2018 February 6

 

   Jeremy Gatten writes: I will start off by saying that I don’t have any photos available at this exact moment, but I have photos on my camera at home.  [Jeremy Tatum writes: We look forward to seeing some!]

 

   Jeremy G continues: So… what’s on the wing these days?  Well, I think that the generally miserable conditions have at least been mild, so more moths are about than I expected.  A trip out to the legendary Hans Helgesen Elementary School in Metchosin yielded: ~5 Eupithecia [annulata], 2 Phigalia plumogeraria, 1 Hydriomena manzanita, 3 Hydriomena nubilofasciata, ~6 Egira hiemalis, possibly 1 Lithophane baileyi, and 1 Lithophane georgii. Additionally, there was a micro that I photographed but have no idea what it is or where to start. The Metchosin Community Hall also had quite a few Egira hiemalis and Phigalia plumogeraria.

 

   At my place in Saanichton last night, I had 1 Hypena californica, 2 Egira hiemalis, and 1 Homoglaea dives.

 

   I believe the Homoglaea dives was new for me, so let’s hope this warm weather will result in a few more interesting moths being found!

 

 

   Here is a spider found by Rick and Libby Avis in Port Alberni on February 2.  We are indebted to Dr Robb Bennett for identifying it as a male Steatoda grossa.

Male Steatoda grossa (Ara.: Theridiidae)  Libby Avis