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Post by beetlehorn on Jun 26, 2017 13:20:52 GMT -8
This past weekend I took a little drive to my favorite Fritillary location, and was rather disappointed at the absence of butterflies in the entire area. I drove many miles of backroads where I have encountered literally hundreds of Fritillaries of the three major species-Speyeria diana, Speyeria aphrodite, and Speyeria cybele. I failed to spot even a single Diana, or Aphrodite, and only saw four Great Spangled Fritillaries. I am aware of population fluctuations, but this is rather extreme.
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Post by exoticimports on Jun 27, 2017 4:49:34 GMT -8
Weather related? Up north here all it's done is rain...feels like summer hasn't even started.
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Post by beetlehorn on Jun 27, 2017 18:00:01 GMT -8
After a rather mild winter, we have experienced a cool and wet spring. Now in early summer, the weather is still cooler than normal in my experience. Perhaps it is still a bit early for this year due to the cooler temps. It has been somewhat of an "off season" this year here in the mid-south.
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leptraps
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Post by leptraps on Jun 28, 2017 0:23:48 GMT -8
Having lived in South Western Virginia for a number of years, Speyeria always began to appear in the last have June. In 1978 After a rather cool spring, Speyeria began to appear in early July.
Cool spring delay's the growth of Violets, especially in the mountains. And a snow pack does not help. This delays the larva emergence from diapause to begin feeding.
I do not remember the year (1980 or 1982??), we had a mild winter with little snow and there were fewer Speyeria for the entire year. Weather is a driving force and effects emergence in the spring.
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