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!

Monarch (Danaus plexippus) nectaring on a zinnia, 11 August 2005, Royal Oak
Photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005


Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) nectaring on Zinnia, 16 August 2005, Royal Oak
Photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

Peck's Skipper (Polites peckius), nectaring on a Zinnia, 07 August 2005, Royal Oak
Photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium carayaevorum), 22 July 2005, Ann Arbor.
Chris says: "Can anyone confirm the Hickory Hairstreak from that photograph. My ID is tentative."
[OAP says: A black and orange-capped crescent about half as long as the adjacent distinct blue 
patch occurs near the tail gives me reason to believe that this is a Hickory Hairstreak."
Would some else give their opinion?]
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

    
Edwards' Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii)                        Summer Azure (Celestrina neglecta) 
02 July 2005, Park Lyndon North                                    19 July 2005, Ann Arbor
Photos by Chris Rickards © 2005

Powesheik Skipperling (Oarisma powesheik), 02 July 2005, Park Lyndon North
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

Eastern Tailed Blue (Everes comyntas), 19 July 2005, Ann Arbor
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

Harvester (Feniseca tarquinus) pupa, 19 July 2005, Ann Arbor
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae), ova & larva on Baptisia australis.
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

American Copper (Lycaena phalaeas americana), 20 July 2005, Chelsea.
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

     
Peck's Skipper (Polites peckius), 25 July 2005, Ann Arbor
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

Peck's Skipper (Polites peckius), 25 July 2005, Ann Arbor
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

    
Silver Spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)                       Monarch (Danaus plexippus), pupa, 
25 July 2005, Ann Arbor                                                  05 August 2005, Ann Arbor
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005                                                              Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

    
 
Tawny Edged Skipper (Polites themistocles), 25 July 2005, Ann Arbor
Photos by Chris Rickards © 2005

Harvester (Feniseca tarquinus), 26 July 2005, Ann Arbor
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005


Harvester (Feniseca tarquinus), 26 July 2005, Ann Arbor
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005


Baltimore (Euphydryas phaeton), larval nest, 05 August 2005, Ann Arbor
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis), final larval instar, 05 August 2005, Ann Arbor
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae), final larval instar, 05 August 2005, Ann Arbor
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

[Note from Owen: You put on a great show Chris!]

uly 28, Barb Barton and I went back to South Pond Natural area in Ann Arbor to GPS the location where I had earlier 
found Dukes' Skipper (Euphyes dukesi). A good number of Broad-winged Skippers (Poanes viator) were flying there but 
no more Dukes' Skippers were found in the main wet meadow. However we went back into the woods on private property 
where there is another sedge meadow and here we found a Dukes' Skipper. Some other interesting butterflies in the South 
Pond area were Dun Skipper (E. vestris metacomet), Appalachian Eyed Brown (Satyrodes appalachia), and Black Dash 
(E. conspicuus).

On July 29 I went  to Petersburg State Game Area in western Monroe county. There was an absolute riot of butterflies 
down there. Some of the large numbers of butterflies flying included Spicebush Swallowtail (P. troilus) [100+], Silver-spotted 
Skipper (E. clarus) [100+], Pearl Crescent (P. tharos) [100+], Summer Azure (C. neglecta) [30+], Monarch (D. plexippus) 
[25+], and Viceroy (L. arthemis) [25+]. Some other notable butterflies seen included Black female Tiger Swallowtail, 
Aphrodite (S. aphrodite), Horace Duskywing (E. horatius), Giant Swallowtail (P. cresphontes) [11], Bronze Copper 
(L. hyllus), a late Delaware Skipper (A. logan), American Painted Lady (V. virginiensis), Wild Indigo Duskywing (E. baptisiae), Hackberry Emperor (A. celtis), and Tawny Emperor (A. clyton).


Aphrodite Fritillary (S. aphrodite), 29 July 2005, Petersburg SGA on Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot).

Tawny Emperor (A. clyton),  29 July 2005, Petersburg SGA.

Horace Duskywing (E. horatius), 29 July 2005, Petersburg SGA.
Photo by Roger Kuhlman © 2005

Prairie habitat at Petersburg State Game Area, 29 July 2005.
Photo by Roger Kuhlman © 2005

The most popular nectaring source for the day was Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot). I had 11 species of butterflies 
nectaring on it. Other flowering plants receiving a lot of butterfly action were Narrow-leaved Mountain Mint, Joe Pye Weed, 
Queen Anne's Lace, Swamp Milkweed, and Goldenrod.

Saturday July 30: After doing some bird censusing with Tim Smart in the mourning at Point Mouillee in northeastern Monroe 
county I surveyed the site for butterflies. As usual good numbers of Cabbage White (P. rapae) [200+], and Orange Sulphur 
(C. eurytheme) [150+] were flying along the dikes. Also notable were Monarchs [20+], Black Swallowtail (P. polyxenes) [6], 
Red Admiral (V. atalanta) [35+], Viceroy [15], Broad-winged Skipper [14], Painted Lady (V. cardui) [4], Bronze Copper [1],
and Least Skipper (A. numitor) [10+]. But the highlight of the day was the finding of the first Fiery Skippers (H. phyleus) [5] 
of the season. All of them were either nectaring on Spotted Knapweed or landing on the dirt in the middle of the road on the 
dikes.  Spotted Knapweed, a highly invasive plant, proved to be the top nectaring source of the day with 10 species of 
butterflies using it.


But the highlight of the day was the finding of the first Fiery Skippers (H. phyleus) [5] of the season. 
All of them were either nectaring on Spotted Knapweed or landing on the dirt in the middle of the road on the 
dikes at Point Mouillee.
Photo by Roger Kuhlman © 2005


But the highlight of the day was the finding of the first Fiery Skippers (H. phyleus) [5] of the season. 
All of them were either nectaring on Spotted Knapweed or landing on the dirt in the middle of the road on the 
dikes at Point Mouillee.
Photo by Roger Kuhlman © 2005

Sunday July 31 I butterflied Park Lyndon North and Embury Road in northwest Washtenaw County. The most numerous 
butterfly for the day was Pearl Crescent [200+]. Other butterflies in plentiful numbers were Appalachian Eyed Brown, 
Mustard White (P. napi), Wood Nymph (C. pegala) , Summer Azure, Giant, Tiger, and Spicebush Swallowtails. A total of 
three late Edward's Hairstreaks (S. edwardii) were found in three separate locations with two of them being in the fen 
nectaring--unusual behavior for this species in my experience. Other highlights were a single Black Dash, one Eyed Brown, 
one Broad-winged Skipper [2005 not a good year for Broad-winged Skippers in the Embury Road area], four 
Silver-bordered Fritillaries (B. selenis), two Dun Skippers, five Northern Pearly eye (E. anthedon), one Tawny Emperor, 
and one Gray Comma (P. progne).

Tuesday August 2 I found a Dukes' Skipper nectaring on Zinnias in the outdoor flower garden by the conservatory at 
Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor. This butterfly must have travelled some distance from the Carex lacustris 
breeding areas in the Botanical Gardens where it grew up but such movement is probably not that unusual. Last year 
I also found one Duke's Skipper nectaring in this same garden.

Dukes' Skipper nectaring on Zinnias in the outdoor flower garden by the conservatory at 
Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor, 2 August 2005.
Photo by Roger Kuhlman © 2005

Dukes' Skipper nectaring on Zinnias in the outdoor flower garden by the conservatory at 
Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor, 2 August 2005.
Photo by Roger Kuhlman © 2005

Giant Swallowtails were numerous and especially attracted to Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot).
Photos by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

Then on north to Snell Road where the Black Swallowtails and Silver-spotted Skippers were flying and then to Hoffman Road 
Wide-leaf sedge meadow to observe several Dukes' Skippers.

On Sunday, August 31 at my residence in Royal Oak, a female Giant Swallowtail flittered around the Prickly Ash in my 
back yard laying eggs. I assume it was the same specimen that returned on Monday and Tuesday as well. 
On Sunday a Tiger Swallowtail that has been visiting the garden since July 27 enjoyed the Zinnias again.

    
The Perkins' garden faithfully attended to by Grace Perkins, has recently attracted Tiger Swallowtails, Giant Swallowtails, 
Summer Azures, Cabbage Butterflies, Red Admirals, and Peck's Skippers.
Photos by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

KATYDID ONE OF THE NIGHT CRIERS

By Marshall McClung
Contributing Writer to the Graham Star
Copyright August 2, 2001

The katydid is to the night what the cicada is to the day, filling the night with its tune. Those with a ear for 
music say that the katydid plays the same three notes over and over. To others, it may sound like it is saying 
"Katy did, Katy did", over and over. We don't know what Katy did, but that is likely how the katydid got its name.

In July and August, the katydid joins a whole host of other night criers to make them the noisiest nights of the 
year. The katydid is an ordinary looking green grasshopper that hatches from a small egg that looks somewhat 
like a bean or pea. Since the katydid makes its noise with its wings, it is silent at first until it grows wings. 
By late July it has reached the winged stage, and the music begins. Only the male sings, and the female hears 
him with ears located near her knees.

As we approach late summer in August, the katydid is joined by other night criers including an assortment of 
katydid look-a-likes, crickets, and other lesser known kinfolks. Almost all of these night criers are 
wing-scratchers, and they make the summer nights literally vibrate with sound.

The katydid is considered a weather prophet of sorts. Legend has it that when the katydid first starts calling 
at night that it is three months until the first frost. In late summer, when the katydid calls during the day from 
pockets of dark shade then it is six weeks until the first frost.

Our summer nights will remain noisy now until the first hard frost silences the night criers and the katydid 
has sung its own epitaph.

Bronze Copper (Lycaena hyllus), larva, 23 July 2005, Crosswinds Marsh, Wayne County
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005


Dukes' Skipper (Euphyes dukesi), 23 July 2005, Crosswinds Marsh, Wayne County
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

Dukes' Skipper (Euphyes dukesi) male, 23 July 2005, Crosswinds Marsh, Wayne County
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

Dukes' Skipper (Euphyes dukesi) male, 23 July 2005, Crosswinds Marsh, Wayne County
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

Dukes' Skipper (Euphyes dukesi) female, 23 July 2005, Crosswinds Marsh, Wayne County
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

Broad-winged Skipper (Poanes viator) female, 23 July 2005, Crosswinds Marsh, Wayne County
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

Horace's Dusky Wing (Erynnis horatius), male, 23 July 2005, Crosswinds Marsh, Wayne County
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005


Horace's Dusky Wing (Erynnis horatius), female, 23 July 2005, Crosswinds Marsh, Wayne County
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

Horace's Dusky Wing (Erynnis horatius), female, 23 July 2005, Crosswinds Marsh, Wayne County
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes), 23 July 2005, Crosswinds Marsh, Wayne County
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

Snout Butterfly (Libytheana carinenta bachmanii), 23 July 2005, Crosswinds Marsh, Wayne County
Photos by Chris Rickards © 2005

(July 6)  In the evening I biked from my Grandma’s house in Delta County (MI) to McFarland in Marquette County.  
My mission was to voucher the great Pieris rapae from those counties- a truly unimaginable feat.  Against all odds I prevailed. 

