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ALERT UPDATE 2003
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LEPIDOPTERA ALERT #2003.030 dated 09 November 2003
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Your assistance is requested to keep your colleagues informed!
More to come as notification is provided to Owen A. Perkins
at:
lepalert@comcast.net
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ALERT UPDATE is always under
construction.
Alert Priors - 2001 and Alert Priors - 2002 are found
under ALERT UPDATE PRIORS and earlier 2003 Update Reports will periodically
be moved to Alert Priors - 2003 to ALERT UPDATE - Priors. Of Course Alert Priors - 2001, Alert Priors -
2002 and Alert Priors - 2003 will now likely be very, very slow loading
especially via telephone.
If you view this site, but I do or would not
have your email address, please send the address to lepalert@comcast.net so that I
may communicate with you.
Any
suggestions you may have to assist me in providing the information you may
desire are most welcome!
Any
photographs you may desire to have incorporated in subsequent 2003 lepalert
report(s) are herewith solicited.
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Report from Owen,
09 November 2003
It reached 17
degrees F. over night and at 12:30 P.M. upon arriving home from church it was
observed that 1 Battus philenor was fluttering in the terrarium in my back
yard with the ambient temperature at 37 degrees, but probably higher in the
terrarium. I am assuming it emerged on 07 November when the temperature
reached 72 degrees ambient temperature in our yard and possibly more in the
terrarium. I can’t really tell the temperature, but in the sunlight on the
glass in the terrarium this specimen was fluttering. I couldn’t help but
photograph it and relate the story following Mark’s story. The hind wings
were not fully developed as was Mark’s deformed female.
photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2003
(Papilio philenor)
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Report from Mark
Schmidt, 07 November 2003
Just
when I thought that the season was over, those batty Battus philenors prove
me wrong. Though deformed, the female was able to fly away. The larva fed
voraciously on those 70 degree days. There were four more of them a few days
before but I lost them among the fallen leaves in the flower bed.
photo by Mark Schmidt, © 2003
(Papilio philenor)
photo by Mark Schmidt, © 2003
(Papilio philenor)
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Note from Owen
In 2004 I will have
a different setup so those who have telephone instead of cable to receive
this site, will be able to access the site FASTER. I will use a different setup
for the photographs. I am looking ahead.
We are getting near
the end of the season. If you voucher any lep that is a late date (per Mo’s MICHIGAN
BUTTERFLIES AND SKIPPERS), please alert me.
Any News from
anyone?
Owen
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Report from Martin Andree, 18 October 2003 who has just
returned from Korea, Russia, Netherlands, and many other lands. He has been
gone over one year. Welcome back fearless leader of
Dead & Spread.
In the searing vastness of the Gobi
our intrepid collector, Maru pa Duke, rasped, "So...how far is it
to the 421 Bog anyway and can I get a piece of huckleberry pie once I get
there?"
He says he is glad to be back amongst
friendly natives.
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Report from John
Farmer, 31 October 2003
Although it's far short of someone's
November 11 sighting in year 2000, I had my latest Monarch of this year
today. It was beating a west by southwesterly path about 4' off the
ground across the intersection of
Mooreville and Petersburg Roads ~3:30 this afternoon. That, and an
orange sulphur that crossed my yard yesterday afternoon are my only recorded
sightings in Washtenaw Co. since Oct. 15. Saw a Painted Lady, a
Polygonia sp., an Orange Sulphur, 4 Cabbage Whites, and 9 Clouded Sulphurs in
Hillsdale County on October 18, my last sightings there.
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Report from Mark Schmidt, 20
October 2003
If I'm not mistaken, it is neary
Halloween. I'll be darned if I don't have a newly eclosed B. philenor
in my cage. I have no idea just what nature's intentions are.
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Report from Mark Schmidt,
03 October 2003
Fall seemed to have missed us in SW
Ohio. We jumped from the 80's to the 40's really quickly. I still
have E. imperialis, A. polyphemus, P. cresphontes, and P. glaucus larvae
feeding on trees with turning leaves. There's been frost for two nights
now. I had a female B. philenor eclose two days ago! I'm not sure
what she had in mind.
Somewhat interesting is the attached larva of P. glaucus. It started
out a normal green but as the temperatures dropped, it darkened on its thoracic
segments. Frostbite? I thought maybe it was going to darken into
the usually pre-pupal color. Nope! I brought it in this evening
and it's still feeding.
I'm still hoping for an Indian summer.
photo by Mark Schmidt, © 2003
(Papilio philenor)
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"Michigan Entomological
Society is holding its Summer Field Trip this week Saturday, August 23rd, in
southwest Michigan".
This year the Michigan Entomological Society will
hold its Summer Field Trip in Cass County with two
great areas to explore. Bill Westrate has once again
invited us to collect on his large farm/natural acre-age.
We have also been invited to collect on a 3,000 acre
tract owned by the Lowe Foundation.
Our guide, Bill Westrate, is a well-known all-around
naturalist. Bill has an outstanding collection of
most insect species that can be found on his
property, all curated in Cornell drawers. Habitats on his
property include: one mile of stream, 3-acre pond,
marsh, southern riparian forests, a small stand of
tamarack and shrub carr, an alkaline fen, several
rural microhabitats, abandoned field with prairie com-ponents,
and oak-pine forests. With unique plants and a wide
variety of habitats, there’s always some-thing
new to observe, photograph, or net. This is another
great opportunity to spend the day out of doors
with family and friends.
The Lowe tract is owned by Ed Lowe, founder of Kitty
Litter. Our guide will be Mike McCuistion,
property manager. He will give us a short talk on
the property’s habitats and drive us around to various
sites. The tract has two lakes, 2,000 acres of
undisturbed lands, a wide variety of habitats, and access
throughout the property by roads. The Foundation
encourages sampling of its flora and fauna and can
even provide accommodations.
We’ll begin our day at Bill’s “park” just west of
his home at 21406 McKenzie Street. Bill is located
approximately 6 miles east of Dowagiac where the
road crosses Dowagiac Creek (see maps). If you plan
to make a night of it you’re welcome to camp at Bill’s
scenic little park along the Dowagiac Creek.
We’ll meet at 10 AM on Saturday, August 23rd at
Bill’s!! If you are late we’ll leave
a map and directions at the park to our planned
sites.
Michigan
MES Summer
Field Trip
Saturday August 23, 2003
Closeup map of location
of Bill’s home.
We’ll begin our day at Bill’s “park” just west of
his home at 21406 McKenzie Street. Bill is located
approximately 6 miles east of Dowagiac where the
road crosses Dowagiac Creek (see maps). If you plan
to make a night of it
you’re welcome to camp at Bill’s scenic little park along the Dowagiac Creek
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Report from Roger
Kuhlman
Powesheik Skipperling (Oarisma powesheik) was found in good numbers at Embury Swamp in
northwest Washtenaw County on July 13. A total of 11 Powesheiks were seen and
a good photographic voucher of one was taken. Most of the butterflies were
just seen flying around the fen and landing on sedges but a few individuals
were noted landing on flowering Shrubby
Cinquefoil, Black-eyed Susan, and Marsh Pea and presumably nectaring.
Other prominent species in the fen on Sunday where the Powesheiks were found
included Dorcas Copper (Lycaena dorcas),
Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria
selene myrina), Black Dash (Euphyes
conspicua), Mulberry Wing (Poanes
massasoit), Delaware Skipper (Anatrytone
logan), and Baltimore (Euphydryas
phaeton). All the Dorcas Copper seemed to have recently emerged and no
females were found. Interestingly a small Baltimore larva was found while
searching for additional butterflies.
Its size may have indicated that it hadn’t even reached the last
instar before pupation. Considering that Baltimores have been flying for
several weeks now, I wonder if it is going to be able to become an adult
butterfly.
In a different part of the Embury Swamp area which contains more broad-leaved
sedges, both Dion Skipper (Euphyes dion)
and Broad-winged Skipper (Poanes viator)
were flying. The Broad-winged Skipper was the first sighting for the year. On
nearby Embury road--a dirt road that cuts through several wet sedgy
locations--several Dun Skippers, Appalachian Eyed Browns, Mustard Whites,
Little Glassywings and one Gray Comma (Polygonia
progne) were seen. In addition a
road-killed Compton’s Tortoise Shell was collected from Embury Road. This
Compton's Tortoise Shell was only the third individual of the species found
this year so far on the Greater Washtenaw County Survey. Its loss was a sad
event. At a dry-sandy Red Pine Oak barren a few miles east of Embury,
Southern Cloudywing, Hoary Edge, and Edward's Hairstreaks were seen. This
site contains a lot of young Black Oak and Butterfly Weed and the Edward's
Hairstreaks were taking advantage of both. The Edward's Hairstreaks were
found either perching on these smaller oaks or clustered on the Butterfly
Weed.
For the day the following species were seen:
Lycaena dorcas 50+
Euphydryas phaeton 25+
Poanes massasoit 10+
Euphyes conspicua 10+
Satyrium edwardsii 10+
Speyeria cybele 10+
Megisto cymela 10+
Oarisma powesheik 11
Anatrytone logan 10+
Cercyonis pegala 10+
Satyrodes Appalachia 9
Euphyes vestries 5
Vanessa atalanta 4
Pieris napi 4
Satyrodes Eurydice 3
Phyciodes tharos 3
Enodia anthedon 3
Epargyreus clarus 3
Boloria selene myrina 3
Euphyes dion 3
Celastrina neglecta 2
Papilio Troilus 2
Achalarus lyciades 2
Thorybes bathyllus 2
Pompeius verna 2
Poanes viator 1
Papilio glaucus 1
Papilio polyxenes 1
Limenitis archippus 1
Polygonia progne 1
Nymphalis vau-album 1
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Voucher photo by Bryan Pfeiffer , © 2003
Powesheik Skipperling (Oarsima
powesheik)
was found in good numbers at Embury Swamp in northwest
Washtenaw County [T1S R3E Section15] on July 13. A total of 11 Powesheik
Skipperlings were seen and a good photographic voucher of one was taken. Most
of the butterflies were just seen flying around the fen and landing on sedges
but a few individuals were noted landing on flowering Shrubby Cinquefoil,
Black-eyed Susan, and Marsh Pea and presumably nectaring.
