A Comprehensive Annotated List of the Butterflies
Lostwood NWR 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: Not recorded in 1995 or 1996 at Lostwood NWR, but on record for Burke County 8 Sep 1990, Carl Christopherson. 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: 21 Jul 1995, Unit 3c north of transect, and road on north margin Unit 10, 2.5 miles west of tower; 1 Aug 1996 on both transects. 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: 29 Jul 1995, Unit 3c on transect, also Unit 17 near lakes, also north end of Unit 10 by road 2.5 miles west of tower; 7 Jul through 13 Aug 1996 on both transects. Edwards' Fritillary Speyeria edwardsii (Reakirt), 1866 Habitat: Native prairies in southwestern ND; nectars avidly at Cirsium Larval food: Viola spp. (larva overwinters in 1st stage) Adult flight: Mid-June into July (earlier than other Speyeria spp.) References: Royer 64, Ferris & Brown 304, Scott 335 Confirmed occurrences: Not recorded in 1995 or 1996 at Lostwood NWR, but on Burke County records include 8 Sep 1990, Carl Christopherson; also photographed in Jun 1987 by Ann Swengel. 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: 5 Jul 1995, Unit 3c on transect, and Unit 7 in ditch near entrance; 7 & 18 Jul 1996 on both transects. 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: 29 Jul 1995, south edge of Unit 1 (Wilderness Area), approximately 2.5 miles west of tower, on margin of wetland. 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: 10 Jun 1995, Unit 3c in wetland north of transectL001 (absent this area 1996). 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: 10 Jun 1995, Unit 3c north of and on transect; Units 16 and 17 near aspens; 21 Jun 1995, near Knudson's Slough; 17 & 27 Jun 1996 on both transects. 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: 10 Jun 1995, Unit 3c north of transect and Unit 17 near aspen grove; 21 Jun 1995 on transect L001. 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: 5 Jul 1995, Unit 3c on transect, also Unit 7 near entrance; 29 Jul 1995, south edge of Unit 1 (Wilderness), 2.5 miles west of tower. Comma Polygonia comma (Harris), 1842 Habitat: Shady woodlands, sunlit patches late afternoon; adults drink running sap and juices of rotting fruit Larval food: Urtica spp., possibly also Ulmus Adult flight: Overwinters as adult, appearing April-May to produce a dark-winged summer form by late June. These in turn produce a second, light-winged, overwintering brood in August. References: Royer 71, Opler & Krizek 151, Scott 284 Confirmed occurrences: Not recorded in 1995 or 1996 at Lostwood NWR; possible in wooded areas. Gray Comma Polygonia progne (Cramer), 1776 Habitat: Deciduous woodlands, sunlit patches late afternoon; adults drink running sap and juices of rotting fruit Larval food: Ribes spp. Adult flight: Overwinters as adult, appearing April-May to produce a dark-winged summer form by late June. These in turn produce a second, light-winged, overwintering brood in August. References: Royer 73, Opler & Krizek 154, Scott 287 Confirmed occurrences: Not recorded in 1995 or 1996 at Lostwood NWR; possible in wooded areas. Compton Tortoise Shell Nymphalis vau-album (Denis & Schiffermüller), 1775 Habitat: Mature forests; adults drink sap and rotting fruit juices Larval food: Populus, Betula, Salix spp. Adult flight: Overwinters as adult, appearing April-May to produce a single annual brood by early July. The species is episodic and somewhat migratory, being rare for several years, then suddenly common. References: Royer 74, Opler & Krizek 155, Scott 290 Confirmed occurrences: Not recorded in 1995 or 1996 at Lostwood NWR; possible episodically in wooded areas in some years. 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 in 1995 or 1996 at Lostwood NWR, but on record for Burke County 2 Sep 1990, Carl Christopherson, and probable throughout the year anywhere on the refuge. 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: 21 Jun 1995, Unit 3c south of transect along road; 5 Jul 1995, Unit 3c on transect L001 along road; 5 Jul 1995, unit 3c on transect L001. 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: 29 Jul 1995, Unit 3c on transect, also Unit 17, also north edge of Unit 10, 2.5 miles west of tower; 5 Aug 1995, Unit 3c on transect and in transect area, also Unit 7 near entrance, also Unit 5a, also north-central section of Unit 1 (Wilderness) near northern refuge boundary. 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: 5 Aug 1995, north-central section of Unit 1 (Wilderness) near northern refuge boundary. White Admiral Basilarchia arthemis 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: 20 Jun 1995, Unit 3c on transect; 5 Jul 1995, Unit 7 near entrance; 7 & 18 Jul 1996 on both transects. 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: 4 Jul 1991, Unit 7 near entrance; 21 Jun and 29 Jul 1995, Unit 3c in and around transect area.
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