Last Updated:  03 July, 2007 05:09 PM

Attention all participants!
May has ended. 
The June reports will be under Alert Update June 2007. 

From: Brenda Dziedzic, 31 May 2007:
I don't know if this is the kind of thing you want to post at LepAlert, if not, let me know. 
[Note from OAP: I desire to post such lepalerts as you are providing and I hope the other members of SEMBA would contribute as well !]
May 29 my first Monarch came to my garden, in Westland, MI, and laid 13 eggs on the Swamp milkweed, I also found 1 Red Admiral egg on my False nettle, and many Great spangled fritillaries on my Common violets. I'm sending you a picture of the Red Admiral egg and the Great spangled fritillaries caterpillars. 
The camera I use is a Sony DSC-H1 and the pictures were taken in the macro mode.

From: Tom Bentley, 31 May 2007:
On Saturday, May 26, I spent the majority of the day in Wilderness State Park in Northern Emmet county.  Visited numerous habitats including dune area and wetlands.   Eastern Pine Elfins were in the dunes nectaring on bearberry or in the pines nectaring on bastard toadflax.  In addition, Canadian Tiger Swallowtails were plentiful.

Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis), 26 May 2007, Wilderness State Park, Emmet Co.
photograph by Thomas Bentley copyright ©  2007 

A lone Eastern Black Swallowtail was found nectaring on Indian Paintbrush.  Mustard Whites were scattered in the woodland clearings feeding on violets and toadflax.  There were also a couple of Brown Elfins hanging around.  Spring Azures were common as were Red Admirals and Painted Ladies.  Duskywings were common but I did not get a chance to photograph them.

Sunday, May 27th I made a trip up to the UP.  First visited Whitefish Point in northern Chippewa County since the weather had not cleared yet.  It was only in the upper 40s/low 50s so I decided to skip Trout Lake until the afternoon.  We had 5 seconds of sunshine and saw no leps.  Decided to head south and try our luck at Trout Lake.  Visited the south bogs on FS 3343 west of 123.  My GPS failed me so I have no coordinates. Weather was in the mid 50s and the cloud layer was thinning but was still overcast and WINDY. Mosquitoes didn't mind the wind though.  Flushed 3 Jutta Arctics.  My first ever!  Two of them I could never relocate and the third was friendly and allowed numerous photos.  He actually landed on us!  

Jutta Artic, (Oeneis jutta ascerta), 27 May 2007, FS 3343 west of 123, Chippewa Co.
photograph by Thomas Bentley copyright ©  2007 

We did not see anymore leps and the weather was not improving so we headed home.

Monday, May 28th went back up to Trout Lake bogs.  Visited the bogs on FS 3141. Went in 5 or 6 different areas.  Weather was much improved with temps in the upper 50s/low 60s.  Almost immediately walking in the bog, we flushed a Jutta Arctic.  That day we flushed around 9 more.  A couple were photo friendly.  Little bog moths were everywhere 

Macaria truncatoria, [Ematurga amitaria per Dwayne Badgero, 1 June 2007], 
28 May 2007, FS 3141, Chippewa Co.
photograph by Thomas Bentley copyright ©  2007 

but no other butterflies besides couple of Brown Elfins and an immaculate Clouded Sulphur (I really wanted to turn it into Colias interior). 

Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme), 28 May 2007, FS 3141, Chippewa Co.
photograph by Thomas Bentley copyright ©  2007 

Took a break for a while and wandered the gravel roads. That produced numerous Spring Azures, Canadian Tiger Swallowtails and a couple of Hobomok Skippers (See Photo labeled Mystery Skipper  Is it this one a Hobomok or Pecks?  Seemed like he had an unusual pattern).  

Mystery Skipper, Is it Hobomok Skipper or Peck's Skipper? , 28 May 2007, FS 3141, Chippewa Co.
[OAP: It appears as though it could be Poanes hobomok, the female dark form: pocahontas.}
photograph by Thomas Bentley copyright ©  2007 

Headed back into the bog right near 123. This area is where there is a little opening on both sides of the road.  Immediately I flushed a Jutta Arctic!  Chased him around a while when all of a sudden another Jutta came out of a spruce and they starting chasing each other. Well they were long gone.  Saw what I believe were a few Boloria fritillaries but they never landed and were buzzing throughout the bogs.  Did find a gorgeous Hummingbird Clearwing!

Hummingbird Clearwing moth, 28 May 2007, FS 3141, Chippewa Co.
photograph by Thomas Bentley copyright ©  2007 

Called it a day in the bogs and headed back to Emmet County.  On the way back to my place, stopped by Douglas Lake Road near Pellstone.  Walked along a gas pipeline path.  Numerous American Coppers, Eastern Pine Elfins, Canadian Tiger Swallowtails, Mustard Whites, Hobomok Skippers, Duskywings, one Roadside Skipper and Monarchs.  Nice location that I will visit again this year.  It was extremely dry there and not many nectar sources. 

Tuesday, May 29th I headed home but stopped in Kalkaska County at Skemog Swamp Pathway.  Besides getting caught in the rain storm, it was a nice place. Definitely a great place for flora.  The path is on an old railroad bed so it is popular with dragonflies and other butterflies to rest.  Grass skippers were around but never stayed still for photos.  Canadian Tiger Swallowtails were everywhere.  Came across a few more American Coppers.  Pearl Crescents were also there.

Thanks to everyone who provided some great locations!  I will be back up again this summer.
The camera I use is a: Canon 20D, Canon 100mm Macro F2.8 and tripod (at times). 

From: Roger Kuhlman, 30 May 2007:
"Please pass the Salt and Pepper." Or is it the reverse. Amblyscirtes hegon. Pepper and Salt Skipper was found once in southeast Michigan by Herb Wagner many years ago, we don't know the exact date. More than a decade ago Herb Wagner took a group of butterfliers to the location where he found the butterfly but conditions had changed and it was now private property and when they were there an angry property owner accused them of trespassing. [Note from OAP: Most likely in Washtenaw County.] Since the inception of the Greater Washtenaw Survey in 1994, this species has never been seen in our area.

