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2 Sep recently in SE NY (mainly 8/30/2010) [Tom Fiore ] 1 Sep Late August Butterflies [Henry Halama ] 1 Sep More alvar butterflies [Robert Dirig ] 1 Sep possible buckeye behaviors & habitats [Tom Fiore ] 31 Aug Buckeyes and snout [Steven Daniel ] 31 Aug RE: "Correction" [Tom Fiore ] 30 Aug Northern New York [Robert Dirig ] 30 Aug correction [Andrew Block ] 30 Aug Pale Beauties and Large Yellow Underwings [Karl A Wilson ] 29 Aug Tioga Co. Weekend butterflies ["Colleen / spider99" ] 28 Aug NYBG leps incl. harvesters [Andrew Block ] 28 Aug Another snout [Steven Daniel ] 28 Aug American Snout ["jjhanyak" ] 27 Aug Bronx River pathway leps [Andrew Block ] 25 Aug Meadow Fritillary RE: Re: Need help identifying butterflies for 2012 calendar [Meena Haribal ] 25 Aug RE: Re: Need help identifying butterflies for 2012 calendar [Meena Haribal ] 25 Aug Re: Need help identifying butterflies for 2012 calendar ["chucks" ] 24 Aug Re: Hoary Comma in New York [] 24 Aug RE: Need help identifying butterflies for 2012 calendar [Meena Haribal ] 24 Aug Need help identifying butterflies for 2012 calendar ["chucks" ] 24 Aug Hoary Comma in New York [Robert Dirig ] 23 Aug mourning cloak questions [Steven Daniel ] 23 Aug Bob Pyle in central NY - October 7 and 8 [Steven Daniel ] 23 Aug those "recent SE NY butterflies" (8/14 and 8/20) [Tom Fiore ] 23 Aug Hoary Comma R.F.I. & recent s.e. NY butterflies [Tom Fiore ] 22 Aug Hoary Comma Info. [] 17 Aug Catacola and Lacinipolia at my place [Meena Haribal ] 17 Aug Various reports [Robert Dirig ] 15 Aug RE: Hodges #11128 Arcigera Flower Moth, Schinia arcigera [Meena Haribal ] 14 Aug Explicit Arches [Andrew Block ] 14 Aug Re: Hodges #11128 Arcigera Flower Moth, Schinia arcigera [Von Merm ] 12 Aug No Subject [Meena Haribal ] 11 Aug Different Giant Swallowtail in my yard today - 8/11/10 ["Colleen / spider99" ] 11 Aug Mendon Ponds butterflies [Steven Daniel ] 11 Aug RE: Virginia Creeper Sphinx [Meena Haribal ] 11 Aug Re: Virginia Creeper Sphinx ["Bill Oehlke" ] 10 Aug Virginia Creeper Sphinx [Meena Haribal ] 9 Aug Re: other sightings of Giant Swallowtails? [] 09 Aug Posting Information ["jjhanyak" ] 9 Aug other sightings of Giant Swallowtails? [Karen Edelstein ] 07 Aug Giant Swallowtail ["jjhanyak" ] 6 Aug Buckeyes and a puddle group ["Willie D'Anna and Betsy Potter" ] 3 Aug Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth [Andrew Block ] 2 Aug Giant Swallowtail Sightings in Ithaca : FRK (for record keepers) [Meena Haribal ] 31 Jul Ward Pound Ridge 7/31/10 including Little Yellow [] 31 Jul FW: JBWR / Marine Park-Gerritsen ["Rick Cech" ] 31 Jul JBWR / Marine Park-Gerritsen ["Rick Cech" ] 31 Jul An interesting Phycitine [Hugh McGuinness ] 30 Jul Northern Ulster County [Henry Halama ] 30 Jul Jamaica Bay Queens County & environs, 7/29/'10 [Tom Fiore ] 30 Jul Re: Getting Drunk with Apameas [Kristine Wallstrom ] 30 Jul Getting Drunk with Apameas [Hugh McGuinness ] 29 Jul Common Checkered-Skipper ["Robert Grosek" ] 29 Jul Caledonia preserve [Steven Daniel ] 28 Jul another few Giant Swallowtails [Karen Edelstein ] 27 Jul Re: I thought I'd never get to bed... [Meena Haribal ] 27 Jul Mendon - Harvester PS ["hartquistk" ] 26 Jul Saugerties, Ulster County, 7/24-25 [] 26 Jul Mendon Ponds (Monroe County) ["K. Hartquist" ] 26 Jul Finger Lakes [Robert Dirig ] 26 Jul Adirondack Peatlands caterpillars [Steven Daniel ] 25 Jul I thought I'd never get to bed... [Hugh McGuinness ] 25 Jul Western Bean Cutworm is here! [Hugh McGuinness ] 25 Jul Jefferson County, NY ["Robert Grosek" ] 23 Jul Re: MOTH question [Ernest Williams ] 23 Jul Giant Swallowtail, Albany County, N.Y. [Robert Dirig ] 21 Jul More Ulster County Giants ["Steve M. Chorvas" ] 21 Jul Town of Hunter [Henry Halama ] 21 Jul sights and sounds in the yard [Karen Edelstein ] 21 Jul sights and sounds in the yard [Karen Edelstein ] 20 Jul Rockaway peninsula butterflies, Queens Co., NYC 7/20 [Tom Fiore ] 19 Jul EBNP and Poet's Walk [Henry Halama ] 19 Jul Finger Lakes butterflies [Robert Dirig ] 19 Jul Giant Swallowtail ["barredowl9" ] 18 Jul Any Breeders? ["ndbdxr" ] 17 Jul New Catocala and SPhingid arrivals [Meena Haribal ] Subject: recently in SE NY (mainly 8/30/2010) From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 06:00:52 -0400 A preface, with hurricane "Earl" possibly impacting at least coastal areas of the northeast including NY: the possibility for weather- related occurrences of lepidopterans (both butterflies and moths) in the regions affected by the storm, which may include at least some outer-coastal places in NY (directly affected) and perhaps inland (less directly) as well, exist as of today and although it is possible no such waifs will be noted, brought in by this storm from the south, it could be something to keep in mind, also with any further such storms, including all "tropical" weather systems that may impact the NY region, this and any years. In New York City's Central Park, an 800+ acre oasis in the central part of Manhattan island, a Little Yellow [Eurema lisa] and American Snout (Libthiana americana) were seen on Monday, 30 August by a group of about a dozen observers led by Starr Saphir, & Lenore Swenson, both of Manhattan, NY. Each is uncommon and highly cyclical in occurrence in NYC, and the Little Yellow in particular quite rare in a city park, especially off of the immediate outer shores of the Atlantic. On Tuesday, at least 2 Common Buckeyes were present in that Central Park. Interestingly, while Sachem skipper manages to continue in good numbers on the coastal plain in particular, Fiery Skipper (in some recent years a fairly common skipper as well, mostly in late summer and early fall) has thus far been either absent or very scarce anywhere in NY, with a few notable exceptions. Also, an almost "typical" late-summer influx of a mainly-southern "immigrant" pierid - very large "lemon-lime"-yellow Cloudless Sulphur, is seemingly exceedingly scarce thus far in our area although the species may yet turn up in the southeastern part of NY, and has the potential to be seen, at least in some years, in other areas of NY state such as on the shore or lake plain of Lakes Erie & Ontario, and perhaps at Lake Champlain as well. At least 2 Fiery Skippers were in a small park on the shores of Long Island Sound about 30 miles from the NY state line in the state of Connecticut (Stamford, in Fairfield Co. CT) on 9/1 - that is, this Wednesday. It remains to be seen if many more turn up in the region. - - On Monday, 30 August, Kristine Wallstrom & I spent some time on the ridge at Hook Mt. state park in eastern Rockland Co., NY, and also a shorter time at the ridge near Mt. Ivy, a bit west of Hook Mt. also in Rockland County. The weather was sunny, increasingly warm & with low humidity, and a developing light northerly (ie, from the north) breeze, and no cloud cover at all. We observed 3 species of butterfly that are at best uncommon, perhaps rare for Rockland County (although not really rare in nearby N.Y. City, just fluctuating in numbers somewhat, year-to-year) - the 3 were: American Snout (with Celtis / Hackberry growing in many areas there), Common Buckeye, and Sachem (a male with his wings opened showing the stigma markings quite clearly & diagnostically for positive identification). There may be a few records for each of these at this location, but almost certainly very few... as New York City's skyline is often visible in the distance from Hook Mt., this is not a shocking discovery for the local region, but is notable. In other places farther north these & other "southern-affinity" species might occur as well... and this would be the ideal time to seek them, as hot weather invades much of the region. A look at any open area along a ridge, hill, or mountain top with fairly steep sides might provide some sightings of these and any other "hill-topping" butterflies, most often noticed later in the day, however our sightings were actually all in the a.m. & mid-day hours only. Other butterflies seen were a bit more expected for the location; a full list is below. At the 2nd location we visited near Mt. Ivy, at least several moths in the genus Hemaris (Clearwing) and I believe we (or I) saw them well enough to make a good identification as H. gracilis (Slender Clearwing) which appears to be the least commonly- reported of our 3 Hemaris found in the region. I write for my ID & not K.W.'s, who is more experienced with moths generally. Another moth observed with a bit more difficulty appeared to be perhaps in the "dark"-hindwing Catocala [Underwing] group, with a few photos of this perhaps not necessarily conclusive. This, like the several Hemaris seen, were all observed in daytime - the putative dark Catocala was in a well-shaded cedar grove, amidst much other deciduous vegetation on a high ridge. The Hemaris were seen hovering at length near the ground but seemingly interested in the dry bare twigs of a heath, probably Vaccinium ('blueberry') or a related 'heath' (Ericaceae) of some species, as well as some other low dry twigs in the vicinity. No flowers were in bloom at all nearby & we did not see these moths visiting any. ( I am aware that these moths are not always easy to ID on sight and in some situations that can't be done, but I have accompanied experienced and serious students of entomology who have, with patience, done just that in the field, without netting. I'm not advocating that moths in general can all be field-ID'd !! Rather, a number in some situations and given these are day-fliers, may at least be attempted - it also doesn't hurt that a huge number of species are not involved in the genus Hemaris in our area, or it might get a whole lot more complicated to try. Daylight moth-watching - nice. At Hook Mt., a patch of Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridiflora) was looked at, and happily the total number of plants appeared to be 25 or more in a fairly small area. In just the last 3 days, flowers had become notably more wilted and a few seed-pods were evident. This seems a bit late for this species to have bloomed in this area, yet some sources list bloom times to Sept. The visit to the ridge near Mt. Ivy was briefer but still at least 2 hours - not lingering until much later when hill-topping may have come into best effect there (as seen in many previous visits) and this location seemed less active than it can be. It was exceedingly dry with few flowers evident, and a sign was posted at the trailhead warning of potential forest-fire danger. Butterflies, 8/30/2010, Hook Mt./Rockland Co., NY (including the briefer Mt. Ivy walk) Black Swallowtail (4) Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (5+) Spicebush Swallowtail (6-8+) Cabbage White (1) Orange Sulphur (1) Gray Hairstreak (1, "fly-by") Eastern Tailed-Blue (3) Summer Azure (2) American Snout (1, in good condition) American Lady (1) Red Admiral (1) Red-spotted Purple (5-6+) Common Buckeye (1, good condition) Hackberry Emperor (4+) Monarch (6-8+ - migrating southward) Sachem (1 male, fairly good condition) Dun Skipper (5+) T. Fiore, K. Wallstrom, 8/30 observers. Good observations to all, Tom Fiore, Manhattan [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Late August Butterflies From: Henry Halama <henryhalama AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 14:20:31 -0700 (PDT) On Thursday, August 26., Steve Chorvas and I visited several sites in Town of Hunter, Green County at elevation around 2000' to search for northern Commas, i. e., Grey and Green. All the individuals we saw well enough, were Eastern Commas.   We saw the following species: Black Swallowtail Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Cabbage White Clouded Sulphur Orange Sulphur Eastern Tailed Blue Great Spangled Fritillary Atlantis Fritillary Pearl Crescent Eastern Comma American Lady Red Admiral Red-spotted Purple Viceroy Common Ringlet Common Wood Nymph Monarch Least Skipper Then, from 8/26 to 8/31 we covered many sites in Northern Ulster County, all within the Eastern Catskills NABA 4th of July Butterfly Count. The weather was beautiful, warm and sunny. We found the following additional species: Giant Swallowtail Spicebush Swallowtail American Copper Gray Hairsreak Summer Azure Meadow Fritillary Mourning Cloak Common Buckeye White Admiral Northern Pearly-eye Hackberry Emperor Appalachian Brown Silver-spotted Skipper Horace's Duskywing Wild Indigo Duskywing Common Sootywing Peck's Skipper Tawny-edged Skipper   In total we observed 36 species of butterflies with encouraging numbers of Monarchs, which was heart warming. Henry Halama Woodstock [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: More alvar butterflies From: Robert Dirig <red2 AT cornell.edu> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:48:25 -0400 Hello Everyone, I returned to the alvar community in northern N.Y. on 31 August 2010, this time to the TNC Chaumont Limestone Pavement Barrens in Jefferson Co., N.Y. A colleague and I were looking mostly at the flora and lichens, but I did record many of the same butterflies as at Limerick Cedars on August 28th (see earlier report), plus some new ones: Cabbage White: 1 Monarch: 3 Clouded Sulphur: 3 Pearl Crescent: abundant, ca. 20, mated pair at 3:15 pm. Common Ringlet: 8 Eastern Tailed Blue: 1 male Orange Sulphur: 1 Viceroy: 1 faded Great Spangled Fritillary: 1 worn female Aphrodite Fritillary: 1 worn The Clouded Sulphur and Pearl Crescents were nectaring at Aster ptarmicoides/Oligoneuron album, and the two fritillaries at Cirsium discolor. Considering the roasting 90s temperature on the limestone pavement, they made a respectable showing! Best, Bob Dirig Ithaca, N.Y. Subject: possible buckeye behaviors & habitats From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 07:45:27 -0400 As a small addendum to Steven Daniel's excellent report on Common Buckeyes occurring along the Great Lakes shore areas (and possibly elsewhere), the species is often in open and semi-open areas with patches or even large areas of relatively or thoroughly "bare" ground and may perch on such bare ground, surprisingly "hidden" in plain sight when the wings are folded up, concealing much of the bold color and pattern of the butterfly. By simply walking such open areas these buckeyes may flush and often fly just a short distance to a new patch of open ground. They will also visit a variety of flowers for nectaring, and in some situations may be seen flying rapidly as in "migrational-type" movements. Of course they may, in addition to being seen on open rather bare ground, also be seen in a variety of other situations including in meadows and even in glades within forest, as I once did in a very surprising location in central Maine (where the species is quite unexpected) during a previous year such as this with a strong movement of the species into the greater northeast as well as Great Lakes regions. Another thought: where and when this butterfly is seen (even far out of its expected range), there may be more of them about - and a stroll in the immediate vicinity could reveal just that. For an excellent species account of this and all other eastern butterflies I can't (again) recommend highly enough the natural history writing and photography found in the recent book by Rick Cech (with Guy Tudor), "Butterflies of the East Coast, an Observer's Guide" published by Princeton University Press, & available in softcover - essential reading for all butterfly-lovers. (apropos of none of the above, i suppose, was the official word that this was the hottest summer on record in New York City, the temperature having reached 90 F. or higher on 34 days of this year so far, and the average temperature for the summer remaining above any previous year's summer here. There was no one singular heat 'event' but rather a cumulative 'swelter'.) Good observations, Tom Fiore, Manhattan [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Buckeyes and snout From: Steven Daniel <sdaniel1 AT rochester.rr.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:39:55 -0400 Today we visited Windmill Point on the north shore of Lake Erie, near Fort Erie, Ontario - just across from Buffalo (probably just 5 or 6 miles as the Caspian tern flies). We were looking at plants on the limestone pavement and dunes, and there were some migrant and other butterflies about. I was surprised at the number of buckeyes (~10), as well as one American snout. Other species included: black swallowtail, orange and clouded sulphur, cabbage whites, eastern tailed blues, monarch, red admiral, pearl crescent, wild indigo duskywing, least skipper. Hoping to see gray hairstreak, but no luck on that. There is quite a bit of hop tree there, but no giant swallowtails were on the wing. Just out of NY, but there must be buckeyes now along the southern shore of Erie, and likely along Lake Ontario. Steven Daniel Pittsford, NY Subject: RE: "Correction" From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:29:25 -0400 Re: the very recent "Correction" posting (8/30) to this list - the photos in Glassberg's original field guide in the "Butterflies through Binoculars" series (the Boston - NYC - Washington DC guide) may or may not all be the greatest ever, but the phenograms (bar graph form illustrations of weekly seasonal occurrence) for many, indeed almost all of the species shown in that guide are quite good (and even after climate change in these years since that book was published, still mainly rather on-target) and can inform anyone using that book that a Juvenal's Duskywing will never be found (anywhere, actually) at the end of August, and would even be highly unlikely by the end of July. While the Erynnis (Duskywing) may be a difficult group to tackle, that is one species, E. juvenalis (Juvenal's Duskywing) at least can be easily eliminated from possibility in our area by the second month of summer in almost any location, and the original field guide that Glassberg prepared has just that information. While I won't go on about Jeffrey Glassberg and his publications, etc. - the field guides he has been involved with are of tremendous value to any observer of butterflies within the North American regions his multiple books have covered - from the far north to southern Mexico. He could add more than a few 'new' species to some of those ID books, by now in 2010. [NB - much of the work on above-noted phenograms was done with the blood sweat & tears of many members of the NYC Butterfly Club which pre-dates the formation of or idea of the N.A.B.A., & was formative in the ideas for and eventual creation of said organization, by most singularly, Jeffrey Glassberg.] - I was personally present at the NYC "Club" meeting into which Jeff G. announced his intention to form a national organization of butterfly observers, a piece of history! (on a small scale :-) Good observations to all, Tom Fiore, Manhattan - - - - - >>>>>>>>>>> Subject: correction From: Andrew Block Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:08:36 -0700 (PDT) Just wanted to correct the duskywing report from 28th. It was not a Juvenal's but a Horace's. The photos in Glassbergs Boston to DC guide weren't very good so I looked in his eastern guide and found my butterfly. Andrew <<<<<<<< [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Northern New York From: Robert Dirig <red2 AT cornell.edu> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:05:54 -0400 Hello Everyone, The weekend's warm, sunny weather drew me to northern New York to look for commas: Hesperia comma laurentina (The Common Branded = Laurentian Skipper), in addition to the spectrum of Polygonia species. I recently read of Hesperia comma's close association with limestone areas in England, so on August 28th, I went to New York's alvar community at the Limerick Cedars preserve NW of Watertown, Jefferson Co., N.Y., to look for it. I usually go there in May to see Hoary