August 1

 

     Jochen Möhr writes:  It looks as though there will be a “Celebraton of Life” event for Moralea Milne on Sunday, August 5 at 2:00 pm somewhere near the Municipal Hall in Metchosin – behind the Fire Hall – details depending on weather, etc.

 

 

    Here, for interest, is a repeat of Gordon Hart’s recent photograph of a Branded Skipper on Mount Washington (and therefore supposedly a “Common Branded Skipper”),  and two of Val George’s photographs from previous years of a Branded Skipper from Cordova Spit (and therefore presumably a “Western Branded Skipper”).

“Common” Branded Skipper Hesperia sp. (Lep.: Hesperiidae)     Gordon Hart

 

“Western” Branded Skipper  Hesperia sp. (Lep.: Hesperiidae)    Val George

“Western” Branded Skipper  Hesperia sp. (Lep.: Hesperiidae)    Val George

 

   According to

www.goert.ca/documents/SAR_manual/Hesperia_colorado_oregonia.pdf

Compared to Western Branded Skipper (subspecies oregonia), H. comma

(subspecies undescribed) from the mountains of Vancouver Island have a

darker base colour on the ventral hindwings and medial markings that are

wider and darker. On the dorsal surface, the brown margins are wider and

darker and the marginal apical spots (at the wing tips) are smaller. Adults

are also smaller in size (forewing length = 12.0-14.0 mm vs. 13.6-15.2 mm

for H. colorado oregonia).

    It is probable that one would have to compare series of mounted museum specimens to appreciate these differences.  The question would then remain if the two populations should be treated as separate species or as a single species.

   This just in from Kirsten Mills:  I went to Paradise Meadows and Mount Washington from 1:30 to 4:30pm on July 31. I saw 3 Boisduval’s Blues, about 15 Anna’s Blues, around 60 Mariposa Coppers, 11 Western Meadow Fritillaries, 4 Hydaspe Fritillaries, 3 Branded Skippers and 1 Woodland Skipper. All but the Woodland Skipper were new for me this year. Kirsten sends some photographs, of which the first is a Branded Skipper, presumably a “Common” Branded Skipper.

“Common” Branded Skipper Hesperia comma (Lep.: Hesperiidae)   Kirsten Mills

Western Meadow Fritillary Boloria epithore (Lep.: Nymphalidae)  Kirsten Mills

Mariposa Copper Lycaena mariposa (Lep.: Lycaenidae)  Kirsten Mills

 

 

 

   Jochen Möhr sends photographs of two moths from Metchosin.  The first one is easy.  The second one? –  Libby Avis says one of two species, not certain which, probably pensilis.

Campaea perlata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jochen Möhr

Lacinipolia pensilis/patalis (Lep.: Noctuidae) Jochen Möhr