Butterflies, Moths and Caterpillars
# Print these PDFs double sided and flipped on the short edge.
Introduction
The butterfly list is compiled from monthly butterfly counts from 1992 to 2014 by Karen Golinsky, James Miskelly and Sharon Hartwell. It is comprehensive, although there may be some additions due to climate change related range extensions.
The caterpillar and moth lists are much less comprehensive. There are aproximately 10 times as many species of moths as butterflies, so it is obvious that we have observations for only a small fractions of the moth species inhabiting Rithet’s Bog. Many moths are tiny and most are nocturnal, so they often elude observation. Caterpillars are also often small and elusive. The moth and caterpillar sections of this list are works in progress. We welcome new observations. Please post them on the iNaturalist.ca website and let us know if you spot a species that isn’t on our list yet.
Species List
| A | Common Name | Scientific Name | Button |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUTTERFLIES | SUPERFAMILY PAPILIONOIDEA | ||
| Swallowtails | Family Papilionidae | ||
| Pale Tiger Swallowtail | Papilio eurymedon | ||
| Western Tiger Swallowtail | Papilio rutulus rutulus | ||
| Anise Swallowtail | Papilio zelicaon zelicaon | ||
| Whites and Orangetips | Family Pieridae | ||
| Sara Orange Tip | Anthocharis sara flora | ||
| Pine White | Neophasia menapia tau | ||
| Cabbage White | Pieris rapae | ||
| Gossamer Wings | Family Lycaeniidae | ||
| Spring Azure | Celastrina argiolus echo | ||
| Purplish Copper | Lycaena helloides | ||
| Reakirt's Copper | Lycaena mariposa penroseae | ||
| Greenish Blue | Plebejus saepiolus | ||
| Grey Hairstreak | Strymon melinus atrofasciatus | ||
| Brushfoots | Family Nymphalidae | ||
| Lorquin's Admiral | Basilarchia lorquini burrisoni | ||
| Vancouver Island Ringlet | Coenonympha california insulana | open | |
| Monarch | Danaus plexippus | ||
| Mourning Cloak | Nymphalis antiopa antiopa | ||
| Milbert’s Tortoiseshell | Nymphalis milberti milberti | ||
| Mylitta Crescent | Phyciodes mylitta mylitta | ||
| Satyr Anglewing | Polygonia satyrus | ||
| Red Admiral | Vanessa atalanta rubria | ||
| Painted Lady | Vanessa cardui | ||
| Skippers | Family Hesperiidae | ||
| Propertius Duskywing | Erynnis propertius | ||
| Woodland Skipper | Ochlodes sylvanoides sylvanloides | ||
| European Skipper | Thymelicus lineola | ||
| MOTHS | ALL OTHER SUPERFAMILIES | ||
| Tiger, Tussock and Underwing Moths | Family Erebidae | ||
| Virginia Tiger Moth | Spilosoma virginica | ||
| Garden Tiger Moth | Arctia caja | ||
| Geometer Moths | Family Geometridae | ||
| Western White Ribboned Carpet Moth | Mesoleuca gratulata | ||
| Saturniid Moths | Family: Saturniidae | ||
| Western Sheepmoth | Hemileuca eglanterina | ||
| Sphinx Moths | Family: Sphingidae | ||
| Snowberry Clearwing | Hemaris diffinis | ||
| Totricid Leaf Roller Moths | Family: Tortricidae | ||
| Oblique Banded Leaf Roller | Choristoneura rosaceana | ||
| CATERPILLARS | ALL LEPIDOPTERA | ||
| Butterfly Caterpillars | Superfamily Papilionoidea | ||
| Mourning Cloak Caterpillar | Nymphalis antiopa | ||
| Vancouver Island Ringlet Caterpillar | Coenonympha california insulana | ||
| Moth Caterpillars | All Other Superfamilies | ||
| Yellow Wooly Bear | Spilosoma virginica | ||
| Banded Wooly Bear | Pyrrharctia isabella | ||
| Yellow Banded Wooly Bear | Lophocampa maculata | ||
| Silver-Spotted Tiger Moth | Lophocampa argentata | ||
| Rusty Tussock Moth Caterpillar | Orgyia antiqua | ||
| Western Tent Caterpillar | Malacosoma californicum | ||
| Forest Tent Caterpillar | Malacosoma disstria | ||
Biology
References
Yip, Mike and James Miskelly. 2014. Vancouver Island Butterflies. Victoria. Self Published. 128 pp.
A comprehensive guide to the butterflies of Vancouver Island. Numerous photographs and range maps as well as information on habitats and host plants.
Guppy, C.S. and J.H. Shepard. 2001. Butterflies of British Columbia. Vancouver Toronto. Royal British Columbia Museum and UBC Press. 414 pp.
The definitive guide to the butterflies of British Columbia, including range maps plus discussions of flight periods, subspecies and habitats.
Tatum, Jeremy B. Butterflies and Moths of Southern Vancouver Island – NYMPHALIDAE – Coenonympha tullia. Victoria Natural History Society Website. Victoria, BC, Canada.
A description of the Vancouver Island ringlet, including an egg that was collected at Rithet’s Bog and raised to produce a caterpillar and eventually a pupa and adult butterfly. Includes photographs of the caterpillar and pupa.