Elfins, Olympian Marbles, and Columbine Duskywings, so this was my first late-summer visit. The habitat is an open, windy barrens over limestone pavement, with thin soils and calciphilic shrubs, herbs, lichens, other cryptogams, and animals, some of midwestern affinity, living among three types of cedars -- Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), and Common Juniper (C. communis). Our alvars are on the eastern end of a limestone-based system that begins at Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron, arching across southern Ontario, and barely touching New York in Jefferson County. It harbors many interesting species, some of which are characteristic of this special habitat. I found no Laurentian Skippers (or Polygonia species) at Limerick Cedars, but did see a few other butterflies: Common Ringlet: 2 flushed Eastern Tailed Blue: 1 male Clouded Sulphur: ca. 8 Clouded/Orange Sulphur hybrid male: 1 Cabbage White: 4 Monarch: 1, on the way south.... Viceroy: 1 faded male This habitat has likely roasted all summer in the drought, and has been severely deer-browsed. I found one rosette of Purple Rock Cress (Arabis divaricarpa), the Olympian Marble's foodplant, and lots of luxuriant Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) vines with bright red fruits (Hoary Elfin's hostplant), but not a single Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), foodplant of the Duskywing. I wonder if the columbine just withered away until next spring, or if deer have browsed it and the rock cress? In one spot I found a few stunted Pricky Ash shrubs (Zanthoxylum americanum) -- but no Giant Swallowtail larvae! Harebells relieved the rather dry, dull landscape with their graceful tolling in the wind. Perhaps the most interesting wildflower was Upland White Aster (Aster ptarmicoides, which also has been claimed as a goldenrod [Solidago ptarmicoides] (!), and more recently called Oligoneuron album), a short flat-topped species with pure white ray flowers and a pale yellow disk that turns buff with age. This was very abundant throughout the open areas, in full bloom, and was being appreciated by Common Ringlet, Clouded Sulphur, and Cabbage White as a nectar source. This plant is listed as threatened in New York, and is probably not often encountered as a nectar source for butterflies here. It was my first time to see the plant, and exciting to watch these butterflies interact with it in this way. ---------- On August 29th, I visited the Bloomingdale Bog NW of Saranac Lake (the Franklin/Essex Co. lines intersect along the ROW) in the central Adirondacks. This wetland is probably best known in a butterfly context as a reliable and very accessible site for Jutta Arctics in late May and June. It is a huge bog with a raised ROW (a former railway) crossing the mat. It has a nice array of other butterflies throughout the year. Here are the ones I saw along the S end of the trail (S of Towbridge Creek): Mourning Cloak: 2, moving quickly through trees lining the ROW, 20 ft. up (pre-migrants?). Clouded Sulphur: ca. 8, males patrolling, one white female nectaring at Flat White-topped Aster (Aster umbellatus). Pearl Crescent: abundant (ca. 30), old females and males; nectaring at A. umbellatus, Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), & Grass- leaved Goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia). Gray Comma: 4-5 fresh males puddling, flushing, and settling in trees and shrubs along the ROW; plus 2 landing on me for a handshake! [The only Comma observed all weekend.] Red Admiral: 2, 1 puddling. Silver-bordered Fritillary: 2 old females. Monarch: 4, slowly sailing south; nectaring at Purple-stemmed Aster (Aster puniceus) & A. umbellatus. Cabbage White: 1 nectaring at A. umbellatus. White Admiral: 1 nectaring at A. umbellatus. Atlantis Fritillary: 5, worn, males patrolling, females searching for egg-laying sites. Great Spangled Fritillary: 1 large female. Common Ringlet: 2-3 flushed, one nectaring at Eyebright (Euphrasia stricta). American Lady: 1 worn, nectaring at Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium purpureum); migrant? [No Laurentian Skippers here either; but this region is a better habitat match for it than the alvar.] ------- Best to all, Bob Dirig Ithaca, N.Y. Subject: correction From: Andrew Block <troubleinshangrila1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:08:36 -0700 (PDT) Just wanted to correct the duskywing report from 28th.  It was not a Juvenal's but a Horace's.  The photos in Glassbergs Boston to DC guide weren't very good so I looked in his eastern guide and found my butterfly. Andrew   Andrew v. F. Block Consulting Field Biologist & Eco-tour Leader 37 Tanglewylde Avenue Bronxville, Westchester Co., New York 10708-3131 Phone: (914) 337-1229; Fax: (914) 771-8036 "When the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be again..." - William Beebe, first Curator of Birds, Bronx Zoo "Crikey! Have a look at that!" - Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter "Just like the white winged dove sings a song, sounds like she's singing whoo, baby...whoo...said whoo" - Stephanie L. Nicks, Edge of 17, Bella Donna [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Pale Beauties and Large Yellow Underwings From: Karl A Wilson <kwilson AT binghamton.edu> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:25:16 -0400 Hello All, Just thought I would note that in the past week I have seen large numbers (here in Endicott, Broome County) of what I presume are the second brood of Pale Beauties (Campaea perlata) and the introduced Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba). Karl -- Karl A. Wilson, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Biological Sciences State University of New York at Binghamton, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000 USA E-mail: kwilson AT binghamton.edu Phone: (607)-777-2687 Fax:: (607)-777-6521 Websites: http://biology.binghamton.edu/facultyWilsonK.htm http://bingweb.binghamton.edu/~biochem/KarlWilson/Default.htm Other (NY Paleontology): http://bingweb.binghamton.edu/~kwilson/home.htm "Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution." -Theo Dobzhansky "Remember what the dormouse said, 'Feed your head'" - Grace Slick [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Tioga Co. Weekend butterflies From: "Colleen / spider99" <spider99 AT stny.rr.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 23:06:25 -0400 Saturday August 28, 2010 - yard and Hilton Rd., Apalachin, Tioga Co. Cabbage Whites Orange Sulphurs Clouded Sulphurs E. Tailed-Blues - several; both male and female Pearl Crescents Meadow Fritillary - yard; seemed fresh Great Spangled Fritillary - a few females in the yard E. Comma - Waterman Center, Hilton Rd. White Admiral - yard Monarchs Wild Indigo Duskywings Silver-spotted Skippers Least skippers - several on Hilton Rd. A few Clearwing (Hummingbird) moths at Phlox. In addition to the adults, dozens of one-two day old instars as well as a few eggs. I imagine that once the cold, rainy weather stopped they all started hatching, even though they may have been laid on different days. Sunday August 29, 2010 - yard Black Swallowtail - female in yard; male up the road nectaring in the same spot for hours Whites and Sulphurs American Coppers E. Tailed-Blue Pearl Crescents Great Spangled Fritillaries - one had a show down with a hummingbird and won Question Mark - female released Monarchs Wild Indigo Duskywings A few Clearwing (Hummingbird) moths at Phlox. NO early instars or eggs, but others reported having them. Numerous parasitic wasps making the rounds on my hostplants and making me angry! Colleen Wolpert Apalachin, NY Tioga Co. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NYBG leps incl. harvesters From: Andrew Block <troubleinshangrila1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 13:18:11 -0700 (PDT) 8/28/10 - NY Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 2 Black Swallowtails 3 Spicebush Swallowtails 16 Cabbage Whites 1 Clouded Sulphur 3 Painted Ladies 1 American Lady 3 Eastern Tailed-Blues 7+ HARVESTERS 3 Monarchs 1 JUVENAL'S DUSKYWING (fresh male) 22+ Sachems (everywhere) Moths: 1 Snowberry Clearwing Andrew   Andrew v. F. Block Consulting Field Biologist & Eco-tour Leader 37 Tanglewylde Avenue Bronxville, Westchester Co., New York 10708-3131 Phone: (914) 337-1229; Fax: (914) 771-8036 "When the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be again..." - William Beebe, first Curator of Birds, Bronx Zoo "Crikey! Have a look at that!" - Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter "Just like the white winged dove sings a song, sounds like she's singing whoo, baby...whoo...said whoo" - Stephanie L. Nicks, Edge of 17, Bella Donna [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Another snout From: Steven Daniel <sdaniel1 AT rochester.rr.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:36:52 -0400 Joan Zeller and I visited Rush Oak Openings Preserve (Monroe County) this morning, with hopes of finding a Leonard's skipper in some of the grasslands. No luck on that. But we did encounter a fresh looking snout (there is hackberry in the area,.) Here is the list: Black swallowtail - 1 worn, ovipositing on Queen Anne's lace Cabbage white - ~20 Clouded sulphur ~15 Orange sulphur - 2 Eastern tailed blue ~15 fresh American copper - 1 American snout - 1 Great spangled fritillary ~15 Pearl crescent - ~20 Red admiral - 1 Viceroy - 2, one ovipositing on young willows and cottonwood Monarch - 8 Common wood nymph - 1 Common ringlet - 1 Wild indigo duskywing - 7 Least skipper - 1 Steven Daniel Pittsford, NY Subject: American Snout From: "jjhanyak" <jhanyak AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 19:16:11 -0000 Greetings: I observed an American Snout this PM in my yard in Marcellus, Onondaga County, nectaring on Goldenrod. Other butterflies seen this PM: Cabbage White C Clouded Sulphur 1 Orange Sulphur 3 Eastern Tailed-Blue 1 Pearl Crescent C Peck's Skipper 1 Best, John Hanyak Marcellus, NY 13108 jhanyak AT twcny.rr.com Subject: Bronx River pathway leps From: Andrew Block <troubleinshangrila1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:14:53 -0700 (PDT) 8/27/10 - Bronx River Pathway, Bronx River Reservation, Scarsdale to Bronxville, NY 7+ Cabbage Whites 2 Harvesters 1 Eastern Tailed-Blue 1 Monarch 6 Peck's Skippers 1 Zabulon Skipper 1 Broad-winged Skipper Moths: 2 Porcelain Grays 1 Celery Leaftier Moth 1 Dejected Underwing 1 Florida Tantolita Andrew   Andrew v. F. Block Consulting Field Biologist & Eco-tour Leader 37 Tanglewylde Avenue Bronxville, Westchester Co., New York 10708-3131 Phone: (914) 337-1229; Fax: (914) 771-8036 "When the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be again..." - William Beebe, first Curator of Birds, Bronx Zoo "Crikey! Have a look at that!" - Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter "Just like the white winged dove sings a song, sounds like she's singing whoo, baby...whoo...said whoo" - Stephanie L. Nicks, Edge of 17, Bella Donna [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Meadow Fritillary RE: Re: Need help identifying butterflies for 2012 calendar From: Meena Haribal <mmh3 AT cornell.edu> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:24:26 -0400 Hi all, Yesterday there was a Meadow Fritillary flying in the Mundy Wildflower garden. It looked like a very crisp specimen. A big warbler flock was picking up tons of caterpillars from Poplars, Sycamores, Basswood and some other trees. And Oops my previous reply was meant for Chuck only, but sorry to clutter your mailboxes with another an oops so had to write something about sightings. Meena Meena Haribal Boyce Thompson Institute Ithaca NY 14850 Phone 607-254-1258 http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/ http://haribal.org/ http://haribal.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/wildwest+trip+August+2007+.pdf -----Original Message----- From: NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Meena Haribal Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 10:04 AM To: NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [NYSButterflies] Re: Need help identifying butterflies for 2012 calendar Hi Chuck, Some of the butterflies you cannot identify as pictures are not very sharp and clear and they are from around the world. I know three of them for sure. As for identifying them you need to see detailed characters. For example the all yellow one, the black and red one and the clearwing may be not identifiable at all with the pictures. The black swallowtail, is not a great picture as I don't see any colors on the wings or body so it is hard to say if there was any color at all (it should have a reddish body) it is probably a windmill. I think these pictures are probably taken in a butterfly house and if they were all taken in the same butterfly garden by the same person butterfly house may know all the species they have in the garden. So should consult them. Meena Meena Haribal Boyce Thompson Institute Ithaca NY 14850 Phone 607-254-1258 http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/ http://haribal.org/ http://haribal.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/wildwest+trip+August+2007+.pdf -----Original Message----- From: NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of chucks Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 9:29 AM To: NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NYSButterflies] Re: Need help identifying butterflies for 2012 calendar Hello, Meena - you're the first to reply! Thanks for your offer to help - did you happen to see the photo album of the images I had posted? If not, I could send you a JPEG or PDF of the images, whichever is more convenient. Here's a link to our 2011 calendar that I can send you for your effort: http://www.amazon.com/Butterflies-2011-Wall-Calendar-Publishing/dp/1604936223/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282742808&sr=1-12 Feel free to contact me at my work email: csnider AT tfpublishing.com Thanks, Chuck --- In NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com, Meena Haribal wrote: > > I am sure others may have replied, but I would be happy to take a look at it too. > Meena > > Meena Haribal > Boyce Thompson Institute > Ithaca NY 14850 > Phone 607-254-1258 > http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/ > http://haribal.org/ > http://haribal.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/wildwest+trip+August+2007+.pdf > > -----Original Message----- > From: NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of chucks > Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 10:59 AM > To: NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com > Subject: [NYSButterflies] Need help identifying butterflies for 2012 calendar > > Hello - I work for a company that will be publishing a 2012 butterflies calendar. Our photo sources don't include metadata information on the type of butterfly in each photo, and admittedly I'm not an expert. If anyone is willing to help us identify the butterflies in my photo album - "2012 Butterflies", I'll gladly send our 2011 Butterflies calendar to the first person who responds with the correct names for each image for your trouble. > > Thanks in advance, > Chuck > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links Subject: RE: Re: Need help identifying butterflies for 2012 calendar From: Meena Haribal <mmh3 AT cornell.edu> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:03:57 -0400 Hi Chuck, Some of the butterflies you cannot identify as pictures are not very sharp and clear and they are from around the world. I know three of them for sure. As for identifying them you need to see detailed characters. For example the all yellow one, the black and red one and the clearwing may be not identifiable at all with the pictures. The black swallowtail, is not a great picture as I don't see any colors on the wings or body so it is hard to say if there was any color at all (it should have a reddish body) it is probably a windmill. I think these pictures are probably taken in a butterfly house and if they were all taken in the same butterfly garden by the same person butterfly house may know all the species they have in the garden. So should consult them. Meena Meena Haribal Boyce Thompson Institute Ithaca NY 14850 Phone 607-254-1258 http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/ http://haribal.org/ http://haribal.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/wildwest+trip+August+2007+.pdf -----Original Message----- From: NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of chucks Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 9:29 AM To: NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NYSButterflies] Re: Need help identifying butterflies for 2012 calendar Hello, Meena - you're the first to reply! Thanks for your offer to help - did you happen to see the photo album of the images I had posted? If not, I could send you a JPEG or PDF of the images, whichever is more convenient. Here's a link to our 2011 calendar that I can send you for your effort: http://www.amazon.com/Butterflies-2011-Wall-Calendar-Publishing/dp/1604936223/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282742808&sr=1-12 Feel free to contact me at my work email: csnider AT tfpublishing.com Thanks, Chuck --- In NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com, Meena Haribal wrote: > > I am sure others may have replied, but I would be happy to take a look at it too. > Meena > > Meena Haribal > Boyce Thompson Institute > Ithaca NY 14850 > Phone 607-254-1258 > http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/ > http://haribal.org/ > http://haribal.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/wildwest+trip+August+2007+.pdf > > -----Original Message----- > From: NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of chucks > Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 10:59 AM > To: NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com > Subject: [NYSButterflies] Need help identifying butterflies for 2012 calendar > > Hello - I work for a company that will be publishing a 2012 butterflies calendar. Our photo sources don't include metadata information on the type of butterfly in each photo, and admittedly I'm not an expert. If anyone is willing to help us identify the butterflies in my photo album - "2012 Butterflies", I'll gladly send our 2011 Butterflies calendar to the first person who responds with the correct names for each image for your trouble. > > Thanks in advance, > Chuck > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links Subject: Re: Need help identifying butterflies for 2012 calendar From: "chucks" <chucksnider AT att.net> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:29:29 -0000 Hello, Meena - you're the first to reply! Thanks for your offer to help - did you happen to see the photo album of the images I had posted? If not, I could send you a JPEG or PDF of the images, whichever is more convenient. Here's a link to our 2011 calendar that I can send you for your effort: http://www.amazon.com/Butterflies-2011-Wall-Calendar-Publishing/dp/1604936223/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282742808&sr=1-12 Feel free to contact me at my work email: csnider AT tfpublishing.com Thanks, Chuck --- In NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com, Meena Haribal wrote: > > I am sure others may have replied, but I would be happy to take a look at it too. > Meena > > Meena Haribal > Boyce Thompson Institute > Ithaca NY 14850 > Phone 607-254-1258 > http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/ > http://haribal.org/ > http://haribal.