ALERT UPDATE 2005

LEPIDOPTERA ALERT #2005.099 

Your assistance is requested to keep your colleagues informed!
More to come as notification is provided to Owen A. Perkins at:

lepalert@comcast.net 

ALERT UPDATE is always under construction.

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 2004 lepalert report(s) are herewith solicited.

New items are usually loaded at the top of the page under this statement.

Roger Kuhlman on Sunday, October 2, 2005, Butterflying at Petersburg State Game Area in western 
Monroe County collected a copulating pair of Ocola Skippers (Panoquina ocola).

This is a species STATE RECORD. This is species #163.

Range: Resident from Paraguay north through tropical America and the West Indies to South Texas 
and the Deep South. 
Strays north to southeast Arizona, west Texas, central Missouri, Ohio, central Pennsylvania, and Long Island.
It has been vouchered in Ohio and Indiana, but has never before been observed to have strayed into Michigan.

Congratulations to Roger!
Roger is a most deserving person to have his name attached to the specimen labels as the collector 
of a STATE RECORD butterfly. He has spent many hours in the field photographing, sometimes
vouchering and mostly making observations and taking field notes. His website contains 
much valuable scientific information. [I am indebted to him for all the valuable assistance 
he has afforded me in the few short years that
I have had the fortune of his acquaintance. OAP.]

The whole story is soon to be published. Watch for the details.
The specimens were recently mounted by Mogens C. "Mo" Nielsen, Adjunct Curator of Lepidopetera at M.S.U. 
and have been donated by Roger Kuhlman to the Michigan State University, A. J. Cook Arthropod Research Collection.

This is how they appeared prior to mounting.

Ocola Skipper (Panoquina ocola)
October 2, 2005, Lulu Road north side, Petersburg SGA, Monroe Co.
Photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005       

Late dates?
11 Oct. Silver-spotted skipper. Roger Wykes backyard.
19 Oct. waste ground behind Amn-Arbro (?) off textile (good spot): Painted Lady (okay not late), Viceroy, 
Peck's Skipper, Eastern-tailed blue (probable)
John Swales
Roger Wykes
Gregory Garritson

[Note from OAP: 19 Oct is state late date for Silver-spotted Skipper (new record Oct. 11), Peck's Skipper 
(old record, however a newer record is Oct. 28), Viceroy (new record Oct. 19), ]

Purplish Copper (Lycaena helloides)
October 19, Sharon Valley Road, Washtenaw Co
Photo by Roger Kuhlman © 2005

[Note from OAP: the aphrodite late date is a new state late date.]

The nectaring sources that are at peak bloom now are various species of White Aster, a Blue Aster, and New England Aster. 
Goldenrod is on the decline and only scattered Blazing Star and a few Thistles are still blooming. By far the White Asters 
had the greatest butterfly attracting powers.

Saddleback Caterpillar Moth (Sibine stimulea), 23 September 2005, Ann Arbor.
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

Click on this site for photographs of the adult:
http://www.marylandmoths.com/Html/Limacodidae/Sibine_stimulea.html 

The last photograph that Jim Granlund sent to Lepalert on 03 September 2005 was this Kalamazoo County record for
Wild Indigo Dusky Wing (Erynnis baptisiae). 

Wild Indigo Dusky Wing (Erynnis baptisiae), 03 September 2005, Kalamazoo Co. Kalamazoo County Record.
Photo by James Granlund © 2005

AND

On 18 August 2001 at Whitefish Point Wildlife Refuge in Chippewa County, 
Jim Granlund photographed a Michigan state record species, 
Funeral's Skipper (Erynnis funeralis). Here are the photographs he provided me.

Funeral's Skipper (Erynnis funeralis), 18 August 2001 at Whitefish Point Wildlife Refuge in Chippewa County, 
a Michigan state record species.
Photos by James Granlund © 2005

The very warm weather (high 80's to 90) with southerly airflow on Monday September 12 seemed like a good time to look 
for southern immigrant butterflies. So that afternoon I ventured down to the state game area lands along Sharon Valley Road 
in southwestern Washtenaw County to do some butterflying.  The fields there despite the dry conditions contained large
amounts of flowering Goldenrods of several species, White Asters, and scattered blooming Alfalfa. Clouded Sulphurs 
(Colias philodice) were very abundant with smaller but still significant numbers of Orange Sulphurs (Colias eurytheme) and 
Cabbage Whites (Pieris rapae) flying.

As I pushed into the fields I began finding good butterflies like Buckeye (Coenia junonia), Black Swallowtails 
(Papilio polyxenes), Bronze Copper (Lycaena hyllus), a late Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele), and a pair of 
Eastern-tailed Blues (Everes comyntas) in copula. 