(July 7)  My original goal was to bike to the McFarland Bog, but after finding a flat tire in the morning I ended up driving 
to Thunder Lake in Schoolcraft County, where my grandparents used to have a cottage.  Highlights include 1 Feniseca 
tarquinius and 3 Satyrium calanus falacer (a U.P. first for me).  From Thunder Lake I hiked a few miles northeast to 
Thunder Bowl, a sandy barrens area.  Too hot for most crittiers to be out.  Saw 10 Colias interior among other things.
            From Thunder Lake I drove south to the Thunder Lake Road Bog (46°02.572’N 86°28.465’W [WGS84]).  
What I remember as a rather wet bog was now bone dry.  In the bog a few Satyrium liparops were flitting about a 
white pine tree, with no deciduous hosts nearby.  Plenty of Holomelina lamae in this bog; also caught my first 
Macaria sulfurea (a small yellowish bog geo).  Further in the bog I spooked a Platarctia parthenos (St. Lawrence Tiger 
Moth), but it was too quick to catch!  My best find was a very worn Oeneis jutta (this is LATE RECORD; when Mo’s book 
was published the record was July 5, [OAP, it reads July 4] then in 2003 I found it on July 6, and now July 7... one day at a 
time I guess!).
            My next stop was the USFS 2223P Bog in Delta County.  I was able to document both Holomelina lamae and 
Macaria sulfurea, but strangely no Lycaena epixanthe.  To see where the epixanthe flight was at I stopped at my classic 
FFH-13 Bog.  The flight was well underway; I saw 14 of them in a short time- a couple were slightly worn.  Some of them 
were resting inside of pitcher plants.  At this site was able to document Holomelina lamae, but not the Macaria.  
From here I headed north into Alger County.
            In the southeast corner of Alger County I stopped at a bog around Par Lake.  The cranberry is very dense here- 
saw 39 Lycaena epixanthe in a short time.  The bog also had a good number of pitcher plants, so I was hoping to find the 
pitcher plant borer noctuid Exyra fax.  No luck, as usual with this one.  I couldn’t find any Holomelina lamae, but did 
manage to find a Macaria sulfurea and a faded Syngrapha microgamma (a bog noctuid w/ yellow hindwings).
            At 6:40pm I made my final stop of the day at a new bog along FFH-13; this one north of the classic FFH-13 Bog.  
Very dense cranberry here, and an equally dense population of Lycaena epixanthe (counted 83 in under 25 minutes).  
Also a couple of Macaria sulfurea, but no definite Holomelina.

(July 8)  Spent a couple hours hiking my Grandma’s property in Delta County.  Very hot, but I still saw a good diversity of 
species.  Of interest to me was a thyridid moth hovering around some bird droppings, along with two Feniseca tarquinius.  
Totals include 35 Colias philodice, 3 Colias interior, 15 Pieris rapae, 1 Danaus plexippus, 3 Enodia anthedon, 
3 Satyrodes eurydice, 1 Coenonympha tullia inornata, 3 Cercyonis pegala nephele, 2 Limenitis archippus, 
2 Limenitis arthemis, 2 Vanessa virginiensis, 1 Polygonia progne, 11 Euphydryas phaeton, 55 Phyciodes selenis, 
5 Boloria selene atrocostalis, 4 Boloria bellona, 44 Speyeria cybele krautwurmi, 43 Speyeria atlantis, 
4 Feniseca tarquinius, 1 Satyrium titus, 3 Ancyloxypha numitor, 90 Thymelicus lineola, 6 Polites peckius, 
23 Polites peckius, and 6 Polites themistocles.

(July 9)  Still too lazy to fix my bike tire, I drove to the McFarland Bog (Marquette County).  The morning was warm 
& cloudy, and the afternoon quite hot.  Highlights included 9 Holomelina lamae, 80 Colias interior, 
4 Coenonympha tullia inornata, 38 Lycaena epixanthe, 4 Feniseca tarquinius, 1 Celastrina neglecta (Marquette County 
Record, I believe)[OAP - YES], and 4 Pieris rapae- this is a numerical RECORD for the McFarland Bog (previous record 
is one!).  One of the strangest sights was two Speyeria atlantis which constantly harassed a monarch for ten minutes non-stop.  
Every time the monarch would try landing the atlantis would bash into it!
            After the McFarland Bog I searched a roadside and powerline cut near Sundell in Alger County.  Highlights here 
included 15 Colias interior, 2 Satyrium titus, 1 Satyrium liparops strigosum, and a sign which read 
“CAUTION: Kriegel Residence- Kids at Play”.  Oddly enough Bob was nowhere in the vicinity.

(July 11)  Finally got that bike tire taken care of!  At 9:25am I left my Grandma’s house on bike; the temperature was 
already around 80°F, and there is no shade on M-35.  Plus, I weighted down by all my gear.  Destination...Gwinn!
            Over 25 miles and a gallon of sweat later I was at Gwinn (Marquette County)- but I couldn’t find the site I wanted 
to visit!  Heading back south on the highway I did some hiking in the Little Lake area (Marquette County).  Extremely hot 
(90’s) so few creatures were active.  Sightings included 1 Coenonympha tullia, 5 Speyeria aphrodite, and my first 
Marquette County Satyrium liparops strigosum.  From Little Lake I biked further south to the West McFarland Bog.  
In the intense heat I found 6 Holomelina lamae, 6 Colias interior, 1 Coenonympha tullia inornata, and 5 Lycaena 
epixanthe, among other things.  An hour later I was back at my Grandma’s.  After biking over 50 miles, hiking for a few 
more, and losing half my body’s water content I had collected 2 moths and 2 butterflies....efficiency!
            Later that night I was headed west to Florence County, Wisconsin (NOT by bike!) to set out my blacklight trap 
(courtesy of Les Ferge) for moths.  According to Les pretty much anything I get there is a county record!  I got to my 
destination (a bog around Jaquet Lake) after midnight.

(July 12)  After picking up the light trap (which did quite well) I searched the Jaquet Lake Bog.  By 8:00am I had found 
1 Colias philodice and 7 Lycaena epixanthe (a Florence County Record, I believe).  Next I made a brief stop in Forest 
County (I’m running a malaise trap for UW Madison) before heading off to my first destination, the Mastadon Bog in 
Iron County, MI.
            I arrived at the Mastadon Bog at 10:35am.  Temps already approaching 90°F- and not getting any cooler.  
Several Speyeria aphrodite were active, and one Speyeria cybele krautwurmi (Iron County Record?) [OAP YES!} but
not much beyond that.  While hiking a forest trail running along the vast open barrens I noticed a very large peculiar red 
shape taking off.  Could it be...yes!!! Sthenopis quadriguttatus! (a ghost moth)  This is by far my favorite “micro” 
(yes, it has a 4-inch wingspan!).  Second time I have seen this beastly beauty; my first encounter with the species was back in 
July 2001 (Friday the 13^th!!!) at Escanaba in Delta County.

Sthenopis quadriguttatus from the Mastadon Barrens in Iron County, MI, 12 July 2005
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005  

            After my ghostly encounter I found 6 Lycaena epixanthe in the bog.  I know most consider epixanthe a common 
species present in nearly every bog, but it seems to me that no one bothers to document it.  Classic sites like the Mastadon or 
Channing Bogs are popular during Boloria freija time, but who visits them in July?  My plan is to fill in these gaps.
[OAP -What else would expect from Kyle?]
           Next was the classic Channing Bog.  Temps were now well into the 90’s- not good to be running around in a bog, 
but I was.  I failed to document Macaria sulfurea or Holomelina lamae (probably too hot), but did find 9 
Lycaena epixanthe. Other notables included 22 Colias interior and 2 Coenonympha tullia inornata.
            From the Channing Bog I made the short drive north to the White Pine Bog.  Again the only bog leps I could find were 
some Lycaena epixanthe (five of them).  Other sightings included 5 Feniseca tarquinius and the all-white summer form of 
Pieris napi oleracea.
            My final stop for the day was at the Nadeau Bog in Menominee County.  This is a very hummocky bog that has good 
potential for Boloria freija.  At this site I did find some Holomelina lamae, but no Lycaena epixanthe (not yet recorded 
from Menominee County).  [OAP - Yes - County record) Possible county records include 4 Ancyloxypha numitor
[OAP - previously recorded by OAP on July 29, 2002] and 5 Colias interior 5 [OAP - Yes - County record).

(July 13)  Today I was headed north toward more boreal lands in northern Marquette and Baraga counties.  My first stop 
was at the Diorite Bog (46°30.670’N  87°51.189’W [WGS84]), northwest of Ishpeming.  The railroad tracks at Diorite 
bisect this very large bog.  And what a nice bog it is.  The spruces are quite large, giving it a distinctive boreal feel.  
On the south side of the tracks there is a large hummocky open meadow with plenty of cranberry, and large patches of a 
short grass that I associate with Erebia discoidalis.  This bog should support a large population of both species.  
There is also a fair amount of bog birch on the east side (couldn’t tell if there was willow from the tracks) so Boloria frigga 
could be here as well.  On the north side of the tracks is the majority of the bog, which I didn’t have time to explore.

Diorite Bog in Marquette County, MI, 13 July 2005 
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005  

            But Boloria frigga, B. freija, and Erebia discoidalis were not the reasons why I came here.  I was hoping this bog 
would have potential for Boloria chariclea grandis and Erebia mancinus, two boreal bog butterflies which haven’t been 
recorded from Michigan.  And let me say, this bog has potential!!!
            What makes a bog suitable for Boloria chariclea I can’t say.  Well developed muskeg?  Cold enough climate?  
If the secret to chariclea is any of these two, the Diorite Bog is a top contender.  It is further north and at a higher elevation 
than all known Wisconsin chariclea sites.  And the muskeg on the south margin of the site is better developed that those in the 
WI bogs.  You can bet I’ll back at this bog come August!
            Although I only had time to explore a very small portion of the south muskeg margin, I have seen enough to say that 
this bog has EXCELLENT POTENTIAL for EREBIA MANCINUS.  The muskeg here is park-like and pure spruce.  
The ground layer also seems about right, based on the places I have found mancinus.  Not so water logged like many of the 
muskegs I’ve been in; this one even grades into upland black spruce forest in a few areas.  This site has by far the best 
mancinus potential out of any bog I’ve seen in Michigan or Wisconsin.

