American Lady butterfly (Vanessa virginiensis)
I have yet to see a Giant Swallowtail for 2014 but I was happy to photograph this American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) while looking earlier this week at RTPI. How are your butterfly numbers doing? I’ve spotted a Monarch or two here and there when out for prolonged periods but it’s still slow.
Read MoreMonarch proposed to U.S. Endangered Species Act
Kudos to our friends at The Xerces Society for joining forces with other experts in filing a legal request with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to add the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) to the Endangered Species Act. This process takes several years normally so prepare to wait! I was pleased to see they added a “request that the USFWS pass a special rule, called a 4(d) rule, that will allow scientific research, citizen tagging and monitoring, milkweed production, and non-commercial rearing in classrooms and households to continue and not to be considered as “take” or...
Read MoreRed-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) on False Queen Anne’s Lace (Ammi majus)
Attractive August butterflies are all around us at the moment! This pairing was photographed in Connecticut by Sean – that’s a Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) on False Queen Anne’s Lace (Ammi majus).
Read MoreRoger Tory Peterson collecting insects
For #TransformationTuesday here’s a young Roger Tory Peterson with an insect net. Butterflies and moths were high on the list of his early nature studies as Roger would collect caterpillars and find moths at streetlights in Jamestown, especially near Lake View Cemetery. He even got a special permit from the police chief to stay out past the citywide curfew! You’ll be able to learn more about Dr. Peterson’s life in a new and interactive way soon…stay tuned.
Read MoreSummer Azure (Celastrina neglecta) on Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris)
Here are a couple of neighbors, already acquainted with one another, for you to meet – the Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta) butterfly on the Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris), named for its superb medicinal properties. If it needed to be any more valuable it’s edible, too!
Read More