Eastern-tailed Blues (Everes comyntas) in copula, 12 September 2005, Sharon Valley Road, Washtenaw Co.
Photo by Roger Kuhlman © 2005
 
Thinking I might have a good chance of finding Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus) or Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
in these fields I zigzagged my way across them trying to cover every large patch of flowering plants. Then I caught sight of a 
White at a distance that seemed a little different from the typical Cabbage White. As I approached it, it seemed to have a triple 
spot pattern on the forewings but I could not tell for sure as it was moving about and flying too much. I went after the butterfly 
and caught it. In my white net the butterfly again seemed to have a triple spot pattern but I was not totally certain. Maybe I 
was only looking at an aberrant female Cabbage White and trying to make it something more unusual. It was only when I 
transferred the butterfly to a glass jar that I could be certain of the pattern and also see light black veining or checkering on 
the outer forewings towards the tip. I had found a male Checkered White (Pontia protodice).


Checkered White (Pontia protodice), 12 September 2005, Sharon Valley Road, Washtenaw Co.
Photo by Roger Kuhlman © 2005


Checkered White (Pontia protodice), 12 September 2005, Sharon Valley Road, Washtenaw Co.
Photo by Roger Kuhlman © 2005

Finding this Checkered White was very special. Checkered White had been last found on the Greater Washtenaw County 
Survey in 2001 when two butterflies were seen--one at Point Mouillee and one on Sharon Valley Road. Before that the 
butterfly had not been seen back to the mid 1990's. What also contributed to its specialness was that the butterfly was a male. 
In 2001 both Checkered Whites were females which are of course much easier to identify.

After finding the Checkered White I continued searching more of the fields and found a beautiful Milbert's Tortoise Shell 
(Nymphalis milberti) and a couple of Purplish Coppers (Lycaena helloides). I then came upon a very good patch of White 
Aster which yielded the third and fourth Checkered Skippers (Pyrgus communis) for the Survey this season--invasion year 
results considering that before this year the species had only been found four times previously on the Survey going back to 
1994. These little butterflies really zip about and I had a hard time getting good photographs of them. When I would 
approach one ready to photograph it, it would invariably fly off. In flight they are very difficult to follow for any length of 
time so I would easily lose them for a time. They are also quite easily disturbed by the approach of other small butterflies 
like Pearl Crescent of which there were many where the Checkered Skippers were at. Some people claim that Checkered
Skippers are quite 'pugnacious' and like to attack other butterflies. I did not see any of this behavior but I did see the 
two males lock up in a swirling match that went high into the sky until they disappeared out of sight.


Checkered Skipper (Pyrgus communis), 12 September 2005, Sharon Valley Road, Washtenaw Co.
Photo by Roger Kuhlman © 2005


Checkered Skipper (Pyrgus communis), 12 September 2005, Sharon Valley Road, Washtenaw Co.
Photo by Roger Kuhlman © 2005

Not a bad butterfly day for mid-September.

Wildflowers and Grasses of Kansas

A Field Guide

Michael John Haddock

April 2005
384 pages, 325 color photographs, 18 drawings, 5-1⁄2 x 9-1⁄2
Paper ISBN 0-7006-1370-6, $19.95

http://www.kansaspress.ku.edu/hadwil.html 

Showy Partridge Pea (Cassia fasciculata)



    

Motion: Resolved that Detroit Audubon Society supports preservation of the 
Greater Sibley Prairie Complex in Brownstown Township, one of the largest and highest quality remnants 
of the lake plain prairie and oak savannah ecosystems in the Great Lakes Region, and the location where the 
last American Bison was taken in Michigan, and home to 177 native plants, including several which are 
threatened or endangered. DAS believes the rarity and high quality of this prairie area merits preservation by 
local, state, federal government, a land conservancy or as a combined effort of all or some of those entities.


An example of the American Bison is on display at Cabella's in Dundee, Michigan
Photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

Background: Mary LaFrance presented and excellent program on this beautiful and rare prairie area, which is threatened 
with eminent development. The Michigan Natural Features Inventory has identified 177 native plants, 
grasses and flowers in this complex, among them Indian Grass, prairie dock, several species of blazing star, 
cone flower. The owner of 80 acres of this prairie is actively working with the Sierra Club to preserve this habitat. 
The largest piece, 450 acres is threatened with development, while other parcels are already being built upon.

[Note from Owen: Hampton Square project, Bryce Commons project and Woodbury Village project 
are all in the Sibley Prairie Complex and are sites that have been documented by OAP as Dukes' Skipper (Euphyes dukesi)
localities with good expanses of Wideleaf Sedge.]

Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), 03 September 2005, Butterfly Garden, 
Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo Co. Kalamazoo County Record.
Photo by James Granlund © 2005


Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus) male, 03 September 2005, Butterfly Garden, 
Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo Co. Kalamazoo County Record.
Photo by James Granlund © 2005


Leonard's Skipper (Hesperia leonardus), 03 September 2005, Kalamazoo County. Kalamazoo County Record.
Photo by James Granlund © 2005


Leonard's Skipper (Hesperia leonardus), 03 September 2005, Kalamazoo County. Kalamazoo County Record.
Photo by James Granlund © 2005

Wild Indigo Dusky Wing (Erynnis baptisiae), 03 September 2005, Kalamazoo Co. Kalamazoo County Record.
Photo by James Granlund © 2005


Wild Indigo Dusky Wing (Erynnis baptisiae), 03 September 2005, Kalamazoo Co. Kalamazoo County Record.
Photo by James Granlund © 2005


Wild Indigo Dusky Wing (Erynnis baptisiae), 03 September 2005, Kalamazoo Co. Kalamazoo County Record.
Photo by James Granlund © 2005

Leonard's Skipper (Hesperia leonardus) female, 31 August 2005, Ridge Road, Chelsea, Washtenaw Co.
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

Leonard's Skipper (Hesperia leonardus) female above, male below, 
31 August 2005, Ridge Road, Chelsea, Washtenaw Co.
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

Report from Kyle Johnson for July 29-August 31 

Here is a “quick” update from my last summer moments in the Canadian Zone.  I will be competing in Ironman Wisconsin 2005
(2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run...have I lost my mind!!!) on September 11, so I may not live to write another 
field report!

(July 29)  I woke up at 2:00am and drove straight from Green Bay all the way to Douglas County (WI).  I was on a six 
day quest for Boloria chariclea grandis in northwestern WI and northern MN.  I was also taking a stab at finding a 
late-season Colias gigantea in MN. [Note from OAP: I had predicted that Boloria titania grandis would be flying 
about July 26.]

By 7:30am I was hiking the sandy barrens along Highway “T” west of Wascott in Douglas County.  I was hoping to find my 
first Erynnis martialis (Les Ferge told they were around here somewhere).  It cool and foggy to begin with, but the sun soon 
warmed things up.  Unfortunately I never found that martialis.

I spent the rest of the day running around after Boloria chariclea.  I was able to document the species at five out of the six 
classic sites (I never visited the sixth, the Belden Swamp).  I also checked out two promising new bogs, but without success.

Boloria chariclea grandis at the Lyman Lake Bog in Douglas County, WI (29 July 2005)
photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005 


Boloria chariclea grandis at the Lyman Lake Bog in Douglas County, WI (29 July 2005)
photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005 

Nymphalis milberti was unusually abundant everywhere I went.  Other notable sightings included Polygonia faunus 
and Euphyes dion.  After the chariclea settled down for the night I headed north to McNair in Lake County, MN.  

(July 30)  Pounding rain woke me up early in the morning; luckily the weather soon cleared up nicely.  I first walked to a 
small bog about a mile south of McNair, on the east side of Hwy 2.  I picked up Lyceana epixanthe and L. dorcas right away. 
I also saw a Boloria right away, but missed it!  I kept searching that small bog pocket for over 20 minutes until finally I got 
one- Boloria chariclea indeed.  The east margin of this bog has some beautiful park-like pure spruce muskeg which probably 
supports Erebia mancinus (this would be a new site).

I then hiked north to the McNair site and along the railroad tracks to a muskeg patch that I thought might be worthy of 
chariclea.  Sure enough I found chariclea- nine of them.  Apparently some muskeg (and by muskeg I mean timbered bog) 
habitats can support the species.

In addition to Boloria chariclea I was also keeping a sharp eye out for any suspicious looking Colias.  This little muskeg 
appears to be the spot where Bill Bergman caught a supposed Colias gigantea on August 2, 1967.  John Masters in his 1969 
article on gigantea states that the Bergman specimen “was taken in a potentially suitable habitat for gigantea, has a large 
wing expanse (29 mm. base to tip of forewing which is larger than any specimen of C. interior that we have seen from 
Minnesota), and while the specimen is quite worn, the markings seem to fit in better with a series of gigantea than they do 
with interior”.  However, after visiting this site several times myself, I believe the specimen is nothing more than an abnormally 
large Colias interior.  Colias gigantea is a willow bog species, and I haven’t been able to find any bog willows at the site.  
Furthermore there is plenty of blueberry (the interior host) in the area.  For now my conclusion is that there are 
NO RECORDS OF COLIAS GIGANTEA FROM MINNESOTA.