Park-like pure spruce muskeg at the Diorite Bog in Marquette County, MI, 13 July 2005 
Home of Erebia mancinus?  
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005

            And speaking of awesome boreal butterflies, there are some excellent pine/spruce ridges and other boreal uplands 
in the area which could very well support Oeneis macounii and possibly even Euchloe ausonides.  Both of these species 
have NOT YET BEEN RECORDED FROM MICHIGAN!!!  I don’t care what anyone says, ISLE ROYALE is 
CANADA people! 
            That said, I’ll mention a few of my finds at the Diorite Bog.  Colias interior was everywhere along the railroad tracks 
(counted 85 of them); I netted a large number hoping to uncover a Colias gigantea, a boreal willow bog species which may 
be present in Michigan.  Finding it will be difficult because gigantea is VERY similar to interior, so much so that males 
cannot be separated reliably.  In the bog I found 4 Lycaena epixanthe and a Marquette County record Lycaena dorcas. 
[OAP - YES - County record]  In the eastern U.P. and Lower Peninsula dorcas may be a common species associated with 
shrubby cinquefoil, but in the western U.P. and northern Wisconsin dorcas seems to be an uncommon species NOT 
associated with this plant.  Along the railroad tracks I found two more dorcas.
            My second stop was at the Three Lakes Bog in Baraga County.  I’ll tell you it was something crossing that county line, 
for I have never been to Baraga County before. (tear)  The skies were now partly cloudy, a welcome relief from the hot sun.  
Good finds included 1 Macaria sulfurea, 1 Coenonympha tullia inornata (Baraga County Record?) [OAP - Yes - 
County record], and 6 Lycaena epixanthe (Baraga County Record?) [OAP - YES - County record].

Coenonympha tullia inornata at the Three Lakes Bog in Baraga County, MI 13 July 2005
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005  

            My final stop for the day was at the Nestoria Bog, also in Baraga County.  Despite the very dry conditions in the U.P. 
this bog was still fairly wet.  Good finds included 1 Macaria sulfurea, 15 Colias interior, 1 Nymphalis vaualbum, 
8 Speyeria aphrodite, 28 Lycaena epixanthe [OAP - YES - County record], and 2 Lycaena dorcas 
(Baraga County Record, I believe) [OAP - YES - County record].  One dorcas was amongst the epixanthe in the midst of 
the bog; the other was near flowers along the bog margin.  I went deep into this bog, and found some areas that look 
worthy of Boloria freija and even Erebia discoidalis.  How much time has anyone spent in this bog? 
[OAP - Probably not a lot. Mo and I have visited the site several times together, but not at the opportune time for 
dorcas, epixanthe, freija or frigga.]


Nestoria Bog in Baraga County, MI 13 July 2005
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005

(July 15)  This evening I was to meet up with Dwayne Badgero at the Luce County 421 Bog, so I decided to do some 
surveying of the eastern U.P.- something I’ve never done before.  In fact, I’ve never been to neither Luce nor Chippewa 
counties before, so of course today was another moving experience for me. (more tears)  I began the day at a site Mo 
suggested to me, the vast Paradise Bog in Chippewa County.

Paradise Bog in Chippewa County, MI, 15 July 2005
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005

            I spent nearly four hours exploring the area under high temperatures and mostly sunny skies.  The entire bog was 
bone dry, even at the margins.  Although I found several areas with a fair amount of cranberry, I only found a single 
Lycaena epixanthe during my stay.  Other interesting findings included a Macaria sulfurea, 60 Colias interior, and a 
Satyrium liparops strigosum.  In a cottongrass area of the bog I saw a large black butterfly bobbing along- that always 
gets my heart beating!  I netted it just to be sure...yes, only Cercyonis pegala nephele...this time!  Hey, you never know- 
could’ve been Erebia fasciata!
            My second stop was at the Luce County 123 Road Bog in Luce County.  Good finds included 6 Macaria sulfurea, 
4 Colias interior, and 5 Lycaena epixanthe.
            My third stop was the M-28 Bog, still in Luce County.  The leatherleaf and other shrubs are very high in parts of this 
bog- perhaps due to highway construction?  I still managed to find a single Lycaena epixanthe.  Also while in the bog I thought
I saw a Platarctia parthenos fly across the sky.  Along the highway I found Satyrium acadicum (Luce County Record?).
[OAP - YES - County record]
            My final day stop was the Luce County Road 421 Bog.  This was the first time I’ve seen Lycaena dorcas associated 
with shrubby cinquefoil.  Also the first time I’ve seen this species in good numbers- saw at least 18 of them.  Other finds 
included 4 Holomelina lamae, 9 Colias interior, and 6 Lycaena epixanthe.

Lycaena dorcas at the Luce County 421 Road Bog in Luce County, MI, 15 July 2005
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005

            Dwayne arrived a little later than expected, but we still managed to find Lycaena dorcas and epixanthe out and 
about- dorcas until 8:34pm and epixanthe until 9:24pm.  While in the bog Dwayne randomly netted the Macaria sulfurea 
I had been looking for!  Later that night we collected a good diversity of moths at Dwayne’s sheet; I found a Catocala 
(ID pending).  Of interest were several all-red Oreta rosea (Drepanidae).  Dwayne also put a light trap out in the bog; 
we mostly got a bunch of caddisflies out of that one!  Not quite the Exyra fax I had hoped for.
            After packing up at the 421 Bog we hit the rest area west of Seney before making the subconscious drive back to 
my Grandma’s house in Delta County- we got to bed around 6:00am, and woke up the next day around 9:00am! 

(July 16)  After having my Grandma’s famous Swedish pancakes for breakfast Dwayne and I made that arduous 15 minute 
drive to the McFarland Bog.  Dwayne was able to add a few new species to his list, as well as two finds which caught me 
off guard.  The first was a white form alba Colias interior- I have seen hundreds and hundreds of Colias interior, but 
never found a white one before- but I don’t think I’ve looked too hard for them.  The other was a Marquette County record 
Euphyes dion near a small strip of wide-leaf sedge.  [OAP - YES - County record] Other good finds for the day included 
3 Macaria sulferea (in an area I had looked for the species a week ago, but didn’t find it), 15 Holomelina lamae, 
a Speyeria aphrodite (Dwayne got that one), 10 Feniseca tarquinius (most I recall seeing at one site) and 19 Lycaena 
epixanthe.  We also checked out my Erebia discoidalis rearing project, but due to the heat and dry condition I bet those 
larvae are deep in the Sphagnum (if they’re still alive!).
            Late in the evening we hiked some of the trails at my Grandma’s house, but too late for most diurnal leps.  At night 
we set up Dwayne’s sheet by a hunting camp on the property, and I set my blacklight trap out in the McFarland Bog.  
The McFarland Bog trap did especially well.

(July 17)  Dwayne and I began the day searching a few of the trails on my Grandma’s property.  Interesting finds included 
1 Colias interior and a Satyrium acadicum (which Dwayne also photographed).

Slightly different angle on the Satyrium acadicum at my Grandma’s property;  
Trombly in Delta County, MI, 17 July 2005) 
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005

            We then headed east to a large bog east of Caffey Corners in Mackinac County.  Good finds here included a 
Macaria sulfurea, 35 Colias interior, 2 Satyrium titus, 6 Satyrium acadicum, 5 Lycaena epixanthe, 3 Lycaena dorcas, 
and a Hesperia comma laurentina (Dwayne got that one).  I managed to voucher my own white form alba Colias interior.  
We did see a bit of shrubby cinquefoil at the site, but did not find the dorcas nearby.
            Although both sides of the railroad tracks are lined by a nearly impassable moat, we did find a couple spots to get 
across.  We accessed the best part of the bog over some railroad ties.  I have no experience with Boloria freija in the east, 
but I’d say that this looks like a beautiful bog for the species.  The hummocks are very well developed, and loaded with 
cranberry.  Next spring I think I’ll have to head east!

Dwayne Badgero at the Caffey Corners Bog in Mackinac County, MI, 17 July 2005) 
Home of Boloria freija?  
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005

            From Caffey Corners Dwayne left for the land of the trolls while I went west.  I made one last stop at a bog north of 
Manistique (where Boloria frigga was first discovered in Michigan).  I spent very little time here; mainly I wanted to voucher 
Lycaena epixanthe from Schoolcraft County.  In about ten minutes I found 3 Macaria sulfurea, 10 Holomelina lamae, 
and a single Lycaena epixanthe.  Once I voucher epixanthe from Menominee, Ontonagon, Houghton, and Keewenaw 
counties I will have vouchered the species from every county in the Upper Peninsula.  

(July 20)  I set up the blacklight trap at the Jaquet Lake Bog in Florence County, WI.  Everything seemed fine at first, 
but when I woke up at three in the morning I noticed that my light had quit.  I just charged the battery!  Never got it working 
again (at least there were a couple moths inside).  Frustrated I drove to Long Lake (still Florence County) to check the 
building lights, but only saw a single crambid...ughhh. 

(July 21)  My first stop was at the Tipler Bog in Florence County.  This bog is now at the top of my list for a Florence County 
record Boloria freija- fair hummock development and dense cranberry.  Jaquet Lake is a close second.  Good finds included 
4 Lycaena epixanthe.
            My second stop was at the Goodman Bog in Marinette County, WI.  Not long after getting out of my car I ran into 
someone looking for Fox Snakes (Elaphe vulpina)- don’t see that everyday!  After quite a bit of hiking in the bog I managed 
to find 3 Lycaena epixanthe, a possible Marinette County record.  Other good finds include a Celastrina neglecta and a 
Hesperia comma laurentina.
            Next I crossed the state line into Menominee County, MI.  My goal was to get a county record Lycaena epixanthe, 
as well as county records for marsh skippers in the genera Euphyes and Poanes.  Unfortunately I was running short on time.  
I first hit a large bog along Hwy G-12 a ways west of Cedar River.  This is a very nice bog, with well developed continuous 
hummocks and plenty of cranberry.  Another possible county record for Boloria freija.  As nice as the bog was I failed to find 
Lycaena epixanthe in the 40 minutes I spent in the area.  I guess I’ll have to wait until next year for that one.  I did find 
2 Holomelina lamae in the bog, however.  
While checking bog/marsh intergrade area I managed to voucher Euphyes conspicuus.  
HAS THIS SPECIES BEEN CAUGHT IN THE UPPER PENINSULA BEFORE? 
[OAP - YES - The specimen is in the Chippewa Nature Center Museum] 
[OAP- However, this is a GREAT find!!!]