On May 24 I found and vouchered a Pepper and Salt Skipper on Glenbrook road just north of the Washtenaw County line in Livingston County.  [OAP: T1N R4E Section 31, Pinckney Recreation Area. This is a County Record, Livingston County, Congratulations Roger!] This location seems a pretty surprising place to find the species since there are a lot of dry grassland conditions there. However forest edges are also present and wetlands not far away. Usually this is a great place to find the other Amblyscirtes [OAP: Amblyscirtes vialis, Roadside Skipper.] and it is a known Silvery Blue breeding area---on that Thursday I found both Roadside Skipper and Silvery Blue.
 
When I was crossing a hedge row separating some of the adjacent fields I noticed an off-whitish colored butterfly the size of a Roadside Skipper land in the brush. I knew it had to be something special so I caught it. Once I got it into my jar I could see the light spot banding on the ventral hindwing so Amblyscirtes hegon or Pepper and Salt Skipper it was. I was just a bit excited.
 
ps: I will have some photos of the butterfly in the near future if people are interested in seeing it.
[Note from OAP: We are and await the photos so we can publish them!]

From: Roger Kuhlman, 06 June 2007:
As promised attached are photos of A. hegon or Pepper and Salt Skipper. Quite a little beauty.

    

    
 Pepper and Salt Skipper  (Amblyscirtes hegon),  
Glenbrook road just north of the Washtenaw County line in Livingston County, 24 May 2007.
photographs by Roger Kuhlman copyright ©  2007 

[Note From OAP: PLEASE When you send photographs for the next first time, please send a description of what the make, model, lens you use for the benefit of others anticipating a purchase of a camera and/or lens etc.]

From: Todd Smith, 30 May 2007:
Last evening, 29 May 2007, I vouchered a Common Ringlet (aka Inornate Ringlet) (Coenonympha tullia inornata) in Huron County. There were a couple more flying around, too, very fresh. 
[OAP: This is a Huron County Record, Congratulations Todd! 29 May is an early date for that latitude, but not for the state as you see in the report below. GPS coordinate N 43.89214  W83.11320 Town 17N Range 12E  Section 19 NE4 NW4, near intersection of Filion and Pinnebog roads.]

From: Dwayne Badgero, 29 May 2007:
[OAP: Dwayne telephoned me that his friend, Steve Katz, had collected an Inornate Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia inornata) in Oakland Township Section 4, Oakland County yesterday, 28 May 2007. Dwayne collected one today (29 May). This is an Oakland County Record! 28 May is also an Early Date Record. Congratulations Steve and Dwayne. This species is slowly moving its distribution southward and has been caught in Wayne County.]

From: Todd Smith, 29 May 2007:
[OAP: the following photographs are from Montcalm Co., 23 May 2007.]

Karner Blue (Lycaeides melissa samuelis), 23 May 2007, Gates Road, Montcalm Co.
photographs by Todd Smith copyright ©  2007  
[Note from OAP: Todd Smith uses for his close up photographs a Nikon D40 with 18mm-55mm lens, 
set to Automatic Macro mode. 
Macro mode forces the focus point to the center of the view.]

Karner Blue (Lycaeides melissa samuelis), 23 May 2007, Gates Road, Montcalm Co.
photograph by Todd Smith copyright ©  2007  


Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus humuli), 23 May 2007, Tamarack Road, Montcalm Co.
photograph by Todd Smith copyright ©  2007

From: Todd Smith, 29 May 2007:
[OAP: the following photographs are from the Calvary Cemetery, Kawkawlin, MI, 23 May 2007.]

Lupine at the Calvary Cemetery, Kawkawlin, Bay Co., 23 May 2007
photographs by Todd Smith copyright ©  2007  

From: OAP, 28 May 2007:
On Friday, May 25 I left home in Royal Oak at 5:30 A. M. to pick up Mo in Lansing at 7 A.M. and then we headed north via M127 and I-75 to arrive at his hut in Otsego County at 10:30 A.M. The primary reason for this journey was to search for Wild Strawberry at the well heads along Old State Road aka F38. We met Todd Smith at the hut and the three of us proceeded to explore. Wild Strawberry is the host plant for the Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae wyandot). Although we never encountered the skipper, we did find the Wild Strawberry in good numbers at three well head sites.

On Saturday, May 26, 2007, the three of us crossed the Big Mac and proceeded to Eckerman Trail which was in total shade when we arrived about 10:00 A. M. Then on the the "Paradise Bog" on Farm Truck Trail.
This is in Lake Superior State Forest, Chippewa County, Town 29 North, Range 7 West, Section 15 where we entered the bog to the North. 

It was on May 29, 1965, that John H. Newman while in the company of Mogens C. "Mo" Nielsen, captured the first Boloria freija from the bog and thus from Chippewa County, as well as his "lifer" of this species. To this date no one has again obtained a voucher of Boloria freija from the Paradise Bog. This has always been a favorite site for "Mo" when he went to the Upper Peninsula. He returned again on May 26, 2007, nearly 42 years later in the company of Owen A. Perkins and Todd Smith. 

Mogens C. "Mo" Nielsen in "Paradise Bog", 26 May 2007
photograph by Owen A. Perkins copyright ©  2007

A Brown Elfin (Incisalia augustinus) was vouchered by me to officially mark the date and place ("Paradise Bog") that the three of us were together to reflect and recall those "days of yesteryear."

The magnetic sign on Owen's Buick LeSabre says "I brake for brown elfins"
And we did on this occasion. Ha! Brown Elfin (Incisalia augustinus). 
photograph by Owen A. Perkins copyright ©  2007

A stop at Luce County Road 421 at the Boloria frigga site, then south to US 2 to take us back to the bridge and I-75.  Along US2 in T42N R8W Section 31 along the Lake Michigan road edge were numerous Monarch butterflies that were "road kill" that to me indicated this was a flight path across Lake Michigan for the Monarch migration north. [Note from OAP: While at the Luce Co. 421 Road bog site, along the western edge of the road (roadside) Todd Smith secured an orange and black caterpillar which he took with him to rear out to identify.]

