A Comprehensive Annotated List of the Butterflies
Chase Lake Butterfly Survey
The Brush-footed Butterflies
Variegated Fritillary Euptoieta claudia (Cramer), 1775 Habitat: Southern migrant, often common in open prairies Larval food: A wide range of seemingly unrelated plant spp., incl. Viola, Portulaca, Desmodium, Menispermum Adult flight: Continuous breeder arriving in May, often abundant by fall References: Royer 62, Opler & Krizek 130, Scott 335 Confirmed occurrences: 2 Aug 1995 on transect CL001. Great Spangled Fritillary Speyeria cybele (Fabricius), 1775 Habitat: Woodland margins, often nectaring Cirsium, Monarda or Liatris Larval food: Viola spp. (larva overwinters shortly after eclosure) Adult flight: Late June into early August References: Royer 63, Opler & Krizek 132, Scott 325 Confirmed occurrences: Rare, with one individual each on 3 Jul, 2 Aug and 15 Aug 1995 in S4 T142N R69W. All three were females obviously in transit; two examples on transect CL001, 15 Jul 1996. Aphrodite Fritillary Speyeria aphrodite (Fabricius), 1787 Habitat: Open meadows, nectars at Cirsium, Monarda, Liatris, males patrol continuously when not taking nectar or resting Larval food: Viola spp. (larva overwinters shortly after eclosure) Adult flight: Late June into early August, depending on location References: Royer 63, Opler & Krizek 133, Scott 324 Confirmed occurrences: Common throughout complex on 2 and 15 Aug 1995, males patrolling and taking nectar at Liatris punctata; again present but strangely scarce throughout 1996 season. Regal Fritillary Speyeria idalia (Drury), 1773 Habitat: Native prairies in southeastern ND; nectars at Asclepias, Cirsium, Liatris; males patrol continuously when not taking nectar or basking; females range widely and delay egg laying until late August Larval food: Viola pedata (larva overwinters shortly after eclosure) Adult flight: Late June (males) through August (females dominating) References: Royer 63, Opler & Krizek 133, Scott 324 Confirmed occurrences: Common throughout complex on 2 and 15 Aug 1995, especially around Cirsium stands, and obviously a resident (several females observed during oviposition behavior); not appearing until 15 Jul 1996, when less common and averaging much smaller than previous year. Callippe Fritillary Speyeria callippe (Boisduval), 1852 Habitat: Native prairies; nectars avidly at Medicago, Cirsium Larval food: Viola spp. (larva overwinters in 1st stage) Adult flight: Mid-June into July (earlier than most Speyeria spp.) References: Royer 64, Ferris & Brown 307, Scott 329 Confirmed occurrences: Common throughout complex 27 Jun, 3 Jul, 2 Aug, but worn by 15 Aug 1995; common on both transects, 26 Jun through 15 Jul 1996 (abundant on 4 Jul); still evident through early August 1996. Silver-bordered Fritillary Clossiana selene (Denis & Schiffermüller), 1775 Habitat: Wet meadows, marshes, lake margins, often with woody growth (Salix, Cornus); males are incessant fliers Larval food: Viola spp. (larva overwinters in 2nd-4th stage) Adult flight: Two broods, May and July References: Royer 64, Ferris & Brown 307, Scott 329 Confirmed occurrences: Common in fen in NE 1/4 S4 T142N R69W. Meadow Fritillary Clossiana bellona (Fabricius), 1775 Habitat: Fresh meadows, usually those without much woody growth; males patrol during mid-day Larval food: Viola spp. (larva overwinters in 3rd or 4th stage) Adult flight: Two broods, May and July References: Royer 66, Opler & Krizek 138, Scott 320 Confirmed occurrences: Not recorded at Chase Lake Complex in 1995, but remotely possible in fresh wetland areas in May and July. Gorgone Checkerspot Charidryas gorgone (Hübner), 1810 Habitat: Dry prairies, disturbed fields, roadsides; likes mud puddles Larval food: Helianthus spp. (larva overwinters in 3rd stage) Adult flight: Two broods, June and August References: Royer 66, Opler & Krizek 140, Scott 303 Confirmed