BUTTERFLIES OF HIGH PARK
Compiled by Bob Yukich November 2000; fifth revision December 2012
With its varied habitats and ease of access, High Park is an
excellent place to observe butterflies within the heart of
the city. At least 68 species have been recorded in recent
years, and another 12, including the Karner Blue and
Mottled Duskywing, were observed historically.
High Park lies at the easternmost edge of the Carolinian
Zone. The recently restored black oak savannah, lush with
wild lupines, woodland sunflowers and prairie grasses,
provides nectar for adult butterflies and host plants for
their caterpillars. Several species of small grass-skippers
occur here, including Delaware and Crossline Skippers. It
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Bob Yukich
is also home to larger showy species such as Eastern Tiger
Swallowtail and the rarer Spicebush Swallowtail. The latter is at the northern limit of its range in High Park
and uses the abundant sassafras, a more southern tree species, as its host.
Oaks, the signature trees of High Park, are the food plants for the tiny and occasionally numerous Banded
Hairstreak and, until recently, Edwards’ Hairstreak. This species, local within its range, may one day return
as young oaks continue to regenerate.
Northern Cloudywing and Eastern Tailed-Blue, both common throughout the park, lay their eggs on native
tick trefoils. Silvery Checkerspot is seen on rare occasions. Its caterpillars feed on composites such as
woodland sunflower. Two recent additions to the park’s butterfly fauna, Silvery Blue and Wild Indigo
Duskywing, arrived after range extensions following the spread of their adopted host plants, cow vetch
and crown vetch.
There have been recent rare sightings of Bronze Copper, Broad-winged Skipper and Black Dash, all
wetland species, along the re-vegetated shores of Grenadier Pond.
During late summer and fall the ornamental gardens of High Park are a magnet for butterflies, especially
after nectar sources in the wild have disappeared. Migrating Monarchs, Red Admirals, American Ladies
and Question Marks are more easily observed at this time, especially when on butterfly bush gorging
themselves with nectar!
In warmer years Fiery Skippers, and sometimes other southern rarities, arrive in High Park after crossing
Lake Ontario – look for them in flower beds.
Excerpted from Butterflies of Toronto, City of Toronto, 2011
NOTES:
This list comprises 80 species and one subspecies of butterfly
known to have occurred in High Park up to the end of 2012. All of
the species listed are known to or assumed to breed, or have bred,
in High Park unless otherwise noted. Common names used in this
list are those found in Checklist & English Names of North
American Butterflies, Second Edition, published by the North
American Butterfly Association (NABA). Scientific names are taken
from A Catalogue of the Butterflies of the United States and
Canada by Jonathan P. Pelham, revised February 14, 2012. Host
plants listed for each species were taken from The Butterflies of
Canada by R. A. Layberry, P. W. Hall and J. D. Lafontaine 1998, and
The Ontario Butterfly Atlas by A. M. Holmes, Q. F. Hess, R. R.
Tasker and A. J. Hanks 1991.
ROM = Royal Ontario Museum.
The species abundance designations are based on a typical year,
and a skilled observer being in suitable habitat, in the appropriate
season, under favourable weather conditions. It should be noted,
however, that the population of any butterfly species can fluctuate
dramatically from year to year, or even within a breeding season,
due to a variety of environmental factors.