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9 July 2003 Message
from Mo
A Monarch, tag number BKU255, was
tagged by Lisa in Sterling Heights, Michigan, on October 6th 2002 was
recovered 1254 miles away in Key West Florida by Jean Curry on October 9th
2002 . 1254 MILES IN 3 DAYS.
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26 June 2003 Information
from Owen
 
Fiborn Quarry plant in the
active days.
Fiborn Quarry – June 2003
For those of you
who have visited the Fiborn Quarry complex, the following website presents
the History of Fiborn Quarry:
The first page is
herewith presented. Go to the site to see it all !
Or
click on the Index to The History
Of Fiborn Quarry items below to go directly to a chapter.
http://www.caves.org/conservancy/mkc/kioskcredit.html
This material is
part of the text from history display at The Fiborn Karst Preserve featuring
many photographs, documents and descriptions detailing the history of Fiborn
Qaurry.
Sources for this history include:
- The Chase Osborn
Papers in The Michigan Historical Collection, Bentley Historical
Library, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mi.
- The State of
Michigan Archives, Lansing, Mi.
- Longyear Research
Library, Marquette, Mi.
- Eastern upper
peninsula regional newspapers, as collected on microfilm at the Michigan
State Library, Lansing, Mi.
- Several dozen
interviews with former residents and workers of Fiborn Quarry and their
families, as conducted, recorded, transcribed and archived by the
Michigan Karst Conservancy's Fiborn History Project.
- Historic records of
Algoma Steel, Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, Canada.
Mike Warner
P.O. Box 10
Schoharie,
NY. 12157-0010
E-Mail mike@speleobooks.com
Written by Mike Warner, Michigan Karst Conservancy June, 1992
Revised December 1994 (text)
Revised June 1996 & October 1996. (graphic version)
Index
to The History Of Fiborn Quarry
1.
Presenting
Fiborn Quarry's History
2.
Fiborn
Quarry's History
3.
Osborn
And The Soo
4.
Clergue
and Carbide
5.
The
Draw Of Limestone
6.
Affairs
Of Property
7.
The
Big Bang
8.
Caves
Of Fiborn
9.
A
Series Of Letters
10. Transition
11. Fiborn Today
- Under Construction
The lilacs east of the quarry are the
location where Proserpinus
flavofasciata
was
collected by both Harry King and Terry Herig.
PROSERPINUS FLAVOFASCIATA
Proserpinus flavofasciata
courtesy of Ward Strong, BC Ministry of Forests.
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26 June 2003 Report
from Mo
I have summarized the interesting/unusual species that I
(we) trapped, attracted to MV/UV lights, from the 'hut' to Copper Harbor and
return (June 13 to 20). I have arranged the species per Hodges' 1983 Check
List.
Hyalophora columbia males were attracted to the Rest Area (RA) lights, west
of Seney (wings were found at the Seney motel, too). Only one immaculate
Actias luna was seen during the trip (RA). Antheraea polyphemus males were
trapped under northern hardwoods canopy in Schoolcraft Co.
Sphinx poecila was seen in several counties, along with seven other common
Sphingidae. Most notable capture was Hemaris gracilis at vetch at the Laketon
'lilac spot', along M-28 in Luce Co., along with H. thysbe, diffinis and
Amphion floridensis. H. thysbe was captured by a crab spider on lilac in the
Trout Lake cemetery!
Notodontids were very numerous at lights, especially, Gluphisia
septentrionis! A good series of Symmerista sp. was trapped in northern hardwoods.
Most notable species was Hyparpax aurora, an
immaculate male, at the hut sunlamp/sheet!
At least 60 Noctuids were seen and taken at lights; some unusual species were
Autographa rubida, mappa at the hut; Lithacodia concinnimacula, Pyrrhia
exprimens in a north hardwoods barrow pit near Copper Harbor. Some 12-15
species of Acronicta, inluding quadrata, superans, laetifica, were recorded
at MV/UV throughout the trip. Calophasia lunula male was again taken in a UV
trap set on the huge Bullock Ranch*, about 5 miles west of Seney (a
male was taken a week before in the same exact spot!) -first records for the
U.P.
Unfortunately, many species of Geometridae and 'Micros' were also seen and
taken at lights, but will have to await further ID from 'experts'! Despite
clear nights and a northerly breeze (at times), moth collecting was very
productive!
*Note from Owen: The Bullock Ranch
The Bullock Ranch near Seney, was the proving ground for Bullock
Tractors in the early 1900s and was developed about
1912 by the maker of the Bullock Tractor, and operated for some years
afterwards.
