Category: Butterflies

Continue reading Baltimore Checkerspot – Euphydryas phaeton

In most years this butterfly is fairly common in our part of Wisconsin, but in some years we see hundreds of caterpillars and butterflies.  The caterpillars eat stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), and in peak years the caterpillars can completely decimate the leaves on our nettle plants.

2005 was one of those peak years.  In our July 21 butterfly count, we saw 134.  We would have counted even more if we had walked the driveway earlier in the day, before the sun got too hot.

Caterpillars feed in groups, on top of nettle leaves.

The chrysalis has a beautiful gold sheen.

Adult butterflies

Nectaring on Common Milkweed

And basking on the driveway – where I most often see them.

Butterflies on the driveway – Milbert’s Tortoiseshells along with Red Admiral and Compton Tortoiseshell

Marcie O’Connor
Buffalo County, Wisconsin

Continue reading Monarch – Danaus plexippus

Continue reading American Lady – Vanessa virginiensis

Continue reading Black Swallowtail – Papilio polyxenes

Continue reading Giant Swallowtail – Papilio cresphontes