Red Admiral

Species: Red Admiral (Venessa atalanta)
Family: Nymphalidae
Date: 7.22.15

Observation:

 I wasn't planning on taking any pictures this day, but I changed my mind when this Red Admiral decided to hang around the asters in our backyard.

Facts:

Red Admiral butterflies prefer to feed on sap slows and fermenting fruit; nectaring on flowers is typically a secondary option. Caterpillar hosts are the nettle family.

Learn more at Butterflies and Moths of North America - Red Admiral

Great Spangled Fritillary

Species: Atlantis Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
Family: Nymphalidae
Date: 7.5.15

Observation:

This post is a little after the fact.  The Atlantis Great Spangled Fritillary was spotted by one of the girls during the Fourth of July celebration (on the 5th) at Gumma and Gogo's.  We didn't get around to trying to identify the fritillary until this morning.

A Fact:

The caterpillar hosts are violets and the butterflies are generally in flight from the second week in June through the last week of September in Vermont.

Learn more at Butterflies and Moths of North America - Great Spangled Fritillary

Appalachian Brown

Species: Appalachian Brown (Satyrodes appalachia)
Family: Nymphalidae
Date: 7.6.15


Observation:

I spotted and photographed this Appalachian Brown on the path over the new waterline that runs through the back of our property.  The family spent a good deal of time trying to determine whether this was an Appalachian Brown or an Eyed Brown (Eyed Browns are a bit more common), but we feel it is an Appalachian Brown.  This is the second time we have identified a butterfly that is listed as being "very rare" in Vermont - the first was the Silvery Checkerspot.  That has me a little concerned about our identification abilities.




A Fact from Kate: 

The Appalachian Brown's habitat is wooded wet swamps, shrub swamps, forest edges and along slow moving streams.


Learn more at Butterflies and Moths of North America - Appalachian Brown

Little Wood-Satyr

Species: Little Wood-Satyr (Megisto cymela)
Date: 6.27.15

Observation: 

The Little Wood-Satyr was patrolling our backyard on a fairly overcast day.  Alice and Dana identified the butterfly as being a Little Wood-Satyr with the help of the field guide Grandpa Chris and Grandma Sue sent to us!




A Fact from Alice: 

This Little Wood-Satyr will be in flight on cloudy days when most butterflies are not out.

Learn more at Butterflies and Moths of North America - Little Wood-Satyr

Eastern Comma

Species: Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
Family: Nymphalidae
Date: 6.25.15

                 

Observation:

While I was working on filling in potholes in our driveway, I was joined by an Eastern Comma (or two).  I must admit I was a little rusty on the difference between Commas and Question Marks.  The photo showing the underwing (and the white comma) was very helpful!


A Fact from Dana:

The host plant for Eastern Comma caterpillars are usually members of the nettle or elm family.  


A Fact from Alice:

The caterpillars are usually solitary and feed during the nighttime.


Learn more at Butterflies and Moths of North America - Eastern Comma

Silvery checkerspot

Species: Silvery checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)

Family: Nymphalidae

Date: 6.22.15

   

Observation:

Kate and I were enjoying our first day of summer vacation, taking a stroll around the yard when Kate spotted this butterfly on the front lawn.  After some careful online research, Alice determined the butterfly is a checkerspot, most likely a Silvery checkerspot.  We are counting on Grandpa Chris letting us know for sure.

A Fact from Alice:

Checkerspots prefer habitat that is moist, such as streamsides, meadows, and forest clearings. 

Learn more at Butterflies and Moths of North America - Silvery checkspot