2015 September 6

   Val George writes:  Despite my best efforts to remove the caterpillars of the Diamondback Moth manually (I don’t use pesticides, herbicides, nuclear bombs, etc.) from my kale, at least one obviously got by me because this morning I saw and photographed the attached adult:

Diamondback Moth Plutella xylostella (Lep.: Plutellidae)  Val George

   Rosemary Jorna writes:  This good sized spider was on a gravel road near Kemp Lake, September 5.   Thanks to Robb Bennett for identifying it as a male of our coastal burrowing mygalomorph Androdiaetus pacificus.

Androdiaetus pacificus (Ara.: Androdiaetidae)  Rosemary Jorna

   Devon Parker writes:  I went up to Mount Brenton today in Chemainus and found 1 Pine White, 1 fresh Mourning Cloak and two caterpillars of the Spotted Tiger Moth near Holyoak Lake.

   Jeremy Tatum comments:  See yet again how butterflies seem to like nectaring at Pearly Everlasting.

Pine White Neophasia menapia (Lep.: Pieridae)  Devon Parker

Spotted Tiger Moth Lophocampa maculata (Lep.: Erebidae – Arctiinae)  Devon Parker

   And another Spotted Tiger Moth, from Victoria, sent by Ben van Drimmelen.

Spotted Tiger Moth Lophocampa maculata (Lep.: Erebidae – Arctiinae

Ben van Drimmelen

   And another beautiful spider, sent by Annie Pang.  I consulted Robb Bennett and Annie consulted Robin Leech – and both came up with the same answer!  – a male Eratigena (formerly Tegenaria) atrica.  Thanks to both of them!

Male Giant House Spider Eratigena atrica (Ara.: Agelenidae)  Annie Pang

   Annie Pang asks someone please to identify this bee (Gorge Park, September 6).  Yes, indeed, we do need someone badly who can identify Hymenoptera for us.  Can someone help?

Bee (Hymenoptera)  Annie Pang