05-29-15 Butterfly Field Note

05-29-15 Butterfly Field Note

May 29, 2015

Jeffrey Pippen's butterfly field note details transect surveys, nocturnal bugs, and early dragons.

Butterfly Field Note Transect Surveys, Butterflies, Nocturnal Bugs, and Early Dragons Jeffrey S. Pippen 26 May 2015

Common Alpines find nutrients and moisture on wet mulch.

While conducting a Pollard Survey in the North Pivot, a Painted Lady deposited an egg along the mid-vein of the upper surface of this thistle leaf.

Thicket Hairstreaks are uncommon, so this fresh individual was a nice surprise near Davis Creek.

Lupines serve as caterpillar food plants for Boisduval’s Blues. This male perches on a lupine, awaiting inquisitive females.

Common Sootywings have indeed been common this spring. Above, a wing-worn sootywing nectars on Potentilla in the Education Garden. Nearby, a fresh sootywing grasps grasses.

I’ve seen Ranchman’s Tiger Moth caterpillars in many locations this spring. This one dines on dogwood buds along Woodchuck Creek.

During the breeding season, adult Giant Water Bugs leave their aquatic environs and may be found at porch lights. These predatory insects occur worldwide and are famous for delivering one of the most painful bites of the insect world. Handle with care!

Dragonflies are emerging earlier than usual due to the early warm weather. This American Emerald at MPG North on May 11th represents a record early date for the state of Montana by over two weeks.

The hairy projections from Hudsonian Whiteface dragonfly bodies help protect them from cold spring temperatures. This individual at MPG North was another record early date for the state of Montana.

Pollard Transect surveys in Sheep Camp Draw in May produced some first of season (FOS) species sightings including Western Tiger Swallowtail, Melissa Blue, and Common Alpine.

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05-29-15 Butterfly Field Note

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