Canadian Tiger Swallowtails (Papilio canadensis) puddle on Luce County Road 421, 26 May 2007
photograph by Todd Smith copyright ©  2007  

Finally we arrived at Mo's hut in Otsego County where the Lilacs were in full bloom and attracting dozens of Canadian Tiger Swallowtails, many clearwing moths, some Monarch butterflies, a few blues and Red Admirals, and American Painted Lady butterflies.

    
At "Mo's" quonset hut where Todd Smith photographs moths and butterflies.
photographs by Owen A. Perkins copyright ©  2007
The following is for your potential interest:

A Quonset hut is a lightweight prefabricated structure of corrugated steel having a semicircular cross section. The design was based on the Nissen hut developed by the British during World War I. The name comes from their site of first manufacture, Quonset Point, at the Davisville Naval Construction Battalion Center in Davisville (a village located within the town of North Kingstown, Rhode Island).

In 1941 the United States Navy needed an all-purpose, lightweight building that could be shipped anywhere and assembled without skilled labor. The George A. Fuller construction company was selected to manufacture them. The first was produced within 60 days of contract award.

The original design was a 16 by 36 ft (5 by 11 m) structure framed with steel members with an 8 ft (2.4 m) radius. The sides were corrugated steel sheets. The two ends were covered with plywood, which had doors and windows. The interior was insulated and had pressed wood lining and a wood floor. The building could be placed on concrete, on pilings, or directly on the ground with a wood floor.

The most common design created a standard size of 20 by 48 ft (6 by 15 m) with 10 ft (3 m) radius, allowing 720 square feet (67 m²) of usable floor space, with optional four-foot overhangs at each end for protection of entrances from the weather. Other sizes were developed, including 20 by 40 ft (6 by 12 m) and 40 by 100 ft (12 by 30 m) warehouse models.

The flexible interior space was open, allowing for use as barracks, latrines, offices, medical and dental offices, isolation wards, housing, and bakeries.

Between 150,000-170,000 Quonset huts were manufactured during WWII. After the war, the U.S. military sold the surplus Quonset huts to the public for $1,000 each. Many are still standing throughout the United States, primarily used for commercial buildings (especially Army surplus stores).

Many were also used for temporary postwar housing, such as Rodger Young Village in Los Angeles, California and Michigan State University's Quonset Village in East Lansing, Michigan.

from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quonset_hut 

    
Hummingbird Moth & Canadian Tiger Swallowtail at Mo's Hut Lilacs, 26 May 2007
photograph by Todd Smith copyright ©  2007  


Owen & Mo, 26 May 2007, at Mo's hut.
photograph by Todd Smith copyright ©  2007  

From: OAP, 28 May 2007:
On 24 May 2007, my wife, Grace, and I met Susanne Greenlee, Conservation Specialist for the Oakland Land Conservancy, at the Golden Preserve for Biological Diversity, in Northwestern Oakland County in what I consider a Dry Sand Prairie corridor. We met to survey the possibilities for various lepidoptera species that one might encounter on the property during the different flight periods of the inhabitants.
http://www.oaklandlandconservancy.org/aboutus.htm 

Susanne Greenlee, Conservation Specialist at the entrance to the 
Golden Preserve, 24 May 2007.
photograph by Owen A. Perkins copyright ©  2007 

The highlights of the survey included the beauty of the area, the diversity of the plant life, I especially enjoyed the song and the beauty of the Baltimore Oriole, and of course the splendid patches of Lupine present in full bloom.
There is a good patch at the entrance where several Persius Dusky Wings (Erynnis persius) were skipping here and there amongst the lupine (the host plant for this species). Another excellent patch is found in an open are further northwest on the property. Here there was were more than several E. persius skipping about. And as we returned to this patch from the "perched fen" area via the CSX railroad fence line, there is Lupine on the CSX property and E. persius was again encountered. No Incisalia irus or Lycaeides melissa samuelis were observed, but it is my contention that the lupine could support either or both of these species in the future should the extent of the Lupine be encouraged to grow at this site.

    
Large Lupine patch, and patch along CSX railroad adjacent to preserve property,
24 May 2007.
photographs © Owen A. Perkins 2007


Prairie Phlox mixed with with the Lupine at Large patch of Lupine,
Golden Preserve, 24 May 2007.
photograph © Owen A. Perkins 2007

After leaving the Golden Preserve and a splendid morning with Susanne Greenlee, Grace and I went to the Michigan Nature Association (MNA) Calla Burr Nature Preserve to observe the recovery from the April controlled burn at the site.

    
Entrance on Rattalee Lake Road, and view south from the road of the special fen.
photographs © Owen A. Perkins 2007

Then we went to the entrance to the MNA "Huron Swamp" property south of the Andersonville Road.

    
Two-track trail south to the entrance to the MNA "Huron Swamp", and the sign at entrance. 
photographs © Owen A. Perkins 2007

On 1 July 1910 William W. Newcomb collected what is believed to be the first Calephelis mutica in Michigan which he recorded on the det. label as C. borealis. It was in 1937 that Wilbur S. McAlpine made the determination that the specimen and the species was C. mutica. Newcomb's specimens are archived in the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. (see WWN notebook #133-5 pg 67 for details) The location label records the site as: Clarkston Station (Huron Swamp).

From: George Balogh, 24 May 2007: 

I just looked through your site and note the collecting activity in Montcalm Co. Over the next few weeks if you make additional trips you should check the plant Penstemon hirsutus. When it is in bloom larvae of two very local moths will be feeding on the flowers. 

