We have four more butterfly sightings on Cortes Island! Keep your observations coming!

If you see and can identify a butterfly, please record the date, time, location and any pertinent information you observed, i.e. the plants it was nectaring or laying eggs on. A photograph or two for identification confirmation is very helpful. It is also necessary for rare species.

Our most recent butterfly sightings (all in May):

Western Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus) from Wiley lake on May 19, 2020. It is feeding on Labrador Tea which is apparently one of its many host plants. Spotted by Barry Saxifrage. This is our cover photo.

Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), spotted by Ayane, on Tan Road, on May 19, and by Tamias and Dera Nettle in their yard, on May 18.

Cedar Hairstreak (Callophyrs gryneus ssp. plicataria) spotted by Tanya Rankin, May 19, 2020, on Bayview Road in Whaletown. Cedar Hairstreak is similar to Johnson’s Hairstreak but smaller.

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), spotted by Barry Saxifrage on the top of Cliff Peak on May 18, 2020.

Earlier observations:

Western Spring Azure (Celastrina echo), reported by Gary Fast, in Peter Police Homestead, Carrington Bay Lagoon, May 7, 2020. 1:00 p.m.

Milbert's Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti), sighted by 7-year-old Daleia, Jodi Peters's daughter.

If you photograph a butterfly but cannot positively identify it, Lunabelle Loiseau-Tremblay from Quadra Island, a butterfly enthusiast and specialist, will help confirm the species.

Document your sighting using the form available on our website page

https://cortesmuseum.com/museum/butterfly-sightings/

or send an email to cimastwincomm.ca with your pictures and observations.

Keep up the good work and check the above website for the most recent sightings!