2021 March 27 morning

 

Butterflies!

 

   Kirsten Mills writes:  Yesterday, March 26, Jeff Gaskin and I were at Somenos Marsh. We were walking about 50 metres from the parking lot when we saw a Mourning Cloak. It flew by too quickly to get a photo. This was my first non Cabbage White butterfly and Jeff’s first butterfly of the year.

 

  Gordon Hart writes:  Yesterday, Friday, March 26, brought a first of the year Satyr Comma (I think). I have attached photos of it and an Enchoria lacteata, which has been flying around the heather for a couple of days. Looking back in the Invertebrate Alert, it seems that the first butterflies were quite a bit earlier last year.

 

   Jeremy Tatum writes:   We all know how difficult the commas can be, but I agree that Gordon’s butterfly is a Satyr Comma.  If anyone thinks otherwise, I’m sure you’ll let us know!  Last year, the first butterfly of the year was a Cabbage White on March 25. This year we have had Cabbage Whites on February 9, March 5 and March 16, although the first two of these were found indoors and were doubtless premature emergences because of artificial warmth.  Among the non Cabbage Whites last year, Satyr Commas  and California Tortoiseshells were reported from March 11 (plus a possible but unconfirmed California Tortoiseshell on February 20).  Mourning Cloaks were first seen on March 16.

 

Satyr Comma Polygonia satyrus (Lep.: Nymphalidae)  Gordon Hart

 

Enchoria lacteata (Lep.: Geometridae)  Gordon Hart