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/wildwest+trip+August+2007+.pdf > > -----Original Message----- > From: NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of chucks > Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 10:59 AM > To: NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com > Subject: [NYSButterflies] Need help identifying butterflies for 2012 calendar > > Hello - I work for a company that will be publishing a 2012 butterflies calendar. Our photo sources don't include metadata information on the type of butterfly in each photo, and admittedly I'm not an expert. If anyone is willing to help us identify the butterflies in my photo album - "2012 Butterflies", I'll gladly send our 2011 Butterflies calendar to the first person who responds with the correct names for each image for your trouble. > > Thanks in advance, > Chuck > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > Subject: Re: Hoary Comma in New York From: SheilaR235 AT aol.com Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:57:38 -0400 (EDT) Bob and All, About ten years ago, I thought that I had a Hoary in Moose River Plains, and perhaps even before that when I was just beginning to observe butterflies, I thought that I might have had one in Bloomingdale Bog's southern portion. However, upon closer examination of photos both sightings actually turned out to be Green Commas. I don't recall and can't seem to find a post in these archives, which only date back to 2000, of me mentioning a Hoary. I do believe that it's possible they could still be found in Moose River Plains, but many of the folks from NYC do not agree with me since they have never seen them on their forays into the area and don't think the habitat is suitable for them. I was not able to get to there this summer, but I hope to explore it well next year. Lots of Green Commas when I was there some years ago. Sheila Rosenberg -----Original Message----- From: Robert Dirig To: NYSButterflies Sent: Tue, Aug 24, 2010 10:23 am Subject: [NYSButterflies] Hoary Comma in New York Hello Everyone, Tom Fiore did an excellent job of summarizing information about Hoary Commas in N.Y. and the Northeast, where it is an elusive species (below). Although I've looked for Hoaries in the Adirondacks, I've never seen one there. I found one historical record [in W. T. M. Forbes' account of this butterfly in Leonard's "List of the Insects of New York" (Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station Memoir 101, p. 685, published in 1928)] for "Keene Valley," N.Y. (Essex County). The record came from the New York State Museum's collection in Albany. I looked up and down the Keene valley on sunlit dirt roads near streams (which is the kind of place I've seen Hoaries in northern N.H.) in August a few years ago, but had no luck. I seem to remember a recent sighting of a Hoary Comma on a utility lane north of Paul Smith's (Franklin County) by Sheila Rosenberg, reported on our NYSButterflies website a few years ago? It might be worth checking past postings for the details, if they are still archived. The details might also have been included in the annual summaries of New York butterflies compiled by Tom Fiore and Kristine Wallstrom during the first 5-6 years of this butterfly site. In northern New Hampshire, Hoaries puddle on remote, damp dirt roads and regularly take nectar at Joe Pye Weeds, Purple-stemmed Asters, and other flowers that grow in roadside ditches. The ones I saw were sparse and quite insouciant, in contrast to abundant Green Commas, which darted away and whirled around in an almost alarming fashion. Skunk Currant (Ribes glandulosum), which is reported as a foodplant, and other Ribes species were growing along the roadside and in the adjacent boreal forest. Hoary Comma is immediately distinguished from other eastern Polygoniae by the dark brown basal areas sharply contrasting with whitish outer edges on the underside of both wings. Gray Comma is similar, but darker gray beneath, with paler gray (not white) edges on the forewings only. Hoaries are very similar to Green Commas above, but tend to be slightly smaller overall than the other commas. I hope these few details will help someone find and document this rare comma in New York. Best, Bob Dirig Ithaca, N.Y. ----------------------- On Aug 23, 2010, at 12:10 PM, Tom Fiore wrote: > Hi all, > > The request for information on localities to seek Hoary Comma - > Polygonia gracilis [Grote & Robinson, 1867] - in New York's Adirondack > Forest Park & Preserve is of interest, in part as there are apparently > a number of older records of the species - (which is far more common > in western North America) - for northern New York, in at least 4 > counties: Saint Lawrence Co., Herkimer Co., Hamilton Co., and Essex > Co. - & yet oddly apparently not in either Franklin nor Clinton > Counties. In eastern N. America the caterpillars are said to feed on > various Ribes species ("currant", as well as "gooseberry"), and in > some areas this genus of perennial had been removed both from > cultivation and to varying extent also from the wild, in fears that it > transmits or hosts the disease affecting Eastern White Pine trees - > Pinus strobus. Losses by destruction of Ribes in some areas is > thought to have played a role in the diminished range of several > species of Comma (Polygonia spp.) in eastern N. America. The Hoary > Comma is extant in Canada, including in areas that are adjacent or > near New York, especially Quebec and it seems likely that a number of > localities in both Franklin and Clinton Counties could hold (or have > held) populatiions of this species, which may be flying at this time > of year. One locality which is fairly well known among collectors in > the past and observers in the present is the Connecticut Lakes region > of New Hampshire, the northernmost part of that state. Adjacent > western Maine would also hold extant populations of Hoary Comma, as > might a few areas in the "northeast kingdom" of Vermont - all these > places may or may not have had much surveying for this species in > recent times, although there have been no apparent records in Vermont > in modern times. For Maine, there is an ongoing survey of the state > for butteflies and in Vermont an atlas was completed a number of years > ago (in the current millennium) - links to these good sources are > below in this post. > > I do not have any very specific locality recommendations for the > Adirondacks but can recall seeing Ribes growing in a number of places, > including within the Moose River Plains area of the south-central > ADK's, near (west of) Inlet, NY and in any number of areas in eastern > Saint Lawrence, northern Hamilton and Herkimer, parts of Franklin, > Essex and western Clinton Counties in New York. Some areas on the > northern & western fringes of the Adirondack Park proper (ie, outside > park boundaries) may also be worth checking. Please let us know! > > For timing, this would be a good time to seek Hoary Comma, that is: > the month of August, and especially the second half of August in our > state, as well as in New England - probably the best time of year for > most of the greater northeast including areas within Canada to seek > that species as well as other late-summer 'emergers', including Green > Comma and some other butterflies, one example being Leonard's Skipper > which has likely been flying for a while in parts of northern NY. > > Anyone at all who suspects they have found the species Hoary Comma - > Polygonia gracilis, or for that matter any uncommon butterfly, and > almost any moths, please take the time to record your observations > with as precise locality information as possible, plus date, time of > day, behavior witnessed, plants visited for nectar and/or egg-laying, > and please try to take photographs of any uncommon species with this > data. We'll all be richer for the knowledge gained. In New York > state, with such a wide range of habitats and climate, the butterfly > (not to mention moth!!) populations and distributions state-wide are > not all that well-understood, and may be less well-known today that > was the case a century earlier. Yet today, more observers are active > each year, a good trend. There are certainly some discoveries still to > be made in this state, and in some cases some things may even be > "hiding in plain sight" - in the case of species that haven't been > fully described as such but have languished as forms or subspecies or > brood-specific types of butterflies... and with moths the far more > abundant of lepidoptera, the possibilities for discoveries, especially > in poorly-surveyed areas, should be tremendous and wide-ranging. This > is even without the changes that are occurring with the change in > climate & all that that entails. Incidentally, even Green Comma - > Polygonia faunus [W.H. Edwards, 1862] is not as well known in NY state > as it likely could be. That species may well be extant in as many as > half of all of the counties in the state (NY has 62 counties, > including the five of N.Y. City - where Green Comma is not!) > Admittedly it may be that Green Comma is extremely local and perhaps > also far less common than once-upon-a-time in many areas of New York. > It is quite common in the northernmost parts of New England and > adjacent boreal regions of Canada. > - - - - - - - - > Vermont Butterfly Atlas Project - here you will find access to the > entire database of records for Vermont's state-wide atlas project, > with a more limited availability of select historic records from the > state. A "cute" photo of Dr. Robert Michael Pyle is featured, whose > books are fairly well known in the area of nature writing generally, > as well as the specific field of lepidoptera study. He has a new book > just about out now about doing a butterfly "big year" - traveling > around N. America and Hawaii in search of as many species as might be > reasonably seen in one very busy year afield in search of a great > variety of butterflies, with likely many additional observations. He > also has authored many papers, articles, and several field guides to > butterflies, one that is widely distributed, "The Audubon Guide to > Butterflies of North America" is often seen as less useful than many > other, perhaps newer guides, yet contains valuable information in some > of the text, particularly for western species. Here is just one small > source for more information about Dr. R.M Pyle: http://www.cwu.edu/ > ~geograph/pyle.html > > Vermont Butterfly Atlas Project - > http://www.vtecostudies.org/VBS/ > - - - - - > Maine has an ongoing state-wide butterfly survey which may conclude > soon, a multi-year effort with volunteers and some professional > biologists. They've made some excellent discoveries, including a few > species new to the state's list of butterflies as well as many > extensions and improvements to previously-understood ranges in that > state. There are also efforts in the area such as parts of Atlantic > Canada. > > the Maine Butterfly Survey > http://mbs.umf.maine.edu/ > > some of documented range for Hoary Comma in Maine - > http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species? > l=1760&chosen_state=23*Maine > > township locality records for Hoary Comma - Polygonia gracilis in > Maine - > http://mbs.umf.maine.edu/MBS%20Web%20Maps/Hoary%20Comma.jpg > > Good observations to all, > > Tom Fiore, > Manhattan > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Need help identifying butterflies for 2012 calendar From: Meena Haribal <mmh3 AT cornell.edu> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:20:30 -0400 I am sure others may have replied, but I would be happy to take a look at it too. Meena Meena Haribal Boyce Thompson Institute Ithaca NY 14850 Phone 607-254-1258 http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/ http://haribal.org/ http://haribal.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/wildwest+trip+August+2007+.pdf -----Original Message----- From: NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of chucks Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 10:59 AM To: NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NYSButterflies] Need help identifying butterflies for 2012 calendar Hello - I work for a company that will be publishing a 2012 butterflies calendar. Our photo sources don't include metadata information on the type of butterfly in each photo, and admittedly I'm not an expert. If anyone is willing to help us identify the butterflies in my photo album - "2012 Butterflies", I'll gladly send our 2011 Butterflies calendar to the first person who responds with the correct names for each image for your trouble. Thanks in advance, Chuck ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links Subject: Need help identifying butterflies for 2012 calendar From: "chucks" <chucksnider AT att.net> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:58:31 -0000 Hello - I work for a company that will be publishing a 2012 butterflies calendar. Our photo sources don't include metadata information on the type of butterfly in each photo, and admittedly I'm not an expert. If anyone is willing to help us identify the butterflies in my photo album - "2012 Butterflies", I'll gladly send our 2011 Butterflies calendar to the first person who responds with the correct names for each image for your trouble. Thanks in advance, Chuck Subject: Hoary Comma in New York From: Robert Dirig <red2 AT cornell.edu> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:25:00 -0400 Hello Everyone, Tom Fiore did an excellent job of summarizing information about Hoary Commas in N.Y. and the Northeast, where it is an elusive species (below). Although I've looked for Hoaries in the Adirondacks, I've never seen one there. I found one historical record [in W. T. M. Forbes' account of this butterfly in Leonard's "List of the Insects of New York" (Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station Memoir 101, p. 685, published in 1928)] for "Keene Valley," N.Y. (Essex County). The record came from the New York State Museum's collection in Albany. I looked up and down the Keene valley on sunlit dirt roads near streams (which is the kind of place I've seen Hoaries in northern N.H.) in August a few years ago, but had no luck. I seem to remember a recent sighting of a Hoary Comma on a utility lane north of Paul Smith's (Franklin County) by Sheila Rosenberg, reported on our NYSButterflies website a few years ago? It might be worth checking past postings for the details, if they are still archived. The details might also have been included in the annual summaries of New York butterflies compiled by Tom Fiore and Kristine Wallstrom during the first 5-6 years of this butterfly site. In northern New Hampshire, Hoaries puddle on remote, damp dirt roads and regularly take nectar at Joe Pye Weeds, Purple-stemmed Asters, and other flowers that grow in roadside ditches. The ones I saw were sparse and quite insouciant, in contrast to abundant Green Commas, which darted away and whirled around in an almost alarming fashion. Skunk Currant (Ribes glandulosum), which is reported as a foodplant, and other Ribes species were growing along the roadside and in the adjacent boreal forest. Hoary Comma is immediately distinguished from other eastern Polygoniae by the dark brown basal areas sharply contrasting with whitish outer edges on the underside of both wings. Gray Comma is similar, but darker gray beneath, with paler gray (not white) edges on the forewings only. Hoaries are very similar to Green Commas above, but tend to be slightly smaller overall than the other commas. I hope these few details will help someone find and document this rare comma in New York. Best, Bob Dirig Ithaca, N.Y. ----------------------- On Aug 23, 2010, at 12:10 PM, Tom Fiore wrote: > Hi all, > > The request for information on localities to seek Hoary Comma - > Polygonia gracilis [Grote & Robinson, 1867] - in New York's Adirondack > Forest Park & Preserve is of interest, in part as there are apparently > a number of older records of the species - (which is far more common > in western North America) - for northern New York, in at least 4 > counties: Saint Lawrence Co., Herkimer Co., Hamilton Co., and Essex > Co. - & yet oddly apparently not in either Franklin nor Clinton > Counties. In eastern N. America the caterpillars are said to feed on > various Ribes species ("currant", as well as "gooseberry"), and in > some areas this genus of perennial had been removed both from > cultivation and to varying extent also from the wild, in fears that it > transmits or hosts the disease affecting Eastern White Pine trees - > Pinus strobus. Losses by destruction of Ribes in some areas is > thought to have played a role in the diminished range of several > species of Comma (Polygonia spp.) in eastern N. America. The Hoary > Comma is extant in Canada, including in areas that are adjacent or > near New York, especially Quebec and it seems likely that a number of > localities in both Franklin and Clinton Counties could hold (or have > held) populatiions of this species, which may be flying at this time > of year. One locality which is fairly well known among collectors in > the past and observers in the present is the Connecticut Lakes region > of New Hampshire, the northernmost part of that state. Adjacent > western Maine would also hold extant populations of Hoary Comma, as > might a few areas in the "northeast kingdom" of Vermont - all these > places may or may not have had much surveying for this species in > recent times, although there have been no apparent records in Vermont > in modern times. For Maine, there is an ongoing survey of the state > for butteflies and in Vermont an atlas was completed a number of years > ago (in the current millennium) - links to these good sources are > below in this post. > > I do not have any very specific locality recommendations for the > Adirondacks but can recall seeing Ribes growing in a number of places, > including within the Moose River Plains area of the south-central > ADK's, near (west of) Inlet, NY and in any number of areas in eastern > Saint Lawrence, northern Hamilton and Herkimer, parts of Franklin, > Essex and western Clinton Counties in New York. Some areas on the > northern & western fringes of the Adirondack Park proper (ie, outside > park boundaries) may also be worth checking. Please let us know! > > For timing, this would be a good time to seek Hoary Comma, that is: > the month of August, and especially the second half of August in our > state, as well as in New England - probably the best time of year for > most of the greater northeast including areas within Canada to seek > that species as well as other late-summer 'emergers', including Green > Comma and some other butterflies, one example being Leonard's Skipper > which has likely been flying for a while in parts of northern NY. > > Anyone at all who suspects they have found the species Hoary Comma - > Polygonia gracilis, or for that matter any uncommon butterfly, and > almost any moths, please take the time to record your observations > with as precise locality information as possible, plus date, time of > day, behavior witnessed, plants visited for nectar and/or egg-laying, > and please try to take photographs of any uncommon species with this > data. We'll all be richer for the knowledge gained. In New York > state, with such a wide range of habitats and climate, the butterfly > (not to mention moth!!) populations and distributions state-wide are > not all that well-understood, and may be less well-known today that > was the case a century earlier. Yet today, more observers are active > each year, a good trend. There are certainly some discoveries still to > be made in this state, and in some cases some things may even be > "hiding in plain sight" - in the case of species that haven't been > fully described as such but have languished as forms or subspecies or > brood-specific types of butterflies... and with moths the far more > abundant of lepidoptera, the possibilities for discoveries, especially > in poorly-surveyed areas, should be tremendous and wide-ranging. This > is even without the changes that are occurring with the change in > climate & all that that entails. Incidentally, even Green Comma - > Polygonia faunus [W.H. Edwards, 1862] is not as well known in NY state > as it likely could be. That species may well be extant in as many as > half of all of the counties in the state (NY has 62 counties, > including the five of N.Y. City - where Green Comma is not!) > Admittedly it may be that Green Comma is extremely local and perhaps > also far less common than once-upon-a-time in many areas of New York. > It is quite common in the northernmost parts of New England and > adjacent boreal regions of Canada. > - - - - - - - - > Vermont Butterfly Atlas Project - here you will find access to the > entire database of records for Vermont's state-wide atlas project, > with a more limited availability of select historic records from the > state. A "cute" photo of Dr. Robert Michael Pyle is featured, whose > books are fairly well known in the area of nature writing generally, > as well as the specific field of lepidoptera study. He has a new book > just about out now about doing a butterfly "big year" - traveling > around N. America and Hawaii in search of as many species as might be > reasonably seen in one very busy year afield in search of a great > variety of butterflies, with likely many additional observations. He > also has authored many papers, articles, and several field guides to > butterflies, one that is widely distributed, "The Audubon Guide to > Butterflies of North America" is often seen as less useful than many > other, perhaps newer guides, yet contains valuable information in some > of the text, particularly for western species. Here is just one small > source for more information about Dr. R.M Pyle: http://www.cwu.edu/ > ~geograph/pyle.html > > Vermont Butterfly Atlas Project - > http://www.vtecostudies.org/VBS/ > - - - - - > Maine has an ongoing state-wide butterfly survey which may conclude > soon, a multi-year effort with volunteers and some professional > biologists. They've made some excellent discoveries, including a few > species new to the state's list of butterflies as well as many > extensions and improvements to previously-understood ranges in that > state. There are also efforts in the area such as parts of Atlantic > Canada. > > the Maine Butterfly Survey > http://mbs.umf.maine.edu/ > > some of documented range for Hoary Comma in Maine - > http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species? > l=1760&chosen_state=23*Maine > > township locality records for Hoary Comma - Polygonia gracilis in > Maine - > http://mbs.umf.maine.edu/MBS%20Web%20Maps/Hoary%20Comma.jpg > > Good observations to all, > > Tom Fiore, > Manhattan > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: mourning cloak questions From: Steven Daniel <sdaniel1 AT rochester.rr.com> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:52:01 -0400 In the past week I observed two adult mourning cloaks - one at Bergen Swamp (8/21), one at Mendon Ponds (8/19). I also had what was presumably a final instar larva on a willow at Mendon on 8/19. So..what is going on? The literature seems to indicate they are single brooded and enter a summer aestivation/diapause. There are not many August mourning cloak sightings reported on this listserv, but there have been some. Presumably that is because most are in their midsummer diapause, but obviously not all in diapause. And isn't it late for a larva...or is there, at least sometimes, a second brood? I would think the larva might indicate that. Common things that we may not know...or maybe it is known, and I just don't! Other noteworthy sighting was three bronze coppers on 8/19 near Braddocks Bay State Park, Monroe County. Steven Daniel Pittsford, NY Subject: Bob Pyle in central NY - October 7 and 8 From: Steven Daniel <sdaniel1 AT rochester.rr.com> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:28:20 -0400 Tom Fiore's earlier post today reminded me to send a note to the group. For those of you who may not know, Bob Pyle's early books ("Watching Washington Butterflies" and the "Handbook for Butterfly Watchers" were the forerunners of the growing contingent of butterfly "watchers", well before NABA. Bob will be giving a talk, "Eden in a Vacant Lot" on Thursday, October 7 at 5:30 pm at the Palace Theatre in Syracuse. On Thursday the 7th and Friday the 8th he will be leading a walk at 10 am at the Baltimore Woods Nature Center in Marcellus, and doing a book signing for his new book on his butterfly Big Year on Friday afternoon. I've heard Bob speak on several occasions, and his talks are always outstanding - he is a captivating speaker who always provides plenty of interesting things to think about. Likewise being in the field with him is a complete pleasure - he is a consummate all around naturalist and teacher. His many accomplishments span literature and science and, and include being a founder of the Xerces Society. It's a special treat to have him visit in Central New York. Definitely worth it if you're in the area, and even further afield. Save the date. More info at www.baltimorewoods.org. Best, Steven Daniel Pittsford, NY Subject: those "recent SE NY butterflies" (8/14 and 8/20) From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:00:09 -0400 Hi all, In sending my previous message, I neglected to append some sightings from southeast NY over recent days & weeks. I'll preface with a species I remarked on some weeks ago here, and which I've been finding, in varying numbers, on each field day in N.Y. City over these last several weeks - Checkered White. On my last 3 field days out, in Queens County, N.Y. City, I have encountered that species in the first hour or less of being out, on these recent warmer days. In one case, as I arrived at the outer north boundary of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refufge (a unit within the Gateway National Recreation Area of NY & NJ), I was very nearly attacked by an energetic female Checkered White, which promptly sat at my feet on a sand & gravel jeep trail at the entry to the refuge. In that instance I was able to get out my point-&-shoot camera & snap off a few photos at close range. Then I ended up seeing any number of additional Checkered Whites in a number of locations by the shore, but as is typical with so many pierids they were no longer as coooerative as that one early-rising female white had been. I have had the same sort of experience several times, with a Checkered White, or two, coming close and acting cooperatively in the early hours when air is cooler and sun still low in the east, and later seeing just those that sit at all go to flowers or settle anywhere for what is typically about 1 or 2 seconds - at best... in any case, the Checkered White has been doing fairly well in parts of coastal N.Y. City this summer and if weather stays mild enough this species can actually be sought & sometimes found very late in the year here, even to almost the end of the butterfly season. I am unaware if this species is having any incursions into areas much farther north or east of it's typical range, or is just doing well in a limited local area in NY. It has been seen in western NY by some accounts of the past, & there are at least a few "inland" records in the region, as much as 100 miles or so to the north from the NYC area. Lists for - August 14, 2010 - Staten Island, N.Y. City - including some time walking the majestic old & large Hackberry (Celtis) groves at the Conference House Park in the Tottenville section, which in recent years have had new trails and some clearing of brush and alien invasive plants such that walking is actually easier and perhaps, finding butterflies as well - these groves hold what must potentially be the largest numbers of Celtis-feeding butterflies in the state, and in this year when many butterflies appear to be doing better, at least down-state, than the last several years, at least for a number of varied species in many genera, the 3 species we have in NY were all in fine numbers at that location, which also happens to be about the southern-most point in NY. Hackberry Emperor appeared to be most common of the 3 while American Snout was perhaps actually more so, many of them staying higher in the canopy on the day of my visit, and the Tawny Emperor, often the least-common downstate of these 3 Celtis- users, was also fairly common this day. A single Checkered White was a nice addition to the day's sightings, & was in a location where that species has occurred before - Miller Field. A more unexpected species in most years, a Little Yellow showing up at Mount Loretto D.E.C. preserve was a welcome sight. The small area that hosts American Coppers on the south end, as well as holding a fair population of Appalachian Brown, was doing well and a good movement of Monarchs was already somewhat in evidence by then. A decent showing of skippers also, despite rather dry conditions at that point in the area, with not a lot of flowers out there at the time. The areas visited also included Blue Heron, Lemon Creek, Wolfe's Pond, Clay Pit Ponds, and a few other parks as well as more briefly, Great Kills Park, another unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area. I had hoped to visit the Sailor's Snug Harbor Cultural Center with it's fairly lush botanical gardens, but its location on the other (north) side of the island and a day fast coming to a close put the end to that notion, that day. The Sailor's Snug Harbor gardens have traditionally been among the best in the city for rare & vagrant butterflies in the mid to late summer, especially those butterfly species which have immigrated, irrupted or in any case, flown up from points to the southwest of N.Y. City and vicinity. The gardens are free of charge and they are generally open daily until sunset, with the facilities not always open at all times. Black Swallowtail (15+) Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (3) Spicebush Swallowtail (8+) Checkered White (1, Miller Field) Cabbage White (50+) Orange Sulphur (25+) Little Yellow (1, Mount Loretto) American Copper (3) Gray Hairstreak (2) Summer Azure (15+) American Snout (10+,Conference House Park) Pearl Crescent (10+) Great Spangled Fritillary (1) Question Mark (3, summer form) Eastern Comma (2, summer form) Red Admiral (20+) Painted Lady (2) Common Buckeye (6) Tawny Emperor (6+, Conference House) Hackberry Emperor (20+, Conference H.) Appalachian Brown (2, a bit late) Monarch (60+) Silver-spotted Skipper (4) Wild Indigo Duskywing (2) Common Sootywing (3) Least Skipper (several) Tawny-edged Skipper Sachem (few) Broad-winged Skipper (12+) Dun Skipper Zabulon Skipper (5, new brood) - - - - - - - - - - On Friday, 20 August, 2010 I was on the Rockaway peninsula of Queens County and was pleased to see good numbers of butterflies in some areas, especially so where a meadow of Salt Marsh Fleabane was in lush supply, blooms just beginning to fully open. In some areas, Camphorweed has been in bloom and offers butterflies an abundant bloom for many weeks, although I don't know that the species gives a great deal of nectar. The Seaside Goldenrod are all looking well and a very few had just begun to open - this is an important nectar source in local coastal areas for migrant Monarchs in the fall movements of those long-distance travelers. A number of other flowers found on the immediate coastal plain were in bloom and made for a nice picture in a period when until this week, we've been in a mild drought (even given the often less-wet mid-summer period). I also made an early stop at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens Co. and somewhat more brief stops at several Brooklyn (Kings Co., N.Y. City) locations, including Marine Park, Floyd Bennett Field (yet another unit of Gateway Nat'l. Rec. Area), and also the lovely Prospect Park, possibly the jewel of NYC's urban public parks' system in terms of landscape design and layout. At one fairly lush Buddleja bush at Fort Tilden, on the Rockaway peninsula (still another unit of the Gateway N.R.A.), at least 50 individual butterflies of at least 8 species were nectaring greedily as I observed in mid-day. I here saw an Orange Sulphur which was not more than 1/4 inch larger than a Sachem, which is to say it was a very small Orange Sulphur. Black Swallowtail (5+) Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (4) Spicebush Swallowtail (3) Cabbage White (40+) Checkered White (4) Orange Sulphur (30+, & one half the typical size) American Copper (2) Gray Hairstreak (3) Eastern Tailed-Blue (6+) Summer Azure (12+) Variegated Fritillary (1) Pearl Crescent (15+) Question Mark (3) Eastern Comma (1) Red Admiral (15+) American Lady (40+, many in very fresh condition) Painted Lady (3) Common Buckeye (32) Red-spotted Purple (3, uncommon at sites visited) Viceroy (uncommon at these coastal sites) Monarch (250+, many nectaring at Breezy Point) Silver-spotted Skipper (4) Wild Indigo Duskywing (3) Common Sootywing (7) Sachem (50+) Zabulon Skipper (14) Broad-winged Skipper (10+, rather worn) Dun Skipper (1) - - - - Tom Fiore, Manhattan [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Hoary Comma R.F.I. & recent s.e. NY butterflies From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:10:27 -0400 Hi all, The request for information on localities to seek Hoary Comma - Polygonia gracilis [Grote & Robinson, 1867] - in New York's Adirondack Forest Park & Preserve is of interest, in part as there are apparently a number of older records of the species - (which is far more common in western North America) - for northern New York, in at least 4 counties: Saint Lawrence Co., Herkimer Co., Hamilton Co., and Essex Co. - & yet oddly apparently not in either Franklin nor Clinton Counties. In eastern N. America the caterpillars are said to feed on various Ribes species ("currant", as well as "gooseberry"), and in some areas this genus of perennial had been removed both from cultivation and to varying extent also from the wild, in fears that it transmits or hosts the disease affecting Eastern White Pine trees - Pinus strobus. Losses by destruction of Ribes in some areas is thought to have played a role in the diminished range of several species of Comma (Polygonia spp.) in eastern N. America. The Hoary Comma is extant in Canada, including in areas that are adjacent or near New York, especially Quebec and it seems likely that a number of localities in both Franklin and Clinton Counties could hold (or have held) populatiions of this species, which may be flying at this time of year. One locality which is fairly well known among collectors in the past and observers in the present is the Connecticut Lakes region of New Hampshire, the northernmost part of that state. Adjacent western Maine would also hold extant populations of Hoary Comma, as might a few areas in the "northeast kingdom" of Vermont - all these places may or may not have had much surveying for this species in recent times, although there have been no apparent records in Vermont in modern times. For Maine, there is an ongoing survey of the state for butteflies and in Vermont an atlas was completed a number of years ago (in the current millennium) - links to these good sources are below in this post. I do not have any very specific locality recommendations for the Adirondacks but can recall seeing Ribes growing in a number of places, including within the Moose River Plains area of the south-central ADK's, near (west of) Inlet, NY and in any number of areas in eastern Saint Lawrence, northern Hamilton and Herkimer, parts of Franklin, Essex and western Clinton Counties in New York. Some areas on the northern & western fringes of the Adirondack Park proper (ie, outside park boundaries) may also be worth checking. Please let us know! For timing, this would be a good time to seek Hoary Comma, that is: the month of August, and especially the second half of August in our state, as well as in New England - probably the best time of year for most of the greater northeast including areas within Canada to seek that species as well as other late-summer 'emergers', including Green Comma and some other butterflies, one example being Leonard's Skipper which has likely been flying for a while in parts of northern NY. Anyone at all who suspects they have found the species Hoary Comma - Polygonia gracilis, or for that matter any uncommon butterfly, and almost any moths, please take the time to record your observations with as precise locality information as possible, plus date, time of day, behavior witnessed, plants visited for nectar and/or egg-laying, and please try to take photographs of any uncommon species with this data. We'll all be richer for the knowledge gained. In New York state, with such a wide range of habitats and climate, the butterfly (not to mention moth!!) populations and distributions state-wide are not all that well-understood, and may be less well-known today that was the case a century earlier. Yet today, more observers are active each year, a good trend. There are certainly some discoveries still to be made in this state, and in some cases some things may even be "hiding in plain sight" - in the case of species that haven't been fully described as such but have languished as forms or subspecies or brood-specific types of butterflies... and with moths the far more abundant of lepidoptera, the possibilities for discoveries, especially in poorly-surveyed areas, should be tremendous and wide-ranging. This is even without the changes that are occurring with the change in climate & all that that entails. Incidentally, even Green Comma - Polygonia faunus [W.H. Edwards, 1862] is not as well known in NY state as it likely could be. That species may well be extant in as many as half of all of the counties in the state (NY has 62 counties, including the five of N.Y. City - where Green Comma is not!) Admittedly it may be that Green Comma is extremely local and perhaps also far less common than once-upon-a-time in many areas of New York. It is quite common in the northernmost parts of New England and adjacent boreal regions of Canada. - - - - - - - - Vermont Butterfly Atlas Project - here you will find access to the entire database of records for Vermont's state-wide atlas project, with a more limited availability of select historic records from the state. A "cute" photo of Dr. Robert Michael Pyle is featured, whose books are fairly well known in the area of nature writing generally, as well as the specific field of lepidoptera study. He has a new book just about out now about doing a butterfly "big year" - traveling around N. America and Hawaii in search of as many species as might be reasonably seen in one very busy year afield in search of a great variety of butterflies, with likely many additional observations. He also has authored many papers, articles, and several field guides to butterflies, one that is widely distributed, "The Audubon Guide to Butterflies of North America" is often seen as less useful than many other, perhaps newer guides, yet contains valuable information in some of the text, particularly for western species. Here is just one small source for more information about Dr. R.M Pyle: http://www.cwu.edu/~geograph/pyle.html Vermont Butterfly Atlas Project - http://www.vtecostudies.org/VBS/ - - - - - Maine has an ongoing state-wide butterfly survey which may conclude soon, a multi-year effort with volunteers and some professional biologists. They've made some excellent discoveries, including a few species new to the state's list of butterflies as well as many extensions and improvements to previously-understood ranges in that state. There are also efforts in the area such as parts of Atlantic Canada. the Maine Butterfly Survey http://mbs.umf.maine.edu/ some of documented range for