[TN-Butterflies] Re: How do you tell the number of flights?
- From: kjchilds <kjchilds@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: Tennessee Butterflies <tn-butterflies@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:36:16 -0700 (PDT)
I was hoping that someone with more experience than I would reply but since no
one did, I'll share my observations.
The lazy answer on the number of flights is, I go by what is written in my
Kaufman guide. It lists the numbers of broods for each species.
For some species, it's really easy to tell when the second brood is flying.
I've noticed that with some species, the first that show up in the spring are
much smaller and/or less colorful than what shows later in the year. Common
Buckeyes and Variegated Fritillaries are good examples. I was amazed at how
small some of the Buckeyes and Var Frits were last spring. The Frits also
looked dull and faded. Then, there was a break in the numbers I was seeing. A
little later I was seeing adults that were 1.5 to 3 times larger and much more
colorful than those first fliers.
I've noticed that the Clouded and Orange Sulphurs I've seen so far this year
are smaller than what I was seeing last fall. The one flying in the picture I
posted was really small. I thought I was possibly chasing a Little Yellow but
after examining that picture over and over again, I'm pretty sure it was a very
small spring form male Orange Sulphur.
With some (maybe most that have multiple broods?), such as Black Swallowtails,
I don't think there are distinct flights. Once my fennel plant starts blooming
in July, there are eggs being laid constantly and I'll have caterpillars in
various stages of development right through fall.
Ken Childs
Henderson, TN
Chester County
http://www.finishflagfarms.com
--- On Sun, 3/15/09, Michael <mlbierly@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> From: Michael <mlbierly@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [TN-Butterflies] Re: How do you tell the number of flights?
> To: "Tennessee Butterflies" <tn-butterflies@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: Sunday, March 15, 2009, 5:42 PM
>
>
>
> Message
>
>
>
> I can tell that it
> is less than 55 F and not sunny. No posts. So, now that
> cabin fever has set in,
> perhaps breaking tomorrow, some of you please answer this.
> With each species,
> the number of flights are mentioned. Steve saying to hurry
> see the Falcate
> Orangetip as it has only one flight and will be gone by
> June. Now that is a long
> time until June, four months, so how is it known that
> the species has only
> one flight? And how do you know that some species have 2-3
> flights? Steve says
> that is one reason for the observations. So, what is the
> observation key? I can
> guess the numbers you see at one time, but how can you
> tell when a
> flight is on the high side, that another is not hatching? I
> realize that time is
> important, but if something gets 2-3 flights a season here,
> they are trucking.
> It could come down to knowing how long the egg and
> caterpillar
> stages are before the flight stage. I expect multiply
> factors and some
> guessing.
>
> Another point, there
> have been at least two previous question posts, ID on Appy
> and if Summer Azure
> flies in winter, that neither were answered on line,
> but I expect were
> answered privately. If answered, I consider both of these
> not personal, but
> something of interest to the group. How am I and
> other low ladders
> going to learn if questions are not answered to the group?
> I know a friend of
> mind asked my about the answer to the Appy question. He had
> the same question.
> So consider this where you
> answer. Thanks.
>
> Michael Lee Bierly,
> Nashville, Davidson County, TN
>
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