LEPIDOPTERA ALERT #2002.057 dated 01 November 2002

Alert Update - Priors - 2002

 Last Updated:  26 September 2002 11:00 a.m.

January through August 2002

In order to allow ALERT UPDATE to take less time to load with broadband internet, and especially less time to load by those with dial-up internet, per a suggestion by Tom Wallenmaier and others, I have moved all those Alert Update Reports prior to August 2002 and since January 2002 to ALERT UPDATE - Priors - 2002.  Of Course ALERT UPDATE - Priors - 2002 will now be slow loading.  I will endeavor to reformat LEPALERT for the 2003 season to provide for faster loading for all updates.

Current ALERT UPDATE reports will continue to be placed in the ALERT UPDATE section.

Report from Owen (August 31):
The following species were vouchered at the Fumee Lake Natural Area by OAP on two trips to the area.
Mo may have some to add to this list.  Bob Kriegel and Harry King saw a Monarch, Viceroy and Northern Pearl Cresent on a subsequent visit.

T. lineola
P. peckius
W. egeremet
E. vestris metacomet
C. eurytheme
S. liparops strigosum
E. comyntas
C. neglecta
P. selenis
P. batesii
E. anthedon
C. pegala nephele

Report from Roger Kuhlman (August 30):
Butterflying at Petersburg State Game Area and nearby Albain road in western Monroe county was excellent on Sunday August 25.
I found a total of 32 species for the day. Among the most noteworthy sightings were Asterocampa celtis (Hackberry Butterfly), Lycaena helloides (Purplish Copper), Speyeria aphrodite (Aphrodite), Junonia coenia (Buckeye), Hylephila phyleus (Fiery Skipper), Pholisara catullus (Common Sootywing), Hesperia leonardus (Leonard's Skipper) and four species of Papilios (glaucus, troilus, cresphontes, polyxenes).

Butterflies seen in large numbers that day were Phyciodes tharos (Pearl Crescent) (107), Everes comyntas (Eastern-tailed Blue) (77), Colias eurytheme (Alfalfa Butterfly) (69), Pieris rapae (Cabbage White) (62), Epargyreus clarus (Silver-spotted Skipper) (53), for once Limenitis  archippus (Viceroy) (36), and Danaus plexippus (Monarch) (28). For once, Catullus lived up to its common name, Common Sootywing, with 13 individual butterflies spotted. A total this high for the species is very unusual since the butterfly, in my experience, is uncommon in southeast Michigan and usually seen as single butterflies. I don't believe I have ever had double digit Common Sootywings in a day here.

A number of good nectaring sources were available to butterflies at Petersburg. As usual, Leonard's Skipper tended to favor nectaring at Northern-rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera) but I saw a couple individuals on golden-rod. The goldenrods were very abundant  and definitely the nectar source many of the butterflies were enjoying. One productive area I searched extensively combined masses of flowering goldenrod with several large patches of Bull Thistle. It was here I hoped to find Strymon melinus (Gray Hairstreak). While I was unsuccessful, I did see Purplish Copper, Fiery Skipper, Buckeye, and three of the Common Sootywings. 

Since last weekend (August 28-30) several good butterfly sightings have occurred in parks here in Ann Arbor. On Wednesday, one Fiery Skipper was in a wet meadow at Dhu Varren Woods. On Thursday, three Fiery Skippers and a Leonard's Skipper were on the dry, old field portion on Northeast area Park. On Friday, 20+ Leonard's Skippers were at the Botanical Gardens, two Leonard's Skippers, a late Limenitis arthemis asyanax (Red-spotted Purple), and five of the uncommon second-brood Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot) were at Marshall park.

Notice from Andre Mignault (August 30):
Calling all sphingid enthusiasts!

My name is Andre Mignault and I am a graduate student in Entomology at the University of Maryland.  In conjunction with my advisors, Drs. Charlie Mitter and Jerry Regier, and Dr. Ian Kitching at the British Museum, I am pursuing a molecular phylogeny of the Sphingidae (Lepidoptera: Bombycoidea) – hawk moths,  sphinx moths, hummingbird moths, hornworms - as the crux of my dissertation work.

I hope to use this phylogeny to explore the evolution of sphingid life history traits, especially breadth of larval hostplant use, adult feeding behavior and morphological specialization (e.g., proboscis functionality and wing-coupling mechanisms).  My background and interest is in using molecular phylogeny as a tool to help understand complex and diverse patterns of life history traits in Lepidoptera.  Sphingids have captivated my interest because of both their conspicuous beauty and their remarkably variable (and well-studied) life history strategies.

Worldwide, the Sphingidae comprise approximately 200 genera and 1200 species in three subfamilies.  We are lucky enough to have members of all three subfamilies  - approximately 40 genera and 130 species - in North America.  As part of my worldwide sampling for this study, I am assembling fresh alcohol-preserved material for a target list of North American sphingids that includes every genus and as many of the species as possible!

While I continue field collecting material here in the northeast US, I am feverishly seeking help in other areas of North and Central America.  Collecting for this project is a bit unconventional - it entails dropping a single adult moth of each species into a vial of 100% ethanol provided by me and shipping it at my expense back to our lab.  I have assembled kits containing all the necessary materials and postage-paid return shipping, and I'm currently in the process of distributing these kits to collectors around North America in time for the end of this season and in preparation for next spring.

If you share my interest in these spectacular moths or you expect to intersect with some over the next few field seasons, I’d be keen to speak more with you about the project and whether it would be possible to obtain a few specimens from you.  Any help or advice you could offer would be most appreciated!

Cordially,
Andre
tel: 301-405-2089
email: mignault@wam.umd.edu 

Information from Owen A. Perkins (27 August):

WOULD YOU BELIEVE ?

I have had the opportunity to place fermenting fruit bait traps in the Upper Peninsula on several occasions this year.
The results have been rewarding.
On one occasion at the Hope Lake Bog complex in Luce County the following species of butterflies were trapped:
      P. comma dryas
      P. progne
      L. arthemis arthemis
      L. archippus
      E. anthedon

and would you believe?
     S. cybele krautwurmi
     P. selenis

On other occasions the following additional species were trapped:
      S. atlantis
      S. eurydice
      S. appalachia leeuwi
      M. cymela
      N. vau-album j-album
      P. faunus

but
      P. gracilis and P. satyrus have again eluded me.

However, I have some special, unique and inventive plans for 2003 !
I will reveal them next spring.

Report from Owen A. Perkins (August 27):
To my chagrin, I made a serious mistake in a report labeled:
      Report from Owen (July 21):  UPDATE (August 12)

The specimen vouchered on that date was NOT  E. dukesi !!!  The E. dukesi specimen was vouchered by Roger Kuhlman on July 14 as reported in his report of July 17 (below):

The specimen vouchered on July 21 by Owen A. Perkins was P. viator ! 

My sincere apologies.  Roger brought the mistake to my attention and I was able to verify my mistake when I removed specimens from the spreading boards.

Report from Owen A. Perkins (August 27):
I made several extended trips this past season and I was not with authority able to list the county distribution records for these trips until the vouchers came off the spreading boards.  This has been accomplished and the following provides these records:

Trip (July 5 through July 15): Vouchered by Owen A. Perkins
T. lineola: Delta July 6; Baraga, Iron, Menominee July 7; Keweenaw July 9
P. themistocles: Menominee July 7
P. rapae: July 7 Menominee
S. cybele krautwurmi: Iron July 13
P. batesii: Menominee July 7
L. archippus: Iron July 13
S. appalachia leeuwi: Luce July 13

Trip (July 16 by Mogens C. Nielsen and Owen A. Perkins):
P. origenes: Muskegon July 16

Trip (July 26 through July 29 by Mogens C. Nielsen, Paul O. Perkins and Owen A. Perkins):
A. numitor: Delta July 28; Menominee July 29
H. phyleus: Delta July 26
W. egeremet: Delta July 28; Dickinson July 26
A. logan: Menominee July 29
E. vestris metacomet: Iron July 26; Menominee July 29
P. polyxenes asterius: Menominee July 29
C. philodice: Menominee July 29
C. eurytheme: Menominee July 29
F. tarquinius: Iron July 27
L. epixanthe michiganensis: Iron July 26
L. dorcas: Iron July 27
S. titus: Iron July 27; Menominee July 29
S. liparops strigosum: Iron July 26
E. comyntas: Delta July 26; Iron July 27
C. neglecta: Dickinson July 26; Iron July 27
S. appalachia leeuwi: Delta July 28

Trip (August 8 by Paul O. Perkins and Owen A. Perkins):
C. neglecta: Oscoda August 8
L. arthemis arthemis: Ogemaw August 8 (hybrid)

Trip (August 16 through August 18 by Paul O. Perkins and Owen A. Perkins):
A. numitor: Arenac August 18
H. leonardus: Arenac August 18
C. neglecta: Luce August 17
P. progne: Arenac August 18
N. antiopa: Crawford August 15
C. pegala nephele: Crawford August 15

Report from Paul O. Perkins (August 25):
The following specimens were vouchered today as county distribution records:
L. archippus: Gladwin August 25
C. pegala nephele: Crawford August 25
C. eurytheme: Crawford August 25
P. selenis: Gladwin August 25
C. philodice: Gladwin August 25
D. plexippus: Gladwin August 25

Report from Mark Schmidt (August 24)
Hey gang!  I had a surprise emergence of four female and one male A. luna.  This is a third brood for me--never had that this early before.  I had a partial third a few years ago but this one is early enough for me to get them through--I hope! I kept the male in the cage and he paired with one of the females.  I did tether one female out and attracted a WILD male!!!  Looks like my bred stock is not alone; Ohio is triple brooding luna this year. 

photo by Mark Schmidt,  © 2002
Actias luna

Also, this morning, a third brood P. cresphontes eclosed.

photo by Mark Schmidt,  © 2002
Papilio cresphontes

Report from "Mo" (August 20):

We (Ted, Terry, MCN) had a great time at the hut, from 15-19 Aug.( like 'old times')-ha. We waited on Sun. from noon till about sun-down=no Owen!  Not having a 'TV' (didn't turn it on!) and up-todate weather report, we assumed you may have had bad weather, nothing to report, problems, etc.!? Anyway, I hope you HAD no problems, good luck!!! What did you and Paul see/trap. etc!!??
I'm too tired to give any detailed report of our activities; it'll have to wait for later. I can say this that our goal was to bait for Catocala, using 12 bait traps, especially to capture 2-3 female/species for rearing (i.e.Ted); we were very successful!
We were on the trail before breakfast, etc, under beautiful weather, then a big 'brunch', and on to the rest of the day-(you know the routine!). Terry and I returned to Lansing yesterday around 2:30PM-tired but satisfied! ha. Oh yes, only two common Polygonias were in traps: comma (1), interrogationis (2)!!!

[Note from Owen]: Weather and lots of driving looking for new sites and future surveying sites caused us to be late in the day on Sunday when we got to the Otsego area and so we headed directly home to take Paul's mother (My wife Grace) out to dinner.  We just made it in time and a stop at Mo's hut would have not allowed such timing.  If I had a gracilis I would obviously have stopped (Supper or no supper), but alais, no gracilis this trip.

Report from John Farmer (August 16):

Nothing exceptional to report from Milan.  Good numbers of swallowtails - and other common species - since the drought broke toward the end of July.  Caught no more than 6-8 butterflies in the trap before taking it in a couple of weeks ago.  Perhaps my bait is lacking an essential ingredient, however I'm still noting very few brush-foots.

Photos from Mark Schmidt (August 16):


photo by Mark Schmidt,  © 2002
Citheronia regalis (F., 1793)

photo by Mark Schmidt,  © 2002
Eacles imperialis pini Michener, 1950

Excellent photograph donated by Mark Schmidt!
Thank you Mark!!!

Report from Owen (August 20):
Per my report of August 14 I headed to the Upper Peninsula this past weekend to bait trap and paint trails for Polygonia gracilis and Polygonia satyrus, look for potential sites for Chlosyne gorgone carlota, and be on the lookout for any other interesting leps and potential future sites.  This is what my son Paul and I found starting on Thursday, August 15:

We stopped in Arenac county at Paul's property about 10:00 a.m. Dismally cloudy.
We stopped in Kalkaska county at my daughter's property about 11:30 a.m.  Retrieved malaise trap. Lots of dead flies and gypsy moths.  No butterflies.
On the way back to I-75 on Crawford County Road 612 in T27N R4W Section 4, two Wood Nymph (Cercyonis pegala nephele) were sighted and one road kill Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) was collected, both Crawford county distribution records.
We stopped in Mackinac county to place a fermented fruit bait trap on East Lake Road just north of Gorman Road near the bridge to the tributary south of Flat Creek in T42N R4W Section 16.
While there, White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis arthemis) were prevalent, several attracted to some scat in the middle of the road. One Gray Comma (Polygonia progne) was vouchered. 
We arrived in Luce county at junction of M28 and M123 about suppertime. After supper we went North on M123 to Skyline Road, a point 1.5 miles E on Skyline Road where a bridge at a tributary of the Auger Creek provided a spot for a bait trap.
Friday, August 16, we traveled north on M123 to Luce County Road 500 and north to Swamp Lakes Road in T39N R8W Section 30.  This road leads to the Swamp Lakes region of the Lake Superior State Forest.

 
photo by Owen A. Perkins, jct. of Luce County Road 500 and Swamp Lakes Road (to left), 16 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Swamp Lakes Road (left) at Luce County Road 500

Twelve fermented fruit bait traps were set out in the Swamp Lakes area.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Swamp Lakes, 17 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Swamp Lakes near intersection of Section 26, 27, 34, 35 of T49N R9W

It was on the trail near this site in T49N R9W Section 27, 
where Paul vouchered a Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta) for a Luce County distribution record.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Swamp Lakes bog, 17 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
One of many bogs in the Swamp Lakes area.


photo by Owen A. Perkins, Swamp Lakes bog, 17 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Another of many bogs in the Swamp Lakes area.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Big White Pine at fork in Swamp Lakes Road, 17 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
This site was used as the bench marker for where the twelve traps were placed.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, "Pine Hill", 17 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
This site was the only place where a Polygonia was bait trapped, 
and the only place where a Polygonia was sighted in Luce county on this trip.
Gray Comma (Polygonia progne) was seen flying near the bait trap 
and two were captured in the trap.


photo by Owen A. Perkins, DEEP WATER IN THE ROAD, 17 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
There were several places where there was water in the road on Swamp Lakes Road, 
this being the worst spot.
The bog drains from one side of the road to the other and culvert pipes were not present.
We used a Jeep to travel on this trip and it would be DANGEROUS 
for regular cars or vans to try to traverse Swamp Lakes Road, 
especially in the Spring.

The following species were sighted, captured and released or vouchered in the Luce County, Swamp Lakes area:

Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice), Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme), Pink-edged Sulphur (Colias interior), American Copper (Lycaena phlaeus amricana), Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta) Luce county distribution record, Atlantis Fritillary (Speyeria atlantis), Green Comma (Polygonia faunus), Compton Tortoise Shell (Nymphalis vau-album j-album), White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis arthemis), Wood Nymph (Cercyonis pegala nephele), Monarch (Danaus plexippus) 

The trip was an attempt to locate Hoary Comma (Polygonia gracilis) and Satyr Anglewing (Polygonia satyrus).
To this end the trip was not completely successful.  The area does seem however like a concerted effort in the early spring and late July through September with bait traps containing sap and bait traps containing fermented fruit could afford success.  It seems as if a week-long effort at these three times (seasons) of the year could potentially produce success.  To this end I do plan to return to make such an attempt in 2003.  This could (should) be in conjunction with a excursion to the east along East Tower - Betsy River Road in the Lake Superior State Forest area of Luce County and in the Paradise Bog area of Chippewa County.

The weather was not very conducive on Saturday morning for any significant flight of butterflies.  Therefore the traps were retrieved and an excursion along a trail starting south at T49N R8W Section 16 and ending at M123 and Skyline Road.
This trail goes through the Tahquamenon River State Forest and for a great portion goes crosses Middle Branch Linton Creek, South Branch Linton Creek, Baird Creek, Penny Creek, Savage Creek, Murphy Creek, Gimlet Creek. and a tributary of Auger  Creek, all of them emptying into the Tahquamenon River to the south as they edge their way through what I would refer to as the Murphy Creek / Skyline Road bog complex or Four Mile Corner bog complex.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Savage Creek bridge, 17 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
There were several places where there was access to the bog complex.  
Here the Savage Creek bridge area presented potential unique future exploration.

 

photo by Owen A. Perkins, bog at Savage Creek bridge, 17 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Here the Savage Creek bridge area presented potential unique future exploration.


photo by Owen A. Perkins, bog at Savage Creek bridge, 17 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Here Cotton Grass, the host foodplant for Red-disked Alpine (Erebia discoidalis)
 presents potential unique future exploration.  
Red-disked Alpine has not been observed east of Marquette county.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, bog at Skyline Road bog, 17 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Just 3 miles east of M123 on Skyline Road, Cotton Grass, the host foodplant for Red-disked Alpine (Erebia discoidalis)
 presents potential unique future exploration.  

Sunday, on the return home, we stopped in Mackinac County to retrieve our trap at the East Lake Road site, north of Gorman Road.
Just south of Greene Road there is an abundance of Black-eyed Susan, the host plant for Gorgone/Carlota Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone carlota).

photo by Owen A. Perkins, East Lake Road just south of Greene Road, 17 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
On East Lake Road, just south of Greene Road there is an abundance of Black-eyed Susan, 
the host plant for Gorgone/Carlota Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone carlota).

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Old M76 Arenac Co., Michigan, 08 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Paul O. Perkins surveys area along Old M76 in Tittabawasee River State Forest where the Black-eyed Susan abounds. 
 The nearby environs are a potential site for Carlota Checkerspot as Rudbecki hirta is a foodplant.
The Black-eyed Susan on 17 August were past full bloom and were in a much dried condition.


photo by Owen A. Perkins, Old M76, Arenac County, 17 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Globe Goldenrod on Old M76 in Arenac County.