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22 June 2003 Report
from Owen with supplements by Mo
Mo
and I left his hut in Otsego County on Sunday, June 16, and headed across Big
Mac on a 5-day surveying trip across the Upper Peninsula. We stopped first at
the Laketon lilacs and vetch at M28 & Luce Co Rd 413 (Luce Co.) and we encountered P. canadensis, C.
lucia, G. lygdamus couperi, D. plexippus, C. tullia inornata, T. pylades, C.
palaemon mandan, H. sassacus, P. themistocles, and P. hobomok
Next
stop at the Luce Co Rd 421 bog west (Luce Co.) we encountered Boloria eunomia
dawsoni and B. selene atrocostalis and at the bog east B. selene atrocostalis
- saw no B. frigga saga.
Monday
at the McCormick tract (Marquette Co.) we encountered I. augustinus, C.
palaemon mandan, E. icelus and A. hegon.
At
the lilacs south of Calumet (Houghton Co.) was P. selenis, C. tullia inornata
and C. palaemon mandan. At Amygdule Rd old apple orchard (Houghton Co.) was
P. selenis.
At
Point Isabelle (Keweenaw Co. section14) was C. lucia, B. frigga saga, D.
plexippus and O. jutta ascerta.
 
Monarch
at Bog Laurel Point Isabelle
On Tuesday at Manganese Lake near Copper Harbor (Keweenaw Co.) was P. canadensis,
P. themistocles and P. hobomok.
At
Point Isabelle (Keweenaw Co. section 11) was B. frigga saga, D. plexippus and
O. jutta ascerta.
 
Cottongrass
at Point Isabelle bog
Frigga Fritillary at Point Isabelle bog
On
Wednesday at the Murphy Lake Rd, Churchill bog (Baraga Co.) was P.
Canadensis, B. eunomia dawsoni, B. selene atrocostalis, P. selenis, O. jutta
ascerta, E. icelus, and P. hobomok.
At
the Shingleton site (Luce Co.) was P. selenis and C. tullia inornata.
On
Thursday at Eckerman Corners trail (Chippewa Co.) was C. lucia, L. arthemis
arthemis, E. icelus, E. juvenalis, C. palaemon mandan, P. themistocles, and
A. hegon,
At
the Wilwin Road bog (Chippewa Co.) was P. selenis, B. selene atrocostalis,
and A. vialis.
On Friday at Allenville Quarry (Mackinac Co.) was G. lygdamus couperi, C.
tullia inornata, D. plexippus and P. hobomok.
Mo will provide
moth info.
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21 June 2003 Report from Roger Kuhlman
On Saturday (June
21) I got my first hairstreak of the season while butterflying at Crosswinds
Marsh (southwest Wayne county). It was a dark, almost black Banded Hairstreak
(Satyrium calanus) and was most
likely a representative of the boreale
subspecies. This subspecies is quite uncommon in our area and I think I have
seen it maybe three or four of them over the past five years.
When I first saw this butterfly drop into the grasses near a stand of oaks,
I thought I was viewing another small duskywing probably a Dreamy. But
as I went closer to check out the butterfly I could see it had a blue
patch and white lines on the hindwings. Tails were also evident.
Surprisingly this 'black' Banded Hairstreak was the only hairstreak I saw on
either Saturday or Sunday.
Despite the lack of hairstreaks both Saturday and Sunday were nice days for
butterflying with a good diversity of species flying. For the day at
Crosswinds Marsh alone, I tallied 31 species. Of course the Banded Hairstreak
was the top highlight but other goodies included four species of
Swallowtails, four late Dreamy Duskywings, a couple of Long Dash, my first
Baltimore of the season, a Southern Cloudywing, six Bronze Coppers, and one
lone Monarch.
Adding more spice
to the butterflying was the presence of two very talkative Yellow-breasted
Chats (uncommon bird species) discovered while checking out a new meadow area
filled with plenty of blooming, butterfly-attracting clover.
Butterflying on
Sunday was also very good with a total of 29 species seen in various spots in
nw Washtenaw county. Two fresh Hackberry butterflies were discovered along a
forested section of Cassidy road. One was spending time landing on
patches of sunlight on the dirt road and the other seen perched on the trunk
of a tree. Also on the dirt road I saw my first summer form Eastern Comma. At
Park Lyndon North, I found a Silver-bordered Fritillary, two Harris'
Checkerspots, and two Long Dashes where the trail winds its way through the
fen. On nearby Embury road I saw Gray Comma and the first members of the
summer brood Mustard White. The Boyce road meadows and wetlands produced
Northern Cloudywing, Bronze Copper, Long Dash, and another Mustard White.
Altogether a very nice weekend of butterflying. Things seem to be shaping up
well for our first two NABA Butterfly counts--Noggles Road Area [ June 30 ]
and Chelsea Area [ July 5 ].