Cedar River Bog in Menominee County, MI, 21 July 2005
Home of Boloria freija?  
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005

            Before heading back to Green Bay, WI, I make one last stop along Hwy G-12 at the Kakuk Bridge.  Here I 
vouchered two probable Menominee County records: Celastrina neglecta [OAP - YES - County record] and Wallengrenia egeremet.  [OAP - YES - County record] I believe this is only the third or fourth time W. egeremet has been caught in the U.P.
[OAP - I have caught W. egeremet in Delta, Dickinson, and Luce counties.] Not a bad way to leave for home!

 
Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), 19 July 2005, Monroe County.
Photo by Owen A, Perkins © 2005

At the Beech-Daly site in Wayne County we met up with Dwayne Badgero and Dwayne and I surveyed the area that contains 
vast amounts of Wide-leaf sedge and sighted several Dukes' Skippers and netted some Broad-winged Skippers and 
watched several very large Giant Swallowtails, large numbers of Spicebush Swallowtails and the usual numerous 
Pearl Crescents.


Dwayne Badgero among the Wide-leaf sedge and large amounts of Button-bush, the most numerous nectar source at the 
Beech-Daly site, 19 July 2005.
Photo by Owen A, Perkins © 2005

Response from Sherri Laier, Stewardship Director, Michigan Nature Association (July 15):
Just checked your website for Big Valley and saw you needed a plant id from Lost 
Nation.
It looks like native buckthorn shrub American alder buckthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia).  
For photos see the following website. 
http://ontarioshrubs.com/main/b/buckthorn/alderleaved/

Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus) at Gardenworks Farm, Joy rd, Ann Arbor. July 14th 2005 3pm.
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005


Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005
Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus) at Gardenworks Farm, Joy rd, Ann Arbor. July 14th 2005 3pm.

Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis), 26 June 2005, in captivity, ovipositing on Heliopsis helianthoides.
Photo by Chris Rickards © 2005

     
Sweet smooth oxeye (Heliopsis helianthoides)
Thomas G. Barnes @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database, Thomas G. Barnes.
Plant Profile for Heliopsis helianthoides (smooth oxeye)

    
Hampton Square Project site and Roger Kuhlman in the Bryce Commons Project site
Photos by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

We went second to the Bryce Commons Project site and were all delighted to see the lush growth of the Wide-leaf sedge and
the accompanying nectar sources of Thistle, Buttonbush, Black-eyed Susan, Boneset to name but a few. No Dukes' Skippers
were seen, but the Dion Skipper was present in good numbers! This is excellent habitat for this skipper and it is early in the
flight period.

We went third to the Beech-Daly site and were all delighted to see the lush growth of the Wide-leaf sedge and 
the accompanying nectar sources of Buttonbush. No Dukes' Skippers were seen, but a Tiger Swallowtail was on the 
Buttonbush.
This is excellent habitat for this skipper and it is early in the flight period.

    
Woodbury Village Project site and the Willow Road area site
Photos by Owen A. Perkins © 2005
Roger took us to a site in the Willow Road area where he had documented the species in previous years. Unfortunately the
ditch on both sides of the road had been cleared of all of the Wide-leaf sedge. However the woodlot on the north side of the
road contained the sedge in good quantity and Dwayne netted a male Dukes' Skipper. 

I planned to voucher this specimen since this site had never been vouchered, only observed. Fortunately both Dwayne and 
Roger photographed, because subsequently I inadvertently allowed it to be released. We saw several more, all appeared to 
be males. This is the beginning of the flight period and probably the reason we did not see any at the three Sibley Prairie sites.

    
Dwayne Badgero and Roger Kuhlman along the south side of the road and a view of the woodlot on the north side of the road
at the Willow Road area site.
Photos by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

Photographs of Dukes' Skipper by Dwayne and Roger are forthcoming.
Here is Dwayne's:                                                                    Here is Roger's:
    
Dukes' Skipper (E. dukesi), 10 July 2005, Willow Road area site, Wayne County.
Photo by Dwayne Badgero © 2005                                                                     Photos by Roger Kuhlman © 2005

Roger took us to a second site which didn't produce any Dukes' Skippers, but looked like a good site.

    
South site and view toward north site from south site.
Photos by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

Just a few hundred yards north in another patch of Wide-leaf sedge, we encountered fast flying just over the tops of the sedges
and then among the sedges, darting here and there, numerous male Dukes' Skippers. 

    
North site with Dwayne and Roger in the Wide-leaf sedge, and Dwayne exclaims: "There goes one!"
Photos by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

I vouchered one male specimen for this site. Photographing any of these elusive creatures was impossible. This site and the 
previous are in danger of eradication if the road  is widened or the roadside and the ditch is denuded. However these sites 
are the typical ditch and roadside that contain Wide-leaf sedge which are excellent habitat for Dukes' Skipper!

Leaving Wayne County Roger took us to the historical Wagner site in Monroe County. There again the ditch had been 
denuded of the host plant, Wide-leaf sedge. Only a small amount of the sedge still remains. 

Finally Roger took us to another Monroe County site where the sedge was found along the north side of the road, 
but not in great abundance. No Duke's Skippers were seen at any of the Monroe County sites.

    
Hoffman Road site, Dwayne and Roger in Black-eyed Susan area, and Hackberry tree to the east.
Photos by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

It was here that Dwayne encountered and caught his first Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos).

    
Dwayne Badgero and his first Hog-nose snake, and feigning death.
Photos by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

Seeing this large Hackberry tree, Roger took us next to a site where Barnes Road crosses the Saline River.
Here Roger has seen Hackberry Butterfly (Asterocampa celtis), Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton) and Snout Butterfly 
(Libytheana carinenta bachmanii) all on one occasion.

         
The field southwest of the bridge contains Purple Coneflower and here Roger and I observed a Giant Swallowtail
(Papilio cresphontes) cruising along near us and then crossing the ditch into the field and alighting on a Purple Coneflower.
Photos by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

Thus we concluded our foray and departed ways to return to our homes.

Owen's conclusion: There are relatively few sites where Dukes' Skipper (Euphyes dukesi) has been found in Michigan 
and ALL of these sites are in danger of development and the end to the habitat that this Threatened Species requires 
in Michigan. The skipper is in danger of extermination in Michigan, not by any lepidopterist, but from failure by those 
governmental and environmental agencies/organizations to purchase and/or safeguard the habitat. I have seen the demise 
of several of these sites in the relatively recent past. I see NO reason to have species listed as Threatened if the agency that 
produces this status doesn't protect the habitat necessary for survival. Species are only Endangered, Threatened or of 
Special Concern, if and when the habitat is removed, deteriorated or plant succession occurs, or Spray programs are used. 
The incentive for any lepidopterist to locate new sites or re-document historical sites is diminished when the agencies 
don't do their part to preserve the habitat. In my opinion it is totally irresponsible to upgrade any species to a higher degree
if ALL of the potential habitat sites in the state are not surveyed to ascertain the true nature of the existence of the species 
and the government doesn't provide the funds to then protect the habitats of which the species is found. Just to list isn't 
sufficient! There, now I have said my piece.

The flight period of Dukes' Skipper has begun within the past several days and the males are flying.

Note from Owen (July 8):
While taking our evening walk beginning at 8:30 pm until 9:00pm this evening, 
we observed about one dozen Fireflies. DD50 = approximately 1200.

The following information is provided:
Fireflies
Despite their name, these magical animals are actually flying beetles, and belong to the family Lampyridae 
(25 species). To make matters more confusing, another bioluminescent insect, the glow worm, is not a worm 
at all but actually a type of fly!


This American firefly shows how bright the light can be from these beetles.
Image: European Physical Society. [more pics]

What to look for
Needless to say, fireflies are nocturnal. Apart from the strong flashing light, the adult beetles which grow 
up to 9 mm long can also be distinguished by their soft flattened body, very large eyes and short antennae. 

Species notes
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the firefly's blinking light comes from segments on the 
underside of the abdomen. A chemical process is triggered by air coming in, and the chemicals react to the 
presence of oxygen with a blaze of light. The oxygen is soon exhausted, but the process is quickly recharged 
for the next burst -- hence the flashing effect. Males are the main flashers, cruising at night in search of a mate. 
Females give an answering blink. Firefly larvae and pupae are also slightly luminous. The larvae feed on snails, 
but the adults probably don't feed at all. 

The next insect we will be looking for is the Katydid.

    
Miller Road fen, Dwayne Badgero, 08 July 2005    Miller Road fen, Delaware Skipper (A. logan), 08 July 2005
Photos by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

    
Miller Road fen, Swamp Thistle (Cirsium muticum), 08 July 2005, foodplant of the Swamp Metalmark.
Photos by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

    
Miller Road fen, Joe-pye-weed (Eupatorium maculatum), 08 July 2005
Photos by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

    
Miller Road fen, Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) & Shrubby Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa), 08 July 2005
Photos by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

This habitat seems ideal for sustaining a population of the Swamp Metalmark (Calephelis mutica).

Our NABA Butterfly count in the Chelsea Michigan area on Saturday July 2 was a spectacular success. For the day we 
recorded 55 species of butterflies more than smashing the previous high of 49 for a Greater Washtenaw County count. 
Until this year the Chelsea count typically varied in numbers from 42 to 48 species. Our excellent result was due to having 
a very fine group of butterfly observers doing the count this year. Chris Rickards, John Swales, Roger Wykes, and 
Martin Bialecki should be commended for their superb efforts.

Having 55 species for the count, there were many highlights for the day. Probably the biggest was finding 
21 Oarisma powesheik, a Michigan state-threatened species, at Embury Swamp. Since the day began with temperatures 
in the upper 40's, the Powesheik were at first impossible to find in the fen we were searching. But by noon temperatures 
had warmed enough that we began to find many of them. Also out in the fen were Lycaena dorcas, Euphydryas phaeton, 
Lycaena hyllus, Anatrytone logan, Satyrodes Eurydice, Polites mystic, Poanes massasoit, Boloria selene, Chlosyne
nycteis, and Euphyes dion. The favorite nectaring plants in the fen seemed to be a Dogbane species although 
Powesheik preferred Black-eyed Susan.

Powesheik Skipperling (Oarisma powesheik) & New Jersey Tea in bloom, 2 July 2005 at Park Lyndon North, Washtenaw Co.
Photos by Roger Kuhlman © 2005

In the forested wetlands and surrounding forests to the fen we found Satyrodes Appalachia, Polygonia comma, 
Speyeria cybele, Poanes hobomok, Pieris napi, Enodia anthedon, Polygonia interrogationis, Satyrium liparops,
Wallengrenia egeremet and Cercyonis pegala. In other drier oak-dominated prairie habitat and grasslands distributed 
about the count circle we found Vanessa virginiensis, Vanessa cardui, Satyrium calanus, Achalarus lyciades,
Danaus plexippus, Thorybes pylades, Thorybes bathyllus, Amblyscirtes vialis, and Satyrium edwardsii. 
The Satyrium edwardsii were in exceptionally large numbers at two locations and we counted 170 butterflies but probably 
could have counted at least an additional 100 individuals if we had concentrated on the species. For the Satyrium edwardsii 
and many of the other species in the drier oak habitats the favorite nectaring sources were Butterflyweed,
Common Milkweed and New Jersey Tea.

