2017 August 3

 

   Aziza Cooper photographed a spider at East Sooke Park on July 29, and we are indebted to Robb Bennett for identifying it for us:

 

Male Evarcha proszynski (Ara.: Salticidae) Aziza Cooper

 

 

   Scott Gilmore photographed a robber fly at Upper Lantzville on August 2, and we are indebted to Rob Cannings for identifying it for us.  Rob writes: This is a common Cordilleran asilid of mid and late summer.  It ranges across southern BC and south to California and Arizona.  Nice shot!

 

Robber fly Neomochtherus willistoni (Dip.: Asilidae)  Scott Gilmore

 

 

   Jeremy Tatum found the caterpillar below on crab apple on Lochside Drive north of Blenkinsop Lake on August 3.  It is a male Vapourer Moth, also known as the Rusty Tussock. There were several adult male Vapourer Moths flying in the same area.

 

Vapourer Moth Orgyia antiqua (Lep.: Erebidae – Lymantriinae)  Jeremy Tatum

 

 

   Also in that area were several Red Admiral caterpillars (but no Satyr Commas) on the stinging nettles.  The nettles were all very heavily covered in dust, and I am not sure whether the caterpillars will survive.  If anyone knows of a really nice nettle patch, where the nettles are in really good condition and not covered in dust, one could conduct a rescue operation and transfer the caterpillars to better surroundings.  Let me know.

 

  Jeremy writes: on August 1 I saw an adult Red Admiral at Witty Beach.  At 6:00 pm on August 2 there were still a few Painted Ladies and a West Coast Lady on the Mount Tolmie reservoir.  They were so worn as to be almost unrecognizable – but were still able to fly strongly and chase each other around.  Today, August 3, I saw my first Pine White of the year, on Lohbrunner Road.