European Skipper
This was one of an abundance of European Skippers (Thymelicus lineola) that Twan recently noted while conducting some field work, hopefully the first of many actual native skipper species that will be emerging in our lands soon. The European Skipper has only been on our continent for about a century after its accidental introduction. They are still expanding their range. I wonder if the fact they come out so early in comparison to some other skippers helps them survive, as is the case with many non-native and/or invasive plants that have success here. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation &...
Read MoreVariegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia) and Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
The Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia) and Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) can both be found in the Northeast in meadows and fields. The Variegated is much less common in Connecticut, being as it is mostly a southern species. Right now in the Northeast more and more butterflies are being seen migrating on emerging from new habitats. Photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project in Connecticut while on assignment for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History.
Read MoreSpot-winged Glider
Today was the best day that I have experienced so far this year for migratory insects! Red Admiral and Monarch butterflies were on the wing, and dozens of dozens of dragonflies were zipping by including Common Green Darners, Black Saddlebags, Carolina Saddlebags, Swamp Darners, Wandering Gliders and Spot-winged Gliders (Pantala hymenaea) like this one. You can see the spots of this very difficult to catch species here. Keep an eye out for Sean’s Meet Your Neighbour photo of it sometime soon. So much more life is emerging every day now that we have entered the summer, and it is so...
Read MoreCommon Whitetail
Here’s the Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia), certainly one of the more common dragonflies found in ponds, lakes, and waterways at this time of the year. More and more species are being seen flying everyday in the Northeast and Sean will be trying to show you as many as he can in beautiful displays like this one. Photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project in Connecticut for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History.
Read MoreButterflies Coming
Butterflies like this Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) will be emerging next month! As we near the end of avian migration and enter their breeding season we will be seeing many more of our insect friends taking flight. I have not had a lot of time to spend surveying for them yet, but butterflies I have seen so far this year include Black Swallowtail, Eastern Tailed-blue, Orange Sulphur, Clouded Sulphur, Cabbage White and Monarch. When June hits our staff will be sure to begin surveying sites from our Natural History Atlas as well as other critical habitats, or locations that...
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