Carolina Leps

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Recent Postings from
Carolina Leps

Updated on Friday, July 3 at 06:20 PM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.

3 Jul Two weeks later in Forsyth County [nottke1 ]
3 Jul early July in Pitt [Salman Abdulali ]
03 Jul Ashe County Butterfly Field Trip, July 11, Sat. [Dennis Burnette ]
1 Jul Randolph county butterflies ["Loretta" ]
01 Jul Re: Tiger Swallowtail [Paul Cherubini ]
1 Jul Tiger Swallowtail []
1 Jul Some Caswell Co., NC, butterflies ["Legrand, Harry" ]
1 Jul Re: A surprise [Greg Dodge ]
30 Jun Neuse River stuff [Matthew Daw ]
30 Jun Pitt County in June [Salman Abdulali ]
30 Jun RE: Congaree Butterfly Count June 28 2009 and Juvenal's DW ["Legrand, Harry" ]
30 Jun crab spider predation question [William Hulslander ]
30 Jun RE: Congaree Butterfly Count June 28 2009 [William Hulslander ]
30 Jun Congaree Butterfly Count June 28 2009 [William Hulslander ]
30 Jun Monarchs [David Tilton ]
29 Jun Re: Scarcity of Black Swallowtail, etc. [David Tilton ]
29 Jun Mecklenburg County Leps Jun 29 [Kevin Metcalf ]
29 Jun RE: Opinion Requested ["Sandra & Bill Wade" ]
29 Jun Re: Guilford Co. [Alex Netherton ]
28 Jun Eno River area butterflies [Will Cook ]
28 Jun Guilford Co. ["Harry and Ruth" ]
27 Jun Carteret County [ROBERT CAVANAUGH ]
27 Jun Some Wake and Caswell, NC, butterflies ["Legrand, Harry" ]
27 Jun June 26-27, Pitt and Beaufort Counties [Salman Abdulali ]
27 Jun RE: Scarcity of Black Swallowtail, etc. ["Legrand, Harry" ]
26 Jun Scarcity of Black Swallowtail, etc. [David Tilton ]
26 Jun Request opinions []
26 Jun American Lady ["Loretta" ]
25 Jun Forsyth County - One Week Later [nottke1 ]
25 Jun Pitt County, June 24-25 [Salman Abdulali ]
23 Jun Meager Guilford Butterflies [Dennis Burnette ]
23 Jun Piedmont doldrums have arrived ["Legrand, Harry" ]
23 Jun Triangle Butterflies ["Richard Stickney" ]
22 Jun Pitt County, June 22 [Salman Abdulali ]
22 Jun RE: Opinion Requested ["Harry and Ruth" ]
22 Jun Re: Opinion Requested []
22 Jun RE: Opinion Requested ["Legrand, Harry" ]
22 Jun Opinion Requested [Dennis Burnette ]
21 Jun June 21, Pitt and Craven counties [Salman Abdulali ]
21 Jun Butterflies at Raulston Arboretum, Wake Co., NC ["Legrand, Harry" ]
21 Jun Central Forsyth County Butterflies [nottke1 ]
20 Jun recent yard leps, Conway SC 06-20-2009 [Gary Phillips ]
20 Jun Guilford Butterflies Still Slow [Dennis Burnette ]
20 Jun Pitt County, June 18-20 [Salman Abdulali ]
20 Jun Some Wake Co., NC, butterflies ["Legrand, Harry" ]
19 Jun Forsyth County Butterflies [nottke1 ]
19 Jun Jasper Co., SC leps 17 June 2009 [Dennis Forsythe ]
18 Jun BugFest 2009 is coming!!! [nottke1 ]
18 Jun New book: "The Dangerous World of Butterflies" [Ina Warren ]
17 Jun Pitt County 2009-06-17 ["Abdulali, Salman" ]
17 Jun Last Call for the Symposium on June 27 [nottke1 ]
16 Jun Augusta/Aiken NABA count ["Lois Stacey" ]
15 Jun Butterflies at HBSP on 6-15 ["Jack" ]
15 Jun RE: Baltimores and other butterflies in Haywood Co., NC [Paulette Haywood ]
15 Jun Banded "Skipper" ["Richard Stickney" ]
15 Jun Odonate Groups for NC []
15 Jun Triad Butterfly Walk Civitan Marsh June 21 [Dennis Burnette ]
14 Jun Re: Baltimores and other butterflies in Haywood Co., NC [Will Cook ]
14 Jun Golden-banded Skipper and Diana Frit., Macon Co., NC [Jason Love ]
14 Jun Some Stokes County, NC, butterflies ["Legrand, Harry" ]
14 Jun Baltimores and other butterflies in Haywood Co., NC ["Legrand, Harry" ]
14 Jun A few NC Coastal Plain butterfly records ["Legrand, Harry" ]
14 Jun Dukes' Skipper ["Ali Iyoob" ]
14 Jun Pitt County, June 12-14, 2009 [Salman Abdulali ]
13 Jun Yancey Butterflies [Nancy Baldwin ]
13 Jun Transylvania butterfly count [Ruth Young ]
13 Jun Butterflies-Wake County-6/13 ["Ali Iyoob" ]
13 Jun Durham Butterflies ["Richard Stickney" ]
12 Jun RFI: Butterflies of Lynch's Woods (Newberry SC) [Research at Hilton Pond ]
12 Jun RE: Jasper Co., SC leps 10 June 2009 ["Legrand, Harry" ]
12 Jun Jasper Co., SC leps 10 June 2009 [Dennis Forsythe ]
12 Jun new neighborhood butterfly []
11 Jun Some Warren Co., NC, butterflies ["Legrand, Harry" ]
11 Jun CBS Triad Chapter Summer Butterfly Activities [Dennis Burnette ]
11 Jun Cox Ferry Lake Rec Area on 6-10-09 ["Jack" ]
11 Jun A Few Guilford Butterflies [Dennis Burnette ]

Subject: Two weeks later in Forsyth County
From: nottke1 <nottke1 AT earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 19:19:06 -0400 (EDT)

The butterfly population here undergoes large changes at this time of the year - here are the numbers on my farm in west Forsyth County for today (column 1), on June 25 (column 2), and June 19 (column 3). Pipevine is the only swallowtail - Great Spangled Fritillary has about disappeared - Pearl Crescents and Buckeyes on the rise. 5 3 3 Pipevine Swallowtail 0 0 1 Black Swallowtail 0 0 2 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 0 0 1 Spicebush Swallowtail 2 6 2 Cabbage White 6 1 4 Orange Sulphur 3 0 1 Cloudless Sulphur 1 2 5 Sleepy Orange 0 0 1 Great Purple Hairstreak 1 4 5 Coral Hairstreak 2 0 0 Gray Hairstreak 0 0 1 Red Banded Hairstreak 25+ 10 20+ Eastern Tailed Blue 1 0 0 Azure 0 3 1 American Snout 0 3 0 Variegated Fritillary 2 8 25+ Great Spangled Fritillary 11 7 0 Pearl Crescent 0 0 2 Questionmark 3 5 3 American Lady 0 0 1 Red Admiral 12 7 20+ Common Buckeye 0 0 1 Gemmed Satyr 9 4 8 Carolina Satyr 0 3 2 Little Wood Satyr 6 5 1 Common Wood Nymph 0 0 2 Monarch 0 0 1 Hoary Edge 5 0 0 Silver Spotted Skipper 5 0 2 Horaces Duskywing 0 0 4 Clouded Skipper 0 0 2 Crossline Skipper 12 8 0 Sachem 0 0 1 Delaware Skipper 10 15 8 Zabulon Skipper 18 17 29 species Jim Nottke Pfafftown, NC
Subject: early July in Pitt
From: Salman Abdulali <abdulalis AT ecu.edu>
Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 13:03:38 -0400

The highlight is a Carolina Roadside-Skipper, seen yesterday, sitting on a cane leaf at Boyd Lee Park in Winterville. This is a new record for Pitt County. Thanks to Harry LeGrand for confirming the id from the photos. Black Swallowtail (Pitt County Arboretum, 2009-07-01) Spicebush Swallowtail (Pitt County Arboretum, 2009-07-01) Cloudless Sulphur (Winterville, 2009-07-02) - 1, first of year Sleepy Orange (Winterville, 2009-07-02) Orange Sulphur (Winterville, 2009-07-02) - 1 albino female Cabbage White (Pitt County Arboretum, 2009-07-03) Red-banded Hairstreak (Pitt County Arboretum, 2009-07-01) - 2 Summer Azure (Winterville, 2009-07-02)- 1 American Snout (Pitt County Arboretum, 2009-07-01) - 1 Variegated Fritillary (River Park North, 2009-07-03) Red-spotted Purple (Winterville, 2009-07-02) Common Buckeye (Winterville, 2009-07-02) American Lady (Pitt County Arboretum, 2009-07-01) Carolina Satyr (River Park North, 2009-07-03) - 1 Silver-spotted Skipper (Pitt County Arboretum, 2009-07-01) Common Sootywing (Winterville, 2009-07-02) - 1 Horace's Duskywing (Pitt County Arboretum, 2009-07-03) Fiery Skipper (Pitt County Arboretum, 2009-07-01) Sachem (Pitt County Arboretum, 2009-07-03) - 1 Whirlabout (Pitt County Arboretum, 2009-07-03) CAROLINA ROADSIDE-SKIPPER (Winterville, 2009-07-02) - 1, new for Pitt County Salman Abdulali Greenville, NC
Subject: Ashe County Butterfly Field Trip, July 11, Sat.
From: Dennis Burnette <deburnette AT triad.rr.com>
Date: Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:25:50 -0400

July 11, Sat. Ashe County Butterfly Field Trip The Triad Chapter of the Carolina Butterfly Society is heading for the hills in July. We will be butterflying in Ashe County, NC on Saturday, July 11. Wešll meet at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, the łChurch of the Fresco,˛ in Glendale Springs at 9:30. Triad Chapter member Judy Scurry of Winston-Salem, who owns property on the New River in Ashe County, is organizing and hosting the field trip. Bring a lunch and water. As always, chapter field trips are open to all members of the Carolina Butterfly Society. We also welcome visitors and friends. Here is information about our Ashe Co. field trip from Judy: 1. Good parking lot to meet Glendale Church of the Fresco. (Parking lot is across the street from the church in a grove of trees with a picnic table.) We could car pool to our morning site, since parking is a little tight at our house. We can just wait and see how many folks plan to come. Directions: I-40 to US 421 in Winston-Salem. Take US 421 northwest to Wilkesboro. Take Hwy 16 north to Glendale Springs just off the Blue Ridge Parkway around milepost 259 near the Northwest Trading Post. Turn at first left past the Glendale Springs post office. Turn right towards church. Go past the church; the parking lot is on the left. 2. Sites to consider for butterflying: Elk Shoals Camp along the New River and along the river road in our neighborhood. Other possible sites are New River State Park around the new visitor center at the 221 N access and camping area. 3. Food: If our group isnšt too large, I thought it would be fun to ask folks to bring their lunch and sit on our porch by the river. This would save some time. There are lots of places in Wilkesboro to stop for food and potty breaks. 4. Toilets: Toilets are available by the Glendale Springs Church, at our house, and at the New River State Park Wagoner Rd. access. 5. There are several motels nearby for those who want to spend the night, and New River State Park has a camping area. Possible places to explore on Sunday are New River State Park and Mt. Jefferson State Park, or canoes can be rented at Zaloošs Canoes on the New River. Judy Scurryšs phone numbers: Winston Salem 336-768-6396 Jefferson, Ashe Co. 336-877-3793 Cell 336-972-9438 Please send Dennis Burnette an email to let us know if youšre coming so that Judy will know how many to plan for. Also, let us know if you would like to car pool from the Triad to Ashe County. Email: >deburnette AT triad.rr.com<
Subject: Randolph county butterflies
From: "Loretta" <butterflies_bg AT triad.rr.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 22:33:51 -0400

After reading Jim Nottke's incredible list of butterflies, I'm moving to his house. To date in Randolph county, butterflies are few, most times sighting either a male or a female of the swallowtails, but not at the same time. Several days ago, I saw a male and female Eastern black swallowtail, for 2 days running, but there are no eggs. Earlier, I had about 8 eggs on bronze fennel, but forgot to harvest them. Predators beat me to them. Saw 2 sassafras leaves with first instar fold of leaf, but cats are gone. Very few of any species, except American ladies. Have raised 6 ladies, and 3 Red Spotted Purples. Found a 3rd instar Pipevine cat crawling on the woodland floor searching for Aristolochia serpentaria. The patch I suspected it came from has been checked for eggs, but the patch has been devoured. I moved this one to another patch, and it ate 2 of the seed pods from a flower. They are actually quite hard, and can't be popped by pinching in my fingers. Yesterday a very worn Pipevine was searching the floor of the woodland area, flight pattern indicating she was searching for host plants. I captured her in a net, and placed it down over a large A. serpentaria, but she wanted nothing to do with it. That was 2 days ago, and there are still no eggs. Asclepias incarnata had traces on 3 leaves of newly hatched cats, but suspect predators, as there were no other leaves that showed traces of being eaten. At the NC zoo butterfly garden, we have raised 6 Pipevines, 6 American ladies, and 2 Monarchs. No abundance of butterflies there either. In spite of very dry conditions, the Asclepias tuberosa and incarnata are growing like gangbusters. I noted both at the zoo garden, and my own garden, there's not an aphid in sight!!!!! Any one else notice that? Loretta Lutman Asheboro, NC
Subject: Re: Tiger Swallowtail
From: Paul Cherubini <monarch AT saber.net>
Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:33:35 -0700

