A Comprehensive Annotated List of the Butterflies
Sheyenne National Grassland 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 the Sheyenne National Grassland in 1995, but a regular southern immigrant that is on record from all surrounding counties and is probable in any year. 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: 2 Jul 1995 in cattle exclosure in S2 T135N R53W; 31 Jul 1995 in easternmost portion of Mirror Pool WMA in NE4 S8 T135N R52W 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: 31 Jul 1995 on transect and elsewhere in S27 T134N R54W; 1 Aug 1995 on transect, S 14 T134N R54W, and S35 T135N R54W. 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: 31 Jul 1995 on transect (common) and elsewhere in S27 T134N R54W; 1 Aug 1995 on transect (abundant), in S35 T134N R54W, S1/2 Sections 5 & 6 in T134N R52W, NW1/4 S14 T134N R54W, and N1/2 S3 T133N R53W; 16 Aug 1995 on transect (common) and elsewhere in S27 T134N R54W and NW4 S12 T134N R54W. 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: 13 Jun 1995 in SW4 S2 T135N R53W; 26 Jun 1995 in ditch in SW4 S1 T134N R54W; 2 Jul 1995 in S35 T135N R54W; 31 Jul 1995 in S2 T135N R53W; and 1 Aug 1995 in N1/2 S3 T133N R53W and S1/2 S34 T134N R53W. 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: 12 and 13 Jun 1995 on transect and elsewhere in N1/2 S27 T134N R54W, plus S35 T135N R54W, S13 T134N R54W, and S1/2 S20 & N1/2 S29 T135N R52W. 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: Not recorded in the Sheyenne National Grassland in 1995, but on record from Cass County and possible in any year in open areas, especially along roads and near mud puddles. Silvery Checkerspot Charidryas nycteis (Doubleday & Hewitson), 1847 Habitat: Humid wooded areas, woodland roadsides, riverbottom clearings, margins of woodland meadows; northern and eastern ND only Larval food: Asteraceae, incl. Helianthus, Aster, Rudbeckia (larvae overwinter in the 3rd stage) Adult flight: One brood, June into July References: Royer 67, Opler & Krizek 142, Scott 304 Confirmed occurrences: 26 Jun 1995 at Mirror Pool Woods in E1/2 S12 T135N R53W. 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: 12 and 13 Jun 1995 on transect and elsewhere in N1/2 S27 T134N R54W, also in NW1/4 S35 T135N R54W and S13 T134N R54W; another brood on 1 Aug 1995 on transect and in S35 T135N R54W. 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: Between broods of above, on 26 Jun and 2 Jul 1995 in S1/2 S2 and E1/2 S12 T135N R53W. Question Mark Polygonia interrogationis (Fabricius), 1798 Habitat: Woodland habitats; especially fond of running sap, rotting fruit, dung, or carrion; rare in North Dakota outside southeastern counties Larval food: Widely varied, incl. Urtica, Ulmus, Celtis, etc. Adult flight: Overwinters as adult which appears April-May to produce dark-winged summer form by late June. These in turn produce a second, light-winged, overwintering brood in August. References: Royer 71, Opler & Krizek 150, Scott 284 Confirmed occurrences: One sighted 26 Jun 1995 at south end of Mirror Pool Woods in S12 T135N R53W. 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: 26 Jun and 2 Jul 1995 in S2 T135N R53W (eastern RNA cattle exclosure). 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: One female on 13 Jun 1995 in S2 T135N R53W (eastern RNA cattle exclosure). 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 the Sheyenne National Grassland in 1995, but an occasional fall immigrant that is on record from Cass County and is possible in woodland portions of the grassland in any year. 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: 13 and 25 Jun 1995 in NW1/4 S35 T135N R54W. 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: Not recorded in the Sheyenne National Grassland in 1995, but an occasional fall immigrant that is on record from surrounding counties and is possible in woodland portions of the grassland in any year. American Painted Lady Vanessa virginiensis (Drury), 1773 Habitat: Open prairies and meadows Larval food: Antennaria; probably other everlastings Adult flight: Sporadic spring immigrant, mostly to southern counties; does not survive winter References: Royer 75, Opler & Krizek 158, Scott 283 Confirmed occurrences: 25 Jun 1995 in NW1/4 S35 T135N R54W; an occasional spring and summer immigrant which, like its congeners, breeds throughout the summer but fails to survive winter. 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 the grassland in 1995 from mid-June onward. 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: 13 Jun 1995 in S2 T135N R53W. 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: Not recorded in the Sheyenne National Grassland in 1995, but an occasional summer immigrant. 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: 2 Jul 1995 in S2 T135N R53W. Banded Purple Basilarchia arthemis astyanax (Fabricius), 1775 Habitat: Woodland margins in far southeast; likes rotting fruit, carrion Larval food: Varied; mostly Prunus, also Populus Adult flight: Double-brooded in most of range, but apparently only one brood in southeastern ND, late June through July; intergrade "Hybrid Admirals," with varying degrees of white banding, are evident in ND populations References: Royer 77, Opler & Krizek 166, Scott 260 Confirmed occurrences: Not recorded in the Sheyenne National Grassland in 1995, but historically on record from wooded areas within the grassland, most often appearing as an intergrade with nominotypical B. arthemis, the so-called "Hybrid Admiral." 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: Occasional throughout the grassland in wet, willow areas from mid-June 1995 onward: 12 and 13 Jun 1995 on transect and in NW1/4 S35 T135N R54W, S13 T134N R54W, S21 T134N R53W, S2 T135N R53W, and S1/2 S20 and N1/2 S29 T135N R52W; also 25 and 26 Jun 1995 on transect, NW1/4 S35 T135N R54W, S1/2 S2 T135N R53W, and S1/2 of SW4 S21 T134N R53W; also 2 Jul 1995 in S1/2 S2 T135N R53W and NW1/4 S35 T135N R54W; also 31 Jul 1995 in N1/2 S27 T134N R54W and in easternmost Mirror Pool WMA in NE1/4 S8 T135N R52W; also 1 Aug 1995 in NW1/4 S35 T135N R54W and NW1/4 S14 T134N R54W; also 16 Aug 1995 in NW1/4 S12 T134N R54W
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