    
Hairy Beardtongue aka Hairy Penstemon (Penstemon hirsutus)
photos © Connecticut Botanical Society 2007
[OAP: Family: Figwort (Scrophulariaceae)
• Habitat: fields, rocky woods
• Height: 1-3 feet
• Flower size: 1 inch long
• Flower color: pale purple
• Flowering time: June to July
• Origin: native]

From: Todd Smith, 24 May 2007:
Yesterday I went back over to the Howard City area in Montcalm county. A report with some pics is forthcoming. Not much had changed since last weekend's trip. I found the Gates road site - neat spot. Not sure of my plans for this weekend yet, weather forecasts seem to change daily. I might go to Oil City tomorrow (Fri) if the front nears the area in the morning and skies clear out. Maybe meet up with you and Mo this weekend????
I went back to the Kawkawlin site yesterday, and found some more Lupine, but nothing was flying (except dragonflies), it was about 88 degrees late in the afternoon. I'll send some pics of the Lupine patches.

From: Bob Kriegel, 23 May 2007:
For those of you interested in the occurrence of migratory or stray Lepidoptera in Michigan there is a great new resource available on the web this field season.  Some of our unusual Lepidoptera observations occur
because moths or butterflies have been carried aloft long distances in warm weather fronts only to be dropped out when a warm weather front hits a cold front.  This phenomenon is also the underlying cause for how large numbers of aphids and leafhoppers carrying plant diseases suddenly appear in our state.  Believe it or not insects from large sphingids to the tiniest aphid can take flight in Texas, Arkansas, or Missouri only to drop out of the sky in Michigan 1-3 days (or nights) later.

This phenomena has been widely studied by entomologists and plant pathologists since the 1960s.  In the past it has been difficult to effectively use this knowledge in decision making because timely predictions were not widely available.  But now two professors at Northern Illinois University, Mike Sandstrom and Dave Changnon, have developed a web based forecasting system to predict when and where this insect fallout will occur.  Daily forecast descriptions and maps are posted online at the following URL:

      http://www.maplecity.com/~sand/cew/forecast.html

The system was in a testing phase last year and forecasts were only distributed to researchers via email.  This year the system was switched to the web so everyone can use it.  I used this system last year and it really
is useful for predicting when Leps from the southern US unexpectedly show up in Michigan.  I encourage you to visit the site regularly and use it assist you in getting into the field at the right times to find those elusive strays!

From: OAP, 22 May 2007:

I will be meeting up with Susanne Greenlee of the Oakland County Conservancy on Thursday to make a preliminary survey of the Golden Preserve. On Friday I will be picking up Mo in Lansing and heading north to Otsego County and nearby environs and staying over at Mo's hut. I will continue my search for the Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae wyandot) as well as Incisalia irus and Erynnis persius.

Tom Bentley will be visiting Illinois and then to Emmet County and other areas and historical lep sites in the north country over the weekend.

Dwayne Badgero and possibly Steve Katz are attempting to make arrangements to go north, maybe to meet up with Mo and me.

What plans do you other lepidopterists have going this week and next?

Possibly I could meet up with you??? The weather is a factor, but who knows? It turned out favorable last Saturday in Montcalm County after what looked like a dismal day at 8 A. M.

From: Kyle Johnson, 21 May 2001:
Attached is another fairly detailed report from the north country! 12 photographs to come; there is one in particular which is especially unique!!!

Congratulations on your trip to Montcalm County.  I look forward to any pictures/details yet to come! Ah yes, I have yet to send both you and Dwayne info on Erebia mancinus...I will be out tomorrow, but should be able to send the info tomorrow night or the day after?  All depends on weather, but a long rainy spell should be coming.

In short I will say this; Erebia mancinus, if present in NW Minnesota, should be in the very early stages of its flight.  And, if present in MI, may be flying in Houghton County already.  Perhaps the first week of June would land on peak to late flight period in MI...of course depends on how weather plays out.

As I have had a very successful field season so far, and have another year to go, I can afford to take a few days off to head to MI in search of E. mancinus.  But I will only take this time off if you, Dwayne, or someone else wishes to search for it (otherwise I'll wait for 2008, or 2009).  So if you decide to go (perhaps Dwayne would head up as well?) I will meet you, and direct you to sites, habitats, etc.  And if no success there, perhaps you'd care to visit the nearest E. mancinus localities in MN? Let me know your thoughts.  

Field Update from Kyle Johnson (May 15-20)
I spent May 15 in the far SW corner of my study region, Polk and Marshall counties in NW Minnesota.  This is a land where forest meets the prairie, called the “aspen parkland” region.  Much of it has fallen to agriculture, but some large wild areas still remain, dominated by trembling aspen forest and large grassland openings.  This is also the western extreme of peatlands left over from Glacial Lake Agassiz, and that is what I came to investigate.

The weather forecast called for highs in the 70’s and sunny.  But that’s not how it played out!  Sure it was sunny on the drive there, but when I got to my first site clouds prevailed!  First site was the Gulley Fen in Polk County.  This place is the western extreme for many peatland plants in Minnesota, but no extreme boreal leps on this day.  I did find a few clusters of tent moth larvae on bog birch which could be the Western Tent Moth Malacosoma californicum.  I also found what is probably a viable Antheraea polyphemus cocoon on a twig of bog birch.  Nothing notable beyond that.  But the habitat in some places looks GREAT for Boloria frigga, but this site is probably just too extreme in location.  