GKopka1 AT aol.com wrote: > Also, a big surprise was > a Giant Swallowtail laying eggs on my Rue. > I see one of these about every > 4 or 5 years here in NW South Carolina--Simpsonville, SC. Giant Swallowtails are commonly seen, perhaps ironically, in some northern States like Iowa. On the IA-BTRFLY AT yahoogroups.com group, multiple Giant Swallowtail sightings were reported a couple weeks ago. Paul Cherubini
Subject: Tiger Swallowtail
From: GKopka1 AT aol.com
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 22:24:01 EDT

I finally saw my first Tiger Swallowtail today. Also, a big surprise was a Giant Swallowtail laying eggs on my Rue. I see one of these about every 4 or 5 years here in NW South Carolina--Simpsonville, SC. Ginger Kopka **************Dell Laptops: Huge Savings on Popular Laptops â Deals starting at $399(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222883570x1201497211/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Faltfarm.mediaplex.com%2Fad%2Fck%2F12309%2D81939%2D1629%2D0)
Subject: Some Caswell Co., NC, butterflies
From: "Legrand, Harry" <harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 21:39:05 -0400

Folks: Not only are we in the doldrums in the Piedmont, we are in a mini-drought, with no rain anywhere in the eastern Piedmont of NC in about 10 days, and it isn't looking good until at least Sunday for any rain. (The C.P. has been getting all of the showers.) Everybody here is remarking on the low humidity during the period -- not quite like Arizona, but not at all steamy -- yet. The dryness wasn't the reason for the skimpy numbers; the date was. Though I visited a new area of Caswell Game Land, the routine was the same -- 4 hours in the shade of hardwood forests in floodplains and slopes (pretty worthless now for butterflies), and about 1 hour walking jeep roads in sun back to the car. In the list below, I did not forget the swallowtails and pierids -- none! And, shockingly, I saw just a single satyr/brown. Odd. The only real nectar plant today was the narrow-leaved mountain-mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium), a common Piedmont species. Here's the rather skimpy list for July 1: Gray Hairstreak 1 worn Eastern Tailed-Blue 10 Summer Azure 1 Great Spangled Fritillary 2 Pearl Crescent 10 Eastern Comma 1 Question Mark 3 Red-spotted Purple 1 Carolina Satyr 1 Silver-spotted Skipper 1 Southern Cloudywing 1 very fresh; start of second brood Sachem 5 4 fresh males, and 1 female NORTHERN BROKEN-DASH 1 not overly worn yet Dun Skipper 2 I can swear there were two species of Pearl Crescents today; some fresh males had completely butterscotch HW below, like a Tawny, and some fresh males had dark vein on the HW below. Females were quite variable above, as well. I'm sure we aren't through with splits of this species in the eastern US. Harry LeGrand NC Natural Heritage Program DENR Division of Natural Resources Planning and Conservation 1601 MSC Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 (919) 715-8697 (work) e-mail: harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov ----------------------------------------------------- Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and therefore may be disclosed to third parties. Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
Subject: Re: A surprise
From: Greg Dodge <grdodge AT embarqmail.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 06:47:47 -0400

On Wednesday, 6/24/09, a Summer Camper at the Museum of Life + Science in Durham, NC pointed out to me a Monarch caterpillar on Butterfly Weed (A. tuberosa). It was on the plant at least until the 28th but could not be located Monday 29 June. It certainly looked as if it was ready to pupate on Sunday (28th) but after searching the area the next day I couldn't find the caterpillar or a chrysalis. If this Monarch pupated June 29, the egg was probably laid sometime during the second week of June. Greg Dodge Hillsborough, NC www.ncmls.org/learn-about/dodgejournal --------------------------------- On Jun 28, 2009, at 7:36 PM, Charles Cameron wrote: Folks, In my yard in Greensboro, NC I generally get an early spring monarch ovipositing at some point during April. Then again starting in late July or early August is a longer period of ovipositing over several days or a week or so, probably from more than one butterfly. I have not had any monarch sightings between those times. The late summer brood has provided some butterflies that were tagged and released in mid September and migrated to Mexico. On Friday June 26th I observed a monarch ovipositing at around 1 PM in the afternoon. First of all I was quite surprised to see a monarch at that date, let alone have it ovipositing. She was very methodical and quick. The times I observed her she went to a plant, selected a leaf about 2/3rds of the way up a 3 ft. or so common milkweed plant and deposited an egg, quickly moved to a similar location on another plant, etc. A bit later I collected several eggs from this standard location and did not see her during that time. The plants she used were on the partially shaded front and side of the house. There were no eggs found on larger plants in the back in the sun. Two hours later I noticed she (I presume) had returned but I had to leave for the weekend so did not investigate knowing I had a few eggs collected to raise. When I returned Sunday afternoon I found that a few of the eggs I had collected had hatched and I also found a few 1st instar caterpillars on plants while checking for more eggs. That makes me think some of the eggs may have be deposited a day or so before Friday. On Sunday I also found numerous eggs on 2" and 4'' A. curissavica plants in a group of pots, plus some eggs on few a smaller more tender common milkweed plants near the A. curissavica. This strikes me as a bit unusual and I wonder if it may be a piece of a different re-population dynamic this year. Earlier I posted a note that there were two periods of ovipositing this spring, one around mid April and a second one the first week of May. I left the May eggs on the plants and as near as I could tell only about 4 or 5 out of 20 some eggs made it to second instar and I presume none made it to adult as I didn't find any 5th instars caterpillars other than the one I managed to step on while working in the driveway. Charles Cameron Greensboro, NC c-cameron AT triad.rr.com ccamer AT triad.rr.com
Subject: Neuse River stuff
From: Matthew Daw <birdboymatt AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:33:58 -0700 (PDT)

Hi all, Had a good day on the Neuse River and up to Falls Dam. Highlights were a number of fresh individuals, including Silvery Checkerspot, Carolina Satyr, Common Wood-Nymph and Horace's Duskywing. Here's the list Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Pipevine Swallowtail--1 sulphur species--distant Red-banded Hairstreak--2 Eastern Tailed BLue Silvery Checkerspot--2 Pearl Crescent--dozen Question Mark American Lady Monarch American Snout Carolina Satyr--probably hundreds Gemmed Satyr Common Wood-Nymph--2, FOY Creole Pearly-Eye Horace's Duskywing Sachem Least Skipper Northern Broken-Dash--1 female I also identified a very common moth that keeps popping up, Haploa contigua. Dragonflies included Prince Baskettail Black-shouldered Spinyleg Common Sanddragon Halloween Pennant Eastern Pondhawk Spangled Skimmer Slaty Skimmer Widow Skimmer Common Whitetail BLue Dasher Wandering Glider Black Saddlebags Eastern Amberwing Illinois River Cruiser Great Blue Skimmer THe last couple of times i've been out, I've seen Dragonhunters, but not my luck today, Yesterday, I had 9 Swift Setwings and some Calico Pennants AT Durant Nature Park. Damselflies: Ebony Jewelwing American Rubyspot Blue-tipped Dancer Blue-fronted Dancer BLue-ringed Dancer Powdered Dancer Variable Dancer Familiar Bluet Stream Bluet Fragile Forktail and perhaps some others. Matt Daw Raleigh, NC
Subject: Pitt County in June
From: Salman Abdulali <abdulalis AT ecu.edu>
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:13:05 -0400

I finally saw a Red-banded Hairstreak in Greenville on June 28, bringing to 35 the number of butterfly species seen this month in Pitt County. A new brood of Silver-spotted Skippers has recenty emerged, ending a mid-to-late June gap in sightings of them. Despite reports from elsewhere, I feel that "dark swallowtails" (including the red-spotted purple) are more abundant this June than in previous Junes. I saw a Black Swallowtail, a Red- Spotted Purple, and a Spicebush Swallowtail today. Pipevine Swallowtails are rare here, and I have not seen one so far this year. I have yet to see a Zebra Swallowtail in Pitt County. Salman Abdulali Greenville, NC
Subject: RE: Congaree Butterfly Count June 28 2009 and Juvenal's DW
From: "Legrand, Harry" <harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov>
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:47:44 -0400

Juvenal's Duskywing has only a single flight in the East, and that goes from March into maybe mid-May downstate, but can linger well into much of June in the mountains. I wasn't at the Congaree butterfly count, so I cannot vouch for what the "Juvenal's Duskywing" was. In central South Carolina, only very worn Juvenal's would be seen by mid-May, and that should be about it. I would assume that the butterfly was a Horace's Duskywing, as that can be common at this time of year, and as it was indeed common on the count (25 reported). These two species are quite tricky to identify in the spring, when both are on the wing, though 95% or more at that season are Juvenal's, an abundant species. I DO appreciate the compiler noting that the report was a "LATE observation", but I feel that it must have been a Horace's. Does anyone recall the details of the sighting? Harry LeGrand Raleigh, NC NABA count editor for NC and SC -----Original Message----- From: William Hulslander [mailto:ploverbug AT msn.com] Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 6:47 AM To: Carolina Butterflies Cc: Karen Burton; Walt and Kimberly EP Meitzen; John EP Grego; Duane Michael; Tracy Swartout; theresa_yednock AT nps.gov; theresa thom; BILL HULSLANDER; Bill and Sherri Bardsley Butterflies; ecstonecypher AT bellsouth.net; habitatdesigns AT hotmail.com; sarabright AT aol.com; Mccloy, David; ceastman AT sc.rr.com; CBS board KBridle; Charlie Cameron; loissch AT gmail.com; smithlynnb AT bellsouth.net; CBS board Kin; gregg.morris AT highpointnc.gov; turn1799 AT bellsouth.net; Dennis Burnette; CBS board Nancy Baldwin; Cindy Hummel; brenda.lefevre AT tridenttech.edu; dwilliams AT berkeleycountysc.gov; mcollogan AT nhcgov.com; Robert butterflies Eaddy; santini2000 AT earthlink.net; diane.curlee AT sc.nacdnet.net; john_torrence AT nps.gov; harry_hafer AT nps.gov; Justin Woldt; corrine_fenner AT nps.gov; stuart EP Greeter; Dennis Forsythe; Billy McCord; Brusi EP Alexander; David Wagner; Wade Worthen; Amanda Segura; Susan Bonk Edventure; John1 Snyder PhD; Joe Culin PhD; Dwight Williams Subject: Congaree Butterfly Count June 28 2009 Following the Carolina Butterfly Symposium at Congaree National Park (Richland Co, SC) on Saturday June 27, a NABA butterfly count was conducted at the park on Sunday with the following results. Congaree National Park NABA Count Sundy June 28, 2009 Total:37 Species, 482 individuals, 25 participants High heat and humidity seemed to oppress flying activity. Temp 96 degrees, humidity 70% or more. Full sun. Groups exploring along woodland trails saw great species diversity and higher numbers in general (21 species vs. 12 and 14 for open areas). Greatest numbers seen with "woodland species"- Zebra Swallowtail (58), Appalachin Browns (35), Carolina Satyrs (90). Surprising that NO Fiery Skippers, Sachems, Whirlabouts were seen. No white or sulphurs, except for on sulphur fly-by without id. Pipevine- 1 caterpillar on Aristocholiacaea Zebra Swallowtail-58 (Paw paw host plant in forest understory.) Eastern Tiger-4 Spicebush-16 Palamedes Swallowtail-1 Gray Hairstreak-4 Eastern Tailed-Blue-25 Snout- 41 Pearl Crescent-14 Question Mark- 9 Comma- 3 American Lady-1 Red Admiral -2 Common Buckeye-27 Red-spotted Purple-22 Hackberry -15 Tawny Emperor- 13 Southern Pearly-Eye 5 Creole Pearly-Eye 1 Appalachian Brown-35 Gemmed Satyr 4 Carolina Satyr-90 Satyr sp. 3 Common Wood Nymph - 3 Silver-spotted Skipper-1 Juvenal's Duskywing -1 (LATE observation, this species lapsing between broods at this time of year) Horace's Duskywing-25 Zarucco's Duskywing-1 Duskywing sp. Unidentified-3 Common Sootywing- 1 Clouded Skipper-4 Southern Skipperling-1 Least Skipper -4 Dun Skipper 10 Zabulon Skipper-2 Lace-winged Roadside-Skipper-5 Sivery Checkerspot- 1 adult, 3 caterpillars Thanks to participants- Theresa Thom, Theresa Yednock, Bret Hegler, Karen Stratman, David McCloy, Robert and Stephanie Eaddy, Jim Nottke, Nancy Baldwin, Robert and Susan Creed, Creed Branham, Karen Burton, Kimberly Meitzen, Marty and Dave Kastner, John Grego, Lois Schneider, Gene Schepker, Ken and Luann Bridle, Cyndel Hummel, Diane Curlee, James Seal, Hannah Frasier, Christina Hulslander Christina S. Hulslander Cayce, South Carolina 29033 Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
Subject: crab spider predation question
From: William Hulslander <ploverbug AT msn.com>
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:16:14 -0400

