Denis Quinn's S.E. PA Butterfly Sightings Blog

Pics Of Smaller Sized Butterflies

Hi, Here are some pics of smaller sized butterflies, between nickle and to just over a quarter, and easily overlooked. Most folks do not "see" these smaller butterflies, but merely catch a glimpse and dismiss the sighting immediately. However, butterfly enthusiast instantly know to look closer with their binoculars, to make a positive identification and see all of the beauty in these small bugs. Bugs, an affectionate term used on ;butterflies, dragonflies and moths is in common use today as well. Have a great day, Denis

American Copper, showing little color in forewing

American Copper, showing a little of each wing coloration

Banded Hairstreak nectaring on common Milkweed

Banded Hairstreak nectaring on Canada Thistle

Banded Hairstreak on Black Oak Leaf, their Caterpillar host.

Bronzed Copper nectaring on Seaside Goldenrod

Little Wood Satyr on Blackberry leaf

Little Wood Satyr on Roundleaf Greenbrier

Red Banded Hairstreak on cut grass blade

Dusted Skipper - A Larger Skipper, Closer To A Duskywing In Size

Hi again, Here are a handful of shots of a large brown skipper that is seen from late spring and into early summer, mainly late May into June. We have many locations that I find this skipper in as its' foodplant is 'Andropogon' or Blue Stem Grass. These pix show the various 'poses' of the skipper and with grass in the pix as well. The noticeable thing is the 'White Eyebrow' lines, easily seen from above. Thanks Again, Denis

Dusted Skipper pix

2015 Is Off To A Slow Start, As It Has Been A Long Cold Winter.

This past winter, 2014/2015, has been a long cold one with only average snowfall, usually in small amounts. Nothing like last winter when we had a lot more larger snowfall amounts. The spring has been extremely late and wet, leading to a much later thaw and subsequently very late ground warming. This leads to a much later growth of all plants and insects awakening from their overwintering as either adults or pupa. So, here are some early pixs for you to view. Best to You, Denis

Eastern Pine Elfin

Juvenal's Duskywing

Spring Azure

Cabbage White

Finally, a Few Pix to Share

Hi, This past winter has been devastating to our Butterfly Bushes, and a few other plants, with our sub zero temperature. I HAD over two dozen Butterfly Bushes, of different cultivars and colors as well, with most being almost killed over the winter. Eight were killed outright, and the rest only now have small new growth at best. Half of the survivors leaves are curled and look like they were sprayed with a herbicide, making me think that their survival is in doubt. The other half of the survivors are sprouting a few shoots from the ground and the others have only a few or single new shoot from one of the many old branches on the plant. Butterfly Bushes are the major part of my nectar source from mid June onwards to fall frost. I do have perennials and annuals planted in various areas around the; house, barn, garden and fields nearby. These are about ten days behind any previous year, as an average. So, I have planted another dozen Butterfly Bushes to replace the dead or dying ones, from the past winter's extremely bitter cold temperature. Butterfly numbers are at least 80% down from, any and all past years, as well as southern migrants to our area. Hopefully things will return to a more normal status soon. Best to All, Denis

Eastern Tailed Blue

Great Spangled Fritillary

Painted Lady

Spicebush Swallowtail-Parts missing

Summer Azure

Is This Butterfly Season Going To Be Late, Early Or Just On Schedule?

Hi Again, On Saturday the 22nd of March I saw my first Butterfly of the 2014 season in my garden/yard area, flying onver freshly spread mushroom soil. Cabbage White is my sighting and I do not think the mushroom soil was a factor in this sighting, although disturbing the garden area could have been an influence in this event. Mushroom soil is an after product of growning msuhroons and is mostly partially decomposed hay, straw, manure and water that has been previously partly composted and put into mushroom houses to grow mushrooms. After the mushrooms have produced as much as possible the mushroom soil is removed, hence the very shortened life cycle. Mushroom soil is a great soil enhancer of organic matter, therefore I use a lot of it, as I am in the "Mushroom Capital of the World", that is actually Kennett Square, PA. Now back to butterflies and pix of them. The Cabbage White is one of the earlier butterflies to be seen here annually and first seen last year on the 29th of March, so this is a little earlier than last year, additionally we did have a brutally cold winter here this past season that has only released its' grip now. We recently had snow two days ago, that is quite late with a low of 18°. Spring is nearby though, just keep looking.

Have a great day, Denis

This Cabbage White hatched from plants that I overwinter in my basement, mostly Lantana and Canna bulbs

Winter Will Not Loose It's Grip?

Hi, Again, snow and on St. Patrick's Day no less, and it is mid March. However winter will loose it's grip and spring will arrive, probably fast. When I say fast, the temperature will suddenly shoot up to give us a ninety degree day(s) that will floor us. We can have some sudden spikes in high temperature in late March and early April that take us by surprise. Can't wait though is in the back of my mind, as I will take a shot at summer now. At this juncture our ground is still frozen underneath, especially on northern slopes and fully shaded areas. However our Crocus, Daffodills and Snow Drops are all up through the snow of yesterday. The Crocus have been blooming for days as have the Snow Drops, although none of these are butterfly nectar sources. Keep looking, Spring is just around the corner! Have a great day, Denis