Other species of interest at McNair included Hesperia comma laurentina and Polygonia faunus.

From McNair I drove north on Highway 2 toward what I call the Lumberjack Bog, a partly logged muskeg where I found 
Boloria freija and Erebia discoidalis earlier this year.  Although the sun was now hiding behind the clouds, I found 
Boloria chariclea almost immediately.  I counted 17 total; about half were flying around in the bog (away from nectar sources).
While photographing a nice female chariclea MY CAMERA DIED!!!  Oh well, I had a back-up battery.  But that was dead 
too!  SORRY, NO MORE PICTURES FOR THIS SEGMENT!!! 


Boloria chariclea grandis at the Lumberjack Bog in Lake County, MN (30 July 2005)
Last picture before my camera died!
photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005 

Other finds at the Lumberjack Bog included Coenonympha tullia, Lycaena epixanthe, Lycaena dorcas, and some fine 
park-like spruce muskeg (E. mancinus habitat).

My final stop for the day was at the massive Sand Lake Bog.  This huge complex supports vast amounts of bog willows,
so I thought this would be a good place for Colias gigantea.  As it turned out this was actually a GREAT place for deer flies!!!
Wow, I have spent a good part of my life in the U.P. and I have NEVER seen such swarms!  In and amongst the deer flies 
I somehow managed to find 38 Boloria chariclea (in habitats ranging from spruce swamp to willow/birch muskeg; never 
found any open bog), 13 Lycaena epixanthe, a surprising 24 Lycaena dorcas (by far the most I’ve seen without shrubby 
cinquefoil around), 3 Coenonympha tullia, and 3 Macaria sulfurea.  No gigantea this time (although I did find a worn 
female interior- made my heart jump a bit!), but I hope to try again earlier in the season.

At night I put out my UV light trap at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, still in Lake County.  
Although a large thunderstorm rolled through that night, I still managed to get quite a few neat looking moths, still awaiting ID.

(July 31)  I spent the day searching for Boloria chariclea at 4 enormous bogs near Cook in ST Louis County, and at one 
bog in Itasca County.  I didn’t find chariclea at my first stop (which was probably a bit too early in the morning), but it was 
present everywhere else I went, often in large numbers.

The first place I found chariclea was quite interesting.  I found 2 males along a stream running through black spruce 
forest (I believe there is muskeg/open bog in the area- have to check the aerials).  The other sites were more typical 
muskeg/open bog habitats.  At a bog south of Linden Grove I counted at least 128 chariclea in about an hour. Other species encountered in ST Louis County included Hesperia comma laurentina, Lycaena epixanthe, Lycaena dorcas, Lycaena 
hyllus, Satyrium liparops,  Nymphalis vaualbum, lots of Nymphalis  milberti, Polygonia faunus, and a very suspicious 
looking Polygonia which disappeared into the muskeg before I could get a good look...gracilis?  Guess I’ll never know.

In the evening I made one last stop at a bog east of Togo in Itasca County.  I found a chipped male chariclea nearly right 
away, so I let it go thinking I’d catch a better one.  And then like magic the chariclea vanished!  With more storm clouds 
on the way I was running around in a frenzied panic, ready to settle for even a fraction of a chariclea.  After 20 minutes I 
finally caught one- the same chipped male!  I also found a nice female before deciding to head west to more mystical lands.

Satisfied by my first two days in Minnesota, I made a spur-of-the-moment decision to head to the absolute mother of all 
bogs- the Red Lake Peatland.  Bogs like Channing, McFarland, Paradise, Black Lake, or even Sand Lake are insignificant 
little bog pockets next to Red Lake.  This beast is around 1500 square kilometers in size, and I believe it covers at least 4 
counties (and northern MN counties are BIG!).  And not only is this thing unique in size; it is also a patterned peatland, a 
formation typical of the sub-arctic.  If you want to look for extreme boreal leps in Minnesota, I guess this would be the place.

Driving north on Highway 72 from Waskish in Beltrami County I noticed numerous drainage ditches- a reminder that people 
once tried to drain this bog.  I wonder how much impact this has had on the vegetation- most of what I was driving through 
was conifer or shrub swamp.

Further north on 72 I finally hit the first open flark of the patterned bog.  My jaw dropped in disbelieved.  Bog stretched 
infinitely toward the horizon [note to Bob- it would make you CRY!!!].  Simply unbelievable.  I had a hard time falling asleep 
that night, conjuring up all sorts of bog lep possibilities.

