2015 May 23

   Aziza Cooper writes: In spite of a bit of cloud and some wind, there were good butterflies at both summits (Mount Tolmie, Mount Douglas) in the late afternoon of May 22:

Mt Tolmie:

Red Admiral – 2 – one on the reservoir, and one perching on a tree over the steps near the reservoir.

Painted Lady – 2 – both very worn

West Coast Lady – 3 – seen all at once. Two on the reservoir concrete, and another in the grass next to the reservoir entrance.

Mt Doug west summit:

Painted Lady – 2

Red Admiral – 1

   Jeremy Tatum reports a Pale Tiger Swallowtail  from UVic, and a Large Heath (“Ringlet”) Coenonympha tullia from Island View Beach today, May 23.

   Jeremy Tatum sends a photograph of  Spilosoma virginica,which emerged from a cocoon this morning.  The caterpillar was found last year at UVic, and the moth was released there this morning.  This is the adult of the well-known Yellow Woolly Bear.

He also sends a photograph of a Rose Weevil from Island View Beach.

Merhynchites bicolor (Col.: Attelabidae)  Jeremy Tatum