Recent sightings

950am-1245pm, 81-91 degrees, sunny, calm to windy. Extensive mowing and defoliating under the tree canopy cut back numbers significantly from recent visits.

First sighting of the Ocola Skipper this year, rather late. (first sighting was in late August the past two years)

Cloudy, misting to rain for the past days and sun late day today for an hour. Rain tomorrow. Over a dozen cats of Monarch and Black Swallowtails. In 2018 my Long-Tailed Skipper arrived on November 5th, 2019 October 10th.

Very warm and humid with sun.

Sunny with low 80s.

Searching locations of known Leonard’s Skipper occurrences. Although lots of its favorite nectar plant, Liatris squarrulosa, was in bloom, no Leonard’s Skippers were seen. They have been missing at these locations for several years now. Much of the vicinity has been clearcut logged in that time, probably degrading the habitat to the point of exterminating the colony. A big surprise was a relatively fresh Zebra Swallowtail. This is the latest date I’ve observed one in Tennessee.

On this beautiful day with sunshine, some winds and temperature around 78, a female Black Swallowtail visited the butterfly garden.

80 degrees, overcast with rain on the way no time for photos!

Weather was partly to mostly cloudy, 78°, windy

R. Spink, J. Rutgers, C. Rutgers, F. Rutgers, K. Rutgers

rainy, and cool, uppers 60s