Chlosyne harrisii, or Harris's Checker Spot

[leptraps]

Yesterday afternoon I went to the Mantua wetlands to set out two Light Traps and to check both my Pheromone Traps for Sessidae Moths and my Bait Traps for both Butterflies and Moths.

Once I completed checking my traps, I put a net in my hand and my collecting bag over my shoulder and began to walk several two track roads. To my surprise, I found Chlosyne harrisii, or Harris's Checkerspot. The males were some what worn. The females were fresh. I collected 7 or 8 specimens for my collection.

I ventured down an old Railroad Right of Way (Rails and Ties have been removed). A rather large black butterfly was coming straight at me. A flip of my net and I had it. A nice fresh male Limenitis astyanax. Rather than pinch it, I reach into my folded net and got it by the thorax, wings up. When I looked at the forewings, there was a partial white band. I immediately pinched it and into my kill jar. It currently resides on a spreading board.

On my way home I stopped at a Marc's Grocery Store for Apples, Bananas and sugar to make some bait. I will set out four Bait Traps along the old Railroad Right of Way today.

I have collected Limenitis astyanax in this area before, but never one with a partial white bands. And, this is somewhat early for Limenitis astyanax to be on the wing (??).

As I was setting out a Bait Trap this AM, I stepped into the woods and onto an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake.

I was able to pick up the snake walked back to my car and bagged it into a black trash bag. I relocated the snake to a wooded area a couple of miles away.

When I returned home, I immediately checked my shorts. I then spread my specimen.

[exoticimports]

Awesome report!

[gaspipe]

Great report . I have been collecting Limentis hybrids this June . Amazing variation. I may post a few when I unpin them .

[leptraps]

I set out a single Light Trap yesterday. The reason I only set out a single Light Trap. I forgot to put the Ethyl Acetate back into my car after I set out my first Light Trap.

I drove to Killdeer Plains WA and checked my Bait Traps and Pheromone Traps. There was very little worth keeping in any of the traps. I then decided to explore a location that is not easy to travel too. The Mohican Memorial State Forest. Talk about a round about drive to get there and about the time I am getting ready load the trap with Ethyl Acetate. I discovered that I forgot to put the Ethyl Acetate back into my car at Killdeer Plains WA.

After I drove all the way to Killdeer Plains WA and then all the way to the Mohican Memorial State Forest and I forgot to put the Ethyl Acetate back into my car. I could almost hear Ms Betty: "Dumb Ass".........

[exoticimports]

Leroy, we've all been there.

Everywhere I go I keep a fanny pack which holds envelopes, foreceps, killing container, and the convenient packable BioQuip National Park Special net. When I get out of the vehicle, I strap it on.


So Sunday, after specifically targeting Papilio glaucus, we were headed home and stopped at a small lake just south of the NY-PA border. We walked down to the lakeshore, and sure as schitt, there's a glaucus flitting around checking out the mud. And...where is my fanny pack? In the vehicle.

Dumbass indeed.

Chuck

[thejsonboss]

Just casually picking up a rattlesnake. Nbd

[leptraps]

I do not fear snakes, Poisonous or otherwise. I have a great deal of respect for any snake, especially the ones on two legs. Copper Heads (Agkistrodon contortrix) are related to Vipers.

I grew up in the inner city of Cleveland, Ohio, Garden Snakes were present but not common. I was a teenager before I encountered my first poisonous snake. I do not pick them up to play with them. However, I had an English Teacher in Highschool that I still beleive to this day was related to a Pit Viper.

While living in South Florida, I saw or encountered more snakes than anywhere else that I have lived with one exception, Washington, D.C. And the Snakes in Washington, D.C. are of the two legged variety.

My post above is slightly off topic. For that I do apologize.

[exoticimports]

I stumbled across Baltimore Checkerspots (Euphydras phaeton) yesterday, strangest place, under overhead wire right of way. Terrible environment; goldenrod above my head, blackberry and thistle tore me up. And the fresh males were flitting around and sunning on the tops of the goldenrod. There's no Turtlehead around there, though certainly I've seen Turtlehead in bloom elsewhere. A few fresh Speyeria cybele as well, young males racing around looking for a fight without enough individuals to encounter each other.

Chuck

[leptraps]

I have found the larva of Euphydryas phaeton feeding on Plantago major, the broadleaf plantain. I have only found early instar larva on Chelone glabra (Turtlehead). The female's of Euphydryas phaeton will only lay eggs on Chelone glabra (Turtlehead).

The area where I find Euphydryas phaeton is quite exstensive and the butterfly has been there since I was a teenager (1961). An older gentleman from Akron told me about the location while attending Birding (watching) event. The bird they were watching was an Osprey.

[Adam Cotton]

Jul 1, 2021 6:22:42 GMT -8 leptraps said:

I have found the larva of Euphydryas phaenton feeding on Plantago major, the broadleaf plantain. I have only found early instar larva on Chelone glabra (Turtlehead). The female's of Euphydryas phaenton will only lay eggs on Chelone glabra (Turtlehead).

I assume you mean Euphydryas phaeton.

I am curious to know how larvae can be found on Plantago major if females will only lay eggs on Chelone glabra.

Adam.

[leptraps]

Adam:

Both plants occur together. In a typical year, the females of Euphudryas phaeton lay their eggs on the short new growth of Chelone glabra.

Euphudryas phaeton females will only lay eggs on Chelone glabra. The larva will feed on Chelone glabra for the first four instar. During the night the larva of will move down the stem and into the ground litter and remain idle for several days. They become active and move through the ground litter until they find Plantago major. They immediately begin to feed. A day or two later they will pupate. I reared them from larvae several times.

Now I will throw a wrench into the process. In South Western Virginia the larva only feed on Chelone glabra. They never leave the host, Chelone glabra.

Okay all of you field guys, make plans for 2022. Let us work together next year and solve my little puzzle. I just entered into my 2022 "Planner".

[Adam Cotton]

Thank you for the clear and interesting explanation. It seemed rather strange when I read your previous post.

Adam.

[jshuey]

Euphydryas phaeton also use false foxgloves (Aureolaria) in the Midwest. I've seen larval nests commonly in bone-dry habitats in the sandplains of southern Michigan (with cactus and Karner Blues flying around) and found them once in a clear-cut in SE Ohio on these. Aureolaria are hemiparasites on the roots of oaks.

Go back in August and look for silk tents on herbaceous plants - and that would be the larval nests.

john

[bobw]

I once reared phaeton here in England from pupae sent to me from the States and they laid and fed quite happily on Plantago lanceolata.