July 13, 2022

Dogbane Beetle

Notes and Changes since last report

• It was 83°F, partly cloudy and breezy on July 13, 2022.
• Another uncommonly nice day with warm sun and dry air.
• Common wood-nymph was again the most abundant butterfly, but grass skipper numbers were starting to climb.
• This week's trail report covers the Wappinger Creek Trail side of the trail system.

The Trails

• We were just starting to see some brown in the grass from the Gifford House trailhead.
• Common milkweed was finishing blooming and wild bergamot was starting up.
• And it was just as popular among butterflies.
• Here were great spangled fritillaries (note the wear and tear on the forewing margin).
• And a hidden silver-spotted skipper (this one on wild basil).
• Of the grass skippers, the dun skipper is one of the less boldy marked, but there is golden green sheen to the head.
• The female has a few small white spots on the forewing above; the male lacks them.
• As soon as you notice one, they are everywhere. The goldenrod ball gall is the larval home of a small fly. Several other insects make galls of their own style on goldenrods.
• Out in the open on dogbanes was the dogbane beetle. Nothing secretive about this creature.
• Pearl crescents have been few and far between lately.
• Yarrow had attracted an American copper as well.
• And it obliged us with a decent view from below.
• Alien Queen-Anne's-lace had quite the long-horned beetle aboard. At least five other occupants were only noticed on the computer.
• Along the edge of the field, a large lace-border rested quietly.
• There was a commotion inside the field as another suitor attempted to interrupt a mating pair of common wood-nymphs.
• The Sedge Meadow Trail was quiet except for an increase in the Appalachian brown population.
• Out in the back Old Hayfield little wood-satyrs were weaving along the edge.
• Japanese beetles had found the wild grape leaves to their liking.
• It took a moment to figure out this Delaware skipper.
• The strange location and posture were explained when a closer look at the photo suggested a spider was behind the scene.
• Birders wear drab colors to avoid alarming birds; a birght yellow t-shirt attracted a dun skipper which was easily coaxed onto a finger tip to lick the salt.
• The trail headed out of the hot fields towards the cool woods above the Wappinger Creek.
• Along the way, spotted wintergreen was blooming.
• Up ahead, the same tree as last time...
• ... had the same northern pearly-eye as last time.
• Another tree had a couple white spots at the base.
• They were female Gypsy moths - recently renamed "spongy moth" for the fluffy egg mass.
• The brownish male usually zig-zags into and out of view and is seldom seen at rest.
• Next week: the Cary Pines Trail the side of the trail system.

Sightings