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Butterfly season is winding down. Learn what uncommon butterfly species have been spotted in the Forest!

Butterfly season is winding down. Learn what “butterfly surveying” is all about and what new, uncommon and/or rare species have been spotted in the Forest the past two years by our butterfly surveyors!

Beginning in 2018, we have had a dedicated team of butterfly surveyors walk a set path each week during butterfly season – usually mid-April to late October. Joanne Langabee and Holly Hofreiter start the season based on first observed butterfly activity in the area, and end at the first frost, or when there is very little observed butterfly activity.  Each hike is weather permitting, and while the goal is to hike the same day each week, sometimes it needs to be adjusted.

Working with Fontenelle Forest staff, the original route was established in order to sample all of our unique habitats, as well as a combination of restoration areas with varying treatments. Due to flooding in 2019, we had to adjust some of the paths, but they are still comparable year to year. By surveying the same areas, comparisons can be made based on restoration work areas, as well as account for weather differences.

The species and total numbers of butterflies are marked for each section of trail, and then Joanne creates a report of all of the data and comparisons. She also includes plant information, as well as general life-cycle for the butterflies encountered. We receive a report each week with any notable species, such as first time or rare butterflies, and total counts for the week. On especially notable occasion, photographs are sent as well!

In addition to surveying at Fontenelle Forest, they also do a comparison of species and individuals with Lauritzen Gardens surveys to see differences between cultivated gardens and non-cultivated landscapes. The timing and species of butterflies is different at each location, probably due to the variation in flowering plants at the two properties. This makes for a lot of walking and paying close attention to butterflies each week.

These photos are from the past two seasons – either uncommonly seen here, or new sightings in the area. How many of our butterflies have you seen? You can check out Nature Search at ffnaturesearch.org for many of the regularly seen butterflies both at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods.

📷 Photo Credit: Joanne Langabee.

  • Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus) – Considered uncommon in Fontenelle Forest/Neale Woods
  • Checkered White (Pontia protodice) – Considered uncommon in Fontenelle Forest/Neale Woods
  • Gorgone Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone) – Considered rare in the area
  • Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorus) – Rare – added to Nature Search in past two years
  • Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) – While considered common, not often seen, especially in high traffic areas such as along Gifford Road where this was taken
  • Perpendicular Graphic Moth (Melipotis perpendicularis) – Not a butterfly, but an exciting find! First time sighting in Fontenelle Forest on August 14, 2020; previously seen in Creighton, NE and at Ponca State Park (Not in Nature Search)
  • Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe) – Uncommon at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods
  • White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) – Very rare, the only other recorded sighting here was in August of 2012.

The Banded Hairstreak butterfly on a leaf. It has a white label near the bottom of the picture that says, "Banded Hairstreak". The Checkered White butterfly on a yellow flower. It has a white label near the bottom of the picture that says, "Checkered White". The Gorgone Checkerspot butterfly on a leaf. It has a white label near the bottom of the picture that says, "Gorgone Checkerspot". The Hickory Hairstreak butterfly on a leaf. It has a white label near the bottom of the picture that says, "Hickory Hairstreak". The Mourning Cloak butterfly on cracked ground. It has a white label near the bottom of the picture that says, "Morning Cloak". The Sleepy Orange butterfly on a twig. It has a white label near the bottom of the picture that says, "Sleepy Orange". The Perpendicular Graphic moth on grass. It has a white label near the bottom of the picture that says, "Perpendicular Graphic Moth". The White M Hairstreak butterfly on a leaf. It has a white label near the bottom of the picture that says, "White M Hairstreak". The White M Hairstreak butterfly on a leaf. It has a white label near the bottom of the picture that says, "White M Hairstreak 2".picture of the Nature Search webpage

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