rossberryhills dagbok

During the last two days, the most abundant butterflies in the yard have been: 1) Duskywings (by a long shot) - Juvenal’s, Horace’s, and Sleepy; 2) Falcate Orangetips; and 3) Eastern Tiger Swallowtails.

The Duskywings have been nectaring prolifically on Redbud flowers. I’ve been looking up in the Redbuds in search of Henry’s Elfins. All I see, though, is Duskywings. But, I’ve found at least three Henry’s Elfins down on the ground on the gravel driveway.

The championship trophy goes to: Common Blue Violets. Nectaring visitors have included Henry’s Elfin, West Virginia Whites, Clouded Yellows, Falcate Orangetips, and Duskywings (Juvenal’s, Sleepy, Horace’s). Violets start to bloom early, are abundant, bloom long, and are short enough in stature that the flowers are not impacted by mowing. They also are natives and start to bloom earlier in the open lawn than they do in the adjacent woods, extending their season.

Second place goes to: Dandelions. Visitors have include Duskywings and American Ladies. American Ladies seem to have a strong preference for Dandelions.

Other “weeds” that have been visited by butterflies include Small-Flowered Buttercup (Falcate Orangetip), Roundleaf Ragwort (West Virginia White), Mouse-Eared Chickweed (Falcate Orangetip), and Bittercress (Eastern Pine Elfin).

Over the last few days, Ground Ivy and Carpet Bugle have started to bloom and become popular with some butterflies.

All of these same plants have also attracted a wide variety of bees.

The relevant observations are attached to this journal entry:

Eastern Tailed-Blue: Dandelions
Pipevine Swallowtail: Ground Ivy, Carpet Bugle
American Lady: Ground Ivy, Dandelions, Common Blue Violet
Holarctic Azures: Yellow Woodsorrel
Falcate Orangetip: Roundleaf Ragwort
Duskywings: Common Blue Violet
Spicebush Swallowtail: Dandelions