Hoary Comma in Maine - http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1760&chosen_state=23*Maine township locality records for Hoary Comma - Polygonia gracilis in Maine - http://mbs.umf.maine.edu/MBS%20Web%20Maps/Hoary%20Comma.jpg Good observations to all, Tom Fiore, Manhattan [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Hoary Comma Info. From: <jhanyak AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 19:33:16 -0400 >I am interested to know a good place and time to find Hoary Comma in >Adirondack Park in New York State. >Cheers >Bruce Ripley >Amherstview, Ontario >ripley AT KINGSTON.NET Greetings: Can anyone help this gentleman out? John Hanyak Marcellus, NY 13108 jhanyak AT twcny.rr.com Subject: Catacola and Lacinipolia at my place From: Meena Haribal <mmh3 AT cornell.edu> Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:14:13 -0400 Hi all, Two days ago, I had visits from two species of Catocala - C. residua and C. subnata (I think, but did look more like an agripinna http://picasaweb.google.com/ithmoths/AugustMoths#5506548707088822642 ) and a Lacinipolia implicate -4998Lacinipolia implicata - Implicit Arches Moth - Hodges#10414 http://picasaweb.google.com/ithmoths/AugustMoths#5506548687408295906 a very beautiful moth. There were a few other species but it is very slow. A Spice Bush Swallowtail headed straight towards my office window on Monday and today I have seen at least a few Monarchs heading south! One of course almost came close to my window and changed direction just when it was a few centimeters away and flew over the building. Meena Haribal Ithaca NY http://haribal.org/ http://picasaweb.google.com/ithmoths http://picasaweb.google.com/mharibal http://www.flickr.com/photos/91426175 AT N00/ Subject: Various reports From: Robert Dirig <red2 AT cornell.edu> Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:02:51 -0400 Hello Everyone, Here are several reports from the Ithaca area and the Adirondack- Lake Champlain region during the past 2-3 weeks: -------- Ithaca area: McLean Bogs, Tompkins Co., N.Y., 31 July(*) & 14 August (**) 2010. Salmon Creek Rd., Lansing, Tompkins Co., N.Y., 31 July 2010 (***). Cornell University gardens, Ithaca, Tompkins Co., N.Y., 1 Aug. (****) & 16 August (*****) 2010. Wild Indigo Duskywing: 2, very worn***** Least Skipper: 1** Peck's Skipper: 1****, 2***** Giant Swallowtail: 1*** Black Swallowtail: 1 female*****. Cabbage White: 4*, 3**, 6***, 1***** Clouded Sulphur: 1*, 6**, 8*** Orange Sulphur: 1**, 1*** Pearl Crescent: 2*, 2***** Meadow Fritillary: 1* Grey Comma: 1* White Admiral: 2** Common Wood Nymph: 3*, older females. Common Ringlet: 1* fresh Monarch: 1** -------- Adirondacks, Bloomingdale Bog N of Saranac Lake, Franklin Co., N.Y., 3 Aug. 2010: Cabbage White: 3 Pearl Crescent: 1 Harris' Checkerspot: several abandoned larval nests on Aster umbellatus. Monarch: 1 fully grown larva on Common Milkweed. --------- Port Kent, Essex County, W shore of Lake Champlain, 4 Aug. 2010: Least Skipper: 1 Cabbage White: 1 ---- Best to all, Bob Dirig Ithaca, N.Y. Subject: RE: Hodges #11128 Arcigera Flower Moth, Schinia arcigera From: Meena Haribal <mmh3 AT cornell.edu> Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 08:21:22 -0400 Thanks Yvonne! I think BMNA is lagging in updating data. I in fact had another species of Schinia, Schinia rivulosa. I have been rearing caterpillars of Schizura sp. They are so very funky and beautiful! They even have markings like dried oak leaf venations. Awesome caterpillars. For those who had read my SOS for unidentified eggs almost a couple of months ago, the caterpillars from these have pupated and I am awaiting for them to eclose next year! Cheers Meena Haribal Ithaca NY 14850 http://haribal.org/ ________________________________________ From: NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com [NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Von Merm [shudderbug62 AT yahoo.com] Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2010 1:13 PM To: NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [NYSButterflies] Hodges #11128 Arcigera Flower Moth, Schinia arcigera Meena; et. al.: Here is a photo I shot in August 2007 of Schinia arcigera nectaring in the Three Rivers WMA in the Town of Lysander in northern Onondaga County. Photo is not great, but I think the field marks are readily visible. Thanks to Nolie Schneider for identification at that time. http://www.pbase.com/4dabirds/image/84765963 Yvonne Merriam Baldwinsville, Onondaga County, NY Photo galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/4dabirds "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." --Michelangelo --- On Thu, 8/12/10, Meena Haribal wrote: From: Meena Haribal Subject: [NYSButterflies] To: "NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com" Date: Thursday, August 12, 2010, 7:39 AM Hi all, Yesterday, I photographed a Schinia sp, I think is Schinia arcigera. According to NABA it is not reported from this part of the UPState. The same species was photographed by Tom Clougherty in the town of Dryden NY on 8/9/10. Photos can be viewed at http://picasaweb.google.com/ithmoths/AugustMoths# Any comments appreciated. I am still waiting for Gaint Swallowtail to show up in my yard, unfortunatley am not home most of the time when the butterflies are active! . Meena Haribal Ithaca NY 14850 http://haribal.org/ ________________________________________ NYSButterflies-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Explicit Arches From: Andrew Block <troubleinshangrila1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 20:24:03 -0700 (PDT) I had an Explicit Arches (Lacinipolia explicata) at my home tonight but according to Covell's book they aren't around here.  Does anyone know if that's true or not? Andrew    Andrew v. F. Block Consulting Field Biologist & Eco-tour Leader 37 Tanglewylde Avenue Bronxville, Westchester Co., New York 10708-3131 Phone: (914) 337-1229; Cell: (914) 886-5124; Fax: (914) 771-8036 "When the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be again..." - William Beebe, first Curator of Birds, Bronx Zoo "Crikey! Have a look at that!" - Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter "Just like the white winged dove sings a song, sounds like she's singing whoo, baby...whoo...said whoo" - Stephanie L. Nicks, Edge of 17, Bella Donna [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Hodges #11128 Arcigera Flower Moth, Schinia arcigera From: Von Merm <shudderbug62 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 10:13:41 -0700 (PDT) Meena; et. al.: Here is a photo I shot in August 2007 of Schinia arcigera nectaring in the Three Rivers WMA in the Town of Lysander in northern Onondaga County. Photo is not great, but I think the field marks are readily visible. Thanks to Nolie Schneider for identification at that time. http://www.pbase.com/4dabirds/image/84765963 Yvonne Merriam Baldwinsville, Onondaga County, NY Photo galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/4dabirds "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." --Michelangelo --- On Thu, 8/12/10, Meena Haribal wrote: From: Meena Haribal Subject: [NYSButterflies] To: "NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com" Date: Thursday, August 12, 2010, 7:39 AM   Hi all, Yesterday, I photographed a Schinia sp, I think is Schinia arcigera. According to NABA it is not reported from this part of the UPState. The same species was photographed by Tom Clougherty in the town of Dryden NY on 8/9/10. Photos can be viewed at http://picasaweb.google.com/ithmoths/AugustMoths# Any comments appreciated. I am still waiting for Gaint Swallowtail to show up in my yard, unfortunatley am not home most of the time when the butterflies are active! . Meena Haribal Ithaca NY 14850 http://haribal.org/ ________________________________________ NYSButterflies-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: No Subject From: Meena Haribal <mmh3 AT cornell.edu> Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 07:39:54 -0400 Hi all, Yesterday, I photographed a Schinia sp, I think is Schinia arcigera. According to NABA it is not reported from this part of the UPState. The same species was photographed by Tom Clougherty in the town of Dryden NY on 8/9/10. Photos can be viewed at http://picasaweb.google.com/ithmoths/AugustMoths# Any comments appreciated. I am still waiting for Gaint Swallowtail to show up in my yard, unfortunatley am not home most of the time when the butterflies are active! . Meena Haribal Ithaca NY 14850 http://haribal.org/ ________________________________________ NYSButterflies-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Different Giant Swallowtail in my yard today - 8/11/10 From: "Colleen / spider99" <spider99 AT stny.rr.com> Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 23:31:49 -0400 Today's Giant Swallowtail stayed around awhile, arriving just before Noon. I was looking out the window at a female Black Swallowtail that was alternating nectaring on Petunias and laying eggs on a shriveled up piece of Queen Anne's lace that I had been potted up ages ago. I was marveling at this since I have a yard full of fresh QAL! Does she know that the potted stuff gets inspected more thoroughly for eggs???? Anyway, I was watching her from above and a Giant Swallowtail swooped in at her. It gave me great looks from above, but quickly moved to the back of the house. I wondered if it thought she was a potential mate. It then nectared around the yard at Phlox and Zinnias. It was much fresher than Monday's Giant Swallowtail. Butterflies flying here today include: Black Swallowtail Spicebush Swallowtail Giant Swallowtail Cabbage Whites Clouded Sulphur Orange Sulphur Pearl Crescent American Coppers E. Tailed-Blues - both male and female E. Comma Question Marks - both male and female; both summer and fall forms Red-spotted Purples White Admiral Monarchs Silver-spotted Skippers Peck's skipper For those tracking Giants in NYS, there was one in Owego NY on Tuesday 8/10/10. This is also Tioga Co. Photos were taken. Colleen Wolpert Apalachin, NY Tioga Co. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Mendon Ponds butterflies From: Steven Daniel <sdaniel1 AT rochester.rr.com> Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:52:13 -0400 The following butterflies were observed on a walk around Quaker Pond, Mendon Ponds Park, today. The red spotted purple is fairly uncommon in this region - I don't see one every year in Monroe County. The harvesters are always a treat. The tawny-edge, ringlets, and copper were in a dry meadow nearby. That meadow used to have Leonard''s skipper, but I don't think it has been seen there for maybe 5 years or more. Eastern tiger swallowtail 2 Spicebush swallowtail 2 Cabbage white - maybe 15 Clouded sulphur - 10 Summer azure - 1 American copper - 1 Harvester - 2 or 3, fresh Great spangled fritillary - 1 worn Pearl crescent - 2 Eastern comma - 6 - some fresh, some quite worn White admiral - 3 Red-spotted purple - 1 Viceroy - 1 Wood nymph - 4 Appalachian brown - 1 Common ringlet - 7 Monarch 5 (ovipositing on swamp milkweed) Peck's skipper - 1 Tawny-edged skipper 7 Dun skipper - 1 worn Steven Daniel Pittsford, NY Subject: RE: Virginia Creeper Sphinx From: Meena Haribal <mmh3 AT cornell.edu> Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:35:05 -0400 Thanks Bill. No problem you recording it. It is meant for that purpose only. Meena Meena Haribal Boyce Thompson Institute Ithaca NY 14850 Phone 607-254-1258 http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/ http://haribal.org/ http://haribal.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/wildwest+trip+August+2007+.pdf -----Original Message----- From: NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Bill Oehlke Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 8:43 AM To: NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [NYSButterflies] Virginia Creeper Sphinx Meena, I have posted your image of Darapsa myron, credited to you, top of Tompkins County page at http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/nyTompkinssph.htm Hope that is okay? Bill Oehlke 155 Peardon Road Montague PEI C0A1R0 CANADA -------------------------------------------------- From: "Meena Haribal" Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 8:31 AM To: Subject: [NYSButterflies] Virginia Creeper Sphinx > Hi all, > > Yesterday night was hot and muggy and rained most of the night. But it was > a great night for moths. I had some 40+ species of moths. Some moths were > in multiple numbers. > > But best for me a was sphinx, Virginia Creeper Sphinx Moth - Darapsa > myron a very fresh specimen, suggesting it was born on my Virginia > creepers. I was hoping for that one day and the day has come. > > http://picasaweb.google.com/ithmoths/AugustMoths#5503741772313823282 > > There were a few more new species for me yesterday but I need to look them > up yet. > > Cheers > Meena > > > Meena Haribal > Ithaca NY 14850 > http://haribal.org/ > ________________________________________ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links Subject: Re: Virginia Creeper Sphinx From: "Bill Oehlke" <oehlkew AT islandtelecom.com> Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:42:31 -0300 Meena, I have posted your image of Darapsa myron, credited to you, top of Tompkins County page at http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/nyTompkinssph.htm Hope that is okay? Bill Oehlke 155 Peardon Road Montague PEI C0A1R0 CANADA -------------------------------------------------- From: "Meena Haribal" Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 8:31 AM To: Subject: [NYSButterflies] Virginia Creeper Sphinx > Hi all, > > Yesterday night was hot and muggy and rained most of the night. But it was > a great night for moths. I had some 40+ species of moths. Some moths were > in multiple numbers. > > But best for me a was sphinx, Virginia Creeper Sphinx Moth – Darapsa > myron a very fresh specimen, suggesting it was born on my Virginia > creepers. I was hoping for that one day and the day has come. > > http://picasaweb.google.com/ithmoths/AugustMoths#5503741772313823282 > > There were a few more new species for me yesterday but I need to look them > up yet. > > Cheers > Meena > > > Meena Haribal > Ithaca NY 14850 > http://haribal.org/ > ________________________________________ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYSButterflies/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYSButterflies/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: NYSButterflies-digest AT yahoogroups.com NYSButterflies-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: NYSButterflies-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Virginia Creeper Sphinx From: Meena Haribal <mmh3 AT cornell.edu> Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 07:31:14 -0400 Hi all, Yesterday night was hot and muggy and rained most of the night. But it was a great night for moths. I had some 40+ species of moths. Some moths were in multiple numbers. But best for me a was sphinx, Virginia Creeper Sphinx Moth – Darapsa myron a very fresh specimen, suggesting it was born on my Virginia creepers. I was hoping for that one day and the day has come. http://picasaweb.google.com/ithmoths/AugustMoths#5503741772313823282 There were a few more new species for me yesterday but I need to look them up yet. Cheers Meena Meena Haribal Ithaca NY 14850 http://haribal.org/ ________________________________________ Yahoo! Groups Links http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYSButterflies/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYSButterflies/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: NYSButterflies-digest AT yahoogroups.com NYSButterflies-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: NYSButterflies-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Re: other sightings of Giant Swallowtails? From: <spider99 AT stny.rr.com> Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 20:17:07 +0000 I had my FOS Giant Swallowtail today at Noon, so your email is timely. I had 2 visit last year. I am often not home, so my reports are skewed. Anyway, today's visitor was apparently brief. We exited the front door towards the car and there it was nectaring on the Zinnias that I placed on either side of several potted Hop Trees in the driveway. It was a bit worn and only gave us brief looks before it flew down the road. I am hoping it was a female that returns to the trees or the Rue that I have waiting. Colleen Wolpert Apalachin, NY Tioga Co. ---- Karen Edelstein wrote: > It's been nice to read a few reports recently of Giant Swallowtails in NYS. > I am generally seeing between one and 3 every day within a quarter mile of > my house, and watched one intently exploring some prickly ash leaves the > other day...perhaps considering oviposition sites? Unless they've become > totally commonplace in the past few years so that nobody's noticing them, > it's interesting that after that high year 2-3 summers ago where they were > sighted as far north as Lake Ontario, they're not around so much. Any > unreported sightings out there? I've gotten a little obsessed with them, > since it appears that I live in a source area. > > Karen > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Subject: Posting Information From: "jjhanyak" <jhanyak AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:48:19 -0000 Fellow leppers: Please remember to include your location when reporting sightings. It makes the postings so much more intersting to see where butterflies are actually being seen. Thank you. John Hanyak Listowner, NYS Butterflies Marcellus, NY 13108 jhanyak AT twcny.rr.com Subject: other sightings of Giant Swallowtails? From: Karen Edelstein <kle2 AT cornell.edu> Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 14:59:30 -0400 It's been nice to read a few reports recently of Giant Swallowtails in NYS. I am generally seeing between one and 3 every day within a quarter mile of my house, and watched one intently exploring some prickly ash leaves the other day...perhaps considering oviposition sites? Unless they've become totally commonplace in the past few years so that nobody's noticing them, it's interesting that after that high year 2-3 summers ago where they were sighted as far north as Lake Ontario, they're not around so much. Any unreported sightings out there? I've gotten a little obsessed with them, since it appears that I live in a source area. Karen [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Giant Swallowtail From: "jjhanyak" <jhanyak AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Sat, 07 Aug 2010 17:10:19 -0000 Greetings: I just observed and photographed an extremely worn Giant Swallowtail in my yard in the town of Marcellus, Onondaga County. It was alternately resting and nectaring on Swamp Milkweed. Best to all, John Hanyak Marcellus, NY 13108 jhanyak AT twcny.rr.com Subject: Buckeyes and a puddle group From: "Willie D'Anna and Betsy Potter" <dannapotter AT roadrunner.com> Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 17:13:02 -0400 I spent several hours today at a power line cut on South Woods Road in the Town of Shelby, Orleans County. My highlights were seeing nearly 200 butterflies at a single puddle and three Common Buckeyes. The butterflies at the puddle were segregated by species: 119 Pearl Crescents, 25 Eastern tailed blues, 55 Clouded Sulphers, 2 Peck's Skippers, and 3 Cabbage Whites. The Buckeyes were confirmed by photos to be three different individuals. One was nectaring at Purple Loosestrife and the other two were patrolling and even chased each other. My list of species seen: Orange Sulpher 2 Cabbage White Clouded Sulpher Eastern Tailed Blue abundant Common Ringlet Pearl Crescent abundant Least Skipper several Tawny-edged Skipper 2 Peck's Skipper 7 Monarch Viceroy American Lady 2 worn Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Great Spangled Fritillary 1 worn White Admiral 1 "Witch skipper" 1 very worn COMMON BUCKEYE 3 Bronzed Copper 2 Betsy ---------------- Willie D'Anna Betsy Potter Wilson, NY dannapotterATroadrunner.com http://www.betsypottersart.