2017 May 24

 

   Sheryl Falls reports the sighting of a Mylitta Crescent in Nanoose on May 22.  This butterfly doesn’t seem to be as common as it once was, so all sightings are of interest.

 

Aziza Cooper writes: Yesterday, Monday, May 22 along the railroad tracks from Humpback Road to Goldstream Creek, I observed:

 

Cabbage White – 5

Propertius Duskywing – 2

Western Spring Azure – 9

Cedar Hairstreak – 3

 

The Cedar Hairstreaks were at the intersection of the tracks with Goldstream Creek, next to the Water District access road. I’m not sure, but I think the Duskywings may have been the first I’ve ever seen in that location.

 

I’m also forwarding a photograph of a Carpenter Ant.

 

Cedar Hairstreak Mitoura rosneri (Lep.: Lycaenidae) Aziza Cooper

 

Carpenter Ant Camponotus sp. (Hym.: Formicidae)  Aziza Cooper

 

Gordon Hart writes: On Monday, May 22, 2017, I saw my first of year Pale Tiger Swallowtail here at home, along with a Painted Lady, Brown Elfin, three Spring Azures, three Cabbage Whites, and a female Green Comma Polygonia faunus.  I have attached a photo of the comma, and a Narcissus Bulb Fly.  Several were heard announcing their presence with a loud buzzing. There are lots of dragonflies around now. I have attached a picture of a female California Darner, and an American Emerald, Cordulia shurtleffii.

 

[Jeremy Tatum writes:  We have had just one or two reports of Anise and Pale Tiger Swallowtails this year, but not yet a Western Tiger Swallowtail.]

 

And on May 23 Gordon photographed a Dot-tailed Whiteface at the Pike Lake Substation ponds.

Thanks to Rob Cannings for dragonfly identification!

 

 

 American Emerald Cordulia shurtleffii (Odo.: Corduliidae)  Gordon  Hart

 

 Green Comma Polygonia faunus  (Lep.: Nymphalidae)  Gordon Hart

   Julio Navarro found a caterpillar of Catocala aholibah on some Broom at Uplands Park, May 22.  The foodplant of the caterpillar is oak, so this full-grown caterpillar has finished feeding and is looking for somewhere to pupae.

 

 Catocala aholibah (Lep.: Erebidae – Catocalinae) Wylie Thomas

 

Nathan Fisk writes:  Caught this pseudoscorpion at Fort Rodd Hill today. Picking its way through the oak mulch.