My 4 year daughter rescued a Horace Duskywing from drowning in her baby pool yesterday. As she was allowing it to dry on her finger and it began unrolling it's proboscis we looked for flowers to allow it to nectar on. The first plant, dusty miller, had some blossoms but also a well camouflagued crab spider awaiting a meal. We refrained from using that plant and went to some lantana in the yard. My daughter asked with concern, "Do crab spiders live on lantana?" I thought about it...and I have personally NEVER seen a crab spider on lantana. HAVE YOU? My husband proposed that as a non-native species lantana is not utilized by the otherwise camouflagued native crab spiders. But I have seen crab sipers on other non-natives. HAS ANYONE SEEN CRAB SPIDERS ON LANTANA? My daughter and I would love to know. Thanks! Christina P.S. The duskywing nectared on the lantana and eventually took a short flight to other plants in the yard. My daughter happily adding to her list of "rescued butterflies" (she rescued a tiger swallowtail from a car collision at the post office parking lot last fall)...offered it rest and protection until it recuperated and could fly. Christina S. Hulslander Cayce, South Carolina 29033
Subject: RE: Congaree Butterfly Count June 28 2009
From: William Hulslander <ploverbug AT msn.com>
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:59:02 -0400

Ooops! Forgot our female SWARTHY SKIPPER-1, new for me, and she "followed the directions" and met all the criteria of 2 field guides, I love it when butterflies can read! ha! ha! 37 species, 483 individuals Christina S. Hulslander Cayce, South Carolina 29033 > From: ploverbug AT msn.com > To: carolinaleps AT duke.edu > CC: karenbburton AT gmail.com; waltmeitzen AT aol.com; jrgrego AT pop.mindspring.com; duane_michael AT nps.gov; tracy_swartout AT nps.gov; theresa_yednock AT nps.gov; theresa_thom AT nps.gov; bill_hulslander AT nps.gov; firequeensherri AT aol.com; ecstonecypher AT bellsouth.net; habitatdesigns AT hotmail.com; sarabright AT aol.com; david.mccloy AT ncdenr.gov; ceastman AT sc.rr.com; kbridle AT mindspring.com; c-cameron AT triad.rr.com; loissch AT gmail.com; smithlynnb AT bellsouth.net; annkin AT sc.rr.com; gregg.morris AT highpointnc.gov; turn1799 AT bellsouth.net; deburnette AT triad.rr.com; nbaldwin03 AT gmail.com; mchummel AT mindspring.com; brenda.lefevre AT tridenttech.edu; dwilliams AT berkeleycountysc.gov; mcollogan AT nhcgov.com; eaddyrb AT nexet.net; santini2000 AT earthlink.net; diane.curlee AT sc.nacdnet.net; john_torrence AT nps.gov; harry_hafer AT nps.gov; justin_woldt AT nps.gov; corrine_fenner AT nps.gov; sgreeter77 AT earthlink.net; dennis.forsythe AT citadel.edu; mccordb AT dnr.sc.gov; cricketwm AT aol.com; david.wagner AT uconn.edu; wade.worthen AT furman.edu; asegura AT riverbanks.org; sbonk AT edventure.org; john.snyder AT furman.edu; jculin AT exchange.clemson.edu; dwilliams AT co.berkeley.sc.us > Subject: Congaree Butterfly Count June 28 2009 > Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:47:20 -0400 > > > Following the Carolina Butterfly Symposium at Congaree National Park (Richland Co, SC) on Saturday June 27, a NABA butterfly count was conducted at the park on Sunday with the following results. > > Congaree National Park NABA Count > Sundy June 28, 2009 > > Total:37 Species, 482 individuals, 25 participants > > > > High heat and humidity seemed to oppress flying activity. Temp 96 degrees, humidity 70% or more. Full sun. Groups exploring along woodland trails saw great species diversity and higher numbers in general (21 species vs. 12 and 14 for open areas). Greatest numbers seen with woodland species- Zebra Swallowtail (58), Appalachin Browns (35), Carolina Satyrs (90). Surprising that NO Fiery Skippers, Sachems, Whirlabouts were seen. No white or sulphurs, except for on sulphur fly-by without id. > > Pipevine- 1 caterpillar on Aristocholiacaea > Zebra Swallowtail-58 (Paw paw host plant in forest understory.) > Eastern Tiger-4 > Spicebush-16 > Palamedes Swallowtail-1 > Gray Hairstreak-4 > Eastern Tailed-Blue-25 > Snout- 41 > Pearl Crescent-14 > Question Mark- 9 > Comma- 3 > American Lady-1 > Red Admiral -2 > Common Buckeye-27 > Red-spotted Purple-22 > Hackberry -15 > Tawny Emperor- 13 > Southern Pearly-Eye 5 > Creole Pearly-Eye 1 > Appalachian Brown-35 > Gemmed Satyr 4 > Carolina Satyr-90 > Satyr sp. 3 > Common Wood Nymph - 3 > Silver-spotted Skipper-1 > Juvenals Duskywing -1 (LATE observation, this species lapsing between broods at this time of year) > Horace's Duskywing-25 > Zaruccos Duskywing-1 > Duskywing sp. Unidentified-3 > Common Sootywing- 1 > Clouded Skipper-4 > Southern Skipperling-1 > Least Skipper -4 > Dun Skipper 10 > Zabulon Skipper-2 > Lace-winged Roadside-Skipper-5 > Sivery Checkerspot- 1 adult, 3 caterpillars > > Thanks to participants- Theresa Thom, Theresa Yednock, Bret Hegler, Karen Stratman, David McCloy, Robert and Stephanie Eaddy, Jim Nottke, Nancy Baldwin, Robert and Susan Creed, Creed Branham, Karen Burton, Kimberly Meitzen, Marty and Dave Kastner, John Grego, Lois Schneider, Gene Schepker, Ken and Luann Bridle, Cyndel Hummel, Diane Curlee, James Seal, Hannah Frasier, Christina Hulslander > > > > > Christina S. Hulslander > Cayce, South Carolina 29033
Subject: Congaree Butterfly Count June 28 2009
From: William Hulslander <ploverbug AT msn.com>
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:47:20 -0400

Following the Carolina Butterfly Symposium at Congaree National Park (Richland Co, SC) on Saturday June 27, a NABA butterfly count was conducted at the park on Sunday with the following results. Congaree National Park NABA Count Sundy June 28, 2009 Total:37 Species, 482 individuals, 25 participants High heat and humidity seemed to oppress flying activity. Temp 96 degrees, humidity 70% or more. Full sun. Groups exploring along woodland trails saw great species diversity and higher numbers in general (21 species vs. 12 and 14 for open areas). Greatest numbers seen with woodland species- Zebra Swallowtail (58), Appalachin Browns (35), Carolina Satyrs (90). Surprising that NO Fiery Skippers, Sachems, Whirlabouts were seen. No white or sulphurs, except for on sulphur fly-by without id. Pipevine- 1 caterpillar on Aristocholiacaea Zebra Swallowtail-58 (Paw paw host plant in forest understory.) Eastern Tiger-4 Spicebush-16 Palamedes Swallowtail-1 Gray Hairstreak-4 Eastern Tailed-Blue-25 Snout- 41 Pearl Crescent-14 Question Mark- 9 Comma- 3 American Lady-1 Red Admiral -2 Common Buckeye-27 Red-spotted Purple-22 Hackberry -15 Tawny Emperor- 13 Southern Pearly-Eye 5 Creole Pearly-Eye 1 Appalachian Brown-35 Gemmed Satyr 4 Carolina Satyr-90 Satyr sp. 3 Common Wood Nymph - 3 Silver-spotted Skipper-1 Juvenals Duskywing -1 (LATE observation, this species lapsing between broods at this time of year) Horace's Duskywing-25 Zaruccos Duskywing-1 Duskywing sp. Unidentified-3 Common Sootywing- 1 Clouded Skipper-4 Southern Skipperling-1 Least Skipper -4 Dun Skipper 10 Zabulon Skipper-2 Lace-winged Roadside-Skipper-5 Sivery Checkerspot- 1 adult, 3 caterpillars Thanks to participants- Theresa Thom, Theresa Yednock, Bret Hegler, Karen Stratman, David McCloy, Robert and Stephanie Eaddy, Jim Nottke, Nancy Baldwin, Robert and Susan Creed, Creed Branham, Karen Burton, Kimberly Meitzen, Marty and Dave Kastner, John Grego, Lois Schneider, Gene Schepker, Ken and Luann Bridle, Cyndel Hummel, Diane Curlee, James Seal, Hannah Frasier, Christina Hulslander Christina S. Hulslander Cayce, South Carolina 29033
Subject: Monarchs
From: David Tilton <dvt AT tilt-on.com>
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:11:28 -0400

We have noticed one or more Monarchs (Danaus plexippus) passing through our back yard nearly every day during the past week. They will nectar briefly, then leave. Today a female was observed lingering and laying eggs on tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) which we grow as an annual. We have several plants of this species in containers on the deck. In the early evening we counted more than 50 eggs. They were not there on Sunday. We check every afternoon. David Tilton Cary, Wake County, North Carolina
Subject: Re: Scarcity of Black Swallowtail, etc.
From: David Tilton <dvt AT tilt-on.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:58:31 -0400

On 6/27/09 2:49 PM, "Alex Netherton" wrote: I normally have at least two caterpillars on our Bronze Fennel, but there are none this year. Is there a better host plant for Black Swallowtail? That is, one that the butterflies like more than others? ------- Alex, In past years, Black Swallowtail females have tended to favor regular or bronze fennel over parsley and rue. We keep all the above on the back deck during spring, summer and fall to attract this species. Curiously though, all the egg-laying activity at our Cary, NC, location this year has been exclusively on regular (flat-leaf) and curly parsley. We have no idea why. Just today, we counted four new Black Swallowtail eggs laid on parsleytwo on regular and two on curly. David Tilton Cary, NC
Subject: Mecklenburg County Leps Jun 29
From: Kevin Metcalf <skermetcalf AT earthlink.net>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:40:03 -0400

6/29 - NW Mecklenburg County: Common Wood Nymph - 4 (First of season for me.) Orange Sulphur - 2 Red-banded Hairstreak - 1 Great Spangled Fritillary - 1 (interestingly, flying in the woods) American Lady - 1 Fiery Skipper - 1 Surprisingly, no Zebra Swallowtail today - have been fairly common past couple of weeks. (Also saw an impressive Cork-lid Trapdoor Spider) Kevin Metcalf Huntersville, NC
Subject: RE: Opinion Requested
From: "Sandra & Bill Wade" <ncwades AT bellsouth.net>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:29:41 -0400

Dennis, We just returned from FL today after a trip to visit old friends (human and butterfly) where we used to live. For a two for one option, visit the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach http://www.marinelife.org/. You can see sea turtles and the front of the building is landscaped with Coontie, the host plant for the beautiful Atala butterfly. This is near the northern end of the range for Atalas. We saw caterpillars, chrysalides, and several newly emerged adult Atalas. -Bill and Laura Wade -----Original Message----- From: Dennis Burnette [mailto:deburnette AT triad.rr.com] Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 3:31 PM To: Carolinaleps Subject: Opinion Requested I am seeking opinions on the best time to go to Florida to look for butterflies. If you could spend a week during any month butterflying in south Florida (from Orlando to the Keys), which week would you choose? I ask because a British friend, who already has been butterflying with me here in the Carolinas several times, my be able to meet me in Florida in the next year or so. I am struggling to come up with something to make this email relate to Carolina butterflies, but I've got nothing! How about this: I didn't see a Tiger Swallowtail again today! Thanks to those willing and able to share opinions on Florida butterflies. -- Dennis Burnette Greensboro, NC Guilford County deburnette AT triad.rr.com Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.375 / Virus Database: 270.13.0/2209 - Release Date: 06/29/09 14:43:00
Subject: Re: Guilford Co.
From: Alex Netherton <danetherton AT charter.net>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:34:19 -0400

Subject: Eno River area butterflies
From: Will Cook <cwcook AT duke.edu>
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:12:28 -0400

In the past week or so Carl Rothfels and I, along with a few others, explored the Willie Duke's Bluffs area of the Eno River. Butterflying was on the dull side, but it was nice to see a couple of less common things: a Dion Skipper and a Tawny-edged Skipper yesterday. Durham Co., NC (Sun 6/21/09, Sat 6/27/09) 1,0 E Tiger Swallowtail 1,1 Cabbage White 1,0 Sleepy Orange 0,6 E Tailed-Blue 0,1 American Snout 1,10 Pearl Crescent 2,0 Q Mark 2,2 RSP 2,5 Carolina Satyr 2,3 Little Wood-Satyr 1,4 Common Wood-Nymph 1,0 Horace's Duskywing 0,9 Least Skipper 0,1 Tawny-edged Skipper 0,1 Dion Skipper -- Will Cook - Durham, NC http://www.carolinanature.com
Subject: Guilford Co.
From: "Harry and Ruth" <h_r AT triad.rr.com>
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:25:22 -0400

I finally got to use my new camera yesterday for the purpose for which it was bought, to take photos of the Diana Fritillary. I was in the Mountains on the North Carolina/Tennessee border June 27, 2009. I observed 15 males and 3 females at 3 different locations, all very fresh. See photos at; www.flickr.com/photos/diana_fritillary_hunter/ Harry GSO
Subject: Carteret County
From: ROBERT CAVANAUGH <papilio28570 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:03:12 -0700 (PDT)

