June 19: No hairstreaks yet…

Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon) nectaring at Yarrow (Achillea millfolium).

No sign of hairstreaks up the slope or on the oaks that I tapped today. It was around this time last year (June 22, 2013) that I saw my first Satyrium adult in the field, but I am trying to be early and extra vigilant in my observations this season. Despite the present lack of hairstreaks, I did see a decent number of other butterflies. One was a pristine Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon) nectaring at Yarrow. Since this species’ flight period is soon to end, it was nice to see one more vigorous individual. I also watched with a frown as a tattered Black Swallowtail (Papilio polynexes) flew about the flowers and landed on Black Swallow-wort with disappointing repetition. It’s a shame to think these and other butterflies may be aiding in the spread and dispersal of the plant that poses such a threat to Monarchs.

Black Swallow Tail (Papilio polynexes) on Black Swallow-wort (Cynanchum louisieae).

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).