2018 April 19

 

   We start today’s Invert Alert with a spectacular beetle, photographed by Bill Katz at Goldstream Heights.  Thanks to Charlene Wood, who tells us that it is a net-winged beetle (Lycidae) – probably the northwest species Punicealis hamata.

 

Net-winged beetle, probably Punicealis hamata (Col.: Lycidae)   Bill Katz

 

Re Robin Robinson’s report and photographs (see April 17) of Tissue Moths overwintering in a cave, see the Website   https://bugguide.net/node/view/15272

where it mentions the habit of this moth of overwintering in caves.

 

It’s time for hilltopping nymphalids in the late afternoons on the Mount Tolmie reservoir again.  Jeremy Tatum writes:  I’ve been up there once or twice recently with no luck, but Val George found and photographed a California Tortoiseshell there this afternoon.  April is traditionally the best month for this species.

 

California Tortoiseshell Nymphalis californica (Lep.: Nymphalidae)  Val George

 

Wendy Ansell writes:  Today I saw one Cabbage White in our yard (Cordova Ridge) around lunch time.  Our first this year.

Also, this evening Gerry and I saw our first Western Spring Azure of the year by Beaver Lake.  It was flying around looking quite content to stay there.