Hemithea aestivaria

Common Emerald

This European species was first noticed in the Vancouver area in 1979 and is now fairly common on southern Vancouver Island. I have found (and nearly eaten!) first-instar caterpillars on blackberries in August and have found final instars on Dogwood in May. The former overwintered in second or third instar, neither eating nor growing until I was able to offer them young bramble leaves in March. I have also found them on Snowberry. The unusual olive colour, the double point on the head and on the first thoracic segment, and the granular skin should help to identify the caterpillar. The moths are seen in June.