2016 July 4

   Butterflies may be a bit scarce in and near Victoria just now, but it is quite another story on Mount Cokely.   On June 29 Ron Flower photographed several splendid butterflies, most of which we don’t see here in Victoria.  See also Aziza’s June 26 list (June 27 posting).

Western Sulphur Colias occidentalis (Lep.: Pieridae)  Ron Flower

Rocky Mountain Parnassian Parnassius smintheus (Lep.: Papilionidae)  Ron Flower

   Jeremy Gatten writes:  I bought extension tubes to get a little closer for macro shots and I am quite happy with the results!

First, I found an interesting wasp, Philanthus crabroniformis, that I learned is a beewolf.  The females lay eggs on a bee host and when the carnivorous larvae emerge, they consume it.  I found it at Tod Creek Flats behind the Red Barn Market on West Saanich Road.

Next, I had a different bee fly at the old gravel pit off Veteran’s Memorial Parkway near Colwood.  Almost all bee flies I encounter locally are Bombylius major, but this one lacks the pattern on the wings and is much more golden.  It could be Systoechus oreas.  At the same location I had a very exciting find: a large dark spot on a rock turned out to be a Catocala briseis moth!

Philanthus crabroniformis (Hym.: Crabronidae)  Jeremy Gatten

Bee fly Probably Systoechus oreas (Dip.: Bibionidae)  Jeremy Gatten

Catocala briseis (Lep.: Erebidae – Catocalinae)  Jeremy Gatten