(August 1)  No better way to start your day than waking up in the largest bog in the continental U.S.!!!  Unfortunately both 
sides of Highway 72 are lined by a very deep and wide drainage channel.  But with a bog this beautiful I was more than 
ready to swim.  Luckily I didn’t have to; I found a nice bridge on the east side of the road.  In the cool of the morning I 
spooked up a dark-looking Boloria, which disappeared into the spruces.  No worry, there’s gotta be plenty more.  

From the spruce bog string I moved into the wet open park.  Here I found several Lycaena epixanthe and a single Macaria 
sulfurea.  I must say, I have never seen so many bog willows in my life!  Most look like Salix pedicellaris, but there were 
others I didn’t recognize.  At any rate, if Colias gigantea were somewhere in Minnesota, it would be here.  A little while 
later I saw a large yellow Colias in the distance...and the chase began.  Long story short: I have never ran so hard after a 
Colias philodice in all my life.

I then crossed the park into the next string, this one more forested.  A few areas look pretty good for Erebia mancinus- 
this would be a major MN range extension if someone finds it here.  Actually, according to the USGS website there are 
NO bog butterfly records whatsoever from Beltrami County- a bit ironic!  I checked the Lep Soc. Season Summary 
and saw records from Lycaena epixanthe and L. dorcas, but nothing else.  Hmmm...

As things warmed up I started seeing Boloria...but every one I netted was selene.  Beautiful nectar sources 
everywhere...but no chariclea.  I left the area around 11:00am, after finding at least 13 Boloria selene atrocostalis and 
NO DEFINITE BOLORIA CHARICLEA!!!

I then drove about 20 minutes north into Lake of the Woods County until I found another promising section of the Red Lake 
Peatland; this part looked more like typical (non-patterned) bog.  I hiked up and down the highway, carefully checking the 
flowers for anything orange.  After a while a spooked a dark Boloria which I’m sure was chariclea, but the wind carried it afar. 

I continued north to the Canadian border, then east along the border to International Falls in Koochiching County.  
I couldn’t believe it.  I went the entire day without seeing a single chariclea.  At least I found a nice spruce muskeg east of 
International Falls which looks promising for E. mancinus (would be a county record).  I also hiked some neat stony jack 
pine ridges which look good for Oeneis macounii.   From International Falls I drove south to Douglas County, WI to meet up 
with Bob Kriegel the following day.

(August 2)  I began the day at the Bear Creek Bog, waiting for Bob to arrive.  Saw my first chariclea by 8:36am.  
When Bob arrived we searched the area a bit more, then began a whirlwind search for new chariclea sites in Douglas County.

We hit five bogs plus a few other wetlands.  Some of them quite promising.  NO CHARICLEA.  At least I found a nice 
Euptoieta claudia at the Belden Swamp, and got in a fight with some blackberry bushes (and I didn’t even get one berry) 
trying to get in one of the bogs.  And the midst of the chaos I forgot to get “Boloria Bob” on my videocamera!

Later that night Bob set up his sheet at the Milchesky Road Bog.  Not too much action, but visitors included a Hyles lineata 
and at least nine Arctia caja.

(August 3)  Another day, and hopefully this time there would be some chariclea action.  Unfortunately Bob had to head 
up to Superior (van troubles), so I decided to hit the Black Lake Bog, the largest Bog in Wisconsin (well, half-way in WI!).  
Thanks to Bob’s advice I was able to make into the bog rather easily. 

The bog itself was simply splendid.  Vast open hummocky meadows with dense cranberry for Boloria freija.  
Extensive grassy/sedgy areas for Erebia discoidalis.  Plently of bog willow for Boloria frigga.  And seemingly the right bog 
and plenty of nectar sources for Boloria chariclea.  Beautiful habitats for everything except Erebia mancinus.  Despite 
searching this beautiful boggy splendor for over four hours I FAILED TO FIND ANY CHARICLEA.  That was a blow to 
my spirits.  The largest and most promising of all potential sites... and nothing to show for it.  Well, at least I found 
Macaria sulfurea and Holomelina lamae.  The Black Lake Bog is large so Boloria chariclea could certainly be out there 
somewhere, but it won’t be easy to find.

I hit one more promising bog right before a good thunderstorm hit.  Still no luck.  I then headed east to Ontonagon County, MI. 
I spent the night on a forest road somewhere north of Lake Gogebic.

(August 4)  Around 4:00am I awoke to find a rather large black bear peering into the driver’s side window of my Saturn.  
Probably wanted the goodies in my back seat!!!  At 5:00 I awoke to find that same bear now peering into the passenger’s 
side window (where I was sleeping).  I managed to pull out my video camera, but it was too dark to film anything.

