West Virginia Butterflies

“Lep Log” Blog…

Posted on July 16, 2013 by admin

All, I’ve added Rick Borchelt’s Lep Log to the reference links at the lower right of the page. Rick’s blof contains regional MD /DC lep sightings, conservation news, research information and a butterfly forecast. I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading through it. It can be found here: Lep Log

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Black Dash and adding a cloaking device to your car

Posted on July 15, 2013 by admin

Well, Summer is here with the hottest temps of the season on the way. Fortunately, the temperatures at Finzel Swamp (Allegany county, MD) yesterday were around 80 with light winds and mostly sunny skies. It appears that Black Dash Skippers have emerged recently as I didn’t run into any the previous weekend. Skipper species appear to be picking up with more Delaware Skippers seen this week. Appalachian Browns are now joined by Common Wood-Nymph. I found my first ever Black Dash‘s (5) along the trail beyond the third small trial bridge over the swamp. A lingering Baltimore Checkerspot was seen. In all 23 species which included a couple seen on the way there.

When I got back to my car modifications were being completed on installation of a cloaking device (the Klingon’s will have nothing on me…)

Species List is as follows: Continue reading →

Posted in Blues, Brush-footed, Milkweed Butterflies, Remote Trip, Satyrs, Skippers, Swallowtails, Whites and Sulphurs | Leave a comment

Northern Metalmarks

Posted on July 14, 2013 by admin

Thanks to information from Rick Borchelt I was able to find about 12 Northern Metalmarks along a shale bank on Swain Hollow road in eastern Allegany county, MD. This is a rare and very local butterfly in our region. They are probably in the shale barren areas of Hampshire and Mineral counties of WV but it will take a lot of searching and the time frame to find them is pretty short (1 brood, late June through the end of July). I’ve also included a Pipevine Swallowtail.

Posted in Gossamer-winged, Remote Trip, Swallowtails | Leave a comment

Regal Redux

Posted on July 10, 2013 by admin

I couldn’t resist adding another image of this endangered species. Indeed the Regal Fritillary has disappeared from much of its previous range. It’s great to know the conservation efforts at Ft. Indiantown Gap, PA are helping to preserve this special buttery. I’ve also included an image of my first of year Delaware Skipper’s and a fresher image of American Copper. Click on image for larger size.

Ft. Indiantown Gap, PA 7-5-2013

Cranesville Swamp, WV 7-6-2013

Ft. Indiantown Gap, PA 7-5-2013

I’ll be out looking for two regional rarities this weekend; Northern Metalmark and Black Dash.

Posted in Brush-footed, Gossamer-winged, Milkweed Butterflies, Remote Trip, Skippers, WV Trip | Leave a comment

Bog Copper, Baltimore Checkerspot

Posted on July 7, 2013 by admin

Barry Martz and I spent a great great butterflying the mountain swamps (Cranesville, WV and Finzel, MD) in search of Bog Copper, Appalachian Brown and other skippers. We found our targets. Lifers for me were (Bog Copper, Appalachian Brown, Baltimore Checkersport ( 2 at Finzel Swamp), Little Glassywing, Peck’s Skipper and Northern Broken-Dash).Glassywing’s were in good supply an European Skippers were off the charts. In the Frit department we saw Aphrodite, Great Spangled and Meadow. Also of note was a Coral Hairstreak at Cranesville. As always you can click on the image for a larger version.