High individual species totals for the day included Anatrytone logan (185), Satyrium edwardsii (170), Speyeria cybele (102), 
Euphydryas phaeton (95).

    
Delaware Skipper (A. logan) and Edwards' Hairstreak (S. edwardsi), 2 July 2005, Park Lyndon North, Washtenaw Co.
Photos by Roger Kuhlman © 2005

After this year's splendid Chelsea count I think we are going to be a little spoiled. Counts in the future with species totals 
in the mid-40's which in the past were always counted as successes might now seem disappointing.

Roger Kuhlman
Compiler of the Greater Washtenaw County Butterfly Survey
Ann Arbor, Michigan
July 5, 2005

[Note from Owen: Check out Roger's website at: http://home.att.net/~r.a.kuhlman/SEMIYTD2001.htm ]

These are representative of the photographs we took:

    
Dwayne Badgero photographing the Powesheik Skipperling at the MNA Calla Burr Nature Sanctuary, 1 July 2005.
Photos by Owen A. Perkins © 2005


Powesheik Skipperling (Oarisma powesheik) at the Calla Burr N. S., 1 July 2005.
Photo by Dwayne Badgero © 2005


Powesheik Skipperling (Oarisma powesheik) at the Calla Burr N. S., 1 July 2005.
Photo by Dwayne Badgero © 2005

Report from Kyle Johnson for June 23-25 (July 2):

(June 23) I started the day at a survey bog in Forest County, WI.  Hot & muggy with plenty of deer flies.  
A few late stragglers included 1 Boloria eunomia, 1 Amblyscirtes hegon, and 2 of the small bog geo Macaria truncataria 
(still lookin’ pretty good!).  Not much left of that eunomia.  I first caught eunomia at this same bog back on June 7; despite 
a fairly warm season their flight lasted at least 17 days here.

At my second survey site (still in Forest County) the temps had risen well into the 90’s.  Too hot for anything to be active, 
except the deer flies.  At least I got to voucher a Thymelicus lineola! (My new goal is to get one of each lep from every 
county in northern WI/MI/MN- that’ll keep me busy for a while!).  The heat was quite intense; by the time I got back to 
my car I was on the verge of heat exhaustion.  Luckily I had parked next to a lake- I jumped in still wearing my shoes, 
shirt & mosquito netting.

Around 3:00am (June 24) I was bumming around Manitowish (Iron County, WI) looking for lights to raid.  Some findings 
included 1 Antherea polyphemus, 1 Ceratomia undulosa, 3 Sphinx canadensis, 5 Sphinx poecila, 1 Lapara bombycoides,
2 Pachysphinx modesta, and a single Smerinthus jamaicensis. 

(June 24) I woke up to find that I was missing one of my insect nets- probably now the souvenir of some gas station attendant.
Good thing I always carry a back-up!  I spent the early part of the morning surveying a site in Iron County, WI.  Nothing 
remarkable, but at least I was able to pick up some Iron County specimens.  My luck didn’t change much at my second site; 
it was quite cloudy most of the time as well.

I was close to the Michigan border, so once again I decided to take some time off from “work” and do some surveying in 
Gogebic County, MI.  Even if it was cloudy, I was bound to get something new (since I only had 4 species from Gogebic 
County, and none of them “dirt common”. 

I spent 1 hour 30 minutes hiking along Gray Road in Gogebic County (46°20.985’N 89°55.839’W [WGS84 datum])  
Once again I was exited to voucher that Thymelicus lineola!  My most interesting finds were at a small floating bog mat a 
ways down the road (46°20.914’N 89°55.050’W).  Here I found the tattered remains of a Boloria eunomia still flying around.
I also got a Chlosyne harrisii, which may be a county record(?)  While chasing a Euphydryas phaeton I nearly broke through
twice!  This little bog mat is surrounded by water; to get in I jumped from a high area down onto the mat.  Well, now I was 
slowly sinking on the edge of that mat, wondering how in the hell I was going to get out of there- didn’t think that one through!


Small floating bog mat along Gray Road in Gogebic County, MI (24 June 2005) 
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005

Totals for the site: 6 Papilio canadensis, 1 Enodia anthedon, 27 Limenitis arthemis arthemis, 1 Vanessa virginiensis, 
1 Euphydryas phaeton, 1 Chlosyne harrisii, 9 Phyciodes selenis, 1 Boloria eunomia dawsoni, 2 Boloria selene 
atrocostalis, 15 Speyeria atlantis, 9 Thymelicus lineola, 7 Polites mystic, 1 Poanes hobomok.  
I don’t recall every seeing so many Limenitis arthemis at one time before; there were many clusters of 3-6 individuals.

     
Five Limenitis arthemis arthemis along Gray Road in Gogebic County, MI (24 June 2005)
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005

From Gray Road I went south to my final survey site for the day, in Vilas County, WI.  The closest thing I found to bog there 
was boggy conifer forest containing tamarack, limited black spruce, balsam fir, tag alder, mountain maple, Labrador tea, 
ferns, and a few other plants.  I still managed to pull out one-half of an Oeneis jutta- not bad!

(June 25) My first survey site in Langlade was once again not a bog, but rather boggy conifer forest- no Oeneis jutta 
(or fractions thereof!) this time.  Still had some good luck; I managed to get a Pyrgus communis along a weedy roadside 
(Langlade County record, I believe).

At my second survey site in Langlade County (this time a bog!) a few Syngrapha (microgamma?) were still hanging on, 
but not much else.  My luck with southern specialties continued; I saw (and missed!) a Euptoieta claudia only a couple 
feet from me.

I was able to end my “early bog season” and DNR contract on a good note.  While hiking the dry hummocky interior of my 
final site (still Langlade County) I noticed a worn orange butterfly which seemed to be nectaring on cranberry.  
Boloria eunomia!  A fine way to end the first half of the season!

This concludes my surveying for bog leps “on the job- at least for now.  If all goes well I plan to spend the first two weeks 
or so of July as a “bum” surveying for leps in the U. P.  In light of my upcoming Ironman triathlon I really should start 
biking (since the Ironman bike segment is 112 miles- what was I thinking?), so I plan to survey Delta, Marquette, and 
Alger Counties primarily by bike.  Maybe even Schoolcraft, Menominee, and Dickinson counties if I get ambitious!

    
Michigan Nature Association Big Valley Nature Sanctuary, Oakland County, Michigan
View West from top of Hill at burn in April.            View West from top of Hill, 1 July 2005.
Photo by Sherri Laier  © 2005                                                    Photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

    
Michigan Nature Association Big Valley Nature Sanctuary, Oakland County, Michigan
Search for Powesheik Skipperling that was originally found at this site by Owen A. Perkins in 1999.
L to R: Don Reed, Joe Deuparo, Sherri Laier.         L to R: Sherri Laier, MNA Stewardship Director & Don Reed.
Photos by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

    
Photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005                                           Photo by Sherri Laier © 2005
Powesheik Skipperling (Oarisma powesheik)        Big Valley fen after the burn in April. Habitat for Powesheik Skipperling.
habitat, 1 July 2005, after new growth.
It was at this site where O. powesheik was first found in 1999 by Owen A. Perkins. Not more than fifty feet south of the 
original site Don Reed sighted and Owen A. Perkins identified O. powesheik, 1 July 2005!!!  Two other individuals 
were sighted shortly thereafter. The species survived the burn! 

My wife and I visited the MNA Calla Burr Nature Preserve on Rattalee Lake Road in Oakland County today, Wednesday, 
June 29, 2005. The purpose was to ascertain if the Powesheik Skipperling (Oarisma powesheik) was in flight. 
The weather was very hot and quite humid. The temperature reached about 85+ degrees by 1:00 PM when I left. 
We arrived just before noon.


Milkweed and Thistle are in early stages of bloom along Rattalee Lake Road.

One Monarch, several Cabbage Whites, one Baltimore Checkerspot, one Clouded Sulphur, several Pearl Crescent, 
were seen along the footpath as we traveled south and some also were seen as we retreated north.

When we again reached the depression, I entered and surveyed the area.
WOW, what was that? YES, it was a Powesheik Skipperling (Oarisma powesheik).

It was skipping very rapidly about eight inches off the ground among the grass and sedges that make up most of the area 
along with the major flora, Shrubby Cinquefoil. It was among this vegetation in the depression that the Powesheik Skipperling 
was first sighted and eventually several more were observed. I continued to watch hoping that one would land on the 
vegetation or on a flower for nectar. Oxeye Daisy and Black-eyed Susan as well as the yellow flower of Shrubby
Cinquefoil are present, but no landing on any of these flowers took place. Once in a while two would interact 
in what could be perceived as territorial skirmishes and one would be seen skipping around the area, but so fast no photo 
could be taken.

However, my experience with this species at this site in previous years and in other sites In the past is sufficient to proclaim:
 
The flight period of the Powesheik Skipperling has begun!

The DD50 value for today is approximately 970 for this site.

[Note from Owen: From my having observed this species since 1954 to the present, I believe that the designation as 
Special Concern is sufficient, especially since the DNR and MNFI do little to protect the habitat of the current
Threatened species to which I have brought to their attention and it is the habitat that needs protection, 
not the butterfly species. I have provided information to protect the habitat of various Threatened species 
and the DNR and MNFI have not responded in any significant manner. It seems their attention is directed to 
Endangered species. However, I will continue to advise and suggest activities that should be conducted to preserve 
the habitat of Threatened species. What is threatening this species? I believe it is only the degrading of the habitat and 
natural plant succession. One DNR mutica site in Oakland County has been allowed to have plant succession occur such
that Buttonbush has almost completely filled in the Shrubby Cinquefoil and Swamp Thistle fen.]

ps. For the past couple of years Barb Barton and I have been making predictions about when the first Mitchell's Satyr 
would emerge at the Jackson County fen. Our guesses this year were Barb--July 1 and Roger June 26 and we made them 
almost three weeks ago without the benefit of degree day information. Someone did pretty well here. No more need be said.
[Oh yes, something more needs to be said. Congratulations Roger! OAP]

Butterflying during the week of June 20 in the Ann Arbor area has been fairly decent. Nothing really rare has been found 
but several new species for the year have been sighted. In addition several locally uncommon butterflies whose populations 
are being monitored in Ann Arbor area parks were found.