I plant around 80 parsley plants in my landscape each year for the past 7 or 8 years and generally see 2 to 3 dozen larvae between flights. This Spring I saw two females in my yard and both were laying eggs. Few larvae were observed and I collected a total of 11 to finish rearing in a caged environment for their protection. Three made it to pupa while the others died of disease. One of particular interest was a fifth instar that I allowed to remain on a potted parsley near the side porch. The mature larva positioned itself below a seedhead but remained on the top of the stem. I expected to find it pupating but it remained motionless for 4 days. I sleeved the insect on the plant and on day 6 it had fallen off the plant to the bottom of the sleeve. I then segregated it to a screened container to capture whatever parasite emerged. On day three of confinement, the larva simply dissolved into a puddle of black ooze. The other larvae which had also died, succumbed during earlier instars and they too dissolved into black ooze. Obviously, some disease was present as opposed to insect parasitism. Of the three that pupated, a female emerged about a week ago and was released. The two remaining pupae are intact and appear normal thus far. On another note, while collecting tulip poplar limbs to feed some Callosamia angulifera larvae I happen to be rearing this year, two Tiger Swallowtail larvae were inadvertently collected (3rd instar). I reared these out to 5th instar and one died before pupation of the same black ooze disease. The other pupated in the bottom of the sleeving material without affixing itself to a limb or the material. I suspect it is dead. No odor is detected yet. It is still in the sleeve to collect any insect parasites that may emerge. All these species mentioned above were reared in widely separated areas to preclude spread of disease as this is my normal procedure. Regarding Swallowtails in general, there is a marked decrease in numbers. I didn't see any Spicebush this past Spring which is very odd. Saw a female in my yard last week (FOY). Even Palamedes seemed fewer in numbers though there was a very good accounting of larvae. Collected 10 in my yard alone...but only one made it to pupa and by my records, it is about a week past normal eclosion time. Tigers, though seen, are somewhat infrequent here on the coast..one or two across the hyway is about normal in the course of a day. I seldom venture to the areas where I know Zebras fly, so I can't report on their numbers. Pipevines are rare down here and is always a surprise to see one. Even had one (female)in my yard in 2007. This year I added Virinia Snakeroot to my landscape in hopes that eventually another female might visit. I received seeds from a poster on this list that advertised seed availability. Of 25 seeds, 5 germinated and the elants are about 3 inches high so far. They do not like the heat down here. Catching upon old news, this is the third year in which I saw no Falcate Orange Tips in my usual haunts. Henry Elfin numbers were about half normal. American Ladies were also noticeably absent this Spring, but I have seen normal numbers lately. Still no signs of any Polygonia here....third year as well. Planted some hop vines three seasons ago with no larvae or adults seen. Used to have one or two males patrolling my driveway every year during successive broods. Finally had some Red Admiral larvae (2) on nettle I planted three seasons ago. These pupated in their tents and eclosed late May. Red Spotted Purples are much more numerous than normal this year. Always a beautiful butterfly to just sit and admire. Heck, I hate to keep rattling on, but what-the-hey, some may be interested. This was my first year of rearing Callosamia angulifera (Tulip Poplar Silk Moth). I had reared C.securifera (Sweet Bay Silk Moth) for several years. Let me write aboutC.securifera first. I collected 4 wild cocoons about 4 years ago after searching about a thousand Sweet Bay (Magnolia virginiensis) all winter. The 4 cocoons were along the roadside lessthan a quarter of a mile from my house. This roadside area was subsequently bush hogged about two weeks later and the cocoons would have perished. Two males and females emerged and mated and several hundred eggs were collected the first night and they bugs were released to finish in the wild. Due to my inexperience with this species, only nine larvae lived and made it to adulthood. I kept a mated pair for my collection as I had none previously and released the other seven of which 4 were female. The eggs from that pairing yielded around 80 cocoons and adults. The next generation yielded well over 100 cocoons and the following generation around 200. In all, I collected about 20 perfect ex-pupa pairs of Spring and Summer forms and released all the others. I then wanted to rear C. angulifera as a friend reporting seeing this species in his area of the county. I collected a female early April 2008, but she laid no eggs nor did she call for a male during her captivity. This past April, I collected three females and around 200 eggs. I finally got around to mounting the dead females for my collection only to discover that one of them was C. promethea. This is extremely rare here on the coast and I have searched for cocoons for about 40 years only to find two empty cocoons in different years and about 20miles apart. Both cocoons though were on Persimmon of which there is no shortage here in Carteret County. Naturally, the Promethea eggs (if any) were mixed in with the Tulip Poplar Moth eggs. By the time I discovered this, the eggs were hatching and sleeved on Tulip Poplar (which I had purchased last year.) I ended up with 44 cocoons, all reared on Tulip Poplar, and I was able to eventually discriminate the larvae from one another. I have at least two Promethea and hopefully more. It will be neat to compare all three of this genus native to the same county and note the differences betwenn Spring and Summer broods. Summer broods are typically darker, but based on experience from Sweet Bay rearings, some summer specimens look quite a bit like some spring specimens. Currently also rearing Polyphemus on native Red Maple. For those interested, Cecropia and Io both appear to be very rare here on the coast. Hoping to rear these from the local population as well some day. Enough already, Bob --- On Fri, 6/26/09, David Tilton wrote: > From: David Tilton > Subject: Scarcity of Black Swallowtail, etc. > To: "Carolina Leps" > Date: Friday, June 26, 2009, 10:58 PM > > > Scarcity of Black Swallowtail, etc. > > > Hugh, > > > > We have also noticed a disappointing scarcity of some > species of butterflies this year, specifically Black > Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes). We are > located in Cary, NC, just west of Raleigh in Wake County. > Each year, we place fennel, parsley, dill and rue in > containers on our back deck. There has been much less Black > Swallowtail egg-laying activity this year compared with last > year. > > > > About five eggs were laid in late April on parsley. A > female was spotted laying on rue in mid-May, but we counted > only two eggs. A single Black Swallowtail was spotted > passing through about three weeks ago, however no eggs were > laid. Could have been a male. He/she briefly nectared on > blue porterweed and soon left us quicker than we could > identify sex. > > > > We regularly check a local herb garden for Black > Swallowtail eggs and cats, usually three times per week. > There are several large fennel plants that usually show > substantial activity by this time. So far this year, there > has only been a smattering of Black Swallowtail eggs. > Weâve collected them to observe, but none ever > hatched. We presume the eggs were sterile, the female never > having successfully matedâanother sign that Black > Swallowtails are not around in big numbers. > > > > What about the rest of the Carolinas? Are you finding Black > Swallowtails in greater numbers, either as adults or as > larvae (parsley worms)? > > > > David Tilton > > Cary, NC > > > > > > > >
Subject: Some Wake and Caswell, NC, butterflies
From: "Legrand, Harry" <harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov>
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:52:31 -0400

I did field work yesterday (June 26) in another section of Caswell Game Land; and, despite hot and sunny weather, I had a GRAND TOTAL of SEVEN butterfly species! Talk about the doldrums! I was amazed that I saw zero satyrs/browns at all; I should have seen a few species of that group, like Carolina or Little Wood-satyrs, a pearly-eye, etc. The only thing of interest was an American Snout, which landed on my outside mirror when I stopped the truck to look at some butterfly-weed. Today (June 27), to get a break from watching tennis much of the day, I spent about 45 minutes at the Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh. As I was there just 6 days ago, there wasn't a lot of things different from then, but I did see two surprises, one a goody: Cabbage White 7 Orange Sulphur 4 Sleepy Orange 1 Summer Azure 1 American Snout 1 scarce here Variegated Fritillary 2 worn American Lady 8 Silver-spotted Skipper 12 Horace's Duskywing 3 Wild Indigo Duskywing 1 HAYHURST'S SCALLOPWING 1 though it does breed here, it is scarce and a good find in the county Fiery Skipper 20 Sachem 25 Harry LeGrand NC Natural Heritage Program DENR Division of Natural Resources Planning and Conservation 1601 MSC Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 (919) 715-8697 (work) e-mail: harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov ----------------------------------------------------- Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and therefore may be disclosed to third parties. Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
Subject: June 26-27, Pitt and Beaufort Counties
From: Salman Abdulali <abdulalis AT ecu.edu>
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:14:35 -0400

Butterflies seen at Boyd Lee Park (Winterville, Pitt County) on 2009-06-26: Summer Azure Variegated Fritillary Common Buckeye American Lady Pearl Crescent Hayhurst's Scallopwing Fiery Skipper Sachem Butterflies seen at Goose Creek State Park (Beaufort County) on 2009-06-27: Palamedes Swallowtail - several Sleepy Orange - 1 at park office Eastern Tailed-Blue Red-banded Hairstreak - 2 Viceroy - 1 Common Buckeye - several Southern Pearly-eye - several Carolina Satyr - several Butterflies seen at Pitt County Arboretum on 2009-06-27: Black Swallowtail - at least 2 males and 1 female. More abundant than usual over here. Spicebush Swallowtail Orange Sulphur - 1 albino female Gray Hairstreak Variegated Fritillary Common Buckeye American Lady Silver-spotted Skipper Fiery Skipper Whirlabout - 1 female and a few males CLOUDED SKIPPER - 1, first of year Salman Abdulali Greenville, NC
Subject: RE: Scarcity of Black Swallowtail, etc.
From: "Legrand, Harry" <harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov>
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:56:42 -0400

I have mostly been to NEW places in the NC Piedmont in 2009 -- Caswell Game Land in Caswell County on a dozen or more days, some game lands in Warren, Franklin, and Nash, and of course some of my usual haunts here in Wake County. The places I go -- hardwood forests, and logging roads thru clearcuts and brushy areas, are poor for Black Swallowtails, which are more often found in gardens, fields, and the like (away from woody vegetation). So, I seldom see Black Swallowtails on my walks. Other folks, especially those who have foodplants in their yards, etc., will have to respond on this species, as they would have a good comparison versus 2008 and earlier. Clearly, E. Tiger Swallowtails had a very poor first brood in the NC Piedmont. the poorest spring I can ever recall for them. Even though I was mostly in new places, this is such a widespread, numerous, and easily seen species that I feel confident -- especially in that Jim Nottke, Dennis Burnette, and some others in the n. NC Piedmont have also noted a poor flight -- that the species was WAY down in 2009. Reasons? I have no idea, though I do not recall any late freezes, as suggested yesterday in s. VA. Also, Spicebush Swallowtails seem to be down, as well. Again, being in mostly new places for me, I have no way to compare with previous years, but with spicebush being about the most common plant I see in Caswell County bottomlands, and sassafras being common in the clearcuts and edges, I should have seen 3-5 butterflies a day. I DID see an excellent and surprising number of both Pipevine and Zebra swallowtails this spring. They certainly weren't affected by whatever seems to have affected other swallowtails. In fact, I have seen FAR more of EACH of these two normally somewhat uncommon species (in the Piedmont) than I have of Tiger and Spicebush, the two "common" Piedmont swallowtails! Harry LeGrand NC Natural Heritage Program DENR Division of Natural Resources Planning and Conservation 1601 MSC Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 (919) 715-8697 (work) e-mail: harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov ----------------------------------------------------- Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and therefore may be disclosed to third parties. ________________________________________ From: David Tilton [dvt AT tilt-on.com] Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 10:58 PM To: Carolina Leps Subject: Scarcity of Black Swallowtail, etc. Hugh, We have also noticed a disappointing scarcity of some species of butterflies this year, specifically Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes). We are located in Cary, NC, just west of Raleigh in Wake County. Each year, we place fennel, parsley, dill and rue in containers on our back deck. There has been much less Black Swallowtail egg-laying activity this year compared with last year. About five eggs were laid in late April on parsley. A female was spotted laying on rue in mid-May, but we counted only two eggs. A single Black Swallowtail was spotted passing through about three weeks ago, however no eggs were laid. Could have been a male. He/she briefly nectared on blue porterweed and soon left us quicker than we could identify sex. We regularly check a local herb garden for Black Swallowtail eggs and cats, usually three times per week. There are several large fennel plants that usually show substantial activity by this time. So far this year, there has only been a smattering of Black Swallowtail eggs. Weve collected them to observe, but none ever hatched. We presume the eggs were sterile, the female never having successfully matedanother sign that Black Swallowtails are not around in big numbers. What about the rest of the Carolinas? Are you finding Black Swallowtails in greater numbers, either as adults or as larvae (parsley worms)? David Tilton Cary, NC Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
Subject: Scarcity of Black Swallowtail, etc.
From: David Tilton <dvt AT tilt-on.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:58:02 -0400

Hugh, We have also noticed a disappointing scarcity of some species of butterflies this year, specifically Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes). We are located in Cary, NC, just west of Raleigh in Wake County. Each year, we place fennel, parsley, dill and rue in containers on our back deck. There has been much less Black Swallowtail egg-laying activity this year compared with last year. About five eggs were laid in late April on parsley. A female was spotted laying on rue in mid-May, but we counted only two eggs. A single Black Swallowtail was spotted passing through about three weeks ago, however no eggs were laid. Could have been a male. He/she briefly nectared on blue porterweed and soon left us quicker than we could identify sex. We regularly check a local herb garden for Black Swallowtail eggs and cats, usually three times per week. There are several large fennel plants that usually show substantial activity by this time. So far this year, there has only been a smattering of Black Swallowtail eggs. Wešve collected them to observe, but none ever hatched. We presume the eggs were sterile, the female never having successfully matedanother sign that Black Swallowtails are not around in big numbers. What about the rest of the Carolinas? Are you finding Black Swallowtails in greater numbers, either as adults or as larvae (parsley worms)? David Tilton Cary, NC
Subject: Request opinions
From: hughwyatt AT comcast.net
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:51:46 +0000 (UTC)