Finally we stopped at Paul's Property on Moore's Junction Road in Arenac County where I vouchered three Arenac County distribution records:  Gray Comma (Polygonia progne), Leonard's Skipper (Hesperia leonardus) and Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor).

It was a worthy and interesting and educational trip.  The potential future sites for surveying are most encouraging!
Although gracilis was not encountered, the following from 
http://www.enature.com/fieldguide/showSpeciesSH.asp?curGroupID=2&shapeID=973&curPageNum=8&recnum=BU0156 

Discussion The relatively diminutive Hoary Comma has a vast northern range but it appears rarely and in small numbers. Only in the northeastern states does it occur somewhat regularly yet, even in Maine, it can be entirely absent for years. This little species is less fleet than other anglewings except for the Gray Comma.

together with all the information "Mo" has provided and more reading and research should assist future  explorations.

JOURNEY NORTH: Help Track the Monarch Migration to Mexico!

The monarchs' Journey South is about to begin. Monarchs will soon be gathering at northern roost-sites preparing for their long journey to Mexico. We hope you're ready to help track their trip. Watch for weekly updates every Friday beginning August 30, 2002. Last fall's migration was off to an unusually early start. By mid-August, aggregations of monarchs had been reported from Manitoba, Ontario, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. In addition to being early, unusually large numbers of butterflies were reported. By the migration's end, one of the largest overwintering populations had arrived in Mexico--and then came January's devastating storm. This season's population appears to be significantly smaller, as we'll discuss this fall. Meanwhile, we hope you'll keep your eyes on the skies and report monarch activity.  Remember: We Can't Track Migration Without Your Help! We're depending on you to report news from your region. Please send us your observations regularly. We hope the guidelines below will help you report "migration highlights" from your region. Whenever monarch activity is high, please report your news!
When Will the Migration Reach You?
Here is last fall's migration map. Find your region and read the highlights reported: Monarch Migration Fall 2001
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/images/graphics/monarch/monarch_map102501.html

Happy tracking,

Elizabeth Howard
Journey North

****************************************************************
How to Track Monarch Migration

STEP 1: Learn How to Watch for Migrating Monarchs
Here are easy ways you can recognize and monitor the fall migration. You can:

Count Monarchs Flying Overhead
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarch/FallObservationsOverhead.html

Count Monarchs at a Nectar Source
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarch/FallObservationsNectar.html

Count Monarchs at an Overnight Roost
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarch/FallObservationsRoost.html

Count Monarchs as You Travel Along the Road
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarch/FallObservationsRoad.html

Whenever you see migrating monarchs, please report what you see!

STEP 2: Watch for the Migration to Peak
Our goal is to track the peak migration all the way to Mexico. The weekly migration map will link to highlights along the migration trail. When you think monarch activity is at its highest, report your observations as "peak migration."

But don't be concerned if you're not sure you're seeing the peak. Our staff will read your comments and adjust if necessary.

*************************************************************
Data Sheets for Monitoring Fall Monarch Migration
To catch the peak, try to make regular observations so you can compare one day to the next.

1) Fall Migration Field Observations
Take this data sheet each day you go into the field:
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarch/FallFieldNotes.html

2) Summary of Field Observations
Compile each day's field observations here:
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarch/FallDataSummary.html

The First Monarch Butterfly Migration Update Will be Posted on August 30, 2002

Check out Roger Kuhlman's latest sightings at:
http://home.att.net/~r.a.kuhlman/.htm

Here's the latest:

Bob's Journal has been updated with Part II of the "Boloria Bob" and "Degree Day Harry" trip to the north lands.
Don't miss the finale of their exploits at www.BitsOfBob.com.  

Here's a teaser from his journal:

Report from Owen (August 14):
I am heading to the Upper Peninsula this weekend to bait trap and paint trails for Polygonia gracilis and Polygonia satyrus, look for potential sites for Chlosyne gorgone carlota, and be on the lookout for any other interesting leps and potential future sites.
Some of my fellow compatriots will be in the environs of Otsego county, primarily for moths.  GOOD FORTUNE!

My next update will be about Sunday or Monday.  I will be spreading today the last of my leps from previous trips, then after they come off the boards, I will be able to report what was discovered.  

Have any of you something to report?  Please Email me so I can include it at my next Update.

Information from Bob Kriegel (August 14):

Hey,

Some of you may have seen the National Geographic article a couple of months ago with huge art scans of Lepidoptera.  Today it made the New York Times.  If you have not set up a free account to fully access this newspaper online, its well worth the few questions to get access to the multimedia slide show that accompanies this article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/14/arts/design/14MOTH.html?ex=1030334533&ei=1
&en=b25272cf0fc839dc

Enjoy,
Bob

[Note from OAP: Here is an example of one of the photographs]:

photo by Joseph Scheer

See: Report from Owen (July 21):  UPDATE (August 12)
below for revised Report pertaining to scanning of specimens.

Mark Schmidt graciously provides the following fine photographs for which I am indebted (August 13):

He says: "I haven't had too much time to take many photos.  I'll attach a few below."  
One is a female glaucus with incomplete melanism.  

photo by Mark Schmidt,  © 2002
female glaucus with incomplete melanism

Another is a male troilus with anomalous tails.  

photo by Mark Schmidt,  © 2002
male troilus with anomalous tails

The last is just a "cute" shot which makes a third and fifth instar troilus look like they are playing hide and seek.

photo by Mark Schmidt,  © 2002
just a "cute" shot which makes a third and fifth instar troilus look like they are playing hide and seek

Report from Owen A. Perkins (August 27):
To my chagrin, I made a serious mistake in a report labeled:
      Report from Owen (July 21):  UPDATE (August 12)

The specimen vouchered on that date was NOT  E. dukesi !!!  The E. dukesi specimen was vouchered by Roger Kuhlman on July 14 as reported in his report of July 17 (below):

The specimen vouchered on July 21 by Owen A. Perkins was P. viator ! 

My sincere apologies.  Roger brought the mistake to my attention and I was able to verify my mistake when I removed specimens from the spreading boards.

THE FOLLOWING WAS THE REPORT THAT WAS IN ERROR !

Report from Owen (July 21):  UPDATE (August 12)
The following was previously reported:
Roger Kuhlman and I surveyed the Michigan Nature Conservancy Ives Road Fen today, in an effort to locate a population of Swamp Metalmark (Calephelis mutica).  Roger maintained a list of the species encountered. We did not locate any mutica!  However our efforts were not in vain.  The fen has a good stand of swamp thistle, numerous shrubby cinquefoil, large amount of Black-eyed Susan in bloom and Joe-pye weed coming into bloom. No Dorcas Copper (Lycena dorcas) were seen.  Since Mo encountered fresh mutica in the Lost Nations SGA on the previous day, it was hoped they would be present at the Ives Road Fen.  We may have been a day or so early.  Roger may have the opportunity to try again soon.  I wish him good fortune!

HOWEVER, upon removing specimens from the spreading board from this trip, what was surmised to be Poanes viator or Euphyes dion from a cursory examination in the field is in fact: Dukes' Skipper (Euphyes dukesi) !!!  The Michigan Nature Conservancy should be most pleased to learn that at their Ives Fen site in addition to the Special Concern species Swamp Metalmark (Calephelis mutica) is also a Threatened species which their ownership will protect by protecting the habitat!

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Ives Fen, Lenawee County, Michigan, 21 July 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Ives Fen where the Threatened species, Dukes' Skipper (Euphyes dukesi) 
was discovered by Roger Kuhlman and Owen A. Perkins.

     
photo by Owen A. Perkins, Dukes' Skipper (Euphyes dukesi), 12 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Ives Fen specimen, Dukes' Skipper (Euphyes dukesi) 
was discovered by Roger Kuhlman and Owen A. Perkins.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Dukes' Skipper (Euphyes dukesi), 12 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Ives Fen specimen, Dukes' Skipper (Euphyes dukesi) 
was discovered by Roger Kuhlman and Owen A. Perkins.
Robert D. Kriegel a.k.a. Bob and a.k.a. "Boloria Bob" and I are experimenting with scanning specimens as opposed to photographing them with macro lens, portrait lens, etc. for closeups.  We haven't refined the method as yet, mostly due to the pin obstructing the specimen being placed near the glass and thus not in best focus.  ANY SUGGESTIONS?

Please excuse the poor reporting as of late.  My website server has been changed and during the construction I was not able to update this site.  Please provide any new news!  
Thanks, Owen

More to come in future updates about the trip of 25 July to 29 July to the Upper Peninsula . . .  
I am waiting for the specimens to come off the spreading boards to be certain of the identity of some of the specimens, especially the skippers.

There are a large number of county records from this trip and the trip of July 5 to July 15 which will be listed as soon as I am able to ascertain them.

Report from Owen (August11):

My son Paul and I traveled to Arenac, Ogemaw, Oscoda counties on Thursday, August 8, primarily to search for potential sites for future survey work for the Gorgone Checkerspot, a.k.a. Carlota Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone carlota).  

    
photo by Owen A. Perkins, Old M76 in Arenac County, Michigan, 08 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Surveying for potential sites of Gorgone "Baloney".

We visited the historic site in Oscoda county near the bridge over the West Branch of Big Creek and County 490 near Luzerne.  We looked for the host foodplant: Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta).  I found only one plant.  It was on the north side of the road east of the bridge.  We also observed other sunflowers.  They were few in number.  

photo by Owen A. Perkins, West Branch Big Creek area, Oscoda County, Michigan, 08 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Sunflowers were few in number, here among what appears to be Big Blue Stem.

I suspect these plants are remnants of the prairie that existed in the vicinity in years past, but replaced by forest.  Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris metacomet), Gray Comma (Polygonia progne), Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax), Leonard's Skipper (Hesperia leonardus), Cabbage Butterfly (Pieris rapae), Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme), Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes asterius) were sighted or vouchered.  Paul vouchered one Summer Blue (Celestrina neglecta), an Oscoda county record.

More sunflowers were found south of the bridge along the creek near the campsite area.  Peck's Skipper (Polites peckius) and Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene myrina) were vouchered.

We traveled on other roads in the area with little success except along Valley Road.  There are numerous sites along Valley Road east of the Crawford county line and M33.  The most promising and what appears to be an excellent site is located where the West Branch of Big Creek and Valley Road intersect in T25N R1E Sections 22, 23, 27 and 28.  

photo by Owen A. Perkins, West Branch Big Creek at Valley Road, Oscoda Co., Michigan, 08 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
West Branch Big Creek where Dorcas Copper inhabits.  The nearby environs are a potential site for Carlota Checkerspot.

There is abundant hirta, sunflower and thistle as attested by the accompanying photographs.  Atlantis Fritillary (Speyeria atlantis), Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene myrina), Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris metacomet) and Dorcas Copper (Lycaena dorcas) were vouchered and Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes asterius) was sighted.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, West Branch Big Creek at Valley Road, Oscoda Co., Michigan, 08 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Thistle in bloom at West Branch Big Creek and Valley Road where Dorcas Copper inhabits. 
 The nearby environs are a potential site for Carlota Checkerspot.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, West Branch Big Creek at Valley Road, Oscoda Co., Michigan, 08 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Black-eyed Susan at West Branch Big Creek and Valley Road.  The environs are a potential site for Carlota Checkerspot.

In Ogemaw county along Berry Trail, T21N R3E Section 7 at the site of the Berry Trail Bog, numerous fresh Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax) were present.  At M33 and Eddy Creek the Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor) was vouchered.

In Arenac county along old M76 in sections 27 and 34 there are great numbers of Black-eyed Susan.  Peck's Skipper (Polites peckius) was vouchered.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Old M76 Arenac Co., Michigan, 08 August 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Paul O. Perkins surveys area along Old M76 in Tittabawasee River State Forest where the Black-eyed Susan abounds. 
 The nearby environs are a potential site for Carlota Checkerspot as Rudbecki hirta is a foodplant.

Report from Robert Kriegel (August 9):

Hello all,

I have gotten totally carried away with the field journal entry for Harry and my excursion last weekend for titania and gorgone.  Part one of two is now online at www.BitsOfBob.com.  Part II should be online early next week.  I picked up slides from this trip and earlier adventures yesterday.  I have many more good images from the last trip than I can possibly use with the story.  I am hoping to put a web slide show together once I finish part II.

With the new slides, additional pictures have also been added to some of the existing journal entries, particularly May 31, Jun 7 and Jul 2.

Enjoy,
Bob

Report from Roger Kuhlman (August 5)

Hi Owen,

Over the past week southern immigrant butterflies have begun showing up in southeast Michigan. On Saturday July 27, the first Junonia coenia (Buckeye) of the season showed up unexpectantly in a field along Embury road in northwest Washtenaw county. The next day, Sunday July 28, I went to Point Mouillee in northeast Monroe county hoping to find more southern immigrants
and I was not disappointed. There I saw two more Buckeyes, more than 10 Hylephilia phyleus (Fiery Skipper), and a Strymon melinus (Gray Hairstreak). As usual at this site, the Fiery Skippers were strung out in ones or twos along the dirt road atop the dikes. Finding the Gray Hairstreak at Point Mouillee was a very big surprise. I had not expected it at all. Besides the three southern species, large numbers (25+) of Vanessa atalanta (Red Admirals) were flying on Sunday at Mouillee. This total approximately
doubled the number of Red Admirals the Greater Washtenaw county Survey has recorded for the whole season. Seeing this many Red Admirals got me fervently hoping for another Vanessa species cardui (Painted Lady) to appear but such hopes were disappointed. The 'drought' in Painted Ladies still continues this year in southeast Michigan with none recorded.

Since last weekend, additional Buckeyes have shown up around here. On August 1, two Buckeyes were seen at Northeast Area Park in Ann Arbor, on August 2 one Buckeye was at the Botanical Gardens, and on August 4 one Buckeye was at
Crosswinds Marsh in southwest Wayne county. That same day a member of the Greater Washtenaw county survey John Swales found Fiery Skipper in Greenview park in Ann Arbor. Our other two uncommon but usual southern immigrants Eurema lisa (Little
Yellow) and Euptoieta claudia (Variegated Fritillary) still have not been found this season. Lisa is looking increasingly unlikely especially since the best place to find it southeast Michigan--Crosswinds Marsh--again turned up empty for the species on Sunday August 4. Its larval hostplant Partridge pea is prospering quite well there now and is in bloom but without the butterfly as far as I can tell. For Variegated Fritillary I have more hopes it will be found this season. One of these southwestern warm fronts is bound
to bring up the butterfly sometime in August, September or even October. It is just the trick to be in the right place at the right time.

Report from Mo (August 4)
Owen,        Terry and I went to Muskegon Co. this past Sat. looking for H. ottoe - saw none except some worn 'Duns'!! It was HOT, again; plus nectar was scarce-a few milkweeds that were ignored. We had a good time, though, driving around-same areas that you and I covered. Also, stopped in Newaygo Co., and saw nothing of interest. While they had lots of rain before our time there, it was still hot, dry, depressing. (All of the above was after a night of 'mothing' at Shaw Lk with 'so=so' results!! ha.)

Report from John Farmer (July 2) LATE INSERT BY OAP

Seeing little and trapping less here in Milan, even though I've had the trap deployed more or less continuously since late April/early May. Only two Hackberry Emperors thus far, and no Tawnies.  Nothing else of note.

Report from Stephen Ross (July2) LATE INSERT BY OAP

Had two Baltimores on July 1, County Records unless Ted Herig has turned in some. Collected one, photographed the other. Found on county roads about a half mile apart between sedge meadow type habitats. Along 120th Ave between 18 Mile Rd and Wilson Ave, Section 6-1 Martiny-Colfax and Section 7-12 Martiny-Colfax.  I'll be headed in the direction of Ottoe territory tomorrow. Provided the first place I need to stop doesn't run into the miserable heat of the day, I may have a chance to look for Ottoe. There are utterly zillions of Euro Skippers this year so separating one Ottoe from the Euros may prove a challenge.

Report from Maria Albright (July 1): LATE INSERT BY OAP

It's blooming at Allegan if either of you are still interested. [prickly pear cactus]

Report from Mo (June 28): LATE INSERT BY OAP

Owen Perkins and I spent part of last Fri., June 28, on Camp Owasippe. We talked to one of the officials at the main office; he pointed out on the camp map a couple of likely areas of open, sandy prairie. We checked out these and a other areas but saw nothing of H. ottoe. We saw lots of European Skippers, Thymelicus lineola, and two Hesperia sassacus, Indian Skipper, plus a few Papilio canadensis and troilus, one Vanessa virginiensis, American Painted Lady, and a few Clouded and Orange Sulphurs, Colias philodice and eurytheme, and one Little Wood Satyr, Megisto cymela. In other words, a very poor showing are the area covered---NO H. ottoe! 
We then checked the Manistee National Forest areas in T12N,R15W, Sections 7/8. Two large sandy prairies were found that have a much greater potential for H. ottoe, in about two weeks. Assuming we return to this county, we'll be searching the NF
first. 

More to come in future updates about the trip of 25 July to 29 July to the Upper Peninsula . . .  

Report from Owen (July 30):

In 1909 William W. Newcomb collected in the vicinity of Norway, Dickinson County, Michigan.  Yes in 1909 !  On August 3, 1909, the Gorgone Checkerspot a.k.a Carlota Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone carlota) was collected for the first time in Michigan by Dr. Newcomb.
The site of his prize was along the railroad grade near Mud Lake, now shown on maps as Little Fumee Lake and Little Fumee Lake  is located just southeast of Fumee Lake, in T40N R30W Section 36.  

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Little Fumee Lake, Dickinson County, Michigan, 26 July 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Little Fumee Lake as seen from the old rail road grade.