June 20: At least seven Silvery Checkerspots (Chlosyne nycteis) were flying in the open patches of and along the trails 
in the forest at Marshall Park. This species which is generally uncommon in southeast Michigan has had a substantial 
breeding colony at Marshall Park since at least the mid-1990's. At Marshall its larva feed on False Sunflower 
(Heliopsis helianthoides). A check of this plant on Monday showed a lot of leaf damage so maybe more 
Silvery Checkerspots are yet to emerge. While I was at Marshall Park I saw Silvery Checkerspots nectaring 
on Black-eyed Susan, Yellow Hawkweed, and Yarrow.
    
Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis), 20 June 2005 at Marshall Park, Ann Arbor.
photos by Roger Kuhlman © 2005

A check of South Pond Natural area failed to turn up any Long Dashes (Polites mystic) in the wet meadow. 
A Brown which may have been Appalachian Eyed Brown (Satyrodes Appalachia) was seen briefly in the forested edge 
of the wetland but features distinguishing it from Eyed Brown (Satyrodes Eurydice) were not seen.

June 21: Three new species of Browns were definitely sighted at Matthei Botanical Gardens. An Appalachian Eyed Brown 
which I got pictures of both upper and undersides was found in the forested sedgy areas along Flemming Creek. 
    
Applachian Eyed Brown (Satyrodes appalachia), 21 June 2005, Matthei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor.
photos by Roger Kuhlman © 2005

A Northern Pearly Eye (Enodia anthedon) was sighted along a trail through the forested floodplain of the creek. 
A single Wood Nymph (Cercyonnis pegala) floated through a drier grassy area in amongst scattered brush.

Other species of note at the Botanical Gardens included Long Dash, Silvery Checkerspot, Least Skipper 
(Ancyloxypha numitor), Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax), Baltimore (Euphydryas phaeton), 
and Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius). The Long Dash and the Silvery Checkerspots were mainly in a small Sedge 
meadow in the northeast section of the preserve. One Long Dash was nectaring on a Dogbane species. 
The three Least Skippers which I found mark the return of the species to the site after an absence of a year. 
The two Harvesters also mark a return after an absence. They were both seen in a section of Black Alder trees 
that had hosted them in previous years.

June 23: I searched the managed Big Bluestem prairie in Nichol's Arboretum known as Dow Prairie and the nearby 
wet meadow of Gallup Park. Both habitats had good butterflies. At Dow Prairie I found good numbers of Southern 
Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus) [15+], Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) [30+], a single Northern Cloudywing 
(Thorybes pylades), and two male Crossline Skippers (Polites origenes).

Crossline Skipper (Polites origenes), 23 June 2005, at Dow Prairie.
photo by Roger Kuhlman © 2005

The monitored species here were the Cloudywings and the Crossline Skippers. All have a spotty distribution in southeast 
Michigan. In the past Dow Prairie has been among the very best locations for both Southern Cloudywing and Crossline 
Skipper but there has been some concern that the prairie is being burned too frequently and extensively. Judging from 
what I saw, the impact at least this year looks good.

At Dow both Southern Cloudywing and Crossline Skipper were nectaring on Black-eyed Susan. Southern Cloudywing 
was also seen on Pink Clover. 

In the wet prairie of Gallup Park good numbers of Eyed Browns and a single Long Dash [the monitored species] was found.

June 24: Both Barton Nature and Foster Park were checked for Harvester but none were found. Each park has a location 
where Harvester has been found consistently and in good numbers for many years running. These two spots are the only 
places in southeast Michigan where I have seen tens of Harvesters at a time. In each spot the Harvesters have been clustered
in areas where Black Alder is the thickest and not too far from a body of water. Since Black Alder is a non-native tree that 
can be invasive, the City of Ann Arbor
has sought to remove Black Alder from natural areas. Pretty obviously the removal of all Black Alder from city parks would 
be a disaster for Harvester in Ann Arbor.

photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

    
Oxeye Daisy and Shrubby Cinquefoil, are favorite nectar sources for O. powesheik at the Burr NS, 23 June 2005.
photos by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

    
Orange asclepias begins to bloom and the last of the orchids at Burr NS, 23 June 2005.
photos by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

Milkweed has yet to bloom, but with the hot weather, predicted to reach into the 90s tomorrow (June 24)
it won't be long, at the Rattalee Lake Road site, 23 June 2005.
photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

My friend in Ohio said Northern Metalmark is flying, that would be a great addition to the Michigan list if anyone could 
stumble on one.

Report from Kyle Johnson for June 8-18 (June 21): 

Here’s some more action from the Great Lakes “boreal zone”. 

(June 8)  I left Green Bay after 9:00pm (central) heading back up to my Grandma’s house in Trombly (Delta County, MI).  
While gassing up in Menominee I saw one Antherea polyphemus on the side of the gas station (any Menominee Co. records 
for saturniids?).  The night was warm and muggy, so I decided to turn on my UV light once at my Grandma’s.  
Visitors included: 2 Ceratomia undulosa, 1 Sphinx canadensis, 5 Sphinx poecila, 2 Pachysphinx modesta, 
6 Smerinthus cerisyi, 2 Paonias excaecatus, 4 Lophocampa maculata, and plenty of other macros/micros, most of 
which I couldn’t put a name on.

(June 9)  I spent over six hours roaming the Perch Lake Barrens and the adjacent Powerline Bog in Marquette County, MI, 
mainly in search of Erebia mancinus.  No state records this time, but all in all it was a nice day.  Some sightings on the 
barrens part of the site included: 1 Oeneis jutta (along spruce stream powerline cut), 6 Oeneis chryxus, 1 Hesperia sassacus, 
and 2 Amblyscirtes vialis.  Sightings in the bog included: 3 Syngrapha (microgamma?), 1 Anarta luteola (quite faded), 
33 Oeneis jutta, 7 Boloria frigga, 1 Euptoieta claudia (first time I’ve seen this one in Marquette County).  
I got a bit surprised when a fawn exploded out of the bog (less than five feet from me), yelping like a sick ostrich!
            The muskeg part of the bog seems to have some Erebia mancinus potential, but was far wetter than the Sand Lake 
Bog in Minnesota, and had the sinister presence of tamarack throughout much of the site.  Also, it was hard to spot anything 
because of all the jutta darting about.  Worth coming back to next year, especially since all Minnesota mancinus records 
(except for two times at the Sand Lake Bog) come from even years.
            Sometime after midnight my cousin Andrew Johnson (if he mentions anything to you about my field methodology he is 
full of crap!!!) and I went sampling for moths “old school” style between McFarland and Gwinn in Marquette County.  This 
involves jumping out of your car and raiding the lights of random houses/businesses before you’re shot at!  It also involves some interesting conversion with officers of the law...
            At the Gwinn Medical Center (after 1:00am) we encountered 1 Sphinx poecila, 1 Paonias myops, 1 Darapsa pholus, 
my first ever Giant Stonefly ( Pteronarcys sp.), and one very befuddled cop.  From there we walked through Gwinn past a 
bar (with some incredible Karaoke talent inside!) and found one Antherea polyphemus sitting in a parking lot.  Driving back 
south on M-35 on the south side of Gwinn we stopped at a classic garage light where I had found Hyalophora columbia in 
good numbers back in 2003.  No columbia this time, but I did find 1 Hyalophora cecropia, 5 Sphinx drupiferarum, 
1 Sphinx canadensis, 1 Sphinx poecila, and a very large Eyed Click Beetle (Alaus sp.).  
            At the fire station  building in McFarland I slowed up- I could clearly see from the highway a good number of large 
moths on the building.  Yet another fine stop.  Sightings included: 1 Actias luna, 2 Antherea polyphemus, 3 Dryocampa 
rubicunda, 4 Ceratomia undulosa, 2 Sphinx kalmiae, 5 Pachysphinx modesta, 3 Smerinthus jamaicensis, 
19 Smerinthus cerisyi, 2 Paonias excaecatus, 1 Paonias myops.
            We pulled in at my Grandma’s house around 2:30am.  My UV light had brought in an impressive swarm of sphingids.  
Some of the visitors included: 1 Actias luna, 1 Antherea polyphemus, 1 Dryocampa rubicunda, 8 Ceratomia undulosa, 
4 Sphinx canadensis, 4 Sphinx poecila, 8 Pachysphinx modesta, 2 Smerinthus jamaicensis, 12 Smerinthus cerisyi, 
1 Paonias excaecatus, 3 Paonias myops, and at least 24 of the geometrid Biston betularia.

(June 10)  Another night of “old school” mothin’ between McFarland and Gwinn in Marquette County.  My cousin may testify 
to the lunacy, but don’t believe him!!!  At a random warehouse building on the north side of Gwinn I found 
1 Lapara bombycoides, 1 Sphinx poecila, 1 Smerinthus cerisyi, and another Giant Stonefly (Pteronarcys sp.)

Giant Stonefly (Pteronarcys sp.) at Gwinn in Marquette County, MI (1:19am 11 June 2005) 
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005

At the medical center we encountered 2 Antherea polyphemus, 1 Hyalophora cecropia, 1 Sphinx drupiferarum, 
1 Sphinx poecila, 1 Darapsa pholus, and NO COPS (we were heart-broken!).  We stopped again at one my favorite 
garages on the south side of Gwinn, and this time I did find a single Hyalophora columbia.  Others included 
2 Sphinx drupiferarum, 2 Sphinx poecila, 1 Sphinx gordius(?), 3 Smerinthus ceresyi, and 3 Darapsa pholus.

Hyalophora columbia at Gwinn in Marquette County, MI (1:47am 11 June 2005)
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005

The McFarland fire station building was even busier than the night before- 1 Hyalophora cecropia, 1 Dryocampa rubicunda, 
3 Ceratomia undulosa, 1 Sphinx canadensis, 2 Sphinx poecila, 17 Pachysphinx modesta, my first ever 
Laothoe juglandis, 2 Smerinthus jamaicensis, and a whopping 25 Smerinthus ceresyi.  Back at my Grandma’s house 
(Delta County) the action was also more intense that the night before- 3 Actias luna, 2 Antherea polyphemus, 
1 Hyalophora cecropia, 16 Ceratomia undulosa, 3 Sphinx canadensis, 10 Sphinx poecila, 1 Sphinx kalmiae, 
18 Pachysphinx modesta, 2 Smerinthus jamaicensis, 15 Smerinthus cerisyi, 1 Paonias excaecatus, 3 Paonias myops, 
and countless others.