abundant: usually recorded in large numbers on all visits
common: normally recorded on all visits
fairly common: likely to be recorded on most visits
uncommon: present in small numbers; can be missed on most visits
rare: can be less than annual in occurrence
very rare: often several years between sightings; not to be expected
BUTTERFLIES OF HIGH PARK
Common Name
Scientific Name
Status in High Park
Status in Ontario
Host Plant
Comments
SKIPPERS
Silver-spotted Skipper
HESPERIIDAE
Epargyreus clarus
fairly common
locally fairly common,
mainly in the south
closely associated with black locust in our area
Long-tailed Skipper
Urbanus proteus
very rare southern
immigrant
very rare immigrant in the
south; one record each at
Point Pelee and Windsor in
1994, and two seen near
Hamilton on Sept. 1, 2012
black locust, hog
peanut, showy tick
trefoil
legume family vines,
including beans
Southern Cloudywing
Thorybes bathyllus
historical record
(hypothetical)
locally rare to common in
the southwest
legumes
Northern Cloudywing
Thorybes pylades
common
common and widespread
Dreamy Duskywing
Erynnis icelus
historical record
Juvenal’s Duskywing
Erynnis juvenalis
historical records; a recent
rare breeder
common and widespread
throughout
common and widespread,
mainly in the southern part
of the province
legumes including tick
trefoil and vetch
poplar, aspen, willow,
birch
oaks
Mottled Duskywing
Erynnis martialis
historical record
rare and local
New Jersey tea
Funereal Duskywing
Erynnis funeralis
very rare southern
immigrant
very rare immigrant in the
south
legumes
Wild Indigo Duskywing
Erynnis baptisiae
uncommon
locally uncommon to
common in the south
legumes including
wild indigo, crown
vetch (mainly) and
wild lupine
Columbine Duskywing
Erynnis lucilius
historical record
wild columbine
Least Skipper
Ancyloxypha numitor
uncommon
locally common, mainly in
the southern part of the
province
common in the southern
and central regions
European Skipper
Thymelicus lineola
common to abundant
Compiled by Bob Yukich November 2000; fifth revision December 2012
common to abundant
throughout
wetland grasses
including bluegrass,
rice cut grass, marsh
millet
grasses including
timothy and red top
a species from the southern U.S., not known to breed
at this latitude; on October 4, 2012 one was
photographed by Bob Yukich as it nectared on
Buddleia at the Hillside Gardens; this is the most
northerly record for Ontario (2012 was a spectacular
year for southern immigrants in the province)
one of two old specimens from Toronto in the ROM
has been attributed to High Park; likely a rare breeder
in our area historically
High Park’s population density may be the highest in
the province with high counts of 100+ in recent years
old specimens from High Park in the ROM
old specimens from High Park in the ROM; Bob
Yukich saw a fresh male at the north end of Plot 1C
on May 10, 2006, and another male north of the
allotment gardens in Plot 9B on June 6, 2008; one or
two individuals are now recorded annually in the park
old specimens from High Park in the ROM; declining;
federally endangered; apparently common in High
Park in the early 1900s
stray only; essentially a tropical species that does not
breed in the province; Bob Yukich recorded an
individual nectaring on purple loosestrife along the
south end of Grenadier Pond on August 12, 1999:
fourth record for Ontario and Canada
this species was first recorded in Toronto in 1998,
having undergone a northward range extension from
the U.S. following plantings of crown vetch; Bob
Yukich recorded a single individual on the open
hillside near the High Park Forest School on August
1, 2002; egg laying on wild lupine was recorded in the
park on July 25, 2008; now breeds in small numbers
one old specimen from High Park in the ROM
breeds in and near wetlands in High Park
our only non-native skipper; introduced near London,
Ontario around 1910
1
BUTTERFLIES OF HIGH PARK
Common Name
Fiery Skipper
Scientific Name
Hylephila phyleus
Status in High Park
uncommon to common
southern immigrant
Status in Ontario
uncommon to common
immigrant in the southern
part of the province
Host Plant
various weedy
grasses
Leonard’s Skipper
Hesperia leonardus
historical record
Peck's Skipper
Polites peckius
uncommon
Tawny-edged Skipper
Polites thermistocles
uncommon
locally common, mainly in
the southern part of the
province
locally uncommon to
common throughout
common and widespread
Crossline Skipper
Polites origenes
common
Long Dash
Polites mystic
rare
Northern Broken-Dash
