Rubber Rabbitbrush flowering in mid August Valuable nectar source Rubber Rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa) referenced both online and in print as important for butterflies: a) “numerous bees and butterflies are attracted to the...
Category - Butterflies
This category focuses on butterfly species in the Order Lepidoptera. On occasion a post in this category will feature a moth species.
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...
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...
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...
Start looking for Elfin butterflies, photogenic
Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus) taking nectar from Sagebrush Buttercup As stated by Glassberg (2017): “Elfins…some of the first butterflies to fly in the spring.” Here in western Montana early to mid-April...
Mud is key for finding early spring butterflies
Insect version of Polar Bear Plunge. BTW, this is a Mourning Cloak. Eight species of Comma and Tortoiseshell can be found flying in early spring (late March/early April) in western Montana. They can because they overwinter as...
First spring tortoiseshell, butterflies use garden plantings
No butterflies at the end of this rainbow without flowers etc. I tweeted this afternoon after finding a Milbert’s Tortoiseshell using our garden plantings. Great way to start April finding something so colorful right out...
Still looking for early spring butterflies
Even bright colors can be muted in a shadowed landscape California Tortoiseshell one of eight possible species to find California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica) is one of eight species (Compton Tortoiseshell...
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...
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...