Now almost 93 years to the date, the Michigan Lepidoptera Survey of the Michigan Entomological Society, represented by Mogens C. "Mo" Nielsen and Owen A. Perkins accompanied by Owen's son Paul O. Perkins, visited the site to ascertain if the species is still present, at least on the date surveyed, 26 July 2002.  They all walked in what could have been the "footsteps" of W. W. Newcomb.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Little Fumee Lake area, Dickinson County, Michigan, 26 July 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Mo travels in the footsteps of W. W. Newcomb along the rail road grade at Little Fumee Lake.


photo by Owen A. Perkins, Little Fumee Lake area, Dickinson County, Michigan, 26 July 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
The ties on the old rail road grade at Little Fumee Lake with Paul O. Perkins walking in the footsteps of W. W. Newcomb.

The Notebook of W. W. Newcomb which is deposited at the

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Little Fumee Lake area, Dickinson County, Michigan, 26 July 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
An opening to the north of the old rail road grade where Knapweed abounds.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Little Fumee Lake area, Dickinson County, Michigan, 26 July 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
The host foodplant for carlota is a sunflower, could this be the species?

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Little Fumee Lake area, Dickinson County, Michigan, 26 July 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
A closer view of the sunflower at Little Fumee Lake.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Little Fumee Lake area, Dickinson County, Michigan, 26 July 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
We need your help, Dr. Edward Voss !  What species is this?

Continuing, Newcomb says:

A good many flies were sun along the r. r. & taken – also locusts.  Few beetles seen except one common species on goldenrod – Following butterflies noted:-

A. myrina 1 In swamp {This would be what is now described as Boloria selene atrocostalis; none seen 26 July 2002}
A. atlantis A few in swamp & along r. r. {This would be Speyeria atlantis; present 26 July 2002}
A. cybele 1 which I took to be a very worn female  {This would be what is now described as Speyeria cybele krautwurmi; none     seen 26 July 2002}
P. tharos common especially after I struck the r. r., but not so abundant as at Detroit.  {This would be what is now described as Phyciodes selenis; numerous seen and most captured and released to examine for carlota 26 July 2002}
P. carlotta 4 all males.  Probably a new generation just coming out the first time I have ever seen the species in nature.  {This is Chlosyne gorgone carlota; none were seen 26 July 2002}
G. progne 2 or 3  {This would be Polygonia progne; none seen 26 July 2002}
G. comma 1 or 2  {This would be Polygonia comma; none seen 26 July 2002}
V. antiopa 1 with other species at dried mud on r. r.  {This would be Nymphalis antiopa; several seen 26 July 2002}
L. archippus 1  {none seen 26 July 2002}
M. cautheus perhaps 7 or 8 all told – worn in usual maraly habitat.  {This would be Satyrodes eurydice or Satyrodes appalachia leeuwi or both; several observed, 1 voucher taken OAP 26 July 2002}
S. alope – nephele common – becoming worn.  Probably the most abundant sp. {This would be Cercyonis pegala nephele; numerous seen 26 July 2002}
L. comyntas 1 at dried mud on r. r. {This would be Everes comyntas; common 26 July 2002}
N. juvenalis about a dozen males of a fresh generation – all at dried mud spots next r. r.  These spots extended over a few rods only at a point a little east of Big Mud Lake.  {"Mo" stipulates that this was probably not Erynnis juvenalis, but more likely Erynnis lucilius; no Dusky Wing species were seen 26 July 2002}

{In addition on 26 July 2002 we also vouchered:
Colias eurytheme, Colias interior, Enodia anthedon, Satyrium liparops strigosum, Limenitis arthemis arthemis, Euphyes vestris metacomet, Polites peckius, and new county distribution records for Dickinson County Celastrina neglecta and Wallengrenia egeremet!.  For Wallengrenia egeremet this is an UPPER PENINSULA distribution record !
Captured and released: Danaus plexippus.
After the skippers are further examined, any other species will be posted.
Father and son walked the old rail road grade northwest to a point probably on the section line between sections 25 and 26 adjacent to Lake Fumee.  "Mo" walked a portion of this rail road grade and he also walked the grade to the southeast to the point where it intersects with Dickinson County Road 396 in section 36.}

I await the first week in August (about August 6 or 7) to cross the "Big Mac" and after stopping Paradise environs to place fermenting fruit bait traps for polygonia gracilis and polygonia satyrus in particular, head directly to Dickinson County and the Lake Fumee area to search for Chlosyne gorgone carlota!  I intend to place bait traps in the environs east of Crystal Falls and then continuing my search for carlota and who knows?, Boloria titania grandis.

Report from Roger Kuhlman (July 23):

I really enjoyed our trip to Ives Road despite the unbearable heat and not finding the Swamp Metalmark. It is really good to be around someone who shares your interests and passions. Hope to do more of that in the future.

On the way back to Ann Arbor on Sunday, I noticed that the air temperatures had cooled significantly so I decided do  a bit more butterflying in southwest Washtenaw county. I stopped at a sedge-meadow, marsh wetland on Sharon Valley Road and was pleased to find over 20 Lycaena helloides (Purplish Copper). They were very fresh and looked as if they had just emerged on Sunday in response to the brief rain shower the area received. In several places, very bright females perched prominently in the reeds and sedges and fanned their wings in a manner that looked to be advertising for males. Besides the coppers, E. conspicua (Black Dash) and S. eurydice seemed to be everywhere in the wetland. I counted over 50 of the Brown and at least 25 of the skipper.

While at this site, I checked the drier meadows south of the wetland hoping to find either E. claudia (Variegated Fritillary) or J. coenia (Buckeye). Didn't have luck to find either but I did find one Nymphalis milberti (Milbert's Tortoise Shell). It was only the third individual of this species that we have recorded on the Greater Washtenaw county Butterfly Survey this year. The other two sightings occurred back in March and April. Over the past two days, Ann Arbor has had two rainstorms in which we received in excess of 1 and 1/2 inches of precipitation. This precipitation should be very good for area butterfly populations and I am interested in seeing whether it will lure a few of the missing regular southern immigrants to our area.

Hope your butterflying excursions northward are successful.

Report from Owen (July 21):
Roger Kuhlman and I surveyed the Michigan Nature Conservancy Ives Road Fen today, in an effort to locate a population of Swamp Metalmark (Calephelis mutica).  Roger maintained a list of the species encountered. We did not locate any mutica!  However our efforts were not in vain.  The fen has a good stand of swamp thistle, numerous shrubby cinquefoil, large amount of Black-eyed Susan in bloom and Joe-pye weed coming into bloom. No Dorcas Copper (Lycena dorcas) were seen.  Since Mo encountered fresh mutica in the Lost Nations SGA on the previous day, it was hoped they would be present at the Ives Road Fen.  We may have been a day or so early.  Roger may have the opportunity to try again soon.  I wish him good fortune!

Roger Kuhlman at the Ives Road Fen


Roger Kuhlman at the Ives Road Fen


Swamp Thistle and Joe-pye Weed and Black-eyed Susan


An immaculate Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) fluttering at a moist spot at the Ives Road Fen

Report from Mogens C. "Mo" Nielsen (July 20):

Just a few notes on my trip today to Lenawee and Hillsdale counties.
Lenawee Co.=checked my old site for E. dukesi along the now abandoned RR r/w just NE of Morenci. At about 10:10 AM, I found the small brushy swamp, with wide-leaf sedge, almost completely engulfed with willow, dogwood, and still moist from the early dew; no sign of dukesi. It was probably too early in the day!? Along the sunny RR r/w, I saw P. tharos, C. neglecta and P. catullus. Later, about 3:30, I stopped briefly at the Grass Lake fen, just S of Cement City, hoping to photo O. powesheik; saw no skippers, but L. dorcas and C. nephele.

Hillsdale Co.=Met Mark Churchill at the Lost Nations SGA, at noon; we spent about 2 1/2 hours in the fen, especially searching for C. mutica. We found several metalmarks (Mark's goal); some nectaring on Black eyed Susan (photo'd) and Shrubby Cinquefoil. Others seen were: P. asterias, P. rapae, C. eurytheme, L. dorcas (worn), C. neglecta, P. tharos (swarming along moist trail), E. phaeton, P. interrogationis, N. milberti, L. astyanax, D. plexippus, C. nephele, P. peckius, A. logan, P. massasoit, viator, E. conspicua, metacomet.

I searched extensively for O. powesheik, as the fen 'appeared' very similar to other powesheik habitats, but saw none. Also, I  'fought' my way through the tamarack/misc. trees/brush (where a sane person would never venture) along the border for any sign of N. mitchellii, but saw none (probably too late?) I have looked for both species in prior years without success; I doubt if they occur here!? It was a beautiful, but HOT(90's) day!!!!

Response from Bob Kriegel (July 20):
I read your thoughts on ottoe and degree days.  Back in May and June we were way behind normal as far as degree day accumulations go.  However -- in July we caught up and we are now at or ahead of normal accumulations across most of Michigan.  In fact, Allegan is almost 200 DD 50F ahead of last year on this date.  Notice that many of the first observations this year for the skippers on your list were on July 6th.  This was during or just after the hot spell where we regained most of the lost ground in degree days.  Clearly there was a flush of emergence of several species during that first week of July. Also remember that N. mitchellii and C. mutica emerged right on schedule around the 4th of July.  I suspect that ottoe emerged during that first week of July too.  I would expect that the hot, dry weather since that time that did in the cactus bloom also put an end to the ottoe emergence and the individuals that emergenced early in July are dead by now.  There may be additional ottoe waiting to emergence, but that will depend on rain.  I'd lay my bets that the best time to find them will be after the next good rain.  Otherwise, I suspect you are out of luck for this year.  On the other hand, I'd be happy if you proved me wrong.  

[Note from OAP:  Bob's perception seems totally correct to me.  It was my contention that a good rain could allow eclosure of ottoe even until into August.]

Do you have a DD figure for that latest ottoe voucher?  

[Note from OAP:  Bob has the MLS data for the latest date ottoe has been vouchered.  I await his assistance on this information so I can calculate the DD 50F for this late date.]

That would help us bracket the end of the flight better.  

What are your current thoughts about going to the western UP in search of gorgone, etc.  

[Note from OAP: Mo and I have a plan to survey for Chlosyne gorgone carlota (Reakirt 1866) Gorgone Checkerspot next weekend!  Harry has tentative plans for the following weekend and I desire to go again after that.]

Some thoughts to ponder from OAP (July 20):

Now consider this - in a Report from Mo (June29):
In part it read:
Owen and I just returned from a two day trip to Allegan, Barry and Muskegon counties searching for Hesperia ottoe and others found on dry sandy prairies. Well, Owen came close-but no cigars. He got ottoe on his digital camera (we believe) [note from Owen: I vouchered one from this site last year], we did not catch this one as it zipped away! 

However, BY COMPUTERIZED ENHANCEMENT OF THE DIGITAL PHOTO, I (Owen) WAS ABLE TO ASCERTAIN THAT THE SPECIMEN WAS NOT ottoe, but most likely Delaware Skipper (Atrytone logan), NOT ottoe !  Thus ottoe was not encountered this early in the season!
The Ottoe Skipper (Hesperia ottoe) has a documented flight period in Michigan of a Single Brood; June 18 to August 16.
The following are known DD for ottoe:

A 19 June 1953 voucher with a DD 50F of 860
A 22 June 1952 voucher with a DD 50F of 861
A 06 July  1952 voucher with a DD 50F of 1181
A 14 July 2001 voucher with a DD 50F of 1186

Other skippers with similar flight periods as ottoe are:

Powesheik Skipperling (Oarisma powesheik): June 22 to July 19 
     this year first sighting 6 July, latest sighting 13 July     14 days late
Crossline Skipper (Polites origenes): June 3 to August 9
     this year first sighting 16 June, latest sighting 9 July     13 days late
Deleware Skipper (Atrytone logan): June 1 to September 18
     this year first sighting June 29, latest sighting 18 July    28 days late
Broad-winged Skipper (Poanes viator): June 30 to August 7
     this year first sighting 6 July, latest sighting 18 July      6 days late
Dion Skipper (Euphyes dion): June 17 to August 8
     this year first sighting 6 July, latest sighting 4 July      19 days late
Dukes' Skipper (Euphyes dukesi): June 26 to August 10
     this year first sighting 14 July, latest sighting 18 July    18 days late
Black Dash (Euphyes conspicuus): June 6 to August 13
     this year first sighting 6 July, latest sighting 18 July     30 days late
Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris metacomet): June 23 to August 31
     this year first sighting 6 July, latest sighting 14 July     23 days late

These latest sightings are not the last sightings.  The thrust of this examination is that it appears that all these skippers are late this year compared to the early known flight date.

For:
Ottoe Skipper (Hesperia ottoe): June 18 to August 16
     this year the first sighting will not be before 19 July       30 days late
The DD 50F as of 18 July 2002 for Allegan, Newaygo and Muskegon counties was in a range of 1249-1262.  This is well within the range of what one could/should expect to find ottoe still in flight, especially if rain might provide moisture to enhance eclosure. 

Thus it would not surprise me if ottoe could still be encountered this year as late as August 16.
It would behoove those interested in documenting historical sites and new sites to continue to search and survey for this threatened species so as to gain more insight and knowledge about its life history in Michigan.

Should the weather be as predicted on http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/local/USMI0159 for Muskegon, Muskegon County the following is predicted for the DD 50F:

Report from Roger Kuhlman (July 17)
Hello Owen,

On July 14, I found Euphyes dukesi (Dukes' Skipper) at four different locations in southwest Wayne county. Three of the four are sites were where the butterfly was seen in 2001. These are on Sherwood road about a mile east of the Washtenaw county line, Ash road about 1/4 mile east of the new section of Crosswinds Marsh, and a site within Crosswinds Marsh. This year a second location for dukesi was found inside Crosswinds Marsh. It was here one dukesi was vouchered.

For the day I saw maybe a total of 19 or 20 dukesi. However it would not surprise me if an extended count turned up more individual dukesi. The species does not seem to have been harmed by the extended hot and dry conditions we have been experiencing in southeast Michigan for the past month. Other butterflies at Crosswinds Marsh were at reduced numbers. However I did find one Speyeria aphrodite (Aphrodite) and one (late?) Thorybes pylades (Northern Cloudywing)--seemingly good finds.

The S. aphrodite was nectaring on Butterfly weed and was a member of the rarer alcestis subspecies that bears a close resemblance to S. idalia on the underside. For me the aphrodite was the first one I have found ever in butterflying at Crosswinds for five years.

While at Crosswinds Marsh I carefully looked for Eurema lisa (Little Yellow) and Junonia coenia (Buckeye) but could not find either. Eurema lisa has had a small breeding population at Crosswinds Marsh on several patches of Partridge pea during the past four years. This year growth conditions for Partridge pea have been uneven. In some places in Crosswinds Marsh, the plant has been doing ok but in others it has been badly stunted and wilted. Prospects for finding lisa at Crosswinds this year do not look promising.

Up to this date, I have not found any of the typical southern immigrant butterflies in southeast Michigan this year. Butterflies included in this category include Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady), Jumonia coenia (Buckeye), Euptoieta claudia (Variegated Fritillary), Eurema lisa (Little Yellow), Hylephila phyleus (Fiery Skipper), or Strymon melinus (Gray Hairstreak). I am curious if other people have been seeing any of these butterflies in Michigan this year.

Roger Kuhlman
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Postscript: On July 17, a female Euphyes dukesi heavily laden with eggs was netted and released at the Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor Michigan. The butterfly was discovered along Flemming Creek. In this area there is some good sedge marsh and fen habitat in the flood plain. In many places Carex lacustris grows in shady swamp-type conditions. The dukesi found represented the first positively confirmed sighting of the species in Washtenaw county in the 7 year history of the Greater Washtenaw County Butterfly Survey. Later on the same day, a second butterfly was seen in a different part of the Flemming Creek flood plain.

See Roger's website at:  http://home.att.net/~r.a.kuhlman/.htm

Note from Owen:
Roger's statement:  . . . one (late?) Thorybes pylades (Northern Cloudywing) . . . 
This is late.  However, records indicate it has been recorded as late as August 1.

Correction to the report below entitled:   Report from Owen (July15):

An error on my part in the identification of a plant that I indicated as Wild Strawberry was NOT Wild Strawberry.  Wild Strawberry was NOT in bloom, I misidentified the plants whose flowers are similar to Wild Strawberry and the 3 part leaves at first glance appeared similar to Wild Strawberry leaves.  The plant is a Rubus spp.! (thanks to "Mo" for his alertness to the photos with the Northern Blue butterfly!)
I will obtain a plant and request of the expert, Ed Voss, to identity the species!

Message from Martin Andree (July 19):

Hi Friends:

Please visit our web site to see photos of our life in Korea.
http://web.axilar.net/mjandree/

Thanks!

Martin and Shannon

Report from Owen (July 18):

On Tuesday, July 16, Mogens C. "Mo" Nielsen and I surveyed, especially for the Ottoe Skipper (Hesperia Ottoe), in Muskegon, Oceana and Mecosta counties.  The weather was clear and HOT, reaching into the 90s and the 100s in the sun.  Everything was DRY.  The yellow cactus flowers were long past peak, as only one or two were found among the many plants with dried blooms. The Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa).  This cactus is an indicator plant for the typical tall grass prairie in which ottoe is found. The DD 50F was 1100+ for the area.  The flight period for ottoe is June 18 to August 16.  The early DD for June 19, 1953 when ottoe was sampled in Montcalm County was 709-745.  

Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) in Muskegon County, July 16, 2002

I photographed ottoe in Allegan County on June 29 when the DD 50F was approximately 950 and the DD 42F for the Prickly Pear Cactus was 1447 and just beginning to bloom.  On July 16 in Muskegon County the DD 42F for the Prickly Pear Cactus was 1868 and it was past bloom.  The dry weather possibly has caused the demise of the blooms.

