Now in late July on our VA farm the predominant color of the landscape is
GREEN, as shown in this panoramic view of one of our hay fields cut six weeks
ago, overlooking our farm house next to a pond and a 10 year old pollinator
field, now predominantly yellow with the blooms of oxeye sunflower. This is a
table set for the multitude of mouths of the lepidopterans (butterflies and
moths), which are a prime food for birds. While some of these insects may be
considered pests, many are spectacularly colored and have very interesting
habits for study by the naturalist.
There are three beautiful species of large fritillary butterflies in this area.
The Aphrodite from higher altitudes is only slightly different from the more
common great spangled, which has a broader white band on the margins of the
outer hindwing, and one less spot on the inside margin of the forewing. A third
member of the genus Speyeria , the Diana fritillary, is rare in our area but a
friend, Cecelia Mathis, has obtained a wonderful photo of two male Dianas with
a great spangled on the flowers of a common milkweed along a remote forest
road. In contrast with most sexual differences in which the male is more showy,
the male Dianas are a relatively dull brown and orange color compared with the
brighter black and blue female. The color of the female is even more remarkable
since it appears to be a case of mimicry of the toxic pipevine swallowtail.
Some of the moths can be quite spectacular. The hummingbird clearwing sphinx
moth hovers as it drinks nectar from flowers. The yellow collared scape moth
lands on flowers and is apparently mimicking a wasp and thus avoiding some
predation during its daytime feeding. The brown hooded owlet moth is very
inconspicuous as an adult, but its caterpillar is absolutely gorgeous in
yellow, black and red stripes; such advertisement usually accompanies toxicity
but little is known about such chemical warfare in this species. It also
appears to have head/tail mimicry by calling attention to the tail rather than
the head to divert attacks by birds.
An examination of the numerous flowers in bloom will reveal a wide variety of
butterflies visiting them. Some examples shown are the silver spotted skipper
on wild bergamot, a white morph orange/clouded sulphur on red clover, and a red
admiral on purple coneflower. I have also noticed a number of monarchs mating
in our fields where we have thousands of common milkweeds ready for them to lay
eggs. The leaves of many of these milkweeds are tender and thus attractive to
monarch caterpillars since the fields were mowed for hay about six weeks ago
and the plants have regrown. This is an example of how careful timing of mowing
can benefit monarchs.
So in late July bird song is definitely waning, but the insects and especially
lepidopterans are abundant and active for you to observe and enjoy.
Bill Dunson
Galax, VA and Englewood, FL
http://lemonbayconservancy.org/news-blog/nature-notes-by-bill-dunson/ ;
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Farm field panorama from flat field 7.20.16 Bill Dunson aa.jpg
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Aphrodite fritillary Whitetop 7.1.16 Bill Dunson IMG_4620 aa.jpg
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Diana fritillaries forest road 14 Cecelia Mathis July 2016 (3) bb.jpg
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Hummingbird clearwing sphiinx moth at bergamot VA farm 7.15.16 Bill Dunson IMG_4948 aa.jpg
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Caterpillar brown hooded owlet moth Cucullia convexipennis on wingstem VA farm 7.22.16 Bill Dunson bb.jpg
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Buttonbush flower with yellow collared scape moth VA farm 7.13.16 Bill Dunson IMG_4887 aa.jpg
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Silver spotted skipper on bergamot VA farm 7.15.16 Bill Dunson IMG_4932 aa.jpg
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White morph sulphur orange or clouded VA farm 7.15.16 Bill Dunson IMG_4915 (2) aa.jpg
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Monarchs mating VA farm 7.15.16 Bill Dunson IMG_4919 aa.jpg
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Red admiral VA farm 7.16.16 Bill Dunson IMG_4985 aa.jpg
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