Swarm of moths at my Grandma’s house in Trombly, Delta County, MI (3:20am 11 June 2005)
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005

(June 12)  I took an hour or so break from my prep work (getting ready for another bog lep road trip!) and hiked around my 
Grandma’s property (Trombly in Delta County).  Despite the heat and deer flies I had a few interesting finds, including 
1 Papilio polyxenes (uncommon on the property), 18 Coenonympha tullia (they are dirt common here, but I still like ‘em), 
and a lone Euphydryas phaeton (early record for the property).  After returning from my hike I realized that I’d forgotten to 
get some fresh bog grasses/sedges for my captive Erebia discoidalis (I noticed two tiny larvae in one of the containers).  Off 
to the McFarland Bog!
            Fifteen minutes later I parked my car southeast of the McFarland Bog (I know all you “trolls” out there are mighty 
jealous!).  Before getting my bog grasses/sedges I decided to hike along the sandy trail which leads to my little 
Boloria eunomia side bog.  Some sightings along the sandy trail included 3 Chlosyne harrisii, 4 Lycaena phlaeas, and 
1 Amblyscirtes vialis.  In the little side bog I found 10 Boloria eunomia (fresh to somewhat worn), a few Oeneis jutta, and 
I believe I saw a male Callosamia promethea fly across the sky (I have never seen a live male before).  While hiking back I 
was ambushed by a male Oeneis jutta- the thing simply wouldn’t leave me alone!  When I stuck out my hand it would land 
and probe my finger with its proboscis- an obvious attempt to suck the life out of me.  Somehow I managed to escape.

(June 13)  Before heading to my survey sites this morning I decided to stop at bog west of Goodman in Marinette County, WI.  This time I succeeded in vouchering Boloria eunomia dawsoni for the county record.  Also saw 6 Syngrapha (microgamma  
probably) and 2 Coenonympha tullia.
            When I reached my first survey site (Forest County) by 10:15am the clouds had hidden the sun.  Oeneis jutta was 
quite common (18 spotted), but it took about an hour of intense searching to spook up 2 Boloria eunomia.  Thankfully the 
sun was out for part of the time at my second site.  Saw 10 Oeneis jutta, 6 Boloria eunomia, 2 Speyeria atlantis, and 1 
Chlosyne harrisii, among other things.  One of these eunomia was in a very small bog outside the survey site; I watched it 
nectar on cranberry and Labrador tea.

Boloria eunomia dawsoni nectaring on Labrador tea in Forest County, WI (13 June 2005)
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005

The clouds reined supreme at my third survey site (still Forest County); 12 Oeneis jutta but I couldn’t pull Boloria eunomia 
out of there for the life of me.  An ominous storm front was quickly approaching, but I kept thinking I could spook one on the 
lake margin.  A few good strikes of lightning quickly brought that to an end.

(June 14)  The forecast called for rain, and indeed I woke up to rain.  I had spent the night in my car along Riley Lake Road in 
Price County, WI.  Not sure what I wanted to, but I didn’t want to spend the day soaked.  The rain ended before 6:00am, so 
at 8:00am I decided to try my luck at finding something not too far from my car.  I spent over an hour hiking sandy trails 
through a vast clear-cut area (habitat management area for sharp-tailed grouse, I think).  Cloudy, but 65°F and humid; I was 
at least able to spook a few things, including 4 Colias interior, 1 Chlosyne nycteis, and 2 Hesperia sassacus.  On a sandy 
ATV trail I saw a male Sphinx luscitiosa hovering around and sucking up nutrients from a dead toad.
            Later that day I stopped at three sites with mature muskeg stands in Douglas County.  It was cool and cloudy, so I 
was only previewing them before tomorrow’s search for Erebia mancinus.  I was worried about getting rained on 
(something I’m good at), but the rain never came, at least the liquid variety.  While hiking in the bog something fell out of the 
sky and crashed right into my hat- a beautiful Platarctia parthenos (St. Lawrence Tiger Moth)

(June 15)  I returned to each of those Douglas County sites, this time under warm & mostly sunny skies.  Large number of 
Oeneis jutta (47 total for the day), but unfortunately no Erebia mancinus- this time.  For the most part I thought many of the 
muskeg stands were too wet, with limited grasses/sedges, but a few spots are definitely worthy of future exploration.  Even 
years could be the secret here.

The search for Erebia mancinus in Douglas County, WI (15 June 2005)
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005

          At one of the survey sites I thought I saw one Boloria eunomia fly by, but was unable to confirm it.  One odd thing I 
noticed was that all of the Macaria truncataria (a small bog geometrid) I spotted were fresh; over a week ago when I was 
here all were faded.  How many flights do these critters have?
          After writing up my field notes at a Subway in Superior, WI (I was at the restaurant for the table, not the food!) I was 
off to Minnesota for two full days devoted to Erebia mancinus.

(June 16)  I spent the whole day exploring the Sand Lake Bog in Lake County, MN.  I wanted to get some good 
observations on Erebia mancinus habitat and behavior here before searching elsewhere.
          I woke up in my car bright and early- I had parked within 500 feet or so of the muskeg.  I began my search at 8:30am 
under sunny skies and temps around 65°F.  The night before I had entered the three points where I had previous found 
mancinus (all in park-like pure black spruce muskeg groves with a grassy/sedgy understory).  Almost immediately after 
reaching the first of these pure spruce muskeg stands (near my first point) I encountered my first mancinus (8:42am).  
Although quite open and park-like, these muskeg stands are quite shady in the morning.  This mancinus perched in sunlight 
patches on a spruce log and on moss at the base of a spruce; I was able to film it, but it disappeared into the shadows before 
I could photograph it.
          I then returned to my backpack to put away my camera.  Seconds later a second Erebia mancinus bobbed right past 
me.  It perched in sunlight patches on Labrador tea and on spruce trunks (like Oeneis jutta).  This one I was able to 
photograph.

Erebia mancinus at the Sand Lake Bog in Lake County, MN (16 June 2005)
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005

          I then moved out of these special “mancinus” muskeg stands to search for the critter in other muskeg habitats.  
Much of the muskeg had some tamarack mixed in; here I never did find mancinus (but did find jutta).  At 9:53am I did 
manage to find a third mancinus in a slightly different habitat- fairly shady boggy black spruce forest margin around an upland
 island.  I then did another quick tour through the special “mancinus” pure spruce grassy/sedgy muskeg stands, and like magic 
found 2 males (fairly worn) within a short time.  They seemed to patrol sunny corridors in the pure spruce muskeg.
            I now wanted to see if I could find some more mancinus pockets in other parts of the bog.  I walked west on 
FR 112 to a wet open bog (with a well-developed muskeg center) I had spotted on the aerials.  This muskeg was not so 
open and park-like, and didn’t have quite so large of spruce.  No mancinus, and very few jutta.  From here I returned to 
FR 112 to look for mancinus sitting on the road, a common behavior for Erebia discoidalis.  At 11:50am my efforts paid off; 
along a sunny forest road I spotted a good-sized black butterfly bobbing in that characteristic Erebia manner.  As I 
approached a male jutta darted up off the road to twirl with it.  I netted and marked the mancinus- a fairly faded male. 
Erebia mancinus must stray fair distances from suitable habitat, because there was none nearby; the road went through wet 
open bog, but the nearest spruce stands were about 200m away.  I walked over to one of these spruce stands (around an 
upland island).  No mancinus, but I did find at least 7 jutta darting about in that small area.

Gravel forest road (near wet open bog) where I found Erebia mancinus (16 June 2005)
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005

            Before exploring more areas of the Sand Lake Bog, I wanted to see if Erebia mancinus was active during mid-day 
(John Masters wrote that it was fairly crepuscular).  At 12:50pm (about 75°F & sunny) I re-entered one of the “tried and true” 
park-like pure spruce muskeg stands.  Two minutes later I ran into mancinus- fairly fresh looking, but I was unable to net it.  
At 1:03 pm I thought I saw another, but it disappeared into the shadows before I could have a good look- won’t count that 
one.  At 1:15pm I spotted a second definite mancinus slowly bobbing along in the distance.  This one I netted and marked- a 
fair condition male.  Convinced it was still active mid-day, I then began a nearly four hour trek deep into the Sand Lake Bog.
            During this lengthy trek I passed through a variety of muskeg habitats, but found very few stands of park-like pure 
black spruce- even these were minimal at best.  No Erebia mancinus, but lots of jutta.  During my hike I ran into Fools Lake, 
one of many lakes in this vast bog complex (puts Black Lake Bog to shame).  On the wet floating bog mat around the lake I 
was able to voucher a fresh male Boloria eunomia.  Hiking west from Fools Lake I spotted two faded female Boloria frigga  
along a muskeg snowmobile path (there is a lot of bog willow & birch throughout the bog) and another fresh male 
Boloria eunomia.  On my return path I again hit Fools Lake, and this time decided to hike the floating mat around the lake 
(I suppose they call it “Fools Lake” for a reason!).  While chasing another Boloria eunomia I hit a pretty unstable section 
of the mat, and almost did a “Mo”!

Fools Lake in the Sand Lake Bog complex (16 June 2005)
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005

            By 5:10 I was back at my “mancinus” spruce muskeg stands, hoping to see one more before the day’s end.  My wish 
was granted at 5:15pm when I netted and marked a fairly worn female that was spooked by a territorial Oeneis jutta.
          Complete totals for the day: 3 Rana sylvatica (Wood Frog), 1 Thamnophis sirtalis (Eastern Garter Snake), 
3 Ematurgia amitaria (a bog geometrid), 17 Papilio canadensis, 9 Erebia mancinus, 58 Oeneis jutta ascerta, 
3 Polygonia faunus, 1 Chlosyne nycteis, 10 Phyciodes selenis, 3 Boloria eunomia dawsoni, 1 Boloria selene atrocostalis,
 2 Boloria frigga saga, 4 Callophrys augustinus, 35 Celastrina lucia, 9 Glaucopysche lygdamus couperi, 
4 Carterocephalus palaemon, 9 Poanes hobomok, 4 Amblyscirtes hegon, 6 Thorybes pylades, 1 Erynnis icelus
            Erebia mancinus seems to be very localized at the Sand Lake Bog.  Nearly all my sightings were in mature park-like 
pure black spruce muskeg with a grassy/sedgy understory.  They may occasionally stray from this habitat, as indicated by my 
upland forest road sighting.  So far I see no evidence for crepuscular activity; during hot days they may be less active during 
mid-day, but most other butterflies (and other critters) often are less active during high temperatures.

