Post by trehopr1 on Jul 13, 2021 23:40:52 GMT -8
I recently returned from a two-day collecting trip
to the southernmost counties of my state (Illinois).
The prospect and allure of doing some honestly GOOD
"small game hunting" (for a change) keeps me coming
back nearly every season. Also, the laid back lifestyle
of the folks there and the nice food stops (of homestyle
cooking) doesn't hurt neither !
This particular visit would wind up being a butterfly
hunting effort strictly as I was rained out both of the
nights that I was there. However, that wasn't half bad
as it provided more than ample humidity for (possible)
fresh hatches from mother nature's bounty.
Having arrived and settled in I went about investigating
two of my primary fields for collecting. My preliminary
assessment revealed MANY battered/tattered individuals;
but, every 5th or 6th one was a definite keeper.
Below, I offer a photo of a typical field which I prefer
visiting for collecting purposes. This is an alfalfa/purple
clover field which is far superior a haunt to be in; rather
then take your chances in a relict (all natural) field.
I have found that natural spaces often belie an abundance
of ticks present. Also, a field such as this only gets to be
about 14 inches high before it is shorn for hay. So, that's
3-4 cuttings per season.
As it turned out papilionids were the order of the day as
pierids and nymphalids both proved to be largely absent...
All told I spent nearly 5 hours (in 2 fields) between two days.
I carefully looked over everything within my walking radius
and selected only those good examples that I could manage
to encounter. This was done in low 90 degree temps, high
humidity, and intermittent brief showers.
At this time of year (midsummer) in the southern counties
there are 5 species of swallowtails present. The tiger, zebra,
spicebush (green-clouded), pipevine, and black swallowtail
species occur in varying degrees.
This particular visit P. glaucus was easily the most numerous
species present. However, I believe that I was just on the edge
of a brood emergence for the spicebush and pipevine; as the
very few I saw were "spot-on" fresh. There would be no sightings
of the zebra or black swallowtails this visit.
So, after MUCH picking and choosing -- whilst fending off some
pesky little black gnats which seemed to follow me everywhere;
I came away with 19 pretty darn good examples of papilionid
extravagance.
Below, I offer up a few quick shots of my hard won treasures !
It is customary for me to preferably "fresh-pin" my goods
(on the quick) to avoid them drying out. I generally dislike
having to rehydrate specimens especially when all I had to do
was manage my evening time better (the day I caught them).
All 19 were comfortably lying on the spreading boards by
my third night.
In about 4-5 weeks I will show my finished captures
as a group once I have them removed from the boards.
I wish everyone a good season !
to the southernmost counties of my state (Illinois).
The prospect and allure of doing some honestly GOOD
"small game hunting" (for a change) keeps me coming
back nearly every season. Also, the laid back lifestyle
of the folks there and the nice food stops (of homestyle
cooking) doesn't hurt neither !
This particular visit would wind up being a butterfly
hunting effort strictly as I was rained out both of the
nights that I was there. However, that wasn't half bad
as it provided more than ample humidity for (possible)
fresh hatches from mother nature's bounty.
Having arrived and settled in I went about investigating
two of my primary fields for collecting. My preliminary
assessment revealed MANY battered/tattered individuals;
but, every 5th or 6th one was a definite keeper.
Below, I offer a photo of a typical field which I prefer
visiting for collecting purposes. This is an alfalfa/purple
clover field which is far superior a haunt to be in; rather
then take your chances in a relict (all natural) field.
I have found that natural spaces often belie an abundance
of ticks present. Also, a field such as this only gets to be
about 14 inches high before it is shorn for hay. So, that's
3-4 cuttings per season.
As it turned out papilionids were the order of the day as
pierids and nymphalids both proved to be largely absent...
All told I spent nearly 5 hours (in 2 fields) between two days.
I carefully looked over everything within my walking radius
and selected only those good examples that I could manage
to encounter. This was done in low 90 degree temps, high
humidity, and intermittent brief showers.
At this time of year (midsummer) in the southern counties
there are 5 species of swallowtails present. The tiger, zebra,
spicebush (green-clouded), pipevine, and black swallowtail
species occur in varying degrees.
This particular visit P. glaucus was easily the most numerous
species present. However, I believe that I was just on the edge
of a brood emergence for the spicebush and pipevine; as the
very few I saw were "spot-on" fresh. There would be no sightings
of the zebra or black swallowtails this visit.
So, after MUCH picking and choosing -- whilst fending off some
pesky little black gnats which seemed to follow me everywhere;
I came away with 19 pretty darn good examples of papilionid
extravagance.
Below, I offer up a few quick shots of my hard won treasures !
It is customary for me to preferably "fresh-pin" my goods
(on the quick) to avoid them drying out. I generally dislike
having to rehydrate specimens especially when all I had to do
was manage my evening time better (the day I caught them).
All 19 were comfortably lying on the spreading boards by
my third night.
In about 4-5 weeks I will show my finished captures
as a group once I have them removed from the boards.
I wish everyone a good season !
