Butterfly sightings for August 2019

There was not a lot of variety but there certainly was abundance of some species.

Temperature in upper 70's to lower 80's. Calm winds and sunny. Along shore of Mississippi River, along a 10 foot length, was 11 Swallowtails (3 Giant and 8 E. Tiger). We continue to see degradation of butterfly habitat. A butterfly landed on Dorothy's hat; it was an American Snout! (Dorothy is VERY attractive!)

This is a great place for dragonflies and damselflies, but it can be good for butterfly-watching, too.

Rode the grass bike trails above the shelter where prairie is in full bloom. Saw a nice E. Amberwing also.

Bike trail with prairie restoration.

This area is closed except to authorized personnel. There are piles of manure which are not contained from runoff into the environment along with puddles in the gravel road. The place is odiferous but attractive to butterflies.

Incidental while doing a bumblebee survey

Beautiful sunny 78 degree afternoon.

These images are of the same butterfly with it's wings closed and then open.

Not many lupines but plenty of Karner's nectaring on almost any flower: sweet clover, knapweed, butterfly & whorled milkweed, bergamot, leadplant.
We are befuddled/confused about ID of some Coppers and Skippers. Possibly saw both American and Bronze Coppers as there was a noticeable size difference among individuals in flight; and presence of adjacent wetland along Wedde Cr.
Last 6 pics show 5 different individuals - all questionable ID.

The Red-spotted Purple spent several minutes on the flowering alium.

There were lots of Monarchs, Satyrs, other skippers and Great Spangled Fritallary butterflies out nectaring, this was the only Silver-spotted Skipper I saw.

My first Fiery Skipper of the year, a female.

warm, light wind early afternoon . I also saw 3 snowberry clearwings, 1 hummingbird clearwing and a dark form Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.

It was a sunny and warm with temps ranging from 73-84 during the day. Besides the butterflies listed in the report, we also saw 2 unidentified Sulphurs, many unidentified Fritillaries and a few unidentified Skippers.

86 degrees and sunny.

2pm, sunny, low 80s
This is the greatest variety I've seen at one single time in this small garden. Also spotted a hummingbird moth.
The meadow blazing star is just beginning its bloom period, so
will be fun to see if Monarchs increase.

I saw this butterfly on my lilac bush

I saw two on the damp sand next to my pond. One was shimmering or shaking while the other stood there then the one shaking flew next to the other then back and began the shaking. The one shaking had a mostly plain yellow bottom whike the other had striking black stripes on it’s bottom.

Incidental while gardening

A Papilio trifecta in our back yard this afternoon. A handyman came to our house for chores today, saw 53 Monarch chrysalises on our dining-area table, and asked if I was an entomologist (sadly, no).

Observed while on a field trip with the Green Lake Bird and Nature Club

My first Giant of the year flying across the street while driving through town!

Came for a visit on our deck railing, but was too bashful to open up.

The 13th annual field trip (and NABA count), to the Lower Wis State Riverway was led by Douglas Buege. Sixteen observers found 215 butterflies of 27 species. Silver-spotted Skipper and Least Skipper had the highest count of the 13 years. Monarch numbers were 3rd highest. Silvery Checkerspot was new to the count. Migrants/immigrants were about average (Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Buckeye, Sootywing and Little Yellow. A Russet-tipped Clubtail (dragonfly) was photographed by Dorothy Legler, Pat Ready and Steve Thiessen. Thanks to all the participants!

I saw this American Lady butterfly in my zinnia garden in my yard.

Only had 45 minutes before the thunderstorm moved in.

Sunny amd warm with temps in the mid 80s.

A Painted Lady in the front and a Silver-spotted Skipper in the back

Prairie trails south of the building. One tandem pair of Monarchs.

On asphalt in road; kept coming back to rest in same spot.

Sunny, mid 80's. A short stop on Harvey Road. Most of the Ladies were on the gravel parking area attracted by a pile of dung.

1030-130pm, sunny, hot and humid.

Sunny and 80 Deg. Prairie in full bloom with much Purple Coneflowers, Gray Cap and Rattlesnake Master, which the Painted Ladies and Viceroys were attracted to. This is the second year we've found an abundance of Viceroys here.

