GWC Prior Butterfly Stories 2002 continued ( Page 5 )

In contrast to the Birding season which knowledgeable observers rate as the best since sometime in 1980's or 1970's, Butterflying has been very poor this May. In fact, we are experiencing the worst May since 1997. Until May 27 the Greater Washtenaw survey had only recorded 28 butterfly species for the month and numbers of individual butterflies were way down. By contrast in both 2000 and 2001, 48 species were seen in each May. The exceptionally cold and cloudy weather present this month with record late frosts accounts for these poor results.

Luckily the weather began to warm over the Memorial day weekend and a trip to Petersburg State Game Area on Monday produced a very gratifying 23 species.

Impressive numbers of both Pearl Crescent (P. tharos)(113) and American Copper (L. phlaeas)(109) were found roaming the prairie barrens in search of flowers from which to nectar that day. New butterflies seen for the season included Purplish Copper (L. helloides), Common Sootywing (P. catullus), Little Wood Satyr (M. cymela), Silver-spotted Skipper (E. clarus), and Northern Cloudywing (T. pylades). In addition, a possible Persius Duskywing (Erynnis persius)was vouchered for expert identification and recording.

Other good butterflies seen included Monarch (D. plexippus), Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae), Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus), Spicebush Swallowtail (P. troilus), Tiger Swallowtail (P. glaucus), and Black Swallowtail (P. polyxenes). Hopefully these excellent results indicate we are on the verge of returning to more normal butterflying conditions. Postscript to story--May concluded with only 38 species seen for the Month. All Mays since 1997 had recorded at least 42 species. Numbers of individual butterflies recorded for the month totaled 1340. In May 2001 4083 were recorded for the month. In addition, for the first time Viceroy was not sighted in May.

Our NABA butterfly county in the Chelsea Michigan area of northwestern Washtenaw county on July 6 was a major success. We found a total of 45 species for the day. Among them was 16 Poweshiek Skipperling ( Oarisma poweshiek ) in the Embury Swamp fens. In the same fen area we also found Dorcas Copper ( Lycaena dorcas ), Mustard White ( Pieris napi ), Silver-bordered Fritillary ( Boloria selene ), Baltimore ( Euphydryas phaeton ), Eyed Brown ( Satyrodes euydice ), Appalachian Eyed Brown ( Satyrodes appalachia ), Least Skipper ( Ancyloxypha numitor ), Mulberry Wing ( Poanes massasoit ), Broad-winged Skipper ( Poanes viator ), Dion Skipper ( Euphyes dion ), and Black Dash ( Euphyes conspicua ). Also a well-worned mystery skipper was captured that I think may well Two-spotted Skipper ( Euphyes bimacula ). If confirmed by expert oppinion, it would mark the first sighting of this species in the seven year history of the Greater Washtenaw county butterfly survey.

Upland butterflies found for the count included Edward's Hairstreak ( Satyrium edwardsii ), Banded Hairstreak ( Satyrium calanus ), Southern Cloudywing ( Thorybes bathyllus ), Coral Hairstreak ( Satyrium titus ) and Monarch ( Danaus plexippus ).

The only disappointment of the day was the continued inability to find Swamp Metalmark ( Calephelis mutica ) in Embury Swamp fens despite seemingly excellent habitat conditions. Each year the area has been intensively searched for this species but never found.