June 6: Three Hairstreak life stages

Today I found three hairstreaks species each in a different stage of their life cycle. The first was what I believe to be another Oak Hairstreak prepupa attached to the burlap on a white oak tree. This was a different tree nearer the end of the summit road to the weather observatory where I got Banded and White-M hairstreak larvae last year. It was difficult to make a confident identification because this was such an advance stage prepupa and also quite dirty, but based on the fringe setae and dark dorsal heart line I’m going with Satyrium favonius ontario for now. I collected it so that it can be positively identified when it emerges and then released again at Blue Hills.

A hairstreak pre pupa found on a white oak tree. I am tentatively calling it an Oak Hairstreak (Satyrium favonius ontario).

Next were two Banded Hairstreak caterpillars (Satyrium calanus) that I collected off scrub oak (Quercus ilicifolia). These were late instars and easily recognizable by the dark dorsal patches at the anterior and posterior ends and pale oblique streaks along the sides. This species has been documented being tended by ants, but not to the degree of Edward’s Hairstreak larvae (Satyrium edwardsii). See Sam Jaffe’s photo here: http://www.pbase.com/spjaffe/image/112981413.

A late instar Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus) collected from scrub oak (Quercus ilicifolia).

The third lycaenid species I saw today was an adult Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus). I was tapping around the bushes and investigating flowers when I scared it up near some blackberry blossoms where it may have been nectaring. This species may have as many as three broods in Massachusetts and this worn individual is at the tail end of the first. In the same area, I stumbled upon (but luckily not onto) the second Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus) that I have seen on Great Blue Hill; this one was wrapping up a cricket for lunch.

A worn first brood Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus).

 

A Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus) preying on a grasshopper.

May 15: Burlap banding

We set up the burlap more than two weeks earlier than last year, and I’m quite hopeful it will pay off. Our efforts last spring showed that this is a successful method for sampling oak-feeding hairstreak larvae (see posts from June 1 and June 5). Again, our target was about 150 total trees, all white and red oaks of varying ages/diameters. With two teams of two, we were able to band nearly that many in under 3 hours. The banded trees will be counted and flagged with numbered orange tape tomorrow.

Dave and Katie banding a white oak with burlap.

Kevin slitting the burlap to create three easily liftable flaps per tree.

As we tromped through the underbrush, we saw the many tent caterpillars (Malacosoma americana) lazily emerging from their silken strongholds to ravage the cherry trees they were laid on. I also saw about 10 Pine Elfins (Callophrys niphon), 3 Tiger Swallowtails (Papilio glaucus), 2 Black Swallowtails (Papilio polynexes), a good number of Juvenal’s Duskywings (Erynnis juvenalis), 3 Garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) and Kevin chanced upon a late instar Red-spotted Purple larva (Limenitis arthemis) feeding on scrub oak. The most unusual find of the day was a sleek black spider with bright red markings on its abdomen. Could it be?! Yes, a black widow! A Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus) we believe. Not as deadly as its famed and feared southern counterpart (Latrodectus mactans), but still capable of an unpleasant bite. One good reason to watch your step if you venture off the trails.

A cluster of Easter tent caterpillars (Malacosoma americana) feeding on black cherry (Prunus serotina).

Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)

Late instar Red-spotted Purple larva (Limenitis arthemis) feeding on scrub oak (Quercus ilicifolia).

Female Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus).