Ontario Lepidoptera 2012 Edited and Compiled by Ross A. Layberry and Colin D. Jones Toronto Entomologists’ Association Occasional Publication #43-2013 ISBN: 0-921631-41-5 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012 Edited and Compiled by Ross A. Layberry and Colin D. Jones August 2013 Published by the Toronto Entomologists’ Association Toronto, Ontario Production by Colin D. Jones TORONTO ENTOMOLOGISTS’ ASSOCIATION (TEA) ONTARIO LEPIDOPTERA The TEA is a non-profit educational and scientific organization formed to promote interest in insects, to encourage co-operation among amateur and professional entomologists, to educate and inform non-entomologists about insects, entomology and related fields, to aid in the preservation of insects and their habitats and to issue publications in support of these objectives. Published annually by the Toronto Entomologists’ Association. The TEA is a registered charity (#1069095-21); all donations are tax creditable. Membership Information: Annual dues: Individual-$30 Student-free (Association finances permitting – beyond that, a charge of $15 will apply) Family-$35 All membership queries and payment of dues can be directed to Chris Rickard, Treasurer, T.E.A., 16 Mount View Court, Collingwood, Ontario, Canada L9Y 5A9. Publications received as part of a TEA membership include: 3 issues per year of our newsjournal Ontario Insects annual Ontario Lepidoptera summary discounts on sales of other publications including Ontario Odonata The TEA Board of Directors The TEA is run by a volunteer board. The executive officers are elected every two years. Executive Officers: President: Glenn Richardson Vice-President: Alan Macnaughton Treasurer: Chris Rickard Secretary: (vacant) Other Board Members: Chris Darling: R.O.M. Representative Carolyn King: O.N. Representative and Publicity Antonia Guidotti: Programs Co-ordinator Steve LaForest: Field Trips Co-ordinator Ontario Lepidoptera 2012 Publication date: August 2013 ISBN: 0-921631-41-5 Copyright © TEA for Authors All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used without written permission. Information on submitting records, notes and articles to Ontario Lepidoptera can be obtained by contacting an editor: Colin D. Jones Co-editor and co-compiler of Butterflies and Skippers 536 Golf Course Rd., RR2 Lakefield, Ontario, Canada K0L 2H0 Home Tel: (705) 652-5004 Work Tel: (705) 755-2166 Email: [email protected] Ross A. Layberry Co-editor and co-compiler of Butterflies and Skippers 6124 Carp Road Kinburn, Ontario, Canada K0A 2H0 Tel: (613) 832-4467 Email: [email protected] Currently Vacant Editor and compiler of Moths COVER PHOTOGRAPHS Front: Immigrant Lintner’s Mourning Cloak and Question Mark at High Park, Metro Toronto (photo: Bob Yukich) Back: Variegated Fritillary egg, larva, pupa and emerging adult all reared from an adult collected in Grey on July 12, 2012 (photos: Glenn Richardson) CONTENTS General Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1 Corrections to Previous Summaries ............................................................................................................ 1 Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................................... 3 List of Contributors ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Counties, Districts and Regional Municipalities of Ontario ....................................................................... 7 Rearing Giant Swallowtails in 2012 – by Ross A. Layberry .................................................................... 10 Rearing Question Marks in 2012 – by Ross A. Layberry ......................................................................... 11 A Summary of Ontario Butterfly Counts in 2012 – compiled by James Kamstra .................................... 13 More Information on the Mourning Cloaks: hyperborea and lintnerii – by Ross A. Layberry................. 19 Summary of Ontario Butterflies and Skippers in 2012 – compiled by Ross A. Layberry and Colin D. Jones ............................................................ 20 Hesperiidae............................................................................................................................. 23 Papilionidae............................................................................................................................ 37 Pieridae................................................................................................................................... 40 Lycaenidae ............................................................................................................................. 47 Nymphalidae .......................................................................................................................... 59 List of New County Records ..................................................................................................................... 82 Checklist of Ontario Butterflies and Skippers – by Colin D. Jones .......................................................... 84 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ GENERAL INTRODUCTION This issue of Ontario Lepidoptera includes notes by Ross Layberry on his rearing attempts with both Giant Swallowtails and Question Marks in the Ottawa area, James Kamstra’s annual summary of Ontario’s butterfly counts, and a note providing more insight into the two types of Mourning Cloaks: hyperborea and lintnerii. As usual, the articles and notes are followed by the written summary of the 2012 Ontario butterfly records that have been submitted by our many contributors. Data for all records of all species received for 2012 (much more data than can be included in the printed summary!) are included in a table available to TEA members as PDF files from Colin Jones (see contact information below). For any members without a computer, simply contact Colin, he will be more than happy to send you a printed copy of the tables. The contents of this publication have been checked for errors and accuracy as much as possible. Please notify us of any corrections of errors or omissions, and these will be included in future issues of Ontario Lepidoptera and incorporated into the database. Work on the compilation and production of Ontario Lepidoptera 2013 has already begun but we will be accepting additional records, notes and photographs from the 2013 season until January 31, 2014. Please send any contributions to: Colin Jones 536 Golf Course Rd, RR2 Lakefield, ON K0L 2H0 Tel: 705-652-5004 email: [email protected] Ross Layberry 6124 Carp Rd Kinburn, ON K0A 2H0 Tel: 613-832-4467 email: [email protected] OR Information on how to submit records can be obtained from the compilers. CORRECTIONS TO PREVIOUS SUMMARIES Ontario Lepidoptera 2011 pg. 27 - Horace's Duskywing - line 4 - the 8 individuals were recorded at various locations along the length of West Beach south of the V.C., not "in an open field near the tip". The following day, Aug. 2., Bob Yukich observed a single individual "in a large field in tip area" along with Karen Yukich, Alan Wormington and Henrietta O'Neill. pg. 32 - Northern Broken-Dash - top of page, line 2 - RE: highest counts. Bob and Karen Yukich counted (and reported) 85 at Lambton Prairie (a relatively small area) during the Toronto Centre NABA Count. This was Bob’s highest ever one-location count for this species, and a significant high count. pg. 38 - Olympia Marble - last sentence - no date is given for this latest report. The date was May 24 pg. 43 - Acadian Hairstreak - 3rd last line - no date given in July for highest count on Sandy Lake Rd.. 1 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ The date was July 12. 2 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Ontario Lepidoptera would not be possible without the considerable effort of the contributors and observers (listed below) who take the time to submit their records each year. A special thank-you and welcome to our new contributors. We would also like to thank those who submitted photographs from 2012 including: Bob Yukich, Colin Jones, Diane Lepage, Glenn Richardson, Ellen Riggins and Ralph Thorpe LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS Ontario Lepidoptera 2012 summarizes data and observations of butterflies and skippers for the 2012 season in the province of Ontario, Canada, received from the contributors and observers listed below: AA AaA ABu ACu ADW AEG AGr AHi AIr AJH AKe AlB AlC AlSk AM AmBr AML AnBe AnM AnRi AnTh APa ASc ASh ASk AT ATy AW AWC BaC BAF BAM BaR BBr BCe BDC BDi BeLa BeM BER BFo BH Alfred Adamo Aaron Allensen Alvan Buckley Amanda Guercio Amy Whitehorne Antonia Guidotti Alex Grkovich A. Hillborn Anne Irwin Adam J. Hall Andrew Keaveney Alban Beaulieu Alvin Cameron Alexander Skevington Alan Macnaughton Amber Brant Anne Marie Leger Andrew Bendall Angela Massey Anne Richards Andy Thompson Allison Palmer Alison Schott Arnet Sheppard Angela Skevington Adam Timpf Andrew Tyerman Alan Wormington Andrea & William Clarke Barry Cottam Beth-Anne Fisher Blake A. Mann Barbara Riley Bob Bracken Bob Cermak B. & D. Cutler Barb Dickey Bea Laporte Betty Morrison Bruce E. Ripley Brian Ford Barry Harrison Toronto BHa BHo BiC BiWi BJM BLa BMi BMor BNC BOg BoKo BP BPa BPr BRa BrBr BrP BTa BTe BTh BTu BVR BWal CaDe CaE CaGo CaGr CaMo CaPa CaRi CaZe CB CBl CBr CCr CDJ CE CEr CF Toronto Charleston Lake P.P. Toronto Sandbanks P.P. Ottawa North Gower Ottawa Kitchener Dryden Brantford Ottawa Ottawa Walsingham Leamington Ottawa Wallaceburg Ottawa Ottawa Windsor Burrits Rapids Kingston Algonquin Park Scarborough CFER CGa 3 Breanna Hall Brandon Holden Bill Collins Bill Wilson Brian Moore B. Lamme Bruce Missen B. Morrison Barbara N. Charlton Brian Ogden Bob Kortright Bryan Pfeiffer Brian Paige B. Prentice B. Ratcliff Brett Brudach Bruce Parker Barbara Taylor Brian Teat Bill Thompson Brent Turcotte Brenda Van Ryswyk Ben Walters Carolyn Denstedt Carolle Eady Carol Gordon Cathy Grant Carmel Mothersill Carol Pasternak Carol Ritchie Cathy Zeleniak Chris Boettger Chris Blomme Chris Bruce Colleen Craig Colin D. Jones Chris Evans Crystal Ernst Chao Fang Canadian Faculty for Ecoinformatics Research Chris Gardner Algonquin P.P. Cambridge Thunder Bay Waterloo Toronto St. Thomas Ottawa Thunder Bay Port Stanley Bracebridge Waterloo Newmarket North Bay Hamilton Algonquin P.P. Ottawa Orillia Lakefield Midhurst Scarborough Ottawa Ottawa Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ CGo CH ChD ChF CHi ChL ChlM ChR ChRe ChS CiL CiW CK CKe CL CLo CM CMo CoBi CoW CPat CPR CR CSAM CTe CTr CWe DA DaBo DaE DaH DaMa DaR DAS DB DBa DBe DBer DBi DBr DCal DCT DD DDi DeL DenL DeWi DGa DHE DJA DKB DKi DLe DLea DLo DMo DoF DoT C. Goodwin Christine Hanrahan Christopher Dunn Christian Friis Chris Hill Chris Law Chloe Monette Chloé Rainville Christian Renault Christy Shropshire Cielo Larson Cindy Westover Carolyn King Cheryl Keetch Christina Lewis Cheryl Lousley Chris Michener Charlotte Moore Corrina Birnbaum Colin Walton C. Paterson Chris P. Robinson Chris Rickard Craig S.A. McLauchlan Cathy Teat Chris Traynor C.Wegenschimmel David Allison Dan Bone David Edwards David Hobden David Marshall Dale Roy Don A. Sutherland David D. Beadle Dennis Barry David Bell David Beresford Dave Bishop David Bree D. Caloren Doug C. Tozer Don Davis Donna Dingle Deidre Leowinata Denis Lepage Debra Wilson Diane Gagne David H. Elder David J. Agro Diane Karg Baron Diane Kitching Diane Lepage D. Leadbeater Dan Loncke Drew Monkman Don Fillman Donald Teat DPC DPe DPo DPr DPy DRo DSa DSh DSu DTy DVE DWil DWy EA EBi EFW EHo EOR EP EPB ErC ERi FB FGi FL FMG FWG GBi GBr GCo GDe GeB GeT GJ GlC GLo GM GO GOp GP GPi GR GRo GrS GRT GSl GTr HeWi HH HHa HHe HoH HTO HuCu HWr IDu IHu IL Ottawa Ottawa Ottawa Pembroke Ridgetown Harrow Port Burwell Willowdale Pembroke Ottawa Orillia Golden Lake Waterloo Glenburnie Mississauga Toronto Ottawa Ottawa Bath Ottawa Dinorwic Peterborough Toronto Oshawa Peterborough Haliburton Bloomfield Dwight Toronto Brighton Ottawa Port Rowan Atikokan Hamilton Ottawa Ottawa Peterborough 4 Darryl P. Coulson David Perry Doris Potter David Pritchard Donald Pye Debra Rohac Donna Savoy Dawn Sherman David Sunahara Don Tyerman Dave Van Es D.Wilkiins David Wysotski Ethan Anderman Emily Bird Emily Farlam-Williams Eric Holden Elizabeth O'Reilly Ed Poropat Erica Barkley Eric Corbiere Ellen Riggins Frank Butson Fraser Gibson Frank Landry Floyd McGammon Fletcher Wildlife Garden Group Grant Bickel George Bryant Glenn Coady Grace Dekker Genevieve Bolton Gert Trudel Garry Jones Glen Corbiere Gabby Lockey Gillian Mastromatteo Gard Otis Gloria Opzoomer Gavin C. Platt Grace Pitman Glenn Richardson Grace Robertson Greg Stuart Gary Tetzlaff Glenda Slessor Gail Trenholme Heather Wilson Harry Hewick Helen Harker Heather Heron Howard Herscovitch Henrietta T. O'Neill Hugh G. Currie Heather Wright Ian Dubin Ilona Hurda Isabel Letourneau Pembroke Wardsville Ottawa Huntsville Presqu'ile P.P. Killaloe Ottawa Haliburton Charleston Lake Chester, Massachusetts Dinorwic Scarborough Kitchener Presqu'ile PP Ottawa Ottawa Toronto Whitby Strathroy Gowganda Winchester Chester, Massachusetts Ottawa Guelph Playfairville London Listowel Leamington Hamilton Cambridge Bloomfield Leamington Toronto Ottawa Ottawa Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ INi IRa IRo IS IW JaBa JaCa' JaF JaHo JaK JaLa JaRi JB JBar JBe JBox JBr JBre JBru JBy JCa JCL JD JE JEd JeGa JeHa JeHu JeK JEl JeQ JeR JeS JFi JGCl JGi JGo JGP JHa JHu JI JiCr JiH JJi JK JKer JL JLe JLH JLi JMF JMT JN JoaB JoAW JoE JoF JoH Isabelle Nichol Ian Rayburn Ian Roney Ian Shanahan Ian Woodfield Jaden Barney James Cameron Jacqueline Flowers James Holdsworth Jason King Jacques Larrivée Jan Richmond Jerry Ball J. Bartok Julie Belliveau John Boxall J. Bruxer Jean Brereton John Brunjes Jeff Byers John R. Carley J.C.Lucier Joanne Dewey Jim Ellis Jim Edsall Jennifer Gagnon Jeff Harrison Jesse Huisken Jessica Kroes Janet Elliott Jenna Quinn Jeff Rubino Jeannine St-Amour J. Fingland Jacqueline G. Clarke John Gillis Jeanette Goulet John G. Powers Judy Hall Jean Huffman Jean Iron Jill Cross Jim Hopkins Jennifer Jilks James Kamstra Jeremy Kerr Jeff Larson Jayme Lewthwaite Jeremy L. Hatt Jessica Linton Janet Fenton J. Michael Tate Jeremy Newman Joanne Brown Jo-Anne Woodbridge John Edkins John Foster John Hall Ottawa Ottawa JoLa JoPo JoRo JoS JoV JoW JP JPai JPo JS JSa JSk JSun JTB JTF JTu KA KaB KaBe KaBr KAd KaHa KaMo KAn KBak KBra KBu KCo KEJ KeK KeMo KFA KFN KGo KH KHa KHo KiB KiP KiR KJa KJB KMa KMcL KOs KOt KP KPo KRK KRY KS KSe KSh KSu KTh KZo LaB LaP Brighton Manotick Cambridge Bracebridge Algonquin PP Peterborough Tweed Peterborough Hamilton Golden Lake Toronto Wheatley Picton Toronto Toronto Kingston Ottawa Ottawa Guelph Cambridge Ottawa Toronto Ottawa Haliburton Rideau Ferry Port Perry Ottawa Harrow Ottawa Waterloo Charleston Lake Ottawa Ottawa Ottawa Toronto Bath 5 John Lamey John Powers Josh Rose Joe Shorthouse Josh Vandermeulen Joyce Winfield Justin Peter J. Paiemont John Poland John Stiratt Jim Sauer Jeff Skevington Jack Sunohara James T. Burk John Fowler Janet Tubb Ken Allison Kathryn Boothby Kathy Beamish Kate Braid Ken Adams Kate Harrigan Kayren Mosurinjohn K. Anderson K. Baker Kathleen Bradshaw Ken Burrell Katy Corrigan Kyle E. Johnson Ken Kingdon Ken Morrison Ken F. Abraham Kingston Field Naturalists Kim Gosselin K. Hennige Kevin Hannah Kyle Holloway Kim Bennett Kimberley Pavone Kim Roy Kerry Jarvis Keith J. Burke Karen Major Kevin McLaughlin Kristen Osborne Kenton Otterbein Kieran Poropat Kaitlin Powers Karl R. Konze Karen R. Yukich Kelly Stronks Kevin Seymour Kevin Shackleton Karen Sun Ken Thorne K.Zottl Laura Burns Laverne Palmer Ottawa Sudbury Deep River Algonquin PP Kingston Scarborough Ottawa Almonte Toronto Ottawa Presqu'ile P.P. Peterborough Heidelberg Kingston Algonquin Park Peterborough Kingston Thunder Bay Kingston Ottawa Algonquin Park Fort Frances Blenheim North Bay Hamilton Haliburton Waterloo Guelph Toronto Dwight Saria Guelph Ottawa Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ LAl LBa LBy LCo LF LFr LiA LiB LJ LKa LMa LMc LMN LN LoM LS LSa LSt LTi LuF LyB LyS MAG MaHe MaMa MaP MaPa MaR MaRo MaS MaT MBB MBi MBR MC MCl MCo MCS MFi MGi MJe MJM MJN MJo MK MKa MKe MkP MLa MLav MLi MMac MMcR MNe MOl MPr MRa MRi Laura Allison Liza Barney Lisa Byrne Laura Coristine Lev Frid Lyndsey Friesen Lis Allison Liza Badham Linda Jeays Lynda Kamstra Len Manning Leslie McClair Larry M. Novak Larry Neilly Lori MacKay Leon Schlichter L. Sanchez Leah Star Lisa Tigchelaar Lucas Foerster Lynn Bugden Lynn Saxberg MaryAnn Geertsema Mark Helm Margie Manthey Martin Parker Maris P. Apse Maureen Riggs Matt Ross Matt Salter Matt Timpf Marianne B. Balkwill Matt Birada Marianne B. Reed Margaret Carney Marianne Clark Mark Conboy M. & C. Seymour Mark Field Mike Gillespie Mark Jeays Mike J. McMurtry Michael J. Nelson M. Jones Michael H. King Michael Kanstrup Marco Kennema Mark K. Peck Max Larrivee Michelle Lavictoire Margaret Liubavicius Mike MacDonald Margaret McRae Mike Nelson Michael Olsen Maria Prisciak Mary Rapati Mohammed Riaz Almonte MSD MSy MTa MVB MVe MVV MWi MWPR MyF NGE NGi NM NMa NMu NoS NTe NWo OMi OP PAh PaT PB PBM PC PCar PCl PD PDe PDP PDSm PeM PEn PFo PGr PH PJO PLe PLHu PM PMcD PMo PPh PPP PR PWi RAH RAL RAll RB RCa RCL RD RDo RDS ReB RFF RGT RHC Algonquin P.P. Kinburn Fitzroy Harbour Ottawa Port Perry Madoc Ottawa Dwight Toronto Ottawa Algonquin Park Hamilton Dorchester Marietta, NY Peterborough Grand Bend Walsingham Oshawa Lakefield Kingston Kingston Ottawa Peterborough Thunder Bay Toronto Ottawa Toronto Ottawa Toronto Toronto Ottawa Port Elgin 6 Michael Dawber Mylene Sylvestre Mike Tate Mike Burrell Marc Vermander Michelle van Vleet Mike Williams Michael Runtz Myles Falconer Nick G. Escott Nancy Gibson Nathan Miller Nathalie Martin Norm Muir Nolie Schneider Nathalie Tétrault Norbert Woerns Olia Mishchenko Otto Peter Pat Ahlberg Paul Tavares Peter Burke Peter Mills Philip Careless Paul Carter Peter Clute Paul R. Desjardins Pat Deacon Paul D. Pratt Paul Smith Peeta Musta Philina English Pierre Fortier Paul Gross Peter Hall Patrick J. O'Kelly Pat Lewis Paul & Liz Hunter Paul Mackenzie Patrick McDonald Patti Moss Paul Philip Presqu'ile PP Staff Peter Raspberry Paige Wilson Rosalee A. Hall Ross A. Layberry R. Allensen Ryan Burke Rick Cavasin Ruth C. Layberry Robert Difruscia Ross Dobson Dan Strickland Renee Bellini Rob Foster Ron G. Tozer Robert H. Curry Devlin Ottawa Heidelberg Cranberry Lake Thunder Bay Thunder Bay Kitchener Algonquin P.P. Toronto Ottawa Oshawa Dundas Algonquin Park Barrie Toronto Sarnia Ajax Windsor Windsor Hamilton Ottawa Kitchener Ottawa London Kingston Presqu'ile P.P. Kitchener Kinburn Port Burwell Ottawa Ottawa Kinburn Sarnia Cornwall Oxtongue Lake Thunder Bay Dwight Hamilton Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ RHo RiA RiW RJJ RJP RJV RJY RKi RKn RLu RLW RMa RMC RNF RP RPC RRi RSk RSR RT RVV RWo SaG SaH SaW SB SBa SCa SCh SD SDB SER SGa SGi SGPE ShD SJo SLa Sle SMe SoB SOM SRai SRB SRM SRo SSc SSm Ray Holland Richard Aaron Richard Waters Russ J.L.Jones Rod and Joan Parrott Renate & Joyce Vandehorst Robert J. Yukich Richard Kingsley Ralph Knowles Roger Lucy Rob Waldhuber Reuven Martin Rob M.Craig R. Noland-Flores Rayfield Pye Richard P. Carr Richard Richardson Richard Skevington Renate Sander-Regier Ralph Thorpe Randy van Vught Ross Wood Sandy Gillians Sandi Howell Sari Weber Sue Bryan Sandra Bauer Stephen Carr Susan Christian Simon Dodsworth Simon Denomme-Brown Sarah E. Rupert Sandra Garland Scott Gibson Sophie, Grace & Phil Elis Sharon Douas Steven Joniak Steve LaForest Sarah Lewis Suzanne Merrill Sonje Bols Stacey O'Malley Simon Rainville Sam R.Brinker Sheryl & Richard McKendry Sandra Rosano Sara Scharf Susan Smyth Ottawa Toronto Ottawa StMac STP SuB SuC SuH SWe TB TBa TBe TDi TGu TH THe THo ThW TJo TKu TLa TM TMo TNo TPo TPr TRa TrL TRS TSt TSu TTa TWh TWi TyH VCa VRo WF WG WGL WHo WL WRo XaL XoL YB Port Hope Toronto Toronto Hamilton Algonquin Park Peterborough Oshawa Grand Bend Ottawa Ottawa Perth Thunder Bay Peterborough Guelph Leamington Ottawa Kitchener Walters Falls Oshawa Lakefield Algonquin P.P. Ottawa Peterborough Stu MacKenzie Stephen T. Pike Susan Blayney Susan Corak Susan Howell Steve Wendt Tony Bigg Ted Barney Thelma Beaubien Tasha Diaczyk Ted Guloien Tom A. Hanrahan Tim Hewson Thomas Hossie Thea Wiersma Theresa Johnson Terry Kuny Thom Lambert Tom Mason Ted Mosquin Todd Norris Tamara Poropat Tom Preney Tony Rapati Tracy Legge T. Rick Stronks Taylor Stokes Tanya Surette Tanya Taylor Terry Whittam Travis Wing Tyler Hoar Victoria L. Carley Vanya Rohwer Walter Fisher W. [Bill] Gilmour Bill G. Lamond Wendy Hoo William Layberry Wayne Robinson Xavier Larrivée Xoë Larrivée Yvette Bree _______________________________________ C.A. = Conservation Area m.obs. = multiple observers N.P. = National Park P.P. = Provincial Park 7 Long Point Windsor Ottawa Lakefield Waterloo Ottawa Toronto Ottawa Ottawa Kemptville Ancaster Ottawa Ottawa Haliburton Scarborough Playfairville Napanee Haliburton Port Elgin Cambridge Dwight Ottawa Peterborough Oshawa Toronto Scarborough Sandbanks P.P. Hamilton Cambridge Kinburn Ottawa Ottawa Bloomfield Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ COUNTIES, DISTRICTS AND REGIONAL MUNICIPALITIES OF ONTARIO Counties, Districts and Regional Muncipalities of southern Ontario. The dotted line indicates the approximate southern and eastern limits of the Canadian Shield in Ontario. The 4-letter codes listed below are used in the table of all butterfly records submitted from the 2012 season. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 ESSE KENT ELGI NORF HALD NIAG LAMB MIDD OXFO BRAN HAMI HURO PERT WATE WELL HALT PEEL YORK METR DURH NORT Essex County Municipality of Chatham-Kent Elgin County Norfolk County Haldimand County Regional Municipality of Niagara Lambton County Middlesex County Oxford County Brant County Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth Huron County Perth County Regional Municipality of Waterloo Wellington County Regional Municipality of Halton Regional Municipality of Peel Regional Municipality of York Metropolitan Toronto Regional Municipality of Durham Northumberland County 23 24 25 26 27 29 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 45 46 47 8 PRIN HAST LENN FRON LEED STOR BRUC GREY DUFF SIMC VICT PETE MUSK HALI RENF LANA OTTA PRES MANI PARR NIPI Prince Edward County Hastings County Lennox and Addington County Frontenac County United Counties of Leeds and Grenville United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Bruce County Grey County Dufferin County Simcoe County City of Kawartha Lakes Peterborough County District Municipality of Muskoka Haliburton County Renfrew County Lanark County Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton United Counties of Prescott and Russell Manitoulin District Parry Sound District Nipissing District Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Map of Ontario indicating the districts of northern Ontario. The line A-B represents the approximate northern limit of the Carolinian Zone (see Soper 1954, 1962). Line C-D approximates the 40 degree F mean daily temperature for the year isotherm, and has been adopted here as the northern limit of southern Ontario. The 4-letter codes listed below are used in the table of all butterfly records submitted from the 2012 season. 48 ALGO Algoma District 52 THUN Thunder Bay District 49 SUDB Sudbury District (including City of Sudbury) 53 COCH Cochrane District 50 TIMI Timiskaming District 54 KENO Kenora District 51 RAIN Rainy River District 9 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ REARING GIANT SWALLOWTAILS IN 2012 by Ross A. Layberry Giant Swallowtails were seen in good numbers around Ottawa in 2012, for the first time ever. I wanted to determine if they could survive the winter here, so I searched for and found larvae on Prickly Ash, mostly within a few km of my home near Fitzroy Harbour, northwest of Ottawa. Between August 23 and September 9 I found 31 larvae. Of these, only two were found beside highways, although I drove several hundred kilometers on back roads and examined at least 50 clumps of roadside Prickly Ash. Seven larvae were found on trees which were part of the bush, around the edge of a field, two near home and five near Chaffeys Locks. The other 22 were found on single plants or small clumps of Prickly Ash in the interior of dense woods, 20 of them on my own land, which is a mix of White Pine and deciduous woodland. I was also shown eight more larvae in exactly this same dense woodland habitat, near Almonte, so this was not unique to my land. This should remind us that, despite the fact that almost all local sightings were on roadsides and in other open areas, the Giant Swallowtail is a woodland butterfly. I began rearing the larvae on leaves of their foodplant, Prickly Ash, in small containers, peanut butter jars, then when they were almost full-grown I put them on small Prickly Ash trees. I was well aware that they normally walk away from the tree to pupate, and I hoped to prevent this by wrapping the base of the tree in a piece of very rough scouring pad, which I hoped they would be unable to cross. This did not work, and the first two larvae just walked away, during the night. I tried the next four by smearing a blob of very thick grease around the base of the tree, but that did not work either; I can’t believe that the larvae walked through the grease, they must have just deliberately dropped off the tree. I searched very thoroughly for the larvae, but found no trace of them. My next attempt was to wrap two small trees in burlap, the kind used to protect cedars and junipers during the winter, and I put seven larvae on them. This was partially successful: I got one pupa, one larva died and the other five escaped, it must have been between the folds of the burlap. I finally figured a way to restrain them. I put seven larvae at the tip of small Prickly Ash trees, one per tree, protected by small plastic bags, bread bags, tied tightly at the base, around the trunk of the tree. This worked just fine, and all those larvae pupated on the trees. So I finally had eight pupae in a more-or-less natural situation, on stems of small Prickly Ash, where they would have to withstand an Ottawa winter. I installed a maximum-minimum thermometer at that spot, and I recorded high and low temperatures daily. But in October, all these pupae were eaten, the last one on October 26. I salvaged most of one pupal shell, and a tiny fragement of another. So I was just left with nine individuals which pupated on twigs in their peanut butter jars. These spent the winter out of their jars, exposed to the air in a screened-in pagoda, with the maximum-minimum thermometer. They experienced normal Ottawa winter temperatures, but were not touched by rain or snow. I had intended to return the Chaffeys Locks specimens to where I found them, and monitor their success rate there, for comparison. But one died, and the other four escaped, so I was unable to do this. This study was done under the conditions of the permit issued to the TEA by the Ministry of Natural Resources. One of those conditions is that the maximum number of individuals captured is twenty-five. I had intended to stop collecting larvae when I reached that number, but my escapees ensured that I never did; I never exceeded twenty-three. Final Summation: from thirty-one larvae I had nine live pupae. Twelve larvae escaped, and presumably 10 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ pupated somewhere in the bush close to home. Two died, and eight were eaten, as pupae. Note added on March 29, 2013: I checked them: one has been eaten, the others all appear to be fine. They experienced eleven nights of -20C or colder, including on seven consecutive nights, January 21 to 27, and a coldest temperature of -29.3C on January 23. In other words, a normal Ottawa winter, a true test of their ability to survive here. Note added in mid-July, 2013: no Giant Swallowtails emerged. A few fresh adults were seen around Ottawa in early to mid-June, one right here at my home, so at least some of last year’s pupae survived the winter. But mine did not; perhaps the fact that they never got rained or snowed on made the difference. REARING QUESTION MARKS IN 2012 by Ross A. Layberry On May 19, 2012 I was in an overgrown old field near Hemlock Corners in old Grenville County, the eastern part of Leeds-Grenville, one of the spots where the Gorgone Checkerspot was found until a few years ago. No Gorgones, but a few other butterflies, including one of the very large dark immigrant Question Marks that I had been seeing around the Ottawa area for about three weeks. It was fluttering and hovering and fussing around the lowest leaf cluster on a very small elm, a little more than two feet tall, not a sapling but a stunted mature tree with leaves less than half the normal size. I watched the butterfly for about five minutes, thinking that she might be laying eggs, and when she left I picked the whole leaf cluster. There appeared to be eggs on it, so I took it home. There I saw that there were nine eggs, three on the upper surface of a leaf, two on another leaf and four on the tip of the bract, the last remnant of the bud that had originally held the leaves. I photographed them and put the cluster into a container to await the hatchings. The next day, May 20, all the eggs turned a very dark brown colour, and one day later, May 21, they all hatched. This means that they could not have been laid by the individual that I saw; it takes at least a week, probably more like ten days, for the eggs to hatch. I kept the larvae together for a few days, then moved them into separate containers, replacing the Elm leaves with fresh ones almost every day. One was accidentally killed, and on June 8 seven larvae hung up, preparing to pupate. By 7 pm on June 9 the first seven had all pupated and the last one was finally hanging up; it never managed to pupate, but died a couple of days later. On June 19 the first two butterflies eclosed before 8 am, and the last one was out just before noon: 29 days from egg to adult. Such an uncanny amount of synchronisation certainly means that the eggs were laid on the same day, and likely by the same individual. But the question remains: what was it about that small leaf cluster that encouraged the laying of so many eggs on it, and was still potent enough to attract another Question Mark, a week or ten days later? In early June I returned to the same spot to see how many other larvae were around. I found the same little tree, and was surprised to see that there was no sign that any other larvae had ever been on it; another seven or eight larvae would have completely stripped it of leaves. I checked the few other stunted Elms, and some bigger trees in the border of the field, with the same result: no evidence of larvae. It seems that the 11 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Question Marks were very, very fussy: there was apparently just one leaf cluster at the whole site which was suitable for oviposition. 12 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ A SUMMARY OF ONTARIO BUTTERFLY COUNTS IN 2012 Compiled by James Kamstra In 2012, 24 butterfly counts were conducted in Ontario. Most of the counts follow the protocols of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) where a one day count is conducted in a 15 mile (24 km) diameter circle. Nineteen of the counts were submitted to the NABA for inclusion in the North American butterfly counts report for 2012 summary. The counts stretched from Pelee Island to Killarney, the latter being the only one in northern Ontario (but just barely). Two counts (Point Pelee and Rice Lake Plains) were cancelled in 2012 due to inclement weather. Table 1 – Ontario Butterfly Counts Conducted in 2012 Count Name County Code Date Compiler Algonquin Park NIPI Algon 4 July Rick Stronks Cambridge (rare Reserve) WATE Camb 14 July Peter Kelly Carden Plain VICT Card 21 July Bob Bowles Clear Creek KENT/ELGI Clear 14 July Heather Prangley Haliburton Highlands HALI Halib 14 July Ed Poropat Hamilton HAMI Hamil 1 July Bill Lamond Hog Island RENF Hog Is 21 July Jean Brereton Killarney PARR Killar 8 July Leah Guthrie Huron Nat. Area, WATE Huron 7 July Josh Shea Kitchener Lake Dore RENF L Dor 7 July Jean Brereton Long Point NORF Long 7 July Adam & Matt Timpf MacGregor Point PP BRUC MacP 15 July Tom Church Manion Corners OTTA ManC 8 July Jeff Skevington Oshawa DURH Osh 30 June James Kamstra Pelee Island ESSE Pel Is 4 Aug Bob Bowles Petroglyphs PETE Petro 21 July Jerry Ball Pinery Provincial Park LAMB Pinery 23 June Brenda Kulon Rondeau Provincial Park KENT Rond 8 July Laura Penner Royal Botanical Gardens HAMI RBG 16 July Felicia Radassao Skunk’s Misery MIDD/ELGI Skunk 1 July Ann White Sunderland DURH/YORK Sund 8 July James Kamstra Toronto Centre METR Tor C 14 July John Carley Toronto East (TEA) METR Tor E 1 July Tom Mason Windsor ESSE Wind 7 July Paul Pratt A total of 91 species and one additional form were recorded among all Ontario counts, compared to 95 in 2011, 88 in 2010 and 100 in 2009. Sunderland and Windsor both recorded 55 species, the most of any count followed closely by Long Point at 54, and both Haliburton Highlands and Skunk’s Misery at 53. Four other counts tallied 50 or more species. Sunderland recorded the greatest number of individuals (12,773), nearly twice the next highest Pelee Island (6721) and Oshawa (5674). The most participants participated at Toronto Centre (38), followed by Huron Natural Area and Sunderland (both 31). 13 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ The spring was one of the earliest ever with an exceptionally warm March. Warmer than average weather continued through April and May resulting in earlier than normal emergence of nearly all species. As a result there were no Silvery Blues, Indian Skippers or Arctic Skippers on any counts; and very low numbers of other early species such as Inornate Ringlet, Long Dash and Hobomok Skipper. Dreamy Duskywing was only seen on one count (on the very late date of July 21 at Petroglyphs). Even the European Skipper which is normally the most abundant butterfly on most counts, had reached its peak before virtually all the counts. Normally in the thousands on several counts (over 20,000 on one count in 2011), the highest of any count in 2012 was a paltry 656 at Pinery Provincial Park. The summer of 2012 was perhaps the most spectacular ever for northward movements of southern species, and this was reflected in the butterfly counts. Pipevine Swallowtail was counted on four counts, and Giant Swallowtail (a species undergoing a northern range expansion) at nine. Variegated Fritillary showed up on eight counts, including 85 at Pinery Provincial Park. Windsor reported a Dainty Sulphur and Pelee Island had five Sachems. American Snout appeared on six counts, Fiery Skipper on seven and Common Checkered Skipper on five including 71 on Pelee Island. Common Buckeye was found on an astounding 19 counts, to as far north as Killarney and Algonquin Park. Painted Ladies were widespread this year, far outnumbering American Ladies. In most years it is the opposite. Monarchs were in very good numbers and counted on all counts, with the highest numbers in the past five years, likely due to the warm season. Cabbage White and Clouded Sulphur were also recorded on all counts, while six others (Orange Sulphur, Summer Azure, Northern Crescent, Red Admiral, Common Wood Nymph and Dun Skipper) were recorded on more than 90% of all counts. Ontario recorded 20 species with North American high counts in 2012 which is more a factor of good participation than truly higher butterfly densities. Of particular note Sunderland recorded the all time North American high count of Common Wood Nymphs at 1554 (Wander 2013). The results of all of the counts appear in Table 2. References Cited: Wander, S. (ed.) 2013. 2012 Report NABA Butterfly Counts. North American Butterfly Association. Morristown, NJ. 14 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Table 2. Butterfly and Skipper totals for each count conducted in Ontario in 2012. SPECIES Algon Camb Card Clear Halib Hamil Hog Is Huron Killar L Dor Long MacP ManC Date of Count 04-Jul 14-Jul 21-Jul 14-Jul 14-Jul 01-Jul 21-Jul 07-Jul 08-Jul 07-Jul 07-Jul 15-Jul 08-Jul Silver-spotted Skipper 3 1 174 5 1 422 Northern Cloudywing 5 Dreamy Duskywing Juvenal's Duskywing 1 Columbine Duskywing 30 1 6 7 159 Wild Indigo Duskywing 12 1 8 8 7 3 Common Checkered Skipper 1 1 Common Sootywing 1 6 28 Least Skipper 15 12 41 2 7 1 23 European Skipper 80 1 4 5 131 89 4 55 4 8 22 10 Fiery Skipper 8 Peck's Skipper 13 1 5 3 55 9 2 40 279 Tawny-edged Skipper 24 1 4 25 1 2 12 15 47 Crossline Skipper 8 1 3 17 47 Long Dash 26 8 30 10 6 2 1 8 Northern Broken-dash 2 6 103 30 33 3 10 8 32 Little Glassywing 5 11 8 3 25 Sachem Delaware Skipper 1 15 60 2 6 1 7 99 184 Mulberry Wing 35 4 Hobomok Skipper 4 1 1 2 1 13 Broad-winged Skipper 2 9 52 24 14 33 24 Dion Skipper 2 3 15 4 2 29 Duke's Skipper Black Dash 12 8 27 Two-spotted Skipper 3 3 Dun Skipper 40 11 68 72 927 80 11 8 13 1149 17 286 Dusted Skipper Common Roadside-skipper 2 Pipevine Swallowtail 1 1 Black Swallowtail 40 24 43 47 4 1 18 25 33 12 Giant Swallowtail 6 29 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 18 80 3 47 4 44 7 158 Canadian Tiger Swallowtail 1 5 4 6 Spicebush Swallowtail 25 37 Mustard White 1 16 4 2 1 Cabbage White 10 169 54 1000 15 283 223 10 6 30 370 687 28 Clouded Sulphur 26 39 123 192 279 295 42 14 81 44 206 1148 180 Orange Sulphur 29 11 41 82 14 3 7 19 392 295 32 816 Pink-edged Sulphur 67 3 31 Little Yellow 1 Dainty Sulfur Harvester 1 1 American Copper 3 205 Bronze Copper 1 7 7 Bog Copper 55 125 Dorcas Copper 25 Coral Hairstreak 21 2 76 Acadian Hairstreak 16 24 2 2 1 2 26 Edwards' Hairstreak 29 Banded Hairstreak 1 6 1 4 1 1 Hickory Hairstreak 2 Striped Hairstreak 1 1 2 6 Gray Hairstreak 1 Eastern Tailed-blue 1 36 4 120 9 17 Summer Azure 5 1 50 6 1 1 13 4 47 10 48 284 American Snout 1 1 Variegated Fritillary 1 5 7 1 Great Sprangled Fritillary 68 3 23 34 123 40 4 4 6 12 38 23 84 Aphrodite Fritillary 62 8 108 111 15 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ SPECIES Osh Pel Is Petro Pinery Rond RBG Skunk Sund Tor C Tor E Wind TOTAL # Cts Date of Count 30-Jun 04-Aug 21-Jul 23-Jun 08-Jul 16-Jul 01-Jul 08-Jul 14-Jul 01-Jul 07-Jul 24 Silver-spotted Skipper 164 5 8 11 23 24 82 15 130 79 79 1226 17 Northern Cloudywing 5 3 1 1 35 6 20 Dreamy Duskywing 3 1 3 Juvenal's Duskywing 2 2 1 Columbine Duskywing 120 9 2 334 8 Wild Indigo Duskywing 2 2 42 344 10 259 Common Checkered 1 6 80 5 71 Skipper Sootywing Common 3 3 17 2 60 7 Least Skipper 203 2 8 5 2 5 663 15 304 33 European Skipper 7 27 1 145 30 241 2194 21 656 570 104 Fiery Skipper 2 1 18 1 1 59 7 28 Peck's Skipper 28 1 2 10 2 4 582 17 12 116 Tawny-edged Skipper 8 1 14 3 4 8 213 17 4 40 Crossline Skipper 14 2 2 1 6 5 3 3 144 15 3 29 Long Dash 3 2 16 3 225 14 81 29 Northern Broken-dash 10 5 47 1 41 23 66 1136 19 649 13 54 Little Glassywing 1 16 18 105 9 18 Sachem 5 1 5 Delaware Skipper 1 38 3 8 39 3 70 30 750 19 29 154 Mulberry Wing 7 25 191 6 118 2 Hobomok Skipper 7 4 12 57 11 8 4 Broad-winged Skipper 138 141 1 101 733 13 164 30 Dion Skipper 16 4 5 3 179 12 80 16 Duke's Skipper 2 1 2 Black Dash 5 9 61 5 Two-spotted Skipper 6 2 Dun Skipper 57 3 4 2 362 551 28 58 4 5751 22 2000 Dusted Skipper 1 1 1 Common Roadside-skipper 1 3 2 Pipevine Swallowtail 4 4 1 1 Black Swallowtail 5 15 18 11 34 40 7 456 18 79 Giant Swallowtail 6 3 3 4 1 5 106 9 49 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 56 36 2 71 16 96 41 8 29 6 722 18 Canadian Tiger Swallowtail 5 29 89 7 39 Spicebush Swallowtail 3 29 1 5 2 12 114 8 Mustard White 55 2 265 8 184 Cabbage White 1038 3370 30 352 997 168 430 741 345 199 11079 24 524 Clouded Sulphur 1850 103 44 171 87 12 313 218 284 47 10523 24 4725 Orange Sulphur 66 464 15 203 495 30 404 136 129 77 3826 23 66 Pink-edged Sulphur 5 106 4 Little Yellow 1 1 6 4 3 Dainty Sulfur 1 1 1 Harvester 2 1 5 17 6 7 American Copper 1 2 1 15 45 272 7 Bronze Copper 1 1 4 21 6 Bog Copper 5 185 3 Dorcas Copper 25 1 Coral Hairstreak 2 4 15 9 8 1 138 9 Acadian Hairstreak 5 1 7 5 3 127 13 33 Edwards' Hairstreak 9 38 2 Banded Hairstreak 1 3 2 2 9 58 12 27 Hickory Hairstreak 8 3 3 3 Striped Hairstreak 1 2 3 1 2 19 9 Gray Hairstreak 9 2 24 4 12 Eastern Tailed-blue 57 18 8 16 9 143 72 162 23 915 16 220 Summer Azure 52 17 8 4 276 1 12 168 162 53 40 1263 23 American Snout 15 4 1 232 6 210 Variegated Fritillary 3 6 5 113 8 85 Great Sprangled Fritillary 105 17 20 8 76 50 14 1185 21 433 Aphrodite Fritillary 2 62 6 359 7 16 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ SPECIES Date of Count Atlantis Fritillary Silver-bordered Fritillary Meadow Fritillary Silvery Checkerspot Pearl Crescent Northern Crescent Tawny Crescent Baltimore Checkerspot Question Mark Eastern Comma Green Comma Gray Comma Compton Tortoiseshell Mourning Cloak Milbert's Tortoiseshell American Lady Painted Lady Red Admiral Common Buckeye Red-spotted Purple White Admiral Viceroy Hackberry Emperor Tawny Emperor Northern Pearly-eye Eyed Brown Appalachian Brown Little Wood-satyr Common Ringlet Common Wood-nymph Monarch UNIDENTIFIED Erynnis species Skipper species Papilio species Pieris species Colias species Lycaena species Satyrium species Blue species Speyeria species Boloria species Phyciodes species Polygonia species Satyrid species Vanessa species Total Species Total Invididuals Ontario High Counts NABA Count Observers Parties Hours Km on foot Algon Camb Card Clear Halib Hamil Hog Is Huron Killar L Dor Long MacP ManC 04-Jul 14-Jul 21-Jul 14-Jul 14-Jul 01-Jul 21-Jul 07-Jul 08-Jul 07-Jul 07-Jul 15-Jul 08-Jul 5 1 1 18 45 2 1 5 19 5 1 7 1 3 19 3 1 7 20 8 77 180 2 2 4 108 36 223 2 29 61 111 120 6 3 36 119 79 46 3 3 5 21 23 3 1 7 1 1 42 16 8 4 3 13 21 5 1 10 4 3 8 3 1 1 2 2 1 6 1 1 4 1 19 2 43 1 1 1 4 12 1 4 9 8 14 72 1 1 2 5 2 2 29 61 20 3 22 42 5 1 1 14 2 37 147 3 2 21 121 110 92 37 29 1 3 7 4 25 6 70 237 2 7 11 1 6 4 9 8 10 16 5 27 10 21 173 3 2 37 100 50 92 469 768 280 47 40 4 6 2 5 1 1 15 3 31 752 3 Yes 20 7 37 43 4 1 3 15 3 1 8 1 4 1 13 1 3 4 8 4 4 9 2 15 5 4 2 19 5 7 28 1 9 158 3 3 27 4 2 7 5 8 1 2 1 12 56 161 26 8 7 1 11 17 28 12 4 12 2 11 13 11 10 16 2 65 39 7 37 46 18 106 36 78 16 9 27 59 10 186 191 219 86 80 4 10 2 5 1 3 6 2 66 10 66 1 1 39 501 0 Yes 6 3 10 11 37 737 0 Yes 16 4 27 15 50 3956 5 Yes 20 7 42 56 53 4,474 10 Yes 18 9 81 75 17 48 2,366 3 No 14 7 36.5 20 513 0 Yes 6 3 14 19 19 86 0 No 31 1? 3? 31 292 1 Yes 24 4 30 29 28 348 0 Yes 8 2 14 21 54 4155 8 Yes 20 7 42 45 47 3242 1 Yes 25 7 56 80 51 2125 3 Yes 23 5 34 56 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ SPECIES Date of Count Atlantis Fritillary Silver-bordered Fritillary Meadow Fritillary Silvery Checkerspot Pearl Crescent Northern Crescent Tawny Crescent Baltimore Checkerspot Question Mark Eastern Comma Green Comma Gray Comma Compton Tortoiseshell Mourning Cloak Milbert's Tortoiseshell American Lady Painted Lady Red Admiral Common Buckeye Red-spotted Purple White Admiral Viceroy Hackberry Emperor Tawny Emperor Northern Pearly-eye Eyed Brown Appalachian Brown Little Wood-satyr Common Ringlet Common Wood-nymph Monarch Osh Pel Is Petro Pinery Rond RBG Skunk Sund Tor C Tor E Wind TOTAL # Cts 30-Jun 04-Aug 21-Jul 23-Jun 08-Jul 16-Jul 01-Jul 08-Jul 14-Jul 01-Jul 07-Jul 24 6 76 6 4 1 1 33 7 4 5 14 59 9 6 2 63 5 51 10 30 2 4 1 317 122 52 6 2187 21 976 270 88 21 12 16 58 30 1 43 15 2059 22 893 2 12 4 4 1 7 8 103 323 10 151 48 25 2 14 81 44 17 118 25 688 21 193 5 5 1 6 15 11 2 6 3 113 17 29 3 2 1 1 5 7 40 10 15 1 1 1 6 2 12 11 11 11 12 4 111 18 1 13 4 9 3 10 10 26 6 10 2 249 20 38 42 71 18 97 8 62 3 1009 20 453 46 38 19 1 91 1 180 225 57 37 1535 23 428 83 45 17 179 2 37 9 88 11 37 28 32 775 19 181 7 29 4 19 165 10 51 9 2 12 13 198 12 54 23 29 16 2 5 11 8 3 10 260 20 40 11 133 2 122 12 7 1 75 7 43 2 10 8 28 1 11 42 5 395 20 69 42 2 4 43 11 1 1 14 1390 20 736 37 4 7 4 2 769 15 588 23 50 1 183 2 78 11 1919 20 1305 27 8 2 28 6 12 5 5 49 34 11 11 259 23 353 128 3962 23 1554 301 341 192 301 26 182 31 112 546 111 192 44 4145 24 UNIDENTIFIED Erynnis species Skipper species Papilio species Pieris species Colias species Lycaena species Satyrium species Blue species Speyeria species Boloria species Phyciodes species Polygonia species Satyrid species Vanessa species Total Species Total Invididuals Ontario High Counts NABA Count Observers Parties Hours Km on foot 2 1 19 1 2 41 4 80 7 1 3 1 3 1 3 18 1 7 1 3 51 5674 4 Yes 16 7 60.5 61.5 38 6721 13 No 18 4 46 60 50 3129 3 Yes 11 6 37 43 40 3749 7 Yes 17 3 21 32 46 4018 6 Yes 16 8 42.5 47 18 26 441 1 No 10 2 14 9.5 53 43 55 4050 12,773 2531 5 15 2 Yes Yes Yes 26 38 31 10 10 10 37 107 58.5 35 102 61 49 2511 3 No 17 4 28 32 55 1280 3 Yes 21 7 18 32 1 80 100 10 18 0 7 1 113 5 157 22 1 4 1014 70424 91 19 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ MORE INFORMATION ON THE MOURNING CLOAKS: HYPERBOREA AND LINTNERII by Ross A. Layberry The events of 2012 appear to have answered the questions that I asked in my article Possible Subspecies of the Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), in Ontario Lepidoptera 2009. There can no longer be any question that our subspecies hyperborea is distinct from European antiopa, nor that the southern subspecies lintnerii is distinct from hyperborea. These differences are self-evident; they far exceed the differences between subspecies pairs in many, if not most other species. The questions were, and are: does subspecies lintnerii fly as far north as southern Ontario? And if it does, does it fly together with subspecies hyperborea, or replace it? One thing that was not considered was the possibility that the Mourning Cloak could migrate. The very large migration of 2012 proved that it occasionally does, and in good numbers. As it appears that all the migrants were large and dark, it is much more accurate to say that subspecies lintnerii is an occasional migrant. Now that it is known that large migrations can occur, it seems reasonable to think that there have been, in the past, very small migrations that were simply not noticed. So the rare reports of dark specimens (let’s just call them lintnerii), like Norbert Kondla’s reared specimens from Haliburton County, are explained. In 2012 reports of lintnerii came from all over southern Ontario, from Timiskaming District in June and from Thunder Bay in late August. The lack of more reports from the north probably means nothing: out of 832 reports in the province, only 50 bothered to mention size or colour, 36 lintnerii and 14 hyperborea. So we really have no idea of how abundant lintnerii was. I have the feeling that in the east, around Ottawa, Renfrew and Algonquin Park, the majority of Mourning Cloaks seen were lintnerii, but that can’t be proven. Lintnerii was reported in every month from May to October, so there is no question that it produced the same two generations as hyperborea, a short-lived mid-summer one and the overwintering one in September and October. There were no reports of intermediate individuals, though with so few reports this cannot be ruled out. But the two subspecies certainly appear to fly together. The interesting thing will be to find out if lintnerii can overwinter here. It is from a milder climate than Ontario, and may simply find our winter impossible to survive. So it is very, very important for people to pay attention to, and report, details of any Mourning Cloaks seen in the spring; it will be an important scientific first, if large, dark surviving lintnerii are found. I have been using the two scientific names because there are no recognised common names for the two. I suggest that hyperborea should be called the Northern Mourning Cloak, and lintnerii should be Lintner’s Mourning Cloak. 19 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ SUMMARY OF ONTARIO BUTTERFLIES AND SKIPPERS IN 2012 Compiled by Ross A. Layberry and Colin D. Jones Introduction The following is a summary of the butterflies and skippers reported in Ontario in 2012. For each species, the total number of records submitted is indicated, followed by at least the earliest and latest records (that were submitted), as well as other noteworthy records to include: a) new information on range and new occurrence localities; b) data, when submitted, on flight periods, broods and population monitoring; c) life history data that is not well known or seldom reported including foodplants, nectar sources, larval description and habits, ovipositing data and behaviour, pupal description and siting, adult habits, predation, etc.; and d) records of rare or seldom reported species. Counties, Districts and Regional Municipalities (as listed on pages 8 and 9) in the text are truncated and printed in italics (e.g. Regional Municipality of Waterloo appears as Waterloo). The full sets of nearly 30,000 records!!! (comprising 134 species) submitted from 2012 are available to TEA members as a PDF file – contact Colin Jones at [email protected] to receive a copy. Records within these tables are sorted taxonomically by species, then by county (alphabetically), and then by date. The PDF file (Portable Document Format) can be opened using Adobe Acrobat Reader, which comes preinstalled on most computers, and is also available as a free download at www.adobe.com/support/downloads/. The table can be searched in a limited way using the Find function in Acrobat Reader. An additional PDF file including the key to observer’s initials will also be included. For TEA members without access to a computer or printer, a print-out of the butterfly and skipper tables can be requested from Colin Jones (Editor, Ontario Lepidoptera), see contact information on the inside front cover. Each record within the tables includes county, locality, date, observers, numbers seen, and any special notes. Other valuable data that could not be included in the tables due to space limitations, such as georeferencing (UTM and Lat/Long), is retained in the TEA’s Ontario Butterfly Atlas Database, which is housed at and maintained by the Natural Heritage Information Centre, Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough. Further inquiries or requests for information can be directed to the compiler. Both the species accounts and the butterfly checklist are organized in accordance with Pelham (2008). The English common names largely follow Layberry et al. (1998). Data has been carefully checked by the compilers and every effort has been made to verify records for provincially rare and unusual species, as well as species in some particularly difficult groups. However, the majority of records are unverified reports and occasional identification errors may remain. Any corrections brought to the compiler’s attention will be published in future issues of Ontario Lepidoptera. 20 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ The 2012 Season Ontario experienced one of the warmest years on records in 2012. Southern Ontario experienced the 2nd warmest year on record (2.3°C warmer than normal) and the north experienced the 3rd warmest year (2.2°C warmer). Overall precipitation was, however, a near record low in southern Ontario (13% below normal) whereas, in the north, it was 3% above normal. Despite the overall warm weather, January and February were not notably so. There were no January or even February reports of overwintering species, for example. The first records of overwintering species were on March 11 when several Eastern Commas were seen across southern Ontario and a single Mourning Cloak was seen in Scarborough, Metro Toronto. On March 14, the first Compton and Milbert’s Tortoiseshells were noted and a light form Question Mark was seen at Point Pelee N.P., Essex. Since it was a light form (i.e. “winter” form) individual it must have overwintered as an adult locally. On March 18, there were record early emergences of both Green Comma (Algonquin P.P., Nipissing - the previous record was March 31) and Gray Comma (S of Kaladar, Lennox and Addington – previous record was March 30). Ontario experienced one of its warmest springs on record. In the south it was the 2nd warmest, 3.5°C above normal and, in the north, it was the 6th warmest, 2.5°C above normal. The south experienced its 6th driest spring, 26% below normal whereas in the north it was actually 8% wetter than normal. The warm and dry weather resulted in some very early emergence times. An astonishing number of record early emergence dates for the province (according to the data in the Ontario Butterfly Atlas Database) were recorded as follows: Juvenal’s Duskywing – March 19 (previous record April 15) – La Salle, Essex Dreamy Duskywing – April 19 (tied previous record) – Constance Bay, Ottawa Least Skipper – May 20 (previous record May 23) – Wheatley, Essex Delaware Skipper – May 31 (previous record June 2) – Rouge Park, Metro Toronto Cabbage White – March 14 (previous record March 23) – West Lorne, Elgin Mustard White – April 8 (previous record April 11) – Long Sault C.A., Durham Brown Elfin – March 22 (previous record April 6) – Ipperwash P.P., Lambton Bog Elfin – April 19 (previous record May 10) – Newington Bog, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry Eastern Pine Elfin – April 8 (previous record April 14) – S of Kaladar, Lennox and Addington Early Hairstreak – May 6 (previous record May 13) – Kennibik Lake, Haliburton Spring Azure – March 19 (previous record March 30) – La Salle and Windsor, Essex Silvey Blue – April 19 (previous record April 26) – McCarthy Woods, Ottawa Arctic Blue – June 27 (previous record July 5) – Burntpoint Camp, Kenora Silver-bordered Fritillary – May 13 (previous record May 14) – South March Highlands, Ottawa Pearl Crescent – April 19 (previous record April 30) – Rouge Park, Toronto Viceroy – May 5 (previous record May 18) – Windsor, Essex Chryxus Arctic – April 20 (previous record April 23) – Sandy Lake Rd., Peterborough In addition to the above record early dates, the following species had near record emergence dates in the spring of 2012: Northern Cloudywing (May 2); Columbine Duskywing (April 18); Wild Indigo 21 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Duskywing (April 16); Common Sootywing (May 5); Crossline Skipper (June 2); Long Dash Skipper (May 21); Little Glassywing (June 4); Common Roadside Skipper (May 6); Black Swallowtail (April 16); Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (May 2); Olympia Marble (April 18); Clouded Sulphur (April 7); Harvester (May 7); Hoary Elfin (April 8); Bog Fritillary (June 5); Gorgone Checkerspot (May 19); Silvery Checkerspot (May 20); and, Northern Crescent (May 4). One of the most noteable phenomena of 2012 was massive, multi-species migration of butterflies into northeastern North America, including Ontario. This migration was likely the biggest influx of migrant species in recorded history. The first big wave of migrants occurred on April 15 made up largely of Red Admirals with smaller numbers of Question Marks, American Ladies, Painted Ladies and just a few Monarchs. The number of Red Admirals was so impressive that it made the news in newspapers, radio and television. The next big wave occurred in early May when not only was there another major influx of Red Admirals but other species began arriving in significant numbers including: Common Checkered Skipper, Fiery Skipper (record early arrival of May 3), Orange Sulphur, Little Yellow (record early arrival of May 3), Dainty Sulphur (record early arrival of May 3), Gray Hairstreak, American Snout (record early arrival of May 3), Variegated Fritillary (record early arrival of April 20), Question Mark, the dark southern form of Mourning Cloak (Lintner’s Mourning Cloak – see page 19), American Lady, Painted Lady, Common Buckeye and Monarch. In late May and early June another migratory movement occurred this time seeing significant numbers of Pipevine Swallowtail appear in the province. This period also saw the first Cloudless Sulphurs and White-M Hairstreaks appear. In addition, the first Sachem arrived – both a record early date (May 30) and a new northernmost record (Arthur, Wellington). This northernmost record was to be broken many times as the season progressed, however. By the end of the season this species had reached as far north as Rockport, Leeds-Grenville. Some of these migratory species are regular breeding immigrants to Ontario but others are quite rare and to see not only large numbers of immigrants arrive (in many cases much further north than previously recorded) but for them to then subsequently breed (in some cases producing several generations) was unprecedented. Such species included Sachem, Little Yellow, and Dainty Sulphur. Like the spring, the summer season was also very warm in Ontario, the south experiencing its 4th warmest on record (1.5°C above normal), and in the north it was the 2nd warmest (1.9°C above normal). Precipitation was, however, about average in the south and slightly wetter than normal in the north (3% wetter). Despite the warm weather, unlike the spring season that saw many record early emergence dates, the same was not at all true of the summer season. In fact, apart from the impressive movement of immigrant species, overall butterfly numbers seemed quite low compared to average years. The unseasonably warm weather combined with very dry conditions was likely a factor. The warm weather continued throughout the autumn being 0.4°C above normal in the south and 1.1°C above normal in the north. By fall, however, southern Ontario finally saw some relief from the drought as it was 7% wetter than normal. In the north, it was very wet—18% wetter than normal and the 8th wettest autumn on record. 22 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ As is often the case, the late summer and autumn produced several records of vagrant species including Long-tailed Skipper records from both Hamilton and Toronto, Funereal Duskywing records from Hamilton and Point Pelee N.P. and Ocola Skipper from Toronto. The warm autumn resulted in some record late dates for the province as follows: Peck’s Skipper – October 25 – Leamington, Essex Cabbage White – November 25 – Freelton, Hamilton-Wentworth Viceroy – October 21 – Clearvielle Harbour, Kent Family: HESPERIIDAE Epargyreus clarus SILVER-SPOTTED SKIPPER In 2012 - 314 records. The earliest were from the southwest: on May 2 on Mersea Rd. 6, W of Wheatley, Essex (JCL), and on May 3 at Point Pelee NP, Essex (AW, HTO) and Reid CA, Lambton (BAM). On May 13 one was seen at Skunks Misery, Middlesex (RP) and on May 23, one at the Mer Bleue, Ottawa (CBr). There were two new county records: one photographed on June 14 at the Ken Reid CA, Kawartha Lakes (BVR), and one seen on July 1 on the Richmond Rd. extension, 5 km SE Long Sault, Stormont-DundasGlengarry (RAL). The most northerly record was on May 29, at least two seen and one photographed on honeysuckle at Burke’s Rd., Point Alexander, Renfrew (JoW). There were nine reports of more than 50; the highest counts were 93 on July 12, on Centre Island, Metro-Toronto (RJY) and 225 on August 19 in a meadow at Colchester, Essex (PPR). Despite the obvious abundance, there were no reports of larvae, and very few of nectaring; one report, on August 26, was of four nectaring on abundant Purple Loosestrife, at Seneca Dr., Leamington, Essex (RJY). There were scattered reports of worn individuals through July and August, suggesting at least three generations, maybe four. But the flight continued into October: they were seen on the 1st at Birdie’s Perch Restaurant at Point Pelee, Essex (WGL, KMcL, MNe), on the 4th on the Doris McCarthy Trail, Scarborough, Metro-Toronto (LS), and on the 22nd, an extremely fresh individual, at Harrow, Essex (JL). Urbanus proteus LONG-TAILED SKIPPER In 2012 - Two records. Two were seen on September 1 at Princess Point, Dundas B, Hamilton-Wentworth, one photographed feeding in a field of goldenrod near a woods edge, the second one seen ten minutes later (PaT). One was also photographed by RJY on October 4 at Hillside Gardens, in the NW corner of High Park, Metro Toronto. These are both new county records, and the Toronto record is the most northerly in the province. Achalurus lyciades HOARY EDGE In 2012 - No records, last reported in 1996 at Spring Garden Prairie, Windsor. Thorybes bathyllus SOUTHERN CLOUDYWING In 2012 - Three records, one on May 30 at Monarch Landing, Elgin (DBe), one on June 4 at the Spring Garden ANSI at Windsor, Essex (RJY) and one on July 12 at Bolins, 6 km E Port Burwell, Elgin (DBe). 23 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Thorybes pylades NORTHERN CLOUDYWING In 2012 - 160 records. There were two very early sight records, one on May 2 near Mosque Lake, Frontenac (CH), and one on May 5 at Spring Garden Prairie, Windsor, Essex (JL), and then nothing until May 15, when three were photographed S of Marmora, Hastings (RCa, MLa). There were no records from Algonquin PP (where the species is rare), but there were four from further north in Nipissing, including one on June 16 feeding on Cow Vetch (Vicia cracca) at the Lake Temiskaming Dam N of Thorne (RAL). There were seven records from northern Ontario, including one photographed on June 10 at Lisa Lane, 5 km S of Dinorwic, Kenora (ERi); one seen on June 13 at Devlin, Rainy River (MSD); three seen on June 15 on the Matabitchuan Dam Road, S of Haileybury, Timiskaming (RAL) and two seen on June 23 on the Ogoki Road, Thunder Bay (NGE, BGM). Numbers reported were usually small, with only seven counts of more than ten; the highest number was 115, counted on June 18 at High Park, Metro Toronto (RJY). The earliest report of worn individuals was June 28, ten seen at Mount Nemo Escarpment Woods, Halton (BVR), and the latest date was July 21: one seen at the Puslinch Wetlands Reserve, Wellington (MOl) and a very worn one on Daly Rd., 3 km N of Shannon Rd., Hastings (DaE, JoH). Staphyllus hayhurstii HAYHURST’S SCALLOPWING In 2012 - No records, last reported in 1992 at Fish Point, Pelee Island. Erynnis icelus DREAMY DUSKYWING In 2012 - 133 records, the earliest one photographed on April 29 at Bishop Davis Dr., Constance Bay, Ottawa (RCa). Regular reports started on May 4, with two seen in Erindale Park, Mississauga, Peel (RMa), and there were 16 more records in the next week. There were three reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, the earliest on May 21, three photographed on the Achray Campground Road (RCa), and 14 from the north, ranging in date from May 15, 3.8 km W Aubrey Lake and 3.4 km ESE Muskwash Lake, Algoma (CDJ, DAS), to June 23, a high count of 15 counted on the Ogoki Rd., Thunder Bay (NGE, BGM). In the south, the only higher count was 17, on May 15 at the Lowe Road extension, Ottawa (CBr). The first report of worn individuals were three on June 6 at Constance Bay, Ottawa (RCa) and the last reports were of singles, on June 19 at Menzel Centennial NR, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH), and on June 23 at 5th Line Rd., Kanata, Ottawa (CGa). Erynnis brizo SLEEPY DUSKYWING In 2012 - No records, last reported in 2011 at the Wilson Tract, Norfolk. Erynnis juvenalis JUVENAL’S DUSKYWING In 2012 - 307 records. The first report was incredibly early, one seen on March 19, at Brunet Park, La Salle, Essex (JL). Regular reports started in mid-April, with one photographed on the 14th at Rouge Park, Scarborough, Metro-Toronto (CF) and others seen on the 18th at two locations on Mountain Road, NE of Tamworth, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH). There were 14 reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, including a very late one of 7 seen on June 15 at the Old Airfield (KeMo), and just one from the north, one seen at South Bay Church on the Wikwemikong IR on Manitoulin Island, Manitoulin (JK). While most reports were of just one or two, there were 32 reports of ten or more, with 40+ reported on May 5 at Spring 24 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Garden Prairie, Windsor, Essex (JL), 41 on May 11 on the Cataraqui Trail, Frontenac (MCo), and 48 on May 6 in the area of Sandy Lake Rd., Peterborough (RJY). On May 14 two were reported flying in rapid circles around a damp spot in a parking lot at Stony Swamp, S of Bells Corners, Ottawa, and on May 17 one was seen “tangling with a Hobomok” at the same location (LJ). Erynnis horatius HORACE’S DUSKYWING In 2012 - Eight records, all singles, the earliest being one seen on June 12 at Bolin’s, 6 km SE Port Burwell, Elgin (DBe), the first record for Elgin. All the rest were from Point Pelee NP, Essex, starting with one seen at the West Beach on June 19, laying eggs on Chinquapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) (AW). On July 29 BAM photographed a fresh female, in a Red Cedar savannah, and on August 15 another female in the same place. On August 20 AW and HTO saw a big fresh female between West Beach and the Tip, and on September 15 another fresh female was reported at the Tip parking lot (RJY, KRY, MK); there were obviously multiple generations, but how many? Erynnis martialis MOTTLED DUSKYWING In 2012 - Nine records, six from a previously-reported colony near Marmora, Hastings, between May 14 (DaE, JoH) and June 3 (RCa). Ten were seen at this location and some photographed on May 15 (RCa, MLa); other observers were PH, JB, TB, RD and DPr. BVR photographed four on May 25 and eight on June 8 near Waterdown, and saw two, one of which were ovipositing on New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) on June 5 at North Oakville, Halton. Erynnis zarucco ZARUCCO DUSKYWING In 2012 - No records, only two records, the last one in 1999 on the Scarborough Bluffs. Erynnis funeralis FUNEREAL DUSKYWING In 2012 - Three records, all in August. On the 15th BVR photographed one nectaring on loosestrife at Waterdown Escarpment Woods, Halton. On the 19th BAM photographed one at Point Pelee NP, Essex and on the 23rd RCA photographed one in the West Beach/Sparrow Field area of Point Pelee NP. Erynnis lucilius COLUMBINE DUSKYWING In 2012 - 123 records. First reports were sight records on April 18 from two locations on Mountain Road, NE of Tamworth, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH), followed by one seen on April 29 on the Ganaraska Hiking Trail in the Queen Elizabeth WPP, Haliburton (TLa, DBi). There were 62 first-generation reports, tapering off sharply after May 20, with just five after that, ending with one seen on June 6 at Cape Chin, Bruce (CR). There were two reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, one photographed on May 19 at Barron Canyon (RCa) and one seen on May 30 on the Old Mill Trail, Lac Traverse (PH, RCa, MWPR), and none from further north. On May 7 RCa saw 10 and photographed some on Ammo Depot Rd., Point Petrie, and saw singles at two other spots near Point Petrie, and at MacCauley Mountain CA, Prince Edward, these are the first records for Prince Edward. The second generation began abruptly on July 1 with five reports: from Wolfe Lake, Leeds-Grenville (RT), from Pearl Carrick Rd., NE Orillia, Simcoe (AA) and from three locations in Ottawa (CL, BBr, GM, MTa, 25 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ RCa). There were no reports of nectaring, nor ovipositing, and only a few high counts; the highest was 25, on July 7 on the Trans-Canada Trail at Jinkinson Rd., Ottawa (MLa, XoL, XaL). There were 57 reports of definitely second-generation individuals in July, ending with one on the 30th, one seen on Sandy Lake Rd., Peterborough (JB, TB, RD). But then after a two-week gap there were four more reports, starting with one photographed on August 13 on the Hastings Heritage Trail, N of Stirling and finishing with one seen on Lingham Lake Rd., 10.3 km from Cooper, Hastings (DaE, JoH). A third generation? Erynnis baptisiae WILD INDIGO DUSKYWING In 2012 - 215 records. The first report was on April 16, two photographed at Eglinton Flats, Metro Toronto, (RJY), the earliest Toronto record by four days. This was followed by one seen on April 29 at Newmarket, York (JoaB), and four more from Metro Toronto on May 2 and 3. The first generation flew until about midJune, and the second one started on July 4, with nine fresh individuals reported at the Lennox Generating Station, Lennox and Addington (DaE). There were reports practically every day in July, and a bit of a lull in the first half of August, but after that reports were almost every day until early October, almost certainly four generations. There were four reports of females on, or ovipositing on, the native foodplant wild indigo (Baptisia spp.), and three reports of them on or around Crown Vetch (Securigera varia – previously Coronilla varia). There were a few high counts. The highest first-generation count was 80+ on May 5 at Spring Garden Prairie, Windsor, Essex (JL). In the second generation the highest was 162 on July 14 at Eglinton Flats, Metro Toronto (RJY, KRY), and numbers were much lower later in the year. There were six new county records, all related to the species’ continued expansion northward and eastward. One was photographed at Goderich, Huron on October 1 (GRT). The other new county records were all from the east: Northumberland, one seen at Brighton on September 27 (IS); Lennox and Addington, a female seen on Baptisia spp. on July 4 at Sandhurst Shores, followed by 22 more records from there, up to September 13 (DaE, JoH); Frontenac, one seen on September 12 at Spithead Rd. on Howe Island (JPo); Lanark, one on September 3 at Whitehouse Perennials Gardens, S of Almonte (BPa); and Ottawa, one photographed on September 3 at the Ornamental Gardens at the Central Experimental Farm (RCa). This was followed on September 6 by a report from the same place by PH, who saw one apparently ovipositing in a large shrub, an ornamental species of Baptisia. On the same day there was a report of one seen in waste land, with lots Crown Vetch, at the end of Parkhaven St., in the west end of the City, (ASh), the first of 13 reports from there, up to October 9 (ASh, TH, PH, CBr, RAL, RCa, LJ, CL, BBr, MTa). It would appear that some first-generation individuals reached as far east as Lennox and Addington, and their offspring continued their travels further east. There was just one report later than the last Ottawa one: one photographed at the Leamington Superstore, Essex, on October 25 (GRT) Erynnis persius PERSIUS DUSKYWING In past summaries, we have always treated the Persius Duskywing as just one species, but its two subspecies are so different, in so many respects, that it makes much more sense to treat them separately. Erynnis persius persius EASTERN PERSIUS DUSKYWING In 2012 - no reports. Extirpated in Ontario. Last reported on May 30, 1985, at Backus Woods and at the St. Williams Forest Nursery, on the Con. 7 sandy road, Norfolk. 26 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Erynnis persius borealis BOREAL PERSIUS DUSKYWING In 2012 - Two records from Polar Bear PP, Kenora, on June 27: three were seen at the Burntpoint Camp (JI, JBe, MBi, JSa), and one was photographed about 300 m further south (JI). Pyrgus centaureae GRIZZLED SKIPPER In 2012 - No records, last reported in 2005 from three locations in Kenora. Pyrgus communis COMMON CHECKERED SKIPPER In 2012 - 120 records. First reports were on May 3 at Point Pelee NP, Essex (AW, HTO, JB), and on May 5, two at Point Pelee NP (JB) and at Malden Park, Windsor, Essex (JL). There were 11 first-generation records, the latest a sight record on May 21 by JaHo at Beachville, the first record for Oxford. The second generation started with a report of one photographed on June 27 at the Port Lambton Marina, Lambton (BAM), the first county record for Lambton. There were just five records in early July, one seen on the 7th on Con. A, 2 km W of Port Royal, Norfolk, the first record for Norfolk (AT) and four from Essex: on the 6th, three photographed at Ojibway Prairie/Titcomb Park (RCa), and on the 7th two fresh at the Spring Garden Prairie, Windsor (BAM, JL, PCar, PD), two in Leamington and two at Hillman Marsh (GRT, RCa). Then nothing until July 22 when one was photographed at Devlin, Rainy River (MSD), a new county record for Rainy River, which must have been a migrant coming north from the US via Minnesota, just 12 km to the south. Back in the east, numbers of records and numbers of individuals suddenly picked up, presumably due to a combination of new immigrants and individuals from the first. Good numbers were seen at three locations in Essex on July 30 (RJY, MK), and they stayed high from August until late October; all the highest counts were from this period, including the highest, an estimated 500 on September 27 at Harrow, Essex (JL).There were even six records in November, the latest on the 21st, one seen at 15 degrees C, at Shoeless Joe’s in Leamington, Essex (GRT). While most of the records were from Essex and Kent, the others were distributed widely enough to produce eight new county records. Four are mentioned above; the others are: Middlesex, two photographed on October 27 at Wardsville (DPy, RP); Perth, one photographed on September 30 at Zehr’s Plaza, Listowel (GR); Wellington, one seen on October 23 in a field just W of Univ. of Guelph (RMa); and Northumberland, one photographed on September 15 on Gull Island, Presqu’ile PP (IS). Pholisora catullus COMMON SOOTYWING In 2012 - 44 records, starting with three seen on May 5 at Spring Garden Prairie, Windsor, Essex (JL), and one seen on May 11 in the field behind Shoeless Joe’s in Leamington, Essex, (JCa, JS). The first generation flew until mid-June, last reported on the 15th at Shoeless Joe’s and on the 18th on the West Quarter Line, 3.5 km N of Rowan Mills, Norfolk (RCa). The second generation began with a report of one photographed on July 6 at the NCC’s Sheldon Property, 3 km NW of Highgate, Kent (RCa). On August 18 one was seen near Villiers, on the rail trail between the Cameron and Blezard Lines, Peterborough, the first from the county in many years (TB). There were regular reports until August 26, when three were photographed on the Dike Trail at Brantford, Brant (RCa) and two fresh ones were seen at the S end of Seneca Dr., Leamington, Essex (RJY). These fresh ones must have represented a third generation, but there was only one later adult record, one photographed on September 16 at Mohawk Park, Brantford, Brant (BVR). The very latest report was of a 9 mm larva found on September 21 by opening a leaf of Lambs Quarters 27 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ (Chenopodium album), photographed on Mersea Rd. 6, W of Wheatley, Essex (JCL). Carterocephalus palaemon ARCTIC SKIPPER In 2012 - 105 records, starting at about the normal date, in late May: two seen on the 21st at Rouge Park, Metro Toronto (RJY), one on the 22nd at Fletcher Wildlife Garden , Ottawa (CH) and three on the 23rd on Wolf Grove Rd., W of Almonte, Lanark (DA). Numbers were usually small with only three reports of more than five individuals: eight on May 26 on the Lowe Rd. extension, S of Manion Corners, Ottawa (MOl), ten on June 6 at Queens Univ. Biol. Station, Leeds (MCo), and 17 on May 28 on Road 25 in the Larose Forest, Prescott-Russell (CH). There were five reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, the earliest on May 30 on the Old Mill Trail at Lac Traverse (PH, RCa, MWPR). Northern reports included: from Kenora, singles photographed on May 31, June 2 and June 10 at Lisa Lane, 5 km S of Dinorwic (ERi), and from Rainy River, sightings reported on ten days between May 24 and June 17 at Devlin (MSD). The season ran until late June; the latest reports were of one seen on the 20th on the Blueberry Trail in the Ellice Swamp, Perth (GR) and one on the 27th at Menzel PNR, Lennox and Addington (MCo). Lerema accius CLOUDED SKIPPER In 2012 - No reports, only one previous report, in 2000 at Point Pelee NP. Ancyloxypha numitor LEAST SKIPPER In 2012 - 360 records. First reports were of three seen on May 20 on Campers Cove Rd., 2 km E of Wheatley, Kent (GRT), and of one on May 23 at Eglinton Flats, Metro Toronto (RJY). There were three reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, the earliest, four seen on Hwy 60, km 36.7 (PH, JHa), and two from the north: one on July 15 at Serpent River and Hwy 17, Algoma (DBr), and three on July 1 at the Everard Road bog/fen, Thunder Bay (NGE). The highest number was in the first generation, about 100, estimated by RJY on June 4 at the Spring Garden ANSI, Windsor, Essex. There were at least two generations, but with little evidence of their timing. There were just two comments of “very fresh” by CL and BBr, on July 25 on the Bill Holland Trail on Petrie Island, Ottawa, and on August 1 at the St. Albert Sewage Lagoon, Prescott-Russell, and one of “second brood” by DBr on August 13 at Snider Rd., E of Carrying Place, Prince Edward. That generation ended in mid-September, with five seen on the 15th at the Nonquon Sewage Lagoon, 2 km NW of Port Perry, Durham (JK), and two on the 16th behind Shoeless Joe’s in Leamington, Essex (RJY). There was one last record that might possibly indicate a third generation: on September 27 BER counted 15 at Prince Edward Point, Prince Edward. Oarisma garita GARITA SKIPPERLING In 2012 - No records since 1997. It is not certain that anyone has searched the known colonies on Great La Cloche Island and Peninsula, Manitoulin, since 1997. Thymelicus lineola EUROPEAN SKIPPER In 2012 - 503 records. The first reports were of larvae: first instar in folded grass leaves on April 4 and 16, and later instars on May 3 and 4, at Listowel, Perth (GR). The first adults were reported on May 15 on the Cliffs and Alvars Trail, at rare Charitable Research Reserve, Waterloo (JeQ), and on May 24 at Dewey’s on Elmbrook Rd., Prince Edward (JD). Records were numerous and numbers often high until mid-July, 28 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ when both tapered off sharply. There were six reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, including 15 seen on July 4 at the Opeongo Store (RMa, KCo, BHa), and reports from every northern district except Cochrane. On July 1, 50 were reported at Lake Laurentian CA, Sudbury (DBe); on June 15, 30+ were reported nectaring on Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium) on Hwy 567, 16.3 km S of Haileybury, Timiskaming (RAL); there were 20 reports between June 15 and July 15 at Devlin, Rainy River (MSD); and at least three were seen and photographed on the Eady Farm, 3 km NE Eagle River, Kenora (CaE), the northernmost record. There were 20 counts of more than 100 individuals, mostly in mid-June; the highest, by far, was an estimate of at least 10,000 on June 20 in a moist old field N of English Line, 3 km N of Powassan, Parry Sound (JK). The latest reports were one seen on July 29 at the old railway allowance in Listowel, Perth (GR) and another on August 2 on Corkstown Rd., Kanata, Ottawa (CFER). Hylephila phyleus FIERY SKIPPER In 2012 - 399 records. The season started with three records in May, the first a sighting on May 3 at Point Pelee NP, Essex (JB), followed by just four in June: on the 4th JCL photographed a female ovipositing on grass, on Mersea Rd. 6, W of Wheatley, Essex. Reports started to come in more frequently through July, but only in Toronto and points west, until July 22, when there were two reports from Presqu’ile PP, Northumberland (WG). The numbers of individuals counted increased, peaking in late August and September, with about twenty reports of more than 50; the highest were about 200 on August 26 (RJY), nectaring on Purple Loosestrife, and 207 on September 29 nectaring on aster and Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) (GRT), both on Seneca Dr., Leamington, Essex. And the range of the species also increased, reaching Ottawa for the second time, in precisely the same place as the one previous record: the Ornamental Gardens at the Central Experimental Farm. Between August 15 and October 5 there was a series of 20 reports, never more than eight seen on any day, from ten different observers. And there were eight new county records: Haliburton, a male photographed on July 25 on Walker’s Line, W of Boshkung Lake (EP), also the northernmost record, and followed by a male collected on July 29 on Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata) at Rock Lake Campground Beach, Algonquin PP, the first record for the Park (RMa); Wellington, four seen on August 18 on the east trails at Constogo Marsh (GR); Niagara, on August 26, small numbers seen and one photographed at three locations in Port Burwell (RCa); Frontenac, on August 26 at least 15 were reported from Churchill Gardens, Kingston (MCo, PEn, VRo, PMcD, DaE, JoH); Hastings, on August 29, nine were seen including three females, at Quinte CA, Belleville (DaE, JoH); Peterborough, on September 1 one was seen at the Irwin Inn in Crowe’s Landing (AEG); Prince Edward, on September 13, one was seen at Prince Edward Point (JPo, BER); Lennox and Addington, on September 16 one was seen at Sandhurst Shores (JoH). Hesperia comma COMMON BRANDED SKIPPER In 2012 – Only three records, the earliest one caught and released by SB on June 16 at North Fowl Lake, on the Minnesota border, Thunder Bay. On August 11 NGE saw two on Alice Ave., Thunder Bay. And on August 13 RMa saw one at km 20 on Hwy 60, in Algonquin PP, Nipissing. Hesperia leonardus LEONARD’S SKIPPER In 2012 - 38 records. The season started and ended in Lennox and Addington: on July 29, singles were seen on Kennebec Rd., 2.7 km E Northbrook, and on Ashby Lake Rd., W of Fergusons Corners; on September 10, ten were seen at the Sheffield CA, as well as one on Hwy 41, 2.8 km S of there, and two on Turcotte 29 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Rd., 7 km S of Kaladar (DaE, JoH). On September 1st, there were three reports from Hastings, the first county records for Hastings; they included two spots on Lingham Lake Rd., with nine seen 10.5 km NE of Cooper, and 11 seen 7 km NE of Cooper (DaE, JoH). There were three reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, including the highest count, 20 on August 13 at km 20-21 on Hwy 60, and singles at Found Lake on July 31 and August 8 (RMa). There were no records from northern Ontario; the northernmost record was one seen on August 16 on Adelard Rd., 0.6 km N of Hwy 17, Renfrew (RAL). Hesperia sassacus INDIAN SKIPPER In 2012 - 67 records. The first reports were on May 23, four seen S of Marmora, Hastings, (JB, TB, RD, DPr) and three at Spindletree Gardens, Tamworth, Lennox and Addington (JPo). There was one report from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, one collected on June 14 on the Km 8 logging road (TRS), only the fourth record for the Park. And two reports from the north, a male and a female seen on June 7 at the Agawa Bay Lookout, Algoma (JLH, MFi), and a male seen nectaring on Blueweed/Common Viper’s Bugloss (Echium vulgare) at km 34.7, the end of Hwy 567, S of Haileybury, Timiskaming, the first record for Timiskaming (RAL). There were just a few high numbers, the highest 31 counted on May 30 on Greenbelt Trail 22, Kanata, Ottawa (CBr). The latest reports were seven on June 16, from Leeds, Ottawa and Peterborough, then one final one, a single seen on June 18 on the Burnt Lands, near the pond S of Burntlands Rd., Ottawa, (PH). Polites peckius PECK’S SKIPPER In 2012 - 248 records. The earliest reports were on May 17, on the Vista Trail at Rouge Park, Metro Toronto (GY) and on chickweed (Cerastium spp.) on Mersea Rd. 6, W of Wheatley, Essex (JCL). There were four reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, the earliest two seen on July 1 on the Spruce Bog Boardwalk (PH, JHa), and 11 from the north. These included one photographed on June 25 at the Bunny Lake Picnic Site, Kenora (DBr); 12 counted on the Km 10 Sideroad, Sudbury (DBr); and 8 on July 1 at the Everard Road bog/fen, Thunder Bay (NGE). On July 8 JK counted 15 on Con. 13, 1.5 km N of Wilfrid, Durham, and on August 8 RJY counted 18 at James Gardens, Metro Toronto, the highest count. There were two reports of nectaring, one on June 20 on Cow Vetch, 2.6 km ENE of Elma, Stormont-DundasGlengarry (RAL), and four on July 12 on Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) and Purple Loosestrife at Copeland Rd., Richmond, Ottawa (LJ). Although the reports were continuous, there were clearly two generations, with relatively few records in late July and early August. The second generation occurred mostly at Toronto and further west, but in September there were a few exceptions to this, with singles seen on the 5th at Parrots Bay CA, Lennox and Addington (JPo); the 7th at Churchill Park, Kingston, Frontenac (DaE, JoH); on the 12th just N of the boat docks at Oliphant, Bruce (MVB, SD, MJM); and on the 28th at the kids park on Cedarhill Dr., Ottawa (MLa). The season finished with three records in October: on the 3rd W of McCarthy Rd., Ottawa (RT), on the 4th two at Brander Park, Port Lambton, Lambton (BAM), and on the 25th at the Superstore in Leamington, Essex (GRT). Polites themistocles TAWNY-EDGED SKIPPER In 2012 - 281 records. The season got underway early, in mid-May, with four reports from Lennox and Addington: on the 15th and 18th at Sandhurst Shores, on the 17th at Menzel Centennial PNR (DaE, JoH), and on the 19th on Hwy 41, 7 km S of Kaladar (PH). There were four reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, including a late one on July 30 on the Km 8 logging road (RAL, RCa), and 11 in the north, including one caught and released on July 2 in Chippewa Park, in the City of Thunder Bay (SB), one seen on July 10 at 30 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Loons Landing, Sudbury (BVR) and a very late one photographed on September 14 at Lisa Lane, 5 km S of Dinorwic, Kenora (ERi). There were two generations, or possibly more, but there was a continuity in the reports, i.e. the generations overlapped. There were four reports of “worn” between June 15 and July 6, and three reports of “fresh” on July 20 and 21, so clearly the second generation began flying some time in July. There were 12 counts of ten or more, all in the first generation. The highest counts were 20 seen, and some photographed, on June 5 on Con. 12 at the Burnt Lands, Lanark (RCa) and at least 25 seen on July 21 at the Southwold Earthworks, Iona, Elgin (BAM). One was reported on June 12 sheltering beneath the flower of a Mock Orange (Philadelphus inodorus) on a very cloudy day, 5 km SE Fitzroy Harbour, Ottawa, and one was seen nectaring on flowers of blackberry (Rubus spp.) on June 16 on Hwy 63 at a rest stop beside the Little Jocko River, Timiskaming (RAL). The latest reports were of singles seen on September 19 at Point Pelee PP, Essex (AA), and a female on September 25 at Sandhurst Shores, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH). Polites origenes CROSSLINE SKIPPER In 2012 - 90 records. First reported on June 2, when one was photographed at the Bruce Pit, Bells Corners, Ottawa (CBr), followed by another photographed on June 6 on the Glen Eagles Vista Trail at Rouge Park, Metro Toronto (GY). There were no northern reports, in fact the northernmost was from Ottawa, two seen on June 23 on the Berry Side Rd., Kanata (PH). Most reports were of five or less, but RJY, reporting from High Park, Metro Toronto, counted 28 on June 20 and 30 on June 30. Except for two records, the species was single-brooded, with a flight season of about six weeks; it finished with three reports on July 20, from two spots near Wolfe Lake, Leeds (RT) and from the Lally homestead at Murphy’s Point PP, Lanark. (PH, RCa), and on July 24 one “binoculared” in a large borrow pit near Livingstone Lake, Haliburton (EP). After a gap of three weeks, EP saw one on August 13 on Eagle Rd., NE of Warner Bay, Bruce, and on August 24 JK saw one in a “mesic meadow with Solidago”, along Reg. Rd. 27, 1 km N of Nobleton, York (JK); this is not only the latest of the year, but it is also the first county record for York. Polites mystic LONG DASH SKIPPER In 2012 - 212 records. The season started with two photographed singles, a male on May 21 and a female on the 26th near Wolfe Lake, Leeds (RT), and on the 28th one seen on the Cliffs and Alvars Trail at rare Charitable RR, Waterloo, JQe and three at Menzel Centennial NT, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH). There were eight reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, the highest number being four on July 4 at the Opeongo Store (RMa, KCo, BHa). There were eight reports from the north, including one photographed on July 8 at the Goulais River Bog/Fen, Algoma (BVR et al); ten on July 1 at the Everard Rd. bog/fen, Thunder Bay (NGE); and a single male seen on June 16 at Main St. & Meridian Ave., in downtown Haileybury, Timiskaming (RAL). There were a few high counts: 25 were counted on Carbine Rd., 6 km W of Pakenham, Lanark (PH, KA) and 45 were reported on June 10 from Long Lake Rd., Peterborough (JB). There were just two reports of nectaring: on June 10 LJ caught and released two, which had been nectaring on Cow Vetch at Moodie Dr. & West Hunt Club Rd., Bells Corners, Ottawa, and on June 15 RAL saw a male nectaring on Spreading Dogbane on Hwy 567, km 16.3, S of Haileybury, Timiskaming. The season appeared to close in late July, with one photographed on the 20th near Wolfe Lake, Leeds (RT) and two very worn females seen on the 21st on the west trails of Constogo Marsh, Wellington (GR). But six weeks later on September 2 a perfectly fresh second generation female was photographed on Wolf Grove Rd., 3.6 km SW of Almonte, Lanark (DA), and another was photographed on September 13 at Presqu’ile PP, Northumberland (KAn). 31 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Polites vibex WHIRLABOUT In 2012 - No records, just one modern record, in 2008 at Scarborough. Wallengrenia egeremet NORTHERN BROKEN-DASH In 2012 - 141 records. The first two reports were on June 19 at Lambton Prairie, Metro Toronto, one seen by RJY and one seen by RCa. This was followed by two reports on June 22, one seen on the Howie Rd. extension at the Long Swamp, Ottawa (PH, RCa) and a female photographed “in a meadow marsh around a seep” at the Kelso CA at Glen Eden, Halton (BVR). The northernmost reports were from Ottawa. There were 12 counts of more than ten: on July 2, 25 were counted on the Kaladar Trail off Hwy 7, 3.6 km W of Kaladar, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH), and at the Queens Univ. Biol. Sta., Leeds, 32 were reported on July 11 and 40 on July 10 (MCo). Reports were getting scarcer by late July, but there were five in August, finishing with a very worn one seen on the 6th at Weslemkoon Lake Rd. & Mayo Lake Rd., Hastings (DaE, JoH); one photographed on the 11th beside Turtle Pond near Westport, Leeds (RT); and one photographed on August 15 in Waterdown Escarpment Woods, Hamilton-Wentworth (BVR). Pompeius verna LITTLE GLASSYWING In 2012 - 34 records. The first three reports were from RJY: a male photographed on June 4 at Ojibway Prairie, Windsor, Essex; six seen, some photographed on June 16 in Rouge Park, Metro Toronto; and one seen on June 18 at High Park, Metro Toronto. There were three reports from Haliburton, including the northernmost of all, from EP, who on July 1 caught and released one at a gravel pit on Bobcaygeon Rd., N of Minden. Numbers were low, the highest counts of seven on July 9, on the railtrail between the Cameron Line and Hwy 38, near Westwood, Peterborough (JB, TB) and eight on July 1 at Rouge Park (RJY). There was just one report of nectaring, one photographed on Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), on June 16 at the Dundas Valley CA, Hamilton-Wentworth (PaT), and one report of a female ovipositing, on grass at the edge of a trail in Valens CA, Hamilton-Wentworth (BVR, JCha). On July 24 one was seen on the railtrail between the Cameron Line and Hwy 38, near Westwood, Peterborough (JB, TB), and on the 25th one was photographed at Clappison Escarpment Woods, Halton (BVR). And finally there was one clearly second-generation report: one photographed on August 18, S of Slide Lake in Frontenac PP, Frontenac (JPo, MCS). Atalopedes campestris SACHEM In 2012 - 94 records. There was one very early record: one photographed on May 30 at the Arthur Sewage Lagoon, the first record for Wellington, by AW, his earliest ever and his most northerly. A major wave of migrants arrived in late July and early August. On July 30 MK photographed a worn male behind Shoeless Joe’s in Leamington, Essex, and on August 3, 4 and 5 the species was reported from five locations on Pelee Island, Essex (EP, RJY, KRY, SuB, DaBo). By August 12 the wave of migrants had reached Listowel, first record for Perth (GR), the Rhododendron Gardens in Mississauga, first record for Peel (AA), and the Rosetta McClain Gardens in Scarborough, Metro Toronto (WF, FB). The wave held up for a while, and it was probably the next generation that finally reached Front St., Rockport, the first record for Leeds and the northernmost ever, one photographed on September 2 (MLa), and Churchill Park, Kingston, the first record for Frontenac, a female seen on September 7 (DaE, JoH). Most reports were of small numbers, but a few were higher: 20 on August 19 at Colchester, Essex (PPR) and 22 on August 11 at Seneca Dr., Leamington, Essex (GRT). Two were reported feeding at purple Salvia, at Scarborough, Metro Toronto on August 18 32 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ and 25 (BH, CF). And four were nectaring on Purple Loosestrife on August 10 at the Sturgeon Creek bridge on Bevel Line Rd., Leamington, Essex (GRT). The flight season continued into October, with 11 reports, all in Essex or Kent, the second or possibly the third generation born in Canada. The latest ones were on the 22nd, six seen at Shoeless Joe’s in Leamington, Essex (GRT), on the 23rd, six seen nectaring on clover at Harrow, Essex (JL), and on the 24th another three at Harrow (JL, CiL). There were ten new county records set in 2012. Five are mentioned above. The others are Kent, five seen on August 15 at Wheatley PP (BAM); Hamilton-Wentworth, two seen on August 18 at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden in Dundas (JBr); Niagara, two photographed on August 26 at the Lock viewing stand at Port Colborne (RCa); Norfolk, three seen on August 18 at the St. Williams Forestry Station (AT); and Waterloo, on September 1 at the rare Charitable RR, one at Springbank (GR), the other at the floodplain area (GR, AM). Anatrytone logan DELAWARE SKIPPER In 2012 - 178 records. The season started with reports from Metro Toronto: one on May 31 at Rouge Park (WF); one photographed on June 19 at Lambton Park (RCa); and one on June 20 at High Park (RJY). There was also a report on June 20 from Ottawa, one seen at the Eagleson Rd. Park & Ride in Kanata (DA). There were no reports from Algonquin PP, but there was one from the north, one seen on July 9 in a small park at the boat launch on the Mississagi River in Iron Bridge, Algoma (BVR), the first record from Algoma, and the most northerly ever. There were many reports from Ottawa and Peterborough, and others further east than usual. PH photographed one on July 5 on Clarence-Cambridge Rd. in the Larose Forest, Prescott-Russell, and RAL saw one on July 1 in a huge area of damp wood chips, beside a large puddle, 2.5 km NE of Glen Walter, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry. While most reports were of small numbers there were 17 reporting ten or more. The highest counts were 40 on July 8 on the old railbed S of Blackwater, Durham (RJY, KRY), 43 on July 10 at Sandy Lake Rd., Peterborough (JB, TB), and 70 at Sandy Lake Rd. on July 6 (JB). There were three reports of nectaring: on July 20 on Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) on Co. Rd. 58, 6.4 km NE of the Bonnechere River, Renfrew (RAL), on July 3 on Common Milkweed on the Beaver Trail at Bells Corners, Ottawa, and on July 12 on Swamp Milkweed at Conley Rd., 5 km W of Richmond, Ottawa (LJ). Records were continuous until late July, ending with two records from Lennox and Addington on July 29 (DaE, JoH) and one on August 3, on the W shore of Pelee Island, Essex (EP, JBox, JiH). But then there were two very late ones: on August 12 on was seen on Garvin Rd., W of Richmond, Ottawa (MOl), and on September 12, one photographed on Chicory (Cichorium intybus) on Spithead Rd. on Howe Island, Frontenac (JPo). Another odd second generation appearance! Poanes massassoit MULBERRY WING In 2012 - 31 records. The earliest reports were from RCa, who photographed two on June 23 in Larose Forest, on Clarence-Cambridge Rd. near Grant Rd., Prescott-Russell. He returned on June 28 and photographed another ten. The highest counts were 18 on July 6 on a very hot and humid day on Sandy Lake Rd., Peterborough (JB), and 20 seen, some photographed, on July 5 in the Larose Forest on Clarence Campbell Rd., Prescott-Russell (PH). There were no reports of nectaring. The season ended after a short flight season of just four weeks, with three reports on July 21: one seen at the Puslinch Wetlands Reserve near Crieff, Wellington (MOl), and on Sandy Lake Rd., both north and south of Fire Rd. 83, Peterborough (RP, JS). 33 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Poanes hobomok HOBOMOK SKIPPER In 2012 - 359 records. Three reports on May 15 started the season: seven seen at Eglinton Flats, Metro Toronto (RJY), two photographed S of Marmora, Hastings and another two at Sheffield CA, Lennox and Addington (RCa, MLa). There were 13 reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, the earliest one seen on May 25 at the Old Airfield (KeMo). In Kenora, it was photographed three times, on June 15, 17 and 28, at Lisa Lane, 5 km S of Dinorwic (ERi), and in Rainy River it was reported at Devlin ten times between May 24 and June 18 (MSD). There was just one report from Sudbury, five seen on July 1 at the Lake Laurentian CA (DBe) and one from Thunder Bay, on June 8 at the Everard Rd. Black Bay fen (JLH, MFi). As expected, all the high counts were in the south, the highest 51, seen on May 30 on a Forest Access Rd. off Jack Lake Rd., Peterborough (JB), and 62 counted the next day at High Park, Metro Toronto (RJY). Many individuals were reported to be worn in the second half of June, including a worn pocahontas-form female on June 16 on the Heritage Trail at Pinery PP, Lambton (RCa). But despite this, regular reports continued well into July including one seen on the 9th at Queens Univ. Biol. Sta., Leeds-Grenville (MCo). There was one very late report: on September 3, two seen at Gage Park, Hamilton, Hamilton-Wentworth (LMa). Second generation? Without any comment on condition, fresh or worn, it is impossible to say. Poanes zabulon ZABULON SKIPPER In 2012 - No records, none since 2001, at the Stone Road Alvar on Pelee Island. Poanes viator BROAD-WINGED SKIPPER In 2012 - 98 records. The season started a little early on June 28, with one seen at Rouge Park, Scarborough, Metro Toronto (BH), and one photographed in the Larose Forest, on Clarence-Cambridge Rd., near Grant Rd., Prescott-Russell (RCa), and there were three more reports on June 30. Only 20 reports were in Toronto or west of there, all the rest were to the east and north. The most northerly report was from Prescott-Russell, one collected on July 10 on Rue Montee Ouelette, SW of Lefaivre (RAL). Another report from the far eastern part of the province was on July 12, 13 seen, one caught and released on Con. Rd. 10, 5.6 km E of Alexandria, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry (RAL). Peterborough had by far the largest number of reports, and all of the highest counts, with the best two on Sandy Lake Rd., 169 on July 12 (JB, BG, MaR) and 228 on July 10 (JB, TB). On July 6 RJY counted 13 on Wylie Rd. in the Carden Alvar, Kawartha Lakes, the first county record for Kawartha Lakes. There were three reports of nectaring: on July 10 one was seen on Zinnias, in James Gardens, Metro Toronto, “an odd location, no known colonies nearby” (RJY, GR). And RAL reported them twice on Purple Loosestrife, in each case with one killed by an ambush bug: four on July 11, 5.1 km SE of Fitzroy Harbour, and two on July 15 on John Shaw Rd., 3.3 km E of Galetta, Ottawa. The flight season was just over a month in length. On July 30, five were seen on Sandy Lake Rd., and 11 were seen on County Rd. 46, N of Twin Lakes (JB, TB, RD), and on the 31st one was seen on the Cataraqui Trail, E of McGillivray Rd, Frontenac (JPo). Euphyes dion DION SKIPPER In 2010 - One record, on July 3 at Burnt Bridge Rd. in Wilberforce Twp., Renfrew (CM), the first Renfrew record. In 2012 - 71 records. Many more than usual; the drought helped to dry out the sedge patches where this species lives, making the butterflies easier to find. The first records, as usual, were in the last few days of 34 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ June, two seen on the 27th at the Menzel Centennial PNR, Lennox and Addington, (MCo), and one on the 28th on Sandy Lake Rd., Peterborough (JB, KeMo, BeM). Surprisingly, only 12 reports were from Toronto or west of there. Numbers were usually low, but EP reported 13 on July 8 near Uxbridge, on Con. 5 S of Ashworth Rd., Durham, and RAL counted 15 on July 11, just across the road from his home, at 5.1 km SE Fitzroy Harbour, Ottawa. On July 1 LMc collected one on Cooper Rd., 10 km N of Madoc, Hastings, the first record for Hastings. On July 7 RH saw a few beside the parking lot of Mount Pakenham Ski Hill, Lanark, only the third record for Lanark. Between July 10 and 18, RAL found 12 new colonies, of which seven were in previously-empty 10 km squares: there were three colonies in Renfrew, with one specimen collected on July 8 at Rosien Rd., Woermke, in the Opeongo Mountains at 1425 feet, surely a high-altitude record; another collected on July 14 at Abraham Head, Wolfe Island, Frontenac; and on July 10 the first five reports from old Prescott County, the eastern half of Prescott-Russell, including nine seen and two collected on Rue Montee Ouelette, 5.8 km SW of Lefaivre. The flight season was just over a month in length; there were two reports on July 30 from Peterborough, three seen on Sandy Lake Rd. and four on Co. Rd. 46, N of Twin Lakes (JB, TB, RD). And the last one, a worn individual seen on August 6 on the Hastings Heritage railtrail at Gilmour, along Weslemkoon Lake Rd., Hastings (DaE, JoH). Euphyes dukesii DUKE’S SKIPPER In 2012 - Seven records, the first three from the forest edge at Reid CA, Lambton: two males seen on June 27, a male photographed on the 28th, and two seen on the 29th (BAM). On July 5 JK was also at Reid CA, and photographed three, at two different spots in a sedge meadow. And RCa photographed three, one on July 6 at the Ojibway/Spring Garden Prairie, Windsor, Essex and two on July 7 on the Shuster Trail at Point Pelee NP, Essex. Euphyes conspicua BLACK DASH In 2012 - 21 records. The first three reports were all of photographed individuals: one on July 2 at Listowel, Perth, in a new marsh, created by tree felling in 2007 (GR), five on July 6 at the Ojibway/Spring Garden Prairie, Windsor, Essex (RCa) and four on July 8 at the Hardy Road Fen at Brantford, Brant (RCa). Also on the 8th RJY reported one from the old railbed S of Blackwater, Durham, and commented that it has only recently colonised the area; GR made the same comment about the early Listowel location. And on July 11 GR saw a mating pair there. Numbers were usually low but ten were counted on July 8 at two locations at rare Charitable RR, Waterloo, at the West Sedge Marsh, and at the East Sedge Marsh at Springbank (RCa, GR, AM). There were four reports on July 14, from Hamilton-Wentworth, Waterloo and Wellington, and the latest report was on July 21, one seen at the Puslinch Wetland Reserve, E of Crieff, Wellington (MOl). Euphyes bimacula TWO-SPOTTED SKIPPER In 2012 - 11 records, beginning with four seen on June 17 at Sandy Lake Rd., Peterborough (JB), and a few on the 23rd beside the parking lot of Pakenham Mountain Ski Hill, Lanark (RHo). There were two reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, four seen on July 1 at the Spruce Bog Boardwalk, the highest count of the year (PH, JHa) and two on July 4 on Sunday Lake Rd. (RMa, KCo, LF). The season closed with two seen on Co. Rd. 46, N of Twin Lakes, Peterborough (JB, TB), and one collected on July 12 on Cooper Rd., 10 km N of Madoc, Hastings, the first record for Hastings (LMc). 35 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Euphyes vestris DUN SKIPPER In 2012 - 394 records. The first two reports were from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, on June 13, one on Lake Traverse Station Rd., and the other on Barron Canyon Rd. at Traverse Creek (DaE, JoH). There were 10 more reports from Algonquin PP, five from Algoma, and 16 reports from Devlin, Rainy River between June 20 and August 5 (MSD). And just one from Sudbury, 2 seen on July 11 on the Km 10 Sideroad (DBr) and one from Thunder Bay, six seen on July 1 at the Everard Road bog/fen (NGE). In the south there were many high counts, the highest an estimate of a thousand on July 19 at Naftel CA, Leeds-Grenville (PH, RCa, MWPR) and a count of 1,472 on July 10 at Sandy Lake Rd., Peterborough (JB, TB). There were a few reports of nectaring: on July 8 on Wild Marjoram (Origanum vulgare), on July 12 on Swamp Milkweed and Cow Vetch, and on July 18 on Purple Loosestrife, all in Ottawa (LJ); on Spreading Dogbane on July 20 and 28 and on Joe-Pye-Weed on July 28 in Renfrew (RAL); and on Joe-Pye-Weed (Eutrochium maculatum) on July 30 in Algonquin PP, Nipissing (RAL, RCa). Reports were continuous until early August, with 11 in the first week, and then there were two later ones: two seen on August 13 at Frontenac PP, Frontenac (JPo), and two seen at the Pangman Tract at Queens Univ. Biol Sta., Frontenac (MCo). Atrytonopsis hianna DUSTED SKIPPER In 2012 - Two records. Twelve were seen, and three voucher specimens collected, on June 7 at Ipperwash, Lambton (KTh), and a worn one was photographed on June 16 on the Cedar Trail at Pinery PP, Lambton (RCa). Amblyscirtes hegon PEPPER AND SALT SKIPPER In 2012 - Six records, the first and last from Algonquin PP, Nipissing: one photographed on May 30, nectaring on raspberry blossoms, on McManus Lake Rd. (RCa, PH, MWPR), and one seen on June 14 on the Km 8 logging road (TRS). There were three reports from Haliburton on June 5: one on Sherbourne Lake Rd., 1.1 km from the Plastic Lake boat launch; one at a large borrow pit at Livingstone Lake, and four at Plastic Lake (EP). And on June 7 RCa photographed one on Red Rock Road in Foy PP, Renfrew, the first record for Renfrew. Amblyscirtes vialis COMMON ROADSIDE SKIPPER In 2012 - 39 records. Two were reported on June 6 in the vicinity of Twin Lakes, Peterborough (RJY), and on June 7 singles were seen at three locations on Mountain Rd., Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH). There were eight reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, ranging in date from May 20, one photographed on the Lake Traverse Rd. at km 70.3 (RCa), to June 14, one seen on the Km 8 Logging Road (TRS). In the north there was just one report from Kenora, one seen at on June 26 at Caliper Lake PP (DBr) and one from Thunder Bay, one caught and released on June 10 at Mattawin River (SB). The southernmost report of this species was one seen on May 31 in a semi-open alvar at the Larkin Alvar MRCA property, Hastings (CDJ, SRB). The Kenora record was the latest “normal” date but there was one more much later – one seen on July 9 at Queens Univ. Biol. Sta., Leeds (MCo). Panoquina ocola OCOLA SKIPPER In 2012 - two records, of one photographed nectaring on Sedum flowers in the Colbourne Lodge flowerbeds in High Park, Metro Toronto on September 23 (RJY, JCa) and again on the 24th (RJY, BH). 36 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Family: PAPILIONIDAE Battus philenor PIPEVINE SWALLOWTAIL In 2012 - 71 records, including three in May, which were likely from overwintered pupae. On May 29, RJY saw a female briefly flying around a Dutchman’s Pipe, Aristolochia tomentosa in his backyard on Lincoln Ave., Metro Toronto. On May 30, DBe saw one at Monarch Landing, Elgin, and on May 31 KTh saw one investigating flowering Corabells at Lambeth, Middlesex. On June 2 a major migration reached Point Pelee NP, Essex, with nine reported from West Beach S of the Visitor Centre and Sparrow Field (RJY). The next day he reported 10 at Northwest Beach and seven at West Beach. On June 5, 6 and 12, singles were reported from Port Burwell, Elgin (DBe), and on the 5th RJY reported a cluster of 19 eggs on a petiole of the Dutchman’s Pipe at Lincoln Ave. Nine of the first 15 reports, in the three-week period June 2 to June 23, were from Point Pelee, including the highest count of all, 13 seen on June 22 (RJY). There were then no reports until July 7, when AA reported one at Lake Erie Farms, Norfolk. Reports followed from all over southwest Ontario, but with no more from Essex until August 21, one seen on the West Beach Trail at Point Pelee NP (PH, JHa). And some reports were from well beyond the southwest. On July 27 MPr photographed one on flowers at the DRFN Butterfly Garden on Rossland Rd., Oshawa, Durham. On August 1, 2 and 7, singles were seen on Ellerbeck St., Kingston, Frontenac (JEl) and on August 17 one was seen at the Bath Loyalist Park at Bath, Lennox and Addington (DA); these last two were first records for the counties. There were five reports of females ovipositing on Dutchman’s Pipe, including one watched as she laid 19 eggs, at McDonald St. W, Listowel, Perth (GR), the first record for Perth. There was one report of a fifth instar larva, on September 13 at Listowel (GR), and 12 reports of eggs. The highest number of eggs reported was 24, on August 6 at Listowel (GR), but there were two reports that just said “many eggs”, on June 15 at Garden Hill and Port Hope, Northumberland (RJP). The latest records were a worn male photographed on September 13 in the High Park flowerbeds, Metro Toronto (RJY) and one seen on October 4 on Chestermere Ave., Metro Toronto, the latest record for the Toronto area (BH, CF). There were five new county records, three mentioned above. The others were: York, one seen at Newmarket on July 10 (JoaB) and Lambton, two seen on the McCallum Line on July 29 (RJY, MKi). Eurytides marcellus ZEBRA SWALLOWTAIL In 2012 - One record, a fresh one photographed on June 10 in Sparrow Field, Point Pelee NP, Essex (BAM). Papilio polyxenes BLACK SWALLOWTAIL In 2012 - 619 records. The season started very early, on April 16, with one seen behind Rona in Waterdown, Hamilton-Wentworth (ChD) and one photographed at Eglinton Flats, Metro Toronto “earliest Toronto record by 4 days” (RJY), and on April 18, one photographed in Chine Meadow in Bluffers Park, Metro Toronto (WF). There were a few reports from the north: one on the pipeline access road 10 km E of North Bay, Nipissing, the first record for Nipissing (BPa); one seen on July 15 at Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma (DBe); two from Manitoulin, including a report of three seen on May 24 in Wikwemikong Village (JK); and ten reports from Devlin, Rainy River between May 17 and June 17 (MSD). On June 26 RJY saw a very fresh female at James Gardens, Metro Toronto, the beginning of the second generation. There were very few high counts, the best were 14 on July 25 at South Field and Sparrow Field in the rare Charitable RR, 37 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Waterloo (JQe) and 48 on August 4 in the SW quadrant of Pelee Island, Essex (RJY, KRY, SuB, PCar). There were reports of oviposition on Fennel on July 18 and September 6, and on Queen Anne’s Lace on September 19, at Mersea Rd. 6, W of Wheatley, Essex (JCL); on Parsley on July 28, at Wendover Ave., Ottawa (PH), on Wild Parsnip on August 6 N of Richmond, Ottawa (LJ) and on July 2 at Winchester Bog, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry (CH), and on Carrots on August 16 at Newmarket, York (JoaB). The latest reports were from Mersea Rd. 6, W of Wheatley, Essex, on September 16, 19, 21 and 27 (JCL) and from Newmarket, York on October 18 and 22 and November 19 (JoaB). Papilio machaon OLD WORLD SWALLOWTAIL On 2012 - One record, one seen on June 26 at Burntpoint Camp, 75 km ENE of Peawanuck, Kenora (JI et al). Papilio cresphontes GIANT SWALLOWTAIL In 2012 - 686 records. The first records were just a little earlier than usual, on May 5: one seen at Brunet Park, La Salle, Essex (JL) and one on a railway 2 km NE of Chatham, Kent (MLav). The huge spread to the east and north started very early, and with good numbers. On May 24, 19 were counted at three locations in Hastings (DaE, JoH) and on May 25, 10 were seen at McGregor Point PP, Bruce (BAM). They reached Lanark on May 16, one seen 1.3 km W of Playfairville (TMo); Renfrew on May 26, one seen at Connaught Nursery and Gardens at Micksburg, (EA, DPC), the first record for Renfrew ; Ottawa on May 29, one at Haanel Dr., Bells Corners (PH); and Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry on August 16, one at Winchester Bog, the first record for Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry (RCa). They were also 15 reports from Quebec, and three in August from New Brunswick. Despite the huge number of reports, only 23 were of ten or more individuals. The highest counts were 27 on July 30 at West Beach, Point Pelee NP, Essex (RJY, MK), 35 on July 28 at Point Petre PWA, Prince Edward (MCo) and 50 on August 16 at Prince Edward Point, Prince Edward (JPo, BER). There were many reports of nectaring, on a wide variety of garden and wild flowers. In the southwest there were 12 reports of oviposition, eggs or larvae on Hop-tree; further east many such reports on Prickly Ash, and three on Rue: on July 24 at Cambridge and on September 7 at Breslau, Waterloo (JGP), and on July 27 at Newmarket, York (JoaB). The first generation flew until June 22, two worn ones at Point Pelee NP, Essex (RJY) and one at Charleston Lake PP, Leeds-Grenville (CPR). Then a gap of a full month before the first reports of the second generation, two on July 24 and five on the 27th at Cambridge, Waterloo (JGP) and five on the 28th at the Trent River, N of Frankford, Hastings (SuC). On August 3 SWe found a tiny first instar larva on Prickly Ash on Cowell Rd., 5 km S of North Gower, Ottawa and he reared it. It pupated on August 24 and emerged on September 12. This must have come from an egg from an early second-generation female, thus proving the existence in the east of at least a small third brood. Three weeks later, between August 23 and September 9 RAL found 31 larvae in and around Ottawa, and reared them; none of these emerged (see the article on page 10). The season continued without any further gaps in the records until October. Most, but not all of these late ones were from the usual range of the species, east to about Prince Edward. The last two records were in late October: one on the 24th on Beverley Townline Rd. N of Kirkwall, HamiltonWentworth (BVR) and one right downtown in Winchester, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry (GJ). This one was noticed at a deck window from the 26th to the 29th, when they took pity on it and brought it inside; feeding on cut oranges and sugar water on Q-Tips, it lived happily until November 13. 38 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Papilio glaucus EASTERN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL In 2012 - 357 records. First reported from Point Pelee NP, Essex on May 3 (JB), followed up by two from Metro Toronto on May 4, one seen at Lincoln Ave. and one photographed at High Park (RJY). There was one record from Bruce, one seen on June 30 at Kincardine (PGr), and a few from the northeast: in Renfrew, two seen on July 2 on the K & P Trail, between Barret Chute and Flower Station (DLe), in StormontDundas-Glengarry, a large fresh one on June 20 on Con. 6, 4.5 km ENE of Elma (RAL); three in Lanark, including three seen on July 1 on Wolf Grove Rd., SW of Almonte (DA, LAl); and nine from Ottawa, including a male on July 18, caught and released while nectaring on Purple Loosestrife at Jock Trail Rd., 3 km E of Dwyer Hill (LJ). There were no gaps in the records to show the end of the first generation, but on June 29 RJY reported a very worn one at Toronto Islands, and the next day DBr saw two fresh-looking ones at Sandbanks PP, Prince Edward. JK reported a fresh male on July 5 at Reid CA, Lambton, and RAL reported one on July 14, still drying its wings in long grass under branches of Basswood and Ash, on Co. Rd. 95, 1.4 km W of Point Alexandria, Wolfe Island, Frontenac. There were not many high counts. In the first generation the highest count was 15, on May 30 at Erindale Park, Mississauga, Peel (RMa), and on June 16 on the Heritage Trail at Pinery PP, Lambton (RCa). In the second generation there was just one higher number, 18 seen on August 4 in the SW quadrant of Pelee Island, Essex (RKY, KRY, SuB, Pcar). On July 6 JCL watched a female laying eggs on a Hoptree, and found three eggs, on Mersea Rd. 6, W of Wheatley, Essex; he found larvae on the Hoptree several times, the latest on September 2. On July 20 RJY found a larva at Centre Island, Metro Toronto, moving across a walkway, looking for a place to pupate. The season was much shorter than that of the other swallowtails. There were two reports on August 25, one seen at Newmarket, York (JoaB) and a worn one at Point Pelee NP, Essex, at West Beach, S of the Visitor Centre (RJY, KRY) and the last one on September 1, one seen at Springbank, in the rare Charitable RR, Waterloo (GR). Papilio canadensis CANADIAN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL In 2012 - 460 records. Surprisingly, the earliest report was from Thunder Bay, four seen on May 2 at Squaw Bay, just south of the City on Lake Superior (SB). Next were two reports on May 6, one seen at the Burntlands, NE of Almonte, Ottawa (MOl) and one in the vicinity of Sandy Lake Rd., Peterborough (RJY). There were 27 reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, between May 14 and June 15, first and last reports from the Old Airfield (KeMo), and another 25 from further north in Nipissing, the farthest north three seen on June 16 by the Lake Temiskaming Dam N of Thorne (RAL). There were four reports from Algoma, including many seen on June 9 at the Brownlee Lake Campground at Thessalon (ReB); three from Kenora, including a group photographed on June 7 mud-puddling at Lisa Lane, S of Dinorwic (ERi); 19 from Rainy River, all from Devlin, between May 17 and July 1 (MSD); 14 from Thunder Bay, including 25 seen on July 6 at the Bowman Island NR in Lake Superior (SB), 75 on June 8 on Everard Rd. to Black Bay Fen on June 8, “many feeding on dung” (JLH, MFi), and 100 estimated on June 23 on the Ogoki Rd (NGE, BGM); and 12 from Timiskaming, including at least 12 counted on June 15 at the bridge at the end of the Matabichuan Dam Rd., S of Haileybury (RAL). In the south, the highest counts were just 20, on June 5 on Rodeo Dr., at Lower Fletcher Lake, Haliburton (EP) and on June 11 on Sandy Lake Rd., Peterborough (JB). There were a few reports of nectaring, on Dandelion, Dogbane, Orange Hawkweed, Lilac and Honeysuckle, and one report on May 30 of two “taking salts from road gravel”, on Munster Rd., S of Jock Trail Rd., Ottawa (LJ). In the north, the latest report was from Algoma, one seen on July 10 at the upper Goulais River waterfall (DBr). In the south there were three later reports (DaE, JoH, GR, TRa), but without some comments like “worn” or “very worn” it is impossible to know if they were this species. 39 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Papilio troilus SPICEBUSH SWALLOWTAIL In 2012 - 89 records. First reports were on May 5, two seen at Spring Garden Prairie, Windsor, Essex (JL), and at Point Pelee NP, Essex (JB, JCa, VCa). There were no gaps in the reports, but there were only a few in the second half of June and early July, indicating the end of the first generation. And on July 18 RJY reported a fresh male at High Park, Metro Toronto, the start of the second brood. There was just one report of nectaring, “many” on roadside clovers on June 7 at Skunks Misery near Newbury, Middlesex (KTh). There were no reports of egg-laying, but on June 25 RJP found eggs from a first-generation female on a Spicebush in the backyard at Port Hope, Northumberland, the first record for Northumberland. There were two other county records, both involving the second generation: at Durham, one seen on July 14 in a yard on the S side of Thickson’s Woods, Whitby (GCo), and at Halton, one photographed on July 26 at Hendrie Park in the Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington (ChD). On July 30 KTh reported 12 at Komoka/Delaware, Middlesex, the highest count, though his “many” might have been higher. Reports were regular until midSeptember, ending with one reported at West Beach, Point Pelee NP, Essex on the 19th (RJY, KRY). And then there was one very late individual, again at Point Pelee: on October 1, and it was described as “very fresh” (WGL, KMcL, MNe). Family: PIERIDAE Pontia protodice CHECKERED WHITE In 2012 - No records, last reported in 2010 in Thunder Bay and Kenora. Pontia occidentalis WESTERN WHITE In 2012 - Two records, one seen on August 8 at Longridge Point, 58 km NW of Moosonee, Cochrane (JI et al) and one on August 11 at Alice Ave., Thunder Bay, (NGE). Pieris oleracea MUSTARD WHITE In 2012 - 214 records. First reports were on April 8, one seen on the E side of Long Sault CA, Durham (RP) and on April 13, eight counted in the Robertson Tract, Halton Reg. Forest, Halton (RJY). There were only two reports in the first half of June, signifying the end of one generation and the beginning of the next. There were two first-generation reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing: one seen on May 12 at Wolf Howl Pond (LF) and one on June 5 at the Spruce Bog Boardwalk (RP). And lots from the north: from Cochrane, eleven reports from Longridge Point, 58 km N of Moosonee, from August 5 to 28, maximum count five (JI et al); from northern Kenora four reports from the James Bay Lowlands, at the second major Creek N of the Chickney Channel, from August 3 to 12, maximum count 10 (MVB et al); and in southern Kenora, one at the Eady Farm, 3 km NE of Eagle River (CaE) and three singles from Lisa Lane, S of Dinorwic, on May 23 and 24 and June 30 (ERi); from Rainy River, four reports from Devlin on May 10 and 31, and July 8 and 22 (MSD); and from Thunder Bay, one caught and released one May 13 at the Pine Bay NR (SB) and one seen on August 11 at Alice Ave, Thunder Bay (NGE). These reports clearly show the presence of the two 40 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ generations in northern Ontario. On August 8 DBr observed six on Culloden Rd. at Big Otter Creek, NW of Straffordville, Elgin, the first record for Elgin. There were a few high counts, the best being 17 seen on August 18 on the railtrail between the Cameron and Blezard Lines, near Villiers, Peterborough (JB), and 24 on Con. 4 at Blackwater, Durham (RP, LMc, NWo). There were no reports of nectaring or egg-laying, but on May 13 LJ and MJe reported six, including a pair mating in flight and on the vegetation, at the Jack Pine Trail, Bells Corners, Ottawa. The latest reports were on September 1, with higher numbers than you would expect: in Presqu’ile PP, Prince Edward, three at Owen Point and five mudpuddling at Calf Pasture (DBr), and eight on Gagnon Rd. in the Larose Forest, Prescott-Russell (DLe). Pieris virginiensis WEST VIRGINIA WHITE In 2012 - 14 records. On April 14, 20 were seen and several photographed at the Twiss Road Escarpment Woods, Halton (RCa, LyS), the highest count. On April 13 another six were seen in the same place and photographed (RJY), and on the same day nine were seen in Frontenac PP, Frontenac (JPo, MCS). On May 2 eight were seen on the Arab Lake Trail at Frontenac PP, and one was watched ovipositing on Toothwort, Dentaria diphylla (JPo, RAL); JPo photographed the egg. On May 11 singles were seen at two different spots, one of them photographed, on Turcotte Rd., W off Hwy 41, 7 km S of Kaladar, Lennox and Addington, the first record for Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH). There were no other reports of egglaying, nor any of nectaring. The northernmost report was from Charlie Allen Rd. at Rockcroft, Peterborough, two seen on April 19 (JB, DMo). The latest reports were of one seen on May 12 at the Bonwill Tract, Queens Univ. Biol. Sta., Frontenac (MCo) and one on May 21 at Tie’s Mountain Rd., NE of Nogie’s Creek, Peterborough (JB). Pieris rapae CABBAGE WHITE In 2012 - 1,951 records. The earliest reports were of singles on March 14 at Graham St., West Lorne, Elgin (AJH, RAH) and on the 18th at Etienne Brule Park, Metro Toronto (JH) and at Manor Park, Ottawa (CH). There were five reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, ranging in date from May 7 at the Old Airfield (KeMo) to August 23 at the Km 8 logging road (RMa, IS, PBM), and there were only 22 reports from the north. These ranged in date from April 25 at Sudbury, Sudbury (CBl) to August 19 at Devlin, Kenora (MSD). There were 20 reports of more than 100, and another 15 which just said many. The highest numbers were on August 19, estimates of 300 on Ferris Rd., SE of Harrow, and 700 in a meadow at Colchester, Essex (PDP), and on August 4, an actual count of 1,271 in the SW quadrant of Pelee Island, Essex (RJY, KRY, SuB, PCar). There were seven reports of eggs or larvae, but with no mention of foodplant. And there was one report of a female ovipositing, on Chickweed, on Mersea Rd. 6, W of Wheatley, Essex (JCL). On October 2 two, of unequal size, were seen spiralling upward, possibly in a courtship routine, near Coxwell Ave., Metro Toronto (PMcD). And there were a few reports of nectaring, on Coltsfoot, Dandelion, Viper’s Bugloss, Wild Marjoram, pale purple asters and Lilac. There was absolutely no gap in the records, all the way from mid-March until late October. There must have been four generations, and possibly even more. The latest reports were one seen on November 18, flying around in a front yard at Newmarket, York (JoaB), and three on November 25 on Hwy 97 W of Freelton, HamiltonWentworth (BVR). Ascia monuste GREAT SOUTHERN WHITE In 2012 - No records, reported only once, in 1991 at Point Pelee NP. 41 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Euchloe ausonides LARGE MARBLE In 2012 - No records, last reported in 2011 in Thunder Bay. Euchloe olympia OLYMPIA MARBLE In 2012 - 21 records. First reported on April 18, from three spots on the Mountain Road, including four seen at 12 km NE of Tamworth, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH). Then nothing until May 2, when two were seen near Mosque Lake, Frontenac (CH) and two were collected at the hydroline on Third Depot Lake Rd., Frontenac (RAL). The season was very short; there were three reports on May 12, singles at the Fullard CRF at Chaffeys Locks, Leeds-Grenville (MCo), and at Whistler Rd., Constance Bay, Ottawa (PH, CBr), and a last report on May 17, one seen at Sandy Lake Rd., Peterborough (JB). There were no reports of ovipositing or nectaring, and only one good count, 12 seen on May 11 on the Cataraqui Trail, Frontenac (MCo). Colias philodice CLOUDED SULPHUR In 2012 - 1,555 records. The season began with fourteen reports in April, starting with two in Metro Toronto: two seen on the 7th at Colonel Sam Smith Park, Etobicoke (PH) and one on the 16th on the Leslie St. Spit (BH). There were 14 reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, between May 19, one seen at the Berm Lake Trail (RCa) and August 8, one at Found Lake (RMa). There were only 18 reports from the north; were they really less common there, or did most people just not bother to record them? There were three from Algoma: one seen on July 8 at the Goulais River Fen (BVR et al) and on the 9th, one at the Sault Ste. Marie KOA Campground and two at the Mississagi River boat launch in Iron Bridge (BVR). There were five from Cochrane, all at Longridge Point, on August 8, 12, 15, 16 and 23, highest count nine on the 16th (Ji et al). There were four from Kenora, all photo records: one on May 23 at Lisa Lane, S of Dinorwic, ERi); one on July 10 at the Eady Farm, 3 km NE of Eagle River (CaE); one on July 11 on Ojibway Dr., on the NE shore of Eagle Lake (AnM) and one on July 22 at Vermilion Bay, on the natural gas pipeline behind Fort Vermilion (AnM). There was one from Rainy River, at Devlin on May 24 (MSD) and one from Sudbury, one on 5-Mile Creek on July 11 (DBr). And there were four from Thunder Bay, including five caught and released on July 6 at the Bowman Island Nature Reserve (SB). Given the huge number of records it is surprising that there were only 17 counts of more than 100 (plus nine “many”); the clover and alfafa fields that we used to see absolutely full of Sulphurs in September are now a thing of the past. The highest number this year was 1459, counted on July 8 in the vicinity of the old railbed S of Blackwater, Durham (RJY, KRY). There were four reports of egg-laying, all in Listowel, Perth, (GR), on May 18 and 25, on August 23 and on October 22, and he also found two eggs on May 20. RJY saw two on June 13 at Eglinton Flats, Metro Toronto and commented “second brood”; there must have been at least two more broods after that. There were very few reports of nectaring, and one report of a mating flight: on July 8 at Magwood Park at the Humber River, Metro Toronto, a yellow male and a white female, from among a group of at least 20 (JCa). And just one meagre report of mudpuddling, on June 29, four males and a white female on Con. 12, NE of Blakeney, Lanark (RAL). The season continued very late into the fall, with a hundred reports in October and nine in November. The latest were one seen on October 22 at Sandhurst Shores, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH), and five on November 25 on Hwy 97 W of Freelton, Hamilton-Wentworth (BVR). 42 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Long-tailed Skipper at High Park, Metro Toronto on October 4, 2012 (photo: Bob Yukich) Female Common Checkered Skipper at Point Pelee N.P., Essex on August 24, 2012 (photo: Bob Yukich) Female Common Checkered Skipper at Listowal, Perth on September 30, 2012 (photo: Glenn Richardson) Female Common Sootywing at Leamington, Essex on July 30, 2012 (photo: Bob Yukich) Leonard’s Skipper at Wolfe Lake, Leeds and Grenville on August 31, 2012 (photo: Ralph Thorpe) Male Sachem at Listowal, Perth on August 8 2012 (photo: Glenn Richardson) 43 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Female Sachem at CNE Grounds, Metro Toronto on September 12, 2012 (photo: Bob Yukich) Female Sachem at CNE Grounds, Metro Toronto on September 12, 2012 (photo: Bob Yukich) Fresh second brood male Sachem, James Gardens, Metro Toronto on September 11, 2012 (photo: Bob Yukich) Dion Skipper from Rouge Park, Metro Toronto on July 1, 2012 (photo: Bob Yukich) Ocola Skipper at High Park, Metro Toronto on September 23, 2012 (photo: Bob Yukich) Ocola Skipper at High Park, Metro Toronto on September 23, 2012 (photo: Bob Yukich) 44 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Colias eurytheme ORANGE SULPHUR In 2012 - 1,111 records. There were three reports in April, of overwintered individuals, two on the 16th at Point Petre, Prince Edward, three on the 19th at Menzel Centennial NR, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH) and one on the 29th at Wheatley PP, Kent (JCL). And then the first wave of migrants arrived: on May 2, at the Tip in Point Pelee NP, Essex, AW saw four among at least 400 dead and dying butterflies washed up in 100 yards of the surf-line. The next day AW and HTO counted 69 in the Park, so for sure not all drowned. On May 5 JL reported 20+ from Brunet Park, La Salle, and another 20+ at Spring Garden Prairie, Windsor, Essex, and on May 6 RMa reported 15 at Erindale Park, Mississauga, Peel. But for the next six weeks, only much smaller numbers were reported, until a count of 30 on June 14 at Lemoine Point CA, Frontenac (JPo). There were ten reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, between May 30, one seen at the Old Mill Trail at Lake Traverse (PH, RCa, MWPR) and August 17, one at Radiant Lake (MWPR). There were many reports from the north: in Algoma, one photographed on June 7 at the Agawa Bay Scenic Lookout (MFi, JLH), and two seen on July 14 on Frater Rd., Lake Superior PP (DBr); in Cochrane 26 reports between July 31 and August 30, high counts throughout the month, the highest 80 on August 12 at Longridge Point (Ji et al); in Kenora, seven reports from the James Bay Lowlands, the second major creek N of Chickney Channel, between August 1 and 13, all high numbers, the best 50 on the 2nd and the 6th , and one seen on June 26 at Caliper Lake PP (DBr), the only report from southern Kenora; in Rainy River, six reports from Devlin between May 18 and June 25 (MSD); in Thunder Bay, twelve reports, between May 13, a female caught and released at Pine Bay Nature Reserve, likely one which had migrated up and around the western end of Lake Superior, and September 10, one seen at High Hill Harbour on the E shore of Lake Nipigon (SB); and in Timiskaming on June 15, on Hwy 567 S of Haileybury, one at km 16.3 and another at km 34.7, nectaring on Dogbane (RAL). On June 25 many were seen at the Mono Cliffs FF, Dufferin (JLH, DPe, SLe), the first record for Dufferin. There were reports of nectaring on Birds-foot Trefoil, Orange Hawkweed, Goldenrod, Dogbane and New England Aster, around Ottawa and further north (RAL, ASh), and on Joe-Pye-Weed, Butterfly Bush, white Aster and New England Aster in Essex (JCL). On August 8 RCa photographed a dead one, killed by either a spider or an ambush bug, S of Manion Corners, Ottawa, and on June 14 RAL saw a large individual being carried by a large dark dragonfly, on Hwy 11, 11 km S of Ellesmere Village, Nipissing. GR found eggs, three times at Listowel, Perth between May 6 and July 24, and on July 17 at a quarry in the Maple Keys Sugar Bush CA, Huron. There were many high counts, 21 of 50 or more, eight of more than 100; the highest was 258, counted on July 4 at Presqu’ile PP, Northumberland (PPP). Like the previous species, this one also flew very late, with 61 reports in October and 15 in November. The last reports, all of singles, were on the 22nd at the Rouge Hill Go Station, Metro Toronto (BH) and at Sandhurst Shores, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH), and on the 25th on Hwy 97 W of Freelton, Hamilton-Wentworth (BVR). Colias gigantea GIANT SULPHUR In 2012 - No records, last reported in 2010 in Kenora. Colias pelidne PELIDNE SULPHUR In 2012 - No records, last reported in 2010 in Kenora. 45 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Colias interior PINK-EDGED SULPHUR In 2012 - 39 records, the earliest from the Old Airfield at Algonquin PP, Nipissing: five seen at the very unusual date of May 14 (LF, LFr) and two on a more expected date of June 15 (KeMo). There were five more reports from Algonquin, four from the Old Airfield, including the latest, two seen and one caught and released on July 30 (RAL, RCa). There were twelve reports from Peterborough, mostly from Sandy Lake Rd., between June 17, two seen (JB) and July 30, three seen (JB, TB, RD). The highest count in the south was also from there, 27 on a 31 degree day, July 6 (JB). There were two reports from Algoma and one from Thunder Bay, an estimate of 50 on July 1 at the Everard Road bog/fen (NGE). On July 1 five were seen at the Lake Laurentian CA, Sudbury (DBe) and there were eleven other reports from Sudbury, between July 10 and July 12. There were also two from Longridge Point, 58 km N of Moosonee, Cochrane: two seen on August 5 and six on August 6, the latest of all (JI et al). Colias palaeno PALAENO SULPHUR In 2012 - No records, last reported in 2010 in Kenora. Zerene cesonia SOUTHERN DOGFACE In 2012 - No records, last reported in 2008 at Point Pelee NP. Phoebis sennae CLOUDLESS SULPHUR In 2012 - Four records, starting with the earliest ever, one seen on May 20 at West Beach near Sleepy Hollow, Point Pelee NP, Essex (STP, JoV, ChL). The others were all in August: a very fresh male on the 20th feeding on Bouncing Bet, S of the Tip parking lot at Point Pelee (AW, HTO, JoLa), a male on the 29th, also in the Park (WGL, KMcL, RPC) and a fresh male on the 31st at the Centre Island flowerbed, Metro Toronto, “briefly nectaring on Gomphrena globosa, alongside a Cabbage White which it dwarfed in size” (RJY). Phoebis philea ORANGE-BARRED SULPHUR In 2012 - No records, last reported in 1987 at the Leslie St. Spit, Toronto. Eurema mexicana MEXICAN YELLOW in 2012 - No records, only one record, in 1883 at Point Pelee. Pyrisitia lisa LITTLE YELLOW In 2012 - 66 records. This migrant reached Canada early, and in good numbers: on May 3 at Point Pelee NP, Essex, AW and HTO counted 51 migrants flying north. The next day, May 4, RJY photographed one at High Park, Metro Toronto, his first at High Park and his earliest ever in Toronto, by 40 days. This was either a very early migrant, or possibly an overwintered individual; certainly there were no other Toronto records until May 19. It spread further east and north than usual, even reaching Algoma: three were seen nectaring on hawkweed on June 5 near the Visitor Centre in Agawa Campground, Lake Superior PP (JGi), the only report of nectaring. In the south there were four new county records: in Oxford, one seen on May 46 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ 21 at Beachville (JaHo); in York, one seen on June 22 on the W side of Leslie St., 1 km N of Queensville (JK); in Peterborough on June 23, one seen on the 11th Line in North Dummer Twp. (JB); and in Lennox and Addington, one seen on July 9 at the Bayview Bog (JPo), followed by another one seen on Hwy 41, 800 m S of Irvine Lake Airstrip Rd. (DaE, JoH). The highest 13 counts were all from Point Pelee NP; the highest were 39 on May 11 (RJY) and 51 on May 3 (AW, HTO), mentioned above. There were few mentions of condition, fresh or worn, but a ten-day gap in records after May 21 clearly marks the end of the first generation, the immigrants; how many after that is anyone’s guess. The latest reports were in October, at Shoeless Joe’s in Leamington, Essex, a fresh female on the 22nd, and one, sex unknown, on the 25th (GRT). Abaeis nicippe SLEEPY ORANGE In 2012 - 11 records, all from various locations in Point Pelee NP, Essex, in May. There seem to have been two short-lived waves of immigrants, which presumably kept heading north, through and out of the Park, never to be seen again. There were five reports on the 5th, four singles and one report of four, mostly flying north (MK, AKe, STP, JMT, BNC) and one on the 6th, one on the south path from the beach to the Sanctuary (JCa, VCa, PLHu). Then nothing more until the 11th, two reports of singles, (JSk, RSk, JB), and the 12th , three more reports of singles (RJY, JLH, NBR, TPr, RJJ, JCa et al). Nathalis iole DAINTY SULPHUR In 2012 - 55 records, almost all from Essex, 20 from Point Pelee NP, 16 from Hillman Marsh and seven from Leamington. At Point Pelee there were two reports on May 3 (AW, HTO) and three on the 5th, 10+ flying north (JCa, VCa, JB and others). There were nine other reports up to May 11, always small numbers; clearly this was part of the same wave of migrants that brought in the Sleepy Orange. Then nothing until June 16 when eight fresh-brood individuals were seen and some photographed at the Shorebird Cell at Hillman Marsh (BAM). Over the next six weeks, up to August 3, the only five reports were from Hillman Marsh, including a count of 20 on July 7 (RCa, GRT). From then on reports were regular at all locations until late September. There was also one from Pelee Island, two seen on August 4 in the SW quadrant (PCar), one from Colchester, one seen on August 19 (PDP), and a report of 63 seen on September 27 at Harrow, the highest count anywhere in Essex (JL). There were just two reports from other counties: on August 5 one was photographed at the Strathroy Lagoons, Middlesex (RP, DPy), the first record from Middlesex; one seen