Skunks and a Spinyleg

Yesterday was the Skunks Misery butterfly count. I haven't done this count in a couple years, so it was nice to be able to do it!

I was assigned to the Newport County forest, near the edge of the count circle, so that's where my party spent the morning. This is a property that was donated to the Thames Talbot Land Trust. 

There was a nice big meadow waiting upon our arrival, and in it several of our first butterfly species, including a few species of skippers, Common Wood-Nymphs (the most numerous species), Great Spangled Fritillary, Eastern Tailed-Blue, and our first of several Hackberry Emperors. 

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Hackberry Emperor

Of course, I do get easily distracted by odonates. There were a couple species of interest in the meadow.

Midland Clubtail

Halloween Pennant

We worked our way down to the river through the forest, tacking on a couple more species here and there, including Tawny Emperor, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, and Little Wood-Saytr. There were several Blue-winged Warblers (including a baby) and a singing Mourning Warbler. 

Tawny Emperor

We eventually made it down to the river.

We had hoped for an American Snout, but no luck. There were several more Tawny and Hackberry Emperors, as well as some Question Marks, Dun Skippers, an Eastern Comma and Gray Comma down by the river's edge. This is where we added the bulk of our Cabbage White numbers as well.

There were a few Midland Clubtails over the river, as well as a Swift River Cruiser. This is the first time I have seen these species on the Thames River.

Swift River Cruiser

We worked our way through the woods, but as expected didn't really see all too much else. We did, however, add Banded Hairstreak and Silvery Checkerspot to the list. The checkerspot is a new species for me. I also saw a Fawn Darner, but it didn't stick around for any good photos.

Silvery Checkerspot

Banded Hairstreak

A favourite summertime wildflower for many is Michigan Lily (Lilium michiganense).

On our way back, we added Peck's Skipper to the list. Things were getting hot out!

In all we ended up with 20 species; Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (2), Cabbage White (51), Clouded Sulphur (4), Banded Hairstreak (6), Eastern Tailed-Blue (5), Great Spangled Fritillary (14), Silvery Checkerspot (1), Northern Crescent (7), Question Mark (4), Eastern Comma (1), Gray Comma (1), Hackberry Emperor (6), Tawny Emperor (11), Little Wood-saytr (4), Common Wood Nymph (76), Monarch (2), European Skipper (17), Peck's Skipper (2), Delaware Skipper (3), and Dun Skipper (10).

Afterwards, with the afternoon ahead of us with really nothing else to do, we headed west into Lambton county. First I checked out Reid CA. I figured I was pushing my luck, but maybe I'd be able to see an Oak Hairstreak, a very rare species of butterfly. I ran into Blake, so we spent some time looking, but no luck! Lots of Bandeds and a Striped though.

Banded Hairstreak

Striped Hairstreak

There were a few species of dragonflies hanging around most noteworthy being a Royal River Cruiser. This is a pretty range restricted dragonfly in Ontario. I couldn't catch it, but here is one from Reid last August.

There are a couple interesting sedges at Reid. One is Shoreline Sedge (Carex hyalinolepis), a very Carolinian species, uncommon in Ontario. This is a foodplant for Dukes' Skipper, of which Blake said are found here. I also found what I think is Pointed Broom Sedge (Carex scoparia), which is listed as rare in Lambton. This sedge is part of the quite difficult group in the genus Carex called Ovales, so consider the identification somewhat tentative. It is similar to Bebb's Sedge (Carex bebbii), but something just seemed off for it being that!

Pointed Broom Sedge

Shoreline Sedge

Blake gave me directions to McKeough CA, so off I went to my last stop of the day.

I was hoping for Flag-tailed Spinyleg, another rare species of dragonfly in Ontario, and one I have not seen before. There were several species of odonate present when I arrived to the conservation area, one of the more charismatic being Rainbow Bluet.

There were also several Pronghorn Clubtails. I have seen them before, but its still nice to lay eyes on this uncommon species! I think this is the first time an ode has made me audibly yelp when it bit me!

Eventually I did notice a larger somewhat teneral (young) clubtail flying up ahead of me. I got closer, and confirmed it was my target! I gently placed my net over it, and soon I had my lifer Flag-tailed Spinyleg in my hands! I'll have to return when it is a little less delicate and a bit more colourful!

Just as I was leaving, I saw something else nice, a young Longnose Gar! I have only seen one prior to this.

Overall a very fun insect-filled day! Summer is just getting started, hopefully some more odonate content to come.

