit to East Sooke Regional Park this afternoon. With the misty fog shrouding the meadows at times it seems like nothing was going to be seen. How wrong, I was. The fog moved off by 2pm.

Two Pine White butterflies were busy nectaring,  My first for the year.
Several  Orb -weaver Spiders were capturing insects, including a dragonfly.  Plenty of crickets and grasshoppers were jumping.

Pine White Neophasia menapis  (Lep.: Pieridae)  Marie O’Shaughnessy

Pine White Neophasia menapis  (Lep.: Pieridae)  Marie O’Shaughnessy

Identification pending

Orb-web Spider Araneus diadematus   (Ara.: Aranaeidae)  Marie O’Shaughnessy

Once the sun came out from the marine fog that blanketed Aylard Farm, this afternoon, many dragonflies were seen perched or flying around.  There were many male and female Variegated Meadowhawks in one of the upper meadows.  I could find only one Paddle-tailed Darner.  At least 10 Common Green Darners were flying in the meadow, but I never saw any ‘’ hanging ”, that I could find, even though they would disappear and re-appear.

Variegated Meadowhawk  Sympetrum corruptum  (Odo.: Libellulidae)  Marie O’Shaughnessy

Variegated Meadowhawk  Sympetrum corruptum  (Odo.: Libellulidae)  Marie O’Shaughnessy

Paddle-tailed Darner Aeshna palmata  (Odo.:Aeshnidae)  Marie O’Shaughnessy