Wallengrenia egeremet
common
locally common, mainly in
the south
Little Glassywing
Pompeius verna
uncommon
Sachem
Atalopedes campestris
very rare southern
immigrant
Delaware Skipper
Anatrytone logan
common
locally uncommon in the
south
very rare immigrant in the
south; in June 1988
several were found in
southwestern Ontario, with
confirmed breeding at
Point Pelee; there was
another larger incursion in
2012; otherwise, very few
records
locally uncommon to
common in the south
various grasses
including bluestem
and panic grass
grasses including rice
grass
grasses including
panic grass
grasses including
purpletop and little
bluestem
grasses including
bluegrass, quack,
barnyard, timothy
grasses including
panic grass and crab
grass
grasses including
purpletop
grasses including
Bermuda grass and
crab grass
Hobomok Skipper
Poanes hobomok
common
Compiled by Bob Yukich November 2000; fifth revision December 2012
locally uncommon to
common, mainly in the
south
common and widespread
common and widespread
grasses including
bluestem, switch,
woolly beard
grasses including
panic and bluegrass
Comments
typically a late summer immigrant in warmer years,
breeding after its arrival and producing one or more
generations that often persist into October; does not
over-winter in the province
an old specimen from High Park in the ROM
previously uncommon in High Park, this species has
recently become quite common, likely due in part to
habitat improvement
few park records; has likely bred
easily confused with other small dark skippers
easily confused with other small dark skippers
during the summer of 2012 this species migrated into
southern Ontario in unprecedented numbers,
breeding as far north as Toronto; on August 13, 2012
Bob Yukich photographed a female on the lawn in
front of the High Park Training Centre, the only known
record for the park (2012 was a spectacular year for
southern immigrants in the province)
this species was present in the park in the 1980s but
may have since been over-looked due to its scarcity;
Bob Yukich observed a fresh male in a wet meadow
along Spring Creek on July 11, 2000; a few
individuals, including a female ovipositing on big
bluestem, were observed in plot 1D during July 2002;
there was a viable colony here in 2004; it has recently
been undergoing a range expansion in the province
and is now quite common in the park
one of our earliest-flying skippers; closely associated
with woodlands
2
BUTTERFLIES OF HIGH PARK
Common Name
Broad-winged Skipper
Scientific Name
Poanes viator
Status in High Park
historical record; possibly
now a rare breeder
Status in Ontario
locally common, mainly in
the south
Host Plant
sedges and
phragmites
Black Dash
Euphyes conspicua
one sighting
locally uncommon in
southern Ontario
sedges including
tussock sedge
Dun Skipper
Euphyes vestris
common
common and widespread
sedges
Ocola Skipper
Panoquina ocola
very rare southern
immigrant
very rare immigrant in the
south, with most records
from Point Pelee
grasses
SWALLOWTAILS
Pipevine Swallowtail
PAPILIONIDAE
Battus philenor
rare southern immigrant
rare immigrant, mainly in
the southern part of the
province
pipevines
(Aristolochia)
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
uncommon to fairly
common
common, mainly in the
south
Giant Swallowtail
Papilio cresphontes
rare resident and southern
immigrant
uncommon to common in
the southern part of the
province where host plants
occur; in recent years has
colonized areas north of
historical range
parsley family
including Queen
Anne’s Lace
hop tree, prickly ash,
non-native
ornamentals in the
citrus family
Compiled by Bob Yukich November 2000; fifth revision December 2012
Comments
a wetland species; old specimens from High Park in
the ROM; Bob Yukich saw a fresh male nectaring on
wild bergamot along the east side of Grenadier Pond
on July 10, 2007; Alfred Adamo and John Foster
photographed one on phragmites at the south end of
Grenadier Pond (where it may now breed) on July 14,
2012; the closest known colony to High Park is in the
Rouge Valley
Bob Yukich observed a fresh individual of this wetland
species, the first record for the city of Toronto, in plot
1D near Grenadier Pond on July 16, 2004; at the time
the most easterly known colony in the province was in
Halton region; has since colonized wetlands northeast
of Toronto in northern Durham region; the remarkable
occurrence of this non-migratory species in High Park
is most likely related to its range expansion
the most common small dark skipper in High Park;