 
Gulley Fen in Polk Co, MN.  Habitat here is intermediate/poor fen with Sphagnum, sedges, 
bog birch, bog willow, scattered shrubby cinquefoil, and tamarack.
photo © Kyle Johnson 2007  

 My last site for the day was within the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge in Marshall County.  The area consists mostly of impoundments for waterfowl, but there are nice peatlands as well...even with black spruce (the extreme western limit in MN)!  Weather again was not cooperative (mostly cloudy with far too much wind), but did find Mesothea incertata (MN range extension).  Surprised no Callophrys augustinus on this trip, but it should be here!  At night I dragged my generator out in the tamarack/black spruce poor swamp.  Temps dropped to around 35F, so not too much came; a couple finds included Cerastis salicarum and the micro Plutella xylostella (a well-known pest, but I get them consistently in peatlands, even those far removed from surrounding habitats...wonder if it really is xylostella??!!).  Getting in wasn’t easy, but finding my way out was MUCH WORSE!!!  It took over a half-hour to make it less than a quarter mile.  I lost my original trail, and ended up in THICK willow shrub-carr.  To make matters worse I was going so slow that it was hard to tell which way I was going using a GPS...keep in mind I’m loaded down with a large backpacking backpack and hauling a 40lb generator!!!

 May 16 was spent in the far NW corner of my study region, in Kittson County (the most NW county in the state).  I began the day at the Skull Lake WMA.  Some beautiful aspen parkland here.  Also some interesting moist sedge meadows w/ scattered bog birch, shrubby cinquefoil, and marsh marigold on very shallow peat deposits...but perhaps too shallow to be considered “peatland” (some definitions say a foot or more)??  Wow was it cold to start!  But later it warmed up to around 60F with full sun, but strong wind.  Present were Erynnis icelus, Erynnis juvenalis, Papilio polyxenes, Glaucopsyche lygdamus, Vanessa atalanta, Nymphalis antiopa, Boloria bellona, and a Gray Tree Frog (Hyla versicolor).  

 
“Aspen Parkland” at the Skull Lake WMA in Kittson Co, MN.
photo © Kyle Johnson 2007  

 Next was Beaches Fen in eastern Kittson County, but I wasn’t there long.  Only caught a worn Nymphalis antiopa.  Lot of shrubby cinquefoil...great for L. dorcas!  Lastly I visited the Roseau River WMA to the east in Roseau County.  In the distance I saw a nice stand of stunted tamarack.  But I never got there.  Hiking through the swamp forest I balanced across tamarack roots criss-crossing a thin floating sedge mat.  As I progressed the tamarack root “highlands” became fewer and fewer, and the floating areas larger and larger...and thinner and thinner!!!  No, this way wouldn’t work...unless you want to swim!  I parked for the night at the north end of the WMA, a mere 50 feet or so from Manitoba!  A snowmobile trail runs along the border.  I walked it, and took Plutella xylostella on the MANITOBA side, my first lep from the province!

 I spent all of May 17 at the Pine Creek Peatland, by the Canadian border in Roseau County.  I covered many miles though the peatland (see pictures in earlier report), much of way carrying a bait trap Dwayne Badgero gave me.  Temps for the day topped out around 70F, but the strong wind never went away.  In the beginnings of the “ribbed fen” on the S end of the peatland I encountered a few Boloria frigga (NEW Site, I believe).  Also got Mesothea incertata.  Further north I set up the bait trap in a “forested finger” of poor black spruce swamp surrounded by “spring fen channels”.  

 
Bait trap set up at Pine Creek Peatland (THANKS to Dwayne Badgero for the trap!)  Habitat is a “forested finger” of black spruce poor swamp surrounded by “spring fen channels”.  Forested fingers are formed when water draining through a swamp forest collects into channels (called “spring fen channels”) which breaks the swamp forest in the linear bands called “forested fingers”.  The forested fingers are quite dry and mineral poor (oligotrophic) while the spring fen channels are very wet and mineral rich (minerotrophic).
photo © Kyle Johnson 2007  

 After setting up the trap and having a “forested finger” lunch break, I sloshed my way up the spring fen channels to the Canadian border.  The spring fen channels are very wet, averaging about 6” of slowly flowing water.  Although wet, they are a convenient path to hike along!  Finally a snowmobile path told me I had reached the border...no customs folks out here!!!  I walked a little ways down the path, and then followed another “forested finger” into Manitoba!  In that forested finger I found two Callophrys henrici...a fine Manitoba welcome!!!  Upon leaving the forested finger I worked the “spring fen channels” and flushed & caught Erebia discoidalis...yes, in MANITOBA!!!  What a border rebel, I know!  

 
Area where I vouchered Erebia discoidalis on the MANITOBA side of the Pine Creek Peatland!  
Habitat is wet open “spring fen channels” dominated by various sedges & scattered bog birch, 
shrubby cinquefoil, bog willow, bog rosemary, white cedar, and tamarack.  
The surrounding “forested fingers” are dominated by black spruce with an understory 
of Labrador tea and various sedges.
photo © Kyle Johnson 2007  

 Back on the U.S. side I vouchered another Erebia discoidalis, and saw two more.  One of these I tried to photograph; I chased it from the U.S. well into Canada...oh that wind!!!  Taking the border trail on the way back I flushed a Boloria frigga in a “ribbed fen” area...thought I had gotten it in Manitoba, but when the GPS averaged out I was about 30’ shy of the border!

 On May 18 I was back at the biggest of the big, the RED LAKE PEATLAND.  My main goal at the first section (along Hwy 72, Beltrami Co.) was to find Boloria frigga, and Boloria frigga I did find (Beltrami COUNTY RECORD, I believe)...no fewer that ONE HUNDRED FOURTEEN with a conservative and careful tally of tick-marks!  And this was low because overcast & fairly cool conditions limited activity during the first several hours, and I spent much of the time away from the frigga!!!  Many of the “regulars” were still out, including Boloria freija (worn males & OK females; low numbers), Erebia discoidalis (fairly worn to worn males), a single Anarta luteola vouchered apparently nectaring on bog rosemary (I didn’t dare get close enough to see the proboscis!), and the more common moths & Callophrys augustinus.  I also vochered my first Oeneis jutta (Beltrami Co. Record) and Eufidonia discospilata (black/white speckled geometrid) of the season.  And while making my way back by the drainage ditch along a beaver dam I flushed (but of course missed!) what was probably HELIOTHIS BOREALIS!!!  Oh yes, and as for the bait trap (THANKS to Owen A. Perkins for lending the trap!)...I left the side UNZIPPED!!!  Sorry Owen, no leps this time!  

 
First section of the RED LAKE PEATLAND I visited.  In the foreground is prime Boloria frigga 
habitat where a “raised bog” borders an open “featureless water track”.  [Raised bogs are “raised” 
above the influence of mineral-rich water, and have a forested crest of black spruce.  Water tracks 
are areas of concentrated water flow through a peatland; “featureless” means no string/flark patterns are present.]  Far in the photo background is a “forested crest” of black spruce on the next raised bog.  
And after that would be another water track...and another raised bog...and another water track....
The Red Lake Peatland is mind “bog”gling in size, at roughly FIVE HUNDRED SQUARE MILES!!!  
And on top of that, a fantastic diversity of patterning and microhabitat types!
photo © Kyle Johnson 2007  

 
The common peatland geometrid Macaria truncataria (female) 
at the Red Lake Peatland.  
Although common, they are quite flighty and difficult to photograph!
photo © Kyle Johnson 2007

 
A female Boloria frigga basking on sedges at the Red Lake Peatland.  
A Beltrami COUNTY RECORD, I believe.
photo © Kyle Johnson 2007

 
A worn male Erebia discoidalis resting on wiregrass sedge (Carex oligosperma) 
below mostly cloudy skies at the Red Lake Peatland
photo © Kyle Johnson 2007

 My second stop was the area I had canoed up previously, just north of the Upper Red Lake.  It is also the area were I almost certainly flushed Heliothis borealis from a muddy bank along the drainage ditch.  Heliothis borealis was my target.  The clouds left, and suddenly it was hot as blazes out there...perfect!  I slowly and carefully walked along the ditch (near a large raised bog).  Not more than a quarter mile up I noticed a small black and white hovering object...none other than HELIOTHIS BOREALIS!!!  Carefully and very slowly I stalked the beast...WOW are they wary!  Eventually it settled on a moist rotting willow stump along the ditch.  DOWN went the net and...YES!  VOUCHERED!!!  I continued up the drainage ditch.  At the third or fourth beaver dam I came to a muddy area where I thought I saw Heliothis borealis my last visit...AND IT WAS THERE AGAIN!  Having vouchered a specimen for the site (but not yet for Dwayne!), this time I seeked to accomplish the unimaginable...the unthinkable...to PHOTOGRAPH Heliothis borealis!  A most formidable task indeed...and a most formidable task it was.  This moth is fast.  And this moth is wary.  Sometimes just the slightest movement would send it shooting upward...but at least it would return to its muddy porridge.  Thanks goodness the black flies and mosquitoes were in low numbers biting me...slapping them would be a fatal error here!  After many minutes the moth seemed a bit more accustomed to my presence.  To get a decent photo (I have a Canon digital something-or-other from 2002 w/out a macro lens...only a “macro-mode”) I had to get within a foot or so!  On hands and knees I slowly crept over the mud...several times without success.  But eventually I came within striking distance, and the unthinkable happened...  

  
LIVE PHOTOGRAPH OF HELIOTHIS BOREALIS!!!!!
Red Lake Peatland, Beltrami Co, Minnesota (18 May 2007)
photo © Kyle Johnson 2007  

 This is quite possibly the first live photograph of the animal!  If so, a “LepAlert” exclusive!!!  I then tried for a different angle, but a slight movement of my elbow was enough to send the creature shooting off like a bullet into the air, never to return (SORRY DWAYNE!!!).  To sweeten the pot an Erebia discoidalis was also enjoying the muddy banquet here.  

 
Muddy bank of drainage ditch where I photographed Heliothis borealis and observed 
Erebia discoidalis at the Red Lake Peatland.  
Black spruce and tamarack mark the “raised bog” in the background.
photo © Kyle Johnson 2007

 From there I continued up the drainage ditch.  I saw two more Heliothis borealis; one I VIDEOTAPED (contender for “America’s Greatest Bog Home Videos”), and the other I vouchered [NOTE TO DWAYNE: THIS ONE’S FOR YOU!!!]  I hiked back down the ditch, and had a celebratory pasta dinner back at the vehicle [note to all: any meal tastes better after photographing Heliothis borealis!].  Afterwards I entered the raised bog along a snowmobile path (didn’t see this last time...how convenient!).  Late in the evening and now cloudy, but I did see a few Boloria freija flying slowly about.  Aside from the usuals, I vouchered my first Hethemia pistaciaria (little green geo with yellow-orange underside) of the season.  Late that evening I visited yet another section of the Red Lake Peatland, the newly constructed “Big Bog boardwalk” north of Waskish.  How convenient for hauling a generator & light!!!  You bet this will become a regular spot!  Quite a few visitors that night, including Cerastis fishii, several Eupithecia (only one I can ID is ravocostaliata...ask George Balogh about the rest!!!) first Sphinx poecila of this season, first pyralids of the season, and a variety of other micros (including Plutella xylostella!)  

 
Eupithecia sp. (Geometridae) at light, Red Lake Peatland.  
Perhaps a start for Eupithecia Through Binoculars ???
photo © Kyle Johnson 2007

 May 19 was cold & drizzly, but at least I got to see a wolf on the drive home!

May 20 was cool & breezy, but at least no drizzle.  I decided to check the bait trap (also courtesy of Dwayne Badgero!!!) I had set up at the nearby Browns Lake Peatland (Lake of the Woods Co).  I didn’t plan to do much collecting other than that; I had my winter jacket on after all!  But as soon I stepped on the beaver dam overlooking the large raised bog I noticed Boloria freija flying very slowly and landing on damp sand of the beaver dam!  It was only about 50-55F, CLOUDY, and rather STRONG BREEZE.  And did I say I had my winter jacket on!  

