By Ranger Steve Mueller

Conditions were excellent for the Allegan State Game Area Butterfly Count. Clear skies with temperatures between 70 and 81 degrees F provide butterflies with good flying weather. Butterfly emergence for many species is later than expected due to this year’s weather conditions. People joined with the West Michigan Butterfly Association (WMBA) to learn identification and to enjoy wild areas. We carpooled and even encountered other people looking for butterflies. What joy!

The Newaygo Count in the Manistee National Forest, Rogue River State Game Area Count, Grand River Count in Ottawa County, and the Muskegon State Game Area Count held by WMBA will occur during July. The Allegan count was held on July 5, and species sighted are listed in Table 1. The results from the Rogue River SGA Count will be published in a nature niche column, but visit the WMBA Web Site for results from all our counts. A $5 membership sent to our treasurer will keep you connected for club activities (address on web site) www.graud.org/wmba.html.

2105 Allegan SGA Butterlfy Count No.

Swallowtails

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 2

Spicebush Swallowtail 1

Whites & Sulphurs

Cabbage White 7

Clouded Sulphur 6

Blues and Hairstreaks

American Copper 2

Bog Copper 6

Coral Hairstreak 18

Edward’s Hairstreak 693

Banded Hairstreak 25

Striped Hairstreak 2

Summer Azure 2

Brushfooted Butterflies

American Snout 1

Great Spangled Fritillary 17

Aphrodite Fritillary 21

Pearl Crescent 2

Gray Comma 3

Mourning Cloak 1

Red Admiral 53

Red-spotted Purple 2

Hackberry Emperor 6

Tawny Emperor 2

Eyed Brown 1

Appalachian Brown 1

Skippers

European Skipper 8

Northern Broken Dash 5

Delaware Skipper 3

Mulberry Wing 1

Broad-winged Skipper 1

Dion 1

Black Dash 1

Dun Skipper 2

Total Adult Individuals 896

Early Life Stages

Spicebush Swallowtail larva on Sassafras 1

Edward’s Hairstreak eggs oak 5

Karner Blue larva 4

Monarch larva on milkweed 1

Total Species 30

Allegan SGA Butterfly Count

Time 0900 – 1715 hrs (1 party)

AM 100% sunshine

PM 100% sunshine

70 – 81 F

Wind stilll to light breeze for short period in early afternoon

Total Party hours 8.0 hrs

Total Party Miles on foot 3.3 miles

Natural history questions or topic suggestions can be directed to Ranger Steve (Mueller) at odybrook@chartermi.net Ody Brook Nature Sanctuary, 13010 Northland Dr, Cedar Springs, MI 49319, or call 616-696-1753.

The Newaygo Butterfly Count was held on July 27, 2013 in the Manistee National Forest. Six participants from age 8 to seniors enjoyed the two track roads in Newaygo County. None of the observers were from Newaygo County. All came from our region. The weather was not ideal but we had great observations and good company. The temperature started at 63 but it was cloudy. If the sun were shining, the cooler temperature would be prevent many butterflies from flying. The temperature rose to 65 but dropped to 60 in the afternoon. Winds picked up and that keeps butterflies low. Our observation sites are somewhat protected from the wind so butterflies were active at nectar sources. We saw 15 adult species and additional butterflies in early stages of life. 105 adult individual were counted and 20 early stage individuals.

While observing butterflies, we take time to enjoy others encounters along the way. We saw a Map Turtle that is Michigan Threatened. Sandhill Cranes flew over and many other species of birds were heard and seen. We spend time looking at wild flowers. Several Disjunct species were seen including the Meadow Beauty. A Disjunct species is one that is about 500 miles from other known populations. The ones we saw have their relatives living along the Atlantic coast. These are mostly likely relics that were stranded here after glaciation 8000 thousand years ago and have managed to survive generation after generation. Our nature outings are great opportunities for time in the outdoors with family and friends.

Newaygo Butterfly Count Sightings

Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillars- 2

Orange Sulphur – 1

American Copper – 2

Eastern Tailed Blue – 1

Karner Blue Butterfly – 5 Federally Endangered Species

Aphrodite Fritillary – 8

Silver-bordered Fritillary – 4

Pearl Crescent – 5

Red-spotted Purple – 13

Red-spotted Purple eggs – 6

Viceroy – 1

Northern Pearly Eye – 2

Appalachian Eyed Brown – 2

Common Wood Nymph – 4

Monarch – 1 caterpillar

Silver-spotted Skipper caterpillars – 9

Duskywing species caterpillar larva – 2

Northern Broken Dash – 20

Little Glassywing – 4

Common Roadside Skipper – 3

Dun Skipper – 30

Natural history questions or topic suggestions can be directed to Ranger Steve (Mueller) at the odybrook@chartermi.net Ody Brook, 13010 Northland Dr, Cedar Springs, MI 49319-8433.