South Jersey Butterfly B/Log

National Moth Week is here

Posted on July 18, 2015 by connorj

Snowberry clearwing, Hemaris diffinis, Port Republic, 8/23/13.

July 18 to July 26 is this year’s annual National Moth Week, when we celebrate one of the most successful forms of life on Planet Earth.

Stockton entomologist Jamie Cromartie is organizing the local event, where you can see and learn about moths up close and personal. He will be using a black light and other equipment to draw them in. Bring your camera.

Time and Date: 7:30 pm, Monday, July 20.

Site: Across from the Arts & Sciences Building on Vera King Farris Drive (aka College Drive). Stockton University campus.

Admission is free. Children are welcome. The weather prediction looks good.

For general information about the nationwide event go to:

National Moth Week

Prionoxystus robiniae, one of the largest of the micro-moths, 6-10-12 at Greenwood WMA, Ocean County.

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Worn and ragged butterflies — a summer ID puzzle!

Posted on July 8, 2015 by connorj

Ouch, every summer, just when you think you have learned (or re-learned) the local flyers’ field marks, they show up ratty and chipped.

Here are four for your viewing (dis)pleasure so worse for wear that they seem good puzzles.

If you can ID any, please “Leave A Reply” below to let us know what you think and why. Others of us will learn from your analysis.

Photo by Jesse Amesbury in Cape May Courthouse 6/26/15.

Photo’d by Jack Miller on a powerline in Cumberland County on 7-7-15.

Also by Jack Miller, same date/same powerline as above, but a different individual.

Yikes, not only is this one worn but the photo is out of focus! The photographer wants to remain anonymous although he confesses he took this photo in Port Republic garden, 7/5/15.

Yikes, not only is this one worn but the photo is out of focus! The photographer hopes to remain anonymous although he confesses he took this photo in a Port Republic garden, 7/5/15.

Posted in ID Challenges & Tips | 4 Comments

June Becomes July

Posted on July 6, 2015 by connorj

Our FOY mulberry wing was found and photo’d by Dave Amadio at Lakehurst (Ocean Co) on June 20.

Does butterflying in South Jersey reach its most dramatic in late June and early July?

Dotted skipper photo’d by Dave Amadio at Colliers Mills on June 20.

Edwards’ hairstreak photo’d by Harvey Tomlinson on June 22 at the Hesstown powerline.

A great spangled fritillary photo’d by Brian Johnson at Burden Hill Preserve on June 22.

Red admiral photo’d by Jesse Amesbury in his garden in Cape May Courthouse on June 24.

Striped hairstreak on Cumberland County NABA Count organized by Pat Sutton, June 24. Photo by Jack Connor.

Striped hairstreak on Cumberland NABA Count organized by Pat Sutton, June 24. Photo by Jack Connor.

A rare skipper on Dennis Creek, June 28, photo’d by Steve Glynn.

Little wood satyrs caught in the act by Jack Miller at Corbin City WMA on June 29.

Red-spotted purple emerging photo’d by Jack Miller at Corbin City June 29.

Chip Krilowicz found and photo’d this rare skipper on June 30 in Mannington March, Salem Co — where we have only a handful of records of this species.

A muiberry wing, our log's first of the year, at Head of River on June 30, found and photo'd by Steve Glynn on the Belleplain NABA count organized by Teresa Knipper.

A mulberry wing, at Head of River on June 30, photo’d by Steve Glynn on the Belleplain NABA count organized by Teresa Knipper.

Jesse Amesbury photo’d this male rare skipper in his yard in Cape May Courthouse on July 3.

Juniper hairstreak on Galloway NABA Count, July 5. Photo by Jack Connor.

Juniper hairstreak on Galloway NABA Count (Atlantic) organized by Jamie Cromartie, July 5. Photo by Jack Connor.

"You don't miss your water 'til your well runs dry," notes Jack Miller after photo'ing this tiger swallowtail in his yard on July 5. 2015 has been a relatively down year for the species, especially when compared to The Year of the Tiger in 2013.

“You don’t miss your water ’til your well runs dry,” notes Jack Miller after finding this tiger swallowtail in his yard on July 5. It has been a relatively down year for the species, especially when compared to their great year in 2013.