 
Boloria freija on beaver dam bordering the Browns Lake Peatland.  
Temperatures were around 50-55F, with cloudy skies and a rather strong breeze!  
Furthermore, no sun prior...and cooler temps!
photo © Kyle Johnson 2007

 Despite the cool conditions, Macaria truncataria and Mesothea incertata were still flying about on the hummock-hollow Sphagnum lawn; Macaria truncataria in particular seemed not to care about the cold!  At the bait trap I found tons of flies (including my favorite tachinid Epalpus signifer...nothing wrong with catching flies!), and yes leps too!  No Erebia mancinus, but I did find several Vanessa atalanta, a Zale sp., the “rare” Pseudaletia unipuncta, and a small stocky sphingid that I don’t recognize off hand.  Maybe mancinus next time!  Inspired by the leps flying in the bog, I decided to check for Boloria frigga in an area with abundant bog willow...not ideal conditions, but worth a shot!  The temps now seemed to soar into the mid-50’s, with a rare hint of sun through the continuous cloud cover.  I saw a few more Boloria freija patrolling about.  And when I reached the bog willow area I managed to find a fresh male Boloria frigga braving the chilly air!  So much for an “off” day!

 [You may have noticed I have been out in the field up north A LOT this season.  I am very fortunate to have a student internship position here at Norris Camp to work on my masters’ research.  
I owe Robert Dana (MN-DNR: MN butterfly guru) and Gretchen Mehmel (MN-DNR: manager of the Red Lake WMA here at Norris Camp) many thanks for helping me get this intern position.  Without such support this research would not be possible!

THANK YOU ROBERT & GRETCHEN!!!] 


[From OAP: And "Thank You" Kyle for the fine reports you supply to Lepalert! ]

From: OAP, 21 May 2007:
This is an extension of the Report from OAP, 20 May 2007 and compliments the Report from Dwayne and Steve, 20 May 2007:

Edward L. "Ted" Herig, Whitefish Road south of the Mecosta-Montcalm County Line, 
19 May 2007, Montcalm County.
photograph by Owen A. Perkins copyright ©  2007 

Whitefish Road south of the Mecosta-Montcalm County Line, 19 May 2007, Montcalm County.
photograph by Owen A. Perkins copyright ©  2007 


Tamarack Road East of the Newaygo-Montcalm County Line, 19 May 2007, Montcalm County.
photograph by Owen A. Perkins copyright ©  2007 


Tamarack Road East of the Newaygo-Montcalm County Line, 19 May 2007, Montcalm County.
View East with Lupine from this point all the way East to the car as Ted approaches.
photograph by Owen A. Perkins copyright ©  2007 

North of Tamarack Road at clearing between Jack Pines, 19 May 2007, Montcalm County.
photograph by Owen A. Perkins copyright ©  2007 

     
North of Tamarack Road along West side of Jack Pines: Prickly Pear Cactus, Wild Strawberry & Lupine,
19 May 2007, Montcalm County..
photographs by Owen A. Perkins copyright ©  2007 

Gates Road, West end of Lupine along powerline, 19 May 2007, Montcalm County.
photograph by Owen A. Perkins copyright ©  2007 

    
Gates Road, East end of Lupine along powerline with Birdsfoot Violet & Prairie Phlox & Lupine,
Ted and Mo at the site, 19 May 2007, Montcalm County.
photographs by Owen A. Perkins copyright ©  2007 

Gates Road, East end of Lupine along powerline,
Owen & Ted at the site, 19 May 2007, Montcalm County.
photograph property of Owen A. Perkins copyright ©  2007 
 
  
Gates Road, East end of Lupine along powerline, L to R: Dwayne Badgero, Steve Katz,
Stephen Vail, Mogens C. "Mo" Nielsen, Edward L. "Ted" Herig, 19 May 2007, Montcalm County.
photograph by Owen A. Perkins copyright ©  2007 


Snow Lake Road Lupine, 19 May 2007, Montcalm County.
photograph by Owen A. Perkins copyright ©  2007 

 
Mo at the end of the day, with a Roadside Skipper, 
Snows Lake Road, 19 May 2007, Montcalm County
photograph by Owen A. Perkins copyright ©  2007

It was a most delightful day with fellowship, nature, and some lifers for the younger set. These sites had been surveyed over 50 years ago by Mo, over 45 years ago by Ted, and ten years ago by Owen when in the company of Mo. 

From: Maria Albright, 21 May 2007:
This email is as much a test of the new additions to the distribution list as anything.  I normally do not send out notifications mid-flight.

We do (finally) have females flying at Allegan.  This Saturday several of us were at Gun Club and saw only males.  Today folks from the zoos and from our training session all saw females.  Not quite a 1:1 distribution yet so we aren't at peak flight but things are progressing. Attached is a photo of a male and female just for fun.

Karner blues (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) Male and Female,
Allegan State Game Area, Allegan County MI, 21 May 2007.
photograph by Maria Albright copyright ©  2007     

[From OAP: THANKS Maria!]

From: Todd Smith, 20 May 2007: 

Not much to report for the past weekend, I was in the thumb on Saturday and saw Red Admirals, a very worn American Lady, and a fresh male Black Swallowtail before the clouds and rain showers appeared.
Nice report from the group on Saturday's west side exploration. Going back again soon?  

Yesterday's (Sunday) weather was not cooperative for butterflying, drizzle and cold. Sun finally came out late in the day.

I have looked at my "Dead and Spread "Polygonia” from the UP, sure looks like gracilis, looks very similar to the specimen shown in Mo's book. I'll send a pic when it's off the board and you can have a look at it.
[OAP: I will be waiting with baited breath and I do hope it is!!! It has been a long spell since this species has been documented in Michigan. Update as of 13 June 2007, see Todd's report of 07 June 2007 for results.]