occurrences: 6 and 14 Jun 1995 in S4 T142N R69W. Pearl Crescent Phyciodes tharos (Drury), 1773 Habitat: Sunny places, roadsides, widespread Larval food: Aster spp. Adult flight: Multiple broods; May, June-July, August-September References: Royer 69, Opler & Krizek 145, Scott 311 Confirmed occurrences: 6 and 14 Jun, and again 2 August 1995 on transect CL001 and intermittently throughout S4 T142N R69W; not common; similarly scarce, with only two examples on transect CL001, 15 Jul 1996. Northern Pearl Crescent Phyciodes pascoensis Wright, 1905 Habitat: Moist woodland roadsides, often near water Larval food: Aster spp., probably A. simplex in ND Adult flight: One brood, June References: Royer 69, Opler & Krizek 147, Scott 309 Confirmed occurrences: 27 Jun and 3 Jul 1995 on transect CL001 but more commonly in low areas near water; not common. Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa (Linnaeus), 1758 Habitat: Riparian forests; adults drink Quercus sap and fermenting fruit juices, and occasionally the nectar of such flowers as Asclepias, Apocynum, etc. Larval food: Salix spp. primarily, but also Populus, Betula, Ulmus Adult flight: Overwinters as adult, appearing April-May to produce a single annual brood by early July. Partially southward migratory; adults live nearly a year. References: Royer 74, Opler & Krizek 156, Scott 291 Confirmed occurrences: Not recorded at Chase Lake Complex in 1995, but possible anywhere in complex; overwintering individual through May, then new emergents after July. Milbert's Tortoise Shell Aglais milberti (Godart), 1819 Habitat: Widespread across the state in autumn Larval food: Urtica and Salix spp. also possibly Helianthus Adult flight: Confused; one to four broods reported; probably two in ND References: Royer 75, Opler & Krizek 157, Scott 289 Confirmed occurrences: One example on transect CL001, 27 Jun 1995. Painted Lady Vanessa cardui (Linnaeus), 1758 Habitat: Open prairies, roadsides and meadows Larval food: Cirsium primarily; also Helianthus, many other composites Adult flight: Frequent spring immigrant; does not survive winter References: Royer 76, Opler & Krizek 159, Scott 289 Confirmed occurrences: Intermittent throughout complex all season, peaking markedly in mid-August; 2 Aug 1996 on transect CL001. Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta (Linnaeus), 1758 Habitat: Sunlit patches in woodland clearings near nettles Larval food: Urtica Adult flight: Regular spring immigrant; does not survive winter References: Royer 76, Opler & Krizek 160, Scott 280 Confirmed occurrences: Uncommon on 27 Jun and 3 Jul 1995 on transect CL001 and elsewhere in S4 T142N R69W. Buckeye Junonia coenia (Linnaeus), 1758 Habitat: Open prairies Larval food: Plantago, also various Scrophulariaceae and Verbenaceae Adult flight: Infrequent immigrant, may produce one or two broods in north, depending on arrival time; does not survive winter References: Royer 77, Opler & Krizek 162, Scott 276 Confirmed occurrences: 27 Jun and 3 Jul 1995 in S4 T142N R69W. White Admiral Basilarchia arthemis (Drury), 1773 Habitat: Woodland margins, often at Monarda or Apocynum blooms Larval food: Varied, mostly Populus; also Crataegus, Tilia, Amelanchier Adult flight: One brood, late June through July References: Royer 77, Opler & Krizek 166, Scott 260 Confirmed occurrences: Not recorded at Chase Lake Complex in 1995, but possible anywhere in complex from mid-June through July. Viceroy Basilarchia archippus (Cramer), 1776 Habitat: In or near wet meadows with willows Larval food: Salix, possibly sometimes Populus Adult flight: Double-brooded, appearing in early June and early August References: Royer 78, Opler & Krizek 167, Scott 259 Confirmed occurrences: Not recorded at Chase Lake Complex in 1995, but possible in willow areas in mid-June and again in August.
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