Although not a Carolinian, I live approx. 1 mile from the border and have noticed several contributors describing the paucity of Eastern Tiger Swallowtails this season in the North Central Piedmont of North Carolina and have found the same here around Danville, VA. I have only seen 2 this year and very few Spicebush, Black and Pipevine swallowtails. Zebra swallowtails seem about normal as do other species. My question is "Why so few?" In talking with a Master Gardener friend, she said that she had lost many Butterfly bushes because of the early warm spells and the quick change to freezes early this year. Could these abrupt weather changes account for the scarcity of most swallowtails? As for other species, this appears to be a banner year for the Silver Spangled Fritillary as late last week, I saw in excess of 150 of them on orange milkweed in approx. 100 yards of roadway just west of Danville although nothing else was present and yesterday in Patrick Co., Va. we saw about 40 on one patch of common milkweed , some mating, along with the first male Diana Fritillary for my year. Also Eastern Tailed Blues were abundant on wet dirt and two Monarchs in fresh condition placing eggs on the common milkweed. No swallowtails were seen in this area which normally produces them in abundance even through the summer doldrums. Anyone with ideas? Thanks a bunch, Hugh C. Wyatt Danville, Va.
Subject: American Lady
From: "Loretta" <butterflies_bg AT triad.rr.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:54:52 -0400

Last week, I brought in 6 American Lady cats. Two eclosed this am, with one being slightly catawampus. It appeared one leg on the right side was shorter than the other side. She was still not really active, so I placed her on a lantana bloom. Another trip was made to get the second butterfly, which was also placed on the lantana. The first one had fallen to the ground, and just basically fluttered around. I went inside to get a protective net tubing to cover her from predators, and to place a lantana bloom in a vial of water so she could nectar, being inside for no longer then 2-3 minutes max. When I came back, she was dead as a doornail!! Could she have possibly been stung by a wasp??? I have watched a tiny parasitic wasp oviposit into a chrysalis, which takes longer than 2-3 minutes. When I brought her inside and checked, 3 of her legs were paralyzed as if they had not extended after eclosure. Any suggestions or ideas on the sudden acute death? Loretta Lutman
Subject: Forsyth County - One Week Later
From: nottke1 <nottke1 AT earthlink.net>
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:56:16 -0400 (GMT-04:00)

Folks, I guess Harry's doldrum email has some validity (not that I ever doubt Harry). Perfect day today, but many fewer butterflies than one week ago. Below the first column gives today's numbers, the second column was what I saw in the same area a week ago. 3 3 Pipevine Swallowtail 0 1 Black Swallowtail 0 2 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 0 1 Spicebush Swallowtail 6 2 Cabbage White 1 4 Orange Sulphur 0 1 Cloudless Sulphur 2 5 Sleepy Orange 0 1 Great Purple Hairstreak 4 5 Coral Hairstreak 0 1 Red Banded Hairstreak 10 20+ Eastern Tailed Blue 3 1 American Snout 3 0 Variegated Fritillary 8 25+ Great Spangled Fritillary 7 0 Pearl Crescent 0 2 Questionmark 5 3 American Lady 0 1 Red Admiral very small 7 20+ Common Buckeye 0 1 Gemmed Satyr 4 8 Carolina Satyr 3 2 Little Wood Satyr 5 1 Common Wood Nymph one mating pair today 0 2 Monarch 0 1 Hoary Edge 0 2 Horaces Duskywing 0 4 Clouded Skipper 0 2 Crossline Skipper 8 0 Sachem 0 1 Delaware Skipper 15 8 Zabulon Skipper Jim Nottke Pfafftown, NC
Subject: Pitt County, June 24-25
From: Salman Abdulali <abdulalis AT ecu.edu>
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:56:08 -0400

Few butterflies seen, but there were two "first of month": Eastern Tailed Blue (2009-06-24, Pitt County, between Greenville and Grimesland) Carolina Satyr (2009-06-25, River Park North) Salman Abdulali Greenville, NC
Subject: Meager Guilford Butterflies
From: Dennis Burnette <deburnette AT triad.rr.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:21:51 -0400

I was on a farm in northwestern Guilford County near Stokesdale today. I wasn't butterflying, but noticed Red Admiral, American Lady, Pearl Crescent, and Gemmed Satyr. Oddly, no sulphurs, and of course, no swallowtails. Also, in one spot where a dirt road crosses a creek through the woods were 8 to 10 Ebony Jewelwing damselflies, all male. -- Dennis Burnette Greensboro, NC Guilford County deburnette AT triad.rr.com
Subject: Piedmont doldrums have arrived
From: "Legrand, Harry" <harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov>
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:40:36 -0400

The annual doldrums of butterfly activity -- at least for grass skippers -- has started in the Piedmont. It should end around July 20-25. It is now possible to spend a day in the field in the province, and see no skippers other than a few spread-wings and maybe a Fiery or Sachem. (And, the flight of the Satyrium hairstreaks is over.) I have no idea why so many of the grass skippers in the province evolved two broods with a synchronized gap from mid-June to late July, when the nectar plants are abundant. Common milkweed, buttonbush, butterfly-weed, Prunella, etc., go wanting for a lot of things now, especially skippers. Today I spent a sunny day in Franklin County, NC, walking some logging roads and floodplains, and saw ZERO skippers of any kind. Six species in total! (Nothing of interest, but I THINK the Brood II of Little Wood-Satyr is starting, as the 4 that I saw today looked quite fresh.) Yesterday, in Caswell County, I saw only 11 species, and just a single skipper -- interestingly, a Tawny-edged nectaring on Lobelia spicata in a damp gasline clearing. And -- even though there are still a lot of species flying (mostly true butterflies), essentially all can be seen in spring and Aug-Oct. Now I know why I start to visit the NCSU (Raluston) Arboretum in Raleigh in June and July! It's easy butterflying, and there is always a chance of strays, etc. But -- butterflying is good now in the mountains, as well as the lower Coastal Plain (for marsh/swamp skippers). So -- If you are butterflying in the Piedmont and are failing to find skippers -- it's that time of year! Hang on for a month -- it will get better, when the second broods start. Harry LeGrand NC Natural Heritage Program DENR Division of Natural Resources Planning and Conservation 1601 MSC Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 (919) 715-8697 (work) e-mail: harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov ----------------------------------------------------- Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and therefore may be disclosed to third parties. Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
Subject: Triangle Butterflies
From: "Richard Stickney" <Richard.Stickney AT ncmls.org>
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:49:09 -0400

Hi all, Yesterday I spent a few hours out in Durham & Wake Cos.: Duke Gardens - very little going on, but saw only my first Red Admiral of the year. They seem much rarer in the area for the last several years - anyone else notice this? Area around Falls Lake Dam: 10 ETB 3 Pearl Crescent 1 Tawny Emperor - worn 2 Carolina Satyr Looking for Common Wood Nymph, but struck out Rolesville Rock Outcropping and Little River in NE Wake: 3 Red-spotted Purple Dozens of Carolina Satyrs in shaded grassy area along river (No other Satyrs though it looked like perfect habitat) 1 Clouded Skipper 1 very interesting Underwing Moth (Catocala sp.) with black HW with white edges 2 Neighbor moths - a cool species of Tiger Moth Richard Stickney NC Museum of Life and Science
Subject: Pitt County, June 22
From: Salman Abdulali <abdulalis AT ecu.edu>
Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:25:56 -0400

Butterflies seen at the Pitt County Arboretum today, 2009-06-22. The second brood of Whirlabouts seems to be emerging. Black Swallowtail - 1 male and 1 female Sleepy Orange Cabbage White Variegated Fritillary American Lady Painted Lady Common Buckeye Horace's Duskywing Fiery Skipper WHIRLABOUT - 1 female, fresh Salman Abdulali Greenville, NC
Subject: RE: Opinion Requested
From: "Harry and Ruth" <h_r AT triad.rr.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:25:49 -0400

I had some friends tell me it was dependant on what all was in Flower and that sometimes were better than others according to what was in Bloom. -----Original Message----- From: Dennis Burnette [mailto:deburnette AT triad.rr.com] Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 3:31 PM To: Carolinaleps Subject: Opinion Requested I am seeking opinions on the best time to go to Florida to look for butterflies. If you could spend a week during any month butterflying in south Florida (from Orlando to the Keys), which week would you choose? I ask because a British friend, who already has been butterflying with me here in the Carolinas several times, my be able to meet me in Florida in the next year or so. I am struggling to come up with something to make this email relate to Carolina butterflies, but I've got nothing! How about this: I didn't see a Tiger Swallowtail again today! Thanks to those willing and able to share opinions on Florida butterflies. -- Dennis Burnette Greensboro, NC Guilford County deburnette AT triad.rr.com
Subject: Re: Opinion Requested
From: agrkovich2003 AT yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:28:49 -0700 (PDT)

Dennis, I would suggest that optimum time for the Subtropical Zone is mid-September/October to mid-December...For farther north, it depends upon what you are looking for; but overall, October for the Orlando area... Alex --- On Mon, 6/22/09, Dennis Burnette wrote: From: Dennis Burnette Subject: Opinion Requested To: "Carolinaleps" Date: Monday, June 22, 2009, 3:31 PM I am seeking opinions on the best time to go to Florida to look for butterflies. If you could spend a week during any month butterflying in south Florida (from Orlando to the Keys), which week would you choose? I ask because a British friend, who already has been butterflying with me here in the Carolinas several times, my be able to meet me in Florida in the next year or so. I am struggling to come up with something to make this email relate to Carolina butterflies, but I've got nothing! How about this: I didn't see a Tiger Swallowtail again today! Thanks to those willing and able to share opinions on Florida butterflies. -- Dennis Burnette Greensboro, NC Guilford County deburnette AT triad.rr.com
Subject: RE: Opinion Requested
From: "Legrand, Harry" <harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov>
Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:23:20 -0400

Well, you have a tricky yet easy call on this. Southern FL butterflying really is not seasonal -- the ONLY place in the US where one can say this! I've been in May, in August, and in October. Winter works too. When don't you want to go? When there is a drought going on! But, you can't figure that out 6 months in advance. Other than Schaus' Swallowtail flying only from late April into June, practically all the other targets can be seen almost year-round. You might want to get "Butterflies through Binoculars" by Glassberg, Minno, and Calhoun, if you don't already have it. Some of the skippers around Orlando/Kissimmee Prairie would be best in the warmer months (not in midwinter). So -- it's mostly about WHERE to go in s. Florida, not WHEN to go -- to be successful! Harry LeGrand NC Natural Heritage Program DENR Division of Natural Resources Planning and Conservation 1601 MSC Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 (919) 715-8697 (work) e-mail: harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov ----------------------------------------------------- Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and therefore may be disclosed to third parties. ________________________________________ From: Dennis Burnette [deburnette AT triad.rr.com] Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 3:31 PM To: Carolinaleps Subject: Opinion Requested I am seeking opinions on the best time to go to Florida to look for butterflies. If you could spend a week during any month butterflying in south Florida (from Orlando to the Keys), which week would you choose? I ask because a British friend, who already has been butterflying with me here in the Carolinas several times, my be able to meet me in Florida in the next year or so. I am struggling to come up with something to make this email relate to Carolina butterflies, but I've got nothing! How about this: I didn't see a Tiger Swallowtail again today! Thanks to those willing and able to share opinions on Florida butterflies. -- Dennis Burnette Greensboro, NC Guilford County deburnette AT triad.rr.com Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
Subject: Opinion Requested
From: Dennis Burnette <deburnette AT triad.rr.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:31:02 -0400

I am seeking opinions on the best time to go to Florida to look for butterflies. If you could spend a week during any month butterflying in south Florida (from Orlando to the Keys), which week would you choose? I ask because a British friend, who already has been butterflying with me here in the Carolinas several times, my be able to meet me in Florida in the next year or so. I am struggling to come up with something to make this email relate to Carolina butterflies, but I've got nothing! How about this: I didn't see a Tiger Swallowtail again today! Thanks to those willing and able to share opinions on Florida butterflies. -- Dennis Burnette Greensboro, NC Guilford County deburnette AT triad.rr.com
Subject: June 21, Pitt and Craven counties
From: Salman Abdulali <abdulalis AT ecu.edu>
Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:46:10 -0400

Craven County butterflies, June 21, 2009: Palamades Swallowtail Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Sleepy Orange Red-banded Hairstreak Variegated Fritillary Pearl Crescent - abundant Common Buckeye - abundant Viceroy Zarucco Duskywing Winterville (Pitt County) butterflies, June 21, 2009: Sleepy Orange Orange Sulphur Variegated Fritillary Common Buckeye American Lady Red-spotted Purple Horace's Duskywing HAYHURST'S SCALLOPWING Fiery Skipper Salman Abdulali Greenville, NC
Subject: Butterflies at Raulston Arboretum, Wake Co., NC
From: "Legrand, Harry" <harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov>
Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:00:23 -0400

Folks: We all know that gardens and arboretums aren't that great until July and later, but I wanted to stay within a few miles of home, and so for the first time in 2009 I visited the NCSU (Raulston) Arboretum in Raleigh today (June 21). The gardens are very floriferous! The rain we've had, and simply a lot of plantings, kept me busy looking, though it never is hopping at this time of year -- i.e., a lot of butterfly-bushes, etc., are begging for bugs. But, there isn't as much lantana as I'd like, and there is less of it than last year. Here's the list -- not awful, but still .. worth a visit. Cabbage White 8 Orange Sulphur 2 Cloudless Sulphur 1 Gray Hairstreak 1 E. Tailed-Blue 1 Variegated Fritillary 1 Pearl Crescent 1 American Lady 4 Viceroy 1 out of place here, but I've seen here previously Silver-spotted Skipper 5 Horace's Duskywing 2 Wild Indigo Duskywing 1 Fiery Skipper 3 Sachem 4 Southern Broken-Dash 2 very worn Dun Skipper 1 Harry LeGrand NC Natural Heritage Program DENR Division of Natural Resources Planning and Conservation 1601 MSC Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 (919) 715-8697 (work) e-mail: harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov ----------------------------------------------------- Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and therefore may be disclosed to third parties. Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
Subject: Central Forsyth County Butterflies
From: nottke1 <nottke1 AT earthlink.net>
Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 13:48:20 -0400 (GMT-04:00)

