Category: Critters

Common checkered-skipper

I suspect this is my last butterfly image for 2010, but I’d be glad to be wrong.

I’ve come to appreciate the diminutive skippers. I especially enjoy them in late summer when the other butterflies begin to dwindle. This common checkered-skipper (Pyrgus communis) is one of the easiest to identify.

common-checkered skipper (Pyrgus communis)

This particular one has brown tones, but they are often checkered black and white. It is about 1/2 inch wide and is feeding on New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae).

According to Jim Brock and Kenn Kaufman, authors of Butterflies of North America, this is “the most common and widespread skipper in North America.” I’m surprised that I’m just now seeing it and making its acquaintance.

October butterflies

It’s October and I’m still enjoying butterflies in the backyard.

The New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae) has recently been a magnet for butterflies and bees. It was great fun this past Saturday to observe bumble bees (large, medium, and small), honey bees, and butterflies including cabbage, pearl crescent, and several different skippers. I also managed to capture these images.

orange sulphur butterfly (Colias eurytheme) on New England Aster

I see Orange Sulphurs (Colias eurytheme) fairly often and enjoy their bright spots of color.

gray hairstreak (Strymon melinus)

Gray Hairstreaks (Strymon melinus) are less common and seeing them is a special treat.

varigated fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)

I was especially glad to see a variegated fritillary (Euptoieta claudia) for the first time this year.

Since Saturday, daytime temperatures have dropped to the 50s and 60s. Was this my last backyard butterfly show of the year? If so, it was a good one.

Buckeye butterfly

buckeye butterfly (Junonia coenia)

What a treat! I am seeing Buckeye butterflies (Junonia coenia) in the backyard for the first time. I think they are quite attractive with their colorful markings and distinctive “eyes”. They, along with several other smaller butterflies, are feeding on Mist Flower, the subject of last week’s post. At times it’s a butterfly frenzy and great fun to watch.


Mist Flower

This is the bees’ and butterflies’ favorite plant right now. Mist Flower or Wild Ageratum (Eupatorium coelestinum) is in full bloom. Many of the summer flowers have faded while the fall asters and goldenrods haven’t yet blossomed. Mist Flower is drought tolerant – a welcome characteristic during our current Kentucky hot and dry spell. I also enjoy bringing it inside as part of a garden bouquet.

In addition to various bees, I’ve seen skippers, silvery checkerspots and monarch butterflies enjoying its nectar. The visitor above is an Ailanthus webworm moth (Atteva aurea). It is an occasional visitor in the garden and I like its unique design.

Caterpillar giveaway

Would you like a black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) caterpillar? I have an abundance and would be glad to share some with anyone in the Lexington, Kentucky area.

Black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) caterpillars

They are easy to care for and fun to watch. They eat parsley, dill, or fennel. If you are new at this, my tips for raising butterflies may be helpful.

I can’t be sure when these caterpillars will emerge as butterflies. Some of them may overwinter as chrysalises and emerge next spring. I put some in my garage last winter and they did fine. I plan to try some outside this winter.

If you are not interested now but would like to try raising caterpillars later, I’d be glad to put your name on a waiting list.

Please contact me for more information or to request a caterpillar.