Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
I was very happy to end my Friday by finding this Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) at RTPI late this afternoon. Wherever you are try to get outside this weekend and have a great one!
Read MoreViceroy (Limenitis archippus)
It’s turning out to be a gorgeous afternoon once again across the Northeast. Here’s a Meet Your Neighbours visitor you may see in your garden on such a day – no, it is not a Monarch, look carefully! This is the Viceroy (Limenitis archippus), a smaller species that flies with a much more erratic gliding fashion, coasting along at a faster speed with the wings held horizontally and stretched out. In these photos you can also see the postmedian black line that runs along the veins of the hindwing. Once you have seen enough of their movements and behaviors you’ll be able...
Read MoreRTPI/SUNY College Lodge BioBlitz completed
One week ago today we were readying ourselves for the 3:00PM kickoff of the RTPI/SUNY College Lodge BioBlitz. It took place at the SUNY College Lodge Nature Preserve in Brocton on about 200 acres of beautiful habitat on the escarpment near Lake Erie. A BioBlitz is a 24-hour race to identify as many species of plants and animals of all kinds on a given site – this can be anything from an entire town, a river or lake, or a bounded property. We had a few dozen experts join us over the Friday and Saturday time period with specialties ranging from ants, spiders and other small insects,...
Read MoreRed Admiral butterfly and neonicotinoids
Please be mindful of what you’re using in your yard or garden and keep bees, birds and butterflies like this Red Admiral in mind. I have seen a lot of needless and costly spraying of various chemicals by residents, commercial operations and municipalities all over the Northeast this spring and summer. Most folks do not know what they are using could be killing so many other forms of life besides the weeds they’re targeting and probably hurting themselves in the process. Neonicotinoids need to go!
Read MoreAmerican Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
This American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) was photographed by Sean yesterday in Connecticut as the butterfly season starts to become more active after a lot of recent rain. Fortunately there will be many flourishing flowers to feed on for the foreseeable future.
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