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth From: Andrew Block <troubleinshangrila1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 10:43:21 -0700 (PDT) The mothing has slowed down alot lately, not much around, but did have a Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth last night which was #367.  A beautiful little moth. Andrew   Andrew v. F. Block Consulting Field Biologist & Eco-tour Leader 37 Tanglewylde Avenue Bronxville, Westchester Co., New York 10708-3131 Phone: (914) 337-1229; Cell: (914) 886-5124; Fax: (914) 771-8036 "When the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be again..." - William Beebe, first Curator of Birds, Bronx Zoo "Crikey! Have a look at that!" - Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter "Just like the white winged dove sings a song, sounds like she's singing whoo, baby...whoo...said whoo" - Stephanie L. Nicks, Edge of 17, Bella Donna [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Giant Swallowtail Sightings in Ithaca : FRK (for record keepers) From: Meena Haribal <mmh3 AT cornell.edu> Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 20:33:40 -0400 Hell all, Sara Jane Hymes sent me a couple of pictures of Giant Swallowtail on their Buddliea flowers today. It also visited them yesterday too. Meena Haribal Ithaca NY 14850 http://haribal.org/ Subject: Ward Pound Ridge 7/31/10 including Little Yellow From: AKMirth AT aol.com Date: Sat, 31 Jul 2010 22:15:55 -0400 Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Westchester County - July 31, 2010 The unquestioned highlight of the day was a Little Yellow seen in the morning at the parking lot at the end of Michigan Ave. It was seen just a couple of minutes after I had mentioned to Alison that a Little Yellow had recently been seen in Brooklyn. We saw what initially appeared to be a Clouded Sulphur, to which Alison said, "That seems pretty small" and I said "Nawww, no way, not here". But after getting good looks and noticing the lack of a central disk in the HW, a dark splotch towards the end of the HW, and many black spots peppered throughout, I said "Holy crap, a Little Yellow!". We followed it trying to get photos but it was too active. It went to the upper parking area, where horses are often unloaded, and spent a good deal of time in this area. We ran into Harry Zirlin, who eventually saw it and confirmed the identity. List: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Spicebush Swallowtail Cabbage White Orange Sulphur Clouded Sulphur LITTLE YELLOW Eastern Tailed-Blue Summer Azure Great Spangled Fritillary Pearl Crescent Question Mark Red Admiral Appalachian Brown Common Ringlet Common Wood-Nymph Monarch (a few) Silver-spotted Skipper Least Skipper Peck's Skipper Tawny-edged Skipper Little Glassywing Zabulon Skipper Dun Skipper Also seen: Dragonhunter, an impressive-looking dragonfly Karlo and Alison Mirth Forest Hills, Queens [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: FW: JBWR / Marine Park-Gerritsen From: "Rick Cech" <rcech AT nyc.rr.com> Date: Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:54:17 -0400 SORRY, I forgot that this list serve doesn't reproduce spreadsheet format correctly. Should come out ok below. Also, trip participants were Rick Cech, Emily Peyton, Guy Tudor. From: NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Rick Cech Sent: Saturday, July 31, 2010 9:18 PM To: NYSButterflies AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NYSButterflies] JBWR / Marine Park-Gerritsen Fairly active along south shore of NYC on Saturday. Emigrant species included Little Yellow (2), Variegated Fritillary (1), Painted Lady (1), Red Admiral (++), Common Buckeye (5-10). Also of note, one male Checkered White at north lot on Cross Bay Boulevard, a good showing of Common Sootywings, one fresh Swarthy Skipper (Gerritsen), finally some Monarch numbers, a runt Cabbage White male (scarcely larger than a Little Yellow). Jamaica Bay / Marine Park July 31, 2010 Common Name Scientific Name Trip Marine Park Gateway Black Swallowtail Papilio polyxenes x x x Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Papilio glaucus x x x Checkered White Pontia protodice x x Cabbage White Pieris rapae x x x Clouded Sulphur Colias philodice x x Orange Sulphur Colias eurytheme x x x Little Yellow Eurema lisa x x Gray Hairstreak Strymon melinus x x Eastern Tailed-Blue Everes comyntas x x x Summer Azure Celastrina neglecta x x x Variegated Fritillary Euptoieta claudia x x Pearl Crescent Phyciodes tharos x x x Question Mark Polygonia interrogationis x x American Lady Vanessa virginiensis x x Painted Lady Vanessa cardui x x Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta x x x Common Buckeye Junonia coenia x x x Red-spotted Purple Limenitis arthemis astyanax x x Monarch Danaus plexippus x x x Silver-spotted Skipper Epargyreus clarus x x x Common Sootywing Pholisora catullus x x x Swarthy Skipper Nastra lherminier x x Least Skipper Ancyloxypha numitor x x Sachem Atalopedes campestris x x Zabulon Skipper Poanes zabulon x x x Broad-winged Skipper Poanes viator x x x 26 20 20 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: JBWR / Marine Park-Gerritsen From: "Rick Cech" <rcech AT nyc.rr.com> Date: Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:18:06 -0400 Fairly active along south shore of NYC on Saturday. Emigrant species included Little Yellow (2), Variegated Fritillary (1), Painted Lady (1), Red Admiral (++), Common Buckeye (5-10). Also of note, one male Checkered White at north lot on Cross Bay Boulevard, a good showing of Common Sootywings, one fresh Swarthy Skipper (Gerritsen), finally some Monarch numbers, a runt Cabbage White male (scarcely larger than a Little Yellow). Jamaica Bay / Marine Park July 31, 2010 Common Name Scientific Name Trip Marine Park Gateway Black Swallowtail Papilio polyxenes x x x Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Papilio glaucus x x x Checkered White Pontia protodice x x Cabbage White Pieris rapae x x x Clouded Sulphur Colias philodice x x Orange Sulphur Colias eurytheme x x x Little Yellow Eurema lisa x x Gray Hairstreak Strymon melinus x x Eastern Tailed-Blue Everes comyntas x x x Summer Azure Celastrina neglecta x x x Variegated Fritillary Euptoieta claudia x x Pearl Crescent Phyciodes tharos x x x Question Mark Polygonia interrogationis x x American Lady Vanessa virginiensis x x Painted Lady Vanessa cardui x x Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta x x x Common Buckeye Junonia coenia x x x Red-spotted Purple Limenitis arthemis astyanax x x Monarch Danaus plexippus x x x Silver-spotted Skipper Epargyreus clarus x x x Common Sootywing Pholisora catullus x x x Swarthy Skipper Nastra lherminier x x Least Skipper Ancyloxypha numitor x x Sachem Atalopedes campestris x x Zabulon Skipper Poanes zabulon x x x Broad-winged Skipper Poanes viator x x x 26 20 20 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: An interesting Phycitine From: Hugh McGuinness <hmcguinness AT ross.org> Date: Sat, 31 Jul 2010 11:14:47 -0400 Hey NY Leppers, The other night while I was caught up in the euphoria of having re- found the Drunken Apamea, I noticed about 8 individuals of a well- marked Phycitine (Pyralidae) that I couldn't identify. It turns out that it was Sciota uvinella, a moth I have never seen before (a lifer!). The appearance of so many of this species at my light raises interesting questions. It's host plant is Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), which is also not native to LI, but is now routinely planted as an ornamental. Nuenzig (2003) states that its range is the southeastern United States, from Virginia south, with strays north to Connecticut. So here are the questions: were these strays (seems unlikely due to the number and the freshness of the individuals) or is the species moving north? If the latter (as I suspect), is this in response to its host plant being planted as an ornamental, to the warming winter climate, or both? I don't think there is an easy way to tease these apart, but they may be worth pondering. And perhaps there is a Ph.D. student out there looking for such a project. Hugh PS: I think Steve Walter has seen the species in Nassau or Queens. Hugh McGuinness The Ross School 18 Goodfriend Drive East Hampton, NY 11937 hmcguinness AT ross.org Subject: Northern Ulster County From: Henry Halama <henryhalama AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:00:48 -0700 (PDT) Today, July 30  I spent almost 3 hours in the former IBM recreational area with abundant nectar sources, mainly Swamp Milkweed and Purple Loosestrife. I recorded the following species including 4 additional ones seen in Woodstock (W).  Total 30 species: Black Swallowtail Giant Swallowtail    2 E. Tiger Swallowtail  including 1 dark form Spicebush Swallowtail Cabbage White Clouded Sulphur Orange Sulphur American Copper Summer Azure Eastern Tailed Blue Great Spangled Fritillary Pearl Crescent  very numerous American Lady   (W) Red Admiral Common Buckeye   FOS White Admiral  (W) Red-spotted Purple Northern Pearly-eye   (W) Common Ringlet     very numerous Common Wood Nymph  numerous Monarch   numerous, several oviposting on Swamp Milkweed Silver-spotted Skipper  very numerous, mostly nectaring on Loosestrife Wild Indigo Duskywing Common Checkered Skipper    FOS Least Skipper Peck's Skipper Tawny-edged Skipper Delaware Skipper Zabulon Skipper   (W) Broad-winged Skipper  8+ Henry Halama Woodstock  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Jamaica Bay Queens County & environs, 7/29/'10 From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:40:03 -0400 Hi all, There are some interesting developments along the southern immigrant front - no this is not about to be about politics, it's butterflies... such as Little Yellow, which have been turning up in such places as the province of Ontario & not in just ones & twos. These are also coming in at the Atlantic coastal sites, with several being seen in the past week or so, and a single spotted in my own wanderings later in the day Thursday, July 29th - at a "traditionally" good area to seek this little pierid, Gerritsen Beach park, in that section of southern Brooklyn. It was not far from an area where Cassia grows in modest amounts, although in recent years the field is being overtaken by shrubs and various plants that could threaten to undermine the relatively delicate Cassia plants. The other species that might be at least having a good summer are Common Buckeye, which are almost as common now as they sometimes will be in August (but then that month is just a few days away) and also Gray Hairstreak which is rather regular at the coastal plain but this looks to be a pretty good summer for the species in our area... and also being seen in better than typical numbers are American Snouts, which may be able to reproduce in our state - is that known?? Variegated Fritillary, also a somewhat irruptive species in the northeast, has done a bit better than average so far this summer. I had a question from one of our list members as to how unusual it might be to find a number of Checkered White at locations in NYC (that is: to find more than a few per outing). The answer, as with so many leps, is that if one knows where to look, the species may not be as "rare" as some would say. That said, this seems a fairly good year so far for this localized breeder - how many (if any) of these in the NYC & coastal plain generally are immigrants, and how many (if not all) are locally-raised, is still open to questions...Thursday, I found at least 8 individuals of Checkered White, with 5 of these at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, in a weedy overgrown area that is nice and neglected by the "neatness patrols". In the same place I again checked the lush community gardens which have a good variety of well-watered (or sprinklered) flowers, including a goodly number attracting butterflies and other insects... with a bit less in the way of variety Thurs. afternoon after a few light showers dampened the activity level. Still, one knows it's a warm and humid day when the butterflies simply continue flying and nectariing right thru the rains. The other Checkered Whites were: 2 at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and 1 at Fort Tilden, Queens County... with a few "suspected" but having got away from scrutiny in the several places I looked at. The Cabbage White outnumbers by far the Checkered White but there can be small areas along the coast where the 2 species are almost at par with one another. I suspect that were a very thorough survey done at the right times & places, one could amass a record number of Checkered Whites for the NY records. In excellent years past it's been possible to see up to 50 or more in a day, at coastal NYC sites and even (to some lesser extent, I believe) at a few central-coastal Long Island sites along the outer barrier beach area. There may well be a number of sites where the Checkered White goes unnoticed as no one is looking. A fairly recent photographed record from near Kent. CT - well inland of known sites, in central Litchfield Co., CT - is an indication that this species could turn up away from the coastal plain. (In that instance it was on a large river valley immediately adjacent to the river, so not at any great elevation). There are said to be old sites for Checkered White on the Lake Ontario plain of NY state. Anyone out looking? About Common Checkered-Skipper - hope it will never go the way of its close relative, in NY state, the Appalachian Griizzled Skipper, a form of which was extant not all that very many years ago in central New York. I looked for the Common Checkered in a few places where it has been in past years in NYC Thursday, without success. This species seems to fluctuate but granted it may have been more common some years back - but may yet come back in a given area. The species is extremely common in places to our west & south... The Red Admiralty continues to sail along... and Monarchs are looking strong so far, with up to 25 seen today without much effort. Sachem numbers are building a bit coastally, and Broad-winged Skippers continue. By the way, has anyone ever heard the term "Blue Garter" used in conjunction with a butterfly species? In northeastern N. America, that is?? I heard it used, but the speaker was unable to say or describe what exact species was being spoken of - but, a butterfly in NYC and seen recently. I am aware of the "Blue Garter" snake of Florida and that's about as close to that common name as I can get... so maybe one of you know this? It seems this summer is a bit better than last, in terms of butterfly abundances in many areas. Is this at all so with the moth sightings? We still have a lot of summer ahead so I realize that it's not yet a season summary. Good observations to all, Tom Fiore, Manhattan Subject: Re: Getting Drunk with Apameas From: Kristine Wallstrom <kwallstrom AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:09:42 -0400 Horrid story "The Black Screen of Death" but hurray for inebriated moths! I love reading your reports, Hugh Kristine On Jul 30, 2010, at 12:38 AM, Hugh McGuinness wrote: > It was a night not unlike this one, warm, sultry, and breezy that I > first saw and photographed an unusual Apamea on July 30, 2005 at my > home in Sag Harbor, Suffolk Co. The next day I compared my photos with > those at the Moth Photographer's Group and decided that what I had > found was Apamea inebriata. Not knowing anything about the moth, nor > why it was the "drunken" Apamea, I sent the photo to Don LaFontaine, > who confirmed the identification. It turns out that Apamea inebriata > is very similar to Apamea verbascoides, with which it was confused > until the late Doug Ferguson described it in 1977. Subsequently, I > learned that the species epithet may have referred to the state of its > author at his moment of epiphany when he realized it was a distinct > species. > > The Drunken Apamea is also a very uncommon moth. It ranges along the > coast from North Carolina to Nova Scotia. I have examined 96 specimens > in various museums around the country, and the vast majority are from > two locations: Lakehurst, NJ and East Wareham, MA. The type series > contained a single specimen (paratype) from New York, which I examined > at the US National Museum; it has no label data other than one > designating New York as its state of origin. The recent revision of > the Apamea in the MONA series contains an additional New York record, > from Centre--a former railroad stop between Albany and the Adirondacks > which was a haven for rare Leps including the Karner Blue and which > has apparently been obliterated by development--that constitutes the > only record of the species more than 50 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. > So my photo constituted the third New York record. > > In late August 2007, on a night when I had been called away from my > moths lights to Accabonac Harbor to see a roosting Magnificent > Frigatebird in the dark, I needed to make space on my lap top and used > the built in clean-up function. When I returned to my machine two > hours later, I discovered that the hard disk head had gone haywire and > all I could get my laptop to muster was the black screen of death. I > sent the drive to several of the places that recover deceased hard > drives, and they all conceded defeat, saying they had rarely seen a > hard drive so mercilessly destroyed. Needless to say, my photos were > haphazardly backed-up, and I lost much data including the photo of the > Drunken Apamea, which was probably the only photo of a living > individual of that species in existence. I had sent it to several > people when I had first discovered it, but not one of them had kept > it, even though several had thought they had. > > The mothing at my house has been generally mediocre this year, > especially during the last two weeks, but tonight had the feel of a > good night. Five Azalea Sphinx (Darapsa choerilus) came into my lights > fairly early, as did a number of other moths I do not find regularly > such as Dimorphic Bomolocha (Hypena bijugalis), Gray -edged Bomolocha > (H. madefactalis), Horrid Zale (Z. horrida), and the False Underwing > (Allotria elonympha). I was busy taking photos of these and other > things for the Bar Code project with which I am involved when there on > the porch door was the Drunken Apamea. It had already settled down and > it allowed me to photograph it to my heart's content. So if you are in > the mood, please join me in a late night libation in honor of Apamea > inebriata! > > Hugh > > PS: If anybody has any photos of Apamea verbascoides or inebriata, I'd > love see them. > > Hugh McGuinness > The Ross School > 18 Goodfriend Drive > East Hampton, NY 11937 > hmcguinness AT ross.org > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYSButterflies/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYSButterflies/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: NYSButterflies-digest AT yahoogroups.com NYSButterflies-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: NYSButterflies-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Getting Drunk with Apameas From: Hugh McGuinness <hmcguinness AT ross.org> Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:38:21 -0400 It was a night not unlike this one, warm, sultry, and breezy that I first saw and photographed an unusual Apamea on July 30, 2005 at my home in Sag Harbor, Suffolk Co. The next day I compared my photos with those at the Moth Photographer's Group and decided that what I had found was Apamea inebriata. Not knowing anything