Banded vs. Hickory Hairstreaks
It’s been a great year so far for the Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus) says Sean. He can typically walk around right now in favorable areas and find four or five. Recently while out walking at Audubon Greenwich he spotted a Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorus), a difficult hairstreak to find and get a confident identification of in Connecticut. He put together a comparison of the two to help with some of the small diagnostic differences. Photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project in Connecticut while on assignment for...
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 MoreLong-tailed Manakin Aging
Sean was at the end of his trip in Costa Rica and wanted to do a series of the maturation of the Long-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia linearis) as they take over four years to reach full mature plumage. The full set will have to wait until next year when he captures more stages of the age maturation, but until then we can enjoy this second year male. It has a red cap, black face mask, and long tail feathers. It will soon get more of its adult body plumage, including the blue back patch. Photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project in Costa...
Read MoreComet Darner (Anax longipes)
I was very happy to find a local breeding population of the spectacular Comet Darner (Anax longipes) during our ongoing assessment of the Chautauqua-Allegheny region’s dragonflies and damselflies. These are the 747s of the dragonfly world, but in fire truck red. What more could you want? Photographed for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History. Twan Leenders RTPI President
Read MoreGiant Silk Moths
I know I’m easily distracted, and I know I should have been preparing for an RTPI Foundation Board meeting, but I could not pass up the opportunity to get a closer look at the beautiful creatures hanging out on the light post in front of RTPI this morning. I should have known that I would not be able to sneak out of the building carrying a butterfly net and a step ladder without anyone noticing… Two giant silk moths on the same light post! A Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia) and a Luna Moth (Actias luna) were enjoying a little daytime nap before continuing their mission: to...
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