Seen while looking for robber flies

At least one pair, possibly two.

Sunny 85 degree afternoon. Mexican sunflowers are just starting to bloom and the Monarchs soon found them. Also saw a hummingbird go from flower to flower (too quick for photos though).

Our small butterfly garden at home in town. Giant Blue Hyssop seems to be a favorite.

There were dozens of these beauties today about 11:00 am!

At least 6 orange & black skippers flitting around. Several species of dragonflies - including E. Amberwings.

All sightings before 1 pm. These sightings were primarily in the perennial garden and herb garden.

Incidental while walking with DNR crew members and removing invasives. I did see two sphinx species

I rode the trail this morning and found lots of activity west of Verona. Most were sitting on the dusty path and a few were on plants/flowers. I walked about a 1/4 mile area. Beebalm had a Snowberry Hummingbird Moth.

Along with Monarchs on my tithonia bush was a Black Swallowtail.

Hot, humid afternoon.

Spotted among a cluster of Purple Coneflowers in my back yard.

Many Emperors One landed on me.. but will not stop for a picture.

Both species were nectaring on butterfly milkweed

Warm and Sunny. The Tiger Swallowtail was a dark phase female.

partly cloudy, 2-2:30pm

Very pleasant surprise and it was enjoying our Molly Butterfly Bush. Very apropos.

Mostly sunny and warm. Mostly everything was seen in the test garden. Sorry for the camera phone pictures, but I just don't have time to go through them tonight.

I walked the trail to Watts Lake. Nice selection of dragonflies on the pier, including a very cooperative Eastern Amberwing and Slaty Skimmer.

Seen while walking

Cone flower in garden

Visiting in my butterfly garden this afternoon.

Pipevine swallowtails are found near the Thai Pavilion. There were at least 3, though possibly 5 or 6. The first one I saw was laying eggs on pipevine. If you go to the ball diamonds, the upper bleachers give a good view of the pipevine territory.

A tiger swallowtail on our coneflower was a nice treat

Hummingbird Clearwing Moth and a Green Cloverworm Moth also.

In with the Monarchs this afternoon was a Painted Lady.

In our butterfly garden

Observed the largest butterfly I've ever seen on 8-6-19. Black with yellow spots outlining wings and line of yellow spots across the back connecting the outlines on outer edges of wings. I don't search for butterflies, just an admirer. But that might change! Spent 3 hours on-line trying to find a picture of the butterfly I saw. Most magnificent creature I've ever seen. It spent about 10 minutes in my back yard (next to a woods) moving from my coneflowers to my wave petunias. Time was mid afternoon. Luckily I was in my garage and grabbed my binoculars to get a close look.

Daily sightings in my yard. We have several wild milkweed plants that must have been seeded by birds. We won't destroy the plants because of the Monarchs.

Attracted to phlox flowers.

Sunny, high 70's. I noticed Partridge pea blooming along the edge of the prairie. Hoping to see if there were any Little Yellow in the area, I was extremely lucky to see a coupled pair land in the grass. Lifer for me.

This butterfly landed on the deck of The Nature Conservancy work boat on Lulu Lake and was very tolerant of my jumping on and off the pontoon boat at the dock while I was loading equipment. It was completely focused on a rotting pile of Eurasian water-milfoil that I had harvested a week ago and left to dry on the boat.

This butterfly was seen on a trail in Amnicon Falls State Park

Giant Swallowtail - Sighted in our flower garden at about 4:00 p.m. feeding in bee balm plants. Due to size and coloration it could not be mistaken. We have a lot of prickly ash in this area so am thinking this would be an attraction.

Incidental while biking.

Breezy, warm afternoon

The only butterfly I don't have pictured is a Giant Swallowtail. I saw one in flight on 8/7/19 on Moely Prairie and then again nectaring on the prairie on 8/8/19. I can say with certainty that what I saw both days was the Giant even though I couldn't believe I was seeing one up close! It was a first for me and a first sighting recorded on Moely Prairie as well.

13 Monarchs eclosed and flew away today. One of them chose to chase the Giant Swallowtail away from the Monarda, and then it in turn was harassed by the Painted Lady. An interesting afternoon in the garden.

Sunny and warm. I am very puzzled by the dark skipper.