From: Tom Bentley, 20 May 2007: Busy weekend...photos to follow

Saturday, May 20th - Cook County, Bluff Spring Fen Nature Preserve, Illinois
3 Pearl Crescents, 1 Tiger Swallowtail, 2 Eastern Tailed Blues and at least 10 Baltimore Checkerspot caterpillars (looks like a good year for them!)
Sunday May 21st -
Carroll County, Ayers Sand Prairie Nature Preserve, Illinois
4 Pearl Crescents, 40+ American Coppers, 5 Monarchs, 25+ Common Checkered Skippers plus a bonus 5 Box Turtles!
JoDaviess County - Falling Down Prairie, Illinois
2 Pearl Crescents, Unknown Grass Skipper, Little Wood-satyr, Morning Cloak
Whiteside County, Thomson-Fulton Sand Prairie Nature Preserve, Illinois
15+ Common checkered skippers, 10+ American Coppers
Monday May 22nd-
Lake County, Indiana Dunes NL, Indiana
Red Admiral, Eastern Tailed Blue, (NO Karner Blues so that was a disappointment)
Lake County, Ivanhoe Dunes and Swales Nature Preserve, Indiana
Red Admiral, 5 Dusted Skippers including a pair mating, Eastern Tailed Blue, Spicebush Swallowtail, Common Sooty Wing, unknown grass skipper.  I had to leave but there were butterflies everywhere.  
Will head back here on Friday on my way up to the the home base in Emmet County for 4 days.

From: Dwayne Badgero, 20 May 2007:

From: Steve Katz, 20 May 2007:
I hope you enjoy the photos and I enjoyed Saturday. I never in a million years could have seen myself studying moths and butterflies. I hope to accompany you on many more adventures. Thanx again and nice to meet all of you.
[Note from OAP: Steve supplied the photographs in Dwayne Badgero's Report and several I placed in mine.]

From: OAP, 20 May 2007:
My trip to Montcalm County on Saturday was very productive. The observations took place in only one habitat except for the Black Swallowtail which was seen on the highway. The habitat was dry sand prairie. Plants that were present: in some or all of the locations visited:  Lupine, Wild Strawberry (both yellow flowers and white), Prickly Pear Cactus, and in some locations: Big Bluestem, Little Blue Stem, Pennsylvania Sedge, Birdsfoot Violet, and Mossy Phlox. Many of the areas also had Jack and White Pine small plantations. The following 22 species (spp.) were observed:
Papilio polyxenes asterius, Papilio canadensis, Colias philodice, Lycaena phlaeas americana, Incisalia niphon clarksi, Strymon melinus humuli, Celestrina ladon, Celestrina neglecta, Celestrina lucia, Celestrina serotina (and ova), Glaucopsyche lygdamus, Lycaeides melissa samuelis, Chlosyne nycteis, Phyciodes tharos , Vanessa virginiensis, Vanessa atalanta rubria, Danaus plexippus, Erynnis icelus, Erynnis brizo, Erynnis juvenalis, Erynnis persius, Amblyscirtes vialis, 
PHOTOGRAPHS to follow in succeeding reports. Those in the MI Lep Survey party were OAP, Mo Nielsen, Ted Herig, Dwayne Badgero, along with Steve Katz and Stephen Vail. 

The State Endangered moth (Schinia indiana) host plant on which it feeds exclusively is Prairie Phlox (Phlox pilosa). Phlox is pronounced "flocks" and meaning 'flame' in Greek. This phlox is present in Montcalm County and one should look for the Phlox Moth when ever anyone locates Phlox pilosa.

                                      
              Phlox Moth (Schinia indiana)                Prairie Phlox (Phlox pilosa) 19 May 2007, Montcalm County.
photograph by James Adams  copyright ©  2007    photograph by Owen A. Perkins copyright ©  2007     


Mo and Dwayne discussing Schinia indiana possibilities.
19 May 2007, Montcalm County.
photograph by Steve Katz copyright ©  2007   

From: John Swales, 20 May 2007:
My first Monarch today.

From: Martin Bialecki, 20 May 2007: 

From: OAP, 18 May 2007:
I will be traveling for the third weekend in a row to Montcalm County to explore for Lupine and Wild Strawberry and the leps that host on them. The weather is predicted to be warm and sunny. The emergence of some leps in Allegan County last weekend bodes well for success for these species in Montcalm County this weekend. I will pick up Mo on the way and we will meet up with Ted, Dwayne, and Steve, and Mark may be there as well. This is the area where Mo was collecting back in 1952 (that's over 50 years ago) in Montcalm County and  discovered Incisalia irus and Erynnis persius. Ted Herig discovered Pygrus centaureae wyandot there in 1983 and again in 1984. They will be visiting their old stomping grounds, or should I say "collecting sites". George Balogh has collected in this area and made early discoveries. Jennifer Kleitch has provided some sites that we hope to visit this weekend.

From: OAP, 18 May 2007,
I received the following from Eugene Karolinsky who previously had reported: "I am returning to Ukraine (where I permanently live). It was a great experience with NA butterflies!"

Hi Owen,
[He quotes me] "It has been a most enjoyable friendship we have had via email. I most certainly appreciate your contributions to Lepalert. I would be pleased for you to continue it from the Ukraine."
[He then states;]
Thank you so much! Your website is very nice and extremely helpful, and it was a pleasure for me to participate! I am not sure the Michigan people will be very interested in Ukrainian leps, but just in
case I have a web site devoted to butterflies of Kharkov region (where I live):

http://kharkovbut.narod.ru/head.html

[I had asked him:] "Would you be so kind as to provide a photograph of yourself for my Lepidopterist files?"
[He responds:]
Here it comes (taken in Ukraine).
Thanks again, and good lepping! Eugene

Eugene Karolinsky in the Ukraine
photograph by Eugene Karolinsky  copyright ©  2007 

Thank you Eugene for all the wonderful photographs you have provided!  OAP

From: OAP, 17 May 2007:
The Monarchs have reached the Upper Peninsula. This is a report from Gina Badgett of Rapid River, MI.
T41N R10W Section 2 as best as I can determine from the GPS provided. This is the Ramsey Lake area in Delta that many of us are so familiar.