can sometimes be confused with other small dark
skippers
does not breed at this latitude; one was photographed
by Bob Yukich as it nectared on sedum in a large
flowerbed at Colborne Lodge on Sept. 23, 2012, the
most northerly record ever for the province; also
present the following day; this was the only report of
Ocola Skipper in Ontario in 2012 (a spectacular year
for southern immigrants)
occasionally breeds in the province where its host
plant occurs as an ornamental only (native further
south); a few fresh individuals recorded in High Park
in late August 2000, and again in June and August of
2001 and 2002, probably emerged nearby; this
species was easily seen in the park in 2012, a year
which saw an unprecented migration of this species
into the province
Bob Yukich recorded the first individual for High Park
on August 28, 2003 following a northward incursion of
this species into our area; since 2006 this species has
been reported almost annually in the park in small
numbers; a female was observed ovipositing on an
ornamental hop tree in the park in 2011 by Jay
Paluck; it is now a rare breeder in the Toronto region,
using non-native ornamentals as well as native host
plants
3
BUTTERFLIES OF HIGH PARK
Common Name
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Scientific Name
Papilio glaucus
Status in High Park
common
Status in Ontario
common in the southern
part of the province;
sporadically distributed
north of Toronto
Host Plant
cherry, ash, tulip tree,
hop tree
Spicebush Swallowtail
Papilio troilus
rare to uncommon;
occasionally common as in
2008 and 2012
uncommon to common in
the southwest
spicebush, sassafras
WHITES AND YELLOWS
Cabbage White
Clouded Sulphur
PIERIDAE
Pieris rapae
Colias philodice
common
common
common and widespread
common and widespread
Orange Sulphur
Colias eurytheme
common southern
immigrant
common and widespread
immigrant
mustard family
white clover, alfalfa,
vetch
alfalfa, white clover
Little Yellow
Pyrisitia lisa
rare southern immigrant
rare immigrant mainly in
the south
Cassia
GOSSAMER-WINGS
American Copper
LYCAENIDAE
Lycaena phlaeas
historical record
locally common throughout
Bronze Copper
Lycaena hyllus
historical record; one
recent sighting; breeding
uncertain
locally common, especially
in the south
sheep sorrel, curled
dock
curled dock, water
dock, smartweed
Acadian Hairstreak
Satyrium acadica
rare to uncommon
widespread, mostly in the
south
willows
Coral Hairstreak
Satyrium titus
uncertain, likely extirpated
cherry, plum
Edwards' Hairstreak
Satyrium edwardsii
extirpated
locally common in the
south
locally uncommon to
common in the south
Banded Hairstreak
Satyrium calanus
fairly common
oak, walnut, hickory
Hickory Hairstreak
Satyrium caryaevorus
rare
Striped Hairstreak
Satyrium liparops
uncommon
common mainly in the
south
typically rare to uncommon
in the south
uncommon to fairly
common throughout
Compiled by Bob Yukich November 2000; fifth revision December 2012
oak saplings,
especially black oak
hickories, oaks and
others
heath and rose
families including
hawthorn, cherry,
plum
Comments
the northern edge of this species’ range is not clearly
delineated; it overlaps the southern edge of the range
of the smaller, more northern Canadian Tiger
Swallowtail P. canadensis which is almost identical in
appearance
bred in High Park in 1999 (two broods) and in
subsequent years in variable numbers, using
abundant sassafras as host; over-winters as a pupa
within 30 cm of the ground; small, isolated population
makes it vulnerable
non-native; introduced from Europe around 1860
breeds after its arrival producing at least two more
generations; at times abundant in southern Ontario;
not known to over-winter in the province
does not over-winter in the province; not known to
breed in our area
an old specimen from High Park in the ROM
old specimens from High Park in the ROM; a species
associated with wetlands; Bob Yukich saw a very
fresh individual in suitable breeding habitat along the
east side of Grenadier Pond on July 10, 2007
once more common in High Park, this species is now
rarely encountered; in July 2008 Bob Yukich observed
a freshly emerged individual near the Forest School,
and later, a worn one near Grenadier Pond
reported from High Park in the 1980s
once common, this very local species disappeared
from High Park in the mid-1990’s, a period when there
were very few young oaks
the most common hairstreak in High Park
few park records; can be difficult to distinguish from S.
