September 2015 Sightings

Sunny, 90 degrees or so, calm winds.

Short stop in the garden at 5:45 pm

Males, nectaring on climbing boneset.

Including a dark female Eastern Tiger

My FOY Painted Lady in my garden.

Luna moth was an unexpected afternoon visitor

Excited to have Cloudless Sulphur female laying eggs on the Partridge Pea plants in my yard

With the lack of rain, numbers seem down. Monarchs were released. 4 black swallowtail cats on fennel & dill (getting fresh dill plants from farmer's market)

Sachems more numerous every day. Zabulon a female, which for some reason we find here far less often than males. Red-spotted purple very fresh, on bananas (but camera in the house).

Hot, humid, 90's. butterflies on the zinnias planted in the garden plots

I was watching for birds at dusk. Mostly cloudy, east winds, 76 degrees. I found it surprising to see butterflies in those conditions. The Monarchs were low in a field with wildflowers and milkweed.

Spent about an hour at the park in the butterfly garden and a walk down to the Beech forest. Was able to show Pat her first Harvester. Limited aphid activity, found one female laying eggs near them.

Black form of Eastern tiger Swallowtail

Watched as a very fresh female Black Swallowtail went from nectaring on Mexican sunflowers to laying eggs on a potted parsley plant. I was able to find at least 11 eggs.

Pear tree dropping fruit attracted red-spotted purple, red admiral, & a fresh mourning cloak

Despite extreme dry conditions, a total of 22 species found this afternoon. Most of the action was along the Delaware River where there is more moisture.A season high count for me of Hackberry Emperors. In addition to the 5 Monarch adults, I found 5 cats on Com.Milkweed.