June 2016 Sightings

While we were walking past Acme Market, I suddenly noticed a large butterfly/moth flying along and it dropped into the grass near the Honda car sales building. It was a live Luna Moth which eventually lifted off and flew out of sight!! Some butterflies were recorded in this area, also.

The same American Lady was feeding on salvia then moved to yarrow.

A Cabbage White was flying in someone's yard.

There were two Eastern Tiger Swallowtails during this car trip. The second one was flying by the gas pumps at WaWa!

Female Glassywing and Sachem ID provided by Will and David Wright.

Moderator's Note: This is our first report of little glassywing for 2016. Nice find, Chip!

Nice day

Area seems to have changed, as butterfly numbers are significantly/drastically down from comparable timeframe searches last year (10+ species, 40+ individuals). An extensive search this afternoon revealed no Bronze Coppers in this active site the past two years and exceptionally low activities for butterflies, dragonflies or even biting bugs. Unknown, but perhaps the area was sprayed earlier this spring. Will continue to visit and monitor.

One zab a female.

Release of overwintered chrysalis.

See Eastern Tiger Swallowtails crossing the highway everyday now.

Nice day

Finally, my FOY Red-spotted Purple. Pretty late! Female Black ST laying eggs on Fennel.

9:30-12:00, Red Trail Loop. I was expecting to see a lot more than this for such a warm sunny day.

A Cabbage White was flying near Hole # 18.

Saw an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail drift across the road and soon observed a Cabbage White working the road side.

Observed 2 males & 1 female Zabulon Skipper.

Thanks, Jack Miller, for the IDs!

Male Zab was nectaring on Catmint

Only found one Dusted in the area today, but new skippers flying in the same places.

Moderator's Note: This is our first report of swarthy skipper for 2016. Congratulations to Steve on the FOY.

Several nests of Am lady cats on Antennaria in front yard where females were laying eggs on April 26 (and probably also on more recent dates).

3 FOY Aaron's Skippers came out during a sunny break. Also FOY for me: Least Skipper and female Zab.

Moderator's Note: As Cynthia notes, this is our first report of Aaron's skippers in 2016. Nice find, Cynthia!

Started the day with a Silver-spotted Skipper gathering nectar from Japanese Honeysuckle. Later witnessed 2 Eastern Tiger Swallowtails fly through the yard and a female Cabbage White getting nectar from backyard flowers.

Found a female and a male Zabulon Skipper, a Silver-spotted Skipper, 2 worn female Eastern Tailed-Blues and 12 Cabbage Whites.

Cabbage whites were flying in several areas today – including High Beach Rd and Rt 47.

Meadow Fritillaries were mint-fresh. Didn't take long for two of them to get down to business.

Moderator's Note: this is our first report of meadow fritillaries this year. Very nice to have them "logged in" for 2016. Thank you, Dave!

It was "Ladies Day" in the backyard. I was visited by a female Zabulon Skipper and a female Common Whitetail dragonfly.

While sitting out front all day during a yard sale, I noted what was coming and going through my yard and front gardens.