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Mariposa Cometa Cebra (Eurytides marcellus)Observ.
jplelitoDescripción
Most surprising to find not one but two individuals today (this male and a duller, worn female not photographed); perhaps the biggest bonus was discovering that our singular pawpaw seedling had a dozen eggs pasted to it. This pollinator garden does host one or two zebras each summer, which is why we added the pawpaw; nonetheless I didn’t expect eggs within a few months of planting the tree!
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Chinche Catarina (Stiretrus anchorago)Observ.
jplelitoDescripción
Feeding on the larva of a milkweed leaf beetle, on a swamp milkweed plant.
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Mariposa Sedosa Gigante Azul Sureña Americana (Atlides halesus ssp. halesus)Observ.
jplelitoDescripción
A first for my work campus. I’ve been on the lookout for them here for years as many of the red maples in the parking lot area have increasingly become host to mistletoes since about 2017. Finally!
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Mariposa Sedosa Verde de Coahuila (Callophrys gryneus)Observ.
jplelitoDescripción
The first time I’ve seen this species this year; but when I do see them it is almost always nectaring on a milkweed!
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Observ.
jplelitoDescripción
A reasonably confident species ID based on linear leaves, habitat (dry woods edge), geographic location (other narrow-leaved Hypericum in coastal plain). I’ve seen this in flower before and will add a picture of that come June or so. Along about 2.5-3 meter of forest edge, there are two large mature plants and six juveniles (one such pictured next to my hand). This little group is perhaps at risk because only the two largest plants are out of the right of way/mowed area adjacent to sidewalk, and those only just by a bit!
Updated 6/13/23 now that the plant is in bloom. Not as showy as it would be in a year with more rain.
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Mariposa Monarca (Danaus plexippus)Observ.
jplelitoDescripción
About 40 eggs on multiple milkweed sprouts (mostly common milkweed, but also butterfly weed and swamp milkweed). A reasonably fresh-looking female adult was observed investigating plants. Many milkweed sprouts (pretty early!) small (5-10 cm tall) and received multiple eggs.
Edit 4/24/23 - added pictures of fourth and fifth instar larvae now present on the plants. The caterpillar lounging in the shade of the butterfly milkweed is likely from one of the multiple eggs on that same sprout clump on 4/4.
Fotos / Sonidos
Observ.
jplelitoDescripción
Second day of nuptial flights for 2023; another warmish day around 70 but mostly overcast and breezy so this flight never really got off the ground. Males and females milled around nest entrances but saw no male leks or dealated females later. These nests are scattered around the picnic table/lunch area at my work campus and are easy to observe each spring for flights. This year is mid-early; last year the flight happened on New Years Day but in 2021 it was early March. It’s always the first 70+ degree F day(s) with at least half sun and mild wind. Some years (like 2023 so far) there are a lot of halfhearted flights on days that approach but do not fully meet the nuptial flight criteria.
Fotos / Sonidos
Observ.
jplelitoDescripción
A nuptial flight of winter ants occurred in my woodlot between 12:30-13:30 EST. Approximately 50-100 males established a lek around a privet bush and adjacent swing-set structure; several females and flying mated pairs seen in vicinity as well. Nests in the surrounding 50-meter area were active, several contributing either males or females but not both. Images show males at nest entrances and on ground, as well as a female preparing to fly.
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Mariposa Monarca (Danaus plexippus)Observ.
jplelitoDescripción
More than 20 eggs distributed on our common, swamp and butterfly milkweed patches - likely more as many were cryptic and on small sprouts. First spring arrival right on time for our location - happens about this date every year.
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Observ.
jplelitoDescripción
There were numerous queens out today foraging despite the drizzle. Favorite nectar source was various Ilex shrubs in gardens and wood edge (one could see several queens at times on a single bush). Only one out of many queens seen was carrying a pollen load, so probably only a minority of the animals are nesting already.
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Observ.
jplelitoDescripción
This nest is preparing to imminently send out reproductives on a nuptial flight. At 7 PM only workers were swarming the entrance and by 7:20 numerous males and females were present on soil surface.
Next day: no nuptial flight activity as it is much cooler but I was able to get photos of major and minor workers. The minors are extremely small - 1.5 mm or so, and rather shiny metallic. Majors only slightly larger and more bicolored. Our daughter kindly donated a piece of macaroni to bait them out. There is a larger species of big headed ants that seems to share this habitat. They are several times as large and seemingly much more numerous around their nests. If there are any local ant experts we would love to hear from them!
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Abejas Cavadoras Rayadas (Género Anthophora)Observ.
jplelitoDescripción
Many individual burrows, concentrated in two main “towns” of 60-75 burrows, the two “towns” 3-4 meters apart, with satellite nests in small groups of 5-10 here and there within several meters of the towns. Many active bees even near dusk. One bee was resting on a blade of grass, others too active for a photograph. Any idea on species?
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Algodoncillo del Bosque (Asclepias humistrata)Observ.
jplelitoDescripción
A nice and large, singular plant with more than a dozen stems. I noticed a few more up and down this stretch of highway, and this is just the one I stopped to take a picture of.
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Observ.
jplelitoDescripción
Another small population of just a few plants in Camp Durant. Like the other group of plants across the lake this one has several plants that bloom yearly but have yet to set fruit in five years.
Fotos / Sonidos
Observ.
jplelitoDescripción
A large population exists here (basically sporadically along the north shore of the lake). Fairly heavy herbivore damage along the trail but the individuals farther from the lake show plenty of flower buds already. Sad to see so many Aphis nerii on the plants already!
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Algodoncillo Verde (Asclepias viridiflora)Observ.
jplelitoDescripción
There are a number of plants in various stages of maturity and bloom. The fourth image, I believe, is a small seedling. There are numerous such seedlings and small plants in addition to the larger, flowering plants.