Saturday
Species
Sunday Species
=================
=======================
Papilio
glaucus Papilio
glaucus
Lycaena
hyllus Epargyreus
clarus
Phyciodes
tharos Limenitis
arthemis astyanax
Limenitis
archippus Pieris
rapae
Vanessa
virginiensis Ancyloxypha
numitor
Limenitis arthemis
astyanax Papilio
troilus
Megisto
cymela Polygonia
interrogationis
Celastrina
neglecta Thymelicus
lineola
Poanes
hobomok Phyciodes
tharos
Epargyreus
clarus Asterocampa
celtis
Thymelicus
lineola Polygonia
comma
Erynnis
icelus Megisto
cymela
Polites
themistocles Poanes
hobomok
Polygonia
interrogationis Polites
peckius
Pieris
rapae Boloria
selene
Polites
mystic Chlosyne
harrisii
Polites
peckius Polites
mystic
Satyrium calanus
boreale Satyrodes
eurydice
Nymphalis
antiopa Limenitis
archippus
Papilio
cresphontes Everes
comyntas
Ancyloxypha
numitor Polygonia
progne
Papilio
troilus Pieris
napi
Euphydryas
phaeton Nymphalis
antiopa
Vanessa
atalanta Polites
themistocles
Papilio
polyxenes Thorybes
pylades
Colias
eurytheme Lycaena
hyllus
Everes
comyntas Erynnis
baptisiae
Colias
philodice Euphydryas
phaeton
Thorybes
bathyllus Colias
eurytheme
Erynnis juvenalis
Danaus plexippus
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21 June 2003 Report
from Owen
The report is
forthcoming later today with some photos. Bob has done an excellent job in
his report that follows and I will add what Mo and I did on our own. Later Mo
will provide the moth information.
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19 June 2003 Report from Bob Kriegel
Hi all,
I'm back.
This second spring bog butterfly trip was 8 days long. Didn't lose any
sampling time due to rain the entire trip. Wow! This trip follows
the 9-day trip I took about 3 weeks ago, and a short overnighter
before that. This year I've been very fortunate to spend 18 days during
the last month on the road crisscrossing the UP searching for bolorians and
other leps, rocks and interesting photographic opportunities. This
posting is the short version of my latest trip. I'll eventually get the
full version with pictures up on my website. Owen, please feel free to
post this message on LepAlert.
[note from Owen: Bob’s website is: http://www.msu.edu/user/kriegelr/ ]
I left on the morning of Thursday 6/12 heading for Ishpeming. Along the
way I hit the following sites: Moran [Owen: aka Allenville quarry] quarry,
Kenneth lilacs, Fiborn quarry, Laketon Lilacs, 421 bog and Seney rest
area. I caught a black swallowtail at Kenneth. The sphingids were
thick at Fiborn quarry: Hemaris thysbe,
H. diffinis, H. gracilis and Amphion
floridensis, but no Proserpinus
flavofasciata. Candian tigers were every where, several monarchs
were soaring around the century old lilacs and Amblyscirtes hegon and Poanes
hobomok were flying on the road. At 421 bog Boloria frigga, B. selene atrocostalis, B. eunomia and O. jutta ascerta were all flying east
of the road.
Just
before sunset I searched out and f-I-n-a-l-l-y found Jasper Knob.
It is even more
spectacular than I had imagined. It was too close to sunset (and I had
50 ASA film in the camera) to get any pictures. I've been searching for
this well-known geological showpiece for a couple of years. Now that
I've found it you can bet 'the knob' will be a frequent stop wherever I stay
overnight in Ishpeming.
Early Friday morning (6/13) I drove to Watersmeet in Gogebic County and
started the second half of the Ottawa National Forest survey work. The
3 days of sampling for the forest service was a lot of hard work, but I found
O. jutta at 3 locations within the
specified survey plot. The bog just NE of the Pomeroy Lake campground
is very nice, as is the forest service campground. I saw about 8 jutta during a 1 hr transect through
the bog and also came up with 2 eunomia.
That's only the second location for eunomia
in Gogebic County. We should put this bog and another one near Cisco
Lake on our list to check for freija.
Discoidalis is also possible but
not highly probable. In several of the bogs I happened upon a small,
fuzzy, black and orange caterpillar feeding on cotton grass and another
species of bog grass. I would encounter 1 or 2 in a bog, but found over
half a dozen total. Mo Nielsen thinks it's an arctiid. He had
found them on his previous trip. We are both rearing a few to see what
they are. The only other exciting finds during that 3 days were a Polygonia satyrus and a frenzied
cluster of Canadian tigers on very fresh wolf dung – those pictures should be
fun. Oh yeah, I also saw several monarchs. Looking at Mo's book
later in the trip I think this is a county record [Note from Owen: previously
vouchered 11 Aug 2000].
I also happened upon a freshly dead (still warm and
flexible) barred owl that I ended up taking to the state game warden in the
area to be submitted to MSU for West Nile virus testing. That happened after
5 pm on Saturday evening, so tracking down the proper authority and getting
the owl to him turned out to be a fairly involved affair.
On Sunday 6/15 I drove to Silver City. Spent the evening photographing
loons on Lake Superior and shooting a fabulous sunset. Monday morning
(6/16) I drove up to Lake of da Clouds and hiked around that area.
Unfortunately, no interesting leps there. However on my way out, back
at Silver City I spent 30 minutes at an old, large patch of lilacs.
Caught a black swallowtail, H. thysbe,
H. gracilis and a county record monarch [note from Owen: previously
vouchered 12 Aug 2000]. Then I headed NE to Ontonagon and east on M38.
