2106 June 11

   Jeremy Tatum shows caterpillars of three butterflies. First, a Western Spring Azure.  Found yesterday in an Ocean Spray panicle at Blenkinsop Lake.

Western Spring Azure Celastrina echo (Lep.: Lycaenidae)

Jeremy Tatum

  Next a Red Admiral, found while I was looking (unsuccessfully) for caterpillars of the Satyr Comma, usually so common in Lochside Drive south of Blenkinsop Lake.

Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta (Lep.: Nymphalidae) Jeremy Tatum

Lastly a Two-banded Grizzled Skipper..  This came from the egg found by Devon Parker near Jordan River (see May 15 posting).  Although the egg was laid on Rubus ursinus, the caterpillar seems to prefer Fragaria vesca.  The caterpillar is resting in classical pyrgine caterpillar style, looking backwards over its shoulder.

Two-banded Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus ruralis (Lep.: Hesperiidae)

Jeremy Tatum

Annie Pang sends a picture of a Common Emerald moth from her back door yesterday.  This European moth has become quite common in Victoria.

Common Emerald Hemithea aestivaria (Lep.: Geometridae) Annie Pang

Aziza Cooper writes:  Yesterday, June 9 and today, June 10 I saw Milbert’s Tortoiseshell briefly. Yesterday was at the lollipop boardwalk at Swan Lake, and today was on the south face of Mt Douglas below the west summit.

Other butterflies June 10 at Mt Douglas were:

Pale Tiger Swallowtail – 1

Anise Swallowtail – 1

Western Tiger Swallowtail – 1

Lorquin’s Admiral – 4

Cabbage White – 1

Reddish-brown flyby – possible Sheep Moth

Aziza sends a photograph of a moth, taken on June 10, on the south face of Mount Douglas below the west summit just above treetop level.  Jeremy Tatum responds:   This is Digrammia muscariata,  a moth associated with Garry Oak.

Digrammia muscariata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Aziza Cooper