Part of Arboretum staff survey of Lodde's Mill plants and butterflies. Butterfly surveyors included Chris Kregel, Lance Rudy, and Karen Oberhauser.

I didn't look around the entire gardens just the perennial garden mostly. Target was the Pipevine. Lifer!

Partly cloudy, mildly windy, mid 80s, 2:30pm

Giant Swallowtail seen on native Joe Pye Weed. Hackberry Emperor seen in back yard - with many hackberry trees around though picture taken on a wooden clothesline post. Also seen several Monarchs on native Cup Plant, an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on native Joe Weed, a Viceroy on native Rattlesnake Master and a Pearl Crescent on native fleabane.

Bronze copper found Rich's hand irresistible - had to brush it off on a flower and rush away otherwise it kept returning. 6 of Viceroys nectaring on rattlesnake master - only flower they were using.

Windy and warm in late afternoon, but a fair number of butterflies were active.

My backyard, in a cluster of Purple Coneflowers.

Found on anise hyssop

Many "Crescent" butterflies flushing/flitting along trails. Yellow Garden Argiope (Argiope aurantia)

Seen on the northern edge of the Holy Wisdom Prairie

lots of Purple Loosestrife in the marsh

I am quite sure it is Purple Loosestrife in the north end of the marsh. Smooth edged leaf arranged in opposite pairs, squareish woody stems, 5 petaled flower. Skippers seem to like them though!

We walked most go the gardens where flowers were in full bloom. Found the usual suspects and right before leaving I spotted an American Snout on the ground. Saw lots of Clearwing Hummer Moths all over. Never saw so many Painted Ladies!

Hackberry Emperor

The kind of day the local weather person calls a "Top-Ten Weather Day". A delightful 75 degrees with a breeze and very low humidity. Painted Ladies are still plentiful (one of them in the grip of an Ambush Bug). I was looking for Leonard's Skippers, but blazing star is just beginning to bloom. Whorled Milkweed and Joe-pye-weed are blooming. Lovely day!

I typically go to this park to photograph dragonflies and damselflies, but there will also be some butterflies in the area.

The Giant Swallowtail found the sweet Joe-pye and was nectaring for quite awhile this afternoon. Also a 'Summer' spring azure showed up, interesting how one of the biggest and one of the smallest!

Giant swallowtail. Having issues flying. Found inside porch.

Breezy, sunny, 75 degree afternoon.

American Snout is not a common butterfly this far north in Wisconsin. This is only the second Manitowoc County record.

Walking parallel to the boardwalk. Came across both of these in quick succession.

Spent two hours looking for that unusual skipper, but only found a few Least skippers

On my Porch today Aug 9_2019

Monarchs were raised from eggs

Sunny and mild. Seeing quite a few Hummingbird Moths too. And I took a photo of this interesting insect that I think is a bee-mimic.

In walkway, by porch..a bit battered but it was getting moisture from cracks...after I had made puddles for the birds.

Saw several blues flying around the sand at the beach. Also saw the Red-spotted Purples and the Red Admiral on the beach.

930-1145am, sunny and hot.

The first fiery of the year for me.

All butterflying days should be like this. The count is conservative because at times there were so many butterflies I could not identify and count fast enough to tally!

The conditions seemed perfect for butterfly sightings (light winds, warm, sunshine), but I saw very few.

Mating pair of Silver-spotted Skippers in my garden.

2:45 hours at the 4 bogs and their bog roadsides where we have most recently seen Purplish Fritillaries: Lyman Lake, North Bear, Bear, and Milchesky Road 1.15. In more than 20 years making 2 and sometimes 3 visits per year during the presumed Purplish Fritillary flight here, nearly all of our lowest peak counts are from 2012-2019, with our only zero peak ever in 2018. In 2011 our Purplish Frit daily totals were 107 the 1st try and 120 two weeks later. But the hot dry 2012 brought the start of continuously low counts here with 6 and then zero on our two visits that year. Today's Purplish Fritillary was stunningly gorgeous and nectaring at length on Jo Pye Weed in the west ditch of North Bear Bog.

Least skippers were all sighted along the edges of the mown path. Also saw a clearwing.

Sunny 78 degree day.

Seen nectaring on wildflowers (flew away from me).

