Category - Butterflies

This category focuses on butterfly species in the Order Lepidoptera. On occasion a post in this category will feature a moth species.

Butterflies

Mow Milkweed for Monarchs

Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) growing along gravel roadway of western Montana Mow milkweed sounds counterproductive to managing this plant for monarch butterflies. But, that is what is recommended in a Spartan News Room...

Butterflies

Few spring sightings for Elfin butterfly

Elfin butterfly (Callophrys sp.) typically emerge during early to mid April locally as I posted recently. This year that schedule is running late. I have had few spring sightings, only one Brown Elfin and one Western Pine Elfin...

Butterflies

What is hilltopping?

Three Western White butterfly “hilltopping” at Waterworks Hill It’s a butterfly behavior Some butterfly species congregate on hilltops. This is “hilltopping”. The meaning of this behavior has not...

Butterflies

Milbert’s Tortoiseshell…any day now

Yes, Butterflies are active in March As I highlighted in a previous post, about 8 species of tortoiseshell and comma butterflies overwinter as adults (true in western Montana). Even with the spate of snow (2nd snowiest February...

Butterflies

Spring break to Florida?

Palamedes Swallowtail taking nectar Take time to note these large butterfly in/near swamp habitat Reflect on the essay “We contain multitudes” , a Daily Good inspirational news post; let your inner naturalist...