4th of July Butterfly Counts
In 2008 WPAS members have participated in four 4th of July butterfly counts. The 4th of July Butterfly Counts have been held annually since 1975. These counts are sponsored by the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) and are typically held within 3 weeks before or after the 4th of July. The McDonough County count was first initiated in 1977. A summary of the 2008 count results is provided below.
Mason County (Revis) Count held June 14, 2008
A total of 37 species and 1169 individual butterflies were observed. This is just below average for species and slightly above average for numbers seen. This year large numbers of swallowtails and skippers were seen, with the later primarily on pale purple coneflowers. New records (from data based on the past 9 years of the count) were reported for Giant Swallowtail (9), Tiger Swallowtail (16), Cabbage White (361), Cloudless Sulfur (3), Silver-spotted Skipper (175), Common Sooty Wing (15), Tawny-edged Skipper (86), Delaware Skipper (14), Peck’s Skipper (2), Hobomok Skipper (1), and Dun Skipper (13). Of the State threatened butterfly species typically seen on this count no Ottoe Skippers were observed and only 164 Regal Fritillaries were seen (down from an annual average of near 400). Part of this was due to delayed flowering of species such as purple prairie clover, green milkweed and common milkweed as well as an escaped wildfire that burned a large portion of the Revis hill prairies last year.
Beardstown Count held June 26, 2008
Five WPAS members participated (David Hess, Bob & Alice Henry and Dan & Angella Moorehouse). A total of 38 species and 1285 individuals were observed. This is above average for species and a record for numbers seen. The vast majority of butterflies were observed within a common milkweed patch at the old sand quarry north of Arenzville. Records since the past 12-years included: Zebra Swallowtail (100), Black Swallowtail (32), Giant Swallowtail (5), Gorgone Checkerspot (10), and Dun Skipper (9). Other notable sightings were 15 Gray Copper, 32 Regal Fritillary, 1 Silvery Checkerspot, 154 Hackberry Emperor, 3 Tawny Emperor and 222 Silver-spotted Skipper. One
interesting note was the lack of any Checkered Whites (a sand species) seen on either the Mason County or Beardstown counts.
McDonough County Count held July 12, 2008
Participants for this year’s count included: David Hess, Yale Sedman, Barbara Brown, Wanda Black, Bob & Alice Henry and Dan & Angella Moorehouse. Afternoon rains resulted in the count period being cut short with strong winds building after lunch. Still we found 32 species and 702 individuals which was nearly identical to our results in 2007 and slightly below the 23-year average for species and slightly above for total numbers seen. Record numbers were reported for Eastern-tailed Blue (201) and Little Wood Saytr (190) with a tie record for Painted Lady (8) and Edward’s Hairstreak (2). It is important to note that Edward’s Hairstreaks had not been observed on this count since 1978. Other notable sightings included: 8 Byssus Skipper, 2 Northern Cloudywing, 4 Wild Indigo Duskywing, 3 Broken Dash, 16 Summer Azure, 36 Great Spangeled Fritillary, 11 Buckeye, 1 Coral Hairstreak and 4 Northern Pearly Eye. Also of note was the lack of Little Yellows, only 2 were seen.
Hancock County Count - Info comming soon.