on September 6 on West Quarterline Rd., Walsingham, the first record for Norfolk (AT); and an incredible 434 were counted on September 17 at 853/855 Reg. Rd. 60, Walsingham, Norfolk (RJY, KRY). There were two late records, from Essex: Some were seen by JL on October 9 at Harrow, and two were seen by AW and AMT on November 21 in the NW part of Hillman Marsh; AW commented that there was “a widespread colony there earlier this year. Foodplant probably “Beggar’s-ticks”. Family: LYCAENIDAE Feniseca tarquinius HARVESTER In 2012 - 47 records. The season started on May 7, a “normal” date, as compared to the records of many other species: two were seen and one collected on the Lime Kiln Rd. at Bells Corners, Ottawa (EOR, JLe). The second report was one seen on May 11 at Leslie St. & Sheppard Ave., Metro Toronto (BH). The flight season of the first generation was very short, probably ending on May 28 with one seen at Ridge Rd., Ottawa (PH, AlB), although there was a report on June 16, two seen at Cold Creek CA, York (AA), which 47 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ might have been of that brood. On June 25 one was photographed sipping minerals from a wet sandy shoreline at Basket Lake Camp, Kenora (BrBr), for sure the second generation. On August 8 JK photographed one on a gravel driveway at Nonquon Centre, Durham, and on August 7 ERi photographed one persistently sipping sweat from her hands, in a kayak, at the N end of Dinorwic Lake, Kenora. And on August 12, two were photographed, one on each side of a colony of Woolly Aphids, at Lynde Shores CA, Whitby, Durham (RP, JS).There was one report from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, one photographed on May 19 on the Jack Pine Trail (RCa), and seven from the north: including in Algoma, five seen and photographed on July 8 at the Goulais River at Searchmont (BVR); in Sudbury, five seen on July 1 at Lake Laurentian CA (DBe); and in Rainy River, they were present on May 18 (no number given) at the 8th Street Trails at Fort Frances (MSD). The highest counts were seven, on July 1 at Leslie St. & Sheppard Ave., Metro Toronto (BH) and 10 on July 8 on the railtrail 2 km NE of Sunderland, Durham, (LKa, PCl). The latest reports were of one photographed on August 16 at Bayview Bog, Lennox and Addington (JPo, BER) and one seen on August 31 on Centre Island, Metro Toronto (RJY). Lycaena phlaeas AMERICAN COPPER In 2012 - 55 records. The season began with two reports on May 5, one seen at the Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre, Frontenac (MCo) and one photographed at Rock Dunder, Leeds (RCa, LyS). Although there were no gaps in the reports, it appears that there were four generations: 25 seen, both worn and fresh ones, on May 20 at the large clearing on Con. 6 at St. Williams Forestry Station, Norfolk (RJY); 14 fresh ones on July 7 at Spring Garden Prairie, Windsor, Essex (BAM, JL, PCar, PD); more fresh ones seen on August 26 at two locations in Durham, the Nonquon Crown Lands and on Con. 6, E of Sunderland (RP); and the very latest report, on September 17 was also of fresh ones, four seen in that same clearing near St. Williams (RJY, KRY). The highest count was in the first generation: 75 counted on May 15 at the Sheffield CA, Lennox and Addington (RCa, MLa). There were three reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, all at the Old Airfield, on May 31 (TRS, KeMo), on July 30 (RAL, RCa) and on August 8 (IS). And two reports from further north in Nipissing, one on June 14 on Hwy 11, 11 km SE of Ellesmere Village, and one on June 16 on Hwy 63, km 37.8 (RAL), the only reports from the north. Lycaena dione GRAY COPPER In 2012 - No records since July 18, 2001 at Keewatin, Kenora. Lycaena hyllus BRONZE COPPER In 2012 - 75 records. First reports were singles, seen on May 25 at the Mer Bleue Boardwalk, Ottawa (GM), and on June 6 at Blair Flats, in the rare Charitable RR, Waterloo (JeQ). There were few records in late June and early July, but a fresh one was reported on June 20 at Cardinal, Leeds (RAL) and another on Con. 4 at Blackwater, Durham (RP, LMc, NWo) signifying the very gradual beginning of the second generation. Numbers hardly built up at all, surprising because in late summer the only places with a good nectar supply were in the wet habitat of this species; in the south the highest count was five, seen and photographed on August 6 at Garvin Rd., W of Richmond, Ottawa (PH, RCa). In the north, at Longridge Point, 58 km N of Moosonee, Cochrane, they were reported on seven days between August 5 and 12 (Ji et al); high counts were 7 on the 5th, 9 on the 12th, and 12 on the 6th and the 8th. This is the fourth colony to be discovered in the last two years, right on the shores of James Bay. There were only three other northern reports: another from Longridge Point, one seen on July 31 (KHa), one very worn individual on August 11 at the Thunder Bay waterfront, Thunder Bay (NGE), and one caught and released on August 12 on the east 48 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ shore of the mouth of the Nipigon River, Thunder Bay (SB). With no further reports of fresh individuals, it seems likely that the second generation flew until mid-September, ending with one seen on the 17th at Prince Edward Point, Prince Edward (BER). But then there were two more, much later, which must have been third generation: two on October 8 on the Cataraqui Trail, E of McGillivray Rd., Frontenac (JPo, MCS) and one on October 16 on the Couture Dyke in Hillman Marsh, Essex (JLH). Lycaena epixanthe BOG COPPER In 2012 - 31 records. The earliest report was on June 23 at the Mer Bleue, N of Dolman Ridge, Ottawa, 25 seen and some photographed (RCa). Next was ten seen on June 27 at Frair Lake, 10 km N of North Bay, Nipissing (ChD). There were three reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, including three at the Spruce Bog Boardwalk: 15 on July 1, (PH, JHa), eight on the 4th (RMa, KCo, BHa) and 6 on the 6th (KeMo), and seven from the north, including a male seen on July 12 at the Shoal PP, Sudbury (DBr) and one photographed on July 14 at Lisa Lane, S of Dinorwic, Kenora (ERi). The highest count, by far, was 66 counted on July 14 at Lochlin Fen, Haliburton (EP, JBox, JiH). The latest reports were of a total of four seen on July 21 at two different spots on Sandy Lake Rd, Peterborough (RP, JS). Lycaena dorcas DORCAS COPPER In 2012 - Six records. First reported from the Everard Rd. bog/fen, Thunder Bay on July 1, four seen, one collected (NGE). Then there were three reports on July 11 from Sudbury: two females were photographed in the Nephic Lake area (DBr); a male and a female were collected in a peatland along Sheppard Morse Rd., about 1 km W of Moodie Lake (CDJ et al) and others were seen in the Nephic Lake peatland in Wenebegon PP (CDJ et al). On July 15, 25 were seen in a fen in the Brucedale CA, Bruce (GR, TRa). And a month later, on August 15, EP saw three on the W side of William Henry Marsh, Bruce. Lycaena helloides PURPLISH COPPER In 2012 - One record, two photographed on July 8 at the Goulais River bog/fen, N of Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma, on the W side of Hwy 17, S of Pine Shores Rd., in an old field beside a sandy parking lot, (BVR, ErC, GlC, JoRo). Satyrium acadica ACADIAN HAIRSTREAK In 2012 - 76 records. The season started with three reports on June 23: two seen in the new marsh area at Listowel, Perth (GR); five seen in Larose Forest, on Clarence-Cambridge Rd., near Grant Rd., PrescottRussell (RCa); and at least five seen, three caught and released on the Rideau Trail at Kettles Rd. ESE of Dwyer Hill, Ottawa (LJ). There were no reports from Algonquin PP or the north; the northernmost was one caught and released on July 20 on Co. Rd. 67, N of Hwy 60, Renfrew (RAL). There were some unusually high counts, mostly from Peterborough: on Co. Rd. 46N, between Twin Lakes and Clare Newnham Rd., 20 were seen on July 12 (JB, BG, MaR), and 34 on July 10 (JB, TB). There were three reports of nectaring, on White Sweet Clover, Common Milkweed and Swamp Milkweed, at Ottawa (LJ). There were four reports on July 21, at two places on Sandy Lake Rd., Peterborough (RP, JS), at the west trails at Conestoga Marsh, Wellington and the Atwood bicycle trail, Perth (GR), and on July 29 the season ended where it began, with one seen in the new marsh area at Listowel, Perth (GR). 49 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Satyrium titus CORAL HAIRSTREAK In 2012 - 58 records. The first report was on June 16, one seen on an old railway allowance in Listowel, Perth (GR). This was followed by three photographed on the 18th at the Manestar Tract at St. Williams Forestry Station, Norfolk (RCa) and one on the 19th on a bike trail at Listowel (GR). There were just two reports of nectaring, a fresh one on Milkweed on June 27 at Burke Settlement, 10 km N of Sharbot Lake, Frontenac (JK), and one on July 20 on Spiraea, caught and released at the Bonnechere River, 8.3 km N of Hwy 60, Renfrew, the northernmost report (RAL). The highest counts were all from Sandy Lake Rd., Peterborough, 13 on July 6 (JB) and 21 on July 10 (JB, TB). The last reports were also from there, four on July 21 (RP, JS) and one on July 30 (JB, TB, RD). Satyrium edwardsii EDWARD’S HAIRSTREAK In 2012 - 13 records, starting with two from a weedy field/woods edge habitat at Reid CA, Lambton: three fresh ones photographed on June 23 and four worn ones seen on the 24th (BAM). There were three reports from Lennox and Addington, four from Sandy Lake, Peterborough, highest count 12 on July 6 (JB); and one each from Essex, four worn ones photographed at Ojibway/Spring Garden Prairie at Windsor (RCa); Waterloo, one seen at Cambridge on July 8 (JGP); Norfolk, 17 seen on July 7 at Normandale, the highest count (DBe, EBi); and the first county record from Simcoe, two seen on July 12 at Wasaga Beach West (JKer). Satyrium calanus BANDED HAIRSTREAK In 2012 - 66 records. The first two were seen on June 18 at High Park, Metro Toronto (RJY) followed by two reports from Reid CA, Lambton, two seen on the 20th and ten on the 23rd (BAM). There were three other reports on the 23rd, one photographed at Hilda Rd., Shirleys Bay, Ottawa (GM), another on the Carp Ridge, Ottawa (PH), and one seen on Stoney Point Rd., Kasshabog Lake, Peterborough (JB). There were no reports from Algonquin, but one from Sudbury, one observed on July 1 at Lake Laurentian CA (DBe). There were just three reports of nectaring, on Milkweed and White Sweet Clover; but surely, most of the sightings must have been on nectaring individuals! The highest counts were 12 seen, and some photographed, on July 2 on the Kaladar Trail off Hwy 7, 3.5 km along the trail, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH), and 14 seen on July 6 on Sandy Lake Rd., Peterborough (JB). The last two reports were also from Sandy Lake Rd., one on July 21 (RP, JS) and one on July 23 (JB, TB, RD). Satyrium caryaevorus HICKORY HAIRSTREAK In 2012 - 13 records, from ten different counties. The earliest were one seen on June 23 at Reid CA, Lambton (BAM), and one photographed on June 25 on Richmond Rd., Ottawa (BeLa). The highest counts were on June 30, five at the Moore WMA and seven at the Reid CA, Lambton (BAM). On July 1 RJY photographed two on Common Milkweed near Pearse House in Rouge Park, Metro Toronto, and AEG photographed three at Desert Lake , Frontenac. The last reports were of one seen on July 16 on the railtrail between the 3rd and 4th Lines in Asphodel Twp., Peterborough (JB) and one caught and released on an ATV trail E of Beer Lake, Haliburton, the first record for Haliburton (EP). Satyrium liparops STRIPED HAIRSTREAK In 2012 - 40 records. First seen on June 23, one photographed 1.7 km S of Puslinch, Wellington (CaMo). 50 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ The second report is more surprising; it was seen (no number given) on June 24 at Devlin, Rainy River (MSD), more evidence that this area is connected more with the US than with northern Ontario. Very low numbers everywhere; on June 28 even Sandy Lake Rd., Peterborough, produced only five (JB, KeMo, BeM), and on July 6 RJY could find only 6 on Wylie Rd. in the Carden Plain, Kawartha Lakes. And just one was seen nectaring, on Milkweed on June 30 at Crow’s Pass CA, Durham (JK). Reports almost stopped by mid-July, but there were two much later: one photographed on July 27 at Chiefswood Park Brantford, Brant (BVR), and one seen on August 4 on the east trails at Conestoga Marsh, Wellington (GR). Satyrium favonius SOUTHERN (OAK) HAIRSTREAK In 2012 - One record, on June 26 at Reid CA, Lambton: at least three were seen and photographed at the forest edge (PCar). Callophrys gryneus JUNIPER HAIRSTREAK In 2012 - 18 records. The first reports were on May 6, one seen at Menzel Centennial NR, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH) and one at Charleston Lake PP, on the Tallow Rock Trail West, Leeds (CPR). On May 14 one was photographed on the Winery Trails, Pelee Island Essex, the first report from the Island since 1992. On May 15 ten were observed S of Marmora, Hastings (RCa, MLa). The only other high counts were from Pelee Island, at the Richard & Beryl Ivey CA: nine on June 4, ten on the 5th and eleven on the 6th (GO, SDB). These records also were the latest of the first generation; there was just one second-generation report, one seen on July 28 at the Point Petre PWA (MCo). Callophrys augustinus BROWN ELFIN In 2012 - 58 records. The first report was the earliest ever, about thirty seen, and some collected, on March 22 at Ipperwash PP, Lambton (KTh); this was also the highest count of the year. The next ones were on more normal dates, at Menzel Centennial NR, one on April 7 and four on April 19 (DaE, JoH) and one on April 18 at the parking lot at the Old Airfield in Algonquin PP, Nipissing (TRS), the first of eleven dates in Algonquin; the latest was at the same place on May 24 (LF). There were 13 reports from the north, from Algoma, on May 15 in Mississagi PP (CDJ, DAS); from Manitoulin, on May 24, a fresh one in a patch of Bearberry at South Bay Church on the Wikwemikong IR (JK); in Rainy River, on May 10 at the Cranberry Peatlands Interpretive Centre in Alberton Twp. and on May 17 at Devlin (MSD); in Thunder Bay, one caught and released on June 16 in the City of Thunder Bay (SB) and two seen on June 23 on Ogoki Road (NGE, BGM); and in Kenora. Two parties stayed at Burntpoint MNR Camp, on Hudson Bay, in Polar Bear PP. They reported the Brown Elfin seven times between June 8, two seen in the NE quadrant of camp (MVB et al) and July 9, again two seen (JI et al), by far the latest report. In the south the latest date was June 9, one seen on Beausoleil Island, between Goblin Bay and Sandpiper Bay, Muskoka (EP). Callophrys polios HOARY ELFIN In 2012 - 21 records, starting with two on April 8 at Ottawa: six photographed at the Burntlands, off Golden Line Rd. (DA) and one photographed at the old burn at Constance Bay (JSk, RSk). There were four records of singles seen in Algonquin PP, Nipissing, the earliest on May 14 at the Old Airfield (KeMo), and one on May 30 at the Old Mill Trail at Lake Traverse (PH, RCa, MWPR), the latest of all records. On May 24 a fresh one was seen in a patch of Bearberry in shoreline alvar barrens, at Thomas Bay, at the S end of the Wikwemikong IR, Manitoulin (JK). On May 15 one was photographed S of Marmora, Hastings (RCa, 51 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ MLa), the first record for Hastings. The highest counts were at the Burnt Lands off Golden Line Rd., Ottawa: 23 on April 16 (CBr) and 27 on May 5 (CH). Callophrys irus FROSTED ELFIN In 2012 - No records, extirpated in Ontario, last reported on May 22, 1988 at St. Williams Forestry Station, Norfolk. Callophrys henrici HENRY’S ELFIN In 2012 - 66 records, more than half from Ottawa. The earliest reports were on April 8, one seen at the Burntlands, Ottawa, off Golden Line Rd. (DA), and one photographed on Turcotte Rd., 7 km S of Kaladar, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH). There were three reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, all at the Old Airfield, on May 14 (KeMo, LF, LFr) and on May 21 (RCa). There was one report from Muskoka, three seen on May 13 at the Pine Trail at Torrance Barrens (TRS), one from Renfrew, one caught and released on May 7 on the Old Mine Rd., 2.6 km W of Osceola (RAL), and one from Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry, one seen on May 14 at Newington Bog (RCa). The highest count was 18, seen on May 5 at the Burntlands, Ottawa, off Golden Line Rd. (CH). The latest date was May 27, one seen on Trail 50 on the Dolman Ridge, Ottawa, (RCa). Callophrys lanoraieensis BOG ELFIN In 2012 - Four records, all from Newington Bog, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry. A very early one was seen on April 19 (RCa, PH, MWPR). At least 13 were seen and one collected on May 14 (RCa, CFER) “mostly in the east corner of the bog”. And more were seen (no number mentioned) on May 19, confirming a flight season of at least a month (JB, TB, RD, TH, BLa). Callophrys niphon EASTERN PINE ELFIN In 2012 - 143 records. The first report was on the amazing date of March 22; one caught, photographed and released, on the Driveway of the Visitor Centre in Algonquin PP, Nipissing, about six weeks earlier than average. The next two, like other Elfins, were on April 8 , seven photographed on Turcotte Rd., 7 km S of Kaladar, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH), and one seen on Monty Dr., Constance Bay, Ottawa, (JSk, RSk, AlSk). There were 25 reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, the latest two on June 13, one on Lake Traverse Station Rd., and a very worn one on a fire road N of Lake Traverse Rd., 1 km E of Traverse Creek (DaE, JoH). There were three northern records: three seen and one collected on May 15 on Black Creek Rd., 3.4 km ESE of Muskwash Lake, Algoma (CDJ, DAS); one on May 17 on a street by a railway track, 2.4 km E Hillsport, Thunder Bay (CDJ, DAS), and a worn one on June 27 at the Day Use area of Neys PP, Thunder Bay (DBr), the latest of all. On May 20 six were photographed on the Blueberry Trail at the Ellice Swamp, Perth, the first record for Perth (GR, AM), and on May 6 KAn photographed one at the pannes in Presqu’ile PP, Northumberland, the first record for the Park. On May 2, at the hydroline on the Third Depot Lake Rd., Frontenac, RAL and JPo counted nine, and watched one lay an egg on a terminal bud on a fifteen-inch-tall White Pine; JPo photographed the egg. The highest counts were 30, on May 5 at Rock Dunder, Leeds (RCa, LyS), another 30 on May 19 at the Berm Lake Trail in Algonquin PP, Nipissing (RCa) and 100 on May 6 on the Yellow Trail at Third Depot Lake, Frontenac (RCa, LyS). In the south, the latest report was of one seen on June 17 on Irvine Airstrip Rd., 11.8 km S of Vennachar Junction, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH). 52 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Pipevine Swallowtail at Centre Island, Metro Toronto on July 20, 2012 (photo: Bob Yukich) Little Yellow at Point Pelee N.P., Essex on August 6, 2012 (photo: Bob Yukich) Sleepy Orange at Point Pelee N.P., Essex on May 12, 2012 (photo: Bob Yukich) Dainty Sulphur at Hillman Marsh C.A., Essex on September 7, 2012 (photo: Colin Jones) Striped Hairstreak at Wolfe Lake, Leeds and Grenville on July 1, 2012 (photo: Ralph Thorpe) White-M Hairstreak at Point Pelee N.P., Essex on June 24, 2012 (photo: Bob Yukich) 53 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Early Hairstreak near Calabogie, Renfrew on July 6, 2012 (photo: Diane Lepage) Silver-bordered Fritillary larva reared from egg collected at Elice Swamp, Perth on June 10 (photo: Glenn Richardson) Silver-bordered Fritillary pupa reared from egg collected at Elice Swamp, Perth on June 10 (photo: Glenn Richardson) Silver-bordered Fritillary adult reared from egg collected at Elice Swamp, Perth on June 10 (photo: Glenn Richardson) Question Mark near Dinorwic, Kenora on May 24, 2012 (photo: Ellen Riggins) Common Buckeye near Dinorwic, Kenora on June 11, 2012 (photo: Ellen Riggins) 54 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Callophrys eryphon WESTERN PINE ELFIN In 2012 - 12 records, starting with one seen on May 5 at Koshlong East, Haliburton (EP, TPo), and followed by nine counted on May 7 at the Old Airfield, Algonquin PP, Nipissing (KeMo). There were four more reports from Algonquin, including the two highest counts, ten on May 11 at Wolf Howl Pond (LF) and 15 on May 19 on the old Mizzy Lake railbed (RJY). Nine were seen on May 11 on the Living Edge Trail at Six Mile Lake PP, Muskoka (TRS) and on May 15 one was photographed and another collected on Black Creek Rd., 3.4 km ESE of Muskwash Lake, Algoma, the first record from Algoma (CDJ, DAS). There were two reports from Kenora, including one on May 9, photographed nectaring on Dandelion on Detour Point Rd., 12 km SW of Eagle River (ERi, AnM). The final report was of one caught and released on June 10 along the Mattawin River, Thunder Bay (SB) Parrhasius m-album WHITE M HAIRSTREAK In 2012 - 23 records. The first report was of an early migrant seen on June 24 at Sparrow Field, Point Pelee NP, Essex (RJY, KRY) “fairly fresh, nectaring on White Sweet-Clover”. Then nothing until the arrival of a large wave of migrants in mid-August, which produced three new county records in the first week: Prince Edward, one photographed nectaring on Boneset on August 16 at Prince Edward Point, (JPo, BER); Kent, one photographed on August 17 at the pond edge at McGeachy Pond, Erieau (BAM); and Durham, one seen on August 23 in a yard on the S side of Thickson Woods, Whitby “on lawn at 1.30, then flew to Butterfly Bush” (MC). On September 1 BAM saw one in Rondeau PP, Kent, the first record for the Park, and on September 2 KaB photographed one at Fairground Rd. and North Rd., 8 km ENE of Port Burwell, Norfolk, the first record for Norfolk. Between August 25 and the end of the season there were five reports of condition: not fresh, worn, very worn, tattered, so clearly there was just one wave of migrants and probably no successful breeding. Most reports were of singles, but there were three reports of two, all at Sparrow Field, Point Pelee NP, and JLH commented that three were reported there on August 22. The last reports were also from Point Pelee NP, one seen on September 16 (AW) and on the 23rd, a very worn one photographed in a weedy field (BAM, MBR, JLH, STP). Strymon melinus GRAY HAIRSTREAK In 2012 - 128 records, of which 33 are Sweetfern-dependant residents and 95 are migrants or their immediate offspring. The differences this year are so great that it makes sense to treat them as if they were two species; which they may well be. The migrants were first reported on May 3 with eight seen at Point Pelee NP, Essex (AW, HTO, JB), they clearly came in on the same migrant wave as many other species. There were other very early reports, on May 3 at Reid CA, Lambton (BAM), on May 5 at Brunet Park, La Salle, Essex (JL) and on the 5th and 6th at Point Pelee (JB). Only one other of these migrants was seen beyond Essex: on May 24, at High Park, Metro Toronto, RJY saw a “female, very worn, ovipositing on wild lupine flower buds”. This was the latest of the original migrants, and there were only five records in the next two months; obviously their breeding was not very successful. But on July 22 RJY saw one at the Leslie Street Spit, Metro Toronto, ovipositing on Birdsfoot Trefoil; these two ovipositions prove that these were migrants or their offspring. On July 30 a second huge wave of migrants hit, with reports of fresh individuals from Hillman Marsh, Essex, and Point Pelee NP (RJY, MK), followed by numerous reports throughout August and September, even five in October, in the southwest and in counties along the shores of Lakes Erie and Ontario. The highest count of the original generation was AW’s eight on May 3. The second wave produced much higher numbers, 41 on 55 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ August 15 (BAM) and 47 on September 15 (RJY, KRY,MK) both at Point Pelee NP. It also produced two new county records, in Hastings, one seen on August 30 in a garden on Cooper Rd., 10 km N of Madoc (LMc) and in Prince Edward, a fresh one seen on September 12 on the Dunes Trail at Sandbanks PP (DaE, JoH). The latest reports were from Harrow, Essex, an extremely fresh one on October 22 (JL) and another on the 24th (JL, CiL). The residents show a completely different pattern. The first reports were on May 7, four seen at two locations on Mountain Rd., NE of Tamworth, followed by two reports on May 11, seven seen at Sheffield CA, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH) and two near the Cataraqui Trail, on the high rock dome above Round Lake, Frontenac “the 2 butterflies were chasing each other around a flowering blueberry patch where they were nectaring from time to time” (MCo)..The first generation flew in May, with just two reports in June, the latest a very worn one seen on June 13 on Lake Traverse Station Rd, Algonquin PP, Nipissing (DaE, JoH). The second generation was first seen on July 2, with a total of five seen at two locations on the Kaladar Trail, off Hwy 7, 3.6 km W of Kaladar, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH), and on July 6, two seen on County Rd. 46, N of Twin Lakes, Peterborough (JB). On July 20 one was seen at the Lally Homestead in Murphy’s Point PP, Lanark, (PH, RCa), the first record for Lanark; it is just possible that this was a migrant, but there is suitable habitat for residents nearby. The highest count for the first generation was the seven at Sheffield CA on May 11; in the second generation, the highest was just five, seen on July 10 on County Rd. 46, N of Twin Lakes (JB, TB). The latest reports were on July 30, two seen on Sandy Lake Rd. and four on County Rd. 46, N of Twin Lakes, Peterborough (JB, TB, RD). Erora laeta EARLY HAIRSTREAK In 1998 - One report, one seen on May 13 at Morninglory Farm SW of Killaloe, Renfrew, the first record for Renfrew (EA). In 1999 - Two reports, one seen on May 16 in a Beech forest on Mountain View Rd., SW of Killaloe, and one on May 22 at Morninglory Farm, Renfrew (EA). In 2012 - Four records, the most ever in a year, all photographed. The first report was of one on May 6 on Kennaway Rd., N of Kennibic Lake, Haliburton (EP, DBi), Another was reported very close to there on May 19 on Kennibik Lake N (EP). On the same day RCa found one on the Jack Pine Trail at Achray, Algonquin PP, Nipissing. The last report is the fourth from Renfrew and only the second report of the second generation in Ontario: on July 2 DLe photographed one on the K & P Trail, at about km 2.6, near Mile Lake. The next day RAL searched for Beech on at least a four km stretch of the Trail, without success. But there was a small amount of Beaked Hazelnut, a probable alternate foodplant, right at that spot. Leptotes marina MARINE BLUE In 2012 - No records, none since 2008 at Toronto, Mississauga and Leamington. Cupido comyntas EASTERN TAILED BLUE In 2012 - 642 records. There were three reports in April, in Metro Toronto: on the 16th a male at Eglinton Flats, the earliest Toronto record by seven days; on the 19th two females at the same place, and on the 20th one at High Park (RJY). There was one report from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, one seen on July 1 at the Spruce Bog Boardwalk (PH, JHa) and one further north in Nipissing, two seen on the Pipeline Access Road 56 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ 10 km N of North Bay (BPa). And just one from the north, a male and a female caught and released in Chippewa Park, in the City of Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay (SB). There were several reports of fresh firstgeneration individuals in May, the latest being ten seen, both fresh and worn, on May 20 at St. Williams Forestry Station, Norfolk (RJY). Then there were six reports of “fresh” in the second half of June, and more in late July and very early August, marking the start of the second and third broods. After that there were just three more reports of “fresh”, a male on September 9, 5 km SE of Fitzroy Harbour, Ottawa (RAL), one on September 30 near Lambton Woods, Metro Toronto (JCa, VCa), and one on October 22, at Eglinton Flats (RJY). It is hard to avoid the conclusion that there must have been five, or possibly six generations. There were five counts of 100 or more, all in August, meaning that they were from the third or fourth generations. The highest were both on August 4: 125 seen in the SW quadrant of Pelee Island, Essex (RJY, KRY, SuB, PCar), and 150 on the pipeline cut and the extension of Garvin Rd., 3 km W of Richmond, Ottawa (MOl). The season ended with 17 reports in October: the latest, one seen on the 23rd in a field just W of the Univ. of Guelph, Wellington (RMa), and one photographed on the 26th in the kids park on Cedarhill Dr., Ottawa (MLa). Cupido amyntula WESTERN TAILED BLUE In 2012 - Two records, both from Thunder Bay. One was caught and released on June 16 at North Fowl Lake, on the Minnesota border (SB), and three were seen on June 23 on the Ogoki Road (NGE, BGM). Celastrina lucia SPRING AZURE In 2012 - 424 records. Nine reports were in March, starting on the 19th with two at Brunet Park, La Salle (JL) and one at Spring Garden Prairie, Windsor, Essex (JL, IW). Most of the earliest ones were in the southwest, but on March 25 BAM saw one at MacGregor Point PP, Bruce. The first Ottawa record was one photographed on April 8 at Nortel Woods, Kanata (CBr), and the earliest from Algonquin PP, Nipissing was on April 18, one seen on the old railway bike trail near Head Creek Marsh (DSh, RGT), one of 17 reports from the Park. There were three reports from Algoma, including a very early one on April 24, one seen on a hydroline 7 km N of Sault Ste. Marie (RWo, NM), and 25 more from the north. There were many good counts, with four of 50 or more, the highest 97 counted on May 20 on the Blueberry Trail at Ellice Swamp, Perth (GR, AM), and 116 counted on May 18 on Rte. 200 in the Larose Forest, Prescott-Russell (CH). On May 19 RJY saw 18 on the old railbed at Mizzy Lake, in Algonquin PP, Nipissing, and commented that all three forms were present, marginata, lucia and violaceae. On April 13, on the Jack Pine Trail, Bells Corners, Ottawa, MLa witnessed an attack by a Chickadee on an Azure near the ground; it missed. On May 29, at the Fingers Trail at Presqu’ile PP, Northumberland, DBr saw one laying eggs on Red Osier Dogwood, and on May 23 GR found three eggs, 4 km NW of Gowanstown, Perth. The latest southern report of adults was on June 19, a worn and tattered individual on the railtrail between the Cameron and Blezard Lines near Villiers, Peterborough (JB). In the far north, there were four reports at the Burnt Point MNR camp in Polar Bear Provincial Park, Kenora, on June 8, 11, 17 and 20 (MVB et al), reasonable dates for Spring Azures so far north. But at Longridge Point, 58 km N of Moosonee, Cochrane there was a repeat of the odd findings of 2010 and 2011, small numbers reported on August 8, 11, 13, 14 and 16 (JI et al). Surely this is too far north for these to be Summer Azures. See comments in Ontario Lepidoptera 2011, page 48. Celastrina neglecta SUMMER AZURE In 2012 - 343 records. Four out of the first five reports, in the far southwest, were sight records of 20 57 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ individuals each. These reports were on June 2 at Point Pelee NP, Essex (RJY), on June 4 at Wheatley PP, Kent (TRS), and on June 5 and 6 at Point Pelee NP (TRS). This is very odd; possibly these were something other than normal Summer Azures. There was one other more normal record on June 6, from an inland site, Mersea Rd. 6, W of Wheatley, Essex, two seen on Climbing Bittersweet (JCL). Regular “normal” records began on June 12: one on the Cliffs and Alvar Trail at rare Charitable RR, Waterloo (JeQ), five at Bolins, 6 km SE of Port Burwell, Elgin (DBe) and one on Leighland Dr., Waterloo (TBe). The first report from Peterborough was on June 18, one seen on the railtrail between the Cameron Line and Co. Rd. 38, near Westwood (JB), and from Ottawa on June 23, one seen near the Mer Bleue (RCa) and at least five on the Rideau Trail at Kettles Rd., 6.3 km ESE of Dwyer Hill (LJ). There was one report from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, one seen on August 2 at Found Lake (RMa), and three from Rainy River: it was seen at Devlin on July 3, 8 and 25 (MSD). There was one report of a fresh one photographed on July 22 at Presqu’ile PP, Northumberland (FL) signifying the start of the second generation, and on July 28 JKer watched an ovipositing second-generation female at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa. Numbers were usually low; including those odd early reports there were just 11 of twenty or more. The highest were 50 on July 2 at Winchester Bog, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry (CH), 64 on July 4 in the Park Count at Presqu’ile PP (PPP) and 111 on June 29 at Toronto Islands, Metro Toronto (RJY). The season closed with three reports in October: on the 1st one “fairly fresh” at Centre Island, Metro Toronto (RJY) and another fresh one at Sandhurst Shores, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH), and on the 25th one at Brander Park, Port Lambton, Lambton (BAM). Celastrina serotina CHERRY GALL AZURE In 2012 - 33 records. The first report was of three seen on May 4 on the Langdon Hall Trail at Cambridge, Waterloo (DoT, CTe), followed by one on the 14th at the Speyside Resource Management Area and five on the 15th at the Crawford Lake CA, Halton (BVR). On May 19 CF saw two at Walker Woods, Durham and photographed another two, plus two eggs, at Uxbridge, York. Very fresh ones were reported on May 21 and 23 near Fitzroy Harbour, Ottawa (RAL) and on May 29 on the Blueberry Trail at Drag Lake East, Haliburton (EP). On May 19 there was a report (no number given) from the Newington Bog, StormontDundas-Glengarry, the first record for the county (JB, TB, RD, TH, BLa). On May 29 RAL saw two, one nectaring on the tiny flowers of Black Buckthorn, near Fitzroy Harbour, Ottawa; on May 31 BH saw one close to galls on Black Cherry, at Walker Woods, Durham; and on June 3 JCL photographed two in a Hoptree, on Mersea Rd. 6, W of Wheatley, Essex. The last reports were on June 17, one binoculared on 25th Line, S of Maple Lake, Haliburton (EP), and on June 23, one caught and released at a creek crossing on Hwy 27, N of Hwy 26, near Midhurst, Simcoe, the first report from Simcoe (EP, Jbox). Glaucopsyche lygdamus SILVERY BLUE In 2012 - 309 records. The earliest reports were of individuals photographed on April 19 at two locations near McCarthy Woods, Ottawa (RT), one on the flower of Wild Strawberry; these are not only the first of the year, but the earliest records ever. This was followed by one seen on April 25 on the Doris McCarthy Trail in Scarborough, Metro Toronto (BH), the earliest Toronto record, two seen on May 2 at Eglinton Flats, Metro Toronto (RJY), and two on May 6 at the Menzel Centennial NR, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH). There were 14 reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, ranging in date from two seen on May 14 at the Old Airfield (KeMo) to four on June 14 on the Km 8 Logging Road (TRS). There was one report from Kenora, one photographed on may 24 at Lisa Lane, 5 km S of Dinorwic (ERi); one from Manitoulin, five seen at Thomas Bay, flying low in an alvar meadow at the S end of the Wikwemikong IR (JK); one from Rainy River, three seen at a microwave tower 10 km NW of Rainy River (JLH, MFi); three from Thunder 58 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Bay, including three caught and released on June 10 at Mattawin River (SB); and eight from Timiskaming, the northernmost one seen on June 14 beside the Ottawa River, 3.6 km N of Haileybury (RAL). On June 16 RAL saw three nectaring on Cow Vetch, near the Lake Timiskaming Dam, N of Thorne, Nipissing. On June 5 PH watched a female preparing to lay eggs on vetch, on Roger Stevens Dr. in the Marlborough Forest, Ottawa. On June 7 PMC saw a female ovipositing on Astagalus neglectus, in an alvar woodland clearing on the Braeside Alvar, 4.3 km NW of Braeside, Renfrew; he reared one adult. There were 25 reports of counts of 20 or more. The highest were 60 seen, some caught and released, on May 18 on the Cataraqui Trail near Chaffeys Locks, Leeds (CFER) and 75 on May 21 on the Cataraqui Trail W of Yarker, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH). In the south the last reports were on June 22, one seen at the Kelso CA, 5 km W of Milton, Halton (BVR) and on July 1, one seen on Rosebella Ave., Ottawa (IRa). There was one later northern report, two caught and released on July 2 at Chippewa Park, in the City of Thunder Bay (SB). Plebejus idas NORTHERN BLUE In 2012 - No records, last reported in 2011 near Dorion, Thunder Bay. Plebejus melissa samuelis KARNER BLUE In 2012 - No records, extirpated in Ontario, not seen since 1991, at the Manestra Tract at St. Williams Forestry Station, Norfolk. Plebejus saepiolus GREENISH BLUE In 2012 - No records, last reported in 2010, near Ouimet, Thunder Bay. Plebejus glandon ARCTIC BLUE In 2012 - Three records, all from Burntpoint Camp in Polar Bear PP, Kenora: one on June 27, two on June 28 and two on July 11 (JI et al). Family: NYMPHALIDAE Libytheana carinenta AMERICAN SNOUT In 2012 - 96 records. The season started with a huge wave of migrants which reached Point Pelee NP, Essex on May 3, with 51 counted by AW and HTO. Others were seen in the next three days by JB, JCa and VCa. On May 11 RJY counted 18, including both fresh and worn individuals, on West Beach, S of the Visitor Centre. By May 19 the migrants had reached Oxford, one seen near Woodstock, the first record for Oxford (JaHo) and by the 20th, Prince Edward, one seen “hiding low in tall grass” on Mitchells Crossroad Rd. (MVe). There were few records in late May but numbers picked up again in early June, with 12 seen on the 2nd, mostly nectaring on Hop Tree, and 59 on the 3rd, again at West Beach (RJY). Even more were seen later, 236 on June 22 and 170 on June 24, at West Beach (RJY). Although more than half of the reports were from Essex, the species also reached 17 other counties. Four of these were first records: Oxford, mentioned above; Hamilton-Wentworth, four seen on July 7 on the North Shore Trails at RBG, Hamilton (JBr); Hastings, one photographed on June 27 in the Tweed area (JBa); and Niagara, one seen on July 10 at Morgan’s Point CA (RCa). On July 12 one was seen at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden at Ottawa (PH), 59 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ making four years in the last five that it had been recorded there. On July 14 GR and JLi photographed a last-instar larva, at the Old Carriage Entrance at rare, Waterloo, the only larval report. The season continued until mid-September; there were reports on the 15th and 16th from Point Pelee NP, and on the 16th from Leamington, Essex (RJY, KRY, MK). And one very late report, four photographed one October 24 at Harrow, Essex (JL, CiL). Agraulis vanillae GULF FRITILLARY In 2012 - No records, reported just once, in 2010 at Rondeau PP, Kent. Euptoieta claudia VARIEGATED FRITILLARY In 2012 - 148 records. First reported at Point Pelee NP, Essex on April 20 (HTO). Another very early one was seen at High Park, Metro Toronto on May 4, “the earliest Toronto record by 33 days” (RJY); these were both ahead of the big wave of migrants and likely had overwintered in Ontario. On May 2 the migrant wave hit Pelee Island, Essex where five were seen (BHo, EHo, KBu) and on the 3rd it reached Point Pelee NP, Essex, with 156 counted (AW, HTO). This migrant generation did not move very far, just two reports from Waterloo on May 11 (TBe) and May 19 (MKe). After a gap of about three weeks, on June 10 the next generation made its first appearance at Point Pelee, and by June 29 had reached Metro Toronto, three seen at Hanlan’s Point (RJY). The species was reported from 16 counties, including 53 reports from Perth, mostly at Listowel, between July 1 and October 17 (GR). There were three new county records: in Grey, one photographed on July 7 on Grey Rd. 12, 13 km N of Markdale (ShD); in Hamilton-Wentworth, one photographed on July 1 at Valens CA (BVR, JCha), followed by six other reports from the county; and Wellington, on September 5 in the Luther Marsh (no number given) (JPo). The flight continued very late; GR saw a mating pair at the field by Zehr’s Plaza, Listowel on October 2, and GRT saw three including another pair at Shoeless Joe’s at Leamington, Essex on October 22. The last reports were on October 23, one, very worn, seen in the field just W of Univ. of Guelph, Wellington (RMa) and on November 9, one just emerging from its pupa by Seacliffe Park, Leamington, Essex (GRT). Speyeria cybele GREAT SPANGLED FRITILLARY In 2012 - 478 records. The flight season started a bit early, with three reports on June 11: three photographed on the old Railway allowance in Listowel, Perth (GR); one seen on Greenbelt Trail 10 in Ottawa (CBr); and one on Jennings Rd., 5 km W of Winchester, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry (RCa). There were ten reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, starting with 20 seen on July 4 on Sunday Lake Rd. (RMa, KCa, LF) and ending with one seen on August 26 at Found Lake (BFo). There were many reports from the north, including six from Algoma, three from Kenora, singles photographed on July 14, 15 and 17 at McGogy Rd., Dryden (AnM), 30 from Rainy River, all from Devlin between July 1 and August 26 (MSD), two from Sudbury and three from Thunder Bay. Numbers were usually low but peaked in early July, and tapered off sharply after mid-August. There were six reports of 20 or more; on July 5, 30 were seen, and some photographed, on the Clarence-Cambridge Rd. in Larose Forest, Prescott-Russell (PH) and on July 8 200 were estimated in a dry meadow W of Con. 5, N of Ravenshoe Rd. in Georgina Twp., York (EP, JBox). There were a few reports of nectaring, on July 6 on Echinacea at Kitchener, Waterloo (PGr), on Bull Thistle and Purple Loosestrife (LJ) and on Indian Hemp, Apocynum cannabinum (RAL) at Ottawa. The season ended with 13 reports in September, the latest being one on the 9th on the old railway allowance in Listowel, Perth (GR), one on the 11th near Rogers Side Road, Kingston, Frontenac (JPo, MCS) and singles on the 13th, 16th and 17th at Sandhurst Shores, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH). 60 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Speyeria aphrodite APHRODITE FRITILLARY In 2012 - 111 records. The first three reports were from Ottawa, on June 15 six seen and one photographed on Yorks Corner Rd., 5 km W of Russell (CFER), on June 18 in Burntlands PP, one near the pond on Burntlands Rd., and four off Golden Line Rd. (PH); these were followed by one seen on June 22 in a beaver meadow at the W end of Frair Lake, 12 km N of North Bay, Nipissing (PDe). There were three reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, the latest, one seen on August 8 at Radiant Lake (MWPR); two from Manitoulin, one photographed on August 24 at Misery Bay and one seen on the 25th at the Cup and Saucer Trail (AEG); three from Sudbury, one collected on July 11 in peatland 1 km W of Moodies Lake, and two caught and released on July 12 at two locations on the Wakami Dam Rd (CDJ et al); and three from Thunder Bay, three caught and released on East Arrow Rd., 5 km E of Remicks (SB), one seen on August 5 at the mouth of the Wolf River (SB) and one on August 11 at Alice Avenue, Thunder Bay (NGE). Numbers were almost always low, with only four reports of more than 20. Three of these were on Sandy Lake, Peterborough between July 6 and 12 (JB, TB, BG, MaR), and the highest, 35+, was counted on July 8 on the Lowe Rd. extension, 5 km S of Manion Corners, Ottawa (MOl). There were just two reports of nectaring, both on Joe-Pye Weed: on August 7 RAL caught and released two fresh ones, on Brae Loch Rd., 2.2 km N of Glasgow Station, Renfrew, and on August 16 LJ saw two on Garvin Rd., W of Richmond, Ottawa. The season ended a little earlier than that of cybele; the last report was of one seen on Lingham Lake Rd., 10.5 km NE of Cooper, Hastings (DaE, JoH). Speyeria idalia REGAL FRITILLARY In 2012 - No records, last reported in 2000, at Holiday Beach CA, Essex. Speyeria atlantis ATLANTIS FRITILLARY In 2012 - 73 records, the first two on June 15, one seen 4 km N of Metcalfe, Ottawa (CFER) and three seen on Salmon Lake Rd., Peterborough (JB). The first northern reports were from Kenora, one photographed on June 28 and two on June 29, nectaring on Ox-Eye Daisy, at Lisa Lane, 5 km S of Dinorwic (ERi). There were five reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, between July 4, two seen on Sunday Lake Rd. (RCa, KCo, LF) and July 30, one nectaring on St. Johnswort on the Km 8 Logging Road (RAL, RCa). There were a total of 27 reports from the north, including three from Algoma, eight seen on July 8 at the Goulais River fens (DBr); Cochrane, singles seen on August 6 and 12 at Longridge Point (JI et al); Kenora, mentioned above; Rainy River, July 5 to 19 at Devlin (MSD); Sudbury, 12 reports July 9 to 12, including five seen, two caught and released on July 11 on the Km 10 Sideroad (DBr); and Thunder Bay, five reports including one of 50 seen on July 1 at the Everard Road bog/fen (NGE). That count of 50 was the highest anywhere; in the south the highest was four, on July 29 at the S end of the Long Swamp, Ottawa (MOl). There was one other report of nectaring, on July 20 three fresh ones were seen, two nectaring on Red Clover, on Sandy Beach Rd., 2 km E of Alice, Renfrew (RAL). On July 12 RAL caught and released one that was so worn it was almost unrecognisable, on Petite Quatorze Rd., 2.5 km S of Ste-Anne-de-Prescott, Prescott-Russell. On August 6 one was seen on the Egan Creek Trail, just N of Mephisto Lake Landing Rd., Hastings (DaE, JoH), the first record for Hastings. The latest reports were in the south, three seen on August 16 near Adelard, Renfrew (RAL) and one seen on August 23 at Stoll Lake, off Machesney Lake Rd., Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH). 61 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Boloria eunomia BOG FRITILLARY In 2012 - Ten records, only three from the south. The earliest was one seen on June 5 at the Spuce Bog Boardwalk, Algonquin PP, Nipissing (RP), and four more were seen there on June 15 (KeMo). On June 8 six were seen on Beaver Lake Rd., E of Catchacoma, Peterborough (RP, JB). On June 23 one was collected on the Ogoki Rd., Thunder Bay (NGE, BGM). The other reports were all from Burntpoint Camp, in Polar Bear PP, Kenora, on July 5, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, highest counts four, on the 9th and 11th (JI et al). Boloria selene SILVER-BORDERED FRITILLARY In 2012 - 134 records. First reports were on May 13, three photographed at the South March Highlands, and on May 15, two seen at the Lowe Rd. extension, S of Manion Corners, Ottawa (CBr). There were four reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, from May 30, four photographed on the hydrocut at km 50 of the Lake Traverse Rd. (RCa, PH, MWPR) to August 5, five seen on Basin Rd. (IS), clearly showing the two generations. These were also apparent in Kenora, where singles were photographed on May 31, June 2, June 17 and July 25, at Lisa Lane, 5 km S of Dinorwic (ERi). There were two reports of the first generation from Rainy River, at Devlin on May 24 (MSD), and 7 km ENE of Rainy River on June 9 (JLH, MFi), and reports of the second generation in Sudbury, three reports on July 11 in the area of Wenebegon PP (CDJ et al) and in Thunder Bay, 20 counted on July 1 at the Everard Rd. Bog/fen (NGE). On June 10 GR watched a female lay an egg on a blade of grass; he took it home, it hatched and he reared the larva on Northern White Violet, and released it. The highest counts were all in mid-June; on the 23rd JB counted 40 on the 8th Line N in Dummer Twp., Peterborough, and on the 11th RCa estimated 50 on Jennings Rd., 5 km W of Winchester, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry. The season ended with three reports in September: one photographed on the 1st at the Lowe Rd. extension, S of Manion Corners, Ottawa (RCa), one captured and released on the 3rd at the 25th Line, S of Maple Lake, Haliburton (EP), and on the 15th four seen at Point Pelee NP, Essex, the only report from the Park, or from Essex (RJY, KRY, MK). Boloria bellona MEADOW FRITILLARY In 2012 - 102 records, beginning with one seen on April 21 at Wilson Woods, 2.5 km SE of Alton, Peel (DeWi) and another on May 3 on the old railway allowance at Listowel, Perth (GR). In the south there was a clear gap between the last record of the first generation, six seen on May 25 near Westwood, on the railtrail between the Cameron Line and Co. Rd. 38, Peterborough (JB, TB), and the first of the next generation, two seen on June 14 in the same place (JB). There was no way of verifying it, but there were likely three generations. There was just one report from Nipissing, three seen on August 6 on the pipeline access Rd., 10 km E of North Bay (BPa) and five from Devlin, Rainy River between May 24 and July 18 (MSD). There were just three other reports from the north, one photographed on June 23 on the Ogoki Rd., Thunder Bay (NGE, BGM), one photographed on July 8 at the Goulais River bog/fen, Algoma (BVR et al), one seen on July 12 about 3 km W of Little Wenebegon Lake, Sudbury (CDJ). Nine of the highest ten counts were from Ottawa, the highest 25 seen on May 13 at the Burntlands, off Golden Line Rd. (CH) and 30 seen on May 6 at the Lowe Rd. extension (MOl). The latest reports were one seen on August 31 at a quarry at the Maple Keys Sugar Bush CA, Huron (GR), one seen on September 6 on the east trails at Conestoga Marsh, Wellington (GR), and a fresh one photographed on September 9 on Haskins Rd., SSE of Burritts Rapids, Leeds (BeLa). 62 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Boloria frigga FRIGGA FRITILLARY In 2012 - No records, last reported in 2011 at Savanne, Thunder Bay. Boloria freija FREIJA FRITILLARY In 2012 - One record, one seen on June 25 at Burntpoint Camp, Polar Bear PP, Kenora (JI et al). Boloria chariclea ARCTIC FRITILLARY In 2012 - Three records, all from Burntpoint Camp, Kenora: one photographed on June 18 on the camp ridge and another on June 19, north of camp (MVB, JBru, MBi) and one caught and released on the camp ridge on June 20 (MVB, JBe, MKP). Chlosyne gorgone GORGONE CHECKERSPOT In 2012 - Two records. On May 19, S of Oxford Mills, Leeds, RAL saw a pair in a long complicated courtship dance. He netted them, together, to confirm identification and released them. On July 10 PH photographed three at the same place. Chlosyne nycteis SILVERY CHECKERSPOT In 2012 - 47 records, the first ones on May 20, one seen under the hydrolines on Richmond Rd., S of Bells Corners, Ottawa (MOl) and on May 29, one seen on the Blueberry Trail at Drag Lake E, Haliburton (EP). There was one report from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, three photographed on June 13 on Lake Traverse Station Rd. (DaE, JoH), and one from just outside the Park, at the Bissett Creek Mine, Renfrew: on June 7 four were seen nectaring on Yellow Hawkweed, the only blooming plant there (RAL). There were six reports from further north in Nipissing, as far as Hwy 11 and the Lake Temagami Access Rd., one seen on June 15 nectaring on Dogbane (RAL). There were other northern reports. On June 7 two were photographed at the Agawa Bay Scenic Lookout, Algoma (MFi, JLH); on June 11, 15 and 16 one was photographed each day on Lisa Lane, 5 km S of Dinorwic, Kenora (ERi); on June 15 and 30 it was reported from Devlin, Rainy River (MSD); there were three reports from Thunder Bay, including one caught and released on July 6 at the Bowman Island NR in Lake Superior (SB), the latest date in the north, and three from Timiskaming, including two individuals that were strongly attracted to the orange sidelights on the car; these were on June 14, on Hwy 567, 20 km S of Haileybury, and on June 15 on the Matabitchuan Dam Road (RAL). Numbers were very low. There was only one count of more than four: on June 16 RCa saw 20 and photographed some at L-Lake at Port Franks, Lambton. In the south the latest date was July 7, three seen at Normandale, Norfolk (DBe, EBi). Chlosyne harrisii HARRIS’S CHECKERSPOT In 2012 - 37 records. Earliest reports were on May 5, one at the Pangman Tract at Queens Univ. Biol, Station, Frontenac (MCo) and six at the hydrolines on Richmond Rd., S of Bells Corners, Ottawa, at a colony that has been known for at least 40 years (MOl). There were other early reports: June 6 from Hastings, one at Lake St. Peter PP (RP), and from Ottawa. There were two reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, one seen on June 13 on Lake Traverse Station Rd. (DaE, JoH), and one on June 14 on the Km 8 logging road (TRS). There were three reports from northern Nipissing, one caught and released on June 14 63 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ on Hwy 11, 3.3 km SE of Ellesmere Village (RAL) the northernmost. Numbers were usually low but there were two counts of ten, photographed on June 7 at the hydrolines on Richmond Rd., S of Bells Corners, Ottawa (PH), and seen on June 9 between Bear Lake and Buck Lake, 4 km N of Perth Road, Frontenac (ChD). The latest reports were on June 27, one on the Old Wagon Road between Baysville and Bigwind Lake PP, Muskoka (TRS), and on July 10, one seen at the Queens Univ. Biol. Station, Leeds, (MCo). Phyciodes tharos PEARL CRESCENT In 2012 - 454 records. The first two reports were ridiculously early, one seen on April 19 at Rouge Park, Metro Toronto (BH, JH), and two seen on April 25 at Breslau, Waterloo (PDe). Records started in earnest on May 2, and within a week it had been reported from nine more counties. There were no reports from Algonquin PP; the northernmost were both from Renfrew on June 23, singles on Storie Rd., 6 km E of Castleford, and 6.5 km N of La Passe (RAL). There were no gaps in the records, but reports of fresh ones on July 9 on Greenbelt Trail 26, Ottawa (CBr), on August 2 at Sandhurst Shores, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH) and on August 31 on Carp Rd., 5 km SE of Fitzroy Harbor, Ottawa (RAL) would appear to indicate four generations, rather than the expected three. On June 20 RAL saw one on a hydroline 3 km NW of Gallingertown, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry, the first record for the county, and on August 5 two were seen at the Strathroy Lagoons, Middlesex (RP, DPY), the first record for Middlesex. Of 400+ reports, only one was of nectaring butterflies: two worn ones seen on aster on September 29, at Leamington, Essex (GRT)! Numbers were usually low, with only 29 reports of twenty or more, and eight of 100 or more. The highest were 200 on July 8 in a wet pasture/meadow marsh 1.5 km N of Wilfrid, Durham (JK) and 490 counted on August 4 in the SW quadrant of Pelee Island, Essex (RJY, KRY, SuB, PCar). Regular reports continued through September, finishing with just three in October: five seen on the 1st on Bevel Line Rd., Leamington, Essex (WGL, KMcL, MNe), one on the 4th at the Doris McCarthy Trail, Scarborough, Metro Toronto (BH) and one, very worn, on the 9th at Sandhurst Shores, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH). Phyciodes cocyta NORTHERN CRESCENT In 2012 - 839 records. The earliest report was of one photographed on May 4 on the Dunes Trail at Sandbanks PP, Prince Edward (DaE, JoH), followed by two on May 5 from Essex, at Point Pelee NP (JB) and at Spring Garden Prairie, Windsor (JL). All reports were of singles until May 15, when 50 were estimated, some caught and released on Burntlands Rd. at the Burntlands, Ottawa (CFER). There were just four reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, all on June 23 in the Barron Canyon Rd. area (DaE, JoH) and eight from further north in Nipissing. There were reports from all northern districts except Algoma. In Cochrane small numbers were seen at Longridge Point on July 22 (KH) and from August 9 to 22 (JI et al). In southern Kenora there were seven reports from June 17 to September 15 (ERi, AnM, DBr) and in the north singles were seen in the at the second major creek N of the Chickney Channel, in the James Bay Lowlands on July 31 and August 12 (MVB et al). In Manitoulin, five were seen on May 24 at Thomas Bay, at the S end of the Wikwemikong IR (JK). In Rainy River there were 19 reports between June 8 and July 12 at Devlin (MSD) and in Sudbury there were ten reports from July 9 to 12; only one mentioned a number, four photographed on July 10 at a roadside picnic spot on the Shawmere River (DBr). There were seven reports from Thunder Bay, the highest count 100, seen on June 23 on the Ogoki Rd (NGE, BGM) and eight from Timiskaming, all on June 14 and 15 in the Haileybury area, highest count four, on Hwy 567, at km 20 (RAL). There were just three reports of nectaring, on June 14 flowers of Blackberry on Old Hwy 17 Rd., 6.7 km W of Mattawa, Nipissing, and on June 15 at two locations on Hwy 567 S of Haileybury, Timiskaming, on Dogbane and Yellow Hawkweed (RAL). There were probably two generations, but there was no gap in the 64 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ records, and not enough comments of “fresh” or “worn” to be sure. The numbers were much lower than usual, with only ten reports of 100 or more; undoubtedly the drought was at least partly responsible for this. The highest counts were 144 on June 18 on the railtrail between the Cameron Line and Co. Rd. 38 near Westwood, Peterborough (JB) and 200 on August 22 on the West Beach Trail at Point Pelee NP, Essex (PH, JHa). The flight season continued through September, the rate of reports slowing down a bit towards the end, and there were two reports in October: on the 3rd PH photographed one on Perron Rd. in the Larose Forest, Prescott-Russell and on the 4th JCL saw one on Mersea Rd. 6, W of Wheatley, Essex. Phyciodes batesii TAWNY CRESCENT In 2012 - 15 records, all except the last three from Ottawa. The first ones were all photographed, starting with five on May 24 at Timm Dr., Bells Corners, and 30 on May 25 on the Carp Ridge off Thomas Dolan Parkway, (RCa); this last colony is on a mostly-bare granite ridge, very different from other locations, but it has been known since 1991. On May 10 ten were photographed at Harwood Plains, off Kerwin Rd; some were on a very soggy trail right to the edge of a pond (RCa). The latest Ottawa report was on June 14, one photographed at Timm Dr. (DaE, JoH). On June 16 RCa found another ten, at L-Lake at Port Franks, Lambton, and photographed some. The latest reports were on June 30, on an extension of Church St., 4 km E of Port Perry, Durham, one seen by TM, three by OP; this was part of the Oshawa Butterfly Count. Euphydryas phaeton BALTIMORE CHECKERSPOT In 2012 - 53 records. The first report was on May 15: RAL found a fourth instar larva beside his driveway, on Carp Rd., 5 km SE of Fitzroy Harbour, Ottawa, apparently the only survivor of a large group that he had found the previous fall. He reared it on Ash, and it emerged and was released on May 30. The earliest adult reports were of five seen on June 4 at Ojibway Prairie, Windsor, Essex (RJY), and singles on June 5 on the Cedar Trail in Rouge Park, Metro Toronto (GY) and on June 7 at the Tallow Rock West meadow in Charleston Lake PP, Leeds (CPR). On July 1 JK counted 98 in a meadow marsh by the Little Rouge River, N of Steeles Ave., W of Reesor Rd., York, and on June 11 RCa estimated 100, the highest number, at Winchester Bog, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry; many were mud-puddling, some were feeding on dung and carrion. On June 23 LJ saw at least 35, including a pair in a courtship routine, at Kettles Rd., 6.3 km ESE of Dwyer Hill, Ottawa, and on June 26 RAL saw one nectaring on the flowers of Sumac, 5 km SE of Fitzroy Harbour, Ottawa. The latest reports include three, all of singles, on July 12: at Wasaga Beach West, Simcoe (JKer), at Cambridge, Waterloo (JGP) and Beaver Brook Rd., 4.6 km SW of St. Raphaels, StormontDundas-Glengarry (RAL). And then one more single, on July 15 at rare, Outdoor Education, Cambridge (GR, JLi). Polygonia interrogationis QUESTION MARK In 2012 - 1,195 records. The first six reports were in March, well before any migration reached Ontario. The first two, on March 14 (AW) and 17 (BHo) at Point Pelee NP, Essex, state specifically “light form, must have overwintered”. On March 18 one was reported at London, Middlesex (DCal), and on March 19 one at Spring Garden Prairie, Windsor, Essex (JL, IW). Also on Match 19, KTh reported “hibernators, in backyard”, at Lambeth, Middlesex. Finally, on March 20, AW photographed one at Tilden’s Woods, Point Pelee. Then nothing until the April 15, when the first wave of migration occurred. Although the first report was from Blenheim Sewage Lagoon, Kent (BAM), and there was one the next day at Point Pelee (JCL) the wave almost completely missed the southwest. Only five out of 85 reports between April 15 and May 2 were in counties bordering Lake Erie; landfall was likely in the Toronto area. The numbers must have been 65 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ enormous, because by the next day it had already been reported in 11 counties, as far north as Ottawa, and high counts were being reported, too: for example 11 on April 19 at the Univ. of Guelph Arboretum, Wellington (RMa) and 20 on April 20 at Sandhurst Shores, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH). Many reports said “dark form”, or “summer form”, or “form umbrosa”, not what we usually see as migrants. And some reports said “large”; most if not all were significantly bigger than usual. On May 2 a second multispecies wave of migrants arrived at Point Pelee. AW counted 400+ dead and dying butterflies in 100 yards of surf-line at the Tip, and about half of them were Question Marks. But far more survived, and reports became even more frequent, with an amazing 432 reports in May, all but one from southern Ontario. There were ten reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, starting in May; the first one was on May 7, two seen on the Bog Pines Trail (LF), then no more until May 19. There were 22 reports from the north, but only one in May. The first of four from Kenora, one photographed on May 24 at Lisa Lane, 5 km S of Dinorwic was “perfectly fresh, very dark” (ERi); it is the first record for Kenora. All of the others there were in early June, they must all have migrated directly north from the US, rather than the long route around the north of the Great Lakes. There were two reports from Algoma, in July, three on the 7th at the Chippewa River off the Mile 38 Road, and one on the 8th at the Goulais River in Searchmont (BVR et al); nine from Rainy River, all from Devlin between June 2 and July 25 (MSD), these likely also came directly from the US; two from Sudbury, one on June 30 at the Laurentian Trail (DBe) and one on July 10 by the falls, just off Hwy 69 in French River PP, “dark form, fresh” (BVR); two from Timiskaming, on June 15, a “very big, dark” individual at each of two locations on Hwy 567 S of Haileybury,(RAL); and three from Thunder Bay, on June 8 one seen in the Everard Road/Black Bay fen (JLH, MFi), on June 23 two were seen on the Ogoki Rd. (NGE, BGM), and on July 14 NGE saw adults “hanging around Hop vines” In the next few days he “found eggs and small larvae, and reared about 30. The first one emerged on August 11, and was released”. There were 40 reports of twenty or more, almost all in April and May. The highest were 250 on May 4 at Toronto Islands, Metro Toronto (GP) and 700 on May 3 at Point Pelee NP, Essex (AW, HTO). There were five reports of nectaring, on Buddleia, Plum, Lilac, Viburnum and Dogbane, and also of feeding on rotten watermelon, apples, “moth sugar”, “on a sick willow stem”, and at Sapsucker holes in Willow and Basswood in at least four locations. On May 11 a dark form female was observed ovipositing on Elm, at the Yaremko Resource Management Area, Halton (BVR). On May 21 another was seen ovipositing on Hackberry on MacNab St., Dundas, Hamilton-Wentworth (ChD). On May 19 RAL found a cluster of nine eggs on a two-foot-tall Elm at Hemlock Corners, Leeds, and reared them (see note on page 11). And GR found eggs eight times and larvae once, at Listowel, Perth. There were probably three generations, the migrants, a mid-summer second generation of dark ones, and then light overwintering forms, which were reported 24 times. These started with one on July 28 at Sandhurst Shores, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH), but most were in September and October. There were still dark ones about: RCa saw one, “appeared fresh” on August 27 on the Ottawa River shore, E of Mud Lake, Ottawa. The flight season continued very late; CR saw a fresh one on October 25, at Cape Chin, Bruce, nectaring on a Buddleia. It finally ended on November 22, a light form individual photographed at Sandhurst Shores (DaE, JoH), and singles seen at three locations in Point Pelee NP (AW, JMT). Polygonia comma EASTERN COMMA In 2012 - 305 records. There were 78 reports in March, starting with five on March 11, the earliest date for any species, at Windsor, Essex (IW), Wallaceburg, Kent (BAM), Pittock Lake, Oxford (JaHo), and the Bellamy Ravine and the Doris McCarthy Trail in Scarborough, Metro Toronto (CF, LS, BH). The first report from Ottawa was on March 16, at Nortel Woods, Kanata (CBr), the first from Algonquin PP, 66 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Nipissing was on March 20 at the Spruce Bog Boardwalk (KeMo), and the first from the north was one photographed on March 22 feeding on the sap from deer-browsed Mountain Maple 12 km km E of Dryden, Kenora (AnM). There were no gaps in the reports to distinguish between broods, but on June 18 RJY saw one “fresh summer brood” individual at High Park, Metro Toronto. There were ten other reports of “fresh” and/or “dark form” between then and the end of June, clearly marking the start of the second generation. On September 17 RJY and KRY saw a “fresh winter form” individual on Reg. Rd. 60 at Walsingham, Norfolk, and there were two other reports of “fresh” on that date, the start of the overwintering generation. And two more reports of fresh ones later, one on October 18 at Sandhurst Shores, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH), and on November 21 at Shoeless Joe’s in Leamington, Essex (JMT). There were three reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, and only nine from the north, notably one photographed at the 8th Street Trails at Fort Frances, Rainy River (MSD), and one seen on July 7 at Chutes PP, Sudbury (DBr). The highest counts were 20 on June 21, of which many were caught and released, at Skunks Misery, Middlesex (KTh), and 22 counted on March 14 at Point Pelee NP, Essex, between Delaurier and White Pine (AW, HTO). There were several reports of feeding on sap, two of feeding at Sapsucker holes, and one of an individual photographed feeding on the partially freeze-dried berries of Black Buckthorn, still on the tree; this was on March 18, at Billings Bridge Park, Ottawa (GM). There were six reports in November, the latest on November 22, singles seen at four different areas in Point Pelee NP (AW, JMT). Polygonia satyrus SATYR COMMA In 2012 - no records, last reported in 2011 from Manitouwadge, Thunder Bay. Polygonia faunus GREEN COMMA In 2012 - 20 records, all but two of the overwintered generation. There were ten reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, including the earliest on March 18, one on the Opeongo Rd. (KRK, MK) and one in the parking lot of the Big Pines Trail (MK). This species was photographed in the Marlborough Forest, Ottawa, on March 22 and 23 on the E3 Trail, and on the 23rd on the E5 Trail (RCa). There were two reports of the first generation in Algoma on May 15, one S of Aubrey Lake and four ESE of Musquash Lake (CDJ, DAS). On June 24 RCa photographed a fresh second-generation individual at Stoney Swamp, Bells Corners, Ottawa, and on July 24 CDJ saw one at a small gravel pit pond on the Wakami Dam Lake Rd., Sudbury, the latest report of all. Polygonia gracilis HOARY COMMA In 2012 - 8 records, all from the north, starting with a very early overwintered individual photographed on March 22, feeding on the sap of deer-browsed Mountain Maple, on the Mavis Lake Hiking Trail, 12 km E of Dryden, Kenora (AnM). There were three reports on July 11 from Sudbury, one photographed on the 10 km Sideroad (DBr) and two more in the Nephic Lake Peatlands in Wenebegon PP (DBr, CDJ et al). The latest were four reports of singles from Longridge Point, 58 km N of Moosonee, Cochrane, on August 10, 15, 16 and 25 (JI et al). Polygonia progne GRAY COMMA In 2012 - 142 records. The season began with two photographed on March 18 on Turcotte Rd., 7 km S of Kaladar, Lennox and Addington, followed by reports on the 19th on the Cataraqui Trail, two photographed 67 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ 2.4 km E of Yarker, Lennox and Addington and one seen 4.3 km E of Yarker, Frontenac (DaE, JoH). The overwintered generation flew until at least May 19, when one was seen on Irvine Lake Rd., 11.8 km S of Vennachar Junction, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH). The second generation was first reported on June 7 with one photographed on the Deacon Escarpment, Renfrew (RCa), followed by one seen on June 14 near Keene, on the railtrail between the David Fife and Settlers Lines, Peterborough (JB). One reported on June 18 on the 2nd Concession near Spooky Hollow, Norfolk (RCa) was the first report for Norfolk. This generation flew until