calanus
4
BUTTERFLIES OF HIGH PARK
Common Name
Gray Hairstreak
Scientific Name
Strymon melinus
Status in High Park
rare southern immigrant
Status in Ontario
uncommon immigrant
(resident?) in the extreme
southwest; a resident
population breeds locally in
the north
Host Plant
a wide variety
including "weedy"
plants; sweetfern in
the north
Marine Blue
Leptotes marina
very rare southern
immigrant
very rare immigrant in the
south; previously reported
only from Point Pelee
(twice) where it bred in
1993, producing three
generations in a single
season
various legumes
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Cupido comyntas
common
Spring Azure
Celastrina lucia
uncommon
common, mainly in the
south
common and widespread
Summer Azure
Celastrina neglecta
common
common in the south, less
so in the north
Silvery Blue
Glaucopsyche lygdamus
fairly common
Karner Blue
Plebejus samuelis
historical record
common, except absent
from much of the
southwest, where it
continues to spread
extirpated about 1991
legumes including tick
trefoil
wide variety including
cherry, blueberry,
viburnums
wide variety including
dogwoods,
viburnums, New
Jersey tea and white
sweet-clover
legumes, mainly cow
vetch in our area
BRUSHFOOTS
American Snout
NYMPHALIDAE
Libytheana carinenta
rare southern immigrant
uncommon to common
southern immigrant as far
north as Ottawa; previously
confined mainly to the
southwest
hackberries
Variegated Fritillary
Euptoieta claudia
rare southern immigrant
rare immigrant, mainly in
the south
Great Spangled Fritillary
Speyeria cybele
uncommon
common and widespread
wide variety including
violets, flax,
stonecrop, plantain
violets
Compiled by Bob Yukich November 2000; fifth revision December 2012
wild lupine
Comments
a few recorded in High Park in 1999 (a year that saw
many rare southern butterflies in the province); likely
bred that year, producing a second generation that
emerged in the fall; a fresh individual was also
recorded in the park on Aug. 3, 2008 by Barry
Harrison, and it likely bred again in 2012 when 2
females were found (one ovipositing on wild lupine)
by Bob Yukich
essentially a tropical species that migrates northward,
occasionally reaching the U.S. midwest; a small
colony of freshly emerged individuals was discovered
near Marie Curtis Park, Toronto on July 12, 2008. On
July 22, 2008 Bob Yukich observed a freshly emerged
male and female of this species nectaring on blue
vervain in a wet meadow at the southeast corner of
Grenadier Pond
in most years this species is common in High Park; in
some it is almost absent
flies in April and May; much less common throughout
much of the city than C. neglecta which flies later in
the season
similar in appearance to C. lucia, but does not fly until
early June
this species has been undergoing a southward range
extension and was first recorded in Toronto in 1997;
the first confirmed breeding in High Park was in plot
1D in June 2003; it is now established in the park
extirpated from High Park around 1926
migrates annually into the southern part of the
province, breeding at locations such as Point Pelee
and Pelee Island where its host plant is common; not
known to over-winter; Barry Harrison saw a single
individual, the only park record, in ornamental
gardens near the High Park Training Centre on July
29, 2007, a year when there were many sightings of
this species north of its usual range; it has since
become an annual breeder at locations along the
Toronto waterfront, using hackberry trees planted by
the city as hosts
occasionally breeds after its arrival, as in 2012 when it
became widespread in southern parts of the province
5
BUTTERFLIES OF HIGH PARK
Common Name
Aphrodite Fritillary
Scientific Name
Speyeria aphrodite
Status in High Park
historical record
Status in Ontario
common to uncommon
throughout much of the
province
common in the north;
absent from the southwest
locally common throughout
much of the province
Host Plant
violets
Comments
old specimens from High Park in the ROM
Atlantis Fritillary
Speyeria atlantis
historical record
violets
two old specimens from High Park in the ROM
Meadow Fritillary
Boloria bellona
historical record; one or
