Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
This week the most prevalent butterfly in my garden was the Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) of which I counted 5 on 4 different days throughout the week (06/06/2021 – 06/11/2021).
Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
Aside from the easily recognizable Silver-spotted Skipper, identifying most of the skippers is a challenge. iNaturalist suggests possibilities and I am tentatively calling this Southern Broken-Dash (Wallengrenia otho), hoping for a confirmation. I saw a similar one the next day, but couldn’t get close enough for a photo. There usually are many skippers but I’ve never recorded this kind before, so am skeptical. [UPDATE: 6-17-2021 ID from Carolina Leps confirms as Southern Broken-Dash, a first for me.]
Southern Broken-Dash (Wallengrenia otho) ???
On June 8 and 11 I encountered the first Duskywings of the year. iNaturalist has not been much help so far in identifying these either. I tentatively listed one as Zarucco Duskywing (Erynnis zarucco) and the second as Horace’s Duskywing -(E. horatius), but my photographs are not very clear. I thinks it’s possible they could be the same individual. [UPDATE: 6-17-2021 ID from Carolina Leps suggest this is probably Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius).]
Zarucco Duskywing (Erynnis zarucco) ??? June 8, 2021 Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius)
Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius) ??? June 11, 2021
On each of 3 days I encountered a Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia). This little butterfly flits all over the garden and has been difficult to photograph. In the shortest amount of time it lands briefly on clover or grass, mulch, iris and penstemon leaves, not caring it could have a lovely portrait made if it would just be still! One finally slowed down a fraction to nectar on the butterfly bush.
Common Buckeye – Junonia coenia
Common Buckeye – Junonia coenia
While fretting around the butterfly bush trying to photograph the buckeye I enjoyed the happenstance of a cool moth sighting. I managed a few images of a Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) (June 11, 2021). Gotta love those wings!
Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe)
Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe)
Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe)
My favorite butterfly visitor this week was on 6/9/2021, another Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor), the third in the garden this year. Its colors were so rich as if it were freshly inked!
Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
There were flowers happening throughout the garden too which I will share another time. Off to attend the Plant Symposium. Enjoy your weekend!