My plan was to search some of the bogs east of Lake Gogebic for Boloria chariclea, as well as assess them for the 
other bog species.  I failed to find a way to drive anywhere near the bogs, so I simple went on foot, down an ATV trail.  
After a couple of hours of hiking I found two of the bogs, but neither looked promising for chariclea.  Only looked good for 
jutta and eunomia, and possibly freija as well.  I didn’t make it to my number one priority bog, though, so there could still 
be some potential here.  Sightings along the way included numerous Leopard Frogs (Rana pipiens), a faded Enodia anthedon (Ontonagon County record?), and a Celastrina neglecta.

On the way back to my grandma’s in Delta County I made a brief stop at the Diorite Bog in Marquette County.  
It was quite windy so not much was flying; only two Boloria selene at the flowers.  One good find was a Euptoieta claudia 
flying along the tracks.  Although I wasn’t able to survey effectively for chariclea, I did do some fine sampling of blueberries!

(August 8)  I left my Grandma’s house bright & early for the Keweenaw.  By 10:00am I was ready to roll at Point Isabelle.  
anessa cardui was everywhere.  Of note in the bog was a worn Lycaena epixanthe, but not much else.  From what I 
understand this site supports a very nice Boloria frigga population.  I searched the area for well over an hour but failed to find 
any bog willow, or even bog birch for that matter.  Apparently the frigga here using a different host.  Has anyone seen 
bog willow or birch here

My next stop was west of Copper Harbor, near the lakeshore.  Nice boreal feel, I must say.  Of interest here was a 
Satyrium liparops (Keweenaw County record?) and two Euptoieta claudia. I then drove up Brockway Mountain Drive.  
I was surprised by all the oaks, since I was expecting a more boreal jack pine/spruce ridge, but the ground layer and windswept 
white spruces were reminiscent of the subalpine rockies.  Very intriguing.  While doing a sweep sample of the oaks 
I found a walkingstick in my net, and soon after found a mating pair.


View off of Brockway Mountain Drive (8 August 2005.
photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005 


Mating pair of walkingsticks on Brockway Mountain Drive in Keweenaw County, MI.
photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005 

I returned to my spot west of Copper Harbor to spend the night.  In the evening I went swimming in Lake Superior along a 
remote section of rocky beach (have to hike a little through the woods to get here).  While hiking the rocky shoreline 
I spooked two more Euptoieta claudia- wow, there’s been a lot of them this year.  At night I set up my UV light trap.  
That night a very violent thunderstorm hit (thought a tree would crash onto my car!), but the trap seemed to do very well.  
Hopefully one of those moths is a state record!

(August 9)  From Copper Harbor I drove south into Houghton County to search a few bogs.  By 9:50am I began my hike 
through the woods toward a bog on the south side of Gay Road (near the Houghton/Keweenaw county line.  While wandering 
through the woods I vouchered a neat little geo, completing my goal of collecting leps in every county in the U.P.  Good thing 
too, because then it began to rain.  Eventually I made it to the bog.  The bog was mostly flat, but had some areas with small 
hummocks that looking interesting for freija.  But it didn’t have the grasses I was looking for- I still haven’t found a bog with 
good discoidalis potential in Gogebic, Ontonagon, Houghton, or Keweenaw counties.  While in the middle of the bog the light 
rain turned into a thunderstorm with plenty of lightning.  And my car was pretty far away- not good.

Soaked but at least alive, I then drove further southwest in Houghton County to check out a muskeg that looking very 
interesting from the aerials (about 2.5 miles north of Kenton, on the west side of FFH-16).  It was pouring when I got there, 
so I though I’d take a nap until things cleared up. 

At 2:30pm the sun started to peak out from behind the clouds.  I even saw one Limenitis arthemis sail by.  But no sooner 
did I enter that muskeg the rain began- soaked again!  But this time I didn’t care, for I had discovered the most beautiful 
park-like muskeg I have ever seen in Michigan- even better than the Diorite Bog.  The tree size, density, and ground layer is 
nearly identical to places I have found Erebia mancinus.  A few tamarack trees lurk here and there, but I don’t think that 
matters too much here.  In Minnesota the areas which weren’t pure spruce also lacked the nice park-like feel.  And according 
to Layberry et al. (The Butterflies of Canada) mancinus inhabits wet spruce and tamarack forests around bogs (the same as 
park-like muskeg) in Quebec.  
My assessment is that this site has the BEST EREBIA MANCINUS POTENTIAL I HAVE SEEN IN MICHIGAN. 
While hiking the park-like muskeg I ran into several partridge of rather low intelligence.


