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Post by trehopr1 on Mar 5, 2015 9:17:59 GMT
Once again, spring is just "around the corner". For some it is an opportunity to dust off the old bicycle, check the tires, and their off. For others it's that first chance to pull out a kite, toddle off to some park or meadow, and enjoy the tranquillity the setting has to offer.
For fellows like myself it's that first "glimpse" of a "spring butterfly" that makes everything right with the world again.... No, I'm not talking about that overwintering Mourning Cloak or Red Admiral (although still a pleasure to see). I'm referring to that first SPRING butterfly. You know, the hardy stock which overwinters as chrysalids --- toughing it out through the icy grip of winter.
In these parts where I hail from its either the Cabbage White, Common Blue, or Elfin which is the bearer of good tidings--- that spring HAS arrived. And my first thought is NOT to catch it but, instead to OBSERVE it and ponder the difficulties that this hardy little fellow has lived through.
In fact, every springtime for the past 17 years I have dutifully observed and recorded all my 1st butterfly sightings (with dates and times of day). Sort of a game if you will. No matter where I might be --- at work or play I always keep my eyes "peeled" for that first glimpse. It is a challenge of sorts.
I've been fooled by errant leaves blowing by as well as by bits of trash. But, upon true discovery---ohh my ! The "chase" may end there but,the "thrill of the hunt" is what intrigues me year after year. Again, sometimes it's simple acts such as this OR adventures such as Nomad's searches for elusive butterflies in his native Britain which bring one pleasure, thrills, and contentment for a lifetime...
And for the record MY earliest spring butterfly sighting: March.17.2012 (St. Patrick's Day) / 10:41 A.M. / My own backyard.
Cabbage White - male
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Post by wollastoni on Mar 5, 2015 9:22:40 GMT
What the hell is a "Elfin" ? Please add latin names. :-)
I cannot wait neither to see the Anthocharis cardamines and Cacyreus marshalli, which are our first spring butterflies in Europe!
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Post by trehopr1 on Mar 5, 2015 9:48:28 GMT
So sorry about that Wollastoni. I forget that I'm posting my thoughts to a worldwide audience ! Elfins are several small species of brown Lycaenid butterflies. They belong to the genus Callophrys. Henry's Elfin (Callophrys henrici) is our most common species in Illinois --- of the 3 species which are here. It is also sometimes called by some collectors the "Woodland Elfin".
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Post by wollastoni on Mar 5, 2015 10:58:57 GMT
Thanks a lot.
I see better now. We have Callophris rubi and Callophris avis in France and they are nice woodland species.
Not early spring species though.
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Post by nomad on Mar 6, 2015 6:04:52 GMT
Yet to see a spring butterfly yet, hopefully this weekend. Green Hairstreaks, Callophrys rubi should be with us here in England in early May, so this beautiful species can be included as a Spring insect.  |
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Post by nomad on Mar 6, 2015 6:08:40 GMT
trevhopr 1. Nice post, interesting English names for your butterflies. . Keep us posted what butterflies you encounter in the Spring -all year and it would be good to see some images, including those of the habitat. |
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Post by trehopr1 on Mar 6, 2015 6:52:02 GMT
Nomad, I shall endeavor to provide photos of habitats related to butterflies when possible. I will take some this spring and summer as I do know a few descent sites. I've never really given it much thought before. And, I shall also try to post specimen photos to go with my threads or posts. However, as of late I've run into some technical difficulties posting pictures of anything. I posted only 2 days ago some "comic doodles" related to naturalists as well as lepidopterists and it seems most people can't see them as I would of liked. My son is going to help me iron out the wrinkles via some suggestions made by folks here on the forum. With fingers crossed things might work out then !
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Post by Adam Cotton on Mar 6, 2015 8:23:00 GMT
I always wondered what an 'Elfin' is when reading US reports on butterflies using common names. I had imagined they were Satyrines.
Adam.
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Post by trehopr1 on Mar 6, 2015 9:40:32 GMT
Certainly an appropriate analogy Adam ! I really don't know the history of when OR who began calling these diminutive fellows by that name. But, the name stuck --- here in America and that's what we collectively call them as a group. Some have curious common names like: Henry's Elfin, Hoary Elfin, and Frosted Elfin. While others are much less puzzling: Brown Elfin, Banded Elfin, and Western Banded Elfin for example.
There are only 3 species found in my state. Henrici, Niphon, and Polios. All are listed in order of difficulty in "finding". The Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polios) has ONLY been found at Illinois Beach State Park --- on the border of southern Wisconsin. It's location within the State Park largely insures it protection.
All three are strictly early Spring species appearing so far as I know in only April and May.
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Post by trehopr1 on Apr 3, 2019 17:54:04 GMT
Here, in the Great Lakes region early spring has finally arrived. We have had about 1 week so far of weather hitting the 40's consistently during the day (with one day hitting 61). Most days have been reasonably sunny but, a little cool. The grass is greening up slowly and is not quite half-way there. Some trees have buds...
We had a miserably cold winter this year as our region was rocked by at least 2 (if not 3) periods of the "polar vortex" blasting down from the Arctic. So, it will be interesting to see if it has any effect on various Lep populations this summer.
This upcoming weekend April 5-6 our weather is said to be in the mid-high 60's; so I very much look forward to getting out and seeing if I can scout out my 1st butterfly of the spring. Traditionally, our Cabbage butterfly (Pieris rapae) has always been our harbinger of good "spring" tidings. It has always been the 1st species that I have ever seen so early. The species is a tough (if not hearty) creature to survive our tough winters and be the 1st to appear.
I have mostly recorded my 1st sightings (in my area) between April 12-16 most years. However, I have a few select years of having found it earlier. I remain hopeful that this year will be earlier than later. I may even take up the net in hand during my efforts at lookout this weekend !
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Post by Paul K on Apr 3, 2019 22:11:01 GMT
Here, in the Great Lakes region early spring has finally arrived. ! Not here in Toronto. We had 3-10 cm of snow last weekend and now the northern wind makes it feel like mid winter. I don’t have hopes to see anything till end of this month. |
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Post by trehopr1 on Jun 23, 2019 19:57:45 GMT
Well, I finally recorded my 1st "spring" butterfly (a cabbage white) on May.04.2019; a little over 2 weeks past the average time of sightings. I did not sight another until May.13.2019; and nothing for a long time after that. The Great Lakes region in general this spring was very wet and cool overall. Illinois were I am based saw it's wettest May on record !!
It is now June.23.2019 and I just saw my 3rd Cabbage White of the year yesterday ! Very strange early summer so far. The fields are certainly lush and green and taller than usual but, butterflies are largely absent so far. As of this sitting I have only recorded 7 total species sightings of butterflies for the year. My 1st skipper sighting of the year was yesterday: our Silver spotted skipper (Epargyreus clarus) our largest species here. There are a couple of earlier (smaller) skipper species which I have normally seen in Late May- Early June which were wholly absent I think due to the inclement weather.
It is very lush in greenery at this time here but, pitiful collecting-wise. I presume either many things are in the larval stage and soon to come or the combination of our severe cold winter + wettest spring + 40+ degree spring nights has reaked havok on Lepi life cycles. Still have not seen a single Colias yet....
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