about the moth, nor why it was the "drunken" Apamea, I sent the photo to Don LaFontaine, who confirmed the identification. It turns out that Apamea inebriata is very similar to Apamea verbascoides, with which it was confused until the late Doug Ferguson described it in 1977. Subsequently, I learned that the species epithet may have referred to the state of its author at his moment of epiphany when he realized it was a distinct species. The Drunken Apamea is also a very uncommon moth. It ranges along the coast from North Carolina to Nova Scotia. I have examined 96 specimens in various museums around the country, and the vast majority are from two locations: Lakehurst, NJ and East Wareham, MA. The type series contained a single specimen (paratype) from New York, which I examined at the US National Museum; it has no label data other than one designating New York as its state of origin. The recent revision of the Apamea in the MONA series contains an additional New York record, from Centre--a former railroad stop between Albany and the Adirondacks which was a haven for rare Leps including the Karner Blue and which has apparently been obliterated by development--that constitutes the only record of the species more than 50 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. So my photo constituted the third New York record. In late August 2007, on a night when I had been called away from my moths lights to Accabonac Harbor to see a roosting Magnificent Frigatebird in the dark, I needed to make space on my lap top and used the built in clean-up function. When I returned to my machine two hours later, I discovered that the hard disk head had gone haywire and all I could get my laptop to muster was the black screen of death. I sent the drive to several of the places that recover deceased hard drives, and they all conceded defeat, saying they had rarely seen a hard drive so mercilessly destroyed. Needless to say, my photos were haphazardly backed-up, and I lost much data including the photo of the Drunken Apamea, which was probably the only photo of a living individual of that species in existence. I had sent it to several people when I had first discovered it, but not one of them had kept it, even though several had thought they had. The mothing at my house has been generally mediocre this year, especially during the last two weeks, but tonight had the feel of a good night. Five Azalea Sphinx (Darapsa choerilus) came into my lights fairly early, as did a number of other moths I do not find regularly such as Dimorphic Bomolocha (Hypena bijugalis), Gray -edged Bomolocha (H. madefactalis), Horrid Zale (Z. horrida), and the False Underwing (Allotria elonympha). I was busy taking photos of these and other things for the Bar Code project with which I am involved when there on the porch door was the Drunken Apamea. It had already settled down and it allowed me to photograph it to my heart's content. So if you are in the mood, please join me in a late night libation in honor of Apamea inebriata! Hugh PS: If anybody has any photos of Apamea verbascoides or inebriata, I'd love see them. Hugh McGuinness The Ross School 18 Goodfriend Drive East Hampton, NY 11937 hmcguinness AT ross.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Common Checkered-Skipper From: "Robert Grosek" <bluewing AT stny.rr.com> Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:17:19 -0400 Today I found a Common Checkered-Skipper at Long Pond, Chenango County, about 20 miles north of Binghamton. About 10 years ago when I started to butterfly, Checkered-Skippers were reliable in Broome County and easily found in at least two locations and often found elsewhere. Now, I'm lucky to find them even once a year. Have others noticed a decline in the Common Checkered-Skipper? - Bob Grosek Binghamton, New York [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Caledonia preserve From: Steven Daniel <sdaniel1 AT rochester.rr.com> Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:59:49 -0400 At a Genesee Land Trust preserve in Caledonia Livingston County, yesterday I watched several patrolling male meadow fritillaries. They were constantly patrolling, and I never saw one alight. This species is very local in our area - and doesn't occur in many places where the habitat seems good. It was interesting to note the difference in their much faster, stronger flight than the notably weaker flight of the silver-bordered fritillary, which we saw in the Adirondacks last weekend. Giant swallowtail - 6 Spicebush swallowtail - 9 Eastern tiger swallowtail - 1 Cabbage white - 3 Clouded sulphur - 2 Summer azure - 3 Great spangled fritillary - 2 Meadow fritillary - 5 - all patrolling males Pearl crescent - 6 Viceroy - 1 White admiral - 1 Monarch - 7, including one large larva Eastern comma - 1 Question mark - 1 Common ringlet - 1 Wood nymph - 7 Appalachian brown - 1 Northern broken dash - 1 Broad winged skipper - 1 Least skipper - 4 Steven Daniel Pittsford, NY Subject: another few Giant Swallowtails From: Karen Edelstein <kle2 AT cornell.edu> Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:31:29 -0400 I meant to report this earlier, but Tuesday I saw two Giant Swallowtails on Townline Road, Ithaca, just south of Lick Brook. Happily feeding on a large butterfly bush, along with monarchs and tiger swallowtails. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: I thought I'd never get to bed... From: Meena Haribal <mharibal AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:53:16 -0400 Hi Hugh, Could you share your bait recipe? My concoction does not seem to attract any one. Last four or five days I have had hardly any moths coming to my sheet. I have had just about some 15-20 species and mostly tiny ones. Yesterday several numbers of a pyralid species showed up. But am waiting for Underwings etc. Thanks in advance. Meena On Sun, Jul 25, 2010 at 1:01 PM, Hugh McGuinness wrote: > > > It usually occurs once a mothing season: I get so wrapped up in > counting and photographing moths at the sheet that I don't notice rosy- > fingered dawn until it occurs to me that the number of moths at the > sheet is dwindling because they are going to bed. Recently I have had > two such nights where at about 1:30 AM I said to myself, "Uh-oh, I'm > not going to sleep tonight." These nights had so many highlights that > I thought I should file a report. > > On July 15, I set out for Napeague (Suffolk Co). My intention was to > put up three lighted sheets, set a trap or two, and run a bait line, > but I got out well after dark and had to settle for two lighted > sheets. My goal for this night was to secure photographs of the > Prickly Pear Moth (Melitara prodenialis) and the Bay Underwing > (Catocala badia), both of which I had never seen in life despite > having collected many over the years. I set up the sheets and soon > returned with my camera gear: there were 5 moths on the first sheet, I > set down the camera, and now there were seven, including both target > species. I focused on the Bay Underwing and before I could pulled the > trigger it disappeared into the blackness. The Prickly Pear Moth was > much more abiding and I obtained several great photos. For those > unfamiliar with this moth, it feeds on cactus and is the largest > Phycitine in New York. My guess is that if you can find prickly pear, > you will find this species. > > One of the next moths to appear at the sheet was the flashy > Euclemensia bassetella, a sand-loving Cosmopterigid. This species ( > http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=1467 > ) could turn anyone into a micro-moth lover. Other interesting micros > included Zeller's Sand Moth (Macalla zelleri), and the beautiful green > Smaller Parasa (Parasa chloris). Despite these, it was a poor night > for micros. > > The large moths did not disappoint: to wit, the appearance of 12 > Polyphemus Moths (Antheraea polyphemus). This is by far the largest > number I have ever encountered in a single night on LI. Five species > of Sphinx made the rounds including a dozen Small-eyed Sphinx (Panioas > myops), and 4 Huckleberry Sphinx (P. astylus), which in my opinion is > one of our most lovely moths. Rounding out the Hawks Moths were 1 > Northern Pine Sphinx (at the southern end of its coastal range on LI), > 3 Azalea Sphinx (Darapsa choerilus) and 2 Hog Sphinx (D. myron). Ten > species of Catocala showed up: highlighted by 7 Herodias Underwings > (C. herodias gerhardi). This rare species occurs only with Scrub Oak > on Long Island and has a bizarre range: NC to Mass along the coast, > with a disjunct population of the nominate race in OK and TX. Other > nice finds were 2 Northern Graphic Moths (Drasteria graphica), 12 > Golden-spotted Graylets (Hyperstrotia flaviguttana)--another Scrub Oak > specialist on LI--one second generation Extinct Wainscot (Leucania > extincta), which was unknown from NY until the last 10 years. > > It was about 1:30 when I was realizing I might night get to bed, that > I began flicking away another of the really annoying Polyphemus Moths. > It was crawling around on my head as I was trying to photograph > somehting. After batting it for a third time it fell into my > peripheral view--the wings were yellow, not tan. Holy moly! I got a > quick look just as it flew into the darkness at a male Imperial Moth > (Eacles imperialis). Fortunately, it returned soon thereafter, and I > managed a poor photo for the record. The Imperial Moth was apparently > nearly extirpated from New York in the last 30 years, and the only > viable population appears to have survived on Shelter Island, where it > is still reasonably common. However Dave Wagner found several in > northern New York last summer, and I had found a female in Hither > Woods during my 2007 survey, so perhaps it has hung on or is > recolonizing other areas in the state. > > The Imperial Moth flopped about refusing to quiet down, thus > frustrating my attempts to get a good photo, but I was soon distracted > because at about 2:00 AM, a Bay Underwing returned to the sheet and > allowed me to get many photos. By the time I had finished with it, the > Imperial was nowhere to be found, and I decided that perhaps I should > get some sleep after all. I was in bed by 3:30. > > OK, this e-mail has been lengthier than I had anticipated so I'll have > to save the second story (of a wonderful night in Montauk) for another > e-mail. > > Hugh > > Hugh McGuinness > The Ross School > 18 Goodfriend Drive > East Hampton, NY 11937 > hmcguinness AT ross.org > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > -- Meena Haribal Ithaca NY [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYSButterflies/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYSButterflies/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: NYSButterflies-digest AT yahoogroups.com NYSButterflies-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: NYSButterflies-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Mendon - Harvester PS From: "hartquistk" <k2quist AT frontiernet.net> Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 01:57:03 -0000 As I was looking at photos of the aphids, I realized that I think a Harvester larva is hiding in back. I've added a photo to my album: K2quist Kim Subject: Saugerties, Ulster County, 7/24-25 From: AKMirth AT aol.com Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:16:37 -0400 Alison and I spent last weekend, 7/24-25, in the Saugerties area of Ulster County to try for Giant Swallowtails, inspired by recent reports by Steve Chorvas and Henry Halama. Our quest was successful, and then some, including seeing our first "northerly" Comma. One field in particular, off West Camp Road about 0.8 mile east of the entrance to Great Vly WMA, was amazingly productive. This field alone yielded over 20 species of butterflies in two days, including the Giant Swallowtails, Tawny and Hackberry Emperors, Meadow Fritillary, and, thanks to a Pileated Woodpecker, a Gray Comma. When we saw the woodpecker fly over us to the far side of the field to some woods, we walked around and up a side road to get a better look. It was here that we saw a Comma perched low that looked a little "different". Alison took some pictures, and last night, after reading Rick Cech's precise description in his highly informative guide, identified it as a Gray Comma to our great delight. We saw several Giants, in the aforementioned field and adjacent ones, and also at the power line cut on Dave Elliott Road. The most we saw at any one time was 5, but practically anywhere we stopped one would inevitably fly by (patrolling? migrating?). We were also lucky to witness a beautiful mating flight. Great Vly WMA and Dave Elliott Road Saugerties, Ulster County July 24-25, 2010 Black Swallowtail Giant Swallowtail (2-3 at Dave Elliott Rd., at least 5 in the field mentioned above near Great Vly, 5-6 other sightings at adjacent fields) Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Spicebush Swallowtail Cabbage White Clouded Sulphur Orange Sulphur American Copper Eastern Tailed-Blue Great Spangled Fritillary Meadow Fritillary (1, mineralizing on dirt road next to field adjacent to Great Vly, 7/25) Pearl Crescent Question Mark (1, mineralizing on dirt road next to field adjacent to Great Vly, 7/25) Eastern Comma (2, mineralizing on dirt road next to field adjacent to Great Vly, 7/25) Gray Comma (1, near field adjacent to Great Vly, 7/25) American Lady Red Admiral Red-spotted Purple Viceroy (a few, seen only on 7/24) Hackberry Emperor (1, mineralizing on dirt road next to field adjacent to Great Vly, 7/25) Tawny Emperor (1, in field adjacent to Great Vly, 7/25, which eventually flew to us and landed on Alison's pants, then flew to my hand, where it remained for 5-10 minutes!, attracted no doubt to our copious amounts of sweat in Saturday's sweltering heat) Common Ringlet (1, 7/24) Common Wood-Nymph Monarch (several) Silver-spotted Skipper Least Skipper (1, mineralizing on dirt road next to field adjacent to Great Vly, 7/25) European Skipper (1, off West Camp Rd. bisecting Great Vly wetlands, 7/24) Peck's Skipper Tawny-edged Skipper (1, mineralizing on dirt road next to field adjacent to Great Vly, 7/25) Thanks, Steve and Henry, for your reports! Karlo and Alison Mirth Forest Hills, Queens County, NY [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Mendon Ponds (Monroe County) From: "K. Hartquist" <k2quist AT frontiernet.net> Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:17:24 -0400 A beautiful day for butterflies today, and low humidity finally. I visited meadows and perimeter around Quaker Pond in this Park. A long patient wait and watch near a favorite aphid (Alder) tree spot finally yielded a Harvester when it finally decided to move from it's perch. It stopped briefly at the Aphids , then went several yards away to perch. It didn't move for the next 20 minutes that I watched. I spotted another as I was leaving the area. The other highlight was 3 Black Swallowtails, an Eastern Tiger and 3 Monarchs - all nectaring on one Thistle plant. Kim Hartquist Rochester, NY Black Swallowtail (3) Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (1) Spicebush Swallowtail (1) Cabbage White Clouded Sulphur Orange Sulphur (2) American Copper (3) Harvester (2) Eastern Tailed-Blue (2 fresh) Great Spangled Fritillary (4 very worn) Pearl Crescent (1) Question Mark (1) American Lady (1) Red Admiral (3) White Admiral (3) Viceroy (1) Appalachian Brown (2) Common Ringlet (8) Common Wood-Nymph (7) Monarch (7) Silver-spotted Skipper (4) Pecks Skipper (2) Tawny-edged Skipper (3) Broad-winged Skipper (3) Hummingbird Clearwing moth (2) Bonus Odes: Violet Dancer Green-striped Darner Halloween Pennant [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Finger Lakes From: Robert Dirig <red2 AT cornell.edu> Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:39:25 -0400 Hello Everyone, Here are a few records from McLean Bogs Preserve near Dryden, Tompkins County, N.Y., on 25 July 2010 (late afternoon, sun, cumulus, breeze, 73 degrees F., after 2 days of rain): ------ Least Skipper: 3, 1 nectaring at Forget-me-not. Dun Skipper: 1 worn male nectaring at Swamp Milkweed. Cabbage White: 2, nectaring at Knapweed & Blue Vervain. Clouded Sulphur: 2. Summer Azure: 1. Great Spangled Fritillary, 2 worn. Eastern Comma: 2, male & female, both with dark hindwings, & quite worn. Red Admiral: 2, a very tattered female & a fresh male. Appalachian Brown: 1 (old). Northern pearly Eye: 1 (old). Common Wood Nymph: 2. ------ And in Ithaca this morning (26 July), I saw the first Ringlet of the summer brood! Best to all, Bob Dirig Ithaca, N.Y. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Adirondack Peatlands caterpillars From: Steven Daniel <sdaniel1 AT rochester.rr.com> Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:32:23 -0400 On a New York Flora Association outing to Adirondack peatlands this past weekend we encountered several species of sphinx moth caterpillars, as well as a few others. Although I may get several species of adult sphinx on a good night at my light, I don't believe I have ever encountered more than one species of larva on a general outing. Given we were in a species poor habitat for vascular plants, it was even more surprising. Maybe others can shed light. I have uploaded to my "SD leps" folder pix NYSButterflies: Photos: SD Leps: Thumbnails of what I believe are: Sphinx gordius, apple sphinx (Streeter Lake Bog, St. Lawrence County peatland, July 24), Hummingbird clearwing (Hemaris thysbe), and two unidentified larvae, one heavily parasitized by what I believe are braconid wasp cocoons. These and the following were found in Hitchins Pond Bog, Franklin County on July 25. Also I have uploaded a pic of Acronicta oblinita (Noctuidae, smeared dagger moth), striped garden caterpillar (Noctuidae, Trichordestra legitima) and an unidentified geometrid of which was the most frequently encountered larva. Names on the unidentified larvae are appreciated. Also flying were fresh silver-bordered fritillaries. No bog coppers were seen. Steven Daniel Pittsford, NY [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: I thought I'd never get to bed... From: Hugh McGuinness <hmcguinness AT ross.org> Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2010 13:01:12 -0400 It usually occurs once a mothing season: I get so wrapped up in counting and photographing moths at the sheet that I don't notice rosy- fingered dawn until it occurs to me that the number of moths at the sheet is dwindling because they are going to bed. Recently I have had two such nights where at about 1:30 AM I said to myself, "Uh-oh, I'm not going to sleep tonight." These nights had so many highlights that I thought I should file a report. On July 15, I set out for Napeague (Suffolk Co). My intention was to put up three lighted sheets, set a trap or two, and run a bait line, but I got out well after dark and had to settle for two lighted sheets. My goal for this night was to secure photographs of the Prickly Pear Moth (Melitara prodenialis) and the Bay Underwing (Catocala badia), both of which I had never seen in life despite having collected many over the years. I set up the sheets and soon returned with my camera gear: there were 5 moths on the first sheet, I set down the camera, and now there were seven, including both target species. I focused on the Bay Underwing and before I could pulled the trigger it disappeared into the blackness. The Prickly Pear Moth was much more abiding and I obtained several great photos. For those unfamiliar with this moth, it feeds on cactus and is the largest Phycitine in New York. My guess is that if you can find prickly pear, you will find this species. One of the next moths to appear at the sheet was the flashy Euclemensia bassetella, a sand-loving Cosmopterigid. This species (http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=1467 ) could turn anyone into a micro-moth lover. Other interesting micros included Zeller's Sand Moth (Macalla zelleri), and the beautiful green Smaller Parasa (Parasa chloris). Despite these, it was a poor night for micros. The large moths did not disappoint: to wit, the appearance of 12 Polyphemus Moths (Antheraea polyphemus). This is by far the largest number I have ever encountered in a single night on LI. Five species of Sphinx made the rounds including a dozen Small-eyed Sphinx (Panioas myops), and 4 Huckleberry Sphinx (P. astylus), which in my opinion is one of our most lovely moths. Rounding out the Hawks Moths were 1 Northern Pine Sphinx (at the southern end of its coastal range on LI), 3 Azalea Sphinx (Darapsa choerilus) and 2 Hog Sphinx (D. myron). Ten species of Catocala showed up: highlighted by 7 Herodias Underwings (C. herodias gerhardi). This rare species occurs only with Scrub Oak on Long Island and has a bizarre range: NC to Mass along the coast, with a disjunct population of the nominate race in OK and TX. Other nice finds were 2 Northern Graphic Moths (Drasteria graphica), 12 Golden-spotted Graylets (Hyperstrotia flaviguttana)--another Scrub Oak specialist on LI--one second generation Extinct Wainscot (Leucania extincta), which was unknown from NY until the last 10 years. It was about 1:30 when I was realizing I might night get to bed, that I began flicking away another of the really annoying Polyphemus Moths. It was crawling around on my head as I was trying to photograph somehting. After batting it for a third time it fell into my peripheral view--the wings were yellow, not tan. Holy moly! I got a quick look just as it flew into the darkness at a male Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis). Fortunately, it returned soon thereafter, and I managed a poor photo for the record. The Imperial Moth was apparently nearly extirpated from New York in the last 30 years, and the only viable population appears to have survived on Shelter Island, where it is still reasonably common. However Dave Wagner found several in northern New York last summer, and I had found a female in Hither Woods during my 2007 survey, so perhaps it has hung on or is recolonizing other areas in the state. The Imperial Moth flopped about refusing to quiet down, thus frustrating my attempts to get a good photo, but I was soon distracted because at about 2:00 AM, a Bay Underwing returned to the sheet and allowed me to get many photos. By the time I had finished with it, the Imperial was nowhere to be found, and I decided that perhaps I should get some sleep after all. I was in bed by 3:30. OK, this e-mail has been lengthier than I had anticipated so I'll have to save the second story (of a wonderful night in Montauk) for another e-mail. Hugh Hugh McGuinness The Ross School 18 Goodfriend Drive East Hampton, NY 11937 hmcguinness AT ross.