This blog provides an informal forum for terrestrial invertebrate watchers to post recent sightings of interesting observations in the southern Vancouver Island region. Please send your sightings by email to Jeremy Tatum (tatumjb352@gmail.com). Be sure to include your name, phone number, the species name (common or scientific) of the invertebrate you saw, location, date, and number of individuals. If you have a photograph you are willing to share, please send it along. Click on the title above for an index of past sightings.The index is updated most days.

May 11

2017 May 11

 

   Aziza Cooper sends a picture of a fly, Epalpus signifer, on a Chocolate Lily in Uplands Park, May 9.   Jeremy Tatum writes:    The fly lays its eggs on…  oh, I don’t think the rest of that is suitable for all viewers.   Going to more pleasant matters, the flower is also known as the Chocolate Fritillary, and I don’t know whether the flower is named after the butterfly, or the butterfly is named after the flower.  They both have (slightly) similar chequered patterns.  I believe the flower got its name first, but it could be the other way round.

 

Epalpus signifer (Dip.: Tachinidae)  Aziza Cooper

 

 

   The first spraying for supposed Lymantria dispar in the Elk Lake/Bear Hill area has been postponed until Monday May 15, 5:00 – 7:30 am.