Kenton Muskeg in Houghton County, MI: partridge in middle of first pic (9 August 2005).
photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005 


Kenton Muskeg in Houghton County, MI. (9 August 2005)
photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005 

Home of Erebia mancinus?

Although this site is primarily muskeg, the central areas open up quite a bit.  The bog here is very hummocky, similar to the 
freija bogs of the western U.P. and northern Wisconsin.  I think this would be a very good spot to come up with a 
Houghton County record for both Boloria freija and possibly Erebia discoidalis.  Another McNielsen’s bet?

(August 10)  Spent part of the day hiking around my Grandma’s property (Delta County).  Even though I’ve been collecting 
here my whole life, today I found two butterfly species new to the property, Lyceana phlaeas and Hesperia leonardus 
(both Delta County records, I believe- although in 2001 I caught Lycaena phlaeas at Escanaba; the specimen was destroyed).  
They were both in a place which I’ve searched hundreds of times, so I believe these populations are newly established.  
Other sightings include 5 Hesperia comma.

(August 11)  Finally set up the bait trap on the property; visitors this night included Catocala relicta and C. concumbens.

(August 12)  Visited the good ‘ol McFarland Bog (Marquette County).  Sightings included 2 Colias interior, 
1 Euptoieta claudia (new to site), and 1 Hesperia leonardus.  Back on my Grandma’s property I found one 
Catocala semirelicta in the bait trap.

(August 14)  Found a Hesperia leonardus on my Uncles’ property in Brampton (Delta County).  Another place I’ve 
searched for years- perhaps they are spreading along the roadsides.  Back on my grandma’s property I took some of my 
younger cousins on a herp survey.  Findings include 1 American Toad (Bufo americanus), 35 Green Frogs 
(Rana clamitans melanota), 1 Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculata), 1 Red-backed Salamander 
(Plethodon cinereus), and 5 Red-bellied Snakes (Storeria occipitomaculata).  The Spotted Salamander was probably 
the same individual photographed in my earlier report- it was under the very same log!  Surprisingly we found no Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) or Fox Snakes (Elaphe vulpina). 

(August 15)  This evening I made my first ever collecting trip to the Lower Peninsula, to Mo’s hut.  I bet I was the only 
one heading down to the hut!  At the hut were Mo, Ted, and Richard Henderson (from Kentucky).

That night we went sugaring for cats and blacklighting.  I at least doubled the species of Catocala in my collection, since I 
hardly had anything to begin with!  I wasn’t too hot with catching cats in the kill jar (something new to me), but any blunders 
there were “redeemed” by the net!

(August 16)  After breakfast we went to check the traps.  The traps seemed to do well; even the infamous “Big Bertha” caught something- a hybrid Limenitis arthemis.  I was quite happy to get Catocala coelebs.  Afterwards we spent a little time 
after butterflies in the area.  I was hoping to find Lycaena helloides- I’ve only caught it out west (CO & WY).  No luck 
this time.  Some of the species encountered included Pieris (napi) oleracea, Lycaena phlaeas, Hesperia leonardus, and 
Limenitis arthemis astyanax [note to Dwayne: my first sighting this year- a rare find, for this is not “just another 
White Admiral”!!!]


Leonard's Skipper (Hesperia leonardus) near Mo’s hut in Otsego County, MI (16 August 2005)
photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005 

L to R: Ted Herig, myself (Kyle Evan Johnson), Mo Nielsen, and Richard Hendersonat Mo’s hut in Otsego County, MI 
(16 August 2005)
photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005 

Midday I left the crew at the hut, and headed back to the U.P.  In Mackinac County I made a quick stop off of US-2 at the 
“Sand Dune Trail”.  Even though I was there no more than 30 minutes, I had some remarkable luck.  Not long after I got out 
of my car, I saw a Limenitis arthemis astyanax !  [Note: slight evidence of white band on forewing, so it is not a pure 
astyanax, but at any rate far closer to astyanax than arthemis].  It was flying very slowly on a gravel road.  But with my first 
swing I MISSED IT!  I then chased it quite a ways down the road, but it flew high into the trees...ughhh!!!  
WHAT RECORDS ARE THERE FOR L. ARTHEMIS ASTYANAX IN THE UPPER PENINSULA?  
Years ago (I believe I was 8 or so) near Gladstone in Delta County I caught a beautiful specimen (with no evidence of a 
white band).  At the time I was using Shasta soda boxes as insect cases, and one day my brother accidentally sat on and 
destroyed my collection!  Specimen lost!!! 

