Butterfly sighting

May 20

Dean Hansen

Location: Namekagon Barrens
Burnett County

An unnamed two-track "road" leads east from Dry Landing Road just north of where the latter crosses Clemens Creek. We checked extensive stands of bearberry to the north of this road and saw no butterflies. We then stopped by some large red pines on the south of the road, and here we were able to find elfins courting. I think that the large pines somehow make this spot a "butterfly lek" of sorts--over several years I have consistently found butterflies courting here when they were not seen on larval host plants or nectar sources elsewhere nearby. Site is at 46° 08' 06" N, 92° 04' 58" W. Check it out. We also saw two undetermined moths and a single "Lady" who refused to land and be IDd.

Henry's Elfin

Henry's Elfin

Hoary Elfin

Hoary Elfin