Journey West

[leptraps]

Westward Hoooooo:

I departed Aurora, Ohio on 13 August 2020 with my life long friend and fellow Lepidopterists, Denny Currutt. A two day drive of 2200 miles from Aurora, Ohio to Fort Morgan, Colorado seemed to take forever. We were after Heliothinae (Schinia & Heliothus) moths. We were to learn that the states of Coloroda, Wyoming. Kansas and Oklahoma were experiencing a severe drought. Even with the drought conditions, collecting moths was very good. I collected 23+ species of Heliothinae moths. 12 species of Arctidae, 6 species of Catocala and an untold numbers of Noctuidae.

I also collected Colias philodice, C. eurytheme and a dozen of more Colias yet to be determined.

I set out Bait Traps that collected large numbers of moths. The drought conditions brought lots of moths to the Bait Traps.

There were very few butterflies seen/observed or collected during the trip.

I also collected a nice series of Pachysphinx occidentalis. I also collected a day flying sphinx, Proserpinus juanita.

Not a great trip. The weather had a negative impact on collecting.

More later.

[gaspipe]

Any Speyeria?

[leptraps]

I only saw a single Speyeria near Sterling, Colorado. It was in a hurry and I never got close enough to swing a net or make a determination.

We were more interested in Heliothinae (Schinia & Arctidae) moths. We saw/collected a number of butterflies, but nothing worth reporting.

I was impressed with the expanse of the prairies. Many were in bloom.