2015 October 22

   Jeremy Tatum writes:   On September 13 (see posting of that date) I saw a Cabbage White ovipositing on Cakile, and I showed an egg in that posting.  There is great satisfaction in successfully rearing a butterfly from the egg, and the butterfly arising from that egg emerged (ecloded) yesterday. I photographed it indoors (see below) and then released it on the flowering ivy patch on Mount Tolmie, so that it will have plenty of nectar to give it strength as long as this mild fall weather lasts. The caterpillar from Gordon’s broccoli came a little later; it has pupated and I have put the chrysalis away in a cool, dark spot, so Gordon’s butterfly won’t emerge until Spring. 

Cabbage White Pieris rapae (Lep.: Pieridae)   Jeremy Tatum

   There are still a few Cabbage Whites around.  Jeff Gaskin reports one or two in the 100 block of Gorge Road East, today, October 22. Please keep reporting them

   All the same, the season for butterflies and for many other invertebrates is coming to a close and it is time to say

THANK YOU!

to all of you who have contributed to this Invertebrate Alert site this year and a special thanks to Adam Taylor for his technical expertise in keeping the site going. We have been able to show a huge and impressive variety of the wonderful creatures to be seen locally.  Although there will inevitably be fewer to see as the colder months move in, the Invertebrate Alert site will remain open for business, although postings will doubtless no longer be on a daily basis. So continue to watch the site from time to time and let us know whenever you see something of interest. And thank you again for all your fascinating contributions.                                                                    

Jeremy Tatum