Namakagon Road and Snake Trail Area west of County Hwy GG and north of County Hwy M. While walking the first 1.2 miles of the Snake Trail north of its junction with Namakagon Road, we saw 25 Common Branded Skippers and our only Milbert's Tortoiseshell of the year.

75 F, 7:38 - 10:19, 1.53 miles. No mowing has been done in this area. Least skippers on chichory flower - one side view, one dorsal of thorax. Red Admiral underside looks a bit unusual and less like a Painted lady.

75 degrees and partly sunny. Field trip of the Southern Wisconsin Butterfly Association, led by Karl and Dorothy Legler. 24 participants. We found 19 species. Painted Lady was the most common butterfly! The astonishing find was the Reakirt's Blue, a very rare immigrant from the Southwest. Note the photo of black female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail which characteristically shows the underlying tiger stripes on the underside of the hindwing (photo by Pat Ready). Reakirt's upper side by Jim Otto. Four other photos by Lester Doyle.

Part of Arb Citizen Science Open House

Ruth Smith & I parked at the Kampen Rd. lot and walked the trails in the Brown Prairie. Hard to believe how many Painted Ladies are out there! Beautiful day for butterfly watching! Also saw some Widow Skimmer dragonflies.

Very short walk.

Also saw 2 Hummingbird clearwings and 1 snowberry clearwing moths nectaring on monarda

Spotted nectaring along the beach wildflowers.

Incidental while gardening.

Partial checklist to document vagrants.
Also Sandy Stream, Big Sand and Bronzed tiger beetles.

I saw at least three Bronze Coppers chasing each other. This park/wetland has great habitat for them, so I hope a population becomes established. Least Skippers were abundant.

Very busy butterfly on my phlox. You can see from the size it was nearly the size of the entire head of flowers. No 'tails' on it though. Brownish black above and pale yellow below with distinctive orange/russet spot at base of wings. Have seen several of them in my flower garden this year.

70 deg. and very overcast

found along the shore near the forest boundary

In my front yard flower garden on bee balm.

Seen in our farm garden.

cloudy

cloudy

These butterflies were all in the pollinator and zinnia gardens in my yard.

In my front yard among the Allium (Flowering Onion) plants.

Cool and cloudy. But still quite a few butterflies flying

At least 3 giant swallowtails in our yard now. May be more later. We dont mow much lawn, lots of weeds and natural plants. Plenty of prickly ash in the woods.

Many more that I couldn’t identify in time riding a bike. More on Trail west of Merton.

cloudy but calm

The most Giant Swallowtails I've seen in one area. 4 were puddling on the shore of the river and the other 2 were flying around the parking area.

Mid 70s, cloudy and very humid. Recent rain provided puddling spots. Still no Leonard's Skippers, but plenty of other interesting things. Many Dragonflies, Robber Flies & (the frustrating to photograph) Clearwing moths.

humid and hazy

Backyard flower garden

Late afternoon, overcast and slight drizzle on and off.

My wife and I have seen at least 6 eastern Tiger Swallowtails in our backyard

This butterfly was on a Rudbekia flower in my yard.

Many least skippers flushing ahead along trails - impossible to accurately count but a very conservative 15.
Looking down, looking down, and Behold at eye level about 4' up in a goldenrod: Common Garter Snake (cloudy, wet, but 11:30am!).

Heavy rain in the afternoon limited butterfly activity.

Too many Cabbage Whites to count. Lots of Least Skippers near the edge of the river. I think all the larger skippers I saw were Pecks.

Took a quick walk at lunchtime. Sunny and 76 deg.

Seen near the boat launch but not for very long. Tried to get a picture but it was already gone before I could find my camera.

4 pm - 6 pm sunny, but wet from earlier rains: walked the area and some marshy fields with a lot of Joe-Pie Weed hoping to see my neighbor's Pipevine Swallowtail...did not find it, but did see lots of other good butterflies.

My friend Ruth Smith & I checked out the canoe launch early in the afternoon before the rain moved in. She got her lifer Dainty Sulphur but no pic. I was able to get one of it tho. We also had several Big Sand Tiger Beetles and a fly I can't ID. Saw an Eastern Comma sharing some Monarda with a Silver Spotted Skipper.