This morning (Sunday, 6/21) ten of us Triad folk spent the first morning of Summer checking out the butteflies at Civitan Park in Forsyth County. While we were occasionally distracted by some nesting warblers, waterbirds, dragonflies, muskrats, and other varmints, we did find 12 species of butterflies. A lot of coneflowers, dogbane, common milkweed, and butterflyweed in bloom, but we did not find any swallowtails or hairstreaks, and virtually no skippers. 7 Cabbage White 4 Orange Sulphur 22 Eastern Tailed Blue 3 Great Spangled Fritillary 14 Pearl Crescent 1 Questionmark 5 American Lady 1 Red Admiral 1 Common Buckeye 1 Viceroy 4 Monarch 4 Sachem Jim Nottke Pfafftown, NC
Subject: recent yard leps, Conway SC 06-20-2009
From: Gary Phillips <carolinensis AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:41:48 -0700 (PDT)

hi y'all, butterf;ies remain fairly few and far between 'round the confines here, but an occasional visitor stops by. i suspect those that do become bird food, as there are two recently fledged broods of Brown thrashers round the confines here chasing anything (including one another.) observed one snag a Blue Dasher few days ago. Black Swallowtail - 1 Spicebush Swallowtail - 2 Giant Swallowtail - 1 our annual June visit, i s'pose. Cloudless Sulphur -1 Pearl Crescent - 2 Red-banded hairstreak - 1 this time last year there were 6+ daily along with a cpl White-m Carolina Satyr - a few fluttering about Red-spotted Purple - 2 obs. one apparently ovipositing on P. caroliniana duskywing sp. - 1 Byssus Skipper - 1 Broad-winged Skipper - 1 this was a surprise Silver-spotted Skipper - few a few moths positively ID'd, several more as yet unknown: Maple Looper Ultronia Underwing - photo'd feeding at night on grape jelly Sycamore Tussock moth cat - these guys are just too cool, they peg the needle on the cuteness meter. and a question: anyone familiar with anything that might use sunflower, specifically Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) as a host? cheers, Gary Phillips Conway, SC "Only under the condition of ordeal may I recover the sparrow." - Walker Percy
Subject: Guilford Butterflies Still Slow
From: Dennis Burnette <deburnette AT triad.rr.com>
Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:46:27 -0400

I was impressed with the list of butterflies that Jim Nottke submitted from Forsyth County just west of us a couple of days ago. Butterflies here in Guilford Co., NC still seem to not be recovered from the heavy wind, rains and hail of two weeks ago. Yesterday (6/19/09) I spent a sweat drenched half hour in the Bird and Butterfly Meadow at Price Park in Greensboro. For my efforts I saw only four species of butterflies, despite there being a large patch of common milkweed in full bloom and other wildflowers scattered about. Here's my meager list: Unidentified pipevine/spicebush type swallowtail in distance flying away Eastern Tailed-Blue 8 - this time of year usually 20 or more Great Spangled Fritillary 6 - all very fresh Common Buckeye 2 - usually 6 to 10 in the same area Also saw 2 Cabbage Whites elsewhere on the roadside. -- Dennis Burnette Greensboro, NC Guilford County deburnette AT triad.rr.com
Subject: Pitt County, June 18-20
From: Salman Abdulali <abdulalis AT ecu.edu>
Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:41:39 -0400

Butterflies seen in Pitt County over the past 3 days: Black Swallowtail (Pitt County Arboretum 2009-06-20) Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (River Park North 2009-06-19) Palamedes Swallowtail (Pitt County Arboretum 2009-06-20) Sleepy Orange (River Park North 2009-06-19) Orange Sulphur (VOA site C 2009-06-20) Cabbage White (Pitt County Arboretum 2009-06-20) American Snout (Pitt County Arboretum 2009-06-20) Variegated Fritillary (Pitt County Arboretum 2009-06-20) Red-spotted Purple (Pitt County Arboretum 2009-06-18 and River Park North 2009-06-19) Viceroy (Pitt County Arboretum 2009-06-20) Pearl Crescent (VOA site C 2009-06-19) Common Buckeye (VOA site C 2009-06-19) American Lady (Pitt County Arboretum 2009-06-20) Red Admiral (VOA site C 2009-06-19) Silver-spotted Skipper (Pitt County Arboretum 2009-06-20) Horace's Duskywing (Pitt County Arboretum 2009-06-20) Fiery Skipper (Pitt County Arboretum 2009-06-20) Salman Abdulali Greenville, NC
Subject: Some Wake Co., NC, butterflies
From: "Legrand, Harry" <harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov>
Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:42:52 -0400

Today (June 20), I braved the dew point over 70 to look at butterflies along Mid-Pines Rd. and Yates Pond south of Raleigh; fortunately, from about 8-10 am. The heavy rains from earlier in the week have produced a very lush growth of alfalfa in bloom, of which there are several large patches along Mid-Pines. If you want to see Orange Sulphurs ... ! Thankfully, it was easy to pick out the Clouded Sulphurs in the air amid the hordes of Oranges, as most of both species were very fresh. Sadly, among the 40 or so whites, nary was a Checkered, though I typically see most of them from August into late fall. I was hoping to add the Raulston Arboretum to my list of sites today, but there was a special event -- wedding? -- going on; they sure picked a bad day for it, whatever it was. Here is what I saw in about 2 hours: Pipevine Swallowtail 1 Cabbage White 40 Clouded Sulphur 8 Orange Sulphur 300 Red-banded Hairstreak 1 E. Tailed-Blue 12 Summer Azure 1 Variegated Fritillary 40 in the alfalfa fields Pearl Crescent 4 American Lady 8 Red Admiral 2 Common Buckeye 5 Red-spotted Purple 1 Horace's Duskywing 2 Common Checkered-Skipper 1 Sachem 4 Harry LeGrand NC Natural Heritage Program DENR Division of Natural Resources Planning and Conservation 1601 MSC Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 (919) 715-8697 (work) e-mail: harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov ----------------------------------------------------- Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and therefore may be disclosed to third parties. Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
Subject: Forsyth County Butterflies
From: nottke1 <nottke1 AT earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:42:47 -0400 (GMT-04:00)

Folks, Now that it has stopped raining, I saw a lot of leps in the air here at the farm, so I took an hour to count what I could find; 3 Pipevine Swallowtail 1 Black Swallowtail 2 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 1 Spicebush Swallowtail 2 Cabbage White 4 Orange Sulphur 1 Cloudless Sulphur (ovipositing on sicklepod) 5 Sleepy Orange 1 Great Purple Hairstreak FOY 5 Coral Hairstreak FOY 1 Red Banded Hairstreak FOY 20+ Eastern Tailed Blue 1 American Snout 25+ Great Spangled Fritillary 2 Questionmark (one ovipositing on dwarf elm) -- Mourning Cloak (saw about 40 caterpillars in a hackberry tree) 3 American Lady 1 Red Admiral very small 20+ Common Buckeye 1 Gemmed Satyr 8 Carolina Satyr 2 Little Wood Satyr 1 Common Wood Nymph FOY 2 Monarch 1 Hoary Edge 2 Horaces Duskywing FOY 4 Clouded Skipper 2 Crossline Skipper 1 Delaware Skipper FOY 8 Zabulon Skipper Jim Nottke Pfafftown, NC
Subject: Jasper Co., SC leps 17 June 2009
From: Dennis Forsythe <dennis.forsythe AT gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:43:13 -0400

Hi All, Donna and I spent part of a day at the Tillman Sand Ridge HP, Jasper Co., SC. Things were slow but we had the following" E. Tiger Swallowtail-2 Zebra Swallowtail-6 Southern Dogface-1 a poor and distant view. Gray Hairstreak-2 American Lady-3 Common Buckeye-3 Pearl Crescent-2 Red-spotted Purple-1 Horace's Duskywing-2 Zarucco Duskywing-1 Dun Skipper-3 Cheers, Dennis -- Dennis M. Forsythe PhD Charleston, SC 29412 843.795.3996-home 843.953.7264-fax 843.708.1605-cell dennis.forsythe AT gmail.com
Subject: BugFest 2009 is coming!!!
From: nottke1 <nottke1 AT earthlink.net>
Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:50:34 -0400 (EDT)

Folks, As many of you know, The NC Museum of Natural History in Raleigh, hosts a big "BUGFEST" every September - it is incredible; exhibits, activities, info, talks, food. So mark Saturday, September 12, on your calendar - 9am-9pm. Parking and admission are free. Website is http://www.bugfest.org/ if you want to bookmark it. And this year's theme is BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS !! The Carolina Butterfly Society (CBS) has had a presence at each of the last several BugFests and we plan to do so again this year. Cyndy Hummel has volunteered to coordinate our display and staffing this year. In past years we have had caterpillars, chrysalises, eclosing butterflies, and dissection scope exhibits, all of which were very, very popular. We are in the early planning stages, but if you have questions, suggestions, exhibits, or would like to volunteer at our display (free T-shirt and lunch!), contact Cyndy. Primary purpose of this note is to get it on your calendar and tell you who is in charge of the CBS participation this year (thank you Cyndy). Jim
Subject: New book: "The Dangerous World of Butterflies"
From: Ina Warren <wildwood3 AT citcom.net>
Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:05:10 -0400

June 18, 2009 Monarch enthusiasts, A curious new butterfly book was promoted on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart last night. It was Peter Laufer's "The Dangerous World of Butterflies: The Startling Subculture of Criminals, Collectors, and Conservationists". Other reviews of the book are online at: http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-World-Butterflies-Subculture-Conservationists/dp/1599215551 From a Google search, I found an excerpt from the chapter on monarchs published online at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104021730 There is also a 17 minute interview on Neal Conan's Talk of the Nation NPR Radio program at that link. Ina. Brevard, NC
Subject: Pitt County 2009-06-17
From: "Abdulali, Salman" <ABDULALIS AT ecu.edu>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:33:41 -0400

The sun came out briefly this afternoon (2009-06-17), and the butterflies with it. Here is what I saw at Winterville (Pitt County) today. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Sleepy Orange Summer Azure Pearl Crescent American Lady Painted Lady Fiery Skipper Sachem Salman Abdulali Greenville, NC
Subject: Last Call for the Symposium on June 27
From: nottke1 <nottke1 AT earthlink.net>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:35:44 -0400 (GMT-04:00)

Folks, If you plan to go to the butterfly symposium at Congaree National Park on June 27th, but have not sent in your registration as yet, please send me an email so we can plan lunches, etc. Cost, including lunch, is only $15. The program is listed on the registration form which can be obtained by going to "Click here" at http://www.carolinabutterflysociety.org/ You can also stay over until Sunday and participate in the Congaree butterfly count, which is a lot of fun; Zebra Swallowtails guaranteed (almost). Jim Nottke Jim Nottke Pfafftown, NC
Subject: Augusta/Aiken NABA count
From: "Lois Stacey" <croakie AT comcast.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:03:54 -0400

The Augusta-Aiken Audubon Society NABA butterfly count will be held July 18. We will count on both sides of the river; in South Carolina and in Georgia. The South Carolina group will meet at 9am at the Silver Bluff Audubon Center near Jackson, SC and will count in the morning. Contact Paul Koehler at pkoehler AT audubon.org for directions and information. The Georgia group will meet in the parking lot at Phinizy Swamp NP in Augusta at 9am. We will count around the park in the morning, go out to lunch, and continue into the afternoon at Merry Brickyard Ponds and Lover's Lane. You are welcome to join us for as much or as little of the day as you'd like. Contact me for directions or information on the Georgia group. If you have another area near Augusta or Aiken you would like to count please let me know. We'd be happy to cover more ground! Lois Stacey North Augusta, SC (Aiken Cnty) www.augustaaikenaudubon.org
Subject: Butterflies at HBSP on 6-15
From: "Jack" <jp5810 AT sccoast.net>
Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:34:58 -0500

Hi Carolinabutterfliers, Today I went to Huntington Beach S.P. in Murrells Inlet, Georgetown, County SC. And found and photographed some nice butterflies. Yes, I know they are all nice. Some of my pictures were very good. I found 2 FOY's. Here goes: Black Swallowtail-1 Spicebush Swallowtail-1 or 2 Palamedes Swallowtail-1 JUNIPER HAIRSTREAK-FOY 1 nectoring on lippia (frogfruit) in the lot adjacent to the parking area at the headquarters/store. Stands of Red Cedar across the road Pearl Crescent-1 Red spotted Purple-1 FOY Viceroy-1 FOY Horace's Duskywing 1male & 1 female Zarucco or Wild Indigo Duskywing 1 female It had a rather bronzy hindwing as seen from above. Fiery Skipper-1 on lippia near the headquarter's store. Other nector sources were daisy fleabane, white clover, and thistle, (false-thistle?) Jack Peachey Conway, SC
Subject: RE: Baltimores and other butterflies in Haywood Co., NC
From: Paulette Haywood <habitatdesigns AT hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:09:09 +0000