two recent sightings; does
not breed
violets
rare
locally uncommon to
common throughout, but
more widespread in the
north
composites such as
sunflowers, asters
Phyciodes tharos
usually uncommon
asters
Northern Crescent
Phyciodes cocyta
usually uncommon
uncommon to common in
the south
common and widespread
Tawny Crescent
Phyciodes batesii
historical record
asters
Baltimore Checkerspot
Euphydryas phaeton
historical record
Question Mark
Polygonia interrogationis
uncommon to common
southern immigrant
locally uncommon to
common throughout
locally common where host
plant occurs
uncommon to common
immigrant throughout
old specimens from High Park in the ROM; Bob
Yukich saw a fresh female nectaring on boneset in a
wet meadow, its preferred habitat, at the southeast
corner of Grenadier Pond on August 21, 2006; there
are no known colonies in the west end of Toronto, but
this species is known to wander
Bob Yukich recorded two individuals in High Park in
plot 1B on July 10, 2000 (first known record for the
park); single individuals were subsequently recorded
here in July of 2001 and 2002, as well as in plot 9B in
July 2004; a rare breeder in the park, this species
appears to be susceptible to habitat disturbance
similar in appearance to P. cocyta, and can
sometimes be confused with that species
similar in appearance to P. tharos, and can
sometimes be confused with that species
one old specimen from High Park in the ROM
Silvery Checkerspot
Chlosyne nycteis
Pearl Crescent
Eastern Comma
Polygonia comma
uncommon to common
nettles, elms, hops
Gray Comma
Polygonia progne
rare
uncommon to common
throughout
uncommon to fairly
common throughout much
of the province
Compton Tortoiseshell
Nymphalis l-album
uncommon
uncommon to common
throughout
willow, birch, poplar
Mourning Cloak
Nymphalis antiopa
fairly common
common and widespread
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell
Nymphalis milberti
historical record; a few
recent sightings; breeding
uncertain
locally uncommon to fairly
common throughout much
of the province
wide variety including
willows, elms, poplars
nettles
American Lady
Vanessa virginiensis
uncommon to common
southern immigrant
uncommon to common
immigrant throughout
Compiled by Bob Yukich November 2000; fifth revision December 2012
asters
turtlehead
nettles, elms, hops
currants,
gooseberries, birches,
elms
everlastings,
wormwoods,
burdocks, ironweed
an old specimen from High Park in the ROM; a
species associated with wetlands
does not typically over-winter in the province, but
recent evidence suggests it may on rare occasions
like other Polygonia, hibernates over the winter as an
adult
old specimens from High Park in the ROM; on July
27, 2008 Bob Yukich photographed a fresh individual
nectaring on purple coneflower at the Children’s
Garden along Colborne Lodge Dr. in High Park, the
first known record for the park in modern times
often recorded in High Park in early spring; these are
likely migrants from the north that, having arrived the
previous fall, hibernated over the winter; there are a
few summer records for the park; occasionally breeds
like other Nymphalis, hibernates over the winter as an
adult
old specimens from High Park in the ROM; a few
individuals were observed nectaring on ornamentals
at various locations in High Park during the summer
of 2007
breeds after its arrival, producing one or more
generations; does not over-winter in the province
6
BUTTERFLIES OF HIGH PARK
Common Name
Painted Lady
Scientific Name
Vanessa cardui
Status in High Park
rare to common southern
immigrant
Status in Ontario
rare to common immigrant
throughout
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia
uncommon to common
southern immigrant
rare to uncommon
southern immigrant
White Admiral
Limenitis arthemis
arthemis
uncommon
Red-spotted Purple
Limenitis arthemis
astyanax
uncommon
Viceroy
Limenitis archippus
rare
uncommon to common
immigrant throughout
uncommon to common
immigrant, mainly in the
south
common in the north,
mostly absent from the
southwest
common in the south,
mainly absent from the
north
common throughout,
especially in the south
Northern Pearly-Eye
Lethe anthedon
uncommon to rare
(extirpated?)
