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Post by exoticimports on Apr 16, 2021 7:30:30 GMT -8
Leroy, you’re saying you saw Tigers yesterday? Only 3 hours west of me. And we have to wait a minimum of four weeks until they eclose here.
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leptraps
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Post by leptraps on Apr 16, 2021 9:10:26 GMT -8
Yes, they were all small males. Females will not appear until next week or later, depending on the weather. They were the first for the year. I also collected Pieris virginiensis.
The temperature was in the low 70's. Today the high will be in mid 50's. It is currently overcast and the current temperature is 49°F.
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Post by trehopr1 on Apr 16, 2021 9:22:12 GMT -8
Leroy, I believe you meant to say Vanessa virginiensis.
The American painted lady !
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Post by Paul K on Apr 16, 2021 12:24:43 GMT -8
Leroy, I believe you meant to say Vanessa virginiensis. The American painted lady ! Actually there is species Pieris virginiensis and it will be here in Ontario on the wing very shortly, also season for this species only last couple of weeks. This is very localized species but can be quite common wher e colony is.
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leptraps
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Post by leptraps on Apr 16, 2021 12:47:30 GMT -8
No, Pieris virginiensis, the West Virginia White. I originally found Pieris virginiensis in Hardwood Forest edges in early April. The Papilio glaucus soon after. I also saw several Colias eurytheme.
I also collected several Celastrina argiolus, all males.
The Bait Traps only had some Noctuid Moths and Erebidae Moths. Also a single Polygonia comma.
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Post by trehopr1 on Apr 16, 2021 14:19:11 GMT -8
Thank you Paul and Leroy for the correction.
I was absolutely un-knowing of a West virginia white.
Always something new to learn here !
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Post by exoticimports on Apr 16, 2021 16:44:05 GMT -8
Love you guys- can we keep it on topic?
Thanks!
Chuck
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Post by exoticimports on May 19, 2021 9:47:42 GMT -8
Well, after ten months it's time to get back onboard with this study.
During the winter I grew to wondering on something: why is it that the Finger Lakes region Tigers don't seem to feed for the first two weeks after they appear?
Now, it's well known that the spring form/individuals of glaucus are less common, and less likely to alight than the summer/later generation. However, I have NEVER observed an early eclosed Tiger (first two weeks) nectar on anything. Yet, two weeks after the first Tiger is observed, they will readily nectar on Lilac. This apparent habit change is odd, since Lilac is in bloom (as is apple, cherry, and others) from the start of the flight period.
So I'm wondering (and this is a stretch) if the first observed Tigers are canadensis. There's virtually no early season records in Finger Lakes, and even those that are on butterfliesandmoths.org are either suspect or wrong. As far as I'm concerned, there is one valid record, and that's mine.
Of course, I've been out trying to catch one, and came close today, but that turned into a train wreck which is a different story.
Chuck
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Post by eurytides on May 19, 2021 14:44:03 GMT -8
Even if it were canadensis, how would that explain them not nectaring as frequently?
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Post by exoticimports on May 19, 2021 17:22:17 GMT -8
Even if it were canadensis, how would that explain them not nectaring as frequently? Different species, different habits? I’m reaching for straws here. And the earliest emerged specimens might account for 1% of those in collections (including photos).
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Post by eurytides on May 19, 2021 17:55:44 GMT -8
I don’t know that canadensis would have such different habits. I think there is another explanation, I just don’t know exactly what that would be.
I took 8 MST pupae out of cold storage on May 2. All alive but none close to eclosion, as expected. Canadensis or glaucus would not take this long to break diapause.
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Post by exoticimports on May 20, 2021 4:54:02 GMT -8
I don't know either. But the fact remains that these early eclosers do behave differently, and aren't well represented. Until I can get my hands on some and look for morphological indicators I have no idea if they are physically indicative of anything at all. But then again, maybe it will show something. Who knows.
I'm still haunting the lakeshore for canadensis. Haven't seen any tigers as of yet, but being near the lake temperatures are well below those inland. Too bad we don't have someone between Oswego and Cape Vincent to see if those are canadensis or glaucus.
We are of course eager to learn of your discoveries when your MST emerge.
I'm surprised that the "oddball" (my words) Tigers long-ago noted around Ithaca (Cornell!) haven't been completely identified (AFAIK). Certainly, there must be plentiful specimens in Cornell and other collections. Perhaps with your MST a comparison may be conducted.
Chuck
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Post by eurytides on May 20, 2021 6:01:59 GMT -8
I was out yesterday and it was nice and sunny. No tigers on the wing here in Kingston.
Mark Scriber studied this population 1 to 2 decades ago (retired). Currently, other than a couple of people who are doing some prelim work, I don’t know anyone seriously studying these oddball tigers, besides us hobbyist of course. I will report back on my MSTs in a few months when they have emerged and are spread. In terms of diapause breaking, they are behaving like I would expect for MST. We will see what they look like morphologically. Remember as well these were all raised from eggs or young larvae, so I have good data to support that they are MST other than diapause.
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Post by exoticimports on May 20, 2021 6:53:18 GMT -8
Eurytides, assuming the border opens, what's the chance you take take the ferry to CV and see what species is there?
Chuck
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Post by eurytides on May 20, 2021 12:01:11 GMT -8
Low. I have an almost 2 year old so free time is hard to come by.
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