Does anyone know which caterpillar hosts these Baltimore Checkerspots use--turtleheads (Chelone spp.) or false foxgloves (Aureolaria spp.)?
Subject: Banded "Skipper"
From: "Richard Stickney" <Richard.Stickney AT ncmls.org>
Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:47:47 -0400

Oops! I meant Banded HAIRSTREAK! Thanks Will! After all these years, I finally got around to a very enjoyable visit to Occoneechee Mountain (Orange Co.) on Sunday. Not much around, here's the list: 2 Hackberry Emperors 1 worn Red-Banded Hairstreak 4 Eastern Tailed Blues 1 Spicebush Swallowtail 3 worn Skippers, might have been Broken-Dashes 5 Silver-Spotted Skipper 1 small Underwing moth with orange & black HW's Later on, at NC Botanical Garden: 2 Carolina Satyrs 5 Silver-Spotted Skippers 1 Tiger Swallowtail, first I've seen in weeks 1 dark Swallowtail that flew by, may have been Pipevine Richard Stickney NC Museum of Life and Science
Subject: Odonate Groups for NC
From: <ed.corey AT ncdenr.gov>
Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:27:53 -0400 (EDT)

Hey all! Just wanted to bring your attention to two odonate groups for North Carolina. Alex Netherton has been running the SE Odonata listserv (http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/se-odonata/) for several years now, and it is a great resource to use! Additionally, we have created a listing for an NC odes website (http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/NCOdonates/), for posting trip lists, coordinating field trips, etc. I encourage you to use both listservs, as sightings will be added to the Odonates of NC database (http://149.168.1.196/odes/a/accounts.php). Thanks for all the records so far, and keep up the good work! Ed Corey Raleigh, NC "Administrator", Odonates of NC database Inventory Biologist, NC Div. of Parks and Recreation
Subject: Triad Butterfly Walk Civitan Marsh June 21
From: Dennis Burnette <deburnette AT triad.rr.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:05:50 -0400

Triad Butterfly Walk Civitan Marsh June 21 The Carolina Butterfly Society Triad Chapter will celebrate the official beginning of summer by holding a butterfly walk on Sunday morning, June 21, beginning at 9:00 am. We will explore the marsh edge and adjacent meadow around the Civitan marsh on the eastern edge of Winston-Salem. Friends and guests are welcome to attend. Gene Schepker and Lois Schneider will be the leaders. Civitan marsh is the product of a stream restoration and wetland management project. A sign on the site reports that 4940 linear feet of Salem Creek were restored, 5.2 acres of wetlands created, and 17.5 acres of riparian buffers planted. The creek has been returned to an approximation of its original route after having been straightened several times over the last 60 years. All of this is good news for wildlife in the surrounding college campus and suburban area. The park attracts a nice variety of butterflies and dragonflies, as well as birds and other critters. For the birders in the group, currently there are two Warbling Vireo nests and at least two Orchard Oriole nests in the park. Directions: Take Business I-40 toward the eastern part of Winston-Salem. Leave I-40 Business at Exit 6C (Martin Luther King Jr. Dr./ Winston Salem State University). For those coming from Greensboro and High Point, the exit is approximately 18 miles from the NC 68/Airport Exit. At the end of the ramp, turn south onto Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. and continue through the WSSU campus about 0.7 mile to Reynolds Park Road. Turn right (west) into Parking Lot #6 toward the Anderson Center. Keep to the left of the tennis courts and go all the way to the end of the parking lot. Park behind the building near the foot bridge. There are no facilities in the park, so make a rest room stop before coming to the park, if needed. Be sure to bring plenty of water and wear a hat. For a map go to http://www.brainygeography.com/features/NC.park/civitanpark.html . Dennis -- Dennis E. Burnette 7 Brownstone Lane Greensboro, NC 27410 (336) 299-4342 deburnette AT triad.rr.com
Subject: Re: Baltimores and other butterflies in Haywood Co., NC
From: Will Cook <cwcook AT duke.edu>
Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:54:07 -0400

I may or may not have been on this trip, but here are some more pics: http://www.carolinanature.com/butterflies/baltimorecheckerspot.html I photographed about 12 individuals, maybe a third of the ones we saw. The Baltimores were very fond of the road and unfortunately we also found three that had been run over. Will Legrand, Harry wrote: > On Tuesday, June 9, Jeff Pippen discovered a large colony of Baltimore Checkerspots in Haywood County. He saw about 25 individuals; several he photographed for his website: > http://www.duke.edu/~jspippen/butterflies/baltimorecheckerspot.htm > > On Saturday (June 13), 5 others and I visited the site in order to get photos, and to see what else was flying in the area. As the day was warm and mostly sunny, we came up with a very nice list: > > Pipevine Swallowtail 12 > Black Swallowtail 1 female > E. Tiger Swallowtail 10, plus 5 Tiger S. sp; Appalachian Tiger perhaps > Cabbage White 5 > Orange Sulphur 3 > Cloudless Sulphur 1 > Sleepy Orange 1 > Harvester 1 always nice to see > E. Tailed-Blue 15 > Summer Azure 8 > Great Spangled Fritillary 60 > Meadow Fritillary 2 > Silvery Checkerspot 1 fresh > Pearl Crescent 4 > BALTIMORE CHECKERSPOT 35 > Question Mark 6 > Eastern Comma 1, plus one found dead > Mourning Cloak 6 > American Lady 1 > Red Admiral 2 > Common Buckeye 1 > Red-spotted Purple 6 > Northern Pearly-eye 3 > Carolina Satyr 1 > Little Wood-Satyr 3 > Silver-spotted Skipper 150 > Juvenal's Duskywing 2 very worn > Dreamy Duskywing 15 worn > Least Skipper 10 > INDIAN SKIPPER 1 female > Peck's Skipper 2 pair courting > Tawny-edged Skipper 2 > Zabulon Skipper 3 two very worn males, one female > Hobomok Skipper 1 > > It is necessary to not specify on a listserve the exact locations of Baltimore Checkerspots in the Carolinas. It is quite rare, intensely local, likely highly prized by collectors, and in an unprotected area. A large former colony in Avery County -- over 20 seen in a day -- has seemingly disappeared in the past few years, for unknown reasons (many folks have looked at the right time of year). And, you will notice that I am not listing other observers, as I want to limit contact/inquiries about the butterflies above to just Jeff or myself. (We keep records on the checkerspot at the N.C. Natural Heritage Program, where I work.) > > Harry LeGrand > NC Natural Heritage Program > DENR Division of Natural Resources Planning and Conservation > 1601 MSC > Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 > (919) 715-8697 (work) > e-mail: harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov > > ----------------------------------------------------- > Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and therefore may be disclosed to third parties. > > Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. -- Will Cook - Durham, NC http://www.carolinanature.com
Subject: Golden-banded Skipper and Diana Frit., Macon Co., NC
From: Jason Love <jasonplove AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:03:09 -0700 (PDT)

Folks, While out hiking today, my wife and I saw our first male Diana Fritillary of the year. As an added bonus, we also had a good look at a Golden-banded Skipper. It was nectaring on wild hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) along a forest service road. That is about as detailed as I'm going to get, since both (especially the Golden-banded) are rare and tracked by the NC Heritage Program. Cheers, Jason
Subject: Some Stokes County, NC, butterflies
From: "Legrand, Harry" <harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov>
Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 19:29:32 -0400

Several folks joined me for some butterflying in the Hanging Rock State Park, Stokes County, NC, area. We found a good field area along the access road the the Dan River Access, but not on state park land. (The access area had NO butterflies at all.) Here is what we had in less than an hour, today (June 14): Orange Sulphur 2 Coral Hairstreak 1 E. Tailed-Blue 10 Great Spangled Fritillary 1 Pearl Crescent 1 Little Wood-Satyr 1 Silver-spotted Skipper 5 Northern Cloudywing 1 Southern Cloudywing 2 Horace's Duskywing 1 Swarthy Skipper 2 new to county Peck's Skipper 3 Crossline Skipper 5 new to county Tawny-edged Skipper 1 new to county Delaware Skipper 1 Dun Skipper 1 American Lady 1 in Surry County, in Pilot Mt. SP Interestingly, our best 3 species -- Coral H., Peck's, and Delaware -- are NOT new county records. Go figure! Harry LeGrand NC Natural Heritage Program DENR Division of Natural Resources Planning and Conservation 1601 MSC Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 (919) 715-8697 (work) e-mail: harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov ----------------------------------------------------- Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and therefore may be disclosed to third parties. Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
Subject: Baltimores and other butterflies in Haywood Co., NC
From: "Legrand, Harry" <harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov>
Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 19:19:23 -0400

On Tuesday, June 9, Jeff Pippen discovered a large colony of Baltimore Checkerspots in Haywood County. He saw about 25 individuals; several he photographed for his website: http://www.duke.edu/~jspippen/butterflies/baltimorecheckerspot.htm On Saturday (June 13), 5 others and I visited the site in order to get photos, and to see what else was flying in the area. As the day was warm and mostly sunny, we came up with a very nice list: Pipevine Swallowtail 12 Black Swallowtail 1 female E. Tiger Swallowtail 10, plus 5 Tiger S. sp; Appalachian Tiger perhaps Cabbage White 5 Orange Sulphur 3 Cloudless Sulphur 1 Sleepy Orange 1 Harvester 1 always nice to see E. Tailed-Blue 15 Summer Azure 8 Great Spangled Fritillary 60 Meadow Fritillary 2 Silvery Checkerspot 1 fresh Pearl Crescent 4 BALTIMORE CHECKERSPOT 35 Question Mark 6 Eastern Comma 1, plus one found dead Mourning Cloak 6 American Lady 1 Red Admiral 2 Common Buckeye 1 Red-spotted Purple 6 Northern Pearly-eye 3 Carolina Satyr 1 Little Wood-Satyr 3 Silver-spotted Skipper 150 Juvenal's Duskywing 2 very worn Dreamy Duskywing 15 worn Least Skipper 10 INDIAN SKIPPER 1 female Peck's Skipper 2 pair courting Tawny-edged Skipper 2 Zabulon Skipper 3 two very worn males, one female Hobomok Skipper 1 It is necessary to not specify on a listserve the exact locations of Baltimore Checkerspots in the Carolinas. It is quite rare, intensely local, likely highly prized by collectors, and in an unprotected area. A large former colony in Avery County -- over 20 seen in a day -- has seemingly disappeared in the past few years, for unknown reasons (many folks have looked at the right time of year). And, you will notice that I am not listing other observers, as I want to limit contact/inquiries about the butterflies above to just Jeff or myself. (We keep records on the checkerspot at the N.C. Natural Heritage Program, where I work.) Harry LeGrand NC Natural Heritage Program DENR Division of Natural Resources Planning and Conservation 1601 MSC Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 (919) 715-8697 (work) e-mail: harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov ----------------------------------------------------- Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and therefore may be disclosed to third parties. Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
Subject: A few NC Coastal Plain butterfly records
From: "Legrand, Harry" <harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov>
Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:47:32 -0400

Several butterfly reports of interest from the eastern Coastal Plain: John Fussell found a colony of Dukes' Skippers in Craven County over the past week. Yesterday, June 13, he estimated about 50 (FIFTY), an outstanding state count. He sent me a photo for confirmation. This is only the fourth reasonably current site for the species in the state; we have an old record(s) from Craven, however. Salman Abdulali sent me photos of his mystery duskywing from Pitt County; he said in his e-mail that he thought it was a female Zarucco. Yes, that is correct. Zarucco tends to be uncommon that far north in the Coastal Plain. Harry LeGrand NC Natural Heritage Program DENR Division of Natural Resources Planning and Conservation 1601 MSC Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 (919) 715-8697 (work) e-mail: harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov ----------------------------------------------------- Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and therefore may be disclosed to third parties. Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
Subject: Dukes' Skipper
From: "Ali Iyoob" <Aliiyoob AT nc.rr.com>
Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:40:49 -0400

Hi all, Yesterday, I reported a Dukes' Skipper, but didn't even know it was a coastal butterfly. I am switching the I.D. to a Dion Skipper (probably very fresh). Today, I had a beautiful Painted Lady. Ali Iyoob North Raleigh, NC www.flickr.com/photos/longspur http://birdingjournal.blogspot.com
Subject: Pitt County, June 12-14, 2009
From: Salman Abdulali <abdulalis AT ecu.edu>
Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:49:30 -0400

Butterflies seen at 3 locations in the Greenville area (Boyd Lee Park in Winterville, River Park North, and Pitt County Arboretum, over the past 3 days. Total: 21 species. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (1 dark form female, River Park North, 2009-06-12) Spicebush Swallowtail (Winterville, 2009-06-13) Sleepy Orange (Winterville, 2009-06-13) Orange Sulphur (Pitt County Arboretum, 2009-06-13) Cabbage White (Pitt County Arboretum, 2009-06-12) Gray Hairstreak (Pitt County Arboretum, 2009-06-13) American Snout (Pitt County Arboretum and River Park North, 2009-06-12). One sat on me. Variegated Fritillary (Pitt County Arboretum and River Park North, 2009-06-12. Also Winterville 2009-06-13) Pearl Crescent (River Park North, 2009-06-12. Also Winterville 2009-06-13) Common Buckeye (Winterville and Pitt County Arboretum, 2009-06-13) American Lady (Pitt County Arboretum and River Park North, 2009-06-12. Also Winterville 2009-06-13). Very abundant. PAINTED Lady (River Park North, 2009-06-14) Silver-spotted Skipper (Pitt County Arboretum and River Park North, 2009-06-12. Also Winterville 2009-06-13) Horace's Duskywing (Winterville, 2009-06-13) Common Checkered-Skipper (Winterville and Pitt County Arboretum, 2009-06-13) COMMON SOOTYWING (Pitt County Arboretum, 2009-06-13) Fiery Skipper (Pitt County Arboretum and River Park North, 2009-06-12. Also Winterville 2009-06-13) Dun Skipper (River Park North, 2009-06-14) YEHL Skipper (1 male, Winterville, 2009-06-13). Second record from Pitt. Least Skipper (River Park North, 2009-06-14) OCOLA Skipper (Winterville, 2009-06-13) Plus, one unidentified Duskywing, possibly a female Zarucco. Salman Abdulali Greenville, NC
Subject: Yancey Butterflies
From: Nancy Baldwin <nbaldwin03 AT gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:30:22 -0400