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Western Bean Cutworm is here! From: Hugh McGuinness <hmcguinness AT ross.org> Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2010 11:47:50 -0400 Dear NY Leppers, Dan Gilrein, Suffolk County Extension Service, entomologist told me that he had recently caught Long Island's first (and probably New York's first) Western Bean Cutworm (Striacosta albicosta). Last night I found one at the South Fork Natural History Museum in Bridgehampton (Suffolk Co.). Due to sheer incompetence and a malfunctioning flash (which spooked the moth) I came away with neither a photograph, nor a specimen. I had a similar experience with this species in Traverse City, Michigan, in early July, which leads me to wonder whether the adult isn't a bit camera (or flash) shy. For those of you not following the latest regarding the Western Bean Cutworm, this species has been expanding its range north and east from Arizona since 2000, having reached Michigan and Ohio in 2006. The cause of its range expansion is unknown. The species is capable of causing severe economic injury to the ears of corn (Zea mays) and to the plants of edible beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). The species may require sandy soils, which doesn't bode well for the sweet corn I enjoy eating here on Long Island all summer. Pictures of the adult can be found at: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=10878 Documentation of its expansion can be found at: http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/cm/brief/2008/cutworm/ Hugh Hugh McGuinness The Ross School 18 Goodfriend Drive East Hampton, NY 11937 hmcguinness AT ross.org Subject: Jefferson County, NY From: "Robert Grosek" <bluewing AT stny.rr.com> Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2010 09:19:51 -0400 Saturday 24 July 2010 Canadian Swallowtail Cabbage White Clouded Sulphur Orange Sulphur Bronze Copper Eastern Tailed-Blue Northern Crescent Common Ringlet Common Wood-Nymph - Bob Grosek Binghamton, New York [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: MOTH question From: Ernest Williams <ewilliam AT hamilton.edu> Date: Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:28:20 -0400 Lep folks, Can anyone out there help with the following request? If you can, let me know, and I'll put you in contact with this person. Thanks, Ernest > I'm completing a revisionary paper on the geometrid genus Antepione > and I am trying to fill in some distribution records for Antepione > thisoaria from New York. > > There is a web site that lists New York Lepidoptera species (a work in > progress apparently), but only the names are shown so far without any > collection localities. Tim McCabe is involved in this project, and I > wrote to him a week ago, but have not had a reply - he may be on > vacation or in the field. > > I have contacted various museums. > > What I require are simply county names; I do not need detailed label > data. If you can provide any information, or direct me to other > potential sources, I would be most appreciative. Thanks. -- Ernest H. Williams, Christian A. Johnson Professor Dept. Biology Hamilton College Clinton, NY 13323 315-859-4387 ewilliam AT hamilton.edu http://academics.hamilton.edu/biology/ewilliam/ Subject: Giant Swallowtail, Albany County, N.Y. From: Robert Dirig <red2 AT cornell.edu> Date: Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:19:54 -0400 Hello Everyone, A report just came of a Giant Swallowtail in Albany County, N.Y. -- another interesting record for the growing pool of documentation: ---------- I was in Cohoes, NY this afternoon [22 July 2010] and got a very brief look at what appeared to be a giant swallowtail butterfly passing through a grown- over edge of forest, adjacent to an empty parking lot. It stopped for just one second to sip on a spotted knapweed. Its huge size and very dark background coloration, heavily marked with yellow, was my instant clue that this was an insect I have only seen many years ago, in Florida. I have never seen this species in New York State. With the intense heat we've had and climatic change, is this a rare sighting? Gerry Lemmo Queensbury, NY --------- Best to all, Bob Dirig Ithaca, NY Subject: More Ulster County Giants From: "Steve M. Chorvas" <schorvas AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:05:40 -0400 Dave Elliott Rd. and Great Vly WMA Town of Saugerties, Ulster County Tuesday, 20 July 2010 Henry Halama and I visited the Dave Elliott Road utility cut (1:15 - 2:45 pm) and Great Vly WMA (3:00 - 6:30) in extreme northern Ulster County under mostly sunny skies with occasional cloudy episodes and very warm (upper 80's) temperatures. At the Great Vly Wildlife Management Area we were targeting emperors in a wooded area hosting extensive American Hackberry, and hoping to see a Giant Swallowtail where we observed several last year. No emperors or snouts were detected but we did experience our best showing of Giant Swallowtails to date. On eleven occasions during an approximately one-mile walk we observed fresh Giant Swallowtails in perfect condition, flying and nectaring on Wild Bergamot (Monarda), consisting of at least five or more individuals. In one marginal field blanketed with blooming Bergamot we observed four Giants simultaneously, including a stunning mating flight between two individuals that started at ground level, extended to over 50 feet high against a clear blue sky, and returned to field level. Both butterflies flying in perfect unison, one slightly behind and below the other, consistently separated by only an inches or two of air space. Northern Pearly-eyes were also well represented with 8+ individuals, including two seeking out host grasses, and a dozen or more Clymene Moths (Haploa clymene) in fresh condition were a nice sight as they fluttered and perched along our path. Here is our combined list of 24 butterfly species observed from the two locations: Black Swallowtail (several) Giant Swallowtail (5+) Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (4) Spicebush Swallowtail (4) Cabbage White Clouded Sulphur Orange Sulphur American Copper (2 fresh) Eastern Tailed-Blue (several, all fresh) Great Spangled Fritillary (~12, females in good condition, faded and worn males) Pearl Crescent (several) Question Mark (1 on DE Rd) American Lady (3) Red Admiral (several, including the remains of one sequestered in a Argiope web) Viceroy (2) Northern Pearly-eye (8+) Appalachian Brown (2 or 3) Common Ringlet (1) Common Wood-Nymph (1, worn) Monarch (2) Silver-spotted Skipper (several) Wild Indigo Duskywing (1) Little Glassywing (3) Dun Skipper (2) Steve M. Chorvas Saugerties, NY [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Town of Hunter From: Henry Halama <henryhalama AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:41:43 -0700 (PDT) On Monday July 19,  I visited several locations (elevation between 1800' and 2300') in Town of Hunter, Green County mainly to search for northern Commas. The dirt roads and Trail Head parking lots were wet and many butterflies were puddling. In addition I wanted to check on Atlantis Fritillaries Steve Chorvas and I observed last year. Copious nectaring was provided mainly by Joe-Pye-weed and Common Milkweed. I observed the following species: Tiger Swallowtail   5 Clouded Sulphur   3 Cabbage White Hairstreak             1 Summer Azure      1 Great Spangled Frit.   13 Aphrodite Frit.             2 Atlantis Frit.                3  FOS Pearl Crescent            4 Eastern Comma          3 Anglewings                 6 Compton Tortoiseshell  1 Mourning Cloak            1 American Lady             4 Painted Lady                1 Red Admiral            50+ mostly nectaring on Joe-Pye-weed  (what a sight) White Admiral              2 Silver-spotted Skipper   2 Peck's Skipper             3 Henry Halama Woodstock      [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: sights and sounds in the yard From: Karen Edelstein <kle2 AT cornell.edu> Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:17:26 -0400 This morning, a second GIANT SWALLOWTAIL (and possibly a third) of the week visited my yard, today paying a lot of attention to the hot pink bee balm next to the vegetable garden. Meanwhile, this end of Salmon Creek Valley echoes with the sounds of the newest pair of young red-tail hawks. They are either very pleased with their new-found voices, are vociferously protesting that parents are no longer delivering food to them, or are just annoyed at the mercilessly dive-bombing by mobs of robins and other birds. These two young hawks have been spending a lot of time in my backyard, affording great looks right from the kitchen while they roost and shriek from the black walnut tree, or cruise low between patches of woods to the north and south. Quite a thrill here! -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: sights and sounds in the yard From: Karen Edelstein <kle2 AT cornell.edu> Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:17:26 -0400 This morning, a second GIANT SWALLOWTAIL (and possibly a third) of the week visited my yard, today paying a lot of attention to the hot pink bee balm next to the vegetable garden. Meanwhile, this end of Salmon Creek Valley echoes with the sounds of the newest pair of young red-tail hawks. They are either very pleased with their new-found voices, are vociferously protesting that parents are no longer delivering food to them, or are just annoyed at the mercilessly dive-bombing by mobs of robins and other birds. These two young hawks have been spending a lot of time in my backyard, affording great looks right from the kitchen while they roost and shriek from the black walnut tree, or cruise low between patches of woods to the north and south. Quite a thrill here! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Rockaway peninsula butterflies, Queens Co., NYC 7/20 From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:20:28 -0400 Hi all, On a visit to the Rockaway peninsula of western Long Island (Queens County, N.Y. City, on July 20, 2010, I found the following: Black Swallowtail (2) Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (3) Checkered White (10+ - the summer brood is well out now) Cabbage White (40+) Orange Sulphur (25+) American Copper (1) Gray Hairstreak (1) Eastern Tailed-Blue (2) Summer Azure (6+) Pearl Crescent (3) Question Mark (1) Red Admiral (60+, continuing major movements of these) American Lady (10+) Common Buckeye (7) Little Wood-Satyr (1, rather rare at location) Monarch (2) Silver-spotted Skipper (5) Sachem (2) Broad-winged Skipper (40+) Swarthy Skipper (2, worn) There were also a fair number of smaller day-flying moths. I probably missed some skippers as well, among the grasses. The more active areas were nearer any moist or wet areas as the general conditions are now (and have been) quite dry underfoot,. Some blooms that might normally be out were rather minimal, and in a few areas the flowers were shriveled. The well-watered garden areas had a variety of blooms & also insect activity. Also seen last week at the Jamaica Bay Refuge in Queens County were a few Checkered Whites and Common Buckeyes - some of these around the West Pond trail fields there, & also Checkered Whites at North Dike Rd. Good observations to all, Tom Fiore, Manhattan [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: EBNP and Poet's Walk From: Henry Halama <henryhalama AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2010 09:18:06 -0700 (PDT) On July 17 and 18 I led 2 traditional butterfly field trips to Esopus Bend Nature Preserve, Town of Saugerties and Poet's Walk, Dutchess County. Steve Chorvas and I recorded the following 28 species despite relatively few nectar sources (Common Milkweed well past bloom).  Compared with previous many field trips to both Preserves during the past 5 years no Monarchs or Baltimore Checkerspots, very few skippers and  record numbers of fresh Meadow Frits, including a few just emerging. were observed.      Black Swallowtail Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Spicebush Swallowtail Cabbage White Clouded Sulphur Orange Sulphur Eastern Tailed-Blue Summer Azure Great Spangled Fritillary Meadow Fritillary Pearl Crescent Question Mark Eastern Comma Mourning Cloak Red Admiral Red-spotted Purple  Viceroy Northern Pearly-eye Appalachian Brown Common Ringlet Common Wood-Nymph Silver-spotted Skipper Least Skipper Peck's Skipper Tawny-edged Skipper Northern Broken Dash Dun Skipper Broad-winged Skipper   Henry Halama Woodstock                   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Finger Lakes butterflies From: Robert Dirig <red2 AT cornell.edu> Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:40:53 -0400 Hello Everyone, Some interesting butterflies showed up over the weekend. Sites are indicated below: RCR: Rock Cabin Road/Queen Catharine Marsh N of Montour Falls, Schuyler Co., N.Y., 17 July 2010 (early afternoon, sun, blue sky, cumulus, breeze, 95 degrees F.; very dry & intensely hot). MLB: McLean Bogs Preserve near Dryden, Tompkins Co., N.Y., 18 July 2010 (late a.m. to early p.m., sun, clear, blue sky, 77 degrees F.). MDM: MacDaniel Meadow Preserve off Sheldon Rd., Tompkins Co., N.Y., 18 July 2010 (same weather as MLB). ---- Wild Indigo Duskywing: RCR, 3. Common Checkered Skipper: MDM, 1 fresh female (first of season). Apparently resident in these fields over several years. Dun Skipper: RCR, 1. Dion Skipper: RCR, 1, edge of Marsh; MLB, 1 male in Fen. Tiger Swallowtail: 1 flying near Odessa, Schuyler Co., N.Y., 17 July 2010. Black Swallowtail: RCR, 1 female hanging around Queen Anne's Lace. Cabbage White: RCR, 20; MLB, 1; Clouded Sulphur: 1 flying near Odessa, Schuyler Co., N.Y., 17 July 2010; MLB, 4; MDM, 3. Banded Hairstreak: MDM, 2 at Indian Hemp flowers (first seen this season anywhere in the region). Great Spangled Fritillary: RCR, 1; MLB, 2; MDM, 3. Pearl Crescent: MLB, 1; MDM, 6. Red Admiral: RCR, 1 zipping around. Viceroy: RCR, 2 perched, edge of Marsh; MLB, 2; MDM, 1. American Snout: RCR, 2-3 fresh males at sparse puddles (first report this season). The road bed has been raised, and substantial culverts installed, greatly diminishing all the wonderful puddling opportunities of the past at this site. Tawny Emperor: RCR, 2 at puddle. Eyed Brown: RCR, 3, one nectaring at Swamp Milkweed; MLB, 4 tattered. Common Wood Nymph: MLB & MDM, abundant, flushing throughout. ---- Best to all, Bob Dirig Ithaca, N.Y. Subject: Giant Swallowtail From: "barredowl9" <overlook AT nycap.rr.com> Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2010 02:14:47 -0000 My third sighting this week. Today's individual hung out for about five minutes, primarily on my purple coneflower, allowing for some poor, but identifiable, photos. This one was in quite good condition, which I guess would indicate a local hatch. Are we seeing more Giant Swallowtails because of the southern heat this summer? People have even been noting them on the birding groups. Larry Alden Guilderland Albany County, NY Subject: Any Breeders? From: "ndbdxr" <ndbdxr AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2010 17:42:45 -0000 Hi Folks, I have taken up rearing wild silkmoths again this year (after a 12 Yr "break"). And, I have become interested in trying to raise some butterflies. I was wondering if anyone on the list might have some surplus livestock they might be willing to sell (or trade for moth livestock)? Just curious Best regards, Al New York Subject: New Catocala and SPhingid arrivals From: Meena Haribal <mmh3 AT cornell.edu> Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2010 09:20:46 -0400 Hi all, Early morning around 1.50 am when I looked out of my front door, found a large moth banging around the light. When I went out it circled over me and I lost it. Then I went closed the door and went to back door and to see what was there and I found a beautiful Small Eyed Sphinx http://picasaweb.google.com/ithmoths/JulyMothsAtMeenaSHouse#5494860057413636082 , Rose Hook tipped moth- http://picasaweb.google.com/ithmoths/JulyMothsAtMeenaSHouse#5494860068839181602 , and Larch Tolype among other things. Again around 4.30 am when I woke up to go look for moths before catbird's arrival, I found a large moth sitting on the inside of the front door. Probably that was the moth which I missed couple of hours earlier. It must have landed on me and when I went inside it returned to the light but got caught inside my house. My initial thought was it was a Woody Underwing. But when I looked at the photo I realized it was different. It turned out to be Catocala ultronia. Another very nice catocala http://picasaweb.google.com/ithmoths/JulyMothsAtMeenaSHouse#5494860036439622306 http://picasaweb.google.com/ithmoths/JulyMothsAtMeenaSHouse#5494860090046772562 Now time to go look for odes and other day flying leps! Meena Meena Haribal Ithaca NY http://haribal.org/ http://picasaweb.google.com/ithmoths http://picasaweb.google.com/mharibal http://www.flickr.com/photos/91426175 AT N00/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]