2015 July 26

   Cheryl Hoyle sends photographs of a caterpillar and a moth.

Cinnabar Moth Tyria jacobaeae (Lep.: Erebidae – Arctiinae)  Cheryl Hoyle

Caripeta aequaliaria (Lep.: Geometridae)  Cheryl Hoyle

   Jeremy Tatum writes:  On Saturday July 25 I came across a huge active nest of a White-faced Hornet Dolichovespula maculata.  It was on an Ocean Spray bush only a couple of feet from the ground, near the top of Knockan Hill.  Believing this wasp to be rather docile and nonaggressive, I had a long, close look at all the activity that was going on.  Then when I got home I consulted the books and read that it was highly aggressive and dangerous. So what do viewers think?  I think they (the hornets, not the viewers) are probably nonaggressive in the sense that they don’t pester you like the Vespula yellowjackets do, and they doubtless leave you alone if you leave them alone.  But it is probably not at all a good idea to interfere with their nests.

   Lastly, a small guide to contributors.  Please remember to give the when and the where of your sightings and photographs.  Also, photos are easiest for me to process if they are sent in .jpg format as an attachment and not embedded in the body of the message.  Thanks.