(June 17)  After washing up and eating breakfast (pears, peanuts & dry oatmeal-yum!) at the Sand River, I was ready to rock 
n’ roll in search of Erebia mancinus.  I hit a total of seven muskegs, including the three remaining (confirmed) mancinus sites.
            My first stop was at a muskeg about 1.6 miles north of Greenwood Lake (a mancinus site Lars Crabo discovered in 
1982), along Hwy. 2 (Lake County).  Although the east side of the road had some fairly shady looking mature muskeg/ black 
spruce swamp (perhaps this is where Lars Crabo found mancinus?), I decided to check some spruce muskeg stands in the 
distance on the west side of the road.  I began my search a little after 8:30am.  What a great way to start the day- I turned up 5
Erebia mancinus and 17 Oeneis jutta within an hour.  [This is the first odd-year record from this site, making it the second 
known MN site with an odd-year population]  The mancinus were limited to a rather large patch of park-like mature pure 
spruce muskeg; the understory here was different from the Sand Lake Bog mancinus areas- more like a typical muskeg 
understory dominated by Labrador tea (w/ some grasses/sedges present).  John Master’s paper on Erebia mancinus 
(Erebia disa at the time) was now making much more sense to me; he says “I found Erebia disa restricted to black 
spruce/sphagnum bogs and especially those bogs having tall, dense stands of pure spruce”.  I was finding mancinus  
restricted to mature park-like pure spruce muskeg, essentially the same description.  Within these stands I found mancinus  
to be about as common as Oeneis jutta.

Very open park-like stand of pure spruce muskeg where 
I found Erebia mancinus at a classic site 1.6 miles north 
of Greenwood Lake in Lake County, MN (17 June 2005)
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005

            Driving south on Hwy 2 I pulled over at a new muskeg site 1.3 miles north of the Cloquet River.  I only found 4 
Oeneis jutta.  This site is a little wetter than I’d like, and also there was some of that dreaded tamarack lurking around.  Still 
looks worthy of future investigation.
            My third stop was at McNair, another classic mancinus site.  I spent 30 minutes in the muskeg along Langley River 
Road, and 25 minutes in a muskeg further north along the railroad tracks.  No mancinus; plenty of jutta (one I found sitting 
on the railroad tracks).  If there is an odd-year population here, it’s a small one.  
            From McNair I drove west on Langley River Road on my way to the fourth and final confirmed mancinus site at 
Rollins (ST Louis County).  Just before reaching the county line a very mature spruce muskeg on the south side of the road (47°18.491’N  91°47.186’W [WGS84 datum]) got the better of my curiosity.  The site was quite shady, and the spruce trees 
extremely large (30-60 ft. tall).  Maybe better to call this “boggy black spruce forest” instead of muskeg.  In the limited sunny 
patches I found 2 Oeneis jutta.  Seemed too forest like/shady for mancinus so I decided to get back in my car.  As I neared 
the margin of this boggy black spruce forest I got a welcome surprise when I ran into a mancinus slowly bobbing along.  
It was a fair condition female. [This is a NEW EREBIA MANCINUS SITE- 5^th in the state]

Margin of boggy black spruce forest (trees 30-60 ft. tall) 
where I found Erebia mancinus; this is a new mancinus site
in Lake County, MN (17 June 2005)
Photo by Kyle Evan Johnson © 2005

            My next stop was at the Rollins mancinus site in St. Louis County (where Hwy 44 crosses some railroad tracks).  This
 site was typical park-like mature pure spruce muskeg.  After some searching I thought I saw one mancinus, but the encounter 
was far too brief for any certainty.  I searched the area intensely for over an hour with no definite mancinus sightings; I did see
 16 Oeneis jutta.  If an odd year population is here, it must be quite small.
            I stopped at two more muskegs later that day.  Plenty of jutta; no mancinus.  Both sites seem to have excellent 
potential, so I hope to search them again next year.  With the sun setting I left Minnesota behind, ending the Erebia mancinus  
season by playing Shakira’s new Fijación Oral. 
            Sometime around 1:00am at a gas station near Fifield (Price County, WI) security cameras witnessed a strange event 
when someone dressed in swim trunks and mosquito netting jumped out of a car to find one Actias luna and one 
Paonias excaecatus.

(June 18)  Beautiful and sunny, with plenty of butterflies, but not much in the way of boreal bog ones.  At two of my Price 
County survey sites I saw no sign of Oeneis jutta or Boloria eunomia.  Still some good sightings though- at one Price County 
sites I saw several Chlosyne harrisii and nycteis, plus I think I was viscously attacked by a male Sphinx luscitiosa (it circled 
me several times, plotting how to best attack).
            At an Oneida County survey site I did manage to find one worn Boloria eunomia and one faded Oeneis jutta.  
Other goodies included 5 Chlosyne nycteis, 2 Chlosyne harrisii, and 3 Phyciodes batesii (a first for me).
            Erebia mancinus may only be present in alternate years at some sites; at two of the classic sites I failed to find an 
odd-year population.  If anything, there is at least a major difference in population between years (with even years being the 
“on” year, based on the records).  This seems sensible considering that odd years are the Oeneis jutta “on” years; I’d bet it’s 
hard for the mancinus to find a mate with all those jutta darting around.  This is something to keep in mind when searching 
for this species (especially in MI/WI!).              Erebia mancinus habitat seems to vary somewhat, but all the sites I visited 
had park-like stands of pure spruce (anywhere from 20-25 ft. trees (typical mature muskeg) to 30-60 ft. trees (boggy black 
spruce forest).  The ground layer always had a reasonable amount of grasses/sedges (it is an Erebia, after all) and was 
primarily above the water table (not like the wet soggy muskegs prevalent in many areas). 
            Anyone who knows of any park-like PURE SPRUCE (Erebia mancinus seems to be utterly terrified of tamarack!) 
muskeg/ boggy black spruce stands (w/ trees at least 20’ tall or so) in far northern Wisconsin or Michigan (especially Douglas, 
Bayfield, Ashland, and Iron counties, WI; and Ontonagon, Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, and Marquette counties, MI) 
let me know!  There is great potential for this species in MI and WI, and mature muskegs/boggy black spruce forests have 
hardly been explored.

All the hot humid air pumped up towards us from the south seems to have done something else besides making butterfliers 
miserable butterflying. I found the first major rarity of the year Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae) for the Greater Washtenaw 
County Butterfly Survey at Matthei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor on Tuesday June 14. The butterfly was large and bright 
yellow and flew strongly but erratically for the short time I observed it. Unfortunately there were no good nectaring resources 
where I saw it to detain it and hopefully allow capture and photo ID-ing.

This Cloudless Sulphur is a first one I have ever seen in southeast Michigan but it brought back fond memories from long ago 
when I lived in Phoenix Arizona where the species is not uncommon. Since beginning the GWC Survey in 1994, the species 
has been seen two other times both by John Farmer. The first sighting was 5/21/1999 and the second was 6/8/2004. 
Each sighting occurred just west of Milan in extreme southern Washtenaw County.

Seeing this Cloudless Sulphur and hearing of Martin Bialecki's earlier report of a Variegated Fritillary in our area gets 
one thinking that we may have a good year for southern immigrants. The list of rare immigrants and vagrants we should be 
alert for include Checkered White (Pontia protodice), Checkered Skipper (Pyrgus communis), Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole), 
Southern Dogface (Colias cesonia), Sachem (Atalopedes campestris), Northern Hairstreak (Fixsenia favonius ontario), 
and Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus).

Roger Kuhlman
Greater Washtenaw County Butterfly Survey
Ann Arbor, Michigan
June 14, 2005

ps Yes to keep sticklers for the truth about Greek mythology happy I know i should be u.

[Note from Owen: I believe that Roger uses perseus rather than persius for the Persius Skipper (Erynnis persius).]
For those who are not familiar with the Cloudless Sulphur:

Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae) taking nectar from lantana.
Photo by Dale Clark © 2005

[Note: If you have some photos of the meeting, I would be pleased to display them, especially of those for whom 
I don't have a photo. OAP]

  
Robert D. "Bob" Kriegel, president 2005                              L to R: John Douglas, President-elect; Alice Phillips, Trudy Beal
photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005                                                               photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

  
L to R: Stanley K. Gangwere, Past President of MES,            L to R: Houping Liu, Tina Kuhn, Erin Clark, Kit O'Connor.
Mogens C. Nielsen, Past President of MES,                           photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005
and Alan J. Hanks of The Toronto Entomological Society.
photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

    
L to R: Stephen W. Taber, John Perona, Thomas Wallenmaier.   L to R: Robert A. Haack, Dana L. Richter.
photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005                                                                       photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

  
L to R: George J. Balogh, Stephen W. Taber                          L to R: John Perona, Owen A. Perkins
photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005                                                                 photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

  
Ron Priest and his display pertaining to Leaf Miners.                L to R: Martin J. Andree, John Douglass
photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005                                                                  photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

  
John Perona plays the Concertina.                                            John Perona plays the Bones.
photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005                                                                   photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005

  
John Perona plays the Spoons.            Roland Fisher and John, August 1990 in John's kitchen.
photo by Owen A. Perkins © 2005                  photo by Mogens C. "Mo" Nielsen  © 2005

John Perona, Calumet, Bones and spoon player
John Perona (b. 1920) has been a farmer, laborer, custodian, and always a musician. He is regarded a virtuoso on the 
concertina, accordion, violin, mandolin and guitar, instruments on which he has played old-time dance music for Italians, 
Finns, Slovenians, and Croatians at local house parties and community dances for more than 60 years. Locals refer to him 
as “a one-man Yooper multiethnic festival.” It is his mastery, repertoire, and performance style with bones and spoons, 
however, that is most widely appreciated. Randy Seppala, Johhny’s apprentice on bones and spoons (2001 and 2003) 
said of Johnny, “He just may be the greatest bones and spoons player in the country. He is certainly a great master, playing 
with an intensity and technical precision unequaled by anyone I am aware of.”

Johnny’s introduction to the bones and spoons began in 1948. He was playing his concertina in a local tavern that a bones 
and spoons player often frequented, playing to the music of the jukebox and to Johnny’s concertina for drinks. He showed 
Johnny how to hold the spoons, but fearing competition, he did not encourage Johnny to continue. Johnny, however, has m
astered these instruments. Besides his apprenticeship awards to teach bones and spoons, Johnny was honored with a 
Michigan Heritage Award in 2002 for his bones playing. He demonstrates his skills on bones and spoons at the 2003 
Great Lakes Folk Festival. 

The distinction of Honorary Member of the Michigan Entomological Society was bestowed upon
 John Perona at the business portion of the 51th Annual Meeting of MES on Saturday, 
June 4, 2005. 

John has been an avocational entomologist in the Keweenaw and Houghton county area for over 
45 years and has amassed an impressive collection of insects of the region, including many aberrant specimens, strays and unique locality and county records.