Late Fall Butterflies

As I write this it is a warm November day, almost 70 degrees! Although the fall colors are well past their peak and we are getting frost on a regular basis, there are still butterfly sightings to be had on warm days like this.

On the Ocean State Butterflies Yahoo group, members are reporting persistent species like Clouded and Orange Sulphurs, Cabbage Whites, Monarchs, American Ladies and Red Admirals. Every sighting seems special because we don't know if it might be the last until spring. Anglewings like Commas and Mourning Cloaks, which overwinter as adults and can sometimes be seen on a warm day in the middle of winter, are also being spotted now. The best places to look for butterflies now are the coast, where the ocean warmth keeps things green a bit longer, and cities like Providence, where the urban "heat island" effect also extends the butterfly season. Nectar sources are rare this time of year, so check out garden chrysanthemums and any other late-blooming flowers you can find.

The fun of reporting these last sightings also has scientific value--lepidopterist Harry Pavulaan has collected several late sighting records for Rhode Island this season from observations reported on the list serve. Join the fun at http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/oceanstatebutterflies/. Anyone can read the postings and you have to be a member to post. Joining is free and relatively easy--you just need to create a yahoo account--but you can email me at jlewis@asri.org if you run into problems.

Enjoy the fall,

July Lewis