Kingco Covenant: Young Lion’s Mane Mushrooms and Giant Silk Moths

Harvest Brodiaea Brodiaea elegans.
Photo Credit Torrey Archer.

TLC visited covenants at Bear Mountain this week. Most of the areas are not used, but a few trails exist here and there. We repeated our tracks from 2014 and noted any changes to the land, especially if edge effects were occurring from the nearby developments. While invasive species were common, many native species also flourished, including wild raspberry! Staff and volunteers delightedly took part in “clearing away” some of the berries. We also found a lovely, common plant by the name of harvest brodiaea (Brodiaea elegans), towers of oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor), and possibly young lion’s mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus).

The most exciting discovery for the crew was spotting a very large moth. The polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus) is a member of the family Saturniidae, the giant silk moths. These moths have an average wingspan of six inches! The most notable feature of the moth is its large, purplish eyespots on its two hind wings. The eye spots give it it’s name – from the Greek myth of the Cyclops Polyphemus. The species is widespread in North America. The caterpillar can eat 86,000 times its weight at emergence in a little less than two months.

You can help TLC continue to protect important ecosystems across BC by supporting the monitoring and enforcement of our covenants. Donate today!