Not too long after I had another remarkable find, and this time I was able to voucher it.  The beast seems to be a female 
Speyeria cybele cybele, although I still need to spread it to be certain.  
WHAT RECORDS ARE THERE FOR SPEYERIA CYBELE CYBELE IN THE UPPER PENINSULA?

Other finds in the area include a garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), one faded Hesperia comma, and two 
Hesperia leonardus.

Later that night at my grandma’s house I geared up for a nighttime expedition deep into the McFarland Bog to search for 
my Erebia discoidalis larvae.  Running around in large, rather remote bogs by day is one thing, but to do it at night...well, 
I’ll admit even I feel a bit uneasy out there.  Especially considering that a good number of wolves inhabit the McFarland area.  
So I made sure I was prepared.

Proper equipment for locating Erebia discoidalis larvae in wolf country at night.
photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005 

I carefully inspected both sites where I had placed eggs but FAILED TO FIND ANY EREBIA DISCOIDALIS LARVAE 
OR OBVIOUS SIGNS OF FEEDING DAMAGE.  If I’m lucky I may be able to search one more time in the fall, 
otherwise it’s back to the drawing board.


McFarland Bog at night (16 August 2005)
photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005 

And as seen like by being through the eyes of star of TV series "Smallville"! Ha! [edit by OAP]
photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005 & adjusted by OAP © 2005

(August 20)  In the bait trap on my grandma’s property I found 1 Cercyonis pegala, 2 Limenitis arthemis arthemis 
(yes Dwayne just “another White Admiral”), 1 Vanessa atalanta, 1 Nymphalis antiopa, 1 Catocala concumbens, 
and a Catocala semirelicta.  Surprisingly no Polygonia.

(August 22)  Now back in the tropics of Green Bay, WI.  At least today I went with my father up to the Door Peninsula 
(Door County).  Notable finds here included  Pieris (napi) oleracea, Limenitis arthemis arthemis, and Junonia coenia.  
Nice boreal feel on the eastern lakeshore; I was surprised by how much white spruce there was.  Lost of shrubby cinquefoil 
as well- I suppose I’ll have to come back for Lycaena dorcas next year.

(August 31)  Now back on campus in Madison, WI (the deep south!)  Interesting to see species like Papilio glaucus, 
Asterocampa celtis, and Phyciodes tharos- haven’t seen any of those all summer!

bonus photo of well-seasoned bog-ware!
photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005

Photo by Thomas Bentley © 2005

The unknown specimen appears to be smaller than this Fiery Skipper.
Fiery Skipper (Hydophila phyleus), 23 July 2005, Belmont Prairie Nature Preserve in DuPage County, Illinois
Photo by Thomas Bentley © 2005

Meadow Fritillary (Boloria bellona), male, 21 August 2005, St. Joseph County.
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

Wild Indigo Duskywing, ex-ova, Ann Arbor
    
Wild Indigo Dusky Wing (Erynnis baptisiae), ex-ova, pupa and pupal tent, Ann Arbor.
Photos by Chris Rickards © 2005

Red-spotted Purple ova.

Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax) ova, Ridge Road, Chelsea, Washtenaw County.
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

This is based on Martin Bilecki's observation of the photograph, confirmation of the correct identification by 
Mogens C. "Mo" Nielsen and Robert D. Kriegel and others, as can best be made from the photograph. 
[That is why I and my distinguished colleagues say: "take a specimen!".]

But keep taking those photographs as they provide valuable insight and documentation for others to see on the web!

Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia), 21 August 2005, Kalamazoo County
Photo by James Granlund © 2005

I was also in Allegan County on 17 August 2005, T2N R15W Section 12 and had fair numbers of several species 
including Hesperia leonardus and both Speyeria cybele and Speyeria aphrodite.  Several individuals of the latter 
species were very dark on the ventral hindwing, please see the attached photo.  My question is whether these might be 
Speyeria aphrodite alcestris?  I would appreciate your opinion.


Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite), 17 August 2005, Allegan County
My question is whether these might be Speyeria aphrodite alcestis?  I would appreciate your opinion.
Jim Granlund, granlund@chartermi.net

[Note from OAP: Also let Lepalert know of your opinions. Jim's photographs are excellent, but a voucher specimen 
would be more reliable in making such a critical determination. It looks much like the Speyeria aphrodite alcestis 
that I vouchered in Barry County in 2000 while collecting with Mo.]

Response from Mogens C. "Mo" Nielsen and Robert D. Kriegel indicate that this could be the form (subspecies) alcestis.
From a photograph it is difficult to tell and the back lighting in the photo adds to the difficulty, BUT the photograph
is excellent! Great work Jim!