Thanks to these contributors for passing along their photos. If you are willing to share your photos here, send them as jpegs (preferably less than 2 megs each) to nacotejackATgmailDOTcom. Please be sure to log in your data first on our spreadsheet. Thank you!

Posted in First Emergences, Lycaenids, NABA Counts, Nymphalids, Skippers, Swallowtails | Comments Off

Franklin Parker Preserve June 13

Posted on June 15, 2015 by connorj

One particularly cooperative individual gave us a nice dorsal view as the sun came out from behind the clouds. Photo by Dave Amadio.

One particularly cooperative two-spotted skipper gave us a nice dorsal view as the sun came out from behind the clouds. Photo by Dave Amadio.

On June 13 Stephen Mason led 13 members of our group on a field trip to Parker Preserve. Our luck was very good for one of our two target species: we found the first two-spotted skippers (four individuals in total) that our team has recorded since 2012. The other target rarity, dotted skipper (once almost reliable at Parker), escaped us.

Our leader documenting a find. Photo by Chris Herz.

The slightly swollen abdomen suggested this individual was female. Photo by Dave Amadio.

The slightly swollen abdomen suggested this two-spotted was a female. Photo by Dave Amadio.

Brian Johnson also caught the two-spotted showing is usually- tough-to-photo upperside.

Brian Johnson also managed to capture with his camera the skipper’s tough-to-photo upper-side.

The trip made a wonderful day in the field at a quiet, pretty spot under a lovely blue-sky. Four of our participants were from Pennsylvania (not counting Steve, now a graduate student at Drexel), and one drove that morning from West Virginia: Barry Marts, butterfly partner of Matt Orsie, whose blog on W.V. butterflies can be found here: West Virginia Butterflies

Steve Glynn photo'd our FOY striped hairstreak in one of wetland areas.

During a break in the search for dotted skipper (out of the hot sun and into the cooler woods) Steve Glynn photo’d our 2015 FOY striped hairstreak.

Steve Glynn found this banded hairstreak hiding in the leaves of a scrub oak. Photo by Jack Connor.

This skipper puzzled us for many minutes — appearing and reappearing among the sandwort flowers, while we debated its identity. This good shot by Dave Amadio enabled him to ID it as a female zabulon — rare at the Preserve, according to Steve Mason, who knows the butterflies of Parker as well as anyone.

And we found and enjoyed lots else. One of the best pleasures of these outings is the richness of expertise from various folks who have been brought together by butterflies — people who know birds, plants, and lots else.

A Parker bog, photo’d beautifully by Emily Ostrow.

Spangled skimmers added to the fun of chasing bog coppers and two-spotted skippers. Photo by Emily Ostrow.

Yellow loosestrife was just opening in the bogs. Photo by Steve Mason.

Common yellowthroat in maple sapling. Photo by Maria Berezin.

Bog turtle perhaps in search of a nesting area. Photo by Maria Berezin.

A musk turtle out of the water, perhaps searching for a nesting spot. Photo by Maria Berezin.

A scrub oak hosted several buck moth caterpillars. Photo by Jack Connor.

You can join the fun on either or both of our next two field trips: On June 20 to Medford Leas led by Chris Herz and on August 1 to various hotspots in Salem County led by Dave Amadio. (If you are willing to lead a field trip for our group, just send the details to nacotejackATgmailDOTcom.)

Robberfly with prey, an Oriental beetle. Photo by Steve Mason.

Posted in Eggs, Cats, Chrysalids, Field Trips, First Emergences, Lycaenids, Moths, Skippers | Comments Off

Early June Pix

Posted on June 9, 2015 by connorj

Sandra Keller found and photo’d our first-of-the-year Appalachian brown on June 6 in Parvin State Park.

As always, our observers out exploring and documenting their finds. See the log for the latest discoveries, as we approach 70 species for 2015. Here’s a small sample of some of our team’s most recent photographs.

Common milkweed has just opened in the last week or so. Steve Glynn photo'd this American copper taking advantage -- and the Satyriums should be flying soon.)

Common milkweed has just opened in the last week or so. Steve Glynn photo’d this American copper taking advantage. (The Satyrium hairstreaks should be flying soon.)

This silver-spotted skipper stayed overnight in Dave Amadio's garden, June 3-4.

Dave Amadio recorded this silver-spotted skipper roosting overnight in the verbena in his garden, June 3-4.

Jesse Amesbury found our first of the year Delaware skipper nectaring on an Iris in his garden on June ??.

Jesse Amesbury found and photo’d our first-of-the-year Delaware skipper nectaring on an iris in his garden in Cape May Courthouse on June 7.

Steve Glynn found and photo'd our FOY European skipper on June 7.

Steve Glynn found and photo’d our FOY European skipper near the Millville airport on June 7.

Steve Glynn found and photo'd our FOY meadow fritillary at Supawna Meadows on June 8.

Steve Glynn also found and photo’d our FOY meadow fritillary at Supawna Meadows on June 8.

Pat Sutton and friends found more than 400 bog coppers in Hunters’ Mill on June 7. (See the June tab on our log for details.) Pat photo’d this female nectaring on a rose pogonia orchid.

A male bog copper photo’d by Pat Sutton at the same site, same date as above.

Jack Miller found and photo’d our first salt-marsh skipper of the year along Rt 47 in Cape May County on June 10.

And just to prove our observers are also alert to the richness of the natural world beyond butterflies, here's a photo by Pat Sutton of a sphagnum sprite with prey at Hunters Mill on June 7.

And just to prove our observers are alert to the beauty of nature beyond butterflies, here’s a photo by Pat Sutton of a sphagnum sprite with prey at Hunters Mill on June 7.

And how about his lovely photo by Pat Sutton of rose pogonia orchids and bladderworts in the bog on June 7?

And how about this lovely photo by Pat Sutton of rose pogonia orchids and bladderworts in the bog on June 7?

Thanks to each of these contributors for passing along their photos. If you are willing to share your photos here, send them as jpegs (preferably less than 2 megs each) to nacotejackATgmailDOTcom. Please be sure to log in your data first on our spreadsheet. Thank you!

Posted in First Emergences, Lycaenids, Nymphalids, Other Insects, Skippers | Comments Off

Can You ID These Skippers?

Posted on June 2, 2015 by connorj

What skipper is this? Photo by Harvey Tomlinson, May 31, 2015.

Harvey Tomlinson photo’d these two worn skippers on a trip to Cumberland County on May 31, and he has invited comments and analysis on their identities.

If you are willing to identify their species and provide some details about the tell-tale field marks, click on “Leave A Reply” below.

Thank you!

PS: See the two blog posts below for details about our next two field trips: to Parker Preserve on June 13, led by Stephen Mason, and to Medford Leas on June 20, led by Chris Herz. (Chances are good that, among our other finds, we might encounter skippers that look like these two ID challenges.)

And what skipper is this? Photo by Harvey Tomlinson, May 31, 2015.

Posted in ID Challenges & Tips, Skippers | 3 Comments

Field Trip to Parker Preserve, June 13, led by Stephen Mason

Posted on June 2, 2015 by connorj

Dotted skipper found on our group field trip to Parker, June 12, 2009.

Let’s meet at the Woodland Township Post Office (3900 Route 563, Chatsworth, NJ 08019) at 9 am. We can catch up and wait for stragglers and head in the field around 9:30 am. We will be car-pooling from the Post Office.

I won’t be able to scout in the week before the trip, since my final exams continue to June 12. However, in early to mid-June in past seasons we have found several Pine Barrens specialties at the Preserve, including bog copper, dotted skipper, and two-spotted skipper. Georgia satyr has yet to be found at Parker, although it almost certainly must occur there. Could this be the year we find it?

We will explore two different sites on NJCF’s 9,400 acre property: the “Airfield” site and the “Ten Trunks” site. Each has produced both of the two target skippers.

Bring plenty of bug spray since the deer flies love to swarm. Knee-high boots are recommended as we will be walking in wet areas at several points.

For information about the preserve, go here:

http://www.njconservation.org/franklinparkerpreserve.htm

For some photos of our previous field trip to the preserve go here:

http://nacotejack.smugmug.com/Insects-Other-Invertebrates/SJBF-Club-Field-Trip-to-Parker/8550811_Rzkpmh#!i=563188882&k=84v7HZg

For more information please feel free to contact me: Mason@ansp.org

~Steve

Posted in Field Trips, Skippers | Comments Off

Field Trip to Medford Leas, June 20, led by Chris Herz

Posted on June 1, 2015 by connorj

Banded hairstreak at Audubon (Camden County), photo'd by Chrus Herz, 6-12-13.

Banded hairstreak at Audubon (Camden County), photo’d by Chris Herz, 6-12-13.

Butterfly field trip to Medford Leas

1 Medford Leas Dr., Medford, NJ

Sat. June 20th 9:45am

There are a variety of habitats here, and we will walk around the community garden, and then go to the surrounding fields. Many species are possible and I hope to be in time for the orange butterfly weed to be in bloom and we could see coral hairstreak and banded hairstreak. Other possibilities include viceroy, American copper, monarch, and a number of skippers. We may also walk in the woods in the afternoon to try for harvester.

Bring close-focus binoculars, water, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, & lunch. There is a Wawa on Rte. 70 if coming from the west, where you could pick up lunch.

I recommend wearing long pants due to the possibility of ticks.

Meet at the tennis courts’ parking area next to the horticultural building. Once you turn into Medford Leas Drive — a right jughandle at traffic light — stay to your left and at the t-intersection, turn right, and then take the immediate left. Continue around until you see the horticultural building with greenhouse and just past it turn left into the parking area. The tennis courts will be straight ahead.

For detailed directions from Rt. 295 and Rt. 70 visit the Medford Leas website: http://www.medfordleas.org/contact-us/location-and-directions

Trip is cancelled if it rains. Contact me if in doubt, Chris Herz 856-534-5597 cell.

Chris Herz

Posted in Field Trips | Comments Off

Late May Pix

Posted on May 27, 2015 by connorj

Dave Amadio found and photo'd this harvester at Chestnut Branch on May 22, a new early date for our log.

Dave Amadio found and photo’d this harvester at Chestnut Branch on May 22. That’s a new early date for our log.

We have had some good finds and lovely photos lately. If you are willing to share your photos here, send them as jpegs (preferably less than 2 megs each) to nacotejackATgmailDOTcom. Please be sure to log in your data first on our spreadsheet.

Dave Amadio also found and photo’d this bronze copper at Mannington on May 24 for a new early date for our log.

Chip Krilowicz found and photo’d this little glassywing, our FOY this year at Blueberry Hill on May 20.

One of the six red-spotted purples found on our field trip to McNamara WMA, led by Jack Miller. Photo by Gibson Reynolds.

One of the six red-spotted purples found on our field trip to McNamara Wildlife Management Area on May 23, led by Jack Miller. Photo by Gibson Reynolds.

Gibson Reynolds also photo’d this southern cloudywing, one of nine individuals seen on our McNamara field trip, 5-23-15.

Hayhurst’s scallopwing, found and photo’d by Harvey Tomlinson on May 26 in Cape May.

Thanks to the photographers here for sharing and keep at it, everyone!

Posted in Early Dates, Field Trips, First Emergences | Comments Off

Dave Amadio photos from the Pine Barrens, plus one

Posted on May 18, 2015 by connorj

Hessel’s hairstreak at the Oswego River Preserve, May 14, 2015.

Here are some recent pics from the Pine Barrens. After a failed attempt on 5/8 for Hessel’s, I returned on 5/14 and was rewarded with a total of five individuals: one at the RT 72 location and the other four at the Oswego River Preserve. The pair of cobweb skippers were photographed on 5/8/2015 at Warren Grove along with the hoary elfin. The red-banded hairstreak showing the bright blue ventral side is from RT 72 on 5/14. Lastly, the zabulon skipper was taken on 5/15/2015 here in my garden.

Dave Amadio

Cobweb skippers mating, Warren Grove, 5-8-15.

Hoary elfin at Warren Grove, May 8, 2015.

Red-banded hairstreak, Rt. 72, May 14, 2015.

Zabulon skipper, West Deptford garden, May 15, 2015.

Posted in Lycaenids, Skippers | Comments Off