locally uncommon to
common throughout
Eyed Brown
Lethe eurydice
historical record
Little Wood-Satyr
Megisto cymela
common to abundant
Common Ringlet
Coenonympha tullia
uncommon to fairly
common
Common Wood-Nymph
Cercyonis pegala
fairly common
locally common to
abundant, mainly in the
southern part of the
province
common to abundant
throughout, especially in
the south
common to abundant
throughout much of the
province
common throughout
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
common southern
immigrant
common and widespread
NOTES: This list comprises 80 species and one subspecies of butterfly known to have occurred in High
Park up to the end of 2012. All of the species listed are known to or assumed to breed, or have bred, in
High Park unless otherwise noted. Common names used in this list are those found in Checklist & English
Names of North American Butterflies, Second Edition, published by the North American Butterfly
Association (NABA). Scientific names are taken from A Catalogue of the Butterflies of the United States
and Canada by Jonathan P. Pelham, revised February 14, 2012. Host plants listed for each species were
taken from The Butterflies of Canada by R. A. Layberry, P. W. Hall and J. D. Lafontaine 1998, and The
Ontario Butterfly Atlas by A. M. Holmes, Q. F. Hess, R. R. Tasker and A. J. Hanks 1991.
ROM = Royal Ontario Museum.
Compiled by Bob Yukich November 2000; fifth revision December 2012
Host Plant
composites including
thistles, knapweed,
burdock, sunflowers
nettles
gerardia, toadflax,
plantain
willow, aspen, poplar,
birch
cherries, poplars,
oaks
willows, poplars
various grasses
including purple oat
and reed canary
sedges
various grasses
including bluegrass
and orchard grass
various grasses
including bluegrass
and needle grass
various grasses
including wild oat,
bluestem, purpletop
milkweeds
Comments
usually rare but in certain years quite common;
usually breeds after its arrival, producing one or more
generations; does not over-winter in the province
breeds after its arrival, producing one or more
generations; may over-winter rarely, only as an adult
an annual colonizer; not known to over-winter; has
recently become more common in the southern parts
of the province; common in High Park in 2012
L. a. arthemis and L. a. astyanax were once
considered separate species
intermediates between astyanax and arthemis are
often seen in the Toronto region; both forms can
sometimes be seen side by side in High Park
mainly associated with wetlands; surprisingly, this
species is rarely encountered in High Park where it is
not known to breed
a species of shady, light-dappled woodlands; often
perches on tree trunks; not reported from the park in
recent years
old specimens from High Park in the ROM; a wetland
species
does not over-winter; southbound migration can be
observed over High Park each fall
The species abundance designations are based on a typical year, and a skilled observer
being in suitable habitat, in the appropriate season, under favourable weather conditions. It
should be noted, however, that the population of any butterfly species can fluctuate
dramatically from year to year, or even within a breeding season, due to a variety of
environmental factors.
abundant: usually recorded in large numbers on all visits
common: normally recorded on all visits
fairly common: likely to be recorded on most visits
uncommon: present in small numbers; can be missed on most visits
rare: can be less than annual in occurrence
very rare: often several years between sightings; not to be expected
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