Stopped on high ground with lots of oxeye daisy along the roadside to see
what was flying. I had stumbled on a large colony of Tulia inornata, that may have been a
county record too [note from Owen: previously vouchered]. While I was
sampling along the roadside a state vehicle pulled up. It was Bill
Taft, a fellow lepidopterist. He was up there doing water quality
sampling for MDNR and wanted to know if I knew where any good lilacs were that
he could check for P. flavofasciata.
I continued on and did the underground copper mine tour at the Adventure
mine; that was cool. South of Calumet I paused along the roadside to talk to
a woman who was selling native copper they had found in the Champion Mine
dump and even in their own back yard using a metal detector. Finally,
around 5 pm I pulled up to the Point Isabelle bog just as Mo and Owen were
packing up to leave the bog. They had seen B. frigga, B. s. atrocostalis, and O. jutta. Small numbers of each, but they were all
flying. As I headed into the bog, Owen pointed out a Boloria and I netted it. It
turned out to be the only B. eunomia
any of us actually caught at that site. That night (6/16) we ran sheets
and set UV traps along Brockway Drive. We spent both Monday and Tuesday
nights at Copper Harbor.
On Tuesday (6/17) we started by setting bait traps and checking out lilacs on
a road heading SE from Copper Harbor. The huge patches of very old
lilacs along this road are simply amazing. Then we checked out Lake
Manganese and the abandoned Clark Mine dump. Next we headed back to
Point
Isabelle for a long session in this bog. We worked a different spot
than we had the day before and found numerous B. frigga saga and O. jutta.
I spent about 1/2 hour following a couple of jutta and trying to get some good photographs. While trying
to photograph a female frigga I saw
her curl her abdomen and it looked like she laid an egg on a very small
heather of some kind. When I brought the camera down from my eye I
wasn't sure exactly which plant it was. I searched but found no
egg. We'll see if the photos can shed any light on this. That
evening I headed out to a sand quarry near the abandoned village of Mandan to
search for datolite in an area of unsorted cobbles high on the quarry
wall. I was following a tip from an
article in a rock hounding magazine. Around dusk Mo joined me for an
evening of blacklighting. We were fortunate to get some cloud cover and
the temperature rose from 54.6F at 10 pm to over 58F when we left just before
1 am. The evening started out slowly but we ended up getting quite a
few moths, including a couple of nice ones Mo had been hoping for.
On Wednesday (6/18) we headed south to a bog SE of Covington where Mark
Churchill recently discovered B. frigga.
We didn't see any frigga but did
come away with B. eunomia, B. s.
atrocostalis and O. jutta.
As we left the bog, Mo pointed out moose tracks on the 2-track that led to
the bog. The tracks continued for several hundred feet along the
2-track. By the way, this is only a couple of miles from where a moose
crossed the road in front of Harry King and I on my previous trip. Late
in the afternoon we stopped at the classic northern blue site east of
Shingleton to check on the phenology of its host plant, dwarf bilberry.
We then tried to find a larger opening in the jack pines to the east where Mo
and Ted Herig found a thriving population of the blue well over a decade
ago. We didn't find the spot, but once we got to our motel in Seney, I
loaded the GPS tracks for the day into my laptop computer and displayed where
we walked over an aerial photograph of the site. We discovered that we
had indeed been very
close to the locality and learned where we had gone wrong. After dinner
we set traps and went to bed. At 4:30 am we got up and went to check the
lights at the Seney rest area for moths. I found an immaculate H. Columbia on a bench at our
motel. There were not many moths at the lights. It was quite
cold, possibly 40F or lower.
By 6:30 am on Thursday (6/19) we had eaten breakfast and were heading NE to
Paradise and Whitefish Point. There I photographed beach rocks and a
passing freighter. Once it warmed up we headed to Eckerman Corners
trail to search for the early hairstreak. We were way too late.
Only a few worn C. lucia and a
couple of immaculate white admirals were up and about. At this point I
left Mo and Owen and headed home.
Boy, does my grass need cutting.
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18 June 2003 Report from Dana Gring
(Ohio)
We went to 421
bog on 6/14 and found B. frigga
and O. jutta worn with just a
couple nice keepes each. B. eunomia
was just coming out and in ex. fresh condition and good numbers. This was my
first time to take it in good numbers We also took a mass of about 20 H. maia larva also. We then came back
down the road and stopped at 413/28 intersection (old homestead that Bob told
me about. Lilacs were waning, not much around, but in the vetch on both sides
of 28 were large numbers of G. lygdamus,
with many females taken along with tons of males observed. All were very
fresh. I also took one diffinus
sphinx, hoping for gracilis and flavofaciata, but none seen.
Sunday
we stopped at Thompson Harbor, just in time for the first batesii and nycteis flight, all ex. fresh. Numbers of nycteis was high, but batesii
not at height yet, and males only. Hianna
was fresh, saw three or four, and saw one E.
martialis, many E. lucilius and
icelus. Took one fresh C. tullia and two or three fresh F. tarquinius.
