The butterflies that I most frequently observe in the forests of Brown County during the month of August
In no particular order:
- Eastern Gemmed Satyr
- Red-Banded Hairstreak
- Northern Pearly Eye
I most commonly see Eastern Gemmed Satyrs near the high points along ridges. They usually are lilting low to the ground in the area.
I most commonly see Red-Banded Hairstreaks along one-lane gravel roads that run through the woods. This is because I usually notice them fleeing a short distance in response to my approach. They exhibit moth-like behavior. Before I knew that Red-Banded Hairstreaks existed, I’m sure I just thought they were moths.
I also usually notice Northern Pearly Eyes flying away in response to my approach. They usually don’t go far.
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Eastern Gemmed-Satyr (Cyllopsis gemma)Observer
rossberryhillDescription
One of the more common butterflies in the area over the last few weeks
Photos / Sounds
What
Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)Observer
rossberryhillDescription
This is one of the few Red-Banded Hairstreaks that I’ve seen nectaring on flowers (a Rudbeckia in this case). Usually I just see them sitting on leaves. I startled it and it flew and landed upside down in a water dish. I scooped it out, and it dropped down and landed on a plant to dry out.
Comments
Ross,
Your project is as "big minded" and "far sighted" as the project of planting a tree that only achieves its full stature far into the future.
"All butterfly observations are from a ten acre location where I’ve lived in Brown County, Indiana for 30 years. The location is primarily a mix of mesic upland and dry-mesic upland forest. I’m performing an informal inventory, of sorts, in order to provide a snapshot for future reference."
Thanks for providing identifications for my common suburban Indiana butterflies. I have a much harder time returning the favor by identifying the butterflies you are seeing. I haven't lived in that habitat for 30 years and made the acquaintance of the woodland species you are seeing. I laughed when I read your description of the fast flying Red-Banded Hairstreaks. I've been seeing something like this regularly too and dismissing it as "moths."
Take care,
Mark Dewart
Thanks, @mark_dewart . I appreciate your comments!
I often say that Brown County’s greatest ecological asset is that it is crappy farmland😀. People tried to farm here 100 years ago, and most of the area was denuded of forest, including where I live. The transformation since is pretty amazing to behold. The most visible remnant I see now is barbed wire running through the middle of two foot diameter hickory trees that were just saplings when they were commandeered to become fence posts.
I wanted to try to document bee biodiversity here, but concluded that bees are just too hard to confidently identify as a lay person. So, I switched to butterflies. I started last April, with the guess that I might be able to find 25 species here with luck. Never expected to find over 50.
Add a Comment