Emergence of the Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris metacomet) on this survey trip was at a high.  The flight period for metacomet is June 23 to August 31. This is almost the same flight period as for ottoe.  Metacomet were abundant, one or two or more on every common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), in the Muskegon prairie area in Holton Township.  Other skippers were also present, including one I caught for a Muskegon County record: Crossline Skipper (Polites origenes). The flight period for the origenes is June 3 to August 9 and is often found during the flight period of ottoe.  The American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas americana) was present in good numbers where Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella) was found, even in dry areas.  The flight period for americana is April 22 to October 6 with three broods.  I might assume this is the second brood.  The Edwards' Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii) was also sampled in Muskegon County by me.  The flight period for edwardsii is June 14 to August 19.  One of its favorite nectar sources is orange milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) which is at a peak now. 

   

American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas americana) attracted to "Mo" July 16, 2002

So, if metacomet, american and edwardsii can endure the heat without recent rain, ottoe should also, being a prairie species.  

The problem is:  It is difficult to encounter ottoe in the best of conditions. The dry weather has almost eliminated the nectar source of the cactus flower and few other nectar sources are found in the known historical locations.  Knapweed (Centaurea spp.) is a good source, but not present in all the potential prairie areas.  Early morning and late afternoon times might be more productive than in the middle of the day.  Following rain or showers or the day following rain and/or showers, might be a wise choice of surveying for ottoe.

However, when only a few nectar sources are available, then one might think that these would be the nectar source of choice and thus one could stand (sit) at a location to view these limited nectar sources in hopes of observing the approach of the desired species.

This is enough speculation for one day, but I would appreciate any responses one might have related to the absence of ottoe on July 16 in counties where ottoe has never been vouchered.  It may be it is not present, but all other habitat factors seem to indicate that this elusive species could/should be present.

Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) in Newaygo County on July 16, 2002

Report from Mo Nielsen (July 15):

Owen,        In the interest of keeping you and others informed of my lepidopteral activities, here's a brief summary of this past weekend collecting events:
Fri. July 12, from about 4PM to Sun. July 14, a total of five MI Lep. Survey members (Ted and Terry Herig, Bob Kriegel, Jim Vargo) found a total of 22 species of butterflies and skippers in the vicinity of the 'hut' in Otsego Co. Notable were P. napi oleracea, summer form, some nectaring on a trailing Rubus sp. The summer brood of Polygonia comma, interrogationis, progne appeared-the first two in bait traps. Very few Monarchs were seen flying around large stands of flowering milkweed. Six species of skippers were seen, most nectaring on milkweed; we were too late to find E. bimacula in stands of narrow-leaf sedges.

Interesting observations were made of a large robber fly preying on M. cymela, C. pegala nephele and T. lineola. Photos and 'flies' were taken for future ID. It was a HOT sunny weekend with temps in the 90's!!

Sat. night was very productive for moth collecting at 4 MV/UV/sheet set-ups, 8 UV traps and 8 bait traps scattered in a mixed aspen-pine barrens. Some stayed up till 4 AM, others 'hit the sack' at 2; temps were in the 50's under a new moon. Some of the more interesting species were: Dolba hyloeus, Sphinx canadensis, Platarctia parthenos, Catocala blandula (first for the season),  Diachrysia balluca, Chrysanympha formosa, Syngrapha  rectangula, Apamea verbascoides, ophiogramma (new county record), Polia nimbosa, imbrifera, Eueretagrotis perattenta, attenta. Many more await preparation and identification, especially the Tortricidae!

We had all hoped to find Eacles imperialis pini (special concern species) in the area, but once again, were unsuccessful. It has been taken at the hut several times in the past. Next year!?
Let me know if you have questions.
Cheers, 'Mo'

Message from George Balough (July 5):

At the SEL Congress in Denmark I saw a collector from Poland using a type of net with fine mesh, folding ring, and telescoped handle.  A wide variety of sizes are offered at the following website.  I was told the nets are made in the Czech Republic.

Hope to order an example or two of the nets offered.  The site is in Polish but there are pictures of the supplies (for nets click on "SIATKI").  If you have questions E-mail Mr. Darek Skibinski, he knows English.
The website is split into "Voodoo Galeria" and "Mr Butterfly".  The entomological supplies are found by clicking on the latter but if you get bored check out the objects offered under the former.  Interesting

By the way the rate of Polish Zloty is 1,0 USD=4,0 PLN.
www.voodoo.pl
mrbutterfly@voodoo.pl

Report from Robert Kriegel (July 15):
I went up to Mo's hut mothing on Saturday night.  I was hoping to see imperialis pini.  We didn't have any luck on that species but it was a great night.  Mo will be sending you a report.  I'll write up my entry over the next couple of days and post it to the field journal section of my website.  Please take a look at my journal and let me know what you think. 

     http://www.msu.edu/~kriegelr/leps/field_notes/index.html

[Note from Owen:  I THINK IT'S GREAT!  All reading this report SHOULD link to the above address to Bob's website!

I'm not sure what my collecting plans for the near future are.  At this point I only have one day of vacation time left.  I really want to take a titania trip in early August so I really need to save that day.  This year I'm thinking about going back to Wisconsin for titania and then coming back into Michigan to search for it.  I'd really like to get some more and fresher material.  I'd also like to focus on getting some good pictures of the bug and hopefully find one more new location in Wisconsin.

Report from Maria Albright (July 08):

They're flying!!!  The second brood of the Endangered Species: Karner Blue are flying in Allegan County.  I'd guess the first day at July 6th.  There were numerous males only at Gun Club and both males and females at Monroe.  I did check briefly late afternoon on the 3rd and didn't see any but it's possible with the extreme heat and lack of nectar sources that they weren't flying much.

Report from Roger Kuhlman (July15):

Our NABA butterfly county in the Chelsea Michigan area on July 6 was a major success. We found a total of 45 species for the day. Among them was 16 Oarisma poweshiek in the Embury Swamp fens. In the same fen area we also found Lycaena dorcas, Pieris napi, Boloria selene, Euphydryas phaeton, Satyrodes euydice, Ancyloxypha numitor, Poanes massasoit, Poanes viator, Euphyes dion, and Euphyes conspicua. Also a well-worned mystery skipper was captured that I think may well 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.

The only disappointment of the day was the continued inability to find 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.

Check out Roger's website for a fine accounting of butterflies in the Greater Washtenaw area:

• Website maintained by Roger Kuhlman rkuhlman@hotmail.com 
• Website: http://home.att.net/~r.a.kuhlman/.htm

Report from Owen (July15):

My trip to the Upper Peninsula (July 5 through July 14) was very successful.  The highlights were:

The European Skipper (Thymelicus lineola) was extremely abundant!  It was almost everywhere there was a nectar source.
They were striking the windshield of the car as we drove west along US2 and M28.
County records were caught and vouchered for Delta, Menominee, Iron, Baraga and Keweenaw counties.
Now the European Skipper has been recorded from every county in the Upper Peninsula.

European Skipper on Vetch on the Eckerman Corners Trail   

European Skipper on Milkweed in Menominee County

The Northern Blue (Lycaeides idas nabokovi) was not sighted on July 6 at the historic Alger County site.

Northern Blue site in Alger County
Orange Hawkweed, Red Clover, Oxeye Daisy and Wild Strawberry were in bloom.
Wild Strawberry was NOT in bloom, I misidentified the plants whose flowers are similar to Wild Strawberry and the 3 part leaves at first glance appeared similar to Wild Strawberry leaves.  The plant is a Rubus spp.! (thanks to "Mo" for his alertness to the photos with the Northern Blue butterfly!)
I will obtain a plant and ask Ed Voss to identity the species!

A search for the Gorgone Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone carlota) was not fruitful in Dickinson County on two occasions
at the historic Fumee Lake site which is now a Natural Area.  Of course July 7 and July 13 are early dates for the second brood.

Old Railroad grade at the Fumee Lake historic site for the Gorgone Checkerspot.

I was provided the pleasure of viewing the John Perona insect collection AND John played the bones, spoons and concertina (accordian) for Grace and me!

John Perona shows his Black Witch moth 
which he caught in the Houghton-Keweenaw area!

John Perona plays the bones!

I placed 10 fermenting fruit bait traps out: Mackinac, Chippewa, Luce, Schoolcraft, Delta, and Iron counties.
The county records and unusual captures of butterflies will be reported when they come off the spreading boards.
Polygonias were only in the Iron county traps (identity will be documented when they come off the spreading boards, but appear to be comma and progne.  White Admirals were found in almost all traps and anthedon and eurydice were the most common in the traps.  Very few moths were in any of the traps.  I kept a few moths for Mo.  

NOW, I had never seen the Northern Blue (Lycaeides idas nabokovi) in the field, a THREATENED species in Michigan.
So, I returned to the historic Alger County site on July 13 and entered the small Dwarf Bilberry area just before 11:00 a.m.  It was a most clear day with the temperature approach 80 at that time of day.  The Orange Hawkweed was prominent and beautiful.  There were some small patches of  Red Clover.  Oxeye Daisy was present, but had been in bloom for a while.  The fern were knee deep over a large portion of the area.  The most significant nectar source however was very fresh Wild Strawberry blooms. A very few berries about the size of a small pea and red were seen.  I photographed the host plant, Dwarf Bilberry (Vaccinium cespitosum).

Dwarf Bilberry (Vaccinium cespitosum).

Then I was able to photograph this threatened species: Northern Blue (Lycaeides idas nabokovi), a female as it nectared on the Wild Strawberry (Frugaria virginiana) !!!  This documents the continued presence of a population at the historic Alger County site!
Wild Strawberry was NOT in bloom, I misidentified the plants whose flowers are similar to Wild Strawberry and the 3 part leaves at first glance appeared similar to Wild Strawberry leaves.  The plant is a Rubus spp.! (thanks to "Mo" for his alertness to the photos with the Northern Blue butterfly!)
I will obtain a plant and ask Ed Voss to identity the species!

photo by Owen A. Perkins, historic Alger County, Michigan site of the Northern Blue, 13 July 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Northern Blue (Lycaeides idas nabokovi) female nectaring on Wild Strawberry (Frugaria virginiana)
Wild Strawberry was NOT in bloom, I misidentified the plants whose flowers are similar to Wild Strawberry and the 3 part leaves at first glance appeared similar to Wild Strawberry leaves.  The plant is a Rubus spp.! (thanks to "Mo" for his alertness to the photos with the Northern Blue butterfly!)
I will obtain a plant and ask Ed Voss to identity the species!



photo by Owen A. Perkins, historic Alger County, Michigan site of the Northern Blue, 13 July 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Northern Blue (Lycaeides idas nabokovi) female nectaring on Wild Strawberry (Frugaria virginiana)
Wild Strawberry was NOT in bloom, I misidentified the plants whose flowers are similar to Wild Strawberry and the 3 part leaves at first glance appeared similar to Wild Strawberry leaves.  The plant is a Rubus spp.! (thanks to "Mo" for his alertness to the photos with the Northern Blue butterfly!)
I will obtain a plant and ask Ed Voss to identity the species!

IT WAS A GLORIOUS DAY FOR Owen A. Perkins as he was concluding his 10 day trip in the Upper Peninsula!

Report from Stephen Ross (July 3):
I got out for about an hour and a half today, from 10-11:30. Maybe a bit early, but there wasn't much of anything flying at all. Saw one dark hairstreak that got away before I could swing, one probable GS Frit, a Euro Skipper and a Xline Skipper (caught and spread). Lots of Knapweed about but none open yet for nectaring. Will try in another week.

Report from Mogens C. "Mo" Nielsen (July 2):
It is HOT here at 95+ in my backyard, but a beautiful day! Bob Kriegel and I left MSU this AM at 8:30 for Jackson County-       search for Calephelis mutica, Neonympha mitchellii, and Oarisma powesheik.
Here is a list of fen species encountered:
Calephelis mutica (one immaculate male), Neonympha mitchellii (sighted), Phyciodes tharos, Euphydryas phaeton, Satyrodes eurydice, Megisto cymela, Cercyonis pegala nephele, Ancyloxypha numitor, Polites mystic, Atrytone logan, Poanes massasoit. Some of these species were nectaring on black-eyed Susans.
Species seen in adjacent uplands: Satyrium edwardsii, Pompeius verna, Euphyes dion.
Obviously, it was a great day, especially for Bob to finally see two of the three species!! Summer has arrived with GUSTO! Mo'

Report from Owen (July 1):

Mo and I visited the Owasippe Scout Reservation in Muskegon County on June 28 and also a couple of great prairies in Muskegon Co., in the Manistee N. F. especially in search of Hesperia ottoe.  None were found, but we WILL return.  We believe we are on the front edge of the flight period.  The DD 50F for June 27 for the Muskegon area and Allegan area respectively was about 761 and 921.  The early DD for ottoe is about 700+ .  The degree days are right, but we need rain to promote emergence.  Here are some photos of that portion of the trip.

    
State of bloom of Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) in Muskegon County, Manistee National Forest, June 28, 2002..

      
State of bloom of Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) in a field containing Vetch 
in Muskegon County, Manistee National Forest, June 28, 2002..

    
State of bloom of Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia hmifusa) in Allegan County SGA, June 28, 2002.

Knapweed is in state ready to bloom.  Some individual blooms were observed.
This nectar source for Hesperia ottoe should be a ready source by July 4.
This photo was taken June 28, 2002, in Allegan SGA.

Ondonata scarfing on a moth in Allegan SGA.

Report from Mogens C. "Mo" Nielsen (June 29):
In the Allegan State Game area, within a large oak barrens area, moths were collected in a UV trap and at a UV sheet (on the hood of our vehicle); here's a brief summary: 

Automeris io, Anisota stigma, Lapara bombycoides, several Notodontids, lots of Halysidota tessellaris (I'm cleaning 'em out of my under-wear!), Apantesis nais, Pygarctia spraguei (MI 'special concern species'), Noctua pronuba, Euagrotis forbes1. The Eastern Tent Caterpillar moth, Malacosoma americanum,males, were out in large numbers!

Regarding the 'brown' skipper collected in the Barry SGA, mine was P. verna male. Yours may have been one too!?

[Note from OAP:  Mo and I both vouchered Papilio canadensis in Muskegon County.  It had not been previously recorded in this county, but likely has been observed as Papilio glaucus]

Report from Mo (June29):

Mo sent an email message to Harry King with a copy to me.  I edited the message and provide pertinent parts:

What a GREAT report on the Bolorias!!!! You deserve a trip like that, after all those previous disappointments. Regarding my experiences in the Paradise bog with eunomia, I never have found it abundant, as in other bogs. I suppose the size of the bog is a factor!?

Owen and I just returned from a two day trip to Allegan, Barry and Muskegon counties searching for Hesperia ottoe and others found on dry sandy prairies. Well, Owen came close-but no cigars. He got ottoe on his digital camera (we believe) [note from Owen: I vouchered one from this site last year], we did not catch this one as it zipped away! 

We did get some new nectar records and found a couple of great prairies in Muskegon Co., in the Manistee N. F. We WILL return there!

Report from Roger Kuhlman (June 28)

Hi Owen,

Butterflying in southeast Michigan has been a bit disappointing so far this year. Numbers of species and total butterflies have been way down compared to the last few years. For example, in 2000 our survey found 70 species in June, in 2001 74 species were found. So far this June we have recorded only 53 species. We have also had our first big miss of the season as no Glaucopsyche lygdamus (Silvery Blue) were seen. Other negative surprises include no southern migrants at all from the group--Eurema lisa, Strymon melinus, Euptoieta claudia, Junonia coenia, Vanessa cardui and Hylephila phyleus. Going into Saturday June 29, only one hairstreak Satyrium acadica has been found. I am hoping things will begin to change on Saturday when we hold our first NABA butterfly count in southwest Washtenaw county. We had been aiming to see 50+ species in one day having recorded 49 in 2000 but the way things stand I think we will be lucky to find more than 40. As things stand now, I plan to look O. powesheik a week from tomorrow July 6 when we hold our second NABA butterfly count. I am sorry you will be up north then and will not be able to attend.

My butterflying schedule over the next few weeks is very busy. It includes at least:
June 29 NABA count--Noggles road southwest Washtenaw county
June 30 Petersburg SGA
July 4 Haehnle Sanctuary Jackson county
July 6 NABA count--Chelsea area including Embury swamp
July 7 NABA count--city of Ann Arbor
July 9 NABA count--Saline River Watershed southeast Washtenaw county.

So far I have not visited Ives road Fen. Maybe we could do a trip there on July 2 or 3. Let me know if you are interested. I still need to secure a final permission from a Nature Conservancy staffer. 
Another possibility is to search Crosswinds Marsh and vicinity for E. dukesei during the same period. I am not very sure of a positive outcome here because when I first found dukesi last year it was July 15. On that date I found the species in two distinct places and in the second location it seemed that the female dukesi I netted and released had just emerged. In the Crosswinds Marsh proper, my dukesi sightings came on a late date of August 5. Let me know what you think.

Further Report from Harry King (June 28)

Fellow Bolorians

I spoke to Bob earlier about the timing of the Boloria this year.  My comment would be the same as the hand out I had available at the Ohio Lep meetings a few years ago.  My opinion has not changed in fact spring collecting on years like this one only confirm my thinking.

Report from Harry King (June28)

My Fellow Bolorian Pursuers

Wednesday morning 4:00 am the decision was made. The weather.com showed the weather for eastern UP going from bad to worse. Now there wasn't just a chance of showers on Wednesday but it was a sure thing strong at times and going over into Thursday as well.  I better not go was the first thought.  The weather man is always wrong right, you've heard it.  So the weather was going to be great and it was.  Two beautiful days of  sunny skies and 85 degree temperatures.