August 4, when a “very worn dark form” individual was seen at Sandhurst Shores, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH). This overlapped nicely with the beginning of the third overwintering generation, first reported on July 29, a fresh one photographed at Reid CA, Lambton (RJY, MK), and a “very fresh” one seen at the S end of the Long Swamp, Ottawa (MOl). There was one report from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, one seen on May 7 at the Old Airfield, (KeMo) and five from the north: two from Kenora, including one seen on April 29 at Lisa Lane, 5 km S of Dinorwic (ERi); one from Rainy River, at Devlin on September 3 (MSD); and two from Thunder Bay, both caught and released, one on June 10 at Mattawin River and one on August 1 on East Arrow Lake Rd., 5 km NE of Remicks (SB). There were no reports of nectaring, nor any kind of feeding, but RAL watched one on July 1 taking in salts from a large area of damp wood chips around a large, very polluted-looking puddle; this was just off Boisvenue Rd., 2.5 km NE of Glen Walter, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry. The season finished, as it usually does, a bit earlier than that of other anglewings, with singles seen on October 8 on the Cataraqui Trail E of McGillivray Rd., Frontenac (J Po, MCS), and on October 18 and 21 at Sandhurst Shores, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH). Nymphalis l-album COMPTON TORTOISESHELL In 2012 - 51 records, all but four from the overwintered generation. The first report was on March 14 at West Flamborough, Hamilton-Wentworth, one that had “overwintered in the garage attic” (PDSm). Next were three on March 16, at the Bellamy Ravine (WF, BH) and on the Doris McCarthy Trail, Metro Toronto (WF, BH, CF, LS, M Li), and a very early one from Dinorwic, Kenora (DaR). These were followed by eleven reports on March 18, from Metro Toronto, Lennox and Addington, Leeds, Peterborough, Nipissing and another from Kenora, one photographed on Ojibway Dr., on the NE shore of Eagle Lake (CaE, AnM). There were seven reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, starting with four on March 18 and ending with three worn ones seen on May 19 on the old railbed at Mizzy Lake (RJY). There were two reports from Algoma, singles seen on April 24 at a hydroline 7 km N of Sault Ste. Marie (RWO, NM) and on May 21 on Black Creek Rd., ESE of Muskwash Lake (CDJ, DAS). There were two reports from Devlin, Rainy River, on March 19 and April 6 (MSD) and two from Thunder Bay, one on May 17 at Ichi Lake, 2.5 km NE of Hillsport (CDJ, DAS), and one on August 11 at Alice Ave., Thunder Bay (NGE). And eight from Kenora, one from the far north, one photographed on June 6 at Burntpoint MNR camp in Polar Bear PP (MVB et al), and the others in the south, the latest one photographed on July 14 at Lisa Lane, 5 km S of Dinorwic (ERi). There were two reports of feeding on sap, two seen on March 20 at Etienne Brule Park, Metro Toronto (RJY) and two photographed on March 22 on the E3 Trail in the Marlborough Forest, Ottawa (RCa). The late ones on July 14 and August 11 are already mentioned; there was just one later report, one seen on September 29 at the Pavillon Henri Latreille, on Indian Creek Rd. in the Larose Forest, PrescottRussell (DLe). Nymphalis antiopa MOURNING CLOAK In 2012 there was a very unusual event: the arrival in Ontario of a very large number of very distinctive Mourning Cloaks, much bigger and darker than our resident population, subspecies hyperborea. These migrants correspond closely in appearance to subspecies lintnerii, which occupies at least most of the 68 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ eastern US. After an initial flurry of reports differentiating between the two subspecies, most observers did not bother to do this. So we have very many reports which cannot be classified as to subspecies. We are forced to report on all of these as just “Mourning Cloaks”. The few reported migrants are treated separately, below. In 2012 - 794 records. The season began on March 11, the earliest date for any species, along with only the Eastern Comma; two were seen in Bellamy Ravine, Scarborough, Metro Toronto (CF, LS, BH). On March 13 two were seen on the Cataraqui Trail, 2.8 km W of Sydenham, Frontenac (DaE, JoH), and there were a total of 78 reports in March. These included one from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, one seen on the 20th at the bridge on Opeongo Rd (RDS), and two from the north, one photographed on the 18th on Ojibway Dr., on the NE shore of Eagle Lake, Kenora (CaE, AnM) and one on the 19th at Devlin, Rainy River (MSD). There were 71 reports in April, all of very small numbers, highest count seven, seen and photographed on the 28th in the Limerick Forest, Leeds-Grenville (RCa). There were 19 reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, all ones and twos except for one report of seven, on May 14 at the Old Airfield (KeMo). There were 72 reports from the north: four from Manitoulin, including three seen on May 24 at Thomas Bay, at the S end of the Wikwemikong IR (JK); 21 from Rainy River, including 18 reports between March 19 and September 14 at Devlin (MSD); two from Sudbury, including one on April 25 at Sudbury, nectaring on dandelion, along with a Cabbage White and Red Admirals (DBe); two from Timiskaming, on June 15 on the Matabitchuan Dam Rd., S of Haileybury (RAL); 15 from Thunder Bay, including a high count of about 70, on June 23 at several spots on the Ogoki Rd., they were “abundant, worn, mostly at beaver ponds in the boreal forest” (NGE, BGM); and four from southern Kenora. There were five reports from northern Kenora: from the Burnt Point MNR camp in Polar Bear PP on June 8 (KiB), June 11 (MKP) and June 20 (MVB, JBe, MKP), and at Chickney Point, the second major creek north of the Chickney Channel on August 10 and 14 (MVB et al). And from Cochrane there were twelve reports, all from Longridge Point, 58 km N of Moosonee, on 12 dates between July 31 and August 30 (JI et al). Fresh individuals of the second generation were first reported on June 26 at Caliper Lake PP, Kenora and on the 27th at Rainbow Falls PP, Thunder Bay (DBr). The first fresh ones in the south were on the 28th, singles at the Mount Nemo Escarpment Woods, Halton (BVR) and on Petrie Island, Ottawa (RCa). Almost all reports in the next two months were of very small numbers; the exception is a report of 20 seen on July 2 at Presqu’ile PP, Northumberland (CWe). On August 1 a fifth-instar larva was photographed at Lisa Lane, 5 km S of Dinorwic, Kenora (ERi), one that would have produced a 3rd generation adult. Fresh thirdgeneration individuals were first reported on August 29 near Dwyer Hill, and at Richmond, Ottawa (LJ), and at High Park, Metro Toronto (RJY). And there were other reports of fresh ones throughout September. There were 52 reports in October, all ones and twos, except for six seen on the 1st at Sandhurst Shores, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH) and four seen on the 24th near Freelton, Hamilton-Wentworth (BVR). And just four in November, all singles: on the 3rd at Magwood Park, on the Humber River, (JCa, VCa) and on the 11th in a garden on Humbercrest Blvd., Metro Toronto (JCa); also on the 11th one photographed on West Beach at Point Pelee NP, Essex (AW) and on the 22nd another photographed at Delaurier Fields, a record late for the Park (AW, JMT). These last two records were among the few which specified “small red type”, in other words, subspecies hyperborea. Nymphalis antiopa lintnerii LINTNER’S MOURNING CLOAK In 2012 - 40 reports On May 2 a very large multi-species wave of migrants came ashore at Point Pelee NP, Essex. AW counted 69 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ seven Mourning Cloaks among at least 400 dead and dying butterflies in 100 yards of surf-line, at the Tip, and he also reported “many” from elsewhere in the Park; the next day he and HTO counted 67 in the Park, the highest count of all. They spread north and east immediately, producing only two good counts, 16 on May 3 at Toronto Islands, Metro Toronto (AA) and 18 on May 4 at High Park, Metro Toronto (RJY).There were 237 reports in May, although most did not differentiate between the two types, but it soon became apparent that these Mourning Cloaks were recognisably different. On May 3 RJY reported from High Park, Metro Toronto “1 worn overwinterer, 1 fresh migrant (large)”. On May 4 EP saw one “fresh - migrant” at Haliburton, and the same day RJY saw 18 at High Park, “very fresh, large migrants, some photos”. On May 15 there were two reports from Ottawa; at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden CH saw “one of the very large dark types being seen lately”, and on Carp Rd., 5 km SE of Fitzroy Harbour, RAL collected one at a Weeping Willow damaged by sap-suckers: it was very dark and huge; when mounted it had a wing-span of 82 mm. There were no reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, but on June 7 RAL reported from many locations on Bissett Creek Rd., Renfrew, south from Hwy 17 right to the northern boundary of the Park, a total of 18 in 17.3 km, all very large, very dark ones, sunning on the damp road surface and seeming to be much less wary than usual. On June 16 RAL reported from three locations further north in Nipissing, on Hwys 533 and 63, NW of Mattawa, again “very big, dark” ones. There were 68 reports from the north, but only three of these mentioned size and colour, two reports of “big and dark” individuals on June 14, S of Haileybury, Timiskaming (RAL) and one on August 22 NE of Beardmore, Thunder Bay, 20 collected and at least three photographed, all “very fresh large dark lintnerii form” except one hyperborea” (RFF, MJo, BRa). On June 26 RJY saw one “fresh, large” at Eglinton Flats, Metro Toronto, the only report marking the beginning of the second generation. At the start of the third, overwintering generation there were two reports, one seen on September 16 on Carp Road, 5.6 km SE of Fitzroy Harbour, Ottawa “large, dark, perfectly fresh” (RAL), and one on September 19 at Parkhaven St., Ottawa “very large, dark, beautifully fresh” (ASh). On September 20 CBr saw one on Stinson Ave., Bells Corners,Ottawa “very large, dark ‘Texas’ individual” and on September 29 GRT saw two at the Seneca and Iroquois Rds. industrial sites, Leamington, Essex “both the size of Monarchs”. The latest record was one seen on October 26 on Carp Road, near Fitzroy Harbour, Ottawa “almost black, pale borders” (WL). In all this spectacular butterfly, subspecies lintnerii, was reported from thirteen counties; without doubt it was seen but not reported in many others. It passed through the same three generations as our resident Mourning Cloaks, subspecies hyperborea, and it remains to be seen if it can survive the winter and do the same next year. Aglais milberti MILBERT’S TORTOISESHELL In 2012 - 42 records. The first report of one seen on March 14 at the Hydro Pond in Dundas, HamiltonWentworth (ChD) was followed by three on March 18: one seen at the Amaolo Nature Sanctuary, W of Ancaster, Hamilton-Wentworth (WGL), eight seen on Blue Mountain in Charleston Lake PP, Leeds (KH), and the earliest from the north, a report (no number given) from Devlin, Rainy River (MSD). The overwintered generation flew until April 22, two seen at Canoe Lake, Algonquin PP, Nipissing, the only Algonquin record (JaRi), then there was a five week gap before the first of the next brood, two seen on the Cliffs and Alvar Trail at rare Charitable RR, Waterloo (JeQ). There was another gap in the reports from June 16 to July 12, so there were at least three generations. In the north, there were three reports from Devlin, Rainy River, the latest on August 19 (MSD), three from the City of Thunder Bay between April 11, nectaring on Crocus, and August 11 (SB, NGE) and three from Kenora: two from Lisa Lane, S of Dinorwic, on August 15 and nectaring on New England Aster on the 23rd (ERi) and one on August 15 on 70 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ the James Bay Lowlands, at the second major creek N of the Chickney Channel (MVB et al). The highest count was the eight on Blue Mountain; there was one count of three, on March 22 on Blue Mountain Road (JPo), and all the rest were just ones and twos. This species seems to be experiencing a serious population crash in the last couple of years. Vanessa virginiensis AMERICAN LADY In 2012 - 708 records. The earliest report must have been an overwintered individual, seen on March 14 at the extreme Tip, east side, Point Pelee NP, Essex (AW, BCe). The next report was also very early, nine seen on April 7 at various places in the Park (BAM), possibly very early migrants. On April 16 a wave of migrants arrived which completely missed Essex and the southwest; on Lincoln Ave., Metro Toronto, KRY saw two, and noted “a huge northward movement of butterflies throughout the day!” Between then and May 1 this wave produced 74 reports, almost all east of Toronto, east to Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry, five photographed on April 19 in the Newington Bog (RCa, PH, MWPR) and north to Nipissing, one seen at Canoe Lake in Algonquin PP on April 22 (JaRi). On May 2 more migrants arrived, as part of a multispecies wave which came ashore in the southwest; AW saw many among 400+ butterflies dead or dying in the surf-line, at the Tip in Point Pelee NP. The highest counts were during this wave: 600 on May 3 at Point Pelee NP (AW, HTO), 450+ on May 5 at Rondeau PP, Kent (BAM et al) and 150 on May 5 at Presqu’ile PP, Northumberland (IS). No later counts came close to these numbers. There were 33 reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, the latest one seen on August 17 at Radiant Lake (MWPR), and two in Nipissing a little north of there, including one on June 16 on McMartin Rd. 6 km E of Mattawa (RAL). And just 19 from the north, none in Timiskaming or Sudbury, the first two northern Districts; clearly the wave of migrants did not expand much beyond Algonquin Park. The one noteworthy northern report was of one which really did travel; it was seen on June 6 at Burnt Point MNR camp in Polar Bear PP, on the shores of Hudson Bay (MVB et al). There were a few reports of nectaring, on the flowers of a fruit tree (JCL), on Buddleia (ChD), on Dandelion (MCo, LJ), on Wild Strawberry (LJ, MJe), on Lilac and Yellow Hawkweed (RAL) and on Purple Loosestrife and Scotch Thistle (RT). And on June 28 RCa saw a fresh one on dung on the Boardwalk at Mer Bleue, Ottawa. There were several reports of ovipositing. On May 2 CH saw about 15, near Mosque Lake, Frontenac, laying eggs on very small newly-emerged Pearly Everlasting. In late April and early May GR saw oviposition three times on McDonald St., Listowel, Perth, and estimated the number of eggs to be about 1,500, based on 5 eggs per plant and 300 plants.There were eight reports in October, and two in November, one on the 8th at Hastings Dr., Long Point, Norfolk, “observed through binoculars, it flew off over Big Creek Marsh” (LuF), and one on the 9th, one seen at Point Pelee NP (AW). There was one more report, the latest ever, one seen on December 6 on Farley Dr., Guelph, Wellington, “on a wall, in the same position for days, but still alive” (JGCl). Vanessa cardui PAINTED LADY In 2012 - 795 records. The first reports were just one day after the arrival of a wave of migrants which bypassed the southwest; on April 16 ten were seen at the Oshawa Valleylands CA, and on the 17th two were seen at the Enniskillen CA, Durham (CaGr). On the 18th two were seen at Murphy’s Point PP, Lanark (AlB) and on the 19th one was seen at Bornish, Middlesex (CMo, KPo). In just one week they reached Bruce, one seen on the 22nd at Kincardine Lagoons (RKn). There were nine reports in April, and then on May 2 the second very large wave of migrants arrived; AW saw many dead and dying in the surf-line at the Tip in Point Pelee NP, Essex and on the next day he and HTO estimated 250 in the Park; unlike the American Lady there were no other high counts in this generation. There were 11 reports from Algonquin 71 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ PP, Nipissing, three on May 20 near Lake Traverse and one on May 21 at Achray Campground (RCa), the rest much later in the year, the latest, one seen on August 22 at Found Lake (BFo). The situation in the north was unusual. It seems that there was only one report of butterflies which likely flew north from the area of Algonquin Park and around the east end of Lake Huron: from Sudbury, one seen on July 10, at Loons Landing on the Murdoch River (BVR). The four reports from Thunder Bay likely came from the other direction, around the west end of Lake Superior; they included one seen on June 16 at North Fowl Lake, on the Minnesota border, and three caught, photographed and released on May 13 at the Pine Bay NR (SB); this is right on Lake Superior, exactly where this migration would pass. The three Manitoulin records on May 12 and 13 probably came north directly from Bruce, or perhaps Michigan, and the seven from Rainy River, May 17 to July 12, and four from southern Kenora, May 31 to July 22, came straight from Minnesota. The only ones which flew north from eastern Ontario just kept on going. On the James Bay Lowlands there were 20 reports between July 22 and August 29 from Longridge Point, 58 km N of Moosonee, Cochrane (JI et al), and seven between August 1 and 14 from Chickney Point, the second major stream N of the Chickney Channel, Kenora (MVB et al). On the Hudson Bay Lowlands, in Polar Bear PP, there were reports from the Burnt Point MNR Camp, Kenora on June 8 and 19 (MVB et al) and four more from June 25 to July 11 (JI et al). These northern reports were all of low numbers, the highest count was six on June 28 at Burnt Point Camp. In the south there were also mostly low counts, but 23 were of a hundred or more. On July 29 RJY and MK were driving in the Bothwell and Wallaceburg area, Lambton and saw high numbers, certainly at least 1,000. On July 4 LJ discovered a huge population on Rushmore Rd., a quiet gravel road, 3.4 km N of Richmond, Ottawa. She counted 3,080 and commented “probable minimum 10,000, taking salts from gravel, 4.50 to 7.30 pm”. On August 6 RAL was there, estimated 1,000+ but commented “ large, fresh, too many to count. Number could be two or three times higher”. LJ estimated 2,000 on that day and counted roadkills on Moodie Dr., just around the corner: 388 in 300 m of road verge. On August 8 LJ reported “many hundreds, but numbers way down” and another 79 roadkills, and on the 10th could find only 156, including a possible mating pair on Bull Thistle. On August 16 she saw numbers “in the low hundreds” but saw one lay an egg on Soybean, in the adjacent large field. RAL examined lots of Canada Thistle and the few large Bull Thistle at the spot, but found no sign of larval feeding or nests, then or later. They likely all bred on the Soybeans. There were 14 reports of eggs and larvae, at Listowel, Perth, between May 18 and August 30 (GR), and on September 20 RAL found two empty larval nests on Vipers Bugloss, at the Burntlands, off Golden Line Rd., Ottawa. The season continued quite late, with 33 reports in October. And three in November, one on the 1st S of Shoeless Joe’s in Leamington, Essex (GRT), and two on the 11th, one at Point Pelee NP, Essex (BHo), and a fairly fresh one photographed at the Centre Island Filtration Plant, Metro Toronto (RJY, KRY). Vanessa atalanta RED ADMIRAL In 2012 - 1,730 records. The first reports were of two seen on March 19 at Lambeth, Middlesex, “hibernators in back yard” (KTh), and one seen on March 31 at the Leslie St. Spit, Metro Toronto (BoKo). There were 15 reports in the first half of April, mostly small numbers and likely hibernators, though there were three reports of higher numbers from Point Pelee NP, Essex which might have been very early migrants. On April 15 a huge wave of migrants arrived, which missed the extreme southwest; on that day there were reports of at least 1000 from Lambeth (KTh), from Port Rowan, Norfolk (DenL, NTe) and from N of Vineland Station, Niagara (LTi). On the 16th there were 12 reports of more than 100, including 2,500 at Priory Park, Guelph, Middlesex (DBe) and “thousands” at Deweys, on Elmbrook Rd., Prince Edward 72 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ “passing house at 3 to 5/min” (JD). Numbers came down slowly; there were two reports of 1000 on April 19, at Bridgewater Terrace, Barrhaven, Ottawa “about 200 nectaring in maple trees” (MLa, JaLa) and at Newington Bog, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry (RCa, PH, MWPR). The second migrant wave on May 2 followed a more conventional route, via Essex and Point Pelee, and AW found many dead ones among the 400+ butterflies in the surf-line at the tip. But there were still no reports of good numbers in Essex. This wave produce just one count of 1000, on May 3 at Bluffer’s Park, Metro Toronto, and counts in the low hundreds every day until May 7, when there were five reports of 100, in Ottawa, Prince Edward and Northumberland. The first wave of migrants reached Nipissing: one seen at North Bay on April 16 (BTu) and ten reports of small numbers in Algonquin PP from April 18 to 22. The second wave also arrived; in North Bay twelve were seen on May 3 at the Lake Nipissing Access on Charles St. W (BTu) and 25 were seen on May 12 on Shorewood Rd. (BPa). In Algonquin PP on May 7 KeMo saw 41 at the Old Airfield and LF saw 50 at Big Pines Trail. On May 11 LF saw 20 at Wolf Howl Pond and on the 14th KeMo saw nine at the Old Airfield; after that the numbers were back down to ones and twos. The first wave also reached Sudbury: three at Lively on April 22 and 15 to 20 on the 25th (JoS) and ten also at Sudbury on 25th “started as singles, larger groups as the week went on” (CBl). It also reached Algoma: 55 seen on April 24 on a hydroline 7 km N of Sault Ste. Marie (RWo, NM). There were more reports from the north later in the year: eight more from Algoma: four from Longridge Point, Cochrane, July 22 to August 22 (KHa, JI et al); in Kenora six from the south, one from Chickney Point in the James Bay Lowlands on August 2 (MVB et al) and four from Burnt Point Camp on Hudson Bay on June 11 to 27 (MVB et al, JI et al); 27 reports from Devlin, Rainy River on May 3 to September 11 (MSD); one from Timiskaming, S of Haileybury on June 15 (RAL); and 11 from Thunder Bay on May 6 to August 1, including counts of 20 on May 13 at Pine Bay NR and on May 19, 2 km NW of Ouimet (SB). There were seven reports of eggs and 16 reports of larvae, all on Stinging Nettle except one: on July 5 at km 2.6 on the K & P Trail, Renfrew, RAL found a larva and 5 pupae in folded-leaf nests on Wood Nettle, Laportea canadensis. Three of the pupae were dead, the contents liquified by a viral? disease; the other two and the larva also died the same way. On June 6 near Fitzroy Harbour, Ottawa, RAL found a large nettle patch almost destroyed, only a small number of shortened stumps of nettles remaining. There were 23 larvae, mostly small; he tried to rear some, including the only three large ones but they also died in the same manner. There was no large second generation of Red Admirals, as anticipated; in June and later, most reports were of just ones and twos. Maybe this disease was widespread, and made worse by the high population density in the spring. Perhaps because of this, the season ended a bit more abruptly than expected, with just 15 reports in October and five in November. The latest were on November 18, a very fresh one photographed at Point Pelee NP., Essex (BAM) and one seen resting on a tree, basking in the sun, on Glasgow St., Kitchener, Waterloo (AM). Junonia coenia COMMON BUCKEYE In 2012 - 699 records. The first reports were on May 2, the day the migrant wave arrived; eight were seen on Pelee Island (BHo, EHo, KBu) and one on Con. D, N of Point Pelee, Essex (HTO). And, surprisingly, one was photographed at MacGregor Point PP, Bruce (BAM). On May 3, 82 were counted at Point Pelee NP, Essex (AW, HTO), by far the highest count of the first generation. Despite the low numbers, that initial wave spread a very long way, to Algoma, many seen on June 16 at Agawa Bay, first report from Algoma (JGi); by a different route, to Kenora, one photographed on June 11 on Lisa Lane, 5 km S of Dinowic, the first report from Kenora (ERi); and to Thunder Bay, one seen at the Pine Bay NR on May 13 (SB) and a 73 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ fresh one collected on June 23 on the Ogoki Rd. (NGE, BGM). The second generation was first reported on June 20, 13 “all freshly emerged” seen at High Park, Metro Toronto (RJY) and on the 22nd he counted 56 on the West Beach, at Point Pelee NP. On July 14 JCL saw one “freshly emerged, in grass” on Mersea Rd. 6, W of Wheatley, Essex, and other ‘fresh”or “very fresh” ones were reported on August 12, 18, 24 and 31, September 1, 5, 11, 12, 15, 25 and 29, October 17 and 22 and November 21. There were high counts associated with most of these dates: in mid-July, the highest 25 on the 14th at Muirkirk, Kent (BAM et al); in mid-August, the highest 80 on the 19th at Colchester, Essex (PDP); in mid-September, the highest about 250 on the 16th at Leamington, Essex (RJY) and in late October, 56 on the 22nd at Leamington (GRT). This would appear to make six generations! The highest count of all was about 325, seen on August 26 in a field at the S end of Seneca Dr., Leamington, nectaring on abundant Purple Loosestrife (RJY). There were two reports of larvae, in one case, on August 1 on Mersea Rd. 6. W of Wheatley, Essex (JCL), a “mature larva wandering on a milkweed”, and five reports of eggs, though only three mentioned the plant, Plantain. These were all by JCL on Mersea Rd. 6; on July 17 he reported that a female laid six eggs, one to a plant. There were six new county records. Two are mentioned above. The others were individuals of later generations: in Renfrew, one seen on August 16 on Balmer Bay Rd., SE of Deep River (RAL); Dufferin, one seen on September 12 on Bruce Trail 1 at Dufferin (FGi); Lanark, one seen on September 23 on Wolfgrove, W of Almonte (DA); and Cochrane, one photographed on August 5 at Longridge Point, 58 km N of Moosonee; there were two other reports from there on August 10 and 12 (JI et al). This represents a northward range extension of close to 600 km. There were 49 reports in October, spread over much of southern Ontario, and 15 in November, but these were almost all in Essex. An exception was one seen on the 11th at Paterson Park, Kingston, Frontenac (MCS). There were two reports on the 21st from Shoeless Joe’s in Leamington, Essex (GRT, AW, JMT). On the 22nd it was seen at West Beach and Sparrow Field, Point Pelee NP (AW, JMT), and on the 25th BVR saw the very latest one at the Henries, on Hwy 97 near Freelton, Hamilton-Wentworth. Limenitis arthemis arthemis WHITE ADMIRAL In 2012 - 519 records. The season began on May 29 with one seen on the Quiddity Trail at Charleston Lake PP, Leeds (DaE, JoH), followed by two reports on the 30th, two seen at Kettles Rd., ESE of Dwyer Hill, Ottawa (LJ) and two seen on the Richardson Side Road extension, Ottawa (RAL). In July there were four reports of fresh individuals: on the 12th, one right on the Quebec border, 500 m S of Glen Robertson Rd., Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry (RAL); on the 24th, two at Cape Chin and one at Cape Chin South, Bruce (CR); and on the 27th one at Sandhurst Shores, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH). This marks the beginning of the second generation. Numbers were low, and the best 12 counts were all in June, the highest at Sandy Lake, Peterborough, 19 on the 11th and 24 on the 17th (JB). The second generation was much worse, highest count six, on August 6 in Gagnon Rd. in Larose Forest, Prescott-Russell (DLe); the drought is probably responsible for this. There were just two reports of nectaring, four on Dogbane on June 15 on Hwy 567, 16.3 km S of Haileybury, Timiskaming, and one on Yellow Hawkweed on June 16 on Hwy 63, km 24.7, 1.3 km NE of Balsam Creek, Nipissing (RAL). And on June 11 RCa saw five at the Winchester Bog, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry, puddling and feeding on dung. There were 36 reports from Nipissing, including 18 from Algonquin PP. These began with reports on June 13 from four spots on or near the Lake Traverse Rd., for a total of 15 seen (DaE, JoH), and concluded with one seen on August 12 at the Algonquin Logging Museum (PBM). There were many reports from the north: one from Manitoulin, one seen on August 24 at Misery Bay (AEG); six from Algoma, starting with one seen on June 27 at Obatanga PP (DBr); 11 from Sudbury, the earliest, three seen on July 1 at 74 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Laurentian CA (DBe); seven from Timiskaming on June 14 and 15; nine from Thunder Bay, beginning with one seen on North Fowl Lake on the Minnesota border (SB); 30 from Rainy River, starting with one seen on June 5 at Devlin (MSB); five from Kenora, starting with one photographed on June 15 at Lisa Lane, 5 km S of Dinorwic (ERi) and including one seen on August 1 in the James Bay Lowlands at Chickney Point (MVB et al); and two from Cochrane, at Longridge Point, two seen on July 22 (KHa) and one on August 9 (JI et al). The latest reports in the south were on September 3, one seen at Presqu’ile PP, Northumberland (KeMo), and two photographed on September 13 at East Point Park, Scarborough, Metro Toronto (JTu). In the north the latest were two reports on September 2 and 3 from Devlin, Rainy River (MSD). Limenitis arthemis astyanax RED-SPOTTED PURPLE In 2012 - 113 records, starting with one seen on May 25, and another on May 28, at the Cliffs and Alvar Trail at rare Charitable RR, Waterloo (JeQ). There were two more reports on the 28th, one seen at 16 Mile Creek at Hwy 407, in Glenorchy, and one at the Regeneration Area, behind the Admin. Building, Halton (BVR). RJY reported one “fairly fresh” on June 29 at Ward’s Island, Metro Toronto, but this is probably too early for the second generation. The only other mention of “fresh” was on August 10 “one fresh, one tattered”on the grounds of Langdon Hall, Cambridge, Waterloo (JCa, Vca). Only two reports were from east of Toronto, singles seen on June 16 on Pratt Rd., 2 km SW of Oak Heights, Northumberland the northernmost record (RP) and on August 13 at Presqu’ile PP, Northumberland (KAn). Numbers were low. On June 16 RCa saw ten and photographed some on the Cedar Trail at Pinery PP, Lambton, and on August 4 in the SW quadrant of Pelee Island, Essex 19 were counted (RJY, KRY, PSub, PCar).To close the season there were five reports in September, all singles: on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd on Mersea Rd. 6, W of Wheatley, Essex (JCL); on the 7th on West Beach, W of the Visitor Centre at Point Pelee NP, Essex (CDJ, PB, RMC); and on the 12th at the Franklin Children’s Garden on Centre Island, Metro Toronto “latest Toronto record by 4 days” (RJY). Limenitis archippus VICEROY In 2012 - 648 records. The first ten, between March 11 and 17, were all sight records of hibernating larvae, a total of 58 of them, at various places around Listowel, Perth (GR). The first adult was one seen on May 5 at Spring Garden Prairie, Windsor, Essex (JL), followed by one on May 11 at Leighland Dr., Waterloo, Waterloo (TBe). On May 19 BeLa found a fifth instar larva, on Haskins Rd., S of Burritts Rapids, Leeds; she reared it, it pupated on the 22nd, emerged on the 29th. There were reports of “mostly fresh” ones on July 22 at the Leslie St. Spit, Metro Toronto (RJY) and fresh ones on July 28 at Heber Down CA, Durham (RP), and on July 25, at the Lowe Rd. extension, S of Manion Corners, Ottawa, PH counted 12 and photographed one emerging from its pupa. Clearly this marks the beginning of the flight of the second generation. There were no reports from Algonquin PP, and very few from the north, just one from Manitoulin, one photographed on August 24 at Providence Bay (AEG).There were two from Kenora: sight records on July 31 and August 6 on the James Bay Lowlands, at Chickney Point, the second major creek N of the Chickney Channel (MVB et al). There were three reports of a pair in copula, on August 3 and and 13 and September 7, at Presqu’ile PP, Northumberland (KAn), and one more on August 6 on the Millenium Trail at Bloomfield, Prince Edward (HHe). On June 23 LJ reported at least seven “tangling with Acadian Hairstreaks” on the Rideau Trail at Kettles Rd., ESE of Dwyer Hill, Ottawa, and on July 21 saw three “in territorial chases with Monarch”, on Twin Elm Rd., E of Richmond, Ottawa. There were two reports of nectaring, one photographed on July 21 on Buddleia, on MacNab St., Dundas, Hamilton-Wentworth (ChD) and a fresh one on Canada Thistle on August 23 an Rushmore Rd., 3.4 km N of Richmond, Ottawa (LJ). 75 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ And on June 29 RAL saw a fresh one feeding at Sapsucker holes on a Basswood, on Ramsay Con. 8, 3 km NE of Blakeney, Lanark. Numbers were never high, but there were 11 reports of ten or more. The highest counts were 15+ on June 10, at the NE corner of Timm and Haanel, W of Bells Corners, Ottawa, and 18 on August 13 at Presqu’ile PP (KAn). The latest adult records were three in October: on the 1st, one very old and worn at NCC Parking Lot 6, 2 km S of Bells Corners, Ottawa (LJ) and two on the Leslie St. Spit, Metro Toronto (BH, JH), and one on the 21st at Clearville Harbour, Kent (JaHo). The last two reports were of hibernating larvae, three on November 11 and one on the 18th, at the new marsh in Listowel, Perth (GR). Limenitis weidemeyerii WEIDEMEYER’S ADMIRAL In 2012 - No records, just one report previously, in 1960 at Rainy River. Asterocampa celtis HACKBERRY EMPEROR In 2012 - 34 records, the earliest on June 15, two photographed mud-puddling near the shoreline at Sleepy Hollow, Point Pelee NP, Essex (RCa), and on June 18, five collected at Komoka, Middlesex (KTh). The first generation flew until late July, with reports of a worn and tattered individual on July 16 at Petrie Island, Ottawa (CL, BBr, MTa), and a worn male on July 30 at Komoka/Delaware, Middlesex (KTh); its highest count was 22 on June 23, at West Beach, S of the Visitor Centre, Point Pelee NP (RJY). There was a second generation, but only in Essex, with 18 reports, all but two from the Park. It started on August 4 with a report of 27 seen in the SW quadrant of Pelee Island (RJY, KRY, SuB, PCar), and there were two other counts of 20. There were three reports of small numbers on September 7 from different area of the Park (CDJ, PB, RMC), and one final report from there on September 20, two very worn ones seen in the vicinity of Sparrow Field (RJY, KRY). Asterocampa clyton TAWNY EMPEROR In 2012 - 27 records. First reported on June 21 at Skunks Misery near Newbury, Middlesex (KTh): 12 fresh males were seen “alighting on the gravel road and settling on the observer”. Several were collected. The next day BVR photographed two at Rattlesnake Point CA, Halton, which “came to a fruit trap in less that 5 min”. On July 20 RJY photographed three on Purple Coneflower, at Centre Island, Metro Toronto, the only report of nectaring. On July 7 two were seen at Normandale, Norfolk, the first report from Norfolk (DBe, EBi). The highest count was 13, seen on July 30 on West Beach S of the Visitor Centre, Point Pelee NP, Essex (RJY, MK). This was also the site of the last report of adults: on August 25 RJY and KRY photographed one or two. The latest report of all was on September 11: at Rattlesnake Point CA, Halton, BVR photographed at least 50 larvae, on Hackberry. Lethe anthedon NORTHERN PEARLY-EYE In 2012 - 243 records. First reports were on June 10, one seen on the Woodlands Trail at Rouge Park, Metro Toronto (GY) and one seen on Gleason’s Corner Rd., 4 km WSW of Castleton, Northumberland (RP). The earliest Ottawa report was of one photographed on June 17 W of McCarthy Rd., about ten days earlier than usual (RT). There were four reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, the earliest two seen on July 12 on Source Lake Rd. (RMa, PBM, SoB, ATy), and 26 from the north. In Algoma, two were seen on July 8 at the Goulais River bog/fen, N of Sault Ste. Marie (BVR et al) and one on the 9th at the boat launch at Ironbridge (BVR). There were five reports from Kenora, including on June 25, one seen at the Bunny Lake 76 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ roadside picnic spot and two seen at Rushing River PP (DBr), and 13 from Rainy River, all from Devlin between June 16 and July 8 (MSD). There were three reports from Sudbury: 25 seen on July 1 at Lake Laurentian CA (DBe); two seen and one photographed on July 10 at French River PP, just off Hwy 69 (BVR) and also on July 10 a report (no number given) from the picnic area by the Shawmere River at Hwy 101 (CDJ et al). Finally there was one report from Thunder Bay, one seen on July 1 at the Everard Road bog/fen (NGE). On June 28 LJ saw a group of nine “feeding on tree sap” at NCC Parking Lot 6, S of Bells Corners, Ottawa, and on July 16 RAL saw about ten feeding at Sap-sucker holes on a Weeping Willow on Carp Rd. near Fitzroy Harbour, Ottawa; on this day they were there from at least 10 am to 8 pm. The season appeared to be winding down normally, with two reports on July 31, one seen on the Cataraqui Trail E of McGillivray Rd., Frontenac (JPo, MCS), and another on Shaws Rd., Buckhorn, Sandy Lake, Peterborough (JCa), and one on August 2, two seen near Fitzroy Harbour, Ottawa (RAL). But on August 4 one “fresh 2nd brood!” was reported from Fish Point, in the SW quadrant of Pelee Island, Essex (RJY, KRY, SuB, PCar), and on the 5th two were reported from Stone Rd., Pelee Island “fresh, including one roadkill” (RJY, KRY, SuB, DaBo). Lethe eurydice EYED BROWN In 2012 - 198 records. The season started early, with one seen on June 11 at the Cliffs and Alvar Trail at rare Charitable RR, Waterloo (JeQ), followed by six photographed on June 14 at the Little Cataraqui CA, Frontenac (RCa). There were five reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing: on Hwy 60, km 36.7, three were seen on July 1 (PH, JHa); at the Spruce Bog Boardwalk ten were seen on July 1 (PH, JHa) and three on July 4 (RMa, KCo, BHa); and on Sunday Lake Rd., six were seen on July 4 (RMa, KCo, LF) and on 15 on July 5 (RMa, BFo). In the north, one was photographed on June 27 at the Cranberry Peatlands Interpretive Area in Alberton Twp., Rainy River, and there were four reports from Devlin, Rainy River between July 3 and 30 (MSD), and in Sudbury, one was seen on July 1 at the Laurentian CA (DBe). As usual there were no nectaring reports, but on June 23 JCL reported one “near left-over moth sugar from previous night’s mothing”, at Mersea Rd. 6, W of Wheatley, Essex. Also on June 23 LJ saw at least 11, and caught and released a mating pair, at Kettles Rd., 6.3 km ESE of Dwyer Hill, Ottawa. There were eight counts of 20 or more: 39 were seen on July 8 in the vicinity of the old railbed S of Blackwater, Durham (RJY, KRY) and 44 were seen on July 4 at Presqu’ile PP, Northumberland (PPP). The latest reports were in August: on the 3rd one was seen at Presqu’ile PP, Northumberland (KAn); on the 4th RT saw one in a large loosestrife area at Wolfe Lake, Leeds, and JK photographed two in a marsh thicket swamp at the Nonquon Centre near Scugog Line 10, Durham; and finally on the 20th PH and JHa saw one at Hillman Marsh, Essex. Lethe appalachia APPALACHIAN BROWN In 2012 - 52 records, starting with two reports on June 18, one photographed at the Helen Quilliam Sanctuary, Frontenac (KFN) and three seen on the Cliffs and Alvar Trail at rare Charitable RR, Waterloo (JeQ), and followed by one on the 19th, five photographed at the Menzel Centennial NR, Lennox and Addington (DaE, JoH). The northernmost report was one of the eight from Ottawa, one seen on June 28 at NCC Parking Lot 6, S of Bells Corners (LJ). On July 12 RAL collected one on Beaver Brook Rd., 5 km SW of St. Raphaels, the first record in old Glengarry County, the eastern third of Stormont-DundasGlengarry. There were only a few reports from the southwest, but the highest counts: ten photographed on July 10 on Mitchener Rd., Fort Erie, Niagara (RCa, PPh), and 12 seen on July 5 in a deciduous swamp forest at Reid CA, Lambton (JK). The latest reports were one photographed on August 4 at Nonquon Centre, near Scugog Line 10, Durham (JK) and one seen on August 6 on Jock Trail Rd., 5 km SW of Richmond, Ottawa (PH, RCa). 77 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Megisto cymela LITTLE WOOD-SATYR In 2012 - 394 records. The earliest reports were of eight seen on May 13 on the Newcastle Trail at Presqu’ile PP, Northumberland (CWe), and one seen on May 15 at Sandy Lake, Buckhorn, Peterborough (JCa), followed by four reports on May 23, in Halton, Hastings and Metro Toronto. There were 11 reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, between May 30, four on McManus Lake Rd. and five on the Old Mill Trail at Lake Traverse (PH, RCa, MWPR), and July 1, two seen at the Old Airfield (PH). There were nine reports from the north, from Algoma, one seen at a picnic area at Hwy 17 and the Mississagi River (BVR); Timiskaming, small numbers seen on June 14 and 15 at four locations on Hwy 567, S of Haileybury (RAL); and Rainy River, one seen on June 11 at Rocky Point, 1.8 km N of Harris Hill (MFi, JLH) and three reports between June 8 and 25 (no number given), from Devlin (MSD). Most numbers were low but there were 41 reports of 20 or more; MCo counted 52 on June 9 at Queens Univ. Biol. Sta., Leeds. RJY had the five highest counts, four in Metro Toronto, the highest on May 31, 196 at High Park, and an estimate of about 200 on June 4 at the Spring Garden ANSI at Windsor, Essex. The latest reports were singles seen on July 19, at the entrance of the Watts Creek Trail, Kanata, Ottawa (CFER) and on July 30 on the Cliffs and Alvar Trail at rare Charitable RR, Waterloo (JeQ). Coenonympha tullia COMMON RINGLET In 2012 - 730 records. The season started with three reports of singles, one on May 13 at Dewey’s on Elmbrook Rd., Prince Edward (JD) and two at the rare Charitable RR, Waterloo, on the 14th at South Field/Sparrow Field and on the 15th on the Cliffs and Alvar Trail (JeQ). These were followed by four reports on the 19th including one of 20 seen S of Marmora, Hastings (PH), a high count for so early in the season. In the south there were very few reports in the first half of July, marking the end on one generation and the start of the second; JB’s observation of a fresh one on July 11 near Villiers, on the railtrail between the Cameron and Blezard Lines, Peterborough confirms this. There were eight reports from Sudbury, July 9 to 11 (DBr, CDJ et al), and just one northern report later than this, two seen on July 22 at Longridge Point, Cochrane (KHa). These were at the very end of the first generation. There were five reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, four early in the season and one on August 30, two seen on the Km 8 logging road (RMa, IS); this is the northernmost of the second generation reports. In the first generation there were six counts of 100 or more, the highest a count of 278 on June 19 at Dewey’s on Elmbrook Rd., Prince Edward (JD). In the second generation the highest two were both 100, at Garvin Rd., W of Richmond, Ottawa, on August 4 (MOl) and 16 (MOl, PH). There were two reports of nectaring, four on Dogbane on June 15 on Hwy 567, S of Haileybury, Timiskaming, and 11 on Yellow Hawkweed on June 16 on Hwy 63 NE of North Bay, Nipissing (RAL). LJ saw mating pairs three times, each among sightings of at least 100: these were on May 30 at Green’s Rd., 4 km S of Munster; on June 5, 5 km S of Bells Corners; and on June 6 at MCC Parking Lot 6, 2 km S of Bells Corners, Ottawa. The species was seen through September, finishing with records on the 28th at Listowel, Perth (GR) and near Westwood, on the railtrail between the Cameron Line and Co. Rd. 38, Peterborough (JB), and on the 29th at the Waynco Prairie, Waterloo (FGi). These would all be assumed to be second generation. But on October 5 RJY photographed at Humber Bay Shores, Metro Toronto, one “fresh; third brood! (?)”. And there was one other very late report of “very fresh”: one seen on September 4 at Mud Lake, Britannia, Ottawa (CBr). So who knows? Maybe a third generation is possible, at least in 2012. 78 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Cercyonis pegala COMMON WOOD-NYMPH In 2012 - 370 records. The season began with a very early report on May 25, of one seen beside a wetland on Mitchell’s Crossroad Rd., Prince Edward (MVe). This is not the earliest record ever; there are three earlier ones, in 1954 and 1976. Regular reports started on June 16 with one photographed at Dundas Valley CA, Hamilton-Wentworth (ChD) and four seen at Cold Creek CA, York (AA) and there were reports almost every day after that. There were four reports from Algonquin PP, Nipissing, from two seen on July 6 at the Old Airfield (KeMo) to one seen on July 30 on Opeongo Lake Rd., km 2.4 (RAL, RCa). There were three reports from Algoma, singles on July 6 and 8 in the Goulais River area (CDJ, BVR et al) and 25 seen on July 15 at Sault Ste. Marie (DBe). There was one report from Manitoulin, one photographed on August 25 at Janet’s Head (AEG), the latest in the north, and two reports of singles from the City of Thunder Bay, on July 2 at Chippewa Park (SB) and on August 11 at Alice Ave., (NGE). There were 16 reports from Devlin, Rainy River, between July 1 and August 3, and four from Kenora, all singles, all photographed, on July 7 and 16 on McGogy Rd., Dryden (AnM), on July 10 on the Eady Farm, 3 km NE of Eagle River (CaE) and July 31 on Lisa Lane, 5 km S of Dinorwic (ERi). On August 4 CR saw one ovipositing on grass, at Dorcas Bay, Bruce. On July 16 JCL saw a mating pair, on Mersea Rd. 6, W of Wheatley, Essex. At the same place, on July 8 he saw two feeding on a rotten apple, and on July 29, on left-over moth sugar. There were 27 counts of 20 or more, and four of more than 100: 116 on July 1 at Rouge Park, Metro Toronto (RJY): 140 on July 1 at the Cherrywood Swamp, Durham (JK); 150 on July 8 at the SW corner of Con. 11 and the Wethereal Sideroad, Durham (JK, PCl), and 210 on July 4 at Presqu’ile PP, Northumberland (PPP). The latest two reports were one photographed on August 26 on Fifth Line Rd., Kanata, Ottawa (CGa) and on seen on August 28 near Villiers, on the railtrail between the Cameron and Blezard Lines, Peterborough (JB). Erebia mancinus TAIGA ALPINE In 2012 - One record, one photographed on June 23 on the Ogoki Road, Thunder Bay (NGE, BGM). Erebia discoidalis RED-DISKED ALPINE In 2012 - No records, no reports since 2008 at Thunder Bay. Oeneis macounii MACOUN’S ARCTIC In 2012 - Three records. The first two were form Algonquin PP, Nipissing: three seen and photographed on May 30 on the Old Mill Trail at Lake Traverse (PH, RCa, MWPR) and one seen on June 13 on Lake Traverse Station Rd., S of Lake Traverse Rd. (DaE, JoH). The last report was of four caught and released at North Fowl Lake, on the Minnesota border, Thunder Bay, on a “rock dome on a hilltop with semi-open Jack Pine” (SB). Oeneis chryxus CHRYXUS ARCTIC In 2012 - 24 records. First reports were very early, with three in April: one seen on the 20th on Sandy Lake Rd., Peterborough (JB); two photographed on the 28th on the trail to Rock Dunder, Leeds (JPo, MCS) and one seen on the 29th on the Ganaraska Hiking Trail in Queen Elizabeth WPP, Haliburton (TLa, DBi). On May 7 two were photographed on Mountain Rd., 2.5 km NE of Tamworth, Lennox and Addington and another five further up the road, (DaE, JoH); one of these is the first record from Lennox and Addington. 79 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ There were six reports from the Carp Ridge, Ottawa, May 7 to 13 (PH, CL, BBr, RAL, CBr, R Ca), and five from the Old Airfield, Algonquin PP, Nipissing, May 13 to 24 (LF, LFr, PWi, KeMo, RCa). The highest count was 15 on May 6, in the vicinity of Sandy Lake Rd., Peterborough (RJY). The latest was a very worn one seen on May 24 at the Old Airfield, Algonquin PP (LF). Oeneis jutta JUTTA ARCTIC In 2012 - 22 records. The season opened with five reports from the Mer Bleue, Ottawa, starting with five photographed on May 23 (CBr) and two seen on the Boardwalk on the 24th (CL, BBr). The latest from the Mer Bleue was from an area of the bog that is rarely visited, north of Dolman Ridge; on May 27 RCa saw and photographed ten. On June 23 NGE collected one on the Ogoki Rd., Thunder Bay; it had “landed on my jeans, feeding (on my sweat?)”. On July 1 two were seen at the Harvais Lake Orchid Reserve at Dorion, Thunder Bay (SB) and on July 11 a very worn one was photographed in a peat bog about 1 km W of Moodie Lake, Sudbury (DBr, BP). All the other reports, 13 in all, were from the Burnt Point MNR Camp in Polar Bear PP, Kenora. The earliest of these was one collected on June 20 (MVB et al). All the others were sight records, from June 24 to July 13 (JI et al); one of these, 26 seen on July 9, was the highest count. Oeneis melissa MELISSA ARCTIC In 2012 - No records. Last reported in 1990 at the mouth of the Little Shagamu River, Kenora, on Hudson Bay. Oeneis polixenes POLIXENES ARCTIC REMOVED FROM THE ONTARIO LIST: In 1940 a specimen was collected at Fort Severn, Kenora, which was variously identified as Oeneis bore, O. melissa and O. polixenes; it is in the Royal Ontario Museum Collection. Last winter we arranged for photographs of it to be sent to Dr. J.D. Lafontaine at the Canadian National Collection for identification. These were not conclusive so the dissected genitalia were also sent. By comparison with genitalia of Oeneis melissa and O. polixenes from the CNC, it was finally determined that the specimen was a female Melissa Arctic, from only the second location in Ontario. The only other report was in 1978, a statement that “a series was collected by an American party in the coastal area of James Bay about 100 miles northwest of Moosonee”. By itself, this is much too vague to be accepted as evidence. So this species is removed from the Ontario list. Danaus plexippus MONARCH In 2012 - 2,091 records. The first three reports represent individuals that came in ahead of the main migration; they apparently hitched a ride with the smaller migrant wave of four other species which arrived on April 15. That wave missed the southwest almost entirely, which explains why the first report was of one seen on April 25 on the Toronto Islands, Metro Toronto (NMu). The next report was of “eggs on milkweed just emerging from ground” on May 1 at Cambridge, Waterloo (JaF). And the third report was on May 2, a fresh individual in an open area at MacGregor Point CA, Bruce (BAM). The major wave of migration arrived at Point Pelee NP, Essex on May 2. It consisted of at least 15 species, some in very high numbers. But not so the Monarch. AW saw hundreds of dead and dying butterflies in the surf-line at the Tip, but none of them were Monarchs. On May 2, 15+ were reported on Pelee Island, Essex (BHo, EHo, 80 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ KBu). But at Point Pelee, just 7+ were seen (AW); on May 3, 13 (AW, HTO), on May 5 just one (JCa, VCa), and on the 9th, 10th and 11th they were reported but with no number mentioned (JB). Nevertheless, by the end of May they were reported all over southern Ontario, and beyond. In the south the highest count for May was 28, seen by RJY at Eglinton Flats, Metro Toronto; he added “two pairs in copula, a few females ovipositing on Dog-strangling Vine”. But in Thunder Bay on May 19 there were three reports, and SB estimated 100+ on a roadside 2 km NW of Ouimet; these must have come from a different migrant stream, one which came around the west end of Lake Superior. The first reports from Ottawa were on May 26, one at Constance Bay (JSk, AlSk, ASk) and 3+ in the wetland S of the Nortel Complex, Kanata (CL, BBr); strangely, the first from Algonquin PP, Nipissing was earlier, one seen on May 14 on Hwy 60 at km 24 (LF, LFr). There were 30 reports from Algonquin PP, the last on August 30, three seen on the Km 8 Logging Road (RMa, IS), and 14 more from further north in Nipissing. There were six reports from Manitoulin, starting with one seen on May 12 at Meldrum Bay (CBl) and ending with five on August 24 at Misery Bay (AEG). There were five reports from Sudbury, including two seen on July 1 at Lake Laurentian CA (DBe). There were 11 reports from Algoma, including nine seen on July 8 at the Goulais River in Searchmont (BVR et al). There were six from Timiskaming, including a single individual seen on May 21 on Dandelion, at Gowganda (GeT). There were 17 from Thunder Bay, starting with one seen on May 13 at the Pine Bay NR, (SB), right on the path of the migrant stream around the west end of the lake and finishing with six seen on July 6 on the Bowman Island NR (SB). There were 30 reports from Rainy River, 27 from Devlin between May 17 and August 27 (MSB), and one of about ten seen on lilacs on May 19 at Fort Frances (KiR). And there were just two from Kenora, one seen on May 17 on the Eady Farm near Eagle River (CaE) and the other one photographed on May 28 on Lisa Lane, 5 km S of Dinorwic (ERi), both nectaring on dandelion. There were 28 reports of larvae, 35 reports of eggs, and one report of a pupa, dead and brown, on a Prickly Ash in woods at least 200 yards from the nearest Milkweed, on September 2 near Fitzroy Harbour, Ottawa (RAL). There were reports of females laying eggs on three milkweed species: on Common Milkweed on July 3 at Leighland Dr., Waterloo, Waterloo (TBe); on Swamp Milkweed on May 2 at Breslau, Waterloo (JGP); and on Orange Milkweed, Asclepias tuberosa, on May 6 at Sarnia, Lambton (KZo). On June 18 RJY reported seven “fresh and worn” at High Park, Metro Toronto, and there were other reports of worn individuals in late June, and mixes of fresh and worn ones through July. So the second generation was clearly underway by the end of June. On August 1, a few “all very fresh” were reported from both the Embrun and the St. Albert Sewage Lagoons, Prescott-Russell (CL, BBr); these would have been most likely early third generation individuals. Numbers were high in August and September. There were reports of roosts at Lakeport, Northumberland on August 31 (DD), Oshawa, Durham on August 30 (JE), at Hawk Cliff, Port Stanley, Elgin on September 10, 15 and 19 (BrP), at Port Burwell, Elgin on September 23 (CiW) and at Morgan’s Point, Niagara on September 25 (PMo). DD caught, tagged and released Monarchs at Lakeport, 170 on August 21, 261 on August 24 and 150 on August 31. Highest counts were 1,000 at Port Burwell on September 23 (CiW), 3,000 at the South Hydrocut in Algonquin PP, Haliburton on August 26 (PBM, RMa) and a conservative estimate of 10,000 on September 2 at the Rosetta McClain Gardens, Scarborough, Metro Toronto (WF, FBu). There were 58 reports in October, with still a few high counts, for example 40 on the 22nd at Presqu’ile PP, Northumberland (KAn) and 14 on the 25th at Lake Driveway W, Oshawa, Durham (BH). The season ended quietly with three reports of singles in November, on the 11th at the Leslie St. Spit, Metro Toronto (VCa), and on the 22nd at Point Pelee NP, one at West Beach and one at Northwest Beach (AW). 81 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ List of New County Records for 2012 County Silver-spotted Skipper Silver-spotted Skipper Long-Tailed Skipper Long-Tailed Skipper Horace's Duskywing Columbine Duskywing Wild Indigo Duskywing Wild Indigo Duskywing Wild Indigo Duskywing Wild Indigo Duskywing Wild Indigo Duskywing Wild Indigo Duskywing Common Checkered Skipper Common Checkered Skipper Common Checkered Skipper Common Checkered Skipper Common Checkered Skipper Common Checkered Skipper Common Checkered Skipper Common Checkered Skipper Fiery Skipper Fiery Skipper Fiery Skipper Fiery Skipper Fiery Skipper Fiery Skipper Fiery Skipper Fiery Skipper Leonard's Skipper Indian Skipper Crossline Skipper Sachem Sachem Sachem Sachem Sachem Sachem Sachem Sachem Sachem Sachem Delaware Skipper Broad-winged Skipper Dion Skipper Two-spotted Skipper Pepper and Salt Skipper Ocola Skipper Pipevine Swallowtail Pipevine Swallowtail Pipevine Swallowtail Pipevine Swallowtail Pipevine Swallowtail Black Swallowtail Giant Swallowtail Giant Swallowtail Spicebush Swallowtail Spicebush Swallowtail Spicebush Swallowtail Observer STOR VICT HAMI METR ELGI PRIN FRON HURO LANA LENN NORT OTTA LAMB MIDD NORT OXFO PERT RAIN NORF WELL FRON HALI HAST LENN NIAG PETE PRIN WELL HAST TIMI YORK FRON HAMI KENT LEED NIAG PEEL PERT WATE WELL NORF ALGO VICT HAST HAST RENF METR FRON LAMB LENN PERT YORK NIPI RENF STOR DURH HALT NORT RAL BVR PaT RJY DBe RCa JPo GRT BPa DaE, JoH IS RCa BAM DPy, RP IS JaHo GR MSD AT RMa JPo, BER EP DaE, JoH DaE RCa AEG BER GR DaE, JoH RAL JK DaE, JoH JBr BAM MLa RCa AA GR GR, AM AW AT BVR RJY DaE, JoH LMc RCa RJY JEl RJY, MKi DA GR JoaB BPa EA, DPC RCa GCo ChD RJP 82 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Mustard White West Virginia White Orange Sulphur Little Yellow Little Yellow Little Yellow Little Yellow Dainty Sulphur Dainty Sulphur Edwards' Hairstreak Hoary Elfin Eastern Pine Elfin Western Pine Elfin White M Hairstreak White M Hairstreak White M Hairstreak Gray Hairstreak Gray Hairstreak Gray Hairstreak Cherry Gall Azure Cherry Gall Azure American Snout American Snout American Snout American Snout Variegated Fritillary Variegated Fritillary Variegated Fritillary Atlantis Fritillary Pearl Crescent Pearl Crescent Question Mark Gray Comma Common Buckeye Common Buckeye Common Buckeye Common Buckeye Common Buckeye Common Buckeye Tawny Emperor Chryxus Arctic ELGI LENN DUFF LENN OXFO PETE YORK MIDD NORF SIMC HAST PERT ALGO DURH KENT PRIN HAST LANA PRIN SIMC STOR HAMI HAST NIAG OXFO GREY HAMI WELL HAST MIDD STOR KENO NORF ALGO COCH DUFF KENO LANA RENF NORF LENN DBr DaE, JoH JLH, SPe, SLe JPo JaHo JP JK RP, DPy AT JKer RCa, MLa GR, AM CDJ, DAS MC BAM JPo, BER LMc PH, RCa DaE, JoH EP JB,TB,RD,TH,BLa JBr JBa RCa JaHo ShD BVR, JCha JPo DaE, JoH RP, DPy RAL ERi RCa JGi JI et al FGi ERi DA RAL DBe, EBi DaE, JoH 83 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ CHECKLIST OF ONTARIO BUTTERFLIES AND SKIPPERS by Colin D. Jones Superfamily: HESPERIOIDEA Latreille Family: HESPERIIDAE Latreille Subfamily: Pyrginae Burmeister SKIPPERS PYRGINE SKIPPERS ___ Epargyreus clarus (Cramer) a) clarus ___ Urbanus proteus (Linnaeus) ___ Achalarus lyciades (Geyer) ___ Thorybes bathyllus (J.E. Smith) ___ Thorybes pylades (Scudder) a) pylades ___ Staphylus hayhurstii (W.H. Edwards) ___ Erynnis icelus (Scudder & Burgess) ___ Erynnis brizo (Boisduval & Leconte) a) brizo ___ Erynnis juvenalis (Fabricius) a) juvenalis ___ Erynnis horatius (Scudder & Burgess) ___ Erynnis martialis (Scudder) ___ Erynnis zarucco (Lucas) ___ Erynnis funeralis (Scudder & Burgess) ___ Erynnis lucilius (Scudder & Burgess) ___ Erynnis baptisiae (Forbes) ___ Erynnis persius (Scudder) a) persius b) borealis (Cary) ___ Pyrgus centaureae (Rambur) a) freija (Warren) ___ Pyrgus communis (Grote) ___ Pholisora catullus (Fabricius) SILVER-SPOTTED SKIPPER LONG-TAILED SKIPPER HOARY EDGE SOUTHERN CLOUDYWING NORTHERN CLOUDYWING HAYHURST'S SCALLOPWING DREAMY DUSKYWING SLEEPY DUSKYWING JUVENAL'S DUSKYWING HORACE'S DUSKYWING MOTTLED DUSKYWING ZARUCCO DUSKYWING FUNEREAL DUSKYWING COLUMBINE DUSKYWING WILD INDIGO DUSKYWING EASTERN PERSIUS DUSKYWING BOREAL PERSIUS DUSKYWING GRIZZLED SKIPPER COMMON CHECKERED-SKIPPER COMMON SOOTYWING Subfamily Heteropterinae Aurivillius INTERMEDIATE SKIPPERS ___ Carterocephalus palaemon (Pallas) a) mandan (W.H. Edwards) ARCTIC SKIPPER Subfamily Hesperiinae Latreille BRANDED SKIPPERS ___ Lerema accius (J.E. Smith) ___ Ancyloxypha numitor (Fabricius) ___ Oarisma garita (Reakirt) ___ Thymelicus lineola (Ochsenheimer) ___ Hylephila phyleus (Drury) a) phyleus ___ Hesperia comma (Linnaeus) a) manitoba (Scudder) b) borealis Lindsey c) laurentina (Lyman) ___ Hesperia leonardus Harris a) leonardus ___ Hesperia sassacus Harris ___ Polites peckius (W. Kirby) ___ Polites themistocles (Latreille) ___ Polites origenes (Fabricius) a) origenes CLOUDED SKIPPER LEAST SKIPPER GARITA SKIPPERLING EUROPEAN SKIPPER FIERY SKIPPER COMMON BRANDED SKIPPER LEONARD'S SKIPPER INDIAN SKIPPER PECK'S SKIPPER TAWNY-EDGED SKIPPER CROSSLINE SKIPPER 84 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ ___Polites mystic (W.H. Edwards) ___ Polites vibex (Geyer) a) vibex ___ Wallengrenia egeremet (Scudder) ___ Pompeius verna (W.H. Edwards) ___ Atalopedes campestris (Boisduval) ___ Anatrytone logan (W.H. Edwards) a) logan ___ Poanes massasoit (Scudder) a) massasoit ___ Poanes hobomok (Harris) = form “pocahontas” (Scudder) ___ Poanes zabulon (Boisduval and Leconte) ___ Poanes viator (W.H. Edwards) a) viator ___ Euphyes dion (W.H. Edwards) a) dion ___ Euphyes dukesi (Lindsey) ___ Euphyes conspicua (W.H. Edwards) a) conspicua ___ Euphyes bimacula (Grote & Robinson) a) bimacula ___ Euphyes vestris (Boisduval) a) metacomet (Harris) ___ Atrytonopsis hianna (Scudder) a) hianna ___ Amblyscirtes hegon (Scudder) ___ Amblyscirtes vialis (W.H. Edwards) ___ Calpodes ethlius (Stoll) ___ Panoquina ocola (W.H. Edwards) LONG DASH WHIRLABOUT NORTHERN BROKEN-DASH LITTLE GLASSYWING SACHEM DELAWARE SKIPPER MULBERRY WING HOBOMOK SKIPPER ZABULON SKIPPER BROAD-WINGED SKIPPER DION SKIPPER DUKES' SKIPPER BLACK DASH TWO-SPOTTED SKIPPER DUN SKIPPER DUSTED SKIPPER PEPPER AND SALT SKIPPER COMMON ROADSIDE SKIPPER BRAZILIAN SKIPPER OCOLA SKIPPER Superfamily PAPILIONOIDEA Latreille Family PAPILIONIDAE Latreille Subfamily Papilioninae Latreille ___ Battus philenor (Linnaeus) a) philenor ___ Eurytides marcellus (Cramer) ___ Papilio polyxenes Fabricius a) asterias Stoll ___ Papilio machaon Linnaeus a) hudsonianus A.H. Clark ___ Papilio cresphontes Cramer ___ Papilio glaucus Linnaeus a) glaucus ___ Papilio canadensis Rothschild & Jordan ___ Papilio troilus Linnaeus a) troilus SWALLOWTAILS PIPEVINE SWALLOWTAIL ZEBRA SWALLOWTAIL BLACK SWALLOWTAIL OLD WORLD SWALLOWTAIL GIANT SWALLOWTAIL EASTERN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL CANADIAN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL SPICEBUSH SWALLOWTAIL Family PIERIDAE Duponchel Subfamily Pierinae Duponchel WHITES AND MARBLES ___ Pontia protodice (Boisduval & Leconte) ___ Pontia occidentalis (Reakirt) a) occidentalis ___ Pieris oleracea Harris a) oleracea ___ Pieris virginiensis W.H. Edwards ___ Pieris rapae (Linnaeus) ___ Ascia monuste (Linnaeus) ___ Euchloe ausonides Lucas a) ausonides ___ Euchloe olympia (W.H. Edwards) CHECKERED WHITE WESTERN WHITE MUSTARD WHITE WEST VIRGINIA WHITE CABBAGE WHITE GREAT SOUTHERN WHITE LARGE MARBLE OLYMPIA MARBLE 85 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Subfamily Coliadinae Swainson SULPHURS ___ Colias philodice Godart a) philodice ___ Colias eurytheme Boisduval ___ Colias gigantea Strecker a) gigantea ___ Colias pelidne Boisduval & Leconte a) pelidne ___ Colias interior Scudder ___ Colias palaeno (Linnaeus) a) chippewa (W.H. Edwards) ___ Zerene cesonia (Stoll) ___ Phoebis sennae (Linnaeus) a) eubule (Linnaeus) ___ Phoebis philea (Linnaeus) ___ Eurema mexicanum (Boisduval) ___ Pyrisitia lisa (Boisduval & Leconte) ___ Abaeis nicippe (Cramer) ___ Nathalis iole (Boisduval) CLOUDED SULPHUR ORANGE-BARRED SULPHUR MEXICAN YELLOW LITTLE YELLOW SLEEPY ORANGE DAINTY SULPHUR Family LYCAENIDAE Leach Subfamily Miletinae Corbet HARVESTERS ___ Feniseca tarquinius (Fabricius) THE HARVESTER Subfamily Lycaeninae Leach COPPERS ___ Lycaena phlaeas (Linnaeus) a) americana Harris ___ Lycaena dione (Scudder) ___ Lycaena hyllus (Cramer) ___ Lycaena epixanthe (Boisduval & Leconte) a) michiganensis Rawson ___ Lycaena dorcas W. Kirby a) dorcas ___ Lycaena helloides (Boisduval) AMERICAN COPPER Subfamily Theclinae Swainson HAIRSTREAKS ___ Satyrium acadica (W.H. Edwards) a) acadica ___ Satyrium titus (Fabricius) a) titus ___ Satyrium edwardsii (Grote & Robinson) ___ Satyrium calanus (Hübner) a) falacer (Godart) ___ Satyrium caryaevorus (McDunnough) ___ Satyrium liparops (Leconte) a) strigosum (Harris) b) fletcheri (Michener & dos Passos) ___ Satyrium favonius (J.E. Smith) a) ontario (W.H. Edwards) ___ Callophrys gryneus (Hübner) a) gryneus ___ Callophrys augustinus (Westwood) a) augustinus ___ Callophrys polios (Cook & Watson) a) polios ___ Callophrys irus (Godart) a) irus ___ Callophrys henrici (Grote & Robinson) a) henrici ACADIAN HAIRSTREAK ORANGE SULPHUR GIANT SULPHUR PELIDNE SULPHUR PINK-EDGED SULPHUR PALAENO SULPHUR SOUTHERN DOGFACE CLOUDLESS SULPHUR GRAY COPPER BRONZE COPPER BOG COPPER DORCAS COPPER PURPLISH COPPER CORAL HAIRSTREAK EDWARDS’ HAIRSTREAK BANDED HAIRSTREAK HICKORY HAIRSTREAK STRIPED HAIRSTREAK SOUTHERN HAIRSTREAK JUNIPER HAIRSTREAK BROWN ELFIN HOARY ELFIN FROSTED ELFIN HENRY’S ELFIN 86 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ ___ Callophrys lanoraieensis (Sheppard) ___ Callophrys niphon (Hübner) a) clarki (T.N. Freeman) ___ Callophrys eryphon (Boisduval) b) eryphon ___ Parrhasius m-album (Boisduval & Leconte) ___ Strymon melinus Hübner a) melinus b) franki Field ___ Erora laeta (W.H. Edwards) BOG ELFIN EASTERN PINE ELFIN WESTERN PINE ELFIN WHITE-M HAIRSTREAK GRAY HAIRSTREAK EARLY HAIRSTREAK Subfamily Polyommatinae Swainson BLUES ___ Leptotes marina (Reakirt) ___ Cupido comyntas (Godart) a) comyntas ___ Cupido amyntula (Boisduval) a) albrighti Clench ___ Celastrina lucia (W. Kirby) ___ Celastrina neglecta (W.H. Edwards) a) neglecta ___ Celastrina serotina Pavulaan and Wright ___ Glaucopsyche lygdamus (Doubleday) a) couperi Grote ___ Plebejus idas (Linnaeus) a) scudderi (W.H. Edwards) ___ Plebejus melissa (W.H. Edwards) a) samuelis Nabokov ___ Plebejus saepiolus (Boisduval) a) amica (W.H. Edwards) ___ Plebejus glandon (de Prunner) d) franklinii (Curtis) MARINE BLUE EASTERN TAILED-BLUE WESTERN TAILED-BLUE SPRING AZURE SUMMER AZURE CHERRY GALL AZURE SILVERY BLUE NORTHERN BLUE MELISSA (KARNER) BLUE GREENISH BLUE ARCTIC BLUE Family NYMPHALIDAE Swainson Subfamily Libyteinae Boisduval SNOUTS ___ Libytheana carinenta (Cramer) a) bachmanii (Kirtland) AMERICAN SNOUT Subfamily Heliconiinae Swainson HELICONIANS AND FRITILLARIES ___ Agraulis vanillae (Linnaeus) ___ Euptoieta claudia (Cramer) ___ Speyeria cybele (Fabricius) a) cybele b) krautwurmi (Holland) ___ Speyeria aphrodite (Fabricius) a) aphrodite b) alcestis (W.H. Edwards) ___ Speyeria idalia (Drury) ___ Speyeria atlantis (W.H. Edwards) a) atlantis (W.H. Edwards) b) canadensis (dos Passos) ___ Boloria eunomia (Esper) a) triclaris (Hübner) b) dawsoni (Barnes & McDunnough) ___ Boloria selene [Denis & Schiffermuller] a) atrocostalis (Huard) GULF FRITILLARY VARIEGATED FRITILLARY GREAT SPANGLED FRITILLARY APHRODITE FRITILLARY REGAL FRITILLARY ATLANTIS FRITILLARY BOG FRITILLARY SILVER-BORDERED FRITILLARY 87 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ ___ Boloria bellona (Fabricius) a) bellona b) toddi (Holland) ___ Boloria frigga (Thunberg) a) saga (Staudinger) ___ Boloria freija (Thunberg) a) freija ___ Boloria chariclea (Schneider) a) arctica (Zetterstedt) b) grandis (Barnes & McDunnough) MEADOW FRITILLARY Subfamily Nymphalinae Swainson TRUE BRUSHFOOTS ___ Chlosyne gorgone (Hübner) a) carlota (Reakirt) ___ Chlosyne nycteis (Doubleday) a) nycteis ___ Chlosyne harrisii (Scudder) a) harrisii ___ Phyciodes tharos (Drury) a) tharos ___ Phyciodes cocyta (Cramer) ___ Phyciodes batesii (Reakirt) a) batesii ___ Euphydryas phaeton (Drury) a) phaeton ___ Polygonia interrogationis (Fabricius) = form “umbrosa” (Lintner) ___ Polygonia comma (Harris) ___ Polygonia satyrus (W.H. Edwards) ___ Polygonia faunus (W.H. Edwards) a) faunus ___ Polygonia gracilis (Grote & Robinson) a) gracilis ___ Polygonia progne (Cramer) ___ Nymphalis l-album (Esper) ___ Nymphalis antiopa (Linnaeus) a) hyperborea (Seitz) b) lintnerii (Fitch) ___ Aglais milberti (Godart) a) milberti ___ Vanessa virginiensis (Drury) ___ Vanessa cardui (Linnaeus) ___ Vanessa atalanta (Linnaeus) a) rubria (Fruhstorfer) ___ Junonia coenia (Hübner) a) coenia GORGONE CHECKERSPOT SAGA FRITILLARY FREIJA FRITILLARY ARCTIC FRITILLARY SILVERY CHECKERSPOT HARRIS’S CHECKERSPOT PEARL CRESCENT NORTHERN CRESCENT TAWNY CRESCENT BALTIMORE CHECKERSPOT QUESTION MARK EASTERN COMMA SATYR COMMA GREEN COMMA HOARY COMMA GRAY COMMA COMPTON TORTOISESHELL NORTHERN MOURNING CLOAK LINTNER’S MOURNING CLOAK MILBERT’S TORTOISESHELL AMERICAN LADY PAINTED LADY RED ADMIRAL COMMON BUCKEYE Subfamily Limenitidinae Behr ADMIRALS ___ Limenitis arthemis (Drury) a) arthemis (Drury) b) astyanax (Fabricius) ___ Limenitis archippus (Cramer) a) archippus ___ Limenitis weidemeyerii (W.H. Edwards) WHITE ADMIRAL RED-SPOTTED PURPLE VICEROY WEIDEMEYER’S ADMIRAL 88 Ontario Lepidoptera 2012_______________________________________________________________________ Subfamily Apaturinae Boisduval EMPERORS ___ Asterocampa celtis (Boisduval & Leconte) a) celtis ___ Asterocampa clyton (Boisduval & Leconte) a) clyton HACKBERRY EMPEROR Subfamily Satyrinae Boisduval SATYRS AND WOOD-NYMPHS ___ Lethe anthedon A. Clark ___ Lethe eurydice (Linnaeus) a) eurydice ___ Lethe appalachia (R.L. Chermock) a) leeuwi (Gatrelle & Arbogast) ___ Megisto cymela (Cramer) a) cymela ___ Coenonympha tullia (Müller) a) inornata W.H. Edwards ___ Cercyonis pegala (Fabricius) a) nephele (W. Kirby) ___ Erebia mancinus Doubleday ___ Erebia discoidalis (W. Kirby) a) discoidalis ___ Oeneis macounii (W.H. Edwards) ___ Oeneis chryxus (Doubleday & Hewitson) a) strigulosa McDunnough b) calais (Scudder) ___ Oeneis jutta (Hübner) b) ascerta Masters & Sorensen d) harperi F.H. Chermock ___ Oeneis melissa (Fabricius) a) semplei Holland NORTHERN PEARLY-EYE EYED BROWN TAWNY EMPEROR APPALACHIAN BROWN LITTLE WOOD-SATYR COMMON RINGLET COMMON WOOD-NYMPH TAIGA ALPINE RED-DISKED ALPINE MACOUN’S ARCTIC CHRYXUS ARCTIC JUTTA ARCTIC MELISSA ARCTIC Subfamily Danainae Duponchel MILKWEED BUTTERFLIES ___ Danaus plexippus (Linnaeus) a) plexippus MONARCH 89
© Copyright 2026 Paperzz