Local Leps and Odes

First things first..."Leps" refers to "Lepidoptera" meaning butterflies and moths, and "Odes" refers to "Odonata" meaning dragonflies and damselflies. So, as you can see, this post will be devoted to those insects, with a few beetles and plants added in. Local is also in the title because everything in this post is no more then a ten minute bike ride away from my home.

I did my little insect count over the course of three days. I did a couple hours in the morning, then a couple hours in the evening. I was surprised at the number of species that I did see considering the areas I checked were bordered by hundreds of houses and two major roads.

The first location I would check out each morning was a small field. This area was good for European Skippers, which were the only skipper species seen.

A Clouded Sulphur was observed two of the three days at that location.

One Banded Hairstreak was seen, but no photos because the camera was acting up!

After the field, I would bike up a path along a small woodlot. I saw what I think may be a Red Admiral, but I was going down a steep hill, so I couldn't brake. When I was going to go back, another butterfly caught my eye. Silver-spotted Skipper is our largest skipper, and it could very well be the fastest in flight!

I saw one the first day, three the next, then a single on the last...all at the same location.

Cabbage White butterflies were the most common by far.

I saw two of these Red Milkweed Beetle on a Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). They are a very cool bug!

The dreaded Japanese Beetle is out in full force.

I saw a couple of Virginia Ctenuchas throughout the count. They are quite pretty, and docile, allowing you to get really close.

Time for a plant! This Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnate) was pretty. It was right in the area of the Silver-spotted Skippers, so I'm sure they were making use of it.

European Skippers were all over the flowers on the side of the trail. They rarely sit still though!

We got the Bugs and Botany, so here is a little bit of the Birds. The only time I got the chance to photograph a Ruby-throated Hummingbird so far this year presented itself. Can you find it?

Here's the heavily cropped version.

Fast forward a few hours, and I'm out at the local pond. The first real bug I come across (at the pond) is Common Red Soldier Beetle. This is not the last time I observe it during my count.

Green Darners and Common Whitetails are out in full force. I'm starting to believe that it is impossible to photograph a Green Darner unless it is cold outside and they are basking on a log or something. Here's my attempt at photographing the GD and CW. Can you find them?

Common Whitetail

Green Darner

I find that Pond Damsels are the easiest to take photos of (and I sure got a lot). Here's a Skimming Bluet.

I was surprised to see so many Orange Bluets. I learned later that they come out, or are at least more active, in the evening.

"Mirror, Mirror" 

At one point Skimming and Orange Bluet were in the same shot.

Eastern Forktail and Familiar Bluet win for most common species (of damselfly) seen.

Eastern Forktail

Familiar Bluets

Eastern Amberwing could be the most pretty species of dragonfly around the pond.

Unicorn Clubtail is another type of dragonfly observed. It is certainly interesting!

Acadian Hairstreak was also seen at the pond. Could it be the same one from last week?

Would you believe me if I told you that this is a bunch of Pavement Ants?

It wouldn't be a complete insect count without a species list! Here it is:

Upland Area Insect Count
July 4, 5, and 6, 2016

Species                                     Date Observed                Total

European Skipper                     4, 5, 6                                  18

Silver-spotted Skipper              4, 5, 6                                   3

Cabbage White                         4, 5, 6                                   X

Clouded Sulphur                      4, 6                                        2          

Acadian Hairstreak                  4                                            1 

Banded Hairstreak                   4                                            1

Red Admiral (?)                       4                                            X

Virginia Ctenucha                   4, 5, 6                                      2

Moth Sp.                                  4, 5, 6                                     X

Common Green Darner           4, 5 , 6                                    6

Unicorn Clubtail                       4                                             2

Eastern Amberwing                 4                                             3

Common Whitetail                  4, 5, 6                                      8

Tule Bluet                                4                                              1

Familiar Bluet                          4                                             22

Skimming Bluet                       4                                              3

Orange Bluet                            4                                             14

Eastern Forktail                        4, 5, 6                                     18

Common Red Soldier Beetle    4, 5, 6                                     X

Red Milkweed Beetle                6                                             2             

Japanese Beetle                         4, 5, 6                                    X

Pavement Ant                            5                                            X

Hoverfly Sp.                              4                                             1

Blowfly Sp.                                4, 5, 6                                    X

Wasp Sp.                                    4, 5, 6                                    X

Bee Sp.                                       4, 5 ,6                                    X

Lady Beetle Sp.                           6                                            3

X=Unknown Number


Go out there and find some interesting bugs of your own!