Later in
the day we stopped at F38 and Big Creek rd (just n. of along dirt rd),
looking for more batesii. Saw a few
more here, along with only female, and looked for gracilis coming to nectar. May have seen one, probably diffinus, along with a couple worn olympia, one worn metea, and lots of arctic skippers. All in all a good trip.
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Following the very successful MES
meeting at the MSU Tollgate Center in NOVI:
L to R: Robert D. Kriegel, Mogens C.
“Mo” Nielsen, and John Keeler.
These three are also members of the
D&S group formed by Martin Andree
who was elected to the Governing
Board of MES.
Notice the hats with the emblem of
Skull and Cross-nets!
Following the Michigan Entomological
Society meeting
at the MSU Tollgate Center in NOVI:
Robert D. “Bob” Kriegel, the new MES
President-elect.
Congratulations Bob!
NOTICE:
In June 2004 the Annual Meeting of
MES will be the 50th Anniversary of the organization.
PLAN to attend. More Info to be
published later.
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03 June 2003 Report from Mark Churchill via message to Mo
Nice to hear from you! I haven't reported back to you for
two weekends. This last weekend my cousin Mike from Nebraska came up to visit
and go butterflying. This was his first time collecting in a bog. He says it
was the toughest collecting he'd ever done, but unique and challenging.
We left on Fri, which with the rain and cold, was a washout but we drove all
the way to crystal falls. At the hotel we learned that you, Owen, and Bob had
also stayed at the same hotel! The next day was much better and we started
off to explore for sites new to us. We drove north on US 141 until we reached
Covington, backtracked a bit, and went down King Lake Rd. where we found a
neat looking bog on the south side of the road. When it warmed up a bit, no
sooner had Mike stepped into the bog, he caught his first frigga! Things were becoming more
interesting! After a few hours we had each caught 2 or 3 frigga and 1 jutta each
(one of my favorites). The site is in Baraga Co, R. 33 W., T. 48 N., S. 30
off King Lake Rd. south side. Please inform Bob K. if you think this is a new
site for him. [note from Owen: This IS a new site.]
Next we explored the Logan Rd. site that Bob informed me of (near Crystal
Falls). It was around 5pm and clear, about 60 degrees F., but we observed no discoidalis. We did see one frigga (I think - based on it's size
and dark basal area, dorsal side), and two jutta.
Sunday we went to the 421 bog. Saw many frigga
and captured a few. Saw 2 jutta at the
USFS 3141 bog, Chippewa Co. I also caught a neat fast flying bee - like (in
behavior) cat ( I think ). It has about a 0.75" wingspan, solid
yellow/orange hind wings and cryptic gray and black forewings. It was hard to
catch! I am saving it for you. I don't think it is the species Bob told be to
watch for but it may be of interest to you. I think it is a female. There was
another one near it but it spiraled up so fast and erratically even my sharp
eyes couldn't follow it!
We looked for Erora laetus at the
"Churchill Site" to no avail (not surprisingly). There is quite a
lot of what I think is beaked hazelnut there. I'm confident we will find her
there again! Please inform me if you think finding fresh laetus this spring is too late. How about the second brood - when
should I search for it?
On Monday Mike and I went south to look for marcellus and dark form glaucus.
We didn't see either, but we did see 2 cresphontes,
many yellow glaucus males and a few
females, numerous troilus, and 3 polyxenes. We also ran across Bill
Westrate on Churchill Rd. (it seems destiny I should catch my first MI marcellus on Churchill Rd. ! ). He
said he hadn't seen any marcellus
in a few years, and with the cold spring and the late date, he thought it
would be a long shot for marcellus.
He asked me about you. I told him you were all right except for the bog swim
you took awhile back! Ha Ha!
The weekend [May31-June1] before last I went to Channing and found a fair
number of discoidalis and freija there. Returned east to St.
Ignace but weather turned sour and didn't see any eryphon. I didn't see any last weekend either.
Well, that’s my report for now! Talk to you soon!
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4 Jun 2003 Report from Bob Kriegel
After that long trip to the UP I had to spend the weekend doing chores and
yardwork. While mowing the lawn on Sunday June 1st I saw the following
species: Papilio ployxenes, P.
glaucus, P. troilus, Pieris rapae, Lycaena phlaeus americana, Celastrina
ladon, Phyciodes tharos, Nymphalis antiopa, Epargyreus clarus and Ancyloxpha numitor.
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03 June 2003 Note
from Owen
I have
been under the weather the last few days. Thus my expectations to go north
and the U.P. are on hold. I hope to be better by the weekend and be able to
go north some time after the MES meeting, but the weather doesn’t look
favorable as of today.
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03 June
2003 Report from Mo
I
returned from the hut yesterday just after 6:30PM, having spent Sun. and Mon
till 2PM under beautiful sunny skies, with a gentle NW breeze. Condition are
still somewhat retarded, i.e. basswood leaves at about 2 inches, aspen leaves
still not fully developed, black berry flower heads still not developed.
Choke berries in full bloom, likewise, bird's foot violets, blueberries, yet
trilliums have faded to light reddish purple.