June 26.  421 bog ( west ) stopped here first to see what if anything was flying.  B. eunomia was on the wing saw 8-9 took 3-4 and not at all in bad shape.  In fact pretty nice.  Two B. frigga, got 1, also in great shape.  On leaving the bog took a skipper ( female ) don't know what it is.  Have to leave that one to you Mo.  Next Wolf Inn Bog, they're rebuilding the Inn by the way,  B. eunomia saw 8-10 took 3-4 not in the great shape of those at 421. Next M-123 bog.  Hoping to see B. eunomia here.  I have not taken it at M-123 before. Bob said look in the same place as the B. frigga and B. selene were found.  The funny thing is I only saw 1 Boloria there, a B. selene. All other butterflies were seen along the road nectaring on a yellow flower that looked like a long stemmed buttercup.  I parked where we always have. Remembering we had picked off some B. selene along the road, I started looking on these flowers on my way to the bog.  Seeing a Boloria I assumed it to be selene; on taking it from the net it was B. eunomia.  Boloria
eunomia was nectering on this flower all along the road.  Lots of them and quite fresh.  Best material on the trip. Also taken here were several chipped up selene, a day sphinx ( thysbe I think ), the Pearl Cresent, fresh and saw but missed 1 B. frigga basking on the edge of the pavement quite a ways down from where we usually go in the bog.  On to Paradise bog. Spent quite a bit of time here.  Always takes a lot of time here just to get 1-2 specimens.  Last time here got 2.  This time got only 1.  Mo have you ever found eunomia here in any numbers or has it always been just a few each time?  Anyway to Trout Lake bog its about 3:00 pm now.  Still sunny and mid 80s.  Lots of eunomia but Oh were they fast.  Got several.  About 4:30 haze came in and blocked the sun.  The wind picked up and I could hear thunder to the west.  The sky looked crappy.  Thinking rain I started back to the Van. On the way took 2 more each time trying to hunker down in the vegetation to get away from the storm.  Never did rain until late but the haze remained and the collecting was done for that day. 
June 27.  Soo Line bog.  B. eunomia again about a doz. seen.  Got 2.  Also 1 B. selene, 1 Banded Purple, M. cymela and a colorful little moth.  What a pretty thing but again Mo you will have to identify.  Next the Tahquamenon Bay Bog.  Never gotten B. eunomia here before either but this time got 1. Also another small moth something like the one at Soo Line in shape of wings but colored a little different.  Thysbe was all along the road on those yellow buttercup like flowers. St. Ignace bog.  Got nothing.

NOTES:  B. eunomia was seen taking moisture right out of the bog tippling from the mat at Wolf Inn Bog.
        Tiger swallowtails were everywhere as always.
        Saw 1-2 monarchs at almost every location.
        At M-123 bog the only place I got B. eunomia along the road side on flowers the bog didn't have much of any
              nectar source in it.
        degdays for this trip were between 400 and 445.

Report from Bob Kriegel for Saturday June 22 through Monday June 24, 2002:

With a burning question on my mind and a 40 hour furlough from life's responsibilities in hand, I headed back to the eastern UP bogs on Sunday morning, June 23rd. At the Allenville quarry I encountered Papilio canadensis, Glaucopsyche lygdamus, Coenonympha tullia, Megisto cymela, Danaus plexippus, and Poanes hobomok. At Trout Lake, lilac bloom was fading, and wild irus was in peak bloom. At Eckerman Corner's Trail I found more tigers, hobomok, monarchs, Carterocephalus palaemon and Amblyscirtes hegon. Just after noon, as I passed Newberry on my way to Luce County Road 421 bog; it started to rain. It rained throughout the eastern Upper Peninsula for the remainder of the day. I worked the lights at the rest area west of Seney from 11:30 pm until 1:00 am Monday morning. I saw Actias luna, Antheraea polyphemus, and a variety of sphingids including Sphinx poecila, Sphinx drupiferarum (3), Lapara bombycoides, Smerinthus jamaicensis, Smerinthus cerisyi, Paonias excaecata and Pachysphinx modesta. There were also a variety of noctuids, it will take a bit before I have names on those.

Monday morning saw more dreary weather. Since the weather channel predicted clearing from the north I drove to Whitefish Point and did some beachcombing. Once it lightened up, I hit the jack pine barrens near the Andrus Lake State Forest campgrounds. The weather was still too bad, I couldn't flush anything, not even a fly. Then it started to rain again. Disappointed, I headed south without ever setting foot in a bog. The Mackinac bridge was socked in by fog. Then the sky darkened and a steady rain decended upon me. By 30 miles south of the bridge the rain was gone and it was getting warmer and lighter. At Waters, MI it was hot, bright and sunny. I took a sharp detour and headed to one of the most thoroughly sampled areas in the entire state - the Mackinaw State Forest barrens east of Mo Nielen's hut (Sec. 16) in Otsego county. Butterflies were everywhere. Most activity was concentrated on vetch and orange hawkweed flowers. The buzzzz of cicadas was periodically punctuated by the distant chest thump-thumping of 105 mm howitzers. I encountered Papilio glaucus, Lycaena phlaeas (very common), and a second copper Lycaena helloides I believe, several Phyciodes batesii males, Megisto cymela, Coenonympha tullia (Mo is this a county record?), Danaus plexippus, and at least three species of skippers (still working on those).
[Note from Owen:  Owen caught this as a Otsego County record several years ago behind Mo's hut, much to Mo's chagrin.]

Also, in my front meadow at Bath, I saw my first Speyeria on Saturday June 22. Unfortunately, I didn't get close enough to id it (both cybele and atlantis are found there).

Hopefully Harry, Owen, or Mo will make one more stab at the eastern UP bogs in the next few days to address my burning question. With all the rainy weather the UP has experienced recently, I suspect that Boloria eunomia dawsoni is still flying in the East. Perhaps, a few B. frigga saga are still on the wing too, particularly in northern Luce and Chippewa counties. After all, they were just starting to emerge at Co road 421 bog only nine days ago.

Report from Bob Kriegel for UP sampling trip from Friday 6/14/02 to Tuesday 6/18/02.

On Friday 6/14 I drove from Lansing to Crystal Falls. It rained most of the way up but I could see lilacs in bloom across the entire UP, a good sign for Boloria frigga saga flight. When I arrived in Crystal Falls about 2 pm it was sunny. My hopes were dashed when it started pouring buckets a few minutes later. I was finally able to get out into Mastadon Twp bog by 5 pm. It was very wet everywhere. I later learned it had rained over 1.5 inches over the previous 24 hours. I saw absolutely nothing in the bog except a very worn Incisalia augustinus. On my way out of the bog I walked a nearby two-track for awhile, even though it was partly cloudy and windy. I was flushing small, rusty gray geometrids from the trail. But I was also flushing something else I had never encountered before. They were small and fast, and appeared to be a crescent of some sort. I was in a dry area dominated by sweet fern that is part of National Forest land managed for sharp-tailed grouse. Every time I flushed one from the trail it would fly low and fast, invariably being blown well out of my reach and dropping into the sweet fern. I kept losing them in the wind and poor light conditions at the cloudy end of a day. The creature that came to mind was Charidryas gorgone carlota, a prize not seen in Michigan for almost half a century. My hopes were high, but karma was not on my side. I worked the trails hard for almost two hours until the light was completely gone, to no avail. I finally retreated to drown my sorrows in good canadian beer and UP walleye.

I started Saturday 6/15 in the Hope Lake North bog at 8:15 am. What a sight -- small tufts of snowy white cotton candy as far as the eye could see! I have never seen cotton grass flowers so thick before. As I worked other bogs in the Crystal Falls and Channing area the story was the same everywhere. Where ever Harry and I had found Erebia discoidalis in numbers two weeks earlier was now covered in dense cotton grass bloom. The eastern UP has plenty of cotton grass, but absolutely nothing like I was seeing here. The E. discoidalis and Boloria freija flights were completely over. I did not find a single individual in any of the bogs. The cloudy, windy weather improved some while I was at Hope Lake bog from 9:30 am to noon. I encountered Erynnis icelus, Carterocephalus palaemon mandan, Poanes hobomok, Papilio canadensis, I. augustinus, Nymphalis antiopa, Vanessa virginensis, Boloria (Clossiana) selene atrocostalis, and Oeneis jutta ascerta. I did not encounter either B. frigga or B. eunomia; both species I had hoped to find flying in this bog. By the time I left the western UP later that day I had visited Hope Lake North, Hope Lake, Channing and Big White Pine bogs. I also walked the railroad tracks north of Big White Pine Bog to further explore a bog pocket Owen Perkins and I discovered last year. The spot is certainly worth checking in the future for both freija and discoidalis. As it started raining again I headed east in hopes of drier climes. At Escanaba I thought about heading north to try my hand at the unexplored McFarland bog. To my dismay a formidible band of thunderheads was bearing down from the north. My inner voice said GO EAST. Maybe I shouldn't have listened. As I continued driving, the rain continued to fall. I ended up at a motel in Seney. I figured at least I could check the lights at the rest area west of Seney for moths. This evening I had grilled whitefish. In retrospect, maybe the weather was dictating my menu selections as I ate almost nothing except fish the entire trip.

Sunday, 6/16 I woke up at 5:30 am to a light rain. I turned on the weather channel to learn that Newberry had 0.6 inches of rain the previous night. This was getting old. By 6:30 am I was checking for moths at the rest area. There had been very little activity: no columbia, no lunas, no polyphemus. I settled for a couple of Spilosoma dubia, a Lapara bombycoides and moved on. It was cold, cloudy, wet, windy and dreary. I drove on looking for the sunny morning weather channel prognosticators had promised. I drove back through Seney, Newberry, up to Tahquamanon Falls. Wow, I have never seen so much brown, acidic water cascading over the lower falls. This was not good. I needed sun and I needed it FAST. At Paradise (not that day) I turned south. I stopped at Eckerman Corners trail to search for the early hairstreak, Erora laetus. It was 10:30 am. The sun was starting to peep out from between the clouds, but nothing was flying. I worked the trail for a hour, then continued south to Trout Lake. The rock/antique shop in Trout Lake was open. That was a delightful diversion; I recommend it highly. At 1:30 pm, under partly cloudy skies I was working the lilacs at Fiborn quarry in Mackinac county. In honor of Mo and in hopes of attracting something different I snacked on kippers. At the lilacs I saw lots of P. canadensis, several Danaus plexippus; and E. icelus, P. hobomok and V. virginensis. The only sphingid I encountered was a single Hemaris thysbe. I moved on to the lilacs at the Trout Lake cemetery. I was supposed to meet up with Owen, Mo and maybe Harry King sometime that day. Maybe they would see me and stop.

At 3:30 pm I had a dreadful thought. Here it was mid afternoon on my third day out and I had not seen a single target species. Enough fooling around, it was time to get serious. I threw the net in the van and sped west, back towards Seney. I pulled up to the 421 bog at 4:45 pm, under mostly sunny skies and only a light breeze. I have never seen that bog so wet, and the deer flies were absolutely horrendous. I started working the west bog pocket. I saw something orange flying and netted it. It was an immaculate B. frigga saga. It was so perfect and so soft, it must have just emerged. I worked the west side for about 30 minutes and saw three frigga in all. Then I walked over to the east side. The moat was way over my boots. I had to search out the board placed over the moat several years ago so I could enter the bog. I was only in the east side for 5 minutes when I spotted a single spiny black larva sitting on a branch of bluebberry atop a sphagnum hummock, completely surrounded by water. A closer inspection revealed that the body was covered with faint, yet bright orange bands. Oh my God, this was a Boloria larva. I had never seen one before, nor had I ever heard of any of my comrades encountering one in the bogs either. I examined the hummock very carefully. It was covered with blueberry, dwarf birch, sphagnum and cranberry. I placed the caterpillar in a pill bottle and collected a variety of plants to try and rear it through to adulthood [As of today, 5/19, my little buddy is doing fine. It looks like he munched on cranberry leaves last night]. I continued on and worked the east bog until 6:00 pm. In all I saw about a dozen Bolorias on the east side of the road. All were B. frigga, both sexes, and all except one were immaculate. I headed back to Trout Lake where I met up with Mo and Owen. We spent the evening swapping stories. I reveled at my luck in finding a Boloria larva in the bog. Maybe all this rain wasn't so bad after all. Besides, now the big boys were here and they brought both a change of weather and luck.

Monday morning 6/17 we headed west in hopes of sampling for frigga and possibly eunomia in Delta county. We were with the master (Mo) and we knew that there were lots of county records to be had in Delta county, the above two among them. We hit the first bog pocket in western Schoolcraft county just before 11 am. 

photo by Owen A. Perkins, USFS 2219 Section 19 bog, Schoolcraft County, Michigan, 17 June 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Cottongrass can be seen in the bog.

It was warm and sunny. We encountered P. hobomok and I. icelus on the two-track, P. canadensis was everywhere. Mo did a quick circle of this bog pocket while Owen and I got into our gear. We decided to move on post haste to Delta. The county line was not obvious, but I was able to find the exact spot using a topographic map and my GPS. It is marked by an old road post painted brown. Next to the van a N. antiopa flew by, the first of five county records for the day. We found the Dawson peat bog pocket we had scouted out two years ago. On that rainy day we had walked in on a small two-track and discovered an extensive stand of bog birch. On this much sunnier day, we headed into the bog and soon heard Owen shout Boloria! He missed that one, a few minutes later I missed it, a few minutes after that he netted the rascal. It turned out to be B. selene atrocostalis. We continued working the bog birch. It wasn't too long before we heard Owen over the walkie talkie saying that he had netted a B. frigga, our second county record for the day. Later I netted a second specimen Owen pointed out to me and Mo missed a third. 

Frigga Fritillary (Boloria frigga saga)

Photo provided by Robert D. Kriegel, known affectionately as "Boloria Bob" for all his work ascertaining potential sites in the Upper Peninsula that are Greenwood or Dawson peat bogs, the habitat for both B. frigga saga and B. freija, and for his undaunting field work locating these sites and surveying and sampling the Boloria species they may support.  This is not to diminish all the paper work, analysis work, etc. that goes along with the field work.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, USFS 2124  Section 23 bog, Delta  County, Michigan, 17 June 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Robert D. "Boloria Bob" Kriegel

"Boloria Bob," in the Bog Birch which has always been associated with Boloria frigga saga, at the new county record site in Delta County.  The vouchers Owen and Bob sampled are the culmination of four (4) years of work by Robert D. "Boloria Bob" Kriegel and in association with other Michigan Lepidoptera Survey members to document "frigga" in Delta County.

We also encountered many clusters of Hemileuca nevadensis larva, another Delta county record. We left that bog grinning ear to ear and drove north, then east to Seney for some ice cream, provided by Owen, since he was the first to catch the new Delta County record of B. frigga, then on to Luce County Road 421 and the associated bogs.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, USFS 2124  Section 23 bog, Delta  County, Michigan, 17 June 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
clusters of Hemileuca nevadensis larva discovered by Mogens C. "Mo" Nielsen

On this day at Luce County Road 421 bog we encountered B. frigga, B. selene and B. eunomia in a ratio of 3:1:5. From our experience this told us precisely where in the emergence pattern of these species we were. Our past experience also told us that at this point in their combined phenologies we should be seeing Bolorias everywhere in this bog. But we weren't. Numbers were very very low, but almost every specimen was immaculate and many had clearly emerged that day. We hypothesized that the several days of cold, rainy weather had at least delayed emergence. Perhaps the heavy rain had even drowned many chrysalids. We won't know which is the case until and unless someone heads back up to 421 this next weekend or so to resample the bog. I doubt I can make that trip. If anyone goes, please post a note here so we know what you found.

[Note from OAP:  Thus Bob has sampled all five (5) of the Upper Peninsula Bolorias this year:
Boloria bellona, B. freija, B. atrocostalis, B. frigga saga and B. eunomia.
Owen sampled selene atrocostalis, frigga saga and eunomia all on the same day, June 17, for the trifecta! ]

To wrap up the day we turned back towards Trout Lake and stopped at the Laketon (ghost RR town) lilacs on M28 where we saw more canadian tigers, monarchs, Glaucopsyche lygdamus couperi, and took two Luce county reocrds: Mo and Bob took Thorybes pylades and Owen took Erynnis juvenalis.

After another fine whitefish dinner we headed to Huckleberry Lake bog to try our hand at blacklighting for moths. This was our first time at this location for moths. We found it easy to get to and a nice place to work, once we kicked a deer skeleton out of the way. We were treated to a fine flight of luna moths, Actias luna. I trust Owen will post some of his digital pictures from that experience here soon.

         
photo by Owen A. Perkins, Huckleberry Road bog, Chippewa County, Michigan, 17 June 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
L to R: Bob Kriegel and Mo Nielsen with Luna moths attracted to UV and MV lights.

Tuesday 6/18 I woke up to a cloudless sky. I enjoyed a hearty, fishless breakfast with Mo and Owen and headed home with rock and roll blasting. [Note from OAP: and rocks he bartered for at several sites on his trip including something special for Beth!]  As I started up the approach to the Mackinac bridge, I glanced to my right and glimpsed a pair of loons swimming circles around each other in the unusually still waters of the straits. I smiled, slowly clapped three times, said thank you and headed back to the land of the trolls. rk

Supplement to Report from Mo Nielsen (June10):
SEE BELOW

Report from Mogens C. "Mo" Nielsen with comments by Owen (June 19):

Owen, Got your message regarding a report. Otsego County, June 14,15, in addition to about a half inch+ of rain, we (Mo, Ted Herig, Terry Herig and Chad Herig) had very poor results with UV traps and at MV/UV/sheet set-ups. The most noteworthy were Sphinx poecila, Pachysphinx modesta, Panthea pallescens, Phlogophora iris, Sideridis rosea, maryx, Agrotis volubilis.

Chippewa County, in the vicinity south of Trout Lake (Huckleberry Road bog), June 16/17, we (Mo and Bob Kriegel) collected the following moths: S. poecila, Smerinthus jamaicensis, cerisyi, P. modesta, Actias luna, Antheraea polyphemus, Gluphisia avimacula fm. slossoniae, Spilosoma dubia, Lophocampa maculata, Syngrapha microgama nearctica, P. pallescens, Acronicta grisea, oblinata, Melanchra pulverulenta, Lacanobia lutra, tacoma, Hemipachhnobia monochromatea. The ever-present Pseudalelia unipuncta was with us every night!! ha.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Huckleberry Road bog, Chippewa County, Michigan, 17 June 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
UV and MV light and sheet with L to R: Bob Kriegel and Mo Nielsen


photo by Owen A. Perkins, Huckleberry Road bog, Chippewa County, Michigan, 17 June 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Luna moth attracted to UV and MV light.