Not much new except a Snout today in the yard. (We have a food plant - Hackberry tree). Lots of Gt. Spangled Frits, an old Monarch. Think it might be a F as it seemed to be looking looking here and there. Clouded and Orange Sulphurs and a Cabbage White or 2. Lots of little white moths. Think they might be fall web worms. Cheers, Nancy
Subject: Transylvania butterfly count
From: Ruth Young <reyoung1227 AT bellsouth.net>
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:40:14 -0400

The date for the Transylvania NABA count has been changed from Wednesday, August 12 to Thursday, August 13, 2009. Raindate will be Wednesday, August 19. Time and meeting place to be announced a little closer to the count day. Ruth Young, Compiler
Subject: Butterflies-Wake County-6/13
From: "Ali Iyoob" <Aliiyoob AT nc.rr.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:20:04 -0400

Today at Blue Jay Point, I had the following butterflies. Highlight was lifer Dukes' Skipper. Ali Iyoob North Raleigh, NC www.flickr.com/photos/longspur http://birdingjournal.blogspot.com -----Original Message----- From: nabaautosend AT redshift-tech.com [mailto:nabaautosend AT redshift-tech.com] Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2009 5:55 PM To: aliiyoob AT nc.rr.com Subject: Butterflies Date: 06/13/2009 Number of Species: 29 Number of Individuals: 43 Location: Blue Jay Point NC , USA Notes: -==| List of Sightings for this Field Trip |==- Common Name Scientific Name Life Stage Number Seen Notes Pipevine Swallowtail Battus philenor Adult 1 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Papilio glaucus Adult 1 Checkered White Pontia protodice Adult 2 Orange Sulphur Colias eurytheme Adult 1 Harvester Feniseca tarquinius Adult 1 Red-banded Hairstreak Calycopis cecrops Adult 1 'Summer' Spring Azure Celastrina ladon neglecta Adult 1 American Snout Libytheana carinenta Adult 1 Variegated Fritillary Euptoieta claudia Adult 1 Pearl Crescent Phyciodes tharos Adult 2 Eastern Comma Polygonia comma Adult 1 Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa Adult 2 American Lady Vanessa virginiensis Adult 1 Common Buckeye Junonia coenia Adult 1 Hackberry Emperor Asterocampa celtis Adult 2 Little Wood-Satyr Megisto cymela (includes viola) Adult 1 Common Wood-Nymph Cercyonis pegala Adult 1 Silver-spotted Skipper Epargyreus clarus Adult 2 Hoary Edge Achalarus lyciades Adult 1 Southern Cloudywing Thorybes bathyllus Adult 1 Horace's Duskywing Erynnis horatius Adult 3 Least Skipper Ancyloxypha numitor Adult 2 Fiery Skipper Hylephila phyleus Adult 1 Crossline Skipper Polites origenes Adult 1 Little Glassywing Pompeius verna Adult 1 Sachem Atalopedes campestris Adult 3 Zabulon Skipper Poanes zabulon Adult 1 Dukes' Skipper Euphyes dukesi Adult 1 Dun Skipper Euphyes vestris Adult 5
Subject: Durham Butterflies
From: "Richard Stickney" <Richard.Stickney AT ncmls.org>
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:19:52 -0400

Hi everyone, The outdoor Butterfly Gardens at the Museum of Life & Science are looking great! I've seen some interesting species this week: 1 very fresh, large Painted Lady Several fresh Dun Skippers 3 worn Skippers that appeared to be Broken-Dashes Lots of American Ladies 1 Snout (surprised to see only 1 so far) And, the highlight of the week, 1 Banded Skipper (lifer for me) on Common Milkweed. Richard Stickney NC Museum of Life and Science
Subject: RFI: Butterflies of Lynch's Woods (Newberry SC)
From: Research at Hilton Pond <research AT hiltonpond.org>
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:47:28 -0400

If you have lepped at Lynch's Woods in Newberry SC, would you mind sending me your list of sightings? Newberry College faculty are putting together a Web page about the natural history of the site and could use lists of all the fauna seen there. The butterfly list is still very short: http://www.newberry-college.net/chorn/Lynch's/NatHist/Insects.htm Thanks, BILL -- RESEARCH PROGRAM c/o BILL HILTON JR. Executive Director Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History 1432 DeVinney Road, York, South Carolina 29745 USA research AT hiltonpond.org, (803) 684-5852, eFax: (503) 218-0845 Please visit our web sites (courtesy of Comporium.net): Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History at http://www.hiltonpond.org "Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project" at http://www.rubythroat.org **********
Subject: RE: Jasper Co., SC leps 10 June 2009
From: "Legrand, Harry" <harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov>
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:48:06 -0400

I would assume that, because the date is only mid-June and not late summer and fall, and the preserve is full of scrub habitat that the dogface likes, this is a resident population. I am not sure if resident populations range as far north as, say, Fort Jackson. But, sadly, there aren't any in North Carolina! I wonder if there was a resident population at Fort Bragg, NC, in the 60s and 70s; there were a handful of spring and summer records back in those days. Harry LeGrand -----Original Message----- From: Dennis Forsythe [mailto:dennis.forsythe AT gmail.com] Sent: Friday, June 12, 2009 10:24 AM To: carolinaleps AT duke.edu; Jackie; Billy McCord Subject: Jasper Co., SC leps 10 June 2009 Hi All, I spent a brief time at the Tillman Sand Ridge HP, Jasper Co., SC 10 June 2009. I had the following: Pipevine Swallowtail-2 SOUTHERN DOGFACE-3 Sleepy Orange-3 Gray Hairstreak-3 Gulf fritillary-1 Variergated Fritillary-6 Pearl Crescent-6 American Lady-2 common Buckeye-6 Horace's Duskywing-4 duskywing sp.-1 Swarthy Skipper-1 Fiery Skipper-3 cheers, Dennis -- Dennis M. Forsythe PhD Charleston, SC 29412 843.795.3996-home 843.953.7264-fax 843.708.1605-cell dennis.forsythe AT gmail.com Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
Subject: Jasper Co., SC leps 10 June 2009
From: Dennis Forsythe <dennis.forsythe AT gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:24:16 -0400

Hi All, I spent a brief time at the Tillman Sand Ridge HP, Jasper Co., SC 10 June 2009. I had the following: Pipevine Swallowtail-2 SOUTHERN DOGFACE-3 Sleepy Orange-3 Gray Hairstreak-3 Gulf fritillary-1 Variergated Fritillary-6 Pearl Crescent-6 American Lady-2 common Buckeye-6 Horace's Duskywing-4 duskywing sp.-1 Swarthy Skipper-1 Fiery Skipper-3 cheers, Dennis -- Dennis M. Forsythe PhD Charleston, SC 29412 843.795.3996-home 843.953.7264-fax 843.708.1605-cell dennis.forsythe AT gmail.com
Subject: new neighborhood butterfly
From: birdcr AT concentric.net
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:39:50 -0400

Folks, Yesterday I slipped away for a short walk in the neighborhood, ended up at a pond that is full of odes. While at the back of the pond I found an Appalachian Brown flying about. This would make the neighborhood list stand at 77 species! Not much was flying here is the meager list for Orange County Spicebush Swallowtail 1 inside a day lily Banded Hairstreak 1 worn my first this year ETB 6 Pearl Crescent 1 fresh Common Buckeye 2 Little Wood Satyr 1 Appalachian Brown 1 Horace's Duskywing 1 Clouded Skipper 1 Cheers, Randy Emmitt Rougemont, NC
Subject: Some Warren Co., NC, butterflies
From: "Legrand, Harry" <harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov>
Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:05:41 -0400

Today I worked another area of Shocco Creek Game Land in Warren County. I was inside a moist forest for 3-4 hours, and saw only 3 individual butterflies during that time! (Thankfully, two were Appy Browns.) I had about a 2-mile walk back to my car, mostly along a public dirt road. Yet, despite lots of butterfly-weed, nearly all the butterflies were nectaring on red clover and Prunella along the road edge! The grass skippers are staring to get some wear now, and in another week, by around June 20, we in the Piedmont will be "officially" in the doldrums, that dull period between first and second broods of many skippers, the Satyrium hairstreaks are done, etc. The doldrums end in late July. Here my rather bland list for today (June 11): Pipevine Swallowtail 1 E. Tiger Swallowtail 1 Spicebush Swallowtail 1 female oviposited on the tips of spicebush (Lindera benzoin) leaves Gray Hairstreak 1 E. Tailed-Blue 6 Summer Azure 2 Variegated Fritillary 1 Great Spangled Fritillary 3 Red Admiral 2 Common Buckeye 1 Appalachian Brown 2 Northern Pearly-eye 2 Little Wood-Satyr 4 Northern Cloudywing 1 Horace's Duskywing 3 males Swarthy Skipper 5 Crossline Skipper 30 Dun Skipper 3 Non lep highlight: about 3 singing Black-and-white Warblers. There is a mysterious but fairly strong population of this species over much of Warren County in the breeding season. I hear a few on most of my BBS route over the years in the eastern part of the county. Yet, I seldom see or hear them in Wake, Granville, Caswell, etc. Habitats range from mixed upland woods to swamps, to clearcuts with a few trees! Harry LeGrand NC Natural Heritage Program DENR Division of Natural Resources Planning and Conservation 1601 MSC Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 (919) 715-8697 (work) e-mail: harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov ----------------------------------------------------- Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and therefore may be disclosed to third parties. Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
Subject: CBS Triad Chapter Summer Butterfly Activities
From: Dennis Burnette <deburnette AT triad.rr.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:33:41 -0400

Carolina Butterfliers: Below is the Carolina Butterfly Society Triad Chapter's calendar of butterfly events for Summer, 2009. As always, CBS members and guests from other areas are welcome to participate. Closer to the event date, detailed information will be sent separately for each activity. Let me know if you would like to receive additional information for any activity. Dennis Burnette Greensboro, NC (336) 299-4342 deburnette AT triad.rr.com ----- Triad Chapter Summer 2009 Butterfly Activities June 21, Sun., 9:30 Butterfly Walk: Civitan Marsh, Winston-Salem. (Leader: Gene Schepker.) June 27, Sat. CBS Butterfly Symposium, Congaree NP near Columbia, SC. July 11, Sat., 7:30 am Ashe County Foray (Coordinator: Judy Scurry) July 26, Sun. Butterfly Walk, TBA [suggestions?] Aug. 8, Sat. Surry County butterfly count. (Leader: Jim Nottke) Aug. 9, Sun. 9:30 am Butterfly Walk: Historic Bethabara, Winston-Salem followed by Forsyth County butterfly count (Leader: Jim Nottke) August 22, Sat. Butterfly Walk: Arboretum, Greensboro (Leader: Dennis Burnette) September 13, Sun., 1:30 pm Butterfly Walk: Bryan Park area, Greensboro (Leader: Kathy Schlosser) Sept. 19, Sat. Monarch tagging, location TBA (Leader: Charlie Cameron) - tentative. Sept. 26-27, Sat.-Sun. Field Trip: Blue Ridge Parkway (Leader: Dennis Burnette) October 10, Sat., 1:30 Butterfly Walk: Keeley Park, Greensboro. (Leader: Brooks Mullane)
Subject: Cox Ferry Lake Rec Area on 6-10-09
From: "Jack" <jp5810 AT sccoast.net>
Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:40:43 -0500

Hi Carolina Butterfliers, On Wednesday, June 10 I looked for birds and butterflies at Cox Ferry Lake Rec Area in Conway, Horry County SC. In the short time I was there I had 3 species a worn Swallowtail sp, a cooperative Question Mark which I photographed and 2 or 3 Horace's Duskywing males The Swallowtail was on the boardwalk of the blue trail and the rest were on mineralizing on the crushed stone of the trail. I was hoping for Appalachian Brown on the boardwalk but no luck. Jack Peachey Conway, SC
Subject: A Few Guilford Butterflies
From: Dennis Burnette <deburnette AT triad.rr.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:00:52 -0400

Yesterday afternoon, 6/10/09, I led a butterfly walk at the Greensboro (NC) Arboretum for the local Horticulture Society and Master Gardeners. The weather was hot, humid and mostly hazy/cloudy. Butterflies are still pretty scarce here in Guilford County, although they seem to be slowly coming back after the severe rain/wind/hail storms of last week. We saw 8 species from 1:30 to 3:00. The list is below. 6/10/09 Greensboro Arboretum Cabbage White 5 Orange Sulphur 2 Eastern Tailed-blue 1 American Lady 1 Great Spangled fritillary 1 Silver spotted Skipper 3 Hoary Edge 1 Unidentified Duskywing - didn't get a good look; reminded me of a Zarucco -- Dennis Burnette Greensboro, NC Guilford County deburnette AT triad.rr.com

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