Blue Jay Barrens is still lacking butterflies. A few species, like this Northern Metalmark,
are present in expected numbers, but most species are either poorly represented
or completely absent.
Northern Metalmarks typically sit with wings outspread, so
the common view is of the mostly brown upper surface. Occasionally one will give a glimpse of the
bright orange under side.
Even though the metalmarks are occasionally found on
flowers, their usual location is on a sunny leaf near the ground. My first notice of them is most likely to be
when they quickly shift plants at my approach.
I don’t know why this species would be so abundant this year when so
many butterflies are absent.
This may look like a typical clump of Butterflyweed, but
there is something missing. There are no
butterflies visiting here. At this time
of year there should be no Butterflyweed clumps without butterflies. Most noticeable to me right now is the total
absence of any hairstreak species.
Common Wood Nymphs are around in good numbers. These are low fliers that thread their way
through the vegetation.
Little Wood Satyrs are generally very common this time of
year. I’ve seen only two in the past
week.
This Little Wood Satyr looks like it’s been around for a
while. Hopefully the few individuals
that managed to emerge have left plenty of eggs to rebuild the population for
next year.
Most of my Great Spangled Fritillary encounters have been
with lone individuals. In some years
there are so many of these butterflies that they knock each other off the
flowers during the scramble for nectar.
Just a scattering of Pipevine Swallowtails around. No other swallowtail species were seen last
week.
This is one of the swallowtail species that keeps its wings
moving while feeding. I figure all of
that movement makes it more difficult for predators to zero in on the
butterfly. It’s disturbing not to see
the familiar masses of swallowtails working over the Butterflyweed.
A lone Pearl
Crescent