Having departed from Bob who was heading south for home, Mo and Owen were in search of the Early Hairstreak (Erora laetus) on the Eckerman Corner's Trail North on Tuesday about noon, we encountered:
Papilio canadensis, Celastrina lucia, Nymphalis antiopa, Vanessa virginiensis, Erynnis juvenalis, E. icelus, Carterocephalus palaemon mandan, Poanes hobomok, Amblyscirtes hegon.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Eckerman Corner's Trail North, Chippewa County, Michigan, 18 June 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Hobomok Skipper (Poanes hobomok) tippling at moist spot on trail near/at Erora laetus site.

Returning along USFS 3344 and Wilwin Road, Chippewa Co., June 18, under bright skies, we found, Papilio canadensis, Polygonia faunus, Incisalia augustinus, Erynnis icelus, E. juvenalis, Carterocephalus palaemon mandan, Poanes hobomok, Amblyscirtes vialis.  The most noteworthy capture was one Heliothis borealis on a sunny sandy trail through Wilwin Trail bog!!  We did not find Boloria freija at the USFS 3344 bog or Boloria eunomia at Wilwin Road bog.
(Note to Martin Andree by OAP: Mo secured the borealis specimen with a deft swing of the lightweight net that he received from his MI Lep Survey colleagues.)

At the Allenville Quarry, Mackinac Co., June 18, under continued bright skies, we found, Papilio polyxenes asterius, Colias philodice and Glaucopsyche lygdamus couperi.

Notice from Owen (June 19):

I am awaiting reports from Bob Kriegel and Mo Nielsen.  Bob did an Upper Peninsula trip Thursday through Tuesday.  (Thursday and Tuesday were mostly travel days.)  Mo and I did an Eastern Upper Peninsula trip Sunday through Tuesday.  Mo and I hooked up with Bob on Sunday evening at suppertime at McGowan's Family Restaurant and Motel where we stayed in Trout Lake (GREAT FOOD !) to commensurate the bad weather (for surveying for lepidoptera) on Thursday through Sunday a.m.  Monday the weather turned GREAT and Bob's report will give the FANTASTIC particulars.  After we parted on Tuesday a.m., Mo and I surveyed in Chippewa County before heading home.  Mo's report will give the particulars.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Trout Lake, Chippewa County, Michigan, 18 June 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
McGowan's Family Restaurant and Motel, Mogens C. "Mo" Nielsen and Robert D. "Boloria Bob" Kriegel

More photos to follow with the reports from Bob and Mo !

Notice from Harry King (June 17):

I spent today, Monday in the eastern UP.  I went to Wolf Inn Bog, Paradise Bog, Trout Lake Bog and St. Ignace Bog looking for Boloria eunomia and maybe a few off year O. jutta.  I saw nothing absolutely nothing.  I stopped at Eckerman Corners also looking for the Early Hairstreak nothing there as well.  Was hoping to run into you guys, but its a big UP.  So tell me about your trip in the western UP.  I have been hoping you did great.  New records and all that.  Did you get any B. eunomia in the east? I figured I was just a little early maybe by no more than a few days.

Request from Stephen Ross (June 16):

Anyone in Lepalert:
I've been talking to a Forest Service employee in the Ottawa National Forest about doing a literature and specimen record search for butterflies in Iron, Gogebic, Ontonagon and Houghton Counties. In order to determine if they are paying enough for the amount of work needed to do this project, can anyone out there tell me how much is already done? For instance, is this information readily available, possibly already done? If not, is there a good literature cited from which to begin looking? About how much time might be needed to look through collections? I'm not looking to hand in someone else's work; if it's already done (beyond Mo's book), they would like to know if the information is available.
Butterflies very slow here in Mecosta County. Almost no Cabbage Whites or Clouded Sulphurs this year. First Red Spotted Purple and Question Mark today. Pretty good on Canadian Tiger Swallowtails. Only one each for Red Admiral or American Lady which were so numerous last year. Basically, it's been three and a half months of March up here. Did a two week survey of 3700 acres of the Manistee National Forest (for plants) and barely saw one butterfly, just a few Mourning Cloaks, Canadian Tiger Swallowtails, and orange skippers, probably Peck's. A few Promethias emerged in the last warm spell.
Thanks to all
Stephen Ross
Rodney, MI 49342
Rosssb@tucker-usa.com

Report from Scott Builta (June 16):

This moth was located in an open field, next to the Fire Department in Waterford Township, at the intersection of Crescent Lake Road and Hatchery Road in Waterford Michigan, at approximately 5 P.M. June 13th 2002.  It was observed by "Waterford Youth Art Council" members.  Photography by Scott Builta using a Sony CD Mavica MVC-CD300 Digital Still Camera at approximately 7:15 PM.
At the time of sighting, the specimen was grounded and unable to fly.  It readily crawled onto my hand and after a few photos--see attached, I transported it to the edge of a wet land.  I placed it on damp clover.  Within an hour it, had recovered sufficiently and flew off.
For size referenced the width of my palm is 3.5 inches and the width of my finger is 7/8 inch.
Sincerely,
Scott Builta

    
photo by Scott Builta, Oakland County, Michigan, 13 June 2002 © 2002 - Sony CD Mavica MVC-CD300 Digital Still Camera Digital Camera: 

Report from Bob Kriegel (June 10):

On Friday, June 7th I spent a sunny afternoon in the Allegan State Game Area on my way to the Michigan Entomological Society annual meeting at Indiana Dunes. While at Allegan I encountered the following species: Papilio cresphontes, P. glaucus, P. troilus, Lycaena phlaeas americana, Lycaeidea melissa samuelis, Vanessa virginiensis, Limenitis arthemis astyanax, Megisto cymela, Thorybes bathyllus, Erynnis juvenalis, and Hesperia sassacus.

Lupine was in full bloom. It was late in the spring flight of Karner Blues so numbers were low. Females outnumbered males, but most individuals were still in good condition. I don't think I got any good pictures of them, but we'll have to wait and see what comes back on that roll of film. M. cymela was very common in shady areas. P. troilus was by far the most common swallowtail. I encountered a few everywhere I stopped.

We (Mo, Jim Vargo, John Keeler, and myself) had a great night of blacklighting for moths at Grand Mere Dunes State Park on Saturday, June 8th. It was warm, muggy and uncomfortable -- just how the moths like it. Jim Vargo had the energy to drag his generator and sheet to the top of the sand blowout on Wishert Rd. Wow! It turned out that that's where some of the best action was. The rest of us spread out along the road under the forest canopy. Tulip tree was in bloom. I walked my equipment back along the trail at the end of the road. It turned out to be a great spot for tortricids. We also set UV traps out in the dunes.

My best capture of the evening was a notodontid, Hyparpax aurora. Covell indicates that this species is 'uncommon to rare' throughout its range. I had never seen one before. The species is a dead ringer for the rosy maple moth, Dryocampa rubicunda. This common species was also flying that night. Both species can use oak as a larval host. Given their bright colors, the common - rare pairing, similar flight times, and the overlap in larval hosts I wonder if there is a mimetic or some other form of ecological relationship between these two species?

Report from Mo Nielsen (June10):
The MES Annual meeting was another success story. I could only hope that you could have been there! We had a great time; the program was very interesting and stimulating, especially the three guest speakers. I guess you'll just have to read about it (and see) in the next Newsletter. Your 'empty' spot was never a problem, as Bill Westrate handled the time with a review of the submitted photos in the 'photo contest'. You will read all about it in the next issue.

The accomodations at the National Indiana Dunes Park were very good; three beautiful (almost new) cabins were set aside for our group.  Strange thing was that we saw very little lep. activity around the cabins, which were set within a very natural area of forests, fields, etc. They may have sprayed the site? It was hard to imagine such an area situated SO close to the Windy City and Gary!!! ha.

After the meeting, Bob Kriegel, John Keeler, Jim Vargo and I (in 4 vehicles-we all had 'radio' contact) left for Grand Mere Dunes SP for a night of moth collecting. A stop at 'McNielsen's' for dinner was a requisite! ha. We set out 4 UV traps in the dunes, plus we had 4 MV/UV/sheet set-ups along Wishert Rd - it was an all-night operation, with cat-naps! ha. This AM, we quickly sorted our catch which was very productive and interesting. I believe Jim took at least one state record-a small noctuid, and possibly a geometrid. I'll be doing some further checking on these and let you know the results.

After Bob and Jim left, John and I checked out two TNC RR r/w praries: Thompson Rd. & Klumbus Rd. Very few butterflies           were seen - nothing of note. We then parted for home. It was a long and fun weekend!!!

I forgot to send additional data regarding my Grand Mere Dunes SP report. Here are some species you may wish to add:
             Automeris io, Sphecodina abbottii, Synedoida grandirena, Zale helata, Bailyea doubledayi, Acronicta connecta, increta,        Agriopodea fallax, Harrisimemna trisignata, Homorthodes lindseyi (State record-JV), Anorthodes tarda. These represent some of the more desirable species. Keep in mind that this data is the sum for the four collectors (J. Keeler, R. Kriegel, MCN, J. Vargo).

Report from Robert D. Kriegel (June 5):

Owen, here are more details on last weekend’s (5/31 – 6/3/02) sampling trip to the UP by the dynamic duo of ‘Boloria Bob’ Kriegel and ‘DegDay Harry’ King. Boloria freija and Erebia discoidalis were out in Dickinson, Iron and Marquette counties in very large numbers.  Harry’s experience on Friday (5/31) and our joint experience on Saturday (6/1) is that in hot weather (high temps > 80F, low temps > 50F), both species are flying before 8 am and past 7:30 pm, as long as it is sunny!  Activity slowed from 11 am to 2 pm.  On Thursday through Saturday degree days (base 50F) were accumulating at the rate of 15-17 per day.  Bob observed E. discoidalis nectaring on bog rosemary.  Over a three day period, we were able to sample 7 of the 8 known historical Michigan locations for E. discoidalis.  We found the species at 6 of these locations including Channing, Big White Pine Bog (north of Channing), Hope Lake Bog Complex, Hope Lake North and Crystal Falls East.  Our coup was rediscovering the lost historical E. discoidalis locality in Marquette County (more on that in a bit).  We did not find either freija or discoidalis at Three Lakes Bog (Beaufort Lake).  At Mastodon Township Bog south of Crystal Falls, we vouchered both B. freija and E. discoidalis.  This is a new locality for discoidalis, and according to our records freija was last observed there in 1989. 

The Crystal Falls East records for both species are also significant because freija has not been observed there for over a decade and we don’t have any records for discoidalis from that locality in our database (although we were aware of its presence there from John Perona). 

We also have two visual observations for E. discoidalis at a new locality northwest of Amasa, MI about 20 miles or so northwest of Crystal Falls.  I won’t bore you with the gory details, but suffice it to say neither individual made it into a net and a pair of sandhill cranes are feeling mighty proud of themselves.  Bob identified this as a potential survey area using the 1998 MDNR color infrared aerial photograph series (see the MDNR web site for details, http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/1,1607,7-153-10371_14546---,00.html).  This bog complex is over 4 miles long and 3 miles wide so we have a lot of work ahead of us.  The duo believes this complex boasts a large population of discoidalis, but our window of opportunity for this year is gone.  This will be a major focus next season.

On Sunday (6/2) we tried to relocate the historical locality for E. discoidalis in Marquette County that Adam Peters stumbled on as a MSU graduate student in 1980.  We were successful – well sort of.  We found the seasonal road, which led us into a cutover jack pine barrens with abundant Oeneis chryxus and a single, county record Strymon melinus.  We also eventually found the stream crossing Adam described to Harry twenty years ago.  In the barrens we encountered more than two dozen E. discoidalis scattered about, behaving much like and interacting with O. chryxus.  We never did find the actual habitat source that produced these discoidalis.  But aerial photos indicate a large bog complex 2 miles to the West, drained by a creek and associated wetlands located north of the barrens and wrapping around to the West.  This observation strongly suggests that E. discoidalis strays much farther from its larval habitat than we had anticipated.  I expect we’ll have plenty of volunteers to explore this area next year too.

We also explored two other stunning new bog complexes.  The weather was cold, windy and cloudy so we have no leps to report from either area.  However, the McFarland Bog (Marquette County) and Bear Creek Swamp (Schoolcraft County) are huge, prime tracts of bog habitat, easily accessible and will also be the subject of future explorations.

On Monday (6/3) we spent about an hour walking the Eckerman Corners Trail in search of Erora laetus.  All we saw were a few immaculate Celastrina lucia, there was no sign of Amblyscirtes hegon so Bob felt we might still be a touch early.  Our last stop was at the Wilwin Truck Trail site north of Trout Lake.  We flushed two B. freija (caught one, very fresh but some flight damage) before clouds moved in and put an end to our sampling.

Other species we encountered during our travels included a few Papilio canadensis, Nymphalis antiopa, and Phyciodes tharos.  The O. chryxus population at Floodwood (Dickinson Co.) has rebounded well following the large burn there a couple of years ago.  In separate occurrences, both of us also thought we encountered Boloria frigga in the Mastodon TWP bog south of Crystal Falls.  This is a known location and the degree day totals were right for a few early emergers; however, B. bellona was also flying in the area so we’ll never really know for sure.  We did not see a single monarch in the UP.

In closing, all I can say is that this was a trip of a lifetime for both Harry and me.  Given our survey team’s experience over the last 2-3 years, our current recommendation is that anyone targeting E. discoidalis in the Great Lakes region should set their sights on being in the field between 140 to 200 DD base 50F to hit peak flight.  It may last a bit longer; we simply don’t have enough data to know yet.  However, now we do know that if you are lucky enough to be in one of the right places at just the right time, if the weather is kind and luck is on your side; you may be rewarded with spectacular sights, we certainly were.

photo supplied by Robert D. Kriegel
Erebia discoidalis (W. Kirby, 1837) Red-disked Alpine

         
Frøys perlemorvinge (Boloria freija) (Foto: © Leif Aarvik) 
Boloria freija (Thunberg, 1791) Freija Fritillary

Report from Harry King (June 5):
Owen
The main thrust of our trip was Erebia discoidalis.  I was at Crystal Falls on Friday, Bob caught up with me for Saturday - Monday.  Hope Lake both Boloria freija and E. discoidalis were there in big numbers.  Also at the spot just north where Bob and you were last year.  I found it out in good number at Channing Bog also saw two and took one at the spot on the north of Channing Bog where Bob found it last year.  I stopped at the bog east of Crystal Falls where John Peronia said he had took several and found discoidalis there.  I went back to these locations on Saturday with Bob except for Channing.  On Saturday we also when to the Mastadon Bog south of Crystal Falls and I took one discoidalis there.  Sunday among checking some new spots we went to the Marquette Co. location where I had tried to get in a number of years ago.  This time we did.  We found the spot Adam had told me about just as he had described it add 20 years wear.  The discoidalis were not down by the creek back in the middle of the section as Adam had found them.  I did find one road kill down by the creek but they were up in the cut over jack pine barren playing with Oeneis chryxus.  All but the one road kill were taken in the barrens.  The creek borders this area and has some unusual vegetation.  There were some low spots that were like miniature bogs in several places.  The discoidalis we feel came from the creek drainage system.  One thing we did learn from this trip is discoidalis seems to stray a good ways away from it habitat.  Another spot north of Crystal Falls where we were trying to get back into a bog where we have not been before we also saw two discoidalis on road areas but were unable to net one.  So we need to go back there next year.

In all we collected discoidalis in seven locations and saw it in one other. Six locations were known and two were not. Most of the location we were at freija went without saying.

Report from Robert Kriegel and Harry King (June 4):

Bog Butterfly Road Trip to Michigan's Upper Peninsula (5/30 - 6/3/02)
Lodging: $123
Gas for 2,400 miles of travel: $151.29
Meals:  $165.50
Opportunity cost for 250 hours spent analyzing aerial photographs and soil
survey maps, tracking degree day accumulations: $6,250
Rediscovering a lost Marquette County population of Erebia discoidalis

Erebia discoidalis

because it was cavorting with Oeneis chryxus in cutover jack pine barrens:
PRICELESS

Robert Kriegel, Harry King
Michigan Lepidoptera Survey

Report of findings is forthcoming. . .  

Notice from Owen (June 2):
I will report the results of the UP bog trip of Harry King and Bob Kriegel as soon as they report to me; also the results of the trip by Mark Churchhill and others to the Northern Lower Peninsula for E. laetus and other species.

Any reports by others?

Notice from Owen (June 2):

Many of the Michigan Lepidoptera Survey members will be attending the Annual meeting of the Michigan Entomological Society at the end of this week. 

http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/mes/mesv47n1.pdf

The meeting will include on Friday evening, June 7, a Photo Salon and slide show with participants showing slides (you are welcome to participate), meetings on Saturday, June 8 and field trips on Sunday, June 9.  The meeting will be held at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, a National Park Service attraction.

Mo and I and others will be heading for the Grand Mere Dunes State Park area in Michigan after the meeting on Saturday to moth that night and butterfly on Sunday.  Contact me (at lepalert@comcast.net)  if you are interested in participating.

Report from Owen (June 1):
My wife, Grace, and I surveyed in Emmet, Kalkaska and Arenac counties on Friday and Saturday.  The weather was sunny on Friday with the temperature reaching the 80s.  We returned to the historical and other Erora laetus sites in Emmet and Kalkaska counties that Mo and I had visited several days earlier.  No E. laetus were observed.  P.napi oleracea, N. antiopa and P. canadensis were the only butterflies observed in the beech-maple forests.  P. rapae and P. canadensis were observed along the roadways and E. icelus and P. hobomok were observed nectaring at huckleberry in Arenac county.  No butterflies were in the malaise trap in Kalkaska county.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Emmet County, Michigan, 31 May 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Papilio canadensis was attracted to the flowers of this unknown plant in the beech-maple forest in Kalkaska county: potential site for Erora laetus

Report from Owen (28 May):
Mo and I surveyed in Kalkaska, Emmet, Chippewa counties on Saturday when the weather was rather cold with showers and rain.  We surveyed in Emmet and Kalkaska counties on Sunday and Monday when the weather was again cold with showers and rain.
The weather became partly cloudy on Tuesday and a high in the high seventies and possibly in the eighties in some locations, especially when sunny.  We returned to historical Erora laetus sites in Emmet and Kalkaska counties and also new potential beech-maple forests in these two counties and recorded GPS longitude and latitude and elevation for most.  Emmet, Kalkaska and Crawford provided observations and encounters with P. rapae, V. atalanta, V. virginiensis, N. antiopa, C. philodice (alba form), I. niphon clarki, C. lucia, and O. chryxus strigulosa.  Several C. lucia were captured in Malaise trap.
The trip was disappointing with regards to seeing butterflies and/or skippers.  Mo did encounter moths in his bait traps, UV traps and attraction to UV light by house at beech-maple forest, moths at bait traps at oak forests, and a few moths at UV traps and bait traps in jackpine-bog areas.

However, the trip was valuable in providing information about historical and potential new E. laetus beech-maple sites and the recording of historical events in butterfly and skipper first recorded specimens in Michigan and the fact and legend that goes with these first encounters.  

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Emmet County, Michigan, 26 May 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
beech-maple forest: potential site for Erora laetus

Report from Duke Elsner (28 May):
Michigan, Leelanau County, Empire Township, T28N R15W Sec 25
Monarch (Danaus plexippus) sex not determined, in very good condition! Not captured for examination.
Only a few C. lucia on damp soils, P. rapae, P. virginiensis and P. napi oleracea seen in small numbers.

Notice from Owen (May24):
It is dry in the Northern Lower Peninsula, probably also in the UP.  Showers each day would produce moist spots for tippling.
Well, I'm heading north Saturday through Tuesday (at least this is the tentative plan).  Looking at the weather forecast of Friday through Wednesday, showers are predicted every day in the UP and in Kalkaska.  The moisture may be "just what the doctor ordered."  I will update this site, probably next Wednesday.  Have a pleasant Memorial Day weekend!

Report from Owen (23 May):
I arrived at the Kalkaska site at 10:35 a.m., set up my malaise trap and a fermented fruit bait trap.  Basked in the sun and collected every blue that came in the glade.  One of the two captured in the malaise trap was vouchered.  All but the voucher (about one dozen) were captured and released.  All were C. lucia.  None were Erora laetus!

Duke Elsner arrived at 1:30 p.m.  We headed for other beech-maple forest areas.  We found several, one where the chemicals in the road were attracting little white and black moths, which were everywhere and I vouchered one C. lucia to document the site.
We redocmented three bogs, and pioneered a new sand trail and discovered a new Kalkaska O. chryxus site along a power line.  Duke missed one, I missed two.  We then headed for the bog on M72 which could eventually prove to be a O. jutta site, which would be the first in the lower peninsula.  But this is an even year, so it more reasonable to survey this sight next year, 2003.  Duke may keep an eye on it yet this year.  We parted company about 4:50 p.m. and I headed back to the chryxus site and was able to voucher a beautiful male specimen.  We also encountered antiopa, olympia and augustinus.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Kalkaska County, Michigan, 22 May 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Malaise trap being used to capture blues

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Kalkaska County, Michigan, 22 May 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Trillium patch, West Virginia White (P. virginiensis) should be present in its haunts.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Kalkaska County, Michigan, 22 May 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Beaver recently felled this huge poplar tree.  Duke Elsner views the work at Papoose Lake.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Kalkaska County, Michigan, 22 May 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Power line is new O. Chryxus site in Kalkaska county.

Report from Harry King (22 May 2002):
I ran up to Mo's area.  O. chryxus was out in several places but I found none at 4 Mile in Crawford, 
also augustinus, olympia, napi and one of the azure species 
(Note from OAP:  Harry essentially found in Otsego county area the same species that Duke and I found in Kalkaska county.)

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Otsego County, Michigan, 5 May 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Harry D. King
Member of the Michigan Entomological Society - Michigan Lepidoptera Survey team

Notice from Owen:
My tentative plans for this coming week (May 22 - ) and the coming weekend, etc. will be posted later today or tomorrow.

Here are my tentative plans as of Monday early a.m.:
It looks like the weather will become fairly reasonable beginning on Wednesday, for the Kalkaska area, but not perfect by any means.  At the moment I am leaning on heading north for E. laetus in the NLP on Wednesday.  Good DD 50F for laetus has been 146, 154, 198.  Kalkaska will have reached about DD 50F =  about 144 by Wednesday and 151 by Thursday per prediction.
Pellston 111, Channing & Crystal Falls areas about 118, Newberry about 59 by Thursday per latest weather forecasts.

I plan to return to the NLP on Friday or Saturday for E. laetus surveying and other species listed in my chart following this notice.
It is likely I will go to the UP to set bait traps for P. gracilis and P. satyrus in the eastern UP.

It doesn't look like the DD 50F for freija and discoidalis will reach peak until about May31 - June 2, and this is all dependent on favorable weather between now and then.  So it looks like that weekend I may head for the western UP.

All this wishful thinking!

The information provided below is to assist one to have the opportunity to encounter any of the species
listed below.  These are species which I have some desire to survey in 2002.  There are many factors 
which will cause me to forego a search for some of them this year.  I did however want to give myself the 
best possibility of encountering them should I pursue them.  I want to share this information for others who 
may also wish to survey for any of them.  GOOD FORTUNE!     

Report from Owen (May 18): 
On Wednesday May 15, I travelled to meet Mo at his home and then we went to the Allegan State Game Area in Allegan County and stopped off on the return at the Barry SGA.
The following leps were encountered by sight, photograph, capture and release, or sample voucher:
P. polyxenes asterius, P. glaucus, P. troilus, E. olympia (numerous), C. philodice (numerous), C. eurytheme, L. phlaeas americana, I. irus (sighted, photographed, capture and release between 11:50 a.m. and 12:10 p.m.; DD 50F = 235 at Allegan State Game Area, temperature hovering around 65 to 70 degrees F.), I. niphon clarki, C. ladon, G. lygdamus (in Barry Co), V. virginiensis, V. atalanta rubria, E. icelus, E. brizo, E. juvenalis, H. metea, A. vialis.  18 species !

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Allegan County, Michigan, 15 May 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Olympia Marble (Euchloe olympia)


        

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Allegan County, Michigan, 15 May 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Field of Lupine (Lupinus perennis) and field of Birdfoot violet (Viola pedata) at Allegan SGA.

  
photo by Owen A. Perkins, Allegan County, Michigan, 15 May 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Lupine (Lupinus perennis) and  Birdfoot violet (Viola pedata) and Lupine (Lupinus perennis) starting to bloom.

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Allegan County, Michigan, 15 May 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Voucher photograph being taken by Mogens C. "Mo" Nielsen of  Frosted Elfin (Incisalia irus, Godart, 1824) on Lupine (Lupinus perennis L.)

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Allegan State Game Area, Allegan County, Michigan, 5 May 2000 © 2000
Frosted Elfin (Incisalia irus, Godart, 1824) on Lupine (Lupinus perennis L.)

Owen reports (May 10):

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Otsego County, Michigan, 5 May 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
L to R: Harry D. King, Robert "Boloria Bob" D. Kriegel, Mogens C. "Mo" Nielsen, Terry Herig
Members of the Michigan Entomological Society - Michigan Lepidoptera Survey team

In my Notice from Owen (May 2):  I indicated: 
My specific targets on this trip will especially be I. henrici, P. centauraeae, E. martialis,  B. freija and E. laetus.  
Bob did voucher I. henrici, Terry followed and I did voucher I. henrici.  It was a successful trip!

http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/mes/mesv47n1.pdf

The meeting will include on Friday evening, June 7, a Photo Salon and slide show with participants showing slides (you are welcome to participate), meetings on Saturday, June 8 and field trips on Sunday, June 9.  The meeting will be held at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, a National Park Service attraction.

IN BRIEF
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, authorized by Congress in 1966, is located approximately 50 miles southeast of Chicago, Illinois in the counties of Lake, Porter, and LaPorte in Northwest Indiana. The national lakeshore runs for nearly 25 miles along southern Lake Michigan, bordered by Michigan City, Indiana on the east, and Gary on the west. The park contains approximately 15,000 acres, 2,182 of which are located in Indiana Dunes State Park and managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Miles of beaches, sand dunes, bog, wetlands, woodland forests, an 1830's French Canadian homestead, and a working 1900 era farm combine to make the national lakeshore a unique setting for studying humans and their impact on the environment. Dr. Henry Cowles conducted his landmark ecological studies in the Indiana Dunes. Indiana Dunes is ranked 7th among national parks in native plant diversity. Research conducted over the last two decades has revealed 1,418 vascular plant species within park boundaries, of which over 90 are on the state of Indiana's threatened or endangered list.

Karner Blue butterfly, a federally endangered species
from the website: http://www.nps.gov/indu/

Then the "voucher of the day" occurred.  Robert D. Kriegel, who we refer to as "Boloria Bob" for all his work and interest on this genus, especially the bog obligate species, made the "voucher of the day."  He had struck out on his own east of Mo's hut searching for chryxus and possibly Pyrgus centaureae wyandot.  When lo and behold in a small oak-pine glade near an open oak-pine barrens, forest openings and edges, and swamp borders, he vouchered a county record!  Henry's Elfin (Incisalia henrici). Now  based on the Mogens C. Nielsen field guide and reference, Michigan Butterflies and Skippers and recent updates to the record, 4 counties contiguous to Otsego County as well as 3 adjacent counties and 2 nearby counties have recorded this species.  But the kicker is that although Mo has surveyed this county for nearly 50 years and especially this site near his hut, it had never been recorded in Otsego County.  Congratulations to Bob for his "catch."  Mo was elated that Bob had secured the catch and a new Otsego County record had been made. The efforts of the Michigan Lepidoptera Survey (MLS) team and the publication of Mo's book have added nearly 500 new county records to the reservoir of knowledge since the publication appeared in 1999!

Henry's Elfin (Incisalia henrici) underside

 glade where Bob first sighted Henry's Elfin in Otsego County, 04 May 2002:

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Otsego County, Michigan, 5 May 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995

The DD 50F for Gaylord on 02 May was 110 and for Vanderbilt (8 miles north of the heat sink of Gaylord) was 88.  The DD 50F for Gaylord on 05 May 2002 was 120 and for Vanderbilt was 101.  By interpolation and since the weather was such that probably  no DD increase occurred on 03 May, the DD 50F for Gaylord would be close to 115 and for Vanderbilt would be close to 94.  My records show the earliest date henrici has ever been recorded was 28 April in the year 1981 and the DD 50F was 79.  This gives one an excellent target DD to search for a first encounter of the year for this elusive elfin.

On May 4-5 Terry and I both vouchered P. progne, I vouchered C. lucia, P. faunus and Mo had a V. atalanta rubria in a fermenting fruit bait trap.

On May 5 Harry King, Terry Herig and I went to the 04 May site of henrici (the Kriegel site).  We searched high and low, in and out, up and down, back and forth, in and out of the glades and forest, along the forest edge, but NO henrici.  Harry proceeded back to the hut.  Terry and I worked our way back through the barrens area where Mo in previous years had sampled centaureae and chryxus and came upon the two track trail opening along the east edge of Mo's property.  Terry spied an elfin on dead stubble adjacent to the pines and upon closer examination he exclaimed: "It's henrici!"  I replied, "Catch it!"  Whereupon with a deft hand his net captured this little brown butterfly and at the same instant I spied another elfin and quickly captured it.  By this time Terry had removed the elfin from his net and upon examination he realized he truly did have henrici and I verified his ID and now it was my turn to remove my elfin.  It too was henrici!  Terry darted after another and I was on the walkie-talkie to Mo, but he didn't respond.  I then at the top of my lungs yelled MOOOOOOOOOOOO! His hut was only a hundred yards away.  My walkie-talkie went beep-beep-beep and I answered.  I exlcaimed, "Mo, We have two henrici and Terry's catching a third. We're at the trail on the east edge of your property."  Mo replied, "I'm on my way!"  In all Terry and I spied 5 specimens and vouchered 2.

The trail looking north where Terry Herig first sighted Henry's Elfin on Mo's property in Otsego County, 05 May 2002.  Terry Herig is in the foreground and approaching is Mogens C. Nielsen, Robert D. Kriegel and Harry D. King: 

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Otsego County, Michigan, 25 April 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995

Another view of the site looking south:
Owen has rear magnetic stickers stating: 

I brake for elfins

photos by Owen A. Perkins, Otsego  County, Michigan, 05 May2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995

Duke Elsner reporting (May 6):
May 4:  Kalkaska County, Bear Lake Township: C. lucia and brown elfins flying - very fresh specimens.  A few worn
mourning cloaks cruising about. The site I checked out will be frequently checked for grizzled skipper in next few weeks.
Large populations of mosquito larvae in woodland pools.
May 5:  Empire Township, Leelanau County: C. lucia seen, but no elfins (despite great conditions!);  one mustard
white taken right along the border with Benzie County.
In general: eastern tent caterpillar seems to be low this year.

Notice from Owen (May 2):
I will be going north on Friday a.m. to the Clare, Kalkaska, Otsego county areas to survey for leps.  I will be meeting Mo to visit the Clare bog to find what is in flight at this site.  My specific targets on this trip will especially be I. henrici, P. centauraeae, E. martialis,  B. freija and E. laetus.  The first flight DD 50F for all of these species makes the possibility of encountering them likely.  Mo among other targets is specifically looking to find Merolonche dolli Barnes & McDunnough, 1918.

Anyone interested in hooking up, contact Owen at lepalert@comcast.net today (Thursday May 2).

Report from Owen (May 2):
The Greater Washtenaw Butterfly Survey is a site well worth visiting at least weekly.  Roger Kuhlman does an admirable job of recording sightings in the greater Washtenaw county area (which includes Monroe county).  I will not include his sighting on this site unless they are SPECIAL  and/or Roger sends me a report for inclusion on this site. The address is:
http://home.att.net/~r.a.kuhlman/SEMIYTD2001.htm

Note from Owen (April 26):  See the NEW photos of Lupine below with Report from Owen A. Perkins (April 25):

Report from Mark Schmidt (April 18):
Spring has arrived--although I hear we're heading for a cool down.  Nevertheless, I had a delightful zebra swallowtail to photograph.  
I couldn't resist playing with the digital camera.  Any way, I just had to share one of the shots.

She eclosed April 17.  The photo was taken that morning by myself with a digital HP photosmart 318 camera.  Looks like an instamatic!  

I really can't believe how great the pictures turn out and how close I can get to the subject.  The old-fashioned instamatic film cameras never let me do that.

Thank you Mark for this wonderful photograph! (Owen)

photo by Mark Schmidt, Springboro, Ohio, 17 April 2002 © 2002
Zebra Swallowtail [Eurytides marcellus (Cramer, 1777)]  X

Monarch migration as reported through April 25, 2002.  
The Journey North site is:
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/spring2002/species/monarch/index.html  

REQUEST:
Please report any sightings of the Monarch Butterfly in Michigan to: lepalert@comcast.net

I will report your sightings on this LEPIDOPTERA ALERT site so we can see the progression north to the Upper Peninsula 
and I will in turn report the sightings to the JOURNEY NORTH site for all their viewers to see.

Note: John C. Farmer thought he caught a glimpse of a Monarch on April 25 in Monroe County, 
but his view was brief and he could not be certain and thus this potential sighting could not be documented.  

Be ALERT, be AWARE, be VIGILANT, and finally, Please REPORT any confirmed sightings! 

Report from Owen A. Perkins (April 25):
My wife, Grace, and I traveled from Royal Oak to the Petersburg SGA today to survey for Persius' Duskywing [Erynnis persius (Scudder, 1863)] and Frosted Elfin [Incisalia irus (Godart, 1824)].  Both species are Threatened species in Michigan and both use Lupine (Lupinus perennis) as a host.  We met John C. Farmer at the Teal Road major Lupine site at 10:00 a.m.  It was still cool and breezy.  John and I survey the major Lupine site for over an hour.  Dragonflies, some flies and other small insects were flying and one moth was observed.  It seemed too cool for either of the target species to be flying, but John was introduced to the site and the adjacent prairie areas to the north and east.  The Lupine leaves were well developed.  

    
photos by Owen A. Perkins, Petersburg State Game Area, Monroe County, Michigan, 25 April 2002 © 2002 - Digital Camera: Nikon Coolpix 995
Lupine (Lupinus perennis L.)

The thrust of the excursion to Monroe county was to survey the area just south of Ida to Petersburg along the old railroad grade for Lupine.  The railroad is no longer existent.  Most of the rails have been removed and one can see remains of the ties.  Trees appearing to be at least 10 years old are growing on the old grade.  The limited viewing that I did after John departed provided no sightings of Lupine.  See the Report below by me entitled Owen makes plans.  [Dr. Warren H. "Herb" Wagner, Jr. (deceased) found a site where the Karner Blue (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) was present in Monroe County in the 1950's and this site to my knowledge has not frequently been visited in the near past.  My conclusion is: The historical Wagner site appears to have been residentially and commercially developed in the Village of Ida and the Lupine contiguous to the railroad grade to the west appears to no longer exist possibly due to the farming encroaching on the land adjacent to the previous railroad.  HOWEVER:  I plan to return to the area when Lupine is in full bloom and seek out any sites in and around Ida, Petersburg and the Petersburg SGA for this plant and thus for future search for Persius' Duskywing, Frosted Elfin and the Karner Blue sites.

REQUEST:
Please report any sites where Lupine is growing especially in Monroe, Wayne, Washtenaw, Livingston and Oakland counties to: lepalert@comcast.net

Report from Linda Koning (April 25):
Greetings, Yesterday afternoon, 4-24-02, at Rosy Mound Natural Area along Lake Michigan, I spotted my first Olympia Marble Euchloe olympia for the year. Rock Cress Arabis lyrata was in abundance, blooming on both sides of the dunes. The Olympia was on the lake side of the dunes flying speedily across the trough (the protected hot area between the foredune and the backdune.) Wonderfully warm temperatures were in the low 70's. A lot different from today's low 30's!! Rosy Mound is located South of Grand Haven in Grand Haven Township, Ottawa County. 

Report from Stephen Ross (April 25):
Owen: I was out today looking for a rare dragonfly and found Incisalis augustinus in two locations in Mecosta Count (NE Section 12 Martiny and Section 18 Sheridan townships).  This is an early record here by quite a bit.  Also numerous Celastrina ladon in the area.

[Note from Owen:  The early flight record for Michigan is April 18 in a year as yet unknown.  My records also show an April 27 date for Michigan.  This is early and presents the possibility that Boloria freija could be present at a Northern Lower Peninsula bog.  The degree day Big Rapids in Mecosta County for April 24 was 123 DD 50F.  The early degree day for B. freija is 95+ DD 50F.

So, lep survey members, what do you say?  It's time to hit the NLP bogs!

The last couple of years I have used the following as my DD targets for my first day sampling in the field on extended trips:
- B. frieja & E. discoidalis: 140 DD 50F
- B. frigga: 250 DD 50F

At all costs, avoid lengthy periods of rain -- yuck! Once B. frieja is flying I must admit that my tendency is to head for the UP whenever the weather looks good and I can get away. Once it starts we have places to go and work to do until B. eunomia is worn. It's just a matter of deciding where to go.

Also remember that the 5 and 10 day forecasts on the AgWeather DD page are based on 30 yr NORMALS not current weather forecasts. That means they will under predict whenever a warm front comes through. I know that Owen has taken to estimating degree days using actual forecasts from www.weather.com . This will always be more accurate than DD forecasts from the AgWeather page.

As for the LP bogs in Roscommon Co. and around Houghton Lake, the degree days already suggest the leading edge of emergence for B. freija. A couple of days of warm weather should bring on a flush of emergence, if its there. 
From the DD accumulations I also expect persius and irus are on the wing in both Monroe and Allegan counties.
[Note from Owen:  I am traveling to Monroe County on Thursday April 25 to search for Lupine and these two leps.]

"Also both A. celtis and A. clyton have been recorded for late May around the 30th (I believe), in Barry Co. at Yankee Springs at a site Reggie Webster called Lycaeid  Hill."

         
         Hackberry Butterfly (Asterocampa celtis)                         Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton)

In 1977 at the DD Station known as Jackson Reynolds FLD (approximately 50+/- miles south of Ionia County) 19 consecutive days in May leading up to the June 4 temperature was either in the 80s or 90s and on 4 June the temperature was 90 degrees.  The degree day temperature on 4 June 1977 was 952.
On May 30 it had been 879 and on 23 May it had been 728.  The early DD is 722 for 14 June 1964.  Thus it could be expected that A. celtis could be in flight on 4 June in 1977 when the DD was 952 and earlier in Barry County in late May when the DD was 879.

Please read the article, Degree days and Correlation to Lepidoptera First Flight Observed, below to become acquainted with the use of Degree Days (DD) and the value that may be applied to them as a tool to recognize when target species may be first in flight.

I am pleased to have this information and I will search some collections to further document this information.

I hope others will afford themselves of the opportunity to provide information pertaining to Early Flight Dates and Late Flight Dates to me when I publish on this site in the near future the data I am collecting for all Endangered, Threatened, Special Concern and Seldom Encountered butterflies and skippers.  

The Michigan Lep Survey Committee will be providing a more in depth look at the total picture of Degree Days much like the literature cited below entitled:  A Survey of Boloria freija and B. frigga in Northern Michigan Sphagnum Heath Bogs by Robert D. Kriegel and Mogens C. Nielsen Michigan Lepidoptera Survey for the "Listed Species" in Michigan which includes the Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern categories.

Degree Days and Correlation to Lepidoptera First Flight Observed

assembled by Owen A. Perkins

Lepidoptera, which are exothermic, remain at the same temperature as their environment. They do not generate body heat and therefore depend on favorable external temperature. At a certain temperature, which varies among species, an insect’s biochemical reactions can proceed and development proceeds. This temperature is known as the insect's base developmental threshold. From an operational standpoint we only have ready access to degree days (DD) above base developmental thresholds of 42 degrees Fahrenheit and 50 degrees Fahrenheit from the MSU Ag Weather office and historical records from the National Climatic Data Center. For forecasting an early flight for the 162 butterflies and skippers in Michigan and for many of the moths a supplemental tool to the currently available early / late flight dates is the DD information.  For my work for Butterflies and Skippers in Michigan the base developmental threshold is conveniently based on 50 degrees Fahrenheit for purposes of ascertaining the earliest discernable early flight date for each species.   

Accumulated degree days accounts for the addition of heat to the environment as the days begin to warm in early spring. This addition or accumulation of heat is directly related to insect activity. By computing accumulated degree days and correlating them to past lepidoptera first flight observed, we can estimate the likely flight of some particular species.  This forecasting tool I am attempting to provide will allow lepidopterists to better allocate their sampling time in the field and improve the likelihood than they will be in the field when their target species is flying.  It also facilitates the collection of larger amounts of data need to develop more accurate forecasting tools.

It is preferred to use a sustained capture of several individuals being sampled. The use of sustained capture eliminates false starts due to fluctuating temperatures early in a season that are conducive for flight but do not support mating and egg-laying.  Sustained capture is especially useful for lepidoptera that hibernate as adults over-winter and may take flight on some unusually warm day or short period of warm days prior to sustained warm weather which promotes mating and egg laying.

Charting the ambient temperature makes it possible to track insect development, which is directly proportional to the amount of time accumulated above the developmental threshold. We divide this time arbitrarily into degree days (DD).

An attempt to correlate a lepidoptera event or activity with another event that can be measured more precisely is referred to as phenology. Events in an insect's life cycle often occur after the same heat units (degree days) have accumulated each year, but many years' observations must be collected to measure this precisely. Degree days can be used to predict events wherever weather data are available. By monitoring temperature and lepidoptera activity simultaneously for many years, it is possible to build up a data base of events and the range of accumulated Degree Days (DD) that correspond with them.  One (1) degree day is defined as the amount of physiological development that occurs when an organism is exposed to a temperature 1 degree F. above its base (or lower) developmental temperature threshold for one day (24 hours).

This has been accomplished for two species in Michigan as presented in:

A Survey of Boloria freija and B. frigga
in Northern Michigan Sphagnum Heath Bogs
by Robert D. Kriegel and Mogens C. Nielsen
Michigan Lepidoptera Survey

Prepared for Michigan Nongame Wildlife Fund
Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division
P.O. Box 30180
Lansing MI 48909-7680
Submitted February 2000

The Michigan Lepidoptera Survey has also a specific interest in the first flight date each year and the corresponding degree days (DD) for each species.  This assists the surveyor in using time wisely in the field.  In documenting habitat sites there is no reason to survey for a specific species until the first flight has a likelihood of happening.    

The Baskerville-Emin Method of calculating degree days (DD) is superior to degree days calculated with most other methods when the minimum temperature is below the base temperature. This phenomenon is most apt to occur in the spring or fall and is the reason Baskerville-Emin (BE) is the degree day method chosen for use in the Michigan Lepidoptera Survey. 

Baskerville-Emin Method: Fits a sine curve to the maximum and minimum temperature to simulate how the temperature varies, and then calculates the area of the curve above the base temperature using calculus.  This BE method is used by Michigan State University to calculate the degree days reported for the ag weather sites around the state.  

To use this method, MSU Ag Meteorologist Dr. Jeff Andresen has available a software program free of charge.  If you have a computer, send Jeff a computer disk, he'll send you the program (MSU, 417 Natural Sciences Bldg., E. Lansing MI 48824). You then need only to enter the daily maximum and minimum into your computer and the machine does the rest!  

The web address for the calculated and forecast degree days is:

http://www.agweather.geo.msu.edu/Misc-Data/degday2.txt

 FIRST FLIGHT DATE

I am in the process of ascertaining the degree-day value for the first flight date for the 162 species of butterflies and skippers recorded in Michigan.  An example of the information used in this project is given below for the Hackberry Butterfly [Asterocampa celtis (Boisduval & Leconte, 1833 )].

Earliest known date collected in Michigan: 14 June (in the year 1964).

County: Jackson 

Weather Station: Jackson Reynolds Field

The data is calculated for March, April, May and June.

Source of data for this particular calculation of BE DD: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ol/climate/climatedata.html

Sample graph of data for the month of June 1964:

Sample of data from graph inserted in BE DD method for the month of June: 

Maximum and Minimum DD in Excel Spreadsheet 

Note:  By this method for the months of March, April and May and through the first day of June the degree-day accumulation is 518.62.  The chart shows the remainder of June.  The DD accumulation for 14 June 1964 is 722.15.  Thus it would likely be prudent to survey for new sites for the Hackberry Butterfly after 722 DD 50F. 

Keep tuned for the report of my findings.

Within the U.S. Department of Commerce is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA conducts research and gathers data about the oceans, atmosphere, space, and sun, and applies this knowledge to products and services that benefit Americans. The National Climatic Data Center is one of three National Data Centers under the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS), one of the NOAA Line Offices.

www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ol/climate/climatedata.html.  

Duke Elsner reports (April 22):

March 30 Berrien County, Lincoln Township-- Nymphalis vau-album j-album, sunning on building
March 31 Berrien County, Lincoln Township-- N. antiopa sunning on building
April 10 Grand Traverse Co, Sabin Pond Natural Area--  N. antiopa moving fast through woods
April 16 Leelanau County despite 80+ temps, no leps seen in several beautiful sites--- too much wind.
April 21-22 over 4 inches of snow on car in the morning.  That's what I get for putting the nets and golf clubs in over the weekend!

I am making plans to visit Monroe County in the near future, weather permitting and fitted in my busy schedule for the rest of April.
The reasons are:  
1. The earliest date that Erynnis persius (a Threatened species in Michigan) has been vouchered is 1 May and that being in 1981.  The degree-day value for 1 May 1981 was 84. The degree day value for Dundee and Petersburg in Monroe County as of 17 April is 115 and 122 respectively !  With the heat expected today and in the next few days, persius should be in flight NOW !

2. The earliest date that Lycaeides irus (a Threatened species in Michigan) has been vouchered is 25 April and that being in 1967.  The degree-day value for 25 April 1967 is 173.  The degree day value for Dundee and Petersburg in Monroe County as of 17 April is 115 and 122 respectively !  The prediction for April 22 is 152 and 161 and for April 27 is 173 and 184 respectively for Dundee and Petersburg.  With the heat expected today and in the next few days, irus should be in flight on or soon after April 27 !

Dr. Warren H. "Herb" Wagner, Jr. (deceased) found a site where the Karner Blue (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) was present in Monroe County in the 1950's and this site to my knowledge has not frequently been visited in the near past. I desire to survey this site and other more widely known lep sites in the vicinity.  The host plant for L. irus, E. persius and L. melissa [The Federally endangered Karner Blue butterfly], is Lupine (Lupinus perennis) which is present in Monroe County.  Therefore, all three species may still be present in Monroe County.   I vouchered persius on 28 May 2000 at the Petersburg SGA.  Since this species was found as recently as the year 2000, it is not unreasonable to expect to find the other two species which use Lupine as a host also present.  Timing is EVERYTHING!  It is my intention to visit the Petersburg State Game Area, and other sites nearby which may contain the host plant, Lupine, in search of these three species.  I will attempt to enlist the company of Roger Kuhlman, John C. Farmer and "Mo" Nielsen in this endeavor.

  

Lupine (Lupinus perennis)

Persius Skipper (Erynnis persius, Scudder, 1823)

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Allegan State Game Area, Allegan County, Michigan, 5 May 2000 © 2000
Frosted Elfin (Incisalia irus, Godart, 1824) on Lupine (Lupinus perennis L.)

photo by Owen A. Perkins, Allegan State Game Area, 1999 © 1999
Karner Blue butterfly, Lycaeides melissa samuelis, Nabokov, 1944
on Lupine (Lupinus perennis L.)
 

Report from Mogens C. "Mo" Nielsen and Jim Vargo (April 17, 2002):
Jim Vargo drove to Cheboygan Co., and got B. infans (several) and only two L. brephoides! He then drove to 'our' Otsego Co. 'hot-spot' and saw ONLY one B. infans! ha. He said jokingly that we must have cleaned them out!! ha.  Last night, Jim called again after checking highway special areas and setting out UV traps and a baited trail near Harrison in Clare Co. He got lots of Feralia major and several F. jocosa (a target species), Psaphida rolandi, thaxteriana and one B. borealis. 

I drove to Barry State Game Area/Yankee Springs Rec. Area yesterday for a couple of hours. I saw only four C. ladon and one N. antiopa! I checked the very few moist areas and oak/pine edges but saw nothing except the above! It is 'bone dry' there; a warm rain will bring out more species! 
Have a good day! Cheers, 'Mo'

Owen reports (April 15):
Pieris rapae was sighted in Royal Oak today (April 15).

John C. Farmer reports (April 15):
Owen,
This surge of warm weather prompted me to put out the trap - baited with Mo's Mixture - today.  Caught my first 'fly of the season - a Polygonia with the gray striations of progne but the silver question mark of interrogationis.  Maybe just a dark P. comma. In the past week I've also had my first Nymphalis antiopa, Pieris rapae, and (probable) Nymphalis milberti.  All rather exceptional only in their rather late first appearances of the season.
Here's wishing you a great butterflying season!
John

Owen replied (April 15):
Harry, I would like to join you for the Clare Co bog survey.  Let me know what your plans are.  I am keeping track of the degree days for that region.  Would you be interested in the Minden bog in Sanilac Co when the degree days are right for frigga?  This hot spell may skew the DD some but we can adjust for that.

Harry D. King reports (April 15):
I am thinking of going up to the large bog near Clare. . . When the degree-days get right I think I'll go,
if nothing more than to get in the bogs.  

Mogens C. "Mo" Nielsen reports (April 15):
Owen,  We had a GREAT time at the hut; Bob, Martin, Ted, Terry, and I collected the two day-flying geometrids (Brephos infans, Leuco-brephos brephoides) on both Sat. (April 13) and today under sunny skies and temps 65-70-our target species! It was fun. We saw Mourning Cloaks, Compton Tortoise Shells, Comma, Green Comma; no other butterflies.
Baiting for moths was very unproductive, but we didn't get 'skunked' collecting moths at lights. We really got most of our 'winter-kinks' worked out by setting out 11 bait traps, four UV traps, UV/sheet at the hut, and one night of MV/sheet in jack pine barrens! 

Roger Kuhlman reports in his Website (March 12): Greater Washtenaw County Butterfly Survey
http://home.att.net/~r.a.kuhlman/SEMIYTD2001.htm

The 2002 Butterfly season has started! Three species of butterflies were seen in Washtenaw County on Tuesday March 12. Martin Bialecki had a Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) in southwest Washtenaw county just after mid-day.

About 3:30 in the afternoon, I found an Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma) and a Compton's Tortoise Shell (Nymphalis vau-album) in Dhu Varren Woods Park in Ann Arbor. The Compton's Tortoise Shell was a special find as it is an uncommon butterfly in our area. 

It is interesting that most of the non-Ann Arbor Compton's Tortoise Shell sightings have been associated with Beech-Maple forests that have wetlands nearby. Dhu Varren Woods is precisely this type of habitat.

Events to which you are invited:

48TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Saturday 8 June 2002

This year's 48th meeting of our society will be held just south of the Michigan border in the NW corner of Indiana within the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Chesterton, Indiana.  The meeting will be held at the Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center which is a public-private partnership within the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.  (Complete description of the area, plans for the meeting including early arrivals who can lodge Friday night at the Learning Center, Friday evening slide presentations, Saturday events, Field activities planned for Saturday night.)

Further detailed information may be secured from me at:

Owen A. Perkins, 2806 Linwood Avenue, Royal Oak MI 48073-3023
248-288-3769 or more practically at:

lepalert@comcast.net

I can provide information pertaining to membership to the Michigan Entomological Society, the Annual Meeting, and related events and activities.

or contact:
James P. Dunn (MES president-elect) if you have questions about the meeting or desire information about the MES or the meeting at:
Grand Valley State University, Allendale MI 49401
616-895-3439
Fax: 616-895-3446

dunnj@gvsu.edu

Events to which you were invited:

I HOPE YOU WILL PLAN TO COME NEXT YEAR AS WE HAD A BIG TURNOUT AND A GREAT TIME.  A lot of insect info was shared!:

Breaking Diapause 
(the time in which hibernating butterflies and moths and other animals emerge from their resting stage during the winter season) 
meeting 
(entomologists will be emerging from their winter quarters to venture into the field for another season of observation, surveying, vouchering and collecting) 
will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2002, at 9:00 A. M. at the Natural Science Building, Michigan State University, convening in Room 244.  

• meet with other fellow entomologists and insect enthusiasts!
• bring along insect specimens to identify
• specimens to trade
• displays for others to enjoy!
• tour the Michigan State University A. J. Cook Arthropod Research Collection
• refreshments will be provided

FOR MORE INFORMATION
contact Mo Nielsen by phone at 517-353-7294 or by email at nielsen4@msu.edu

or contact Owen A. Perkins at lepalert@comcast.net

The meeting will meet to:

• formulate plans for the 2002 season 
• hear from Robert D. Kriegel pertaining to Infrared Aerial photographs for Upper Peninsula of Michigan
• hear from Robert D. Kriegel pertaining to the new Access program for the data base of MI Lep Survey

Last Updated: 04/09/2007 10:45:18 AM