In that time, I observed 14 species of butterflies/skippers, with Papilio canadensis very
numerous-everywhere and nectaring on lilacs and choke cherries. Celastrina ladon still common, but
fading, whereas Lycaena phlaeas
americana and Poanes hobomok
just appearing. Oeneis chryxus
strigulosa still present in dry open sites with their larval host plant, Carex pennsylvanica. Vouched one
immaculate female with considerable orange brown on dorsal side!
Perhaps the most interesting records were Papilio
polyxenes asterius male (tried but eluded the net), and vouchered Carterocephalus palaemon mandan on my
'40'-a first for me! The Incisalia
niphon clarki females were sunning on piney trails. Observed Euchloe
olympia ovi-positing on a lone Arabis drummondii.
There were a couple of near-misses of 'ufo's that makes one feel that either
new glasses or more 'get-up-and-go' is needed!! ha.
I had a great time at the Chippewa Nature Center, 'Bio-Bllitz' on Fri. eve
and all day Sat. John Keeler and daughter were attracted to my MV/UV/sheet-surprised
me!! ha. Otherwise, leps were still 'shivering' when I departed!
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30 May 2003 Report from Bob Kriegel
Howdy do y'all,
I'm back from nine straight days in the UP, eh. Have many tales to tell
in the next few days, don't cha know. Tails of moose, deer, fischer,
porcupine, skunk, bald eagles, snow geese, copper mines -- and, oh yeah dose
scaly winged thins. For now, let me respond to Mo's message about the new B. freija location at Whitefish Point.
The Whitefish Point Marina entrance is on the right (east) side of the road
as Mo described. On the other (west) side of the road is the SE end of
a narrow, strip-like ridge and swale bog that runs to the NW in an arc.
Bog is in the swale and the ridges are dry jack pine. We've seen that before,
eh captain. The entire Point is littered with this kind of
habitat. We have black lighted on the ridge just north of this bog
several times in the last few years. The ridges are Nippising stage
strand lines from 5,500 - 6,000 yrs ago when the lake level was higher.
A series of these ridges were left as the lake level declined. Its not
the prettiest bog I've ever seen, but it certainly could harbor B. freija. I was in that
immediate area from 9 am to noon today. Unfortunately, it was raining, cool,
windy and overcast the entire time. I didn't bother trying to work the
bog. Been there before and done that. You can't budge these critters in
that kind of weather. Would encourage anyone with time on their hands
to make a day trip this weekend (Sunday) to check it out. Otherwise, it
will have to
wait until next year.
The WFPBO is Ken's message stands for, "Whitefish Point Bird
Observatory". That's the official name of dat white building across from
the maritime museum. The place is birding central for the entire
eastern half of da UP. For those who
just can't wait to read the full story, here are the headlines from my trip:
- Bog rosemary is in FULL BLOOM near the M123 bog and lilacs in Luce County
are starting to show a hint of color. Serviceberry nearing the end of
bloom inland in eastern UP. B.
frigga will be flying there very very soon, if its not already.
- The Point is farther behind. Serviceberry is still in full bloom,
with wild cherry bloom starting.
- Yesterday (May 29th): O. jutta
was starting to fly at Point Isabelle. No sign of any Boloria though. Bog rosemary flowers
still tightly closed. And, there are definitely moose on da loose in dat
bog! Incisalia polia was dirt
common among abundant bearberry on Brockway Drive in the Keweenaw.
Bearberry flowers were fully formed, but not yet open.
Serviceberry, strawberry and dandelions in full bloom. It was sunny,
with a light breeze in the mid 70s. Wish ya coulda been there -- but
then we'd a hav ta share. Had da call Mo on my cell phone over a lunch
of smoked kippers at the overlook, just ta gloat :-) As I drove from
Point Isabelle to Seney yesterday evening, I noticed that lilacs are in bloom
inland from Houghton east to Shingleton.
- Tuesday (May 27th): Gogebic county record for O. jutta. Also, a few Polygonia
with one P. satyrus, I think.
Several nice pine elfins, need to double check which species.
- Monday (May 26th): Captured Boloria
bellona and B. selene atrocostalis
in Gogebic County. After gathering wood to bridge a moat into a new
Gogebic County bog, I stepped off the end of my bridge and broke through a
thin mat up to my thighs in muck, camera backpack and all. Needless to
say, I did not get into that bog :-( Sunday (May 25th): P. faunus and satyrus
in the vicinity of Masters E.
discoidalis location near Baraga State Park. Very very beginning of
B. frigga emergence at Big
Lake. Bog rosemary just starting to bloom. Pieris virginiensis flying in mixed hardwoods among trillium in
reliable Baraga county location. Late in the day Harry and I head in
opposite directions.
- Saturday (May 24th): B. freija
and E. discoidalis flying in
significant numbers in Iron County. Condition for both ranged from
immaculate to average. It felt like peak flight to me. Repeated a
visual observation of E. discoidalis
NW of Amasa, but no voucher again this year.
- Friday (May 23rd): During morning, visual sighting of E. discoidalis at McFarland bog, in Marquette County (NEW
LOCATION AND EASTERN RANGE EXTENSION). Did not see B. freija, but would expect it to be found there t |