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Mariton: Butterfly Census

July 6, 2015

by Tim Burris, Preserve Manager.  Photos by Carole Mebus.

Great Spangled Fritillary on Butterfly Weed

Great Spangled Fritillary on Butterfly Weed

We had a slow start to the Butterfly Census.  Around 10:30 things started moving and we ended up with 18 species.  We had 103 individuals.  The most abundant species were Great Spangled Fritillaries, with 55 individuals.

We had three different Hairstreak species.  Carole’s photos bring these butterflies right up close, but these are very small butterflies (notice the size of the blossoms).  Binoculars are really essential in identifying many butterflies, and the camera is very helpful for going back and seeing slight nuances.

Banded Hairstreak

Banded Hairstreak

 

Coral Hairstreak

Coral Hairstreak

Gray Hairstreak

Gray Hairstreak

A couple of us commented that we have seen more Mourning Cloaks this year than ever before, so I include this photo of a very handsome Mourning Cloak that Carole took.

Mourning Cloak Butterfly

Mourning Cloak Butterfly