As we go to print for this November Warblings I am still getting in reports of butterflies. Not late reports but reports of late butterflies! Who would have thought that we would have butterflies in November, in past years we have had snow by now. It’s amazing what a little warm sunshine can produce!
September produced 218 butterflies of 12 different species. 59 Clouded Sulphurs beat out 56 Cabbage Whites for the highest number of individuals. October produced 102 butterflies with Clouded Sulphurs again being one the most numerous species.
Ruth Shursky and I were able to tag 91 Monarchs this year and Stu and Valerie Alexander also tagged many, but that’s another story. More to come!
This year members saw 47 different species consisting of 2597 individuals of butterflies in Sullivan County. What was interesting is that several common species were missed this year. Compton Tortoiseshell, Milbert’s Tortoiseshell and Painted Ladys were not listed by anyone (Milbert’s being my favorite). Less common species missed were several different hairstreaks, Aphrodite and Atlantis Fritillaries, Baltimore Checkerspots, Tawny-edged Skipper, N Broken Dash and Mulberry Wings. I’m sure all the wet weather we had must have affected them. I know it put a cog in my wheel this year. Let’s hope next year will be better!
— Renee Davis |
