Sighting for August 5, 2013

Two hours in early afternoon, partly cloudy, warm (80F) and dry. The butterfly garden benefits from being kept a little on the weedy side by furloughs of the federal arboretum grounds staff. Red-banded Hairstreaks have rebounded in the current brood from very small flights earlier in the year throughout the mid-Atlantic; female Zabulons emerged this week to fly with males that emerged last week. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail numbers have dropped dramatically this week and most flying adults are showing a lot of wear. Abundant nectar, including clethra, buddleia, various perennial sunflowers, vitex, partridge pea, senna and various mints.