In no particular order:
I most commonly see Eastern Gemmed Satyrs near the high points along ridges. They usually are lilting low to the ground in the area.
I most commonly see Red-Banded Hairstreaks along one-lane gravel roads that run through the woods. This is because I usually notice them fleeing a short distance in response to my approach. They exhibit moth-like behavior. Before I knew that Red-Banded Hairstreaks existed, I’m sure I just thought they were moths.
I also usually notice Northern Pearly Eyes flying away in response to my approach. They usually don’t go far.
One of the more common butterflies in the area over the last few weeks
This is one of the few Red-Banded Hairstreaks that I’ve seen nectaring on flowers (a Rudbeckia in this case). Usually I just see them sitting on leaves. I startled it and it flew and landed upside down in a water dish. I scooped it out, and it dropped down and landed on a plant to dry out.
Comments
Ross,
Your project is as "big minded" and "far sighted" as the project of planting a tree that only achieves its full stature far into the future.
"All butterfly observations are from a ten acre location where I’ve lived in Brown County, Indiana for 30 years. The location is primarily a mix of mesic upland and dry-mesic upland forest. I’m performing an informal inventory, of sorts, in order to provide a snapshot for future reference."
Thanks for providing identifications for my common suburban Indiana butterflies. I have a much harder time returning the favor by identifying the butterflies you are seeing. I haven't lived in that habitat for 30 years and made the acquaintance of the woodland species you are seeing. I laughed when I read your description of the fast flying Red-Banded Hairstreaks. I've been seeing something like this regularly too and dismissing it as "moths."
Take care,
Mark Dewart
Thanks, @mark_dewart . I appreciate your comments!
I often say that Brown County’s greatest ecological asset is that it is crappy farmland😀. People tried to farm here 100 years ago, and most of the area was denuded of forest, including where I live. The transformation since is pretty amazing to behold. The most visible remnant I see now is barbed wire running through the middle of two foot diameter hickory trees that were just saplings when they were commandeered to become fence posts.
I wanted to try to document bee biodiversity here, but concluded that bees are just too hard to confidently identify as a lay person. So, I switched to butterflies. I started last